In An Age Before – Part 231
Chapter One Hundred forty-seven
Lothlórien – The Third Age of the Sun
Now following her annunciatory luminescence, Helluin continued 'neath the mellyrn trees at a walk. The night-darkened forest had always seemed otherworldly to her, and whilst it had not bothered her aforetime, now she found that sensation enhanced. 'Neath the moonlight and starlight, the trees seemed to whisper, their canopies softly hinting at enigmas lately birthed and new lore deeply hidden. With her heart already bearing a full share of sorrow at Red's abrupt passing, the secretive muttering of the wood left her feeling isolated in addition to being melancholic. She shook her head and tried to dismiss the sensation as 'naught but maudlin self-indulgence.
The marchwardens she had felt earlier continued to approach and finally Helluin stopped to await them. Many of them were known to her by sight or name, and some she counted old friends. 'Twas their duty to account for any crossing the borders, yet she anticipated 'naught more than a welcome. In this, she was not mistaken.
Out of the shadows came Haldir and a company of two dozen grey-cloaked archers. When they faced each other at two fathoms, the company halted and Haldir alone approached. Soon they stood face to face.
"Suilad, Helluin, 'tis good to see thee again," he said.
"Mae govannen, Haldir," Helluin replied, "I am glad to meet thee, old friend."
"The welcome of the lord and lady is extended to thee and thy presence is requested in Caras Galadhon where they would take counsel with thee."
"That is good, meldir nín, for I am come with tidings and to ask counsel of them."
"Thou know the way, Helluin. Pray proceed at thine own pace."
At first, the Noldo was surprised that none of the company would escort her on that trek, but Haldir gave her an apologetic look and a barely perceptible cant of his head back towards the border whence she had come. In reply, Helluin gave him a nod of understanding. Duty called and his company had business guarding the wood. She offered a parting dip of her head and a smile that Haldir returned.
"Perhaps I shall see thee again soon," he added ere gesturing the other marchwardens hence.
They slipped away into the darkness 'neath the mellyrn and were soon lost to hearing and sight. Alone once again, Helluin resumed her walk south towards the city of the Galadhrim.
Now Caras Galadhon lay two score and ten miles through the forest from where Helluin had met Haldir's company. There was no road. Any who had leave to pass knew the way, and for those who did not, there was only a trackless wood defended with deadly arrows. As she had entered Lórinand in the fading light of 18 Urui and walked thereafter with only a few pauses, she reached the city in the afternoon of the 19th after a bit o'er eighteen hours.
'Twas only in the last couple furlongs ere reaching Caras Galadhon that she marked any hint of a trail. There she found some disturbance of the leaf mold from the passing of many feet converging on the encircling 'road', a distinct footpath paved with white stone that ran 'round the exterior of the encircling fosse. Within stood Egladil, the tall hill crowned by taller mallorns that she knew were filled with telain. As she had come from the north, Helluin walked the half circle 'round the west side of the city to the south-facing gates, reached by crossing a white bridge o'er the fosse and passing the o'erlapping ends of the tall quickthorn hedge. That hedge rose three fathoms of solid, woody, green Hawthorn, covered with vicious spines to a thickness of a fathom's depth. Though not ultimately immune to fire, t'would stay invaders long enough for them to be shot by the archers posted on the defensive flets within the wall.
Apparently, word had been passed to the sentries of Helluin's coming, for though unescorted, she was not shot. Rather, she was hailed at the gates and admitted with the welcome of the lord and lady. At the guard post 'nigh the entrance, she was offered water and rations that she gratefully accepted, waybread, cheese, and sliced dry sausage. Once refreshed, she was bidden to go forward, for Celeborn and Galadriel awaited her on their palatial talan atop the great central mallorn.
Helluin had not visited Caras Galadhon since coming to Khazad-dûm in 1975. By sight, she marked few changes, but all felt different. 'Twas akin to the sensation of passing the Ford of Bruinen and entering Imladris, that same enhancement of the senses and the feeling of an all-pervading well-being, and yet there was more. To Helluin came a sensation of the staving off of the decay of time. If 'twas not a complete cessation, she felt at least that the encroachment of the Fading on her hroa was held at bay. 'Twas a potent enchantment whose like she had not experienced since leaving the Blessed Realm. At the same time, the Noldo perceived the subtle watchfulness of an intelligence that surveyed all and committed much to memory, to be sifted and pondered for potential succor or threat.
Lórinand has become a more secure fortress of late, I wager, she thought, as adamant at heart as the stone upon the Lady's Ring.
We now call our realm Lothlórien, a very familiar voice whispered, mind to mind. 'Tis good to see thee again, meldis nín.
