In An Age Before – Part 219
Now in the creation of her new weapon, Helluin was building on the success that she and Glorfindel had enjoyed after adapting the light projecting device Elrond had used to summon Eagles to Imladris. They had removed the brass tube with its large focusing lens, and repurposed it to intensify and direct the Light of their fëar against the Tor who held the Great East Road just beyond the guarded cliffs and the narrow way that leads into the Hidden Valley. As hoped, the concentrated beam of Light had turned the Tor to stone. Of great importance had been the ability the weapon conferred to strike quickly and repeatedly 'cross a distance. The downside was that the tube had collected only a small fraction of their combined ril, and whilst sufficient to kill, 'twas monumentally inefficient. That had been in Gwaeron of 1975.
In late Lothron of 1984, Helluin had come before the Ithryn Luin with a concept that would take advantage of her personal repository of the Light that she had acquired in Aman from Telperion and Laurelin. She commanded a wellspring of power far in excess of any other of her people, and she could imagine no more noble cause than to use it in the destruction of Ungoliant or her kin. In such an act, she would attain a measure of redress for the Darkening of Valinor, and realistic or no, do penance thereby for her own absence at need on that fateful day when Morgoth had struck.
When she spoke of her desire, Alatar and Pallando felt great enthusiasm. They were restricted in the uses of their own Maia powers against Sauron, but if they could aid Helluin in deploying the power she had gleaned long ago in the Blessed Realm, t'would feel like vindication as much as fate. Against all odds, they were being offered an opportunity to oppose Sauron with a power from 'cross the Sea, and to meet his power with like power. 'Twas a chance neither wizard would pass up for any cost.
How then to strengthen, concentrate, and focus the power of her fëa's Light? They knew that such was akin to the light of Anor, and though sunlight could petrify a Torog, the sun derived from the Light of Laurelin alone. Helluin had amassed a reservoir of Light from both of the Two Trees and could access the full virtue of their power. She had destroyed many Tor and even wounded the Nazgûl aforetime. Long they pondered the question, consulting many books and scrolls of esoteric lore. Many experiments they made with lenses of glass and crystal to concentrate the light of the sun into a burning beam. Alas, all such arrangements required that the lens or lenses cast their beam upon a point of focus for maximum effect. Were the target to vary even a little distance from that point, the beam's power was diffused and the effect was lost. In practice, such an arrangement would be useless in the real world against a moving target.
But then Helluin had given them a full account of her defeat of Tindomul outside of Fornost in 1851. By the use of a mithril-silvered heirloom mirror and the concave faces of polished shields, she had directed her Light to scorch the Witch King to within a hair of destroying him. She had concentrated and focused her radiance and used it as a weapon.
In the weapon they had built, the use of the two curved mithril mirrors had been a simple adaptive reiteration of her earlier concept. They had gathered and concentrated her Light into a small area rather than allowing its natural dispersion in all directions from her body. But it had taken a moment of inspiration for Alatar to imagine using the glass rod to create a second stage of reflection within itself. Helluin's already concentrated Light was reflected repeatedly back and forth within the length of the glass rod by the mithril mirrored end caps. The Ithron could not know that the scant residual impurity of chromium that was uniformly distributed within the glass created a condition in which the tiniest order of particles could be 'excited' by the energy of the Light applied to them, causing them to shed Light of their own, or that such Light was inherently uniform in all ways.
Still, 'the proof lay in the pudding', as the Periannath were given to saying, and a beam of Light stronger than any imaginable aforetime was released from the hole in the end of the glass rod. Its power had been unexpected and fearsome far in excess of 'aught that they could have hoped for. The Blue Wizards wondered if such a weapon could lacerate the billowing Shadow that was the manifest form of Gorthaur's spirit, and by the purity of its Light, wound him to extinction. Helluin was more practical. She intended to attack a monster of flesh and blood, and by the grace of the Valar, cut it to pieces.
Now whilst the potency of the beam of Light could not be denied, ere the weapon could be deployed upon a field of battle, a means to direct it to its target would needs be created. When Helluin and Glorfindel had petrified the Tor outside of Imladris, they had mounted the relatively light tube on a small handcart and combined their strength to aim it. The cart that mounted the new device was far heavier, and Helluin would be seated immobile on it, unable to aid in aiming it in any way. Furthermore, to achieve changes in the elevation of the beam, the entire cart's bed would have to be inclined up or down with Helluin and all the other apparatus secured immobile upon it. Yet by the nature of carts, 'twas a matter of adjustments and 'naught else.
Unlike a wagon that goes upon four wheels attached to a pair of axels fore and aft, a cart rolls on only two, both connected to the same axel. A cart may be turned in a full circle without any forward or backward motion of the whole cart, as when its wheels rotate in opposite directions. To traverse the weapon would only require unhitching the horse, grasping the cart's shafts, and rotating the cart right or left. Elevation though would require raising or lowering the ends of the shafts in a seesaw motion that would elevate or depress the angle of the beam. For one or at most two people to coordinate such motions, the cart's load would have to be precisely balanced o'er its axel such that the required effort would be minimal.
Reducing the weight of the cart to its bare minimum would also be an aid to aiming, with the hope being that one warrior could manage the task alone. For this, Helluin appointed Maglor whom she trusted implicitly and who best understood the task.
The process of critically balancing a cart whilst reducing its weight took five weeks, for the team engaged to perfect the weapon deemed that scratch building a platform apurpose would yield a better design than modifying the cart they had used for the test. The thavron, or carpenter, and the Rachdan, or cart wright, first created a square frame encompassing hollow beams built up from thin boards glued together along their lengths and joined at their ends with pinned box splines to form mortises and tenons. The resulting frame was both light and rigid and measured but four feet in length and breadth.
Attached atop the side beams would be the large and small mirrors and Helluin's seat, whilst tempered steel leaf springs were attached below. Those springs supported an axel made from a hot rolled steel tube with solid spindles at its ends. Those spindles passed through the hubs of four-spoked wheels, rimmed with steel and having diameters of only a ranga, giving the cart a low ground clearance of roughly a foot and a half. The intention was to provide Helluin a low platform to mount and a reduced target for enemy archers.
