In An Age Before – Part 184
Now also in the month of Nínui, King Arvedui and his four loyal soldiers huddled in the snow shelter built for them by the Lossoth upon the shore of the Bay of Forochel. They ate the lean meat of small whales, seals, and sea lions, (and the occasional penguin), that the Snow Men provided for them, and lacking the calories of the blubber and fatty cuts they kept for themselves, the Dúnedain slowly lost strength and health. Towards the end of the month, the king knew that despite having full bellies, his Men were starving. Increasing desperation ruled his thought and 'neath its impact, he resolved to do what he had avoided aforetime.
In the evening of 30 Nínui, Arvedui went alone from the snow shelter, and he bid his Men await his return. He walked inland from the shore 'til he came whither aforetime his company had first espied the Lossoth's camp, and there he sat and withdrew from 'neath his cloak the Palantír of Amon Sûl. Long he sat staring at the Seeing Stone. Despite the heritage of ownership accorded to his forefathers, he had ne'er attempted to use it himself. The only recipients of such communications were the kings of the South Kingdom, from whom Arthedain had been long estranged. Worse now stood that case, for thirty years aforetime, the Council of Gondor had refused his claim on the throne and installed Eärnil as king. All these factors fed Arvedui's reluctance to use the palantír, and yet no other course of action recommended itself to him. With a sigh, he recalled all that he could regarding the initiation of a contact.
In the king's hand, the Seeing Stone felt cold and heavy. It appeared as 'naught more than a sphere of dark glass striated with gold, a hand span in diameter and weighing a stone. For centuries, the realms of Cardolan and Rhudaur had fought o'er the possession of this heirloom, and now it offered his last hope of rescue.
Into the depths of the palantír the king stared, forcing his eyes to focus on the center of the sphere as he concentrated all his will. 'Twas the same novice mistake that Helluin had once seen at Eldacar's first attempt with the Osgiliath Stone. After a minute, a fugitive flicker of light fizzled for a moment within the depths of the palantír. Arvedui considered the attempt an encouraging success and tried again, gritting his teeth and holding his breath with the effort. Eventually he was rewarded with a swirl of light that spiraled towards the center of the globe ere it burst in a momentary shower of sparks. The king grinned and took several moments to catch his breath.
For the next two hours, King Arvedui sat alone in the dark of the northern night, repeatedly seeking to initiate a connection through the palantír and slowly making progress. Now he could illuminate the stone from within and maintain that ril for a short span, yet still no images could he see. 'Twas as if he were lighting a lamp glazed with opaque black glass and no others could see its glow. After another pause, he tried yet again.
By now the king had been absent from the snow shelter for 'nigh on three hours and his Men had grown worried. The four crawled out of the entrance tunnel and stood surveying the shore. They tried calling out to their king, but received no answer. Finally 'twas Talagant who marked a fluctuating glow some fifty yards inland from the strand, and having no other clues, he, Nohadan, Barasron, and Annuiél carefully made their way hence.
There behind a boulder and sheltered somewhat from the wind they found Arvedui, holding aloft the glowing palantír, his hand shaking from the weight of the stone, his eyes bugging and his teeth clenched tight as a thin groan escaped him. He appeared to them to be mortally constipated. As they watched, he sighed and closed his eyes, and the Seeing Stone went dark.
"My lord…?" Barasron asked, uncertain of just what they were seeing.
All four of them had been common soldiers and none had been privy to the concerns of royalty. Not a one had e'er seen a palantír aforetime and all they knew of the Seeing Stones of Númenor were rumors and tidbits of old lore.
Arvedui looked up and saw the concern and the fear in his Men's eyes.
"I deem we have exhausted all other hopes, and so I aspire to the use of the Palantír of Amon Sûl in hope of summoning aid," he said. Then he heaved a sigh and admitted that, "as yet my attempts have met with only partial success."
The soldiers looked to each other. They knew not if such actions could entail danger for their king, or what possible ills might come from the activation of such gûl. After giving thought to the situation though, all had to admit that their choices were few. They had barely survived their first year in the north, and if not for the succor of the Lossoth, they would surely have starved by now.