And thou as well, meldis ifant nín, Helluin replied. I shall join thee and Lord Celeborn shortly.
I know, mind thy step, the voice mock chided, followed by soft laughter of a pleasant tone.
Helluin grinned to herself as she began ascending the Great Tree. That climb took the quarter part of an hour at a comfortable pace that allowed her to appreciate the widening view and compare it with views from her memory. She nodded greetings to the guards and courtiers on the intervening flets that she passed through. Along the way, she marked that some rungs had been added since her last visit, unexpected, yet natural enough upon reflection, for the tree was living and slowly increasing in height.
Helluin finally reached the 'Royal Talan' with its airy oval pavilion, which she found had been redecorated in a more restrained fashion than what she recalled from Amroth's tenure. Gone now were most of the 'nigh oppressively abundant motifs of leaves and vines, and with it, the sense of rustic woodland ambience that she associated with Silvan culture. The columns of the colonnade that formed the open walls were carved and colored in imitation of the mallorn's bark and foliage, silver and green, creating the effect of a thicket of much younger trees. The canopy o'erhead was of white wood mirroring the floorboards, but carved with a continuous relief of mallorn flowers leafed in gold. That pattern was only abandoned o'er the paired seats set side by side as thrones before the great bole, where reliefs of Ithil and Anor had been rendered. Sure enough, Ithil, leafed with mithril, crowned Celeborn's chair, whilst Anor, leafed with gold, hung o'er Galadriel's.
As she paced in 'twixt a pair of columns, Helluin bowed to her old friends who had risen from their chairs to return her bow. Celeborn and Galadriel met her with smiles of welcome. She looked 'round, surprised that for this audience there were neither sentries, nor courtiers present. Their initial greetings were exchanged in silence, eye to eye. It all left Helluin wondering if the Galadhrim were still as predisposed to gossip mongery as they had been in an Age before, during the reign of King Amdír.
Her thought coaxed a barely stifled laugh from the lady and a grimace from the lord. 'Twas no doubt that they understood the incident Helluin had recalled.
We…no, I caused him such consternation, Galadriel mused, chuckling at the memory of being constrained in a locked and guarded talan. I would apologize to him if I could, but alas, he is lost as are so many friends now, eh Helluin? The years pass and all is diminished, our treasures taken from us one by one leaving 'naught but memories.
'Tis so indeed, m'lady, and the longer the time, the greater the losses. Yet not all measures of time are alike. I was gone from the west not half a century, and in that time, much has been lost.
Galadriel nodded gravely to Helluin. When they had last met, the dark Noldo was going to Khazad-dûm to have Beinvír's ring repaired. Hadhodrond had been thriving and Minas Ithil had still been held by the Gondorim. It did seem that more had been lost o'er the past half-century, especially when one included the Fall of Fornost and the destruction of Angmar in that tally.
The losses continue, Helluin remarked, two noon's past, my horse was taken by a rainbow.
Her words prompted looks of confusion from Celeborn and Galadriel. Rather than spend time with explanations, Helluin simply showed them her memory of the catastrophe. Neither found what they had seen easy to digest. They each had to replay the scene several times as a new memory of their own ere believing it. In the meantime, Helluin had continued with her memory and was involved in digging Red's grave when the lord and lady reclaimed her attention.
'Tis the most peculiar death I have witnessed in many a year, Celeborn said. I have ne'er aforetime considered a rainbow deadly.
Thy horse seemed robust in health, Galadriel ventured, and received a nod of confirmation from Helluin, so then the cause of death must have been mental rather than medical. He believed without question that he would die, and so he is unquestionably dead.
I accept thy conclusion, Helluin said, for Red believed it so wholeheartedly as to secure my assurance of burying his carcass after his passing. He claimed 'twas the wisdom of his culture and I heeded him not, nor took precautions, and so lost my friend.
I would not have believed it either, Celeborn admitted.
Nor I, said Galadriel, adding, my sorrow for thy loss.
They lapsed into a sympathetic silence for a while, but time was dear and all had pressing matters to explore. Finally, Galadriel resumed their counsel, for she had questions regarding the tidings she had learnt of Elrond just o'er three weeks past.
Helluin, I have shared in thought with Lord Elrond and he was shocked by what he learnt of thy time in Rhûn. T'would seem thou wast…busy.
Helluin gave her a nod, both of agreement and as a prompt for her to continue.
Thou met the 'lost' Ithryn Luin? She asked. At Helluin's nod of agreement, she asked, and with their aid, forged a weapon of surpassing potency that harnessed the Light of thine own fëa?