Along the inner faces of the side beams were lashed a pair of steam bent, S-shaped saplings that formed the shafts to which a horse could be harnessed. They would also be grasped in hand and used to aim the weapon. With that in mind, they were somewhat longer than necessary for a single horse, and would allow Maglor more leverage to tilt or turn the cart.
Once the cart was assembled, they lifted the mechanism onto the rails, the weight, (including Helluin), was adjusted for the precise balance point o'er the axel, and then affixed to the frame. On 11 Lothron of 1994, Maglor's horse was harnessed to the cart shafts. Then, accompanied by Helluin and the Blue Wizards, 'twas driven to a location south of the citadel for further testing. Half a league to the east, several of the Moriquendi had set up a target, a small canvas sail on a thin pole that swung in the wind. 'Twas planted into the earth atop a low bluff a few yards wide and tall. Thereafter the Umanyar retreated a furlong to the north, and as a precaution, lay flat upon the ground.
Now when Maglor arrived at the test site, he unhitched his horse and easily held the cart still with his hands on the shafts. Helluin mounted to her seat, still chaffing about having to be naked when a battle was 'nigh. Maglor swung the weapon from north to east and pointed it at the bluff to the best to his ability.
"I am ready, Helluin," he called out.
Helluin loosed the incandescence of her Light and immediately a blinding beam shot from the end of the glass rod. It passed clear o'er the bluff and the flag, and though distant, Maglor made a determined attempt to adjust his aim. Though he finally managed to hit the bluff, he was not accurate enough to hit the flag. After the count of ten, Helluin ceased the flaring of her Light and traded glances with her old friend.
"Too small is the target at this distance, even for my eyes," he admitted.
"If 'tis too small and too distant for thee, then I wager no other amongst us would do better," Helluin said as she reached for her garments. "We must give thee a proper aid for aiming."
To the side, the Ithryn Luin nodded in agreement. The bluff was but a speck to their mortal eyes and the flag was barely visible at all.
"We shall build thee a special telescope," Pallando declared.
Alas, whilst that device could be built in a few weeks, it led to further difficulties that needed to be resolved. On 2 Nórui, a second test was conducted with the scope mounted to the cart's forward beam just above and behind the glass rod. Maglor tried to aim the cart as he stared through the telescope, but with the source of the Light so close and so intense, his view was reduced to a flare so bright that 'naught could be discerned. He called out for Helluin to cease and then explained the problem. It seemed that further thought would be required to solve the problem.
Now the Blue Wizards again took to examining their lore, and they made many experiments with tubes and lenses, yet for days, they remained confounded. In the end, the solution was both easier and more difficult than they first imagined.
'Twas not long ere they deemed that a view unaffected by the Light could only come from a position 'twixt the Light and the target. If Maglor's point of view stood ahead of the glass rod and the mirrors, then the glare of the weapon would not affect his vision. Alas, if he stood before the weapon, he would have no reference for how his movements affected the direction of the Light. The two requirements seemed to be in opposition, and solving one problem meant causing the other. Yet having achieved success in generating so powerful a beam of Light, they could not accept that they would be unable to control it.
On 9 Nórui, Pallando was idly holding the telescope and looking out through a window at the inner bailey. The sun shone down bright, and as he was facing south, caused a glare on the lenses within the tube. As he would have done to shade his own eyes, he held up a hand to shade the end of the telescope. Lo, he found the glare had disappeared and his view was clear! With a shout, he set the telescope down on his worktable and charged off to find Alatar.
It took little time thereafter to create a glare shade of thin sheet metal that fit the front end of the telescope and blocked all the Light of Aman that radiated from Helluin's fëa. Although the wizards made several attempts ere the front opening was large enough to avoid restricting the periphery of Maglor's vision, the finished product worked flawlessly. The ellon's view of the target through the telescope was clear and sharp. The degree of parallax arising 'twixt the beam and the telescope caused a bit of inaccuracy, but 'twas deemed within an acceptable limit.
On 15 Nórui, Maglor and Helluin made a third test of the weapon. This time, Maglor's view through the telescopic sight was unhampered and his aim was true. They sheared the flag from its pole straightaway and then lopped the top off of the bluff. With the Blue Wizards, the Noldor celebrated their success and eagerly anticipated assailing Sheol. By then, just o'er a decade had passed since they had last looked upon Sauron's fortress, yet they deemed that span of time was 'naught to him. They christened their weapon E-ngúrglaw¹ and commenced to making plans for a siege. That very evening, the Ithryn Luin received messengers from their allies, the Mâh-Sakâ. ¹(E-ngúrglaw, The Death Ray (radiance) = en(sing. def. art., the) + gúr(death) + glaw(radiance) Sindarin)
Yet during the years whilst E-ngúrglaw was being developed, more came to pass that had less to do with war. Though the Eldar and the Maiar are deathless and pass through the years little changed to the eye, 'twas not so for those of mortal blood. Amongst these were many that were close to Helluin, including one who had sworn his allegiance to her in Eriador in 1975 and had ne'er wavered. Barq had been in his prime then, a warhorse six years of age who had already made the journey from Xwârazm beyond the Orocarni to Lindon 'nigh the shore of the western sea.
Following their return from Sheol to the citadel of the Blue Wizards in mid-1984, Barq had taken counsel with Helluin concerning a topic of great import to the Easterling horse, for he was then sixteen years of age and not getting any younger.
There is a matter of which we must speak, O Helluin, Barq said.
Thou art e'er welcome to speak thy mind, O Barq, the dark Noldo replied, wondering just what was fermenting in his brain at present.
As thou know, I am mortal and the years are relentless in their passing. In what I deem shall seem but the blink of an eye to thee, I shall be aged and then gone. I shall rue that day and ere it comes, I would leave my mark upon this world in blood.