"Pray tell, what may we do to aid thee?" Annuiél asked.
Shortly later, Arvedui sat before the Seeing Stone, but this time 'twas held securely by Nohadan, (having drawn a short straw), and the strain of holding it aloft was removed as a distraction from the king's concentration. Barasron, Talagant, and Annuiél stood 'round the king with their cloaks spread to block somewhat of the wind and its noise.
The king made several further attempts to initiate a connection, and the duration of the lighting of the palantír increased, but no contact was forthcoming. Finally, they ceased.
"Back to our shelter we should repair," Arvedui said. The soldiers could all see the fatigue in his eyes. "I could benefit from a drink and some food, and the warmth of a fire. We are all unnecessarily exposed to the wind and cold here. Let us return, and perhaps after a rest I shall try again."
Together they arose and began walking back to the shore.
In Rhudaur, in the ancient town of Celenhár, the first Dúnedain trainees had been judged able novice Rangers and were graduated by their instructors following the raid on the Yrch. As the winter deepened with the new year, the first company of forty-eight soldiers followed in their footsteps. Now, with Helluin, Captain Úcúnon, his lieutenant, and the sergeant and corporal of that company as instructors, the soldiers of Arthedain entered the program of training in the way of the Rangers. With this group some time was saved, for the Men already had proper raiment, bows, and quivers of arrows.
Being as their instruction began in the dead of winter, these volunteers would be granted an additional measure of respect, having undertaken their training 'neath the least hospitable of conditions. Ríw Líros¹ they could name themselves with pride e'er after. ¹(Ríw Líros, Winter Rangers = ríw(winter) + lír(range) + -os(masc suff on n) Sindarin)
To capitalize on the season, their instruction started with the techniques of survival and concealment in the winter landscape of The Angle. Stealth, tracking, and the hunting of prey in a stark and snowy terrain they learnt. During the months of Narwain and Nínui they continued to practice and refine their skills, yet on the night of the last day of Nínui, as the recruits slept and those assigned as sentries kept watch, Helluin felt a sensation recalled from centuries aforetime. 'Twas wholly unexpected, and wholly welcome.
Now after taking some water and a few mouthfuls of lean meat, and then warming his hands o'er their small driftwood fire, King Arvedui set the palantír atop a column of snow, and did indeed attempt to connect with any of the other Seeing Stones in the South Kingdom. With his Men seated 'round him and the fire all contributing their warmth, and without the howling chill of the wind, Arvedui's mind was more at ease. So 'twas that on his first attempt, the glow within the stone stabilized and shone out bright to light the interior of the snow shelter. The Dúnedain's faces were lit by the ríl of silver and gold, and for a moment they saw a room of stone, and a Man in courtly robes who leapt forward towards them, but ere 'aught more could be marked or any words exchanged, the image faded and the glow dispersed as surprise o'ertook the king's concentration. With his soldiers, he sat staring at the palantír in amazement.
"By the Valar, it worked!" He exclaimed. Annuiél, Talagant, Barasron, and Nohadan could scarcely contain their jubilation. "Come, we shall try again."
Five leagues south of Celenhár, where she rested in the sheltered space 'neath the boughs of a hemlock, Helluin concentrated on the attempt to send a message in desperation by one who had barely attained proficiency with his stone. The call had come from the north. As she had once done whilst riding in Ithilien, she had sensed the use of a palantír.
Now whether 'twas by virtue of his prior success, his increased experience, or the comfort of the snow shelter, King Arvedui managed to initiate a contact quickly, and the Man they had seen aforetime now stood 'nigh whatsoe'er palantír 'twas that he minded on behalf of the southern king. At last, Arvedui was able to approach it as…a horse long familiar…rather than as a foe to be bludgeoned, and so in heart, he claimed his birthright as master of the Seeing Stone.
On this subsequent attempt, the connection held and was received in the south, at the nearest locale of another stone attuned to that kind of communication. The dark Noldo found that she was familiar with both palantíri. Amon Sûl calls to Angrenost! As she had done whilst Eldacar bided his time of exile in the North, she usurped the connection to see and hear, and then to be seen and to be heard.
