In An Age Before

by Phantom Bard

Part 298 posted, in which Helluin and the Riders of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý aid the Third Marshal Haleth in Rohan's defeat of the Easterling invaders. Brutal weather, disease, and failing morale play a part. Aldburg is no sooner freed of the eastern threat when tidings come of the Dunlending's invasion from the west. OCs galore as usual.

183. In An Age Before Chapter 183

In An Age Before – Part 183

Now on the North Downs, winter approached with the month of Narbeleth. Days grew chill and nights outright frigid with the month of Hithui. Ice skinned still water and frost came with each exhalation of living breath. In Gondmar, Men shivered and their stomachs grumbled. A long-building air of discontent pervaded the Host of the Witch King, and the Ringwraith had 'naught to offer them. Mortality was their plight, he reckoned, best solved by those so afflicted, and he occupied his time ruminating o'er his failures and casting spells for the further haunting of the fortress. His wights and phantasms would render Fornost a place of terror to all mortals, a contingency he intended to leave as a legacy should his rule eventually fail. That those same horrors afflicted his host, he cared not. He deemed them better servants when clasped tight in the grip of fear.

Within the precincts of the city, the Yrch awaited the feasting to come, when Men and horses succumbed to starvation. The Wargs shared in their anticipation and remained in Gondmar, for they had no better options amidst the depopulated lands that had been Arthedain. Amongst the Easterlings and Hillmen, a grim anger arose, and in its thrall they began to contemplate the slaughter of the Yrch, for they would sooner kill them all than become the fodder of monsters. Neither kindred, Yrch or Men, gave much thought to the Tor, who roamed the darkest depths 'neath the fortress, finding such passages and chambers most akin to the natural caves they favored. The hulking creatures were left to their own devices, which amounted to little more than hoarding treasure and carrying off the occasional Man or Orch for their suppers. Only the Wolves abandoned Gondmar, deeming that they had the least to gain by staying. Winter was a familiar season and there was always game for a pack to drag down and tear apart. They roamed the North Downs and the surrounding countryside, hunting, howling at Ithil, and running, running, running free.

Tindomul did his best to ignore those factors he could not control. He had made absolutely no progress in satisfying the demands of his lord Sauron. The king's head and the palantíri had eluded him and he had no idea whence they could be found. The messengers he had dispatched to Lindon and Imladris had not returned. Either they had been slain, or they had deserted. In either case, no tidings had come from the blocking forces. He could only assume that they were holding their positions and hunting for sustenance.

The Ringwraith intended that with spring, he would drive hence his surviving troops, first to prosecute Lindon, and then after exploiting the spoils to be found there, turn to the destruction of Imladris. If his regent in Carn Dûm accomplished the recruitment he had been charged to do, the Witch King would have a new host from Angmar with which to campaign.

In Sûza, the Halflings were far more comfortable during that winter than the host in Gondmar. After Helluin's warnings and the appearance of the Witch King's troops in Cerveth, the Perianin had needed no further convincing. When Ivanneth came, all hands had applied themselves to the harvest as had ne'er happened aforetime. Wagons were filled, livestock tethered behind, and the Easterling horses Helluin had brought proved a great aid to their cause. As soon as a wagon or cart was filled, it set out on the Great West Road. Ere the end of Ivanneth, the crops were in and the population was fleeing to the West Farthing. 'Twas a huge caravan of people, animals, and wagons filled with food. On their way west, they passed wagons that had already been unloaded and were returning east to bring forth a final cargo.

The braver, (or lazier), Periannath settled in the lands beyond the Green Hill Country on either side of the Road, much as they had once done on either side of the Great East Road beyond Weathertop long ago. More came so far as the White (Chalk) Downs, and there they excavated tunnels in the eastern and steep western slopes. The expansions of Micel Delfing and Lytel Delfing dated from those days, though there had been minor settlements in both places aforetime. Eventually, Michel Delving would become the chief town of the Shire, the seat of their mayor, and such government services that the Halflings maintained. Finally, some few of the most fearful Perianin continued west past the White Downs and settled in the lands 'twixt the White Downs and the Far Downs.