Thou hast aided me faithfully in marking this world with the split blood of many foes, O Barq, but perhaps this is not thy meaning?
Nay, it is not, Barq said, giving her a look that Helluin suspected meant that he thought her single-minded. She offered him a grin and raised an eyebrow, inviting him to continue.
I would not choose to be the last of my line, which has come down from of old in Xwârazm. I deem the time proper for me to spread my seed ere it go stale.
He gave her a broad grin and wagged his eyebrows in a suggestive manner despite the explicit nature of his words requiring no further suggestion. Helluin nodded to him in agreement. There was no reason that she could see for him not to stand to stud. Indeed, there might be no better time for him to breed, for she expected her pending labors with the Ithryn Luin would preclude her riding to war for years to come.
I deem thy suggestion both timely and proper, O Barq. It may be a while ere war calls again and I would not see thee bored in the meantime. Hast thou marked any of the mares here that thou find particularly attractive?
There are several in the stable that I deem fetching and one in particular whom I find irresistible at present, though that will change by next week, he said, straight-faced.
Does that not declare thy affections transitory and thy devotions quick to pass? I had thought thou sought a mate with whom to share the companionship of years and the raising of a family.
Barq looked askance at her and shook his head.
I am looking to breed, O Helluin, and that opportunity is dependent on day length, and oestrus cycles. In their receptive times, all mares will raise their tails, but some have an elusive quality and are the most attractive and compatible to breed with.
So how dost thou choose, O Barq? Is it a matter of temperament, coat color, form, or social standing?
Barq shook his head 'nay' and grinned.
Having established no harem, I shall simply follow the old wisdom of my kind. 'When in doubt, follow your nose'¹. The proper mare simply smells right to me, though perhaps not to another stallion. ¹(In book canon, Gandalf ne'er says this whilst choosing 'twixt the three ways in Khazad-dûm. That quote comes from movie canon.)
Huh, Helluin said, t'would seem that such wisdom could lead to fewer regrets. So then, what of this week's particularly attractive mare?
A couple days past, she went from being attractive to well 'nigh irresistible. I deem she shall remain so for another several days. The season grows late. Perhaps thou could speak with her rider, the elleth Alfirin¹. ¹(Alfirin, Immortal Flower Sindarin)
I shall do so, O Barq. I have met Alfirin, though I do not know her well. She is an archer who rides with Maglor's company. Perhaps I shall have an answer for thee shortly.
Thus, Helluin became part of Barq's breeding program, though she realized not the entirety of it on that day. She did indeed approach Alfirin and the elleth was agreeable to mating her mare Dúlin¹ with Barq. ¹(Dúlin, Nightingale Sindarin)
"I agree that they would be a good match, Helluin, and indeed Dúlin has expressed her interest in Barq," Alfirin said, "repeatedly and with increasing urgency as her days in heat began. Of late, she hath taken to apprising me of the size of his balls and how relaxed her cervix has become." Alfirin shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Still, she is of a good age to breed, and as my captain has claimed that we shall stand down for a time, t'would seem all chances align. I shall inform Dúlin."
"Then I shall inform Barq," Helluin said, glad that he had not informed her of the state of his testicles or how full they were expected to be.
So it came to pass that Barq and Dúlin were informed by their riders of their agreement with the horses' desires. Both pranced in their stalls with happiness and could barely contain their anticipation as they were led to a private breeding paddock for the remaining days of Dúlin's receptiveness. Thereafter the mounting and other behaviors induced by their libidos informed their behavior, and indeed Barq's full testicles and Dúlin's relaxed cervix resulted in conception.
Now Helluin had expected that when the activities of the breeding paddock had run their course, Barq would be well satisfied, but this was not the case. Instead, in the following week, he spoke again with Helluin, proclaiming his o'erwhelming attraction to another mare.
In the east, there is a saying come of unimpeachable wisdom, O Helluin. 'Put not all thine eggs in a single basket', he said. The same may be said of not sewing all one's seeds in the same furrow.
Helluin nodded, suppressed a groan, and barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes.
Who is it this time, O Barq?
A lovely bay named Glís¹, he said. Perhaps thou could speak with her rider, the ellon Orchal². ¹(Glís, Honey Sindarin) ²(Orchal, Tall Sindarin)
Helluin nodded and went to speak with Orchal whom she only knew on sight and with whom she had ne'er shared speech aforetime. The ellon was indeed noticeably tall and was agreeable enough to her request. He also offered appraising glances that spoke of his contemplation of following his mare's inclination to breeding. Helluin did roll her eyes at that, thanked him for permitting Glís to breed with Barq, and then bid him good day.
Barq and Glís spent a span of five days vigorously copulating. By then, 'twas mid Nórui and the usual breeding season for horses was coming to its end, yet well 'nigh as soon as Glís was satisfied, Barq suggested a third mare. Helluin had to wonder if his testicles were not already drained and his nose bigger than his sack, but she undertook to speak with the third rider. A fourth and fifth followed ere the month of Nórui passed to Cerveth.
Following the impregnation of the fifth mare, Helluin asked if there would be more.
Hast thou a nose for another, O Barq?
Of course, I am willing and able, he seemed to brag, but the days shorten, O Helluin and the breeding season has run its course for this year. A few more mares may yet go into heat, but I find none of them irresistible. Perhaps I shall conserve my energies for now. After all, there is always next year, and by then, when I 'pop' t'will fill buckets!
He grinned at her in a self-satisfied way, obviously well pleased with the five pregnancies his seed had initiated. Helluin nodded to him, suppressing a smirk and thinking, yup, they drained his balls alright.
The months of autumn passed to winter as work on the weapon design was refined, and then the spring of 1985 arrived. Sure enough, in Gwirith, Barq reinitiated his breeding program and with Helluin's aid, continued to 'spread his seed'. In truth though, Helluin received many requests for Barq's service as stud. With the month of Lothron, the mares he had mounted the previous year began their labors and birthed two colt foals and three filly foals. As the quality of these foals became known, other riders sought to arrange matings for their own horses, yet these were always dependent on the noses of both Barq and the mare in question. More oft than not, the horses agreed 'twixt themselves that they were not compatible, and they left it for their people to accept their choices.
