In An Age Before – Part 190
2 Gwirith dawned and Helluin went back to the road with stealth, surveying the lands west and north for any actions of the enemy that might have occurred during their time of rest. She marked no movements for so far as her sight reached. Nodding to herself, she returned to the dell and mounted Barq.
We return to the bridge, O Barq. No dust rises and 'naught moves for the fifteen miles west that I can survey from here. I deem that we can report to Lord Elrond that the road is safe for sixty miles.
As thou will, O Helluin, though I had hoped to see that big hill again ere we turned back.
He regarded her with a hopeful look, but she shook her head 'nay'. She did not intend to approach Amon Sûl again save by herself, on foot in the dead of night whilst cloaked in the stealth of the Laiquendi.
Anor was not yet a half hour risen when they took to the road and began their gallop east. Barq was again tireless, as if with a few hours' rest he had shaken off the seven score miles he had run the previous day. Two hours ere noon, the woods closed 'round them, the ground grew hillier, and finally they reached the western end of the Last Bridge. Thy marked the sentries stationed there, and 'cross the span, the camp of the cavalry stretching out on the road to the east.
Straightaway, Helluin rode up to the tent that bore Elrond's standard on a short pole atop its roof. A knight stood watch at the entrance, but moved aside when she approached. Within, the Peredhel was sitting at a folding camp desk regarding a smaller version of the map that had been on the desk in his study. He looked up as the tent flap opened.
"Helluin, well met," he said, offering her a smile of welcome and gesturing her to a chair. "I am glad for thy safe return. Care thou for some refreshments after thy ride?"
"Thank you, Lord Elrond, and well met. Indeed a cup of wine would be most welcome," Helluin said, marking several decanters and a set of stem glasses resting on a tray atop a smallish credenza.
'Twas remarkably restrained in comparison with her memories of the accoutrements her late High King Gil-galad had brought on campaigns. The Peredhel poured her a glass of a white wine and slid it 'cross his desk. After allowing her some moments to sip from her drink, he asked about her scouting mission.
"Helluin, how stand the lands to our west? Hast thou seen 'aught of the enemy?"
"Nay, my lord Elrond. Forty-five miles west we rode and by dawn's light I surveyed a further fifteen. 'Naught moved upon the road, and by night no campfires were to be seen. I deem those lands now lie deserted, for they were emptied aforetime by plague, and ravaged of late by war. I wager we shall find the way to Amon Sûl uncontested, for 'tis 'naught of value to conquerors in those lands."
The Peredhel nodded his thanks for her tidings.
"The lands of Rhudaur and Cardolan bordering the East Road have been depopulated for centuries. 'Naught but a few farmers and shepherds yet lingered, and I reckon those were driven off o'er the past year by the Host of Angmar." He sighed and shook his head sadly. It seemed the descendants of his brother's people became fewer with each passing year.
"Half the way to Amon Sûl thou hast surveyed, Helluin, and all that distance lies empty of enemies," Elrond said. "We shall set out west after the noon meal. I pray thee, would thou consent to continue scouting in advance of our column? T'would greatly increase our security, and thou know better these lands than any amongst my scouts."
Helluin nodded 'aye' to her friend's request. Not only did she know the lands 'nigh the road better than any amongst the Noldor of the Hidden Valley, but she also hoped to meet with scouts of the Laiquendi as she ventured closer to Weathertop and eventually, perhaps the Bree-land. Besides, she knew Barq would enjoy the run.
Now Lord Elrond informed Glorfindel and the other captains of his decision to press on ahead. The knights, and especially those who had aforetime been detailed to scout the Last Bridge, were glad to be advancing. During that time, Helluin found that Barq had invaded the pickets of the cavalry mounts to share in their fodder, after disdaining their water trough in favor of drinking from the stream that ran down to Mitheithel.
Helluin, are we off again? He asked hopefully when he saw her searching for him.