In all such places, the refugees immediately set to work, digging tunnels for shelter and for the storage of their harvest. The excavations were carried out at a frantic pace with little time for embellishments and refinements. The comforts and furnishings required for civilized living, and so valued by the Perianin, were forgone in favor of survival. And as with the harvest, all hands labored, for no Halfling was willing to be homeless in winter. Such privation would have been intolerable.

A traveler on the road who passed through the West Farthing and then returned six weeks later would have been astonished at the extent of their labors. In that time, many thousands dug homes in a minimal but functional style. Additionally, those homes had spaces dedicated to pantries, root cellars, granaries, and smoke houses. Waxed cheeses, pickled vegetables, and crocks of butter rested in niches lining chilled storage tunnels, and pegs were driven into the bare chalk walls of kitchens from which to hang drying herbs, sausage links, and hams. Barrels of beer and casks of wine made tables and chairs. Having neither lumber, nor fencing wire, they could not create paddocks or chicken coops, and so yet more excavations were made, to create shelters for their livestock. The best that the Halflings could do was to provide for their beasts fodder, feed, basins for water, and o'erhangs 'neath which to lie safe from storms and snow, and then hope that the animals strayed not so far from their sustenance and shelter as to be lost. Then the Periannath settled in for the winter. They ne'er saw the Hillmen and Easterlings who came in Narbeleth to find the Shire emptied and its larder bare.

So the winter of 1974-5 passed on the shores of the Bay of Forochel, in the town of Celenhár in Rhudaur, in fallen Fornost in the Witch King's new realm of Gondmar, and in the Shire. In Lindon and Imladris, Elves awaited the turning of the seasons, whilst on the west bank of Mithlond, Queen Fíriel, Prince Aranarth, Artamir, and Artanis gave thanks for their refuge and prayed to the Valar for the welfare of the king.

In Minas Anor in the southern realm of Gondor, King Eärnil II continued to worry about the assaults of the Wainriders, the Men of Umbar, and their Haradrim allies. Long did he regard the maps and the reports from his scouts, spies, and garrisons throughout his realm. And he bore the niggling guilt in the back of his mind regarding the plea for aid from Arvedui in the North Kingdom, whence he had heard 'naught since, and to whom he was constrained from sending aid. At times the king felt as if the chill from Mindolluin seeped through the stones of the citadel into his very bones.

Now on 7 Nínui of the new year 1975, a trio of Guards of the Citadel came to the Hall of Kings at the base of Calimehtar's Tower, seeking audience with Eärnil. They were breathless from their haste, obviously agitated, and their bows to the king were perfunctory.

"My lord, an event most momentous goes forth in the High Court," the sergeant well 'nigh blurted out whilst his two Men stood silently flanking him, but with looks of astonishment that they tried hard to suppress.

What in Arda could have so discomfited my most elite warriors? King Eärnil wondered as he regarded them for a moment.

From the seat on the bottommost step of the dais, the king's steward Pelendur rose to meet the guards and intercede, but Eärnil made a subtle hand gesture and stayed him.

"Pray take a moment to calm thyself and then share thy tidings, good sergeant," Eärnil said.

Chagrined by his comportment before his king, the Man paused a moment to recover his military bearing. Then, after taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders, he reported, "your Grace, a great Eagle has landed in the High Court, and he bears a prisoner."

Now 'twas Eärnil and Pelendur who stood in shock, eyes wide and mouths agape. There was no precedent for such a visitation insofar as either of them knew. After a moment's paralysis, both hastened towards the doors of the Tower as fast as decorum would allow.

The king himself threw open the doors on the winter's cold. In the excitement of the moment, he felt it not at all. There, past the fountain and the Place of the Tree with its black-robed sentries, at the farthest end of the High Court stood the Eagle, and pinioned 'neath his talons, a vigorously struggling Man of the East, crying out in fear. Eärnil could scarce believe his eyes. Even the Guards of the Fountain were staring.

That bird is HUGE, the king thought in astonishment, a good four rangar to the beak and a wingspan of probably five times that. How can such a vast creature fly?

With his steward, the king charged down the stairs and well 'nigh ran 'cross the courtyard. Ere he reached the far end, he was puffing the steam from his breath into the chill air. He offered the Eagle a bow and then stood trying to catch his breath. On the ground, the Easterling made some unintelligible plea in his native tongue. The Eagle returned the king's bow with a deep dip of his head and offered the steward a nod of acknowledgement.