Now of the foals birthed in 1985, Barq spent time coming to know his offspring, and to renew his acquaintance with their dams. These he introduced Helluin and so she came to know them as well. Lively and intelligent baby horses they were and beautiful too, and one day after years of training, they would proudly carry riders into battle. Yet in private conversations, Barq and Helluin agreed that none amongst them was possessed of the spark that made their sire so special. And so the breeding program continued in hope of creating a steed uniquely qualified to take his sire's place.
In the years 1985, 1986, and 1987, eighteen foals were sired by Barq with various dams. With the breeding season of 1988, Barq told Helluin that this year would see his twentieth summer and he would cease standing to stud.
'Tis the wisdom of the east that by the age of twenty a stallion's best years are past and the time come for younger studs to breed. This season shall be my last, O Helluin.
I understand, mellon nín, and whether or not a successor for thee comes with next summer's foals, thou hast surely left thy mark on these lands in blood. Sometimes one comes who is unique and whose like is ne'er again to be seen. If that is indeed the case with thee, then I shall be proud to have had thy friendship.
And I thine, O Helluin. I have seen and done in thy company many things I could not have dreamt when I took my leave of Xwârazm. I yet hope to leave thee a living legacy, as thou hast done amongst the Men of the West, for I would be comforted to know thou would remain to esteem them.
Now in their wisdom, the Ithryn Luin arranged after each five winters to exchange with the citadel at the farming settlement, the third part of their breeding stock that fresh blood should continually circulate and inbreeding avoided within their herds. Only geldings were exempt. This had last been done in 1983, so in the spring of 1988, two hundred fifty horses were sent to the fortress beside the river Rā, and two hundred fifty horses were received at the citadel of the Blue Wizards. Likewise, their riders accompanied them to their alternate postings for a tour of five years' duty, thereby to keep the warhorses and warriors together.
Amongst the Elves, this had come to be like any other cycle of the seasons and they considered both fortresses home. With their arrival, many greeted old friends and shared tidings of others long known to both. For the mortal Men, there would be perhaps a half-dozen such cycles during their lifetimes as warriors ere they retired from battle. Warm were their meetings with comrades in arms that they had known in their last tour and some sorrow as well for those recently fallen.
With the exchange, Barq bid farewell to some of the mares he had known and some of the yearlings he had sired. Then with the rest of the horses, he awaited the coming breeding season with the full attention of his nose.
The new horses and warriors arrived at the fortress on 12 Gwaeron, ere the lengthening daylight brought on the oestrus of six to eight score mares, and so the arrivals could be settled comfortably in their new surroundings. For some, 'twas a return to their place of birth, but for most, the wizards' citadel 'twas a strange new home, for many of them had been taken after the slaughters of Wainrider camps, or had been born in the fortress 'nigh the river Rā.
Predictably, mid-Gwirith brought on much excitement as the earliest mares came into heat. In the stables, horses sniffed each other 'nigh fanatically, pairings emerged, and the year's matings began. Barq found several of the new mares 'interesting', but none wholly compelling. 'Twas not until early Lothron that Barq came to Helluin, and now he was very enthusiastic.
Helluin! Helluin, thou must speak with the soldier Gorvon¹! His mare Fatemeh² is THE ONE! Both of my nostrils adore her already. ¹(Gorvon, Vigorous One = gorv(impetus, vigor) + -on(adj. agent suff.) Sindarin) ²(Fatemeh, Fatima Persian/Iranian spelling. The name means, "one who weans" or "one who abstains" describing a character of outstanding caring, nurturing, and rejection of sin. Arabic)
Very well, O Barq, Helluin said. I believe that Gorvon is one of the newly arrived sentries of the outer gate, a firion¹. ¹(firion, male mortal Sindarin)
Yes, yes, Barq said, beating a tattoo of impatience on the stable floorboards with his hooves. Hurry!
Straightaway, Helluin went to the guards' barracks in the outer bailey and sought out Gorvon. An officer there revealed that the company of the recent arrivals was drilling in the yard. From him, she learnt that Gorvon was a young Man of a score and two years who had grown up at the farming settlement and was on his first duty rotation to the wizard's fortress.
Helluin walked out into the yard and found the company drilling at swordplay in a corner of the bailey just outside the barracks. The gate guards were paired up 'neath the watchful eyes of their lieutenant. The dark Noldo approached the company's sergeant as he stood to the side and spoke to him briefly, then watched as he hastened o'er to the lieutenant and conveyed her request. The officer turned to glance at Helluin and gave her a nod of recognition, then summoned Gorvon from his practice. He pointed out the armored elleth and the Man did a sort of double take, but then hastened o'er, offering a bow when he stood before her.
"Well met, Gorvon, I shall be brief so as to distract thee the minimum from thy drills," she said. "I have need of thy leave to offer my stallion the chance to breed with thy mare if she should welcome his attentions."
At first, Gorvon just stared at her. She sounded like a parent seeking to arrange a marriage 'twixt their children. Yet she was Elf kind, and he was still unsure of how they thought.
"I suppose I have no objections if they find each others' company desirable," he said, hoping 'twas the correct decision.
"Thou hast my thanks, Gorvon. My stallion is aging and seeks to sire a colt to follow in his hoof prints. He deems that this may be his last season as stud, yet he seems most enthusiastic regarding his compatibility with Fatemeh."
Gorvon's eyes widened at that. Her words made it seem as if she talked to her horse and that her stallion knew his mare's name. Finally he blinked, but could not think of 'aught to say save, "I wish them good fortune and thou as well, Helluin."
The Noldo dipped her head to honor his good wishes and then took her leave.