I am Arvedui, son or Araphant, King of the fallen realm of Arthedain. My state is dire and I plead for aid. I bid thee send word to my son Aranarth in Lindon, or if that may not be, then to thy king Eärnil, saying that my surviving soldiers and I are stranded upon the southern shores of the Bay of Forochel. Send forth a ship to us and we shall keep lit a beacon.
My lord, I am Boron, Custodian of my king's Palantír of Angrenost, and I…"
Ere he could say more, the vision changed and now Arvedui felt no strain at all, for the connection had been hijacked and was subject to the will of another far better versed in its use. In the stone, a blue eye filled the globe, but it rapidly receded, revealing the face of an elleth.
Lord Arvedui, I am Helluin Maeg-mórmenel and the palantíri are well known to me. For long, tidings of thee have been lacking. Fear not. Knowing thy location, aid may now be sent. I bid thee keep hope.
The palantír abruptly went dark. In a heartbeat, Helluin rolled out from 'neath the hemlock and leapt to her feet. Then she was bolting towards the pickets where Barq waited.
"I have heard the king!" She shouted to the sentries. "I ride for Celenhár!"
As the Rangers in training jumped up in alarm from their repose, Helluin freed her horse and leapt onto his back. In moments, she was galloping north through the night.
On the shore of the Bay of Forochel, Arvedui and his Men stared in shock at the dark sphere of the palantír. One moment they had been engaging the custodian of the Angrenost Stone, and the next moment they were being addressed by the Úlairdacil. They knew not if such occurred oft, for they had ne'er aforetime spoken to any through the Stones of Númenor. The appearance of Helluin Maeg-mórmenel was a thing of wonder unto itself. All knew of her victory in the defense of Fornost in 1851. The king knew the lore of her victory o'er the Ringwraith in 1409.
"I hope that by her words, Helluin Maeg-mórmenel may arrange our rescue," King Arvedui said. For the first time in weeks, he dared hope that he might see his family again.
'Round him the soldiers nodded in agreement. Perhaps they would survive this brutal winter after all. T'would all depend on how soon a ship could arrive, and in the meantime, with the sunrise they would all be out collecting driftwood and whatsoe'er else they could find that would burn.
In Rhudaur, Helluin pushed Barq down dirt roads through the winter's night. Sure-footed and swift, the Eastern horse sped lightly o'er the frozen track. Five leagues he covered in a little o'er an hour and a half, and soon they stood in the street outside the doors of the town hall. In her haste, for once Helluin allowed a Ranger groom to cool down and tend her horse.
At the doors, a handful of Rangers stood their post through the night, but all recognized the Noldo, and with a nod they granted her access despite the lateness of the hour. She opened the doors and entered. In the antechamber, she met another Ranger.
"I pray thee, dost thou know if Mithrandir yet tarries here?" She asked.
The Man nodded to her and said, "aye, he was here this night and went to his rest but an hour ago."
Helluin smiled her thanks to him and then walked into the hall proper. In the open space, she stopped a few paces before the dais and closed her eyes. With her mind she concentrated on the Maia, calling to him with urgency, knowing that even should his body sleep, his fëa was e'er aware of other spirits. After a few minutes of sustained appeals, she got a reply.
Alright, alright, I'm up. I shall be down shortly, and more softly, as it were the muttering of an aggrieved soul, she heard, 'tis three hours past midnight, for crying aloud. Age grants me no peace.
Soon the Noldo heard the soft tread of feet upon the staircase, descending from the upper floor of the hall. Shortly later, a door to the side of the dais opened and Mithrandir strode out. To Helluin's eye it appeared that he had been sleeping in his robe though 'twas had to tell since that garment always looked disheveled. His hair was wild, but no more so than it e'er was, and wet 'round the edges as if he had splashed his face with water. She offered him a dip of her head in greeting.
"Helluin, what goes forth? Thy fëa is well 'nigh blinding this night."