"Indeed so, and the rest of this lot as well," she replied, to which it seemed the other horses who had o'erheard her perked up. "We shall again scout ahead, O Barq. Art thou ready to return to the road?"
Aye, and gratefully so, much as I have enjoyed the company, he said, nodding to the other horses standing 'nigh, thou know I live to run.
"Then we shall take our leave at once. The cavalry departs after their noon meal." She cast a quick glance to the sky, and added, "I deem they shall be another hour."
Barq managed to contain his enthusiasm long enough for Helluin to mount, and then they were off down the road, retracing their ride of the morning. 'Naught had changed along the way, and they made the fifteen leagues to their prior campsite by mid-afternoon. Both were quite willing to push forward 'til evening, and so they came another five leagues, equaling the distance that Helluin had been able to survey by eye that morning. They were now roughly halfway 'twixt the Last Bridge and Amon Sûl, and they had seen none. Helluin found a suitable campsite and they settled for a night's rest.
On the morn of 3 Gwirith, Helluin and Barq continued west. The miles swept by 'neath Barq's hooves. 'Round them, the gently rolling landscape passed to the north and south, covered with grasses, scrubby vegetation, and patches of trees that clove to the watercourses. At noon, they had covered ten leagues and Amon Sûl lay but thirty miles ahead.
"We shall continue to within six miles of Weathertop, but thereafter I shall go alone, on foot, and at night," Helluin told Barq. "I will trust not that the ruins of the tower or the forts amongst the hills have been left unoccupied 'til I see so with my own eyes."
Barq nodded in understanding. Any approach by daylight would easily be espied from that high place by unfriendly eyes, whilst on their last visit to Amon Sûl, the Host of Angmar had been hot on their heels.
I shall await thee, O Helluin, and I hope thou find none. Yea or nay, I suppose that thereafter we shall return to the Lord Elrond with tidings?
"Indeed so," she said, "for he shall be anxious to know if the road west is safe from o'ersight."
They had stopped at a small stream to rest and for water. Helluin ate an uninspiring hunk of waybread whilst Barq drank and cropped some new grass. Finally, after the third part of an hour, they continued on their way.
Another eight leagues or so, Barq remarked as Helluin mounted. She gave him a nod of confirmation and then they were back on their way.
As twilight came down, Helluin slowed Barq to a walk, and she sought amidst the landscape for a campsite she knew from much wandering aforetime. Finally, some minor landmarks agreed with her memories and she led the Easterling horse off the road to the south. They came two furlongs ere finding a flat space at the bottom of a shallow ravine, invisible from even close by, and featuring a trickle of fresh water in a streambed. A pair of dogwoods on the bank provided some cover. There Helluin doffed her travel bag and donned her coif. She took a water bag and then bid Barq await her return. As dusk deepened, she made her way 'cross country, staying well south of the road. Thus, she passed three hours, advancing in increasing stealth.
With full night, she was able to see that no fires had been lit atop Amon Sûl. Better still, no campfires appeared in the landscape east or west of Weathertop. Stretching away to the north, those southernmost of the hill forts also remained dark. 'Twas unlikely that any lingered 'nigh in wait, for there were none to ambush. Still, she maintained her position and watched for an hour from just south of the road. During that time, she marked no changes.
Finally, Helluin slipped 'cross the road and disappeared again into the shadows on the north side. Looming ahead not a furlong away stood the base of the hill. The entrance to the ascending track lay just to her west, and it curved away to the northwest to approach its juncture with the causeway leading to the Weather Hills Forts.
Rather than follow the road, the Noldo climbed straight up the steep western side of the hill. She climbed in silence, straining her hearing and sight for any telltales of watchers lingering in the dark. If there were Yrch, she reckoned that she would hear or smell them ere actually seeing them. In her experience, they always stank, and were utterly incapable of remaining silent for long. For added assurance, she slipped her dagger a few inches clear of its sheath, but the blade showed no glow of blue.