"Your Highness, I pray thee take a moment to calm thyself," the Eagle said. "I regret that my appearance has caused such upset, yet I bear tidings and this ehmm…," he trailed off and looked down at his prisoner with one eye and then the other as if contemplating an appetizer. When the terrified Man increased his struggles, the Eagle simply tightened his foot to squeeze the wind out of him ere he continued, saying, "for now, he is a witness who shall testify."

The king gave the Eagle a nod and took several cleansing breaths. Then he squared his shoulders and asked, "I have no knowledge of any of thy noble kindred visiting Minas Anor aforetime. Pray share with me thy name and then thy tidings."

The Eagle nodded to the king and said, "I am Meneldor, lieutenant of Gwaihir the Wind Lord, currently engaged upon errantry on behalf of the Istar Mithrandir. 'Twas his notion that unrest occupies the East. He begged my aid to find proof. This I have done, and at his request, have brought such confirmation to thee, upon whose realm such events bear most heavily."

King Eärnil fought to maintain his concentration on the details that Meneldor had revealed. With every sentence, the Eagle had astounded him. He had long thought himself alone in the fight to hold the evil arrayed against the Southern Dúnedain at bay, yet now 'twas clear that at least one of the Istari was concerned with their welfare. The Wizard had powerful allies, able to venture into the furthest East and learn what none of his spies or scouts could. And he had brought forth a prisoner, a thing impossible for his Men to do o'er such a vast distance. The possibilities revealed by Meneldor's tidings could not be o'erestimated.

The king dipped his head to the Eagle and said, "thy tidings are of great import to me and to the realm of Gondor, and for them I give thee thanks. Whyfor then is the East unstable? What goes forth in the lands beyond Rhûn?"

"Sauron commanded the Nazgûl to Mordor in 1856, and save for the Witch King of Angmar, they remain there still. In their absence, Dol Guldur was abandoned and the lands east of the Sea of Rhûn left bereft of their God of Fire. Soon, local chieftains grasped for power. Amongst the Rhûnwaith, a vicious khan now strives to consolidate his rule. Engulfed in war, the tribes are unable to unite against the west."

After his explanation, the Eagle shook and squeezed the prisoner, prompting the Easterling to shriek and scream a flood of foreign words. To the king, 'twas 'naught but gibberish.

"Perhaps amongst the wise of the city is one who speaks this tongue?" Meneldor asked.

Eärnil gave Pelendur a nod and the steward hastened off to find a translator. The king then called o'er the sergeant and his two Men who had followed their king to the end of the High Court, for no cause would have stayed them from gawking at the Eagle.

"Pray take custody of the prisoner, good sergeant," the king ordered.

Though somewhat hesitant to approach the great bird so closely, the sergeant gestured his Men hence and they edged forward, finally seizing the Easterling by his arms and hauling him to his feet. The prisoner seemed quite grateful to be remanded into human custody, for he struggled not and was all too willing to be led away to the gaol 'neath the citadel. Meneldor raised and flexed his foot, as if to relieve the stiffness of having held his talons clenched about the captive's body all the way from Far Rhûn.

Ere the king could say 'aught else, Meneldor asked, "pray hast thou some victuals to spare? The flight hither has been long and I find myself both parched and famished."

He tilted his head to regard the king from each eye in turn. Eärnil realized that he had already dismissed all who had attended him and was now alone with the Eagle. The nearest guards stood 'neath the White Tree, 'nigh a hundred yards away 'cross the courtyard, and they were bound by tradition to remain at their post save at the greatest need.

With a sigh, the king said, "I beg thy patience, noble Meneldor. I shall make the arrangements for a meal to be delivered."

With that, the King of Gondor bowed and strode off towards the tower, leaving the Eagle alone 'nigh the embrasure at the tip of the High Court o'erlooking the circles of the city. Meneldor voiced a soft cackle that the wise of the city would have translated as a chuckle ere he settled to preening his feathers.

Now straightaway the king found some soldiers in the citadel preparing for their shift of duty, and he charged them to go to the buttery of their company and procure six butcher's stones of sausages and hams, and to deliver them forthwith to the High Court. The bewildered soldiers stared at their king, but he hastened them hence with words of command.