"I have heard from King Arvedui. He is stranded upon the shores of the Ice Bay of Forochel with a small contingent. I counted but four in his company."
"How hast thou come by such information?" The Istar asked, sharply focused on her now with an expression of intense concentration that would have withered many.
"I sensed the king's use of the Palantír of Amon Sûl, and after some blundering he managed a connection to the Angrenost Stone. The King's Custodian had begun to respond ere I usurped the connection and promised him rescue by ship."
At that, the Istar stared at her for a long time. How had she been able to sense the use of a palantír at a remove of hundreds of miles? How had she managed to not only encroach on a privy contact 'twixt two Seeing Stones, but then bend such to her own will whilst negating the existing recipient's participation?
As if his thought had o'erflowed his mind, Helluin said, "perhaps through the barricade with which I fence out Sauron's thought, I am attuned to 'aught that passes in the aether, but for whate'er reason, I sensed King Arvedui's attempt tonight just as I sensed that of Eldacar aforetime. I need not a stone to send and receive, though lacking such, I see not as Men do. As for the speech, 'tis e'er a matter of mind to mind, whether with a stone or no."
I am sure that Elrond would find interest in this, loremaster that he is, Mithrandir thought. He shook his head. Oft aforetime had his friend demonstrated surprising capabilities. Perhaps 'twas a virtue conferred by her absorption of so much power from the dews of the Two Trees so long ago. He knew not for sure. With a blink, he abandoned that fruitless train of inquiry and focused on the matter at hand.
"Word must come to Círdan, and the sooner the better," he said, "for Gondor lies too far away, though I believe that they shall arrive soon."
At his assertion, Helluin cocked her head and raised a brow in question.
"I have learnt of late that the far east is engulfed in civil war, and so the South Kingdom has gained a respite. I deem that at last they shall send aid to their brothers in the north."
A smile broke on the Noldo's face. This was good tidings. Then she wondered by what means her old friend had learnt such tidings. Her curiosity was writ all o'er her face, but Mithrandir chose not to be sidetracked with the explanation.
Of late thy friend Meneldor has aided me as a spy, though the fate of his prisoner I feel was unnecessary, the Maia thought, and shook his head in disapproval. Whilst supposedly returning the bound Easterling to his homelands, the Eagle had managed to drop him from several hundred fathoms o'er the eastern Dagorlad. He had then descended and, as he had explained, enjoyed his remains as an edwen iór¹, lest they go to waste. ¹(edwen iór, second course Sindarin)
"If thou would be willing, I shall arrange thy conveyance to Lindon," he said.
As e'er, Helluin would do 'aught that he asked in the cause of opposing Sauron. She nodded her acceptance of the mission, thinking to herself that she already had a swift horse.
"Now I really must get some sleep," he said. "'Naught can be done ere the morn in any case. I bid thee a good night."
With that, the Istar turned ere she could ask 'aught further, and disappeared though the door.
Now the morn of 1 Gwaeron broke with a partially sunny sky and freezing temperatures. Shortly after dawn, the Lord Níshír appeared and invited Helluin to break her fast with his family and Mithrandir. She gladly accepted and followed him into the kitchen where she took a seat at the dining table with the Istar and Prince Gwíthír. Níshír, lord and king that he was, was busy aiding his wife, the Lady Brithil¹ in the poaching of eggs and the hewing of bread for toast. The scent of bacon and sausage links sizzling in a fry pan whetted their appetites. ¹(Brithil, Pearl Sindarin)
Helluin caught the eye of the Istar as Lady Brithil slipped eggs from the poaching water with a slotted spoon.
"As we decided last night, I have a long ride pending, all the way 'cross Eriador to Lindon. I shall take my leave following our breakfast," she said.
Prince Gwíthír looked 'twixt the two at the table and Helluin could read the excitement in his eyes. An adventure was afoot, no doubt of a kind he had spent many a daydream imagining. The lord and lady also broke from their meal preparations.
"What errand calls thee, Helluin?" Níshír asked.