Unbroken silence ruled the night as the Noldo climbed. Mantled in her black cloak and the stealth of the Laiquendi, Helluin was not to be seen. By midnight, she had made the summit. 'Naught moved amongst the ruins. Neither sound nor scent of Yrch or Men could she mark, and yet by other senses, she knew she was not alone. She let flare a faint ril of blue from her eyes.
From amongst the burnt and fallen timbers of what had been the office wherein she had met Captain Úcúnon, a shadow detached itself from the rubble and approached to a fathom.
"Mae govannen, Mórgolodh," a soft voice whispered.
"Mae govannen, rél in Laiquendi," Helluin replied to the Green Elf. "Hast thou seen 'aught of Angmar?"
"Nay, not since they came hither in thy wake on 18 Cerveth last. They are not expected and so I am the lone watcher of this place," the elleth said.
"That is good tidings, and I hope thou shalt not long endure thy lonely watch."
The scout of the Green Elves nodded in thanks for Helluin's sentiments. Though her solitary posting had already lasted several months, she shared regular contact with her people.
"I have tidings for thee," she said, and Helluin regarded her with her full attention. "'Tis reported that a great fleet passed the mouth of Gwathló on 29 Gwaeron. The ships bore the ensign of the Dúnedain, lacking only the high crown. They sailed north up the coast."
At her words, joy welled up and burst from the Noldo's heart so strongly that the Green Elf blinked. In the next moment, her eyes went wide as Helluin snatched her up in a hug and spun her 'round and 'round. Finally, she was set down and received a broad smile.
"Thy tidings are the most welcome I have heard in many a year," Helluin told her, "and I offer thee great thanks. Gondor has come at last. Now the tide turns as in the days of Ciryatur. The Witch King shall know defeat, just as his master Sauron did in an Age before."
"Thou believe the ships make for Lindon?" The Green Elf asked.
"Aye, as aforetime when aid came from Númenor. I wonder only that it hath taken so long. Still, late better than ne'er. Eriador shall know freedom again."
The elleth nodded and offered a smile.
"I shall be glad of it when peace is restored," she said. "The Host of Angmar has languished in Fornost, murdering and eating each other the winter through. They are worse than animals."
"I pray that soon thou shalt enjoy thy lands again," Helluin told her. "For now though, I must report thy joyous tidings to Lord Elrond. His cavalry advances west on the road. I reckon they may come here in two days time."
To this, the Green Elf nodded and said, "Perhaps my watch shall end sooner than expected, for if the Noldor come, I need not remain."
"I bid thee good fortune and safe passage wheresoe'er thou may roam," Helluin told her.
"And I bid thee victory and peace, Mórgolodh," the elleth said in parting.
"Pray call me Helluin. Like Ghâshgûl, Mórgolodh is just a title."
The Laiquende smiled and nodded.
"Then pray call me Calenvír¹ should we meet again." ¹(Calenvír, Green Jewel Sindarin)
With a final parting smile, Helluin took her leave, and she practically skipped down the side of Amon Sûl. Knowing the lands to be safe, she abandoned her stealth in favor of haste and in two hours, returned to the ravine where Barq waited. The horse roused from its doze at her approach and marked her joyous demeanor.
Thou hast heard some good news, t'would seem, he said as he rose to his feet.
"Indeed so and better than I could have expected. These lands lie free of the enemy and the fleet of Gondor approaches Lindon."
Then we must bring word to the Lord Elrond, I wager.
"Aye. When dawn comes, we shall take to the road. 'Til then, resume thy rest, O Barq."
Anor rose in a cloud speckled sky on 4 Gwirith. She lit the ruins at the summit of Weathertop and shined in the faces of Helluin and Barq as they set out eastward.