Again, Helluin nodded her affirmation and then, knowing her friends were o'erflowing with curiosity, provided them with her memory of the assault on Sheol. She accompanied her visual recitation with a commentary.
We called it E-Ngúrglaw and it cleaved all we set it against, wood, metal, flesh, spirit, and stone. We had found Sauron's retreat in the east, called Skator, or Sheol. There we worsted a host of Wainriders, slew Ungolúróg, a daemon we took to be the spawn of Ungoliant, and then drove Gorthaur from his tower in a personal assault. Later, we used the weapon to instigate an explosion that razed his fortress, sealing Nehemoth and the Husks of Contention, and leaving only a fiery crater behind.
Helluin felt their reactions, shock, astonishment, and yes, fear, so strong that she clearly perceived them. They were much the same emotions the Peredhel had felt and for the same cause. The sheer concentration of evil had been appalling, and its defeat well 'nigh incomprehensible. 'Twas like no warfare they had beheld aforetime, a glimpse of a terrifying future perhaps, or of darkness grown potent beyond 'aught conceived aforetime. 'Twas unimaginable to them, but more disturbing, Sauron had seen it too. He had seen how quickly his citadel and his allies had been laid low.
Like thy Sarchram in an Age before, the Dark Lord shall crave such power and yearn to name it unto himself, Galadriel thought, for he hath suffered it and felt the pain of it in his own being.
And he shall fail, for no source of Light to power it resides in him any longer, Helluin replied. Neither Maglor, nor the Ithryn Luin could power it in my stead.
Celeborn and Galadriel nodded, still not wholly convinced, yet unable to gainsay Helluin's claims. Celeborn had marked one further detail from Helluin's memories, a host far greater than any gathered in the west.
Helluin, who were thine allies in the east? To what do they cleave?
Thou ask after the Mâh-Sakâ Confederation, Lord Celeborn. They are allies of the Ithryn Luin, or the Magi Lāžaward as that people call them. They now hold all the lands east of the Sea of Rhûn, from the Orocarni south to a line drawn from the Ered Lithui and north of Khand all the way west to Núrn. Half a million ride 'neath the command of Tahmirih Khātūn and her brothers, Arpoksai, Kolaksai, and Lipoksai. They prosecute their enmity with Sauron and his allies as a holy war against the God of Fire and his worshippers whom they deem blasphemers and infidels. They are the unknown allies of Gondor and the West. That ignorance I shall soon amend.
So thou would go next to Gondor? Galadriel asked.
Aye, and the slower now for lack of my horse.
We can provide thee other conveyance, Celeborn offered, yet perhaps thou shalt not travel alone.
Helluin raised a brow in question, seeking clarification of his first claim whilst a sense of foreboding came of his second. Would the lord and lady seek to send Galadhrim with her to Gondor? She had ne'er known that people to venture so far afield since the War of the Last Alliance, and that memory was still bitter. Then she was drawn from her ruminations by a commotion outside the pavilion as a small company arrived on the Royal Talan. She marked a slight smirk curling the lady's lips and was yet again prey to a sense of foreboding.
With Celeborn and Galadriel, Helluin turned to face the entrance 'twixt the columns closest to the ladder. Into the pavilion marched Haldir with four other marchwardens, and within their cordon came the Rangers Annuihír and Lainiel, and the young dog Húveren who was looking all 'round, obviously nervous to be up so high 'til his eyes lit on Helluin. Then his tail wagged and he gave a soft 'yip' in greeting. Helluin groaned and set her face in her hand. Galadriel laughed aloud.
"Welcome to Lothlórien, Hír Annuihír a Híril Lainiel in Dúnedain," the Lord Celeborn said. He then regarded Húveren, who had lain down at his master's feet. Obviously, somewhat had passed 'twixt them in silence, for the young dog rose and dipped his head to the lord and lady, then sat attentive at Annuihír's feet.
"Lord Annuihír, Lady Lainiel, pray greet the Lord Celeborn son of Galadhon, Prince of Doriath, and the Lady Galadriel, Princess of the House of Finarfin, regents of this realm," Helluin said. She then turned to her old friends and added, "Lord Annuihír son of Gwíthír is the first and fiftieth lord of the line of Balar, and Lady Lainiel daughter of Brennil is the latest heiress of Dúrrél."
The two mortals bowed deeply to the lord and lady and received bows in return as was the custom amongst the Elves. Húveren came and leaned against Helluin's leg, receiving scratches 'round his ears and strokes of his head and neck.
"Ye have chosen to follow in Helluin's footsteps o'er the mountains," Galadriel said, "but she is bound for the South Kingdom. Do ye intend to follow her thither as well?"