"Helluin has learnt by esoteric means that King Arvedui lives, but he is stranded with a small company on the shores of the Bay of Forochel whence he requires rescue."
"Ahhh, and where better to engage a rescue ship than in the realm of Círdan," the lord said, nodding in understanding. "How then dost thou propose to breach the leaguer of Lindon?"
"O'er a half year past I left the Laiquendi to prosecute the reduction of that host, and perhaps they are now so few as to allow me to make my way by stealth to the gates of Lindon," Helluin replied. "I suppose that is something I must discover upon my arrival."
Lady Brithil rescued the bacon and sausage links from the pan and set them on a platter that she brought to the table. The plate with the poached eggs followed.
"First breakfast," Mithrandir said, "and then with luck, I shall be able to hasten thy passage to the Lord Círdan."
Helluin cast him a questioning glance, but as he was oft wont to do, the Istar said no more at that time. Rather, he turned to the loading of his plate. Helluin sighed and speared a couple links of sausage with her fork, then slid a poached egg onto her plate and began slathering sliced toast with butter.
"I shall be curious to hear King Arvedui's tale one day," Lord Níshír said. "To survive in those northern wastes for a year is a feat worthy of any Ranger."
The lady and the prince nodded in agreement though they knew little of Forochel save its reputation. The diners then concentrated on their breakfast of grease-laden foods, which they all found quite welcome as fortification in resisting the cold weather, not unlike the Lossoth with their blubber.
Following the meal, Mithrandir beckoned Helluin to accompany him out the back door and into the lane where he could sit on the steps and indulge his delight in smoking his pipe. Helluin rolled her eyes at the Wizard's habit, but stood a distance away where the air was clear.
Finally, after a bowlful of his pipe-weed, Mithrandir said, "Helluin, we have neither the time for you to ride 'cross Eriador, nor to find some way into Lindon. Instead, we shall employ such measures as thou hast used aforetime to escape Imladris."
It took but a moment for her to understand Mithrandir's intent. With a groan, she accepted her impending ride upon the back of an Eagle.
"Come, my friend. Let us pass beyond the verge of the town where there is room for such a one to land," the Istar said.
Soon they came to the field outside of the town where the Ranger trainees had gathered on their first day, and there Mithrandir bid Helluin be patient and wait whilst he turned his thought to summoning, 'his e'er hungry friend'.
The Noldo could not but grit her teeth and await the appearance of an Eagle. She watched as her old friend turned towards the Hithaeglir, staring off at the distant mountains from 'neath the brim of his hat. Though she had assumed the Wizard's summoning would be a purely mental affair, after the half part of an hour she began to hear his softly muttered grumbling.
"Art thou grown deaf of late, O colossal buzzard? I am not standing out here in the winter's cold for my health, for crying aloud. I bid thee appear, thou o'ergrown yolk."
And he bid me be patient, Helluin thought as she waited, sheeeesh. After a while, she began to check the sky where the morning's clouds were being swept east towards the mountains. There was still no rumor of an Eagle to be seen. With a sigh, she sat on the frozen ground, retrieved Beinvír's flute from her travel bag, and began to play a slow and contemplative tune. A few yards away, Mithrandir continued to stare towards the mountains, and softly, Helluin could still hear his muttering. The summoning continued thus for another hour ere the Istar finally threw up his hands in frustration and sat on the ground.
"Pray grant me the loan of thy kettle, Helluin," he asked, his disgust with the morning's efforts thus far evident in his voice.
Helluin took from her travel bag the small water kettle and filled it with clean snow. This she handed to Mithrandir who gave her a nod of acknowledgement. He set the kettle atop a pair of rocks and touched the tip of his staff to the bare earth 'neath it. With a few mumbled words, the dirt burst into flames, then settled to a bed of coals. The Noldo regarded this display with no small measure of envy. No kindling, no firewood, and no effort at all. The water quickly came to a boil, (unnaturally quickly, by Helluin's reckoning), and the Istar began searching amongst the drawstring bags hanging from his belt. Finally, Helluin tossed him a packet of the dried flower petals and herbs she used as tea, and then set out a pair of mugs. Mithrandir offered her another nod acknowledgement, this time accompanied by a grunt of appreciation, and added a generous pinch of the tea to each cup. He poured in steaming water and left the herbs to steep a while.