Next, Eärnil made his way to the dungeons where the Easterling was incarcerated. There he found the sergeant with several guards outside the barred door of a cell. On a narrow bunk within sat the Easterling appearing despondent, his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. Shortly, they were joined there by Pelendur and a scholar of many years, disheveled, rheumy-eyed, wild haired, and smelling heavily of stale sweat, candle smoke, wine, and rancid butter.

"Your Grace, this is Parvnaud¹ who is accounted a master of eastern tongues," the steward offered as an introduction. The king marked that Pelendur was breathing through his mouth and standing a fathom from the translator. ¹(Parvnaud, Book Bound = parv(book) + naud(bound) Sindarin)

The Man bowed to King Eärnil in a distracted manner, suffered a fit of coughing, and then absently gnawed at his cuticles as he came to the door of the cell. When he glanced at the prisoner within, his mood seemed to lighten, for he bobbed his head in approval and smiled to reveal several rotten teeth.

"Question him about the unrest in his lands, and learn if such shall be of long duration," Eärnil ordered the scholar.

Parvnaud dipped his head to acknowledge the instructions and then addressed the prisoner in a barrage of uncouth sounding speech. The prisoner turned towards the scholar in surprise and then replied with an equally unintelligible flood of syllables delivered at a 'nigh shouting volume and accompanied with wild gesticulations that caused the chains on his wrists to rattle and clank. After several minutes, he subsided.

"My lord, the prisoner names himself Burj Aleaqareb, which signifies a scorpion in his tongue," Parvnaud reported, "and that he is a minor noble from Wahat Binya, a small principality east of the Sea of Rhûn. His people have been attacked by ravagers serving Targitai, the Red Khan."

To this, the king nodded appreciatively. Regardless of his lack of social graces, it seemed that Parvnaud was a proficient translator. With a gesture, Eärnil prompted him to continue.

Thereafter, the scholar engaged Burj Aleaqareb in an even more extended conversation that was completely impossible for any of the others to follow. The prisoner spoke vigorously and for a long time in response, and many gestures accompanied his words. The dialog seemed to go on endlessly, back and forth 'twixt the two. Eventually, the steward rolled his eyes whilst the king sighed and shook his head. Finally, the scholar and the prisoner trailed off as if they had run out of things to say. Parvnaud had to take several deep breaths, (which brought on another fit of coughing), ere he presented his translation.

"Lord Eärnil, Burj Aleaqareb says that the Red Khan has been making war on the peoples of the God of Fire for several years now, but only in the past half-year have his hordes come so far west. The count of his armies and the fanaticism of his soldiers have made him unstoppable thus far, though the people of every wahat, and every tribe and clan of the Wainriders oppose him in their turn. 'Tis the prisoner's belief that another year or more will pass ere Targitai subjugates all of Rhûn."

The tidings provided by the Eagle and his prisoner had proven valuable beyond measure. The king gave thanks to the Valar for the respite his kingdom was now gifted. That it would come from the slaughter of enemies by enemies made it all the more welcome. In the cell, Burj Aleaqareb sat on the bunk with his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands, just as he had ere the translator had engaged him in speech. Another fit of coughing intruded on Eärnil's thoughts and he turned his gaze again to the scholar. The Man was holding up a hand as if begging leave to speak, once he had ceased his hacking and choking. The king nodded to him and stood by to hear what he would say.

"My lord, the prisoner holds a rank in his realm roughly akin to that of the heir of a great house of the Dúnedain here in Minas Anor. He fears the fall of his lands and the destruction of his people. He attests that like many who worship the God of Fire, his kindred are settled folk, not Wainriders, and they have ne'er made war against this realm. Lord, he petitions thee to either allow him to return and take up the defense of his homeland with his father and brothers, or to grant him asylum in Gondor henceforth."

At first, King Eärnil could only stare at Parvnaud. Burj Aleaqareb was a self-proclaimed worshipper of the God of Fire, and his people were devotees of Sauron. Perhaps they had worshipped Morgoth in the Elder Days long ago. 'Twas only by virtue of geographical distance that they had not fought against Gondor aforetime. Perhaps they would in the future. There was no possibility that the king would grant the prisoner asylum in Minas Anor. 'Twas 'nigh as bad that he had seen the city's defenses and the lands of Gondor whilst flying o'erhead in the clutches of the Eagle. The king was loath to release him to return to his homeland.