"Such would be our choice if she shall have us," Annuihír said.
"Our parents received the succor of the South Kingdom when they last opposed the Witch King, and Prince Eärnur aided in defeating Angmar," Lainiel said, "yet now we learn that they too are beset by the same foes. Though we are but two, we would offer our aid to our brothers in Gondor, in token of their aid to our fathers aforetime."
"And so ye would honor the Treaty of Ondoher and Araphant," Celeborn said gravely.
The two Rangers nodded 'aye'. When their eyes met the lord's, they wavered not. Whether ignorant or simply naive, he deemed that their intentions were noble.
Through all of this, Helluin had held her peace as the motivations of the two young Dúnedain were aired. Their people had been driven from their homes and their realm ended by one Nazgûl, and now they sought to aid in opposing all Nine? She knew not what strength they could actually offer to King Eärnil in Minas Tirith, though she could guess. In truth, she was unsure if there was 'aught that she herself could do to unseat the Ringwraiths, now that they were entrenched in Minas Morgul. As a gesture of reciprocity and alliance, their aspirations were good. Yet honor and youthful exuberance did not equal battle prowess or tactical acumen, nor did they account for politics. On a practical level, they were both likely to be reviled upon arrival and then slain in battle and quickly. She shook her head and stifled a groan.
"Thou hast some reservations, Helluin?" Galadriel asked, grinning.
"Some," the Noldo hedged. "How came ye through the pass unmarked whilst following close enough to arrive in Lothlórien within an hour of me?" She asked Annuihír and Lainiel.
"We came to Hollin Ridge and found thee but a half-day gone," Annuihír said, "and then we went on to the head of the pass straightaway, for we had no business in Moria. The Laiquendi at the foot of Caradhras stayed us not, for we are allies and told them we sought to come o'er the mountains and make our way south to Gondor. Most of five days we spent in the mountains, traveling at Húveren's pace."
"We camped 'nigh Durin's Stone on the night of the 15th, then rode south to the crossroads where we encamped the next two nights. 'Twas only when we saw thee making haste afoot towards Lothlórien that we followed," Lainiel said.
When I asked the guardians at the foot of the pass for tidings, I asked only after foes, not friends, Helluin realized, shaking her head. And by the time I had a view of Nanduhirion from the pass, they were already camping 'neath the trees 'nigh the crossroads…invisible from the heights. Another thought came to her then.
"Ye passed the rainbow at the base of the Stair Falls?"
When they nodded 'aye', she asked, "and your horses took no hurt?"
To this, they gave her looks of confusion, but both nodded 'nay'. Their mounts had passed the rainbow unaffected and then gladly grazed on the lawn 'nigh the Mirrormere. They had expected 'naught else and neither, apparently, had their horses.
Incredible, Helluin said silently to Galadriel. Had I been able to convince Red that he would take no hurt from the rainbow, he might yet live.
He might, the lady replied, yet dissuading him from seeking his bliss according to the wisdom of his culture might have done him harm too. 'Tis no way to know now, my friend.
Reluctantly, Helluin nodded in agreement. 'Yea' or 'nay', 'twas too late to know for sure.
"What do ye hope to accomplish in Gondor?" Helluin finally asked.
"First, we hope to gain experience of the South Kingdom, the abode of our brothers and allies," Annuihír said, "the estrangement of our peoples, it hath persisted too long."
"Aye. So far as we know, none from the north have come to Gondor since the Great War two thousand years ago," Lainiel said. "I wager Elendil would turn in his grave, seeing his people so divided."
Helluin nodded in agreement as she recalled Elendil, noble and gracious, self-effacing and thankful to have escaped the wreck of Númenor to found a realm of the Faithful in Middle Earth. From memory came the High King's words at their meeting in Annúminas in S.A. 3371.
"We each have our lot, do we not? Only the downfall of a nation was needed to make thus this son of a discredited lord into a king. I am merely lucky to have been born at the right time and place to be gifted a throne by fate and the foresight of my father," he said in self-deprecating jest. "Now, pray tell, what may I do for thee?"
Helluin gulped at the Man's candor and grace, and his familiar sense of humor. He had fully accepted his fate, the good and the bad, and now he asked after her desire. She found him easy to respect, and were she in his service, an easy lord to love.
"We reckon King Eärnil shall know more truly than we the needs of his realm and what aid two Rangers from the north may offer to Gondor," Annuihír said.
"Ye are not simply two Rangers from the north," Helluin said, looking sternly from one to the other. "Ye are the grandchildren of King Arvedui and Queen Fíriel, daughter of King Ondoher. It hath been not even three score years since the Council of Gondor awarded the throne to Eärnil o'er the rightful claims of your grandparents.