Unsettled, he returned to his sword drills, wondering if hereafter his mare would begin speaking to him. He then wondered if he would understand what she said. His partner's sword whistled past his face and he snapped his attention back to the matter at hand as out of the corner of his eye, he marked his sergeant shaking his head in dissatisfaction.
Helluin returned to the stable and found Barq impatiently stepping in his stall. He immediately set his eyes upon her as she entered and could barely contain himself as he caught her eyes and shouted for tidings.
Pray settle thyself, O Barq, or this Fatemeh shall think thee a lunatic or a stalker, she said.
Barq huffed and said, she shall mark our potential for great offspring as easily as I.
That we shall see. At least Gorvon has offered his agreement to a mating. A groom should bring Fatemeh to the paddock shortly. Shall we go thither and await her?
Yes! Yes! Yes! Barq well 'nigh shouted as they silently traded in thought, eye to eye.
He then broke from their conversation to bob his head up and down in eager encouragement of her to hasten in opening the stall door. Helluin groaned and undid the sliding bolt. She barely avoided the door as it swung open, for Barq had been leaning against its inner face. He trotted past her without so much as an apology. Ere she managed to close and fasten it after him, Barq was standing before the doors of the stable, pawing the floor and snorting in impatience. 'Round them, other horses were shifting and whinnying in their stalls.
"Just a moment, for crying aloud," Helluin called out to him as she strode towards the stable entrance. "A pox on thy haste, O Barq." 'Neath her breath, she muttered, "One would think this place afire, sheesh, or perhaps 'tis his balls that are aflame."
As soon as Helluin released the catch on the stable doors, Barq shoved them open and trotted out. He made a beeline for the breeding paddock where a groom was just fastening the gate behind Fatemeh. When he saw her, he neighed and broke into a canter, crossed the yard and then jumped the fence as if 'twas but a ranga high. Having watched all this, Helluin threw up her hands in exasperation and secured the stable doors. By the time she reached the paddock, Barq had mounted and was vigorously copulating. Fatemeh had obviously accepted him gladly, for she had bent her neck 'round and the two were nuzzling each other's noses and cheeks.
Despite the energy expended, the two horses spent some time standing pressed together afterwards and then trotted 'round the paddock keeping in contact, shoulders and flanks in a series of gentle bumps. Finally, they repeated their coupling ere they stood side by side and dozed off leaning against each other.
Helluin thought their display truly touching, though she fully expected some diluted form t'would be repeated with other mares on a weekly basis 'til the end of Nórui, just as had happened in the four past years. Indeed, the same display was repeated on each day of the following week, but thereafter Barq seemed far less interested in 'spreading his seed'.
Pray open the stall door, O Helluin, he would say, early on each following day.
After Helluin released him from his stall, he would walk o'er to Fatemeh's stall and remain there, his head thrust o'er the wall, her head draped o'er his neck. Just like a newlywed couple, the Noldo thought, huh, t'would seem she truly is THE ONE. Who'd have thought.
In fact, though many other riders sought Helluin to request that Barq stand to stud for their mares, he declined and eventually the requests trailed off. As the year drew on, the two horses remained inseparable, and having been party to just such a relationship herself, Helluin did what she could to facilitate it. Eventually, she took to leaving Barq's stall door unsecured. In the autumn, she prevailed on the stable master to assign Barq a stall next to Fatemeh. He was hardly surprised when she took down the wall that divided them, creating a double box.
1989 came and in the late spring, Fatemeh foaled. She and Barq celebrated the birth of their son with great joy. Helluin spent much time with the new parents, and from his first days, the colt foal accepted her as part of his family. Oft they spoke together in silence, eye to eye, and the Noldo found it touching when the foal took to calling her 'Ant Hellin'. Barq and Fatemeh named him Red¹, deeming it fitting for a son who would follow Lightning. ¹(Red (pronounced 'Rahdun'), Thunder Arabic, and spelled similar to Réd, Son Sindarin)
Much as Norðr-vestandóttir had done on her farm amongst the Northmen, Helluin taught the growing foal to run on a lead, to stop and turn on request, and to accept the feel of a blanket upon his back. As a yearling colt, Barq taught him the beginnings of the dressage exercises he had once learnt in Xwârazm, and Red increased in strength, agility, and speed. Helluin continued her lessons with him as well, and soon she and Barq deemed him a fitting successor.
Rejoice, O Barq, for thy goal is achieved. Thy line shall continue and thy blood shall be shared.
Aye, O Helluin, and one day I shall pass, comforted that there shall be one of my line to carry thee into battle.
Thou hast blessed me with a worthy successor, O Barq, and for that, I cannot thank thee in sufficient measure. I shall teach him all he needs to know to win renown and to survive amongst Elves and Men, to live with purpose, to celebrate his life and the world in righteousness, and to achieve his potential, but more than all these things, I shall be his friend as I have been yours.
For the next five years, Helluin tutored Red, and with Barq's aid, acquainted him with tack and to riding with saddle and reins, but more importantly to her, to bear her bareback as she favored. Drills brought discipline and the mastery of cavalry formations, of moving in ordered companies, and of concentrating in the midst of battle. Strength and endurance came with age, honed fine in the dressage exercises and long runs 'cross the steppe. By 1994, Red could do most of what Barq had been able to do when Helluin had first met him almost a score years past. Perhaps one day he would make as long a journey as his sire whom he resembled closely in all respects.
Now in 1994, the same year in which E-ngúrglaw was successfully tested at last, Targitai Khan of the Mâh-Sakâ celebrated his fiftieth year at war. Five decades had passed since he had inherited the leadership of the Clan of the Red Mountains, and during that time, he had driven the worshippers of the God of Fire out of eastern Rhûn. A great empire he had carved out there and all the lands east of the river Silys and the Sea of Rhûn, and south to a line running east from the Emyn Muil, were held by the Mâh-Sakâ. Their southern border was shared with allies, the Magi Lāžaward.