They had come one hundred and twenty miles from the Last Bridge. During that time, Helluin reckoned that the cavalry of Imladris had made fifty miles on the 3rd and might cover another twenty ere they met. Thus, the Noldo expected to see the dust rising and the flags of the Hidden Valley fluttering o'er the column of knights 'round noon and some fifty miles ahead. In this, she was half-correct. Anor stood 'nigh directly o'erhead when she marked the cavalry of Imladris on the road. Their pennants fluttered in a slight breeze, but no dust rose, for they were not riding. They had already stopped for their noon meal.
Ahhh, a picnic, Barq muttered in response to Helluin's sigh. It seems we are e'er fated to find them standing still.
"Come," Helluin said, "the repast shall be welcome."
They rode the final two leagues to the camp of the Noldor and straightaway Helluin went to the Lord Elrond's tent, only mildly surprised that it had been raised for the duration of a meal. At the entrance, a sentry waved her forward and she lifted the flap aside. She found Elrond, Glorfindel and two captains seated 'round a folding table sharing a variety of sliced meats, cheeses and bread. The Peredhel waved her to a seat as the four slid their chairs aside to make room for a fifth. He gestured for her to take a plate and choose food from the table. One of the captains poured her a goblet of wine.
"Helluin, well met," Elrond said after swallowing the mouthful he had been chewing. "Again I rejoice to see thee safely returned. Pray share thy tidings of the road ahead."
Helluin had set a hunk of cheese and slices of ham, as well as a round roll with poppy seeds on a plate. She sipped of the wine, finding it refreshingly dry.
"Indeed I have tidings of the road so far as Amon Sûl, but more importantly, word comes from the coast." She marked the sharpening of their attention as she tore the roll open and set cheese and meat inside. "No enemies have been seen 'nigh Amon Sûl or the Weather Hills Forts since I led the Dúnedain to The Angle in Cerveth last. They have withdrawn to Fornost whither they o'erwintered in starvation and mutual predation. So say the Laiquendi."
As she watched the lords and captains digest her words with many comments, she took a bite of her meal, careful to chew thoroughly ere she swallowed. She took another sip of wine to wash it down. By then, the four 'round the table were again regarding her with their full attention.
"Of greater import is the sighting of a mighty fleet of ships bearing the colors of the South Kingdom. They were espied passing Lond Daer on the 29th, making their way north up the coast. I reckon they sail for Lindon."
She watched as the other occupants immediately stood and bolted out. Shouted orders and exclamations came from the road. Helluin resumed her meal in unhurried fashion, even as a trio of squires entered and began packing up the contents of the tent. Ere they could clear it away, she snagged the remainder of the wheel of cheese, the drumstick of a chicken, and another roll, and then refilled her goblet. The Noldo finished her meal whilst a squire waited at her side, nervously eyeing the tent flap 'til she vacated her chair. The table and credenza were already gone. She had barely stepped through the entrance ere the tent was struck, its pegs wrenched from the earth, and its poles packed away.
Helluin went in search of Barq, finding him again amidst the pickets with the cavalry horses.
"T'would seem they are eager to set out," she said, "and I reckon we may as well join them."
These horses have been eager to run for days, O Helluin. I wonder if the knights shall hasten their pace to make Weathertop this eve, or be content to arrive upon the morrow, Barq mused.
Helluin judged his query to be rhetorical and answered it not. 'Round them, knights freed their horses from the picket line and mounted. They formed up in companies and prepared to ride. At the Peredhel's command, the column set out, pennants waving in the breeze and dust rising from the road behind. Barq paced the knights to the rear, alternating canter and trot, with only the squires and their wagons behind.
Despite taking breaks for the third part of an hour after each two hours, the column made forty miles ere dusk, and they set their camp some four leagues east of Amon Sûl. In the gloaming, Helluin rode to the fore and met with Elrond and Glorfindel.
"My lords, we shall ride ahead and await you at Weathertop. Yesternight I met with a scout of the Laiquendi there and hope to share company with her again. Perhaps I shall hear further tidings."