From all I have heard told, Eärnil II is an honorable Man and a great general, yet still, amongst his people, your lineage shall evoke a measure of guilt and perhaps resentment as well. The peoples' choice was o'erwhelmingly approved in the south, but 'twas made in light of popularity and prejudice. It did not adhere to the law, either of Númenor or of Elendil. And now, with your appearance in their realm, heir and heiress of both Isildur and Anárion, ye shall recall as living proof, Gondor's rejection of the will of Elendil and Isildur.
And there is more," Helluin continued. "In 1437, Castamir the Usurper seized the throne of Gondor from the right king Eldacar on the grounds of his 'tainted blood', for he was equally the son of Valacar and of Vidumavi, Princess of Rhovanion. Many nobles of the south supported Castamir, and to this day, they value blood purity o'er nobility and even lineage. Ye have each one parent come not from the royalty of Arthedain, but from the Middle Men, as did Eldacar. Even if ye make no claims, I wager your arrival shall be less than universally welcomed."
The two Rangers stared at Helluin, half in amazement and half in disbelief. Beside her, the Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel were grim as they nodded in agreement.
"Your presence, some in Minas Tirith shall consider divisive," Celeborn said, "and if ye go, then ye shall go in Helluin's company, for she is long celebrated in the south and no better bodyguard might ye employ."
"Would that ye had taken the time to engage in diplomacy aforehand," Galadriel added, "and perhaps arranged an exchange of hostages."
Hearing these statements, Annuihír and Lainiel could only stare with mouths agape in shock. Ne'er in their wildest dreams had they foreseen 'aught but welcome from their southern kin. That they would need a bodyguard, or even require hostages to guarantee their safety had ne'er occurred to them in their darkest fantasies. That Prince Eärnur and his knights, who had aforetime come to the rescue of their people, might resent their existence and become hostile in their presence was simply impossible to imagine. Still, the notion of visiting Gondor was strong.
"If we must go with a bodyguard and in anticipation of hostility, I at least accept those terms," Annuihír said.
"I too am resolved to continue," Lainiel said.
Helluin sighed whilst the lord and lady shared silently in thought, eye to eye. For a while, none spoke and the two Rangers waited nervously looking 'twixt them, daring not to interrupt lest they be constrained in Lothlórien or immediately sent home. Finally, Helluin nodded to herself, having decided her course.
"I go to Minas Tirith to share tidings of the east," she said, "and if ye go, then as messengers from Chieftain Aranarth ye shall go, to share tidings of the North Kingdom. Ye shall claim no kinship with the royal houses of Arthedain or Eriador, nor any noble lineage, but rather ye shall be presented as ye appear, young Rangers easily spared from the defense of the north to be sent upon errantry far afield."
"New names ye shall take as well," Lord Celeborn advised, "names of no renown."
"'Tis well that ye were not yet born when Prince Eärnur rode to war in Eriador, for neither he, nor his knights, shall recognize ye now," Galadriel added. "The names of your parents ye must leave behind, for they were known to him in their youth."
Annuihír and Lainiel looked to each other. If they continued south, they would not be going to honor the treaty of mutual aid 'twixt their people and Gondor's. They would be going, cloaked in ignoble disguises, as common born messengers from their chieftain only, not as a young lord and lady. Their southern kin would not know their identities and they would not be associated with the children of Artamir and Artanis. What had seemed simple enough in Celenhár was far more complicated than they had imagined.
"Be forewarned," Helluin added, reclaiming their attention, "in the south, the North Kingdom has long been disdained. Arthedain was regarded as a realm in decline, its majesty and its people diminished. With the Fall of Fornost, that impression has only been reinforced.
The Gondorim cling to the trappings of wealth and courtly intrigues, jealously celebrating their history, their lineages, and esteeming their nobility as if they were the gold and gems in a Dwarf lord's hoard. Yet the line of descent of their kings is four times broken and no direct heir of Anárion survives in their royal house. 'Tis much the opposite of the north, and in ye they would confront that singular and most treasured attribute that they can no longer claim, the direct lineal descent from Elendil. In ye who have chosen poverty, who have abandoned the outer appearances of royalty, they will feel a grave affront to all they value, knowing that those whom they scorn are indeed sons of Númenórë born to higher station."
Now though some further arguments were made and some further time spent taking counsel, in the end, Annuihír and Lainiel were fully persuaded to follow the wisdom of Helluin and the lord and lady of Lothlórien. If 'aught was true, 'twas that they had become more curious than e'er about Gondor, a land of the Dúnedain where formality, appearances, and protocol were valued as highly as valor and honor. Having accepted the terms put forth by Celeborn, Galadriel, and Helluin, the two Rangers could barely wait to continue their journey. Alas, they were required to delay for the sake of arranging transportation.