In T.A. 1994, the khan was three score and twelve years of age. His three sons and daughter were full grown, victorious commanders of hosts all. His eldest son, Lipoksai had prosecuted the war for a quarter century, leading the southern host, and held the titles General of the Southern Host and Governor of En Rhûn, the Middle East. Targitai's second son, Arpoksai was Sultan of Didā Artāvan, Governor of Palan Rhûn, the Far East, and Protector of the Mâh-Sakâ Homelands. Kolaksai, the khan's youngest son, had followed his father as General of the Northern Host and Governor of Forod Rhûn, the North East.
But Targitai Khan was loath to leave behind a process of inherited entitlement that could lead to the fragmentation of the empire he had created. He still rose with the sun, as had been his habit for a lifetime, and he spent the first hour of each day in deep contemplation regarding the state of his realm. During that meditation, he recalled the words he had once shared with his most formidable ally as she had related the history of the western realm of Men.
One realm, one leader, and that leader must inspire the allegiance of the people with devotion to their welfare above 'aught else. Recall the folly of King Eärendur of Arnor and the contention of his three sons that led to the fall of the North Kingdom eleven centuries later. A realm stands as one, or falls piecemeal.
Targitai's sons were devoted to each other, to their people, but most of all, they were devoted to him. Theirs would not be the generation that brought disunion to the empire, for their unity had been forged by the test of war. But what of the generations that followed, perhaps softened by the lulling illusions of peace? Once he was gone, what o'erlord would command the allegiance of each governor and the whole of the people? He had but one child remaining to guarantee the cohesion of the realm.
In late Gwirith, he summoned Lipoksai from the south and took counsel with him. Then with Kolaksai and Tahmirih, he rode to Didā Artāvan where Arpoksai joined them. In mid-Lothron they arrived at Ürgenҫ, deep in the Mâh-Sakâ homelands, and Targitai convened the full council.
The long days of summer had e'er been deemed auspicious for the inauguration of a reign, for they symbolized longevity of rule. On the last day of the fifth month, Targitai Khan stood before the Council of the Mâh-Sakâ Confederation and declared his daughter Princess Tomyris Khātūn¹ of the Mâh-Sakâ Empire and leader of the Red Mountain Clan. Alun and the Sultans of Xzûwing were the first to cheer in acceptance. Then with the others, they knelt to pledge their allegiance to the new o'erlord of their people. ¹(Khātūn, denotes 'Noblewoman', oft the wife of a Khan, or sometimes his equivalent as a female ruler. Persian)
The ex-khan then confirmed the positions of his sons as generals of the hosts, governors of the realm, and protectors of the people. Their continuance in office reassured the council and balanced the change in the leadership. All else would remain the same as it had been aforetime. With their political security assured, the council prepared to celebrate the ascension. Their fears were few, for the had known Tahmirih since childhood and had long esteemed her.
On the following day, the first day of the sixth month, which amongst their people signified the opening of the long days of summer, Targitai marked the opening of his seventy-third year of life as Tahmirih stood atop the parapet o'er the gate of the city of Ürgenҫ and received the adulation of her people.
The next seven days encompassed jubilant celebrations with public feasts laid before the city walls each night. Musicians played and stores were told. Many speeches of thanksgiving were made by elders who recalled the days ere the rise of the Red Khan and their culture. They were glad for both the continuity and the change of leadership, for to them it signified the achievement of their ascendance as a people and the assurance of further prosperity 'neath the same house. They could not recall their future e'er seeming so bright.
Following the festivities commemorating the succession, Targitai, with his sons and daughter rode west to continue their prosecution of the war, for despite the hopes of their people, they were far from finished. There remained many worshippers of the God of Fire in the lands to the south and west and they had word, now a decade old, telling the location of Sheol, the lair of the enemy.
Freed now from the responsibilities of direct rule, the Red Khan desired to hold counsel with his allies in the south, and to learn what had come to pass with Helluin and the Ithryn Luin. It had been 'nigh a decade and a half since he had last seen her and the citadel of his allies he had ne'er visited. He dispatched a trio of messengers to ride with the greatest haste to the wizards' fortress, to advise them of his coming.
The messengers rode west-northwest from Ürgenҫ and crossed the ford of the Rā. There they turned their horses west-southwest and made for the new crossing that allowed traffic 'twixt their lands and the lands of their allies. A great feat of civil engineering the creation of that way had been, for in that place the Rā ran swift and deep, but the solution had come not from the Mâh-Sakâ. Indeed at first, they had not believed such could be.
By some enchantment, the wizards had divined the location of what had once been a coast, now buried 'neath the dry steppe. There the shells of many sea creatures had been deposited in a bed several fathoms thick whereat had been long aforetime the shallow water of an ancient bay. The Blue Wizards had caused the burning of much crushed shell lime and then combined it with the finest sand from beaches of the same locale. For the new river crossing, their limekilns had been fired day and night for months. The resulting powder was ground and blended so all was equal in its formulation. Very caustic was that powder, causing choking if inhaled, burning the skin on contact, and bringing tears to the eyes at the slightest rumor of its wind-borne dust. Yet when mixed with plain water, t'would harden to stone! To the Mâh-Sakâ, that enchantment had been well 'nigh terrifying, for Men to create with their own hands, the rock of which the world was made.
At the river 'nigh the irrigation inlet for their farmland, the wizards had begun a great work. Pilings were driven into the riverbank, and there the foundation was cast for a massive pier. With difficulty, a temporary footbridge of ropes and boards was strung from shore to shore for the passage of labor and materials, and as the Mâh-Sakâ watched, a second pier was cast on their side of the river. Increasingly heavy cables were drawn back and forth 'cross the water 'til at last a sturdy suspension bridge hung 'twixt the piers. Its roadbed was broad enough and strong enough to bear a wagon filled with farm produce drawn by a team of eight. Companies of cavalry could also transit the river there in safety. The project had been completed in 1990, ten years after the treaty was signed, and the wizards charged their allies not a copper in toll for the crossing.