"I wish thee well then, Helluin, and shall look to meeting again on Amon Sûl," Elrond said.
Helluin nodded and took her leave. After another two hours, they approached Weathertop. By then, full night had fallen and again no campfires were to be seen in the surrounding countryside. Above them, the ruins of the watchtower on the summit were dark and silent. This time, Helluin rode Barq off the road and up the ascending track 'til they reached the ruined guard house on the causeway at the foot of the hill. Along the way, they saw no new tracks. There she dismounted and left Barq free to roam.
"Should 'aught prove amiss, I bid thee flee and return to the Lord Elrond with tidings," she said. "Yet if I signal safety, then join me atop the hill."
Barq nodded gravely to her ere choosing a position from which he could keep watch on the causeway, the East Road, and the climbing track up to the summit. There he blended into the shadows and remained motionless.
Helluin swiftly paced up the switchbacks towards the ruins above. Along the way, she saw no new tracks, espied no fires in the distance, and heard 'naught of friend or foe. The night was still and silent, indeed peaceful. O'erhead, the stars twinkled and Ithil shone down 'twixt a broken veil of cloud.
After 'nigh an hour of trudging uphill, Helluin came to the summit and the ruined foundations of the Watchtower of Amon Sûl. She had made no effort to hide her approach, and so was not surprised when Calenvír appeared from some shadows to greet her.
"Mae govannen, Helluin. 'Tis a surprise to meet thee again so soon," the elleth said.
"Mae govannen, Calenvír. I return ahead of the cavalry of Imladris who I deem shall arrive in the mid-morn of the morrow. They encamp this night four leagues east upon the road."
The Green Elf nodded her thanks for Helluin's tidings and seated herself on a fallen block of stone. For a moment, she seemed to consider a thought, but finally nodded to herself and spoke.
"Helluin, there is known to me and to the scout who proceeded me in this post a space 'neath these ruins that may have been forgotten by mortals. We rediscovered it after the Dúnedain left, and perhaps thou know of it from long ago. Come, I shall show thee."
Calenvír rose and led Helluin back into the rubble that had been Captain Úcúnon's office. There the Noldo saw stones recently moved to reveal a spiral staircase leading down, partially choked with rubble and black as a hole of the Glam in the Hithaeglir. She followed the Green Elf down the stair, and after it made a full turn, the elleth struck sparks from a flint against the spine of her knife and lit a torch. She cast Helluin a glance in the light and saw her nod.
Down another full turn of the staircase they went, and at the bottom a short corridor opened leading to two rooms, one north and the other south. The room to the south had been a cold cellar for the storage of foodstuffs to be kept cool. Residues of long decomposed root vegetables lined the bottoms of stone bins along the walls. In the center stood the remains of a wooden rack for the storage of many bottles of spirits, and several casks with rotted staves and rusty hoops. After a quick inspection, they returned to the corridor.
The north chamber proved more interesting, for it had once been the armory of Amon Sûl. There were stands holding rows of spears, racks of battle-axes and of swords. Stacks of shields stood on pallets, shrouded in oiled cloths. Crates held bows, and beside them were bins wherein were stacked bundles of many hundreds of arrows. Helluin took it all in. Like the casks in the south storage room, much of the wood had suffered for the o'er five hundred sixty years of neglect since the watchtower's destruction in 1409, but by virtue of the precautions taken long aforetime, some steel had been preserved.
Helluin lifted the oiled cloth from a shield. 'Twas shaped of hammered sheet steel, thick enough to turn a sword stroke, yet not so heavy a burden as to protect from the impact of an axe. She set it aside, for she already bore superior armor and she had always preferred to wield a weapon in each hand. The only other arms of interest to her were the bows, for no bladed weapons there could compare with those she already bore.