"I had thought to send Helluin south by boat, for so she could come quickly and directly to Parth Galen above the Falls of Rauros," Celeborn said. "Yet now, t'would seem that she shall have need of a horse so that the three of ye may ride together as a company."
"We keep no horses in Lothlórien," said Galadriel, "but there are steeds wild and free roaming the lands bordering the east bank of the river. From amongst these, Helluin, perhaps thou may recruit a suitable mount."
The dark Noldo rolled her eyes at that suggestion. The Northmen had removed far upriver o'er a score years ago, probably taking with them e'ery decent saddle horse in those lands. The last thing she desired was to hunt down and compel a feral horse to do her bidding. She thought it likely that she would wind up with an ill-tempered nag afflicted with lungworms and a penchant for biting. Training a colt would be so time consuming as to be out of the question. Worse, there was no place to cross Anduin with a horse south of the Old Ford 'til reaching the North Undeep, six score miles south of Lothlórien. With a groan, she shook her head at the prospect. Still, the princess was right. Save for returning to Eriador, her choices were few.
"'Tis 'naught that I would rather do," Helluin finally muttered in reply.
She looked o'er to see Haldir and his marchwardens snickering at her plight.
A fortnight passed and 1 Ivanneth had arrived. During that time, Helluin had been ferried 'cross the Anduin from the north of Lothlórien and left on the east bank with her travel bag, weapons, and thirty ells of rope. She had bid the Galadhrim boatmen thanks and farewell and then trudged north, eager to get as far away from Dol Guldur as possible, even though Galadriel had assured her that she felt no Shadow there.
During that time, Annuihír and Lainiel remained as guests of the lord and lady. They and their mounts had been allowed to rest and partake of the life of the Galadhrim. Their woodscraft and skills at archery were refined in the manner of their hosts, and they learnt some songs and lore.
After crossing Anduin, Helluin had zigzagged her way seven score miles north and somewhat inland. She had come through a perplexing land unexpectedly filled with goats to find the remains of a Northmen settlement. There a small river ran west to join Anduin, and upon its northern bank, just downstream from an o'ergrown berry bramble, stood the weathered structures of a smithy and pottery. A short way to the north was a crumbling series of storefronts, an abandoned garrison, walled, with a watchtower and barracks, and finally, a large house and a cabin 'neath a trio of apple trees. Encircling and subdividing all were broken runs of split rail fencing. Helluin saw fields of crops, gardens of vegetables, and hives hosting the fist-sized bees so typical of the skin-changing settlers. 'Twas the first time she had seen such a place as part of a greater settlement of Men.
Helluin stood in an open yard 'twixt the large house and the cabin, staring in amazement at her surroundings. This had been a rich farm, at one time well tended and still productive, for in the fields, stands of crops yet stood, wheat, rye, and oats. In a further field stood acres of lucerne and she marked that the fence rails had been pulled down 'round all the crops. Predictably, she saw movement amongst the stalks, and when she looked closer, she saw milk cows, sheep, and horses eating their fill. It seemed that at least some of the livestock had been abandoned along with the settlement. As she watched, a flock of feral chickens cascaded through the yard, coming from sagging coops to stalk amongst the crop fields for grain fallen from the mouths of the larger animals.
The Noldo spent a few days exploring the farm and trying to learn what she could of the settlement. During that time, she encamped in the cabin, for it elicited memories of times long past when she had shared the hospitality of Berlun son of Brulun, the first skin-changer she had e'er met. Besides, its construction had remained sound and 'twas still far sturdier than the large house or the outbuildings.
Of the fields, she estimated that the four crops accounted for some thirty-six acres, far more than the holding of any settler she had met aforetime. So too were the vegetable garden, nut trees, wildflower garden, and beehives, more extensive than those of Berlun or any of his kindred. Whoe'er had tilled this land, they had enjoyed the aid of many hands, and fed many mouths. And ne'er aforetime had Helluin seen any of the settlers' holdings adjacent to a walled stockade. That was purely Northmen.
In the large house, she found a room with shelves, table and chairs. 'Twas akin to the offices of local lords that she had seen in many places. Still nailed to a wall was a framed map showing the settlement and the lands of the Éothéod, as they had been only a quarter century aforetime. The buildings she had seen were portrayed in miniature illustrations accompanied by tiny lettering written with a fine pointed quill. The name, 'Norðr-vestandóttir Bý-1856' had been superseded by the name 'Suꝺriborg-1914'. Penned in 'round them were the outlines of the successive land grants that documented the growth of the South Fortress from a farm into a city.