Yet the prisoner had ne'er borne arms against Gondor. He had ne'er made threats against the crown or the realm, nor had he declared animosity towards the Men of the West. Burj Aleaqareb had not been taken prisoner in battle, nor had he committed any crime. Technically, he was not an enemy warrior, a spy, or a criminal. Neither justice, nor the law would support his execution, or even his continued incarceration. The king groaned and shook his head.

"I shall give my answer shortly," he said ere he turned from the cell and left the dungeons.

Now the king deemed his next duty was to see to his other guest. Eärnil had left Meneldor in the High Court and ordered his soldiers to provide the Eagle with a meal. He hastened from the citadel to the courtyard hoping that his hospitality had been well received. There he found his soldiers cowering, the sausages and hams eaten, and the Eagle drinking from the Fountain of the Tree. It appeared that the four Guards of the Citadel had not moved from their places, though they were all watching Meneldor closely. Ere the king could reach the fountain, Meneldor had stepped into the water and was vigorously splashing. He stood 'neath the fountain, shaking his head and flapping his wings and tail. Water leapt skyward, slung with joyous abandon to soak the tree, the guards 'round its base, and the paving stones of the court for many fathoms. Eärnil stood back 'til the Eagle had finished and stepped out onto the bordering flags.

"Lord Meneldor," the king called out, just as the Eagle violently shook and flapped to rid himself of the excess water. The Eagle turned to him and Eärnil would have sworn that he was smiling with his beak.

"Ahhhh, King Eärnil," the Eagle said, "I cannot praise the hospitality of your city in sufficient measure. The meal was delicious, the portions generous, and the provision of a bath for clean up after tells of a realm most civilized where hospitality is an art. Thou hast my sincerest thanks."

He offered the king a deep dip of his head accompanied by a lowering of his left shoulder in much the same manner as he had when greeting the Lord Círdan in Lindon, though this time he bore no Noldo upon his back to shed. By reflex, the king offered a bow in return.

"I am glad that our accommodations have proven satisfactory," the king said, "and again, thou hast my thanks and the thanks of the realm for thy tidings and the conveyance hither of the prisoner. He proved quite helpful once his speech was understood."

Meneldor nodded and said, "Mithrandir shall be glad that his foresight has proven helpful in this matter."

"Pray convey my thanks to him as well," Eärnil said.

"I shall do so when I meet him next. 'Til then, is there 'aught else of concern here in Minas Anor?"

The king paused a moment and then decided to broach the subject of his indecision and seek the counsel of the Eagle.

"Lord Meneldor, there is indeed another matter pressing, and I pray thee offer thy counsel."

The Eagle tilted his head, bidding the king continue.

"Concerning the Easterling," Eärnil said with some hesitancy, "by our laws, he is neither a criminal, nor an enemy soldier, and therefore cannot be held as a civil prisoner or a prisoner of war. I have no legal grounds to further detain or sanction him. Indeed, I shall soon have to release him, a thing that I am loath to do, knowing that he shall seek to return to his people in the east. He has declared himself a worshipper of Sauron, though his people have ne'er borne arms against Gondor.

Worse, he hath formally requested either repatriation to his people, or asylum in Gondor. If I release him from Minas Anor, he shall most likely be slain ere he departs the Pelennor. The distance is great and many of my soldiers are stationed 'twixt here and Rhovanion. He speaks not our tongue, can trade words with none, and so I deem his chances of reaching his home nil.

Likewise, I shall not grant sanctuary to any worshipper of Sauron. This realm is peopled by scions of the Faithful and we are exiled fore'er by the actions of our ancient kin who worshipped the Dark Lord in Númenor."

Meneldor tilted his head back and forth, obviously taking time for thought. He shifted from one foot to the other and stared up at the sky. 'Twas some time ere he replied, but finally he looked back to the king and said, "in a discomfiting quandary thou art entrapped. Were I thee, I too should not grant asylum to one who embraces the Abhorrent One.