When the color of the tea had darkened sufficiently, they took up the mugs and chanced a careful sip lest they burn their lips and tongues. The temperature was perfect, Helluin thought, but the flavor was nothing like what she had expected of her herbal blend. She cast a glance to Mithrandir who was sighing with pleasure and quirked her brow in question.
"Oh-ho," he said, "I had been thinking of how much I longed for a cup of the tea Master Duckworth serves at the Last Inn."
Helluin nodded. I suppose I should be glad that he craved not for the tar that Aiwendil served in his hovel of Rhosgobel, she thought.
"Radagast! Of course!" Mithrandir exclaimed happily, having obviously heard every word Helluin had thought.
She rolled her eyes, sipped again from her mug, and then wrinkled her nose in disgust. The Istar had closed his eyes as he concentrated on conversing with the member of his order in the Greenwood. Helluin shook her head and after absent-mindedly sipping again of the tea, flung the contents of her mug o'er her shoulder with a grimace, deeming the flavor unpalatably sharp and bitter. Like some fluid that Iarwain might use to tan a hide…
After what seemed to Helluin a long time, Mithrandir opened his eyes and a smile shaped his lips. He drank down the rest of his tea, now certainly grown chill, smacked his lips, and then told the Noldo of what had come to pass 'twixt himself and Radagast the Brown.
"Aiwendil was himself as usual, myopic, pedantic, and quite irritated," he said, chuckling. "It seems an Eagle had come down from the Hithaeglir and made off with one of his two-headed calves." At the shock on Helluin's face, he explained. "The skin-changing settlers raise herds of milk cows as thou know, and on occasion, twin calves are birthed…incomplete. So now, if one is born with two heads, two faces, extra legs, or 'aught else peculiar, 'tis brought to Rhosgobel and given into Aiwendil's care. He spent much time extolling their gentleness and the endearing foibles that come of having two heads on one body. T'would seem that he has even embarked upon a program of natural inquiry, having had some success breeding calves with as many as four heads, but I digress."
Helluin was shaking her head in amazement and revulsion. The breeding of such monsters smacked of Melkor's foul debasement of Elves into Yrch and other such fell 'experiments' undertaken by the dark powers. Mithrandir appraised his friend's reaction, understanding it from her point of view.
"Helluin, they are born naturally, not of malice or some morgul. Aiwendil merely saves them, as they seldom survive long absent his special care. Oft times, he says, when they are young and know no better, both heads will try to swallow at once, thereby choking themselves to death as they swallow each others' tongues." He chuckled at that, his eyes bright with appreciation of the absurdity. After a further moment, he added, "I am sure he fondly recalls Celebrýn¹, Oromë's first hound, who had a silver coat and two heads. Alas, he proved useless in the hunt, one head serious, the other e'er given to chasing his tail." ¹(Celebrýn, Silver Hound of chase = celeb(silver) + rýn(hound of chase) Sindarin)
Shocked, Helluin sputtered, "I met no such hound, and upon a time, I explored well 'nigh all of Aman."
"'Twas long ere thy time, Helluin, back whilst we yet tarried upon the Isles of Almaren. Celebrýn took great joy in swimming and chasing a thrown stick, but upon a time, he dove to retrieve a stick ere both heads had taken a deep breath, and he drowned." The Istar shook his head sadly whilst Helluin regarded him with mouth agape.
"Ahhh! An Eagle approaches!" Mithrandir exclaimed.
He turned back towards the mountains and Helluin followed his gaze. Sure enough, in the high airs a black speck winged its way towards them. In time, they could both see the feathers on his wings and his head turning right and left as he sought for them. Finally, after another quarter part of an hour, Meneldor swooped down to land in the field. He dipped his head to acknowledge them and then regarded the Istar with a questioning glance.
"Meneldor, my friend," Mithrandir said. "I am glad thou hast come."