The wood of the storage crates had been softened by centuries of dry rot. As Calenvír held the torch aloft, Helluin wrenched the lid from a crate and lifted a bow. She held it firmly by the grip and gave her arm an abrupt and violent jerk. Both ellith heard the soft crack in the wood at the base of the lower limb and Helluin set it aside. 'Twas quick work to see that the crate had held a dozen more of the same, bows carved long ago of wood. Bypassing all the similar sized crates, Helluin marked a couple at the end of the row that were slightly longer, slimmer, and of finer make.
The Noldo found the lids of those crates had been hinged rather than nailed down, and the hinges had survived the years 'neath a thin coating of now dusty grease. She lifted a lid and stared in amazement at the contents. There lay, as fine craftworks swaddled in oiled felt, four steel Númenórean style war bows, obviously heirlooms from ere the partition of Arnor and now at least eleven hundred years old. They had been unstrung for storage, but that was expected.
After hefting the two crates and hauling them back up the stairs and into the moonlight, Helluin stood on the highest point looking north and let flare the blue ril of her eyes as a signal to Barq. Then she settled and spent several hours inspecting the Númenórean bows. During that time, Barq arrived and greeted the two ellith.
Helluin found the bows to be of two types that varied only in size. Four were Man high, two rangar, and the other four a hand's breadth shorter, or a fathom from tip to tip. On these four shorter bows, she concentrated her inspection as Calenvír and Barq looked on. Visually they were identical, blackened steel alloy, with limbs heat-treated to spring temper, flattened in cross-section, and grommeted with wood at the notches to preserve the string loops. They were remarkably light for all that they were made entirely of steel. The limbs needed no great thickness to attain a draw weight of o'er a hundred pounds, whilst the grip and risers were star patterned filigree buttressed for strength within by many ribs.
Unable to confirm any difference 'twixt the four bows, Helluin simply chose one and carefully repacked the rest. With Calenvír's aid, she returned the two crates to the armory and there stripped four dozen points, half of them bodkins and half broadhead, from their rotted shafts. These she wrapped in an oilcloth for later mounting and fletching. When they returned to the ruins, but an hour of night remained and they settled on a ruined foundation wall to greet the sun.
Now Anor rose on 5 Gwirith. Atop Amon Sûl, Helluin and Calenvír used fallen ceiling beams to lever hunks of broken masonry o'er the head of the staircase, hiding it from view. They shared a breakfast of cheese, waybread, and dried fruit, and then Calenvír took her leave.
"No need have I to remain with a lord and so many knights riding hither," she said. "As aforetime, I wish thee victory and peace, Helluin."
"And as aforetime, I bid thee good fortune and safe passage on thy journeys. I hope we meet again in better days, Calenvír."
With parting smiles, the Green Elf started down the descending track, but disappeared from sight ere she reached the first switchback. Thereafter, Helluin and Barq kept a lookout to the east, watching for rising dust, reflections off armor, and the movement of a column of knights approaching.
On that same morning off the coast of Harlindon, the fleet of Gondor continued to sail north and a scouting sloop reported to the flagship that the Gulf of Lhûn lay a hundred miles ahead. In Gondmar, the fourth night of feasting had concluded. Besotted Hillmen and Easterlings lay inebriated and insensate in the courtyard behind the inner gate, whilst Yrch withdrew to the understories of the fortress, glutted and eager for sleep. In Celenhár the training of the Dúnedain continued with the second company of fifty, for the training of the first company had been deemed concluded with the victory on the East Road.
'Twas two hours ere noon when the cavalry of Imladris took the ascending track up from the base of Amon Sûl. Whilst still on the East Road, they had been signaled from the summit by flashes of Anor's light reflected off the Sarchram. Once they reached the causeway, two hundred broke off and continued their climb up the switchbacks toward the summit. The knights walked their horses two by two 'til after 'nigh an hour, the lords Elrond and Glorfindel led the vanguard onto the flat space amidst the ruins of the watchtower. Helluin saw the knights and shook her head. 'Twas far too many.