I deem 'tis noble of thee to follow thus the law, even when faced with one who is not a citizen bound by such laws himself. I am sorry to have enmeshed thee in such a pass, and I deem it my duty to aid thee in its resolution.

'Tis possible for me to convey the prisoner back to Rhûn," Meneldor continued, "and I can deliver him safely from any mischance arising from encountering thy troops afield. If thou would have it so, then I shall bear him hence as I bore him hither aforetime."

King Eärnil felt like dancing for joy, though he maintained his comportment, barely. The Eagle's solution solved all his problems with the Easterling in a manner so elegant and fitting that he believed 'twas the work of Manwë himself. The king smiled broadly and nodded 'aye' with great vigor.

"I could ask no more of thee, noble Meneldor. The Easterling shall be conveyed hence and soon, and if there is 'aught that we can do for thee in the future, pray hesitate not in the asking."

He bowed deeply to the Eagle and then beckoned to the soldiers who had brought the meal and then lingered 'nigh to witness the spectacle.

"I bid ye bring the prisoner hence," he ordered, "and if the scholar Parvnaud yet lingers in the dungeons, tell him to inform the Easterling that he is to be set free and returned to his homeland forthwith."

The soldiers saluted the king and hastened to the citadel.

Shortly later, Burj Aleaqareb was brought forth from the dungeons unfettered, and he seemed jubilant enough 'til he was confronted by the king and the Eagle. Then he tried to flee back to the citadel, but the soldiers held him fast whilst he struggled and shouted and gesticulated. Alas, Parvnaud had been dismissed back to his chambers and his books, and none could make sense of 'aught that he said. Both the king and the Eagle shook their heads in consternation o'er his deportment.

"Pray bind him hand and foot," the king finally ordered, "and add a gag if he continues thus."

The soldiers procured many rangar of cordage and wrapped this 'round the Easterling's body in the manner of a spider webbing its prey. A gag was placed o'er his mouth to silence him for to have a moment's peace. At these proceedings, Meneldor nodded in approval.

"I deem him fainthearted and fearful of heights," the Eagle confided to the king, whilst remaining admirably straight-faced.

Eärnil nodded in agreement, the idea wholly reasonable to him. He could only imagine the Easterling's terror.

Eventually, Meneldor took flight from the embrasure at the east end of the High Court, leaping into the air and gliding out o'er the circles of the city, Burj Aleaqareb grasped firmly in his talons. After a while, 'naught was to be seen save a black speck in the sky to the northeast beyond Anduin.

King Eärnil watched them disappear into the hazy air o'er Dagorlad and then repaired to the Hall of Kings. There he called for a council of his generals and captains, and Pelendur hastened off to summon the officers to attend their king.

It took a couple hours to gather the king's military staff, but the council of war convened in the early evening, in the Staff Chamber of the Army and Navy. There were gathered 'round a large table, thirty-six captains of companies and ships, each with his first lieutenant, as well as a scribe to commit any orders to paper. Along with the captains of Gondor's army and navy were another six Men of Lebennin, captains of the Rangers attached to the army.

Though he was familiar with the most recent reports of troop strength and deployment, Eärnil began by requesting that the captains present their current status for the benefit of the others. This occupied the better part of an hour, for each captain of the army was charged with command of ten thousand infantry or five thousand cavalry, and these might be divided amongst several postings. Finally, all had been heard and all understood the deployment of Gondor's forces. The king then briefed them on his new intelligence.

"As many of ye may have heard, this past afternoon the High Court briefly hosted the august presence of the Eagle Meneldor, Lieutenant of Gwaihir the Wind Lord. At the behest of the Istar Mithrandir, he had scouted the far east, and there discovered that the lands beyond Rhûn are engulfed in civil war. A new chieftain seeks to consolidate his rule o'er the worshippers of the God of Fire, and in so doing, hobbles their ability to make war upon us. These tidings were attested by a prisoner carried hither by the Lord Meneldor.

We have already heard that for the past three weeks, no actions have come from the east. The Wainriders have ceased their attacks for a time, t'would seem. Those who command the Northern Army shall remain vigilant lest prior hostilities resume, yet for now, I deem it wise to plan on the contingency that the foe remains occupied by threats on their home front."