The Eagle bobbed his head and said, "I could hardly ignore thy repeated luncheon invitations, my friend. Pray excuse my delay. I had the opportunity to sample an appetizer of unusual rarity and delicacy." He smacked his beak and gave them a self-satisfied look.
Helluin rolled her eyes and Mithrandir groaned.
"I heard from Aiwendil," he said, "and he was sorely vexed by the loss of one of his calves."
Meneldor briefly hunched his shoulders in what passed for a shrug.
"Bah. 'Tis other concerns that prompted me to call for thy aid," Mithrandir said.
The Eagle regarded him from each eye in turn.
"We have a dire need to deliver tidings of great import to Lindon," the Istar said, prompting a groan from Meneldor.
"The seaside lowlands again," he said with obvious distaste, "could thou not employ a gull?"
"Indeed we could not," the Wizard said, exasperation edging his voice, "for Helluin must come thither. T'would be good to survey the southern shore of the Bay of Forochel as well."
At this, both Helluin and the Eagle regarded him with surprise and annoyance.
"I deem that unnecessary," Helluin said, "for Arvedui shall keep lit a beacon fire, and thereby such mariners as Círdan sends shall find the king."
Beside her, Meneldor bobbed his head in agreement and relief.
"Very well," Mithrandir said, "do as ye see fit, but save the king. I thank you both."
And with that, he turned and began walking back towards Celenhár. Helluin stooped to collect her water kettle and mugs, shaking her head.
Beside her, Meneldor muttered, "what a grouch…so, no lunch, I presume?"
"I deem 'twas but a tease and lunch awaits outside of Lindon," Helluin said, "and the sooner thither, the sooner fed."
Shortly later, and with great effort, Meneldor arose from the field outside of Celenhár with Helluin again perched on his back. Much grumbling was voiced by both as they winged their way west. They crossed Eriador, following the Great East Road and marking the desertion of the lands, a few packs of wolves running, and the ruins of farms and hamlets. Of the Ringwraith's troops, they saw none. Only o'er the West Farthing of Sûza did they see anyone moving, a few Perianin tending their livestock in the chill winter light.
"Aesin pigin¹, umm-hmmm," Meneldor muttered. He stared 'round carefully, committing landmarks to memory. ¹(Aesin pigin, Tiny meats = aes(meat) + -in(pl suff) + pigen(tiny, with internal vowel change –e to –i to form pl) It would seem that Meneldor regarded The Shire as an hors d'oeurve platter. Sindarin)
"We have no time, Meneldor," Helluin said, "maybe later…"
Eventually they came to the remnants of the Witch King's blocking force outside the gates of Lindon. Some sentries sat their horses on the road and upon these the Eagle stooped, scattering their company and seizing an Easterling rider in his left talon and the horse in his right. These he carried off amidst a great uproar and much clamor from the survivors. They could hear the hue and cry 'til it faded in the distance behind them.
Alas, 'twixt the weight of Helluin, the Easterling, and his horse, Meneldor found himself so o'erburdened that he was unable to regain sufficient height to clear the walls of Mithlond. He was forced to peel off sharply northwest, passing o'er the mouth of the River Lhûn and finally wheeling at low altitude just north of the Dúnedain encampment. In a series of effortful spirals, he managed to gain several hundred feet of altitude, and from that height, he dropped the horse just outside the temporary settlement. Its fall he watched closely, carefully tracking its descent to impact. On his next circle o'erhead, he dropped the Easterling, scoring a bulls eye and reuniting rider and mount.
'Twas a triumphant Eagle who swooped down to land but a few yards from his 'sculpture', which he proceeded to dismember and devour with gusto. A swiftly gathering crowd of Dúnedain regarded the display with many gasps and cries of horror as Helluin dismounted.
One only amongst the growing throng did she recognize, just as he was the only one to recognize her.
"Mar govannen, Prince Aranarth," Helluin said as she offered him a bow.
"Lady Helluin," the prince said, returning her bow. She thought he looked a bit green. "I know not what to say…." The telling shift of his eyes towards the giant raptor spoke volumes.