"Welcome, my lords, to Amon Sûl," she said, offering each a theatrical bow.
"Well met, Helluin," Elrond said, offering her a bow in return and a smile. "Though it hath been long since last I came here, the view is still magnificent."
"Alas, the hospitality of the Watchtower is reduced of late," she said whilst maintaining a straight face, "and indeed it hath been many centuries since more than a small garrison could be deployed here. Ere its fall in Cerveth last, the Dúnedain maintained but a hundred troops upon the summit, yet since those days, the Yrch have burnt much and destroyed what remained. Now there are neither stables, nor fodder, and though a spring still flows just downslope, I wager that no more than a couple dozens may abide here as observers at any given time. 'Aught of supplies and victuals must be brought hither."
Elrond and Glorfindel cast their eyes about the summit and marked the truth of her words. Most of their two hundred knights would have to be sent back downhill. The Peredhel sighed.
"What of the Weather Hills Forts, meldis nín?" Glorfindel asked.
"Those I have not surveyed, yet aforetime they supported but fifty soldiers each ere they were ravaged by the Host of Angmar. I wager that 'aught to be found thither was culled or burnt."
Captain Úcúnon had ordered just such, but 'twas a certainty that the Yrch had completed the task, for such was their nature. Her words had been misleading, yet she had told no lies. Still, Helluin held her breath.
Elrond groaned and Glorfindel shook his head at the situation.
"'Tis my recommendation that ye occupy Weathertop and the two most southerly hill forts, deploying fifty knights to each fort and two dozens here. I deem the further forts too distant. Rotate the deployments through a billet on the causeway from which hunting parties shall disperse and whither horses may be picketed. The weather is fine in this season, and in any case, I wager we shall be here little more than a fortnight.
When Gondor reaches Lindon, I believe the Dúnedain will move swiftly to war, for the campaigning season has already begun. Should they not take the initiative and strike first, they may be besieged by the Host of Angmar coming from Fornost where they have spent the winter starving."
To their noncommittal looks, she offered a shrug and said, "'tis what I would do."
In the end, they accepted Helluin's advice, for they could discern no more favorable options. The summit of Weathertop and the two closest forts gave them a valuable observation post extending roughly six leagues north south, without stretching o'erly thin their supply capabilities. One captain was assigned command of each fort whilst Glorfindel and the Lord Elrond remained at Amon Sûl. A supply wagon was based there and another at each of the forts, with the remaining two stationed at the billet upon the causeway 'nigh the base of the hill. Each day, parties of hunters and foragers left to roam the surrounding lands seeking 'aught to augment the stores they had brought from Imladris.
Also on each day, Helluin and Barq rode out to survey the road and the open lands north and south, east and west. After a further week of finding no trace of the enemy, she became convinced that all of the Witch King's troops remained in Fornost. The longer the Noldor's stay at Amon Sûl lasted, the greater Helluin's temptation to ride for Lindon became. She found herself staring off into the west from the summit of Weathertop, imagining armies filling the Havens and preparing for war. Such fantasies grew in frequency and intricacy with each passing day 'til they encompassed elaborate plans for the freeing of Lindon and the fall of Angmar. Beinvír would have told her that she was brooding and even Elrond and Glorfindel marked her change of mood and seeming preoccupation. Helluin passed a fortnight thus with growing dissatisfaction.
On the morn of 21 Gwirith she rode out heading north on the western side of the Weather Hills. She was traveling directly towards Fornost, which lay one hundred fifty miles northwest of Weathertop. By nightfall, she and Barq had come fifty miles through an emptied countryside.
With dusk, they had slowed to a walk and Ithil rose, a bright, waxing gibbous moon illuminating that gently rolling landscape. On their right, the Weather Hills stood a league to the east. Four leagues to their west lay the Midgewater Marshes.
"I deem 'tis little to see," Helluin remarked. "How far art thou willing to continue this night, O Barq?"