Targitai's messengers had set out from Ürgenҫ at dawn on 8 Nórui, and they crossed the bridge o'er the river Rā in the mid-afternoon on the 15th. After announcing their errand and watering their horses at the garrison of the farm settlement, they proceeded on their way. They arrived at the citadel of the Blue Wizards as evening fell.
Immediately upon reaching the gate, the messengers called out to the watchmen stationed on the parapet, naming themselves and their errand, and they beseeched audience with the Magi. Being allies, they were admitted and straightaway, word was sent to the Blue Wizards. It had been many years since messengers had been received from the Mâh-Sakâ, and so Alatar and Pallando readily agreed to hear their rede.
Entering the fortress, the trio dismounted and walked their horses through the gates and the tunnel 'neath the gatehouse, a far stronger defense than any city they had seen in Rhûn. Within the outer bailey was an open courtyard surrounded by high walls, with many small buildings tucked 'round the periphery. 'Twas a killing ground that any warrior would recognize. The company of soldiers who met them were Men like themselves, not Elves, all dressed in uniforms colored to blend into the steppe. They were stern and silent and though not unfriendly, were thoroughly military in their bearing. Grooms came from a stable and took the reins of the horses.
A group of three broke off from the company and led Targitai's messengers to the gate on the north side of the inner curtain wall where they passed through another strong gate and tunnel. The guards accompanied them 'cross the inner bailey to the entrance of the citadel where they bowed and withdrew, leaving the messengers in the care of Elvish guards dressed in the same uniforms and no less severe. The Men were ushered into the first chamber with the mezzanine and the encircling stair, and there they were met by the wizards.
The trio were obviously cowed and stared 'round at the vast room and all else they could see. No torches or candles lit that space, but rather pendant Elvish lamps hung down on chains from the high ceiling, emitting a cool bluish glow that wavered not as the light of flames is wont to do. The Mâh-Sakâ were used to camping on the steppe in campaign tents, or the mud brick buildings of their homeland. Fortresses constructed of hard stone were unfamiliar, as was the abundance of large timbers that they had seen in the floors of the gate tunnels and in the ceiling beams of the reception hall.
Alatar and Pallando sat side by side on chairs of carved wood, not thrones upon a dais, but not the folding camp chairs of leather stretched o'er wooden frames their khan used either. To their eyes, the twain appeared as great lords of Men enthroned, venerable yet vigorous, white haired and robed in blue. Clear were their eyes. Piercing and direct was their glance. That they were lords of so strong and wondrous a fortress and commanded the service of so many Men and Elves attested to their power. The messengers bowed deeply to their hosts and received nods of acknowledgement in return. That much at least was familiar.
"Magi Lāžaward, we bear tidings from our lord Targitai of the Mâh-Sakâ Confederation," said the lead messenger. "I am Kouridatês and my companions are Iazad and Azariôn. I beg leave to speak."
The Blue wizards had marked the change in Targitai's title and traded a look. Their wording seemed to indicate that he still lived, but no longer ruled. Alatar addressed the messengers.
"Welcome, Kouridatês, Iazad, and Azariôn, loyal messengers of Targitai. I am Alatar and with my fellow Ithron Pallando, we pray ye share your tidings. Is the lord no longer Khan of the Mâh-Sakâ Confederation?"
"Mage Alatar, Mage Pallando, having reached the venerable age of three score and thirteen summers on the first day of the sixth month, Lord Targitai has declared the succession of his daughter Princess Tahmirih as Khātūn of the Mâh-Sakâ Confederation, to hold his office and to rule after him," Kouridatês said.
"Our ally Targitai has retired from the rule of his people, yet he still lives?" Pallando asked just to be sure.
"Aye, Mage Pallando. Lord Targitai remains senior advisor to his daughter for howsoe'er long his life abides in him. He is esteemed by all our people and shall provide counsel to the khātūn."
"We esteem him as well for all he hath achieved against the Great Enemy whilst unifying the Mâh-Sakâ people," Alatar said.
Kouridatês offered a bow to honor the Mage's words praising his lord.
"Mage Alatar, Targitai's sons Lipoksai, Arpoksai, and Kolaksai have been reconfirmed in their governorships and shall continue serving in their postings as generals of the hosts that they held aforetime. We continue to prosecute the war in the north."
"As we shall continue to do in the south," Pallando told them. "Pray say to thy lord that we are on the verge of moving against the stronghold of the devil."
"Mage Pallando, we shall convey thy tidings, but we have more to speak of," Kouridatês said.
The Ithryn Luin gave the messenger their full attention and a nod to continue.
"The Lord Targitai, being freed now of the responsibilities of rule, would take the opportunity to visit this citadel, to meet at last his great allies in the south and to meet again with the architect of our alliance, Helluin Maeg-mórmenel."
Broad smiles greeted his announcement and the Magi rose from their chairs and bowed to the messengers, then Alatar looked to the north as if he could see the ex-khan who was then at the stronghold of Dide Artāvan.
"Pray convey our welcome to the Lord Targitai. We joyously anticipate his arrival here at a time of his convenience," Alatar said.
"I too shall be joyous to greet again my friend and ally, Lord Targitai, unifier of the Mâh-Sakâ. I pray ye convey my congratulations to the khātūn on her ascension, and my hopes that she enjoys many victories in her time."
The words came from behind the messengers, from the shadows within the entrance to the hall. The voice was female, velvety, and yet steely with power and a confidence so long held as to be ingrained. Kouridatês, Iazad, and Azariôn turned to see a tall figure clad in black armor pacing into the hall. Black hair framed a pale face in which blue eyes blazed, unnaturally bright. A sheathed longsword and a ring-shaped blade with a glint brighter than ordinary silver hung at her side. Despite the tall boots and the greaves covering her knees and lower legs, her footsteps made no sound on the flooring slabs.
The messengers offered a bow. Helluin greeted them with a dip of her head, her right hand placed o'er her heart in the manner of their people.
"I pray your pardon for my tardy arrival," she said, "I have been attending my horse."