Here, the king paused to take a deep breath, and then he proceeded, proposing a major campaign the likes of which had not been undertaken since his own victory in the Battle of the Camp after King Ondoher and his sons had been slain.

"As ye already know, we have been constrained by the necessities of our own defense from sending a force to the relief of the Kingdom of Arthedain. The plea for aid at arms was received from the court of King Arvedui in Narbeleth of 1973, yet in the months since, ne'er have I been at liberty to divert sufficient strength from Gondor to honor the pact of mutual aid aforetime agreed 'twixt the Dúnedain realms in the north and south. T'would seem that now, we have a window of time in which to act."

King Eärnil paused to measure the reaction of his words on the commanders gathered 'round the table. These varied from eager anticipation to more measured consideration, yet he saw disapproval on the faces of none. Like the king himself, each captain of Gondor had felt the shame of being unable to honor their treaty and come to the aid of their brothers in the north.

"Some of ye recall the plans laid aforetime when the call for aid was first received. 'Twas decided then that a mixed force of infantry and cavalry numbering fifty thousands and borne hence aboard ship to Lindon would suffice to resist Angmar. Since that time, we have heard 'naught from Arthedain. No tidings of the war have come to us in the south, and so we have learnt 'naught upon which to amend our preparations.

For that reason, I am open to considerations and revisions, yet the heart of the plan remains. From the northern army whither the threat of the east stands now reduced, I intend to draw the greater part of a sending force, thirty thousands from the companies in Anórien, Ithilien, and the Downs 'twixt the Wold and Onodló. Added to that count, I am assigning my son, Prince Eärnur and his five thousand cavalry from North Ithilien to join the expeditionary force.

Those companies now stationed upon our eastern frontier shall remain at their posts to give the appearance of no change in our deployments. They are to maintain their normal activities.

From the companies in Pelargir, South Ithilien, Harondor, and the southern fiefs from Anduin to Ringló, I shall draw ten thousands. The remaining five thousands shall come of the Rangers of Lebennin currently deployed amongst the regular troops of the northern and southern armies."

'Round the table, captains of the army calculated which posts to take soldiers from whilst maintaining the illusion of unchanged readiness to their foes. There was subdued converse 'twixt captains and their lieutenants, and many notes dutifully written by scribes. Many captains shared details with their fellow commanders. Eärnil let them have their time. He marked that none protested, but rather applied themselves to planning from whence the required count of soldiers would be drawn. The prince eyed his father with questions in his eyes, but held his peace. It seemed that only the Ranger captains had little to discuss.

They need make no decisions, for their contingent shall come from those already deployed. In their absence, I wager Lebennin shall stand on higher alert, prepared to shoulder the defense of a broad swath of the southern coastline against any incursions from Umbar and the south.

When he sensed that the captains had committed their responsibilities to paper for later review with their own staff members, the king resumed.

"I bid ye captains of the fleet to take council with those in the army charged to provide warriors, and to ready such conveyance and protection as is required for Men and horses, and for their support personnel, as well as such supplies and material of war as is deemed necessary. Be ye ware upon your voyage to Lindon. The reach of Umbar is long upon the sea, and others too may have joined Angmar's cause.

Though ne'er have we heard 'aught of the Witch King employing sea power, he may be able to influence the waves, the weather, and other conditions at sea with his dark conjuring. This enemy is not of our world."

Much further discussion followed with many refinements and details that were questioned or proposed. The scheduling of meetings 'twixt captains on land and sea was agreed upon, yet eventually all was said for that night, and the king adjourned his council. As the chamber emptied, the king signaled his heir to remain, and when the last captains had taken their leave, Eärnil gave counsel to his son.

"As thou and the others have reckoned by now, thou shalt command of the expeditionary force. That was my intention when I specified that thine entire cavalry be deployed, and so, unlike the other troops whose captains shall remain in Gondor whilst they are led by a lieutenant, thou shalt command thine own company and the others as well."

"Thou hast my thanks, father, and I shall neither disappoint thee, nor fail of thy trust," the prince said. He could hardly contain his excitement. His long-held dream of commanding a great army to prosecute a war for Gondor would soon be realized.

"My son, there is much else besides waging a war that hangs in the balance now," Eärnil said. "This mission is as much diplomatic as military. In Arthedain, we shall be allies of the North Kingdom, and as thou know 'tis barely thirty years since I took Gondor's throne o'er the claim of Arvedui."