Behind her, Meneldor tore a leg from the Easterling, tossed it up into the air, and expertly caught and swallowed it whole. A few of the people retched. The Noldo paid them no mind.
"Lord, I have tidings of thy father."
"Come then, Helluin. We must speak, somewhere away from…this." The prince waved a hand towards the feasting Eagle upon whom his people were now fixated in fascination and disgust.
Helluin nodded and followed Prince Aranarth into a low hall of wooden planks that was divided into barracks. They sat on either side of a packing crate, using casks of nails as seats.
"Pray tell, what word of my father?" The prince asked. "We have heard 'naught since leaving Fornost."
"My lord, King Arvedui yet lives, and four of his soldiers with him. They are stranded on the southern shores of the Bay of Forochel. He beseeches any for aid who can come to him with a ship," Helluin reported.
"These are the best tidings I have heard in a year! My mother must hear tell of this, and the Lord Círdan as well."
"Aye, and the sooner the better, Lord Aranarth. Indeed, we were to come to Mithlond and speak with the Shipwright," she said, "save that we were…sidetracked."
"My mother is in Mithlond with Círdan even now. I pray thee accompany me hence," he said, rising from his seat.
They took a fast walk from the barrack to the quay and there took a small ship 'cross the harbor to the East Haven. The prince had bid the oarsmen hasten their strokes the entire way. In Mithlond, they came to Círdan's halls and were granted audience with the Lord of the Havens whom they met whilst Queen Fíriel stood by. There, Helluin and Aranarth told all they knew and the Shipwright immediately sent messengers to ready a ship to sail north. Both Helluin and Aranarth were eager to accompany that vessel, but the ancient Sinda stayed them, whether from a seasoned seaman's caution or some premonition, they knew not.
"Eager ye may be, and especially thee, Prince Aranarth, to see to the rescue of thy father, yet my heart bids me counsel you both to stay ashore. There are many hazards upon the sea, and especially so at this season, and the Bay of Forochel is not well known to my mariners. T'would be prudent to remain in Lindon whence the king shall be shortly conveyed, if that be his fate."
Helluin regarded the ancient Sinda with a critical eye. For 'aught upon the water she was full-willing to defer to his vast wisdom. When Prince Aranarth made to protest, she set a hand upon his wrist and then gave a subtle shake of her head 'nay' when he turned to her in question. Finally, with a nod to his host, he agreed to remain behind as he held and gave comfort to his mother, who was weeping tears of joy and hope.
In the late afternoon an Elvish ship with twin sails weighed anchor and debarked from the quay of Mithlond. She carried a crew of thirty-four Sindarin sailors and store of rations and warm clothing for the surviving Dúnedain. Her estimated outbound sailing time was four days at a speed of nine knots, for the voyage was reckoned at 'round nine hundred miles each way. As much as another day or even two could be spent in searching for the king's location on the coast. Still, 'twas believed that by 5 Gwaeron, King Arvedui and his party would be safely aboard. They hoped that their return in Mithlond would come on the 9th or 10th.
As Helluin, Prince Aranarth, Queen Fíriel, and the Lord Círdan watched the vessel slip into the outbound sea-lane, Meneldor swooped down to land in the same high courtyard whereat he had met the Shipwright aforetime. The greeting 'twixt the Eagle and the Lord of Mithlond was cordial, as it had been the previous summer. With his appearance, a crowd of Sindar gathered to welcome their esteemed guest.
"Helluin, I take my leave," Meneldor said after the greetings were done. "Shall I return thee to The Angle on my way back to the mountains?"
The Noldo weighed her options. As she had not accompanied the rescue ship, she had little reason to stay. She deemed the freeing of Imladris to be her next task and so she accepted the Eagle's offer. After mounting his back and bidding the Dúnedain and the Sindar farewell, they took flight, first out o'er the water, and then east towards the gap 'twixt the Ered Luin and the Emyn Beraid. She was glad that he sought not to o'erfly Sûza on their return.
To Be Continued