Helluin recalled Prince Fram mentioning that stronghold in 1975, as they had debated riding to Dol Guldur. In those days, the settlement had still been inhabited. She had not visited Suꝺriborg before or after her mission to Dol Guldur.
After her first day there, the Noldo deemed that the river had been the southern boundary. She had found a sizeable mill downstream, and a road leading north past a cemetery to a larger walled settlement even more typical of the Éothéod. Helluin thought this to be older as well, for 'twas completely encircled by its palisade. East, south, and west led roads from gates guarded by watchtowers. Whether it had been part of Suꝺriborg or a closely allied city, she could not tell.
Returning to the farm, she picked berries and fruit for her evening meal, which she ate sitting in the yard 'twixt the cabin and the house. As dusk came down, the milk cows came from the field, marching in a line to a large byre, whilst the sheep came in a flock to the fold and the chickens retired to their coop. Absent people, it seemed the farm continued on inertia, running itself. Curious, Helluin finished her berries, gathered some apples, and walked to the field beside the river where a flock of horses had congregated for the night.
At her approach, the lead stallion came to the fore and faced her. The mares, young males, and colts gathered behind him with the lead mare just a pace back at his right shoulder. Helluin ceased her advance and spread her hands, cut slices of apples in both. She was able to capture the eyes of the stallion and mare, and several others as well, for all eyed her as the only potential threat.
Pray be at ease, I mean ye no ill, she told them.
The stallion snorted and pawed the earth. The mare shifted, but none fled, nor did any advance with aggression. They had seen her for the past few days at the cabin and wandering the farm. Ne'er had she slaughtered 'aught for food, and ne'er had she moved towards them aforetime. Just as a hound may smell fear or friendship on a person, so too did the horses perceive neither threat, nor fear in Helluin.
I am curious to hear your tale, for this farm is far from normal, having continued as a home even after being abandoned by Men, she said, I pray ye share your account of what came to pass in this place.
The stallion shook his head, but returned to Helluin's eyes. The mare came forward and nudged him with her shoulder.
I believe she means us no harm, nor intends to set us 'neath harness or lash, the mare said, and her mate tilted his ears to her, paying heed.
I passed 'nigh this place in the company of Prince Fram many years ago, yet I visited it not. I deem that I missed some worthy tale, and by your leave, I would hearken to it now.
At the mention of Prince Fram's name, the horses dipped their heads in honor.
Whence came thee hither in the company of Prince Fram? The stallion asked.
It seemed that the other horses pressed forward and they perked their ears to hear e'ery word even though Helluin spoke to them in silence, eye to eye.
'Twas in 1975 that I met Prince Fram again on the north south road and we ventured to Dol Guldur. There we worsted the remaining servants of the Sorcerer ere returning north. Thereafter I went west o'er the river to Khazad-dûm, whilst the prince returned north to Frumgarsborg to bear tidings to his father, the king.
Met Lord Fram again? Asked a young stallion, a black bay with white socks.
Hush, Álfrhestr¹, the mare scolded. Speak not before thy sire. ¹(Álfrhestr, Elf Stallion = álfr(elf) + hestr(stallion) Old Norse)
The younger horse reluctantly dipped his head, yet he eyed Helluin with great interest.
Now the other horses turned from the Noldo and engaged in a whispered but spirited conversation 'twixt themselves. It seemed that for several generations, some version of her tale, which had first been told by the mounts of a few soldiers from Suꝺriborg who had joined in that riding, had become lore. Though they had not met foes in battle whilst encamped outside the forest, they had still won renown simply for daring to approach Borg Fjōlkyngi. From their sires and dams, and grand sires and grand dams, the present horses had learnt this bit of history and recalled it still.
Finally, it seemed that the horses came to some decision, for the mare stepped forward and said, as a warrior of renown, and being as but one of the Elvish kindred figured in that tale, we shall tell thee our story from the most ancient of times.
Helluin bowed her head in thanks, though she wondered just how far into 'the most ancient of times' their history would reach. She imagined listening to a mind-numbing litany covering centuries of vague accounts of the virtues of the fodder they cropped, the character of the ground 'neath their hooves, and the sweetness of the local water. Still, Helluin held her peace for she was willing to endure some tangential lore in hope of learning about Suꝺriborg and Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. With a nod, the Noldo affirmed that she was ready to hearken to their rede.
At the dawn of all time, began the mare very seriously, we of the swift-hooved persuasion were driven from our paradise beyond the forest by devils from the east. We came with our noble riders to this fair refuge, to drink from the rivers and streams, and to feast on the tender grass of these rolling lands. Here we were long content and our feet beat a rhythm of happiness in our new home.