The messengers nodded in understanding, for 'twas regarded as a virtue to care well for one's mount. Despite her menacing and unnatural appearance, her behavior was familiar to them and set them more at ease in her presence.
"Helluin, these messengers are newly arrived and shall return north on the morrow" Alatar said. "Ere they take their leave, we shall have further messages for them to carry back to the Mâh-Sakâ regarding the pending campaign against Skator. We would also have them witness a demonstration of E-ngúrglaw, so they may see the weapon that shall encompass the doom of the Enemy."
"I shall arrange it with Maglor," Helluin said. "Shall we proceed after the morning meal?"
"That shall be perfect," Pallando said.
Thereafter the Elvish guards of the citadel conveyed the three messengers to quarters in a barracks within the inner curtain wall. They joined the evening mess and shared the company of the wizards' soldiers. The Men found the accommodations comfortable, the fare bountiful, and the Elvish warriors courteous, yet when they sought details regarding the weapon, they were told to be patient and that no words could suffice to describe what they would see on the morrow. The messengers perceived a sense of awe amongst the Magi Lāžaward's troops and it whetted their curiosity the more. After the meal, combined with their fatigue following a week in the saddle, their full bellies blessed them with a deep and dreamless sleep that lasted 'til dawn.
The messengers arose in the grey morning light to the sounds of troops preparing for their duties. The activity was familiar to soldiers anywhere, the ordering of their resting places, the donning of uniforms and gear, and the inspection by the company's sergeant. The morning meal followed and they greeted the new day with their appetites comfortably sated and their curiosity running rampant.
It seemed that a great count of the citadel's warriors would take the opportunity to witness the demonstration. The messengers walked out of the inner bailey, through the curtain wall and into the outer bailey. There several hundred more troops, Men and Elves, had gathered, and they joined the marching formation. The Magi Lāžaward proceeded them, riding comfortably at a walk. Yet before all went Maglor on his grey warhorse, hitched to a diminutive cart carrying a shrouded cargo, and Helluin in a long cloak riding a magnificent dark bay stallion.
Their march continued out of the main gates, but they did not go far. Two furlongs beyond the outer walls, they drew to a halt and the troops were ordered in companies standing at rest in a block formation. They were gathered to the west of the fortress and facing west to spare their eyes from the low, early morning sun. The wizards beckoned the messengers forward to stand beside them. Helluin and Maglor hauled the cart a hundred yards farther out, and there they halted and dismounted. Maglor unhitched his horse and then took its place 'twixt the shafts of the cart. He then turned it, adjusting it 'til its back pointed southwest towards a narrow spire of rock that stood three furlongs further out from the fortress. The messengers reckoned that column stood some twenty fathoms tall.
Then they saw Helluin walk to the cart and pull the shroud off, revealing a construction of bright metal of whose purpose the messengers had no clue. The Noldo then doffed her cloak. She appeared to be naked as she climbed up onto the cart bed and seated herself in the center of the cryptic device. A few more heartbeats passed as Maglor tilted the cart slightly upwards whilst gazing into a bizarre eyepiece.
In the next moment, all reason fled. What the messengers witnessed was so far beyond 'aught they had seen aforetime as to appear a great and terrible magick. Suddenly, their sight of the cart was eclipsed by a brilliant flaring of Light that o'erpowered the sun and lit the surrounding steppe like a fallen star. From the cart, a beam of that same Light lanced out to strike the rock spire, and with a slight downward angled transit, sheared the uppermost several fathoms clean off so that they toppled free and smashed on the ground in a cloud of dust. The beam and the Light winked off and all was as it had been aforetime.
Behind them, the gathered warriors cheered as Helluin dismounted the cart and donned her cloak. Maglor replaced the shroud o'er the mechanism and then set about hitching his horse. In the distance, the cloud of dust settled, revealing a clear view of the stricken rock column with its top cloven flat, but at a slight angle. The messengers were dumbfounded and knew not what to think, let alone what to say. They looked to the wizards, their shock writ plain on their faces.
"With this weapon, Helluin shall slay the great monster that lurks 'neath the fortress of Sheol, and perhaps even assail the God of Fire," Alatar declared to the trio of Mâh-Sakâ.
"With this weapon and the Grace of the Valar, we shall prevail o'er the blasphemers and idolaters in their refuge and drive their accursed god hence," Pallando said. "Walls of stone shall no longer protect them. With this Light, we would cleanse that place of its great evil."
Breaking from their formation, the companies began marching back to the fortress. Maglor and Helluin were starting their ride back to the gates as well. The three messengers looked to the two wizards and bowed deeply, shaken and in awe of the supernatural power of their allies. Through his amazement, a concern presented itself to Kouridatês' mind. After a few moments, he took heart, gathered his courage, and spoke.
"Magi Lāžaward, though 'tis not our peoples' place to determine 'aught of your battle plan, I know that Lord Targitai shall crave to witness the fall of the enemy he hath opposed for so many years. We shall ride with the greatest haste and pray that he may come hither in time to be blessed with the sight of the destruction of his foes."
"'Tis now 16 Nórui, and ere we commit to moving an army o'er four hundred miles west to assail Sheol, we shall send forth a swift scouting party to confirm the target. I reckon t'will be another month yet ere we strike," Alatar said.
"A decade has passed since we last beheld Skator," Pallando added. "We shall not allow our eagerness to jeopardize the campaign to end three Ages of terror. I think the Lord Targitai shall have sufficient time to join us if he were to set out soon after your return."
"We shall ride north within the hour, Magi Lāžaward. We give thanks for your hospitality and your tidings," Kouridatês said.
Kouridatês, Iazad, and Azariôn bowed to their hosts and to Maglor and Helluin as they approached with the cart. Then they hastened back towards the gates to retrieve their mounts. Ere the opening of the second hour following dawn, they were 'naught but dark specks receding 'cross the steppe towards the crossing o'er the river Rā. Soon enough, they were lost even to the sharp-eyed sentries on the walls of the Ithryn Luin's fortress.
To Be Continued