The horse's head jerked up and he twisted his neck 'round to look into the Noldo's eyes.
Did thou speak to me? He asked, as he blinked himself to wakefulness. 'Twas obvious that he had been dozing. He offered her a sheepish grin.
"Indeed so, O Barq. I asked thee simply how far thou art willing to continue this night."
"Oh. 'Tis up to thee. Believe it or no, I am able to walk in my sleep well 'nigh indefinitely. Thus passed some of my journey out of the east, which on reflection I find contains some…gaps."
Helluin nodded, having received the conformation of what her own eyes had just shown her.
"We shall continue a while then. Pray get some rest."
Barq nodded to her and returned his gaze forward. Eventually, the Noldo was sure that he had dozed off again, for he snorted, whiffled, shook his head, and chewed with no discernible cause.
Huh, Helluin thought, I wonder what horses dream of?
Now another hour had passed, judging by Ithil's progress, when from the distance ahead came a yipping and the light tread of many padded feet. Helluin cast her senses forward and so she marked the appearance of a dozen kelvar trotting south on four legs, alternately lowering their muzzles to sniff the ground and looking up to survey their surroundings. They advanced in a loose formation, but 'twas always led by one who ranged a few yards ahead of the rest. At a half-furlong, they finally seemed to mark the plodding horse and rider, for they stopped and sat to regard the only others moving in that land. Helluin set a hand on Barq's neck and interrupted his dreams, calling him to a halt.
Huh? He said, returning to awareness as he stilled his hooves.
"T'would seem that we have company," she told him, canting her head to indicate the pack of wolves sitting on a low rise ahead of them. She was curious that they had not moved to stalking.
Slowly the Noldo allowed a glimmer of blue to show in her eyes and a mantle of silver and gold Light surrounded her and Barq. The wolves seemed to perk up at that, but they neither fled, nor charged forward. Helluin looked at each in turn, finally matching glances with the one she deemed their leader.
Well met this night, O Hound of Angmar. Whither hast thou come and whence art thou bound?
She only half expected an answer of any sort and was surprised when the wolf gave a sigh.
We serve none save the nature the One bequeathed us, having abandoned the dark spirit of Angmar. Much did he promise but little did he deliver, then winter approached. We had 'naught to gain by passing that time confined amidst starving Men and Yrch. Now we are free!
Thou came from the north. Know thou 'aught of what passes in Fornost?
Here the wolf produced a growl deep in his throat and several of his pack raised their heads and howled in response.
Aye, we came from the north where the hunting has been good. T'would seem that many fawns survived the lack of human hunters the past year, but I digress. The entire sorry lot marched from Fornost yesternight, hauling that ridiculous ram 'cross country. We deem that war is soon to come and 'twas no place for us to linger. Now we go south, as far away as possible. I bid thee spurn the north for a time.
My thanks for thy tidings, grey hunter. I bid thee be ware 'nigh Amon Sûl. Many Elves tarry there.
The wolf regarded her a while, then said, I thank thee for thy tidings, bright one. We shall pass to the west. Be well.
With that he turned to his pack and yipped, and then they set out at that same loping pace with which they could tirelessly cover many miles. They had soon faded from sight, heading due south.
Huh, Helluin said to Barq, who had been nervous the entire time, I have had little to do with wolves aforetime, yet this one seemed quite reasonable. Let us rest 'til dawn whilst they depart, and then return to Amon Sûl. We have heard much of import this night.
To this, Barq nodded in agreement. Helluin dismounted and Barq lowered himself to the ground.
Think thou that Lord Elrond will embrace the words of a wolf? He asked.
"I hope that he will esteem the message, if not the messenger," Helluin said as she settled to view the night sky. For a while, both lapsed into silence.
Earlier, I may have had some strange dreams as I oft do whilst walking in my sleep, Barq confided. Alas, I can remember none.
Helluin answered not, but again thought, I wonder what horses dream of?
To Be Continued