"The people and the Council of the Realm agreed that thou was't Gondor's choice for the crown," Eärnur protested. His father nodded in agreement, but with reservations.

"In the north, it may seem otherwise," the king said. Then he sighed and explained that, "here in the South Kingdom, the line of Anárion has been broken four times, whilst in Arthedain, King Arvedui is the direct descendant of Elendil. His son, Prince Aranarth is Elendil's next heir, but he is also the son of Queen Fíriel, the sole surviving child of King Ondoher. By the laws of Númenor, she would be Queen of Gondor by blood and Queen of Arthedain by marriage. Thou understand the lineage of the prince, and I deem thou can mark how 'tis regarded in his realm. By blood, he is the right High King of us all."

"But father, Arvedui pressed not his claim to the throne, and neither did Fíriel. 'Tis even said that Isildur abdicated his High Kingship when he committed Gondor to Meneldil following the Great War. The North and South Kingdoms have been independent realms since."

Eärnil nodded. He had heard both arguments aforetime.

"Aye, many believe the latter and some are taught so by their tutors in these latter days, but I have read Isildur's words in the Charter of the Realm. Herein do I, High King Isildur Elendilion, commit the regency of the Realm of Gondor to my brother-son, Meneldil and the heirs of his line, to rule in my stead and 'neath my patronage, whilst I take up my father's seat and office in the Realm of Arnor, there to preside o'er the people of the Dúnedain in Exile. So too shalt the heirs of my house. Isildur gave up 'naught."

"But that was long ago, father, and few know of it now," Eärnur said. "Isildur died and his heirs ne'er returned, not when Tarannon and Rómendacil died childless, nor when Telemnar fell to the Plague."

"'Twas e'er at their discretion to make claim upon the throne or not," the king said, "and only with the fall of Ondoher was a claim made. I feel that had Arvedui not wed Fíriel, his claim too would have remained unspoken, for ere that, our realms had drifted apart."

Prince Eärnur could but dip his head and accept his father's words. He knew somewhat of the lore and the lineages of the north and south, but the subtleties of court politics and diplomacy had not been his study.

"My son, there is more thou need to know ere thou set out for the north. The Heirs of Isildur regularly share concourse with the Elves, the High in Imladris and the Grey in Mithlond. Here in Gondor, we have seen neither in many hundreds of years, indeed, since the Days of the Kin-strife." The king paused then, and when he continued, 'twas in a more confidential tone. "Rumor tells of another kindred, unseen by all yet e'er watchful. They are the Laiquendi, the Green Elves of Eriador. I bid thee read the lore of Ciryatur of Númenor, for though he saw them not, they had a hand in his victory. 'Tis said that long, long ago, our Rangers learnt such of their skills at stealth and shooting as mortal Men might attain."

Now the prince's attention sharpened. Ne'er had he met an Elf, nor had anyone he had e'er met. The tales of the Elder Days spoke much of them, yet in these latter days, they had faded to a memory in the South Kingdom.

"The port of Mithlond in Lindon whither we are bound is ruled by the Sindar," he said.

The king nodded in agreement, "'tis the realm of Círdan the Shipwright. I doubt not that thou shalt meet him, and in that meeting, thou shalt stand in the presence of the eldest of our peoples' allies. Of him and his people came the shipcraft of Eärendil and Númenor.

As thou shalt represent the Kingdom of Gondor to the realms of Eriador, t'will be a good experience for one who shall one day be king. The friendships and alliances made in these days shall stand thee and our realm in good stead in days to come. More than the command of Men in war, this is the opportunity I offer thee. Thou art a prince of the Men of the West, heir to the throne of Gondor, yet in Eriador, thou shalt meet some to whom thine own deference is due."

'Twas a sobering charge his father had lain upon him. During his lifetime, his father, the King of Gondor had been the figure of highest nobility, authority, and power. Now he would sail to a foreign land to wage war, yet he would also confront some whose nobility, lineage, and ancientry would eclipse that of his own house. There in the land of Eriador, he could win both glory and alliances for his realm. The situation offered even greater potential than he had imagined, and Eärnur could not wait to sail.

To Be Continued