The rest of the small herd nodded gravely in agreement with her recitation and Helluin resisted rolling her eyes, for the times of which she spoke were not even a century and a half past. The 'dawn of all time' was certainly 1856, when the Wainriders had forced the Northmen from their ancestral lands 'twixt Celduin and Carnen.
In those days so long ago, there came amongst us from the south, Norðr-vestandóttir. She had escaped the forest and walked north 'til she founded this farm, and with her came the first of our kind. Unlike many that go upon two feet, she knew our ways and treated our ancestors with honor and loving kindness all her days. So too did her son and daughter, and their sons and daughters after 'til the last followed old King Frumgar north in the time of our sires and grand sires.
Upon that day, 'tis said that the heirs of Norðr-vestandóttir and Ivar the Huntsman gave to each of us a choice, whether to follow them to new lands, or to abide as we had upon this farm, said the stallion, taking up the narrative. Those who chose to stay have enjoyed the liberty of free folk e'er since. With us remained many of the bovine kindred, many of the sheeply persuasion, and most of the chickens.
The crops and the bees remained as well, and all of the trees and vegetables, added Álfrhestr.
Helluin dipped her head to honor their tale, though she was little surprised that the trees and vegetables had chosen to remain. Alas, the growth of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý into Suꝺriborg and its relationship with the abandoned city just north had not been touched on.
What know ye of the growth of the farm into a fortress, and of the city yonder? She asked, tilting her head to the road leading north.
Amongst us 'tis rumored that after Norðr-vestandóttir founded her farm at the dawn of all time, the city of Nýr Vera was settled on the site of an earlier town, and that it grew into a stronghold of Men, said the mare.
Norðr-vestandóttir increased all things on this land, both those that walk and those that do not, and became celebrated amongst the Northmen, said the stallion. O'er many generations, her mastery at tillage and husbandry was rewarded with gifts of land and people. Sometime during her lifetime, the lord of the Éothéod in Nýr Vera granted Norðr-vestandóttir and Ivar the Huntsman noble titles, and the farm came to be called Suꝺriborg after. In those days, many soldiers of the king held the garrison, he added, turning his head to indicate the abandoned stockade.
Shalt thou settle on the farm? Asked Álfrhestr, drawing a stern look from the stallion.
Helluin marked that some of the other young horses now hung on her words.
Alas, I cannot," Helluin told them, for I must bear tidings to Minas Tirith, in the land of Gondor to the south.
The stallion and the mare nodded in understanding whilst an undercurrent of muttering rose from the younger horses. It seemed that they were apprehensive about the slowly creeping disrepair of the outbuildings and the weeds invading the crop fields. Helluin heard mention of foxes troubling the chickens, wolves hunting the sheep, and more rarely, the appearance of dishonorable Men from out of the forest.
Was it not said that Norðr-vestandóttir had a strain of the blood of Gondor? Álfrhestr asked.
Some accounts say so, the mare answered, and some say 'nay'.
I have heard that she aged slowly according to the lifespan of Men, the stallion added, though none now can say for sure.
Is it true that the Men of Gondor live five hundred years? Álfrhestr asked.
Helluin marked that this time, rather than shushing him, the other horses regarded her attentively, hoping for an answer.
Nay, though I have known many Kings of Gondor to live past two centuries in this Age, Helluin said. Some of their kindred lived longer in an Age before. The Dúnedain not of the royal house live not quite so long.
The horses accepted her words, for none of them had set foot in Gondor, nor met any of the Gondorim. 'Twas then o'er half a century since the last time any of the Éothéod had ridden to Gondor.
In going to Gondor, would one attain to a greater age than in Suꝺriborg? Of course, 'twas Álfrhestr who had asked. The other horses again waited attentive on her words.
Nay, for 'tis their bloodline, not the land that grants the Dúnedain long life, Helluin said. The Elves life fore'er, yet their horses do not. Good care might increase a horse's lifespan in Gondor, but there is also much war, and battle would shorten life for horses as well as Men.
Again, the horses accepted her words. Had it been otherwise, they expected that all Men and horses would soon have removed to Gondor. Instead, King Frumgar and the Éothéod had ridden north.
Our sires were warhorses once, and our riders were warriors, Álfrhestr said, and now even the stallion and the mare nodded in agreement. 'Round them, the rest of the herd agreed as well.
Helluin deemed that none of the living horses had seen battle. They had ne'er been trained for war. She doubted that any of them had e'er carried a saddle, and for that matter, the chances were slight that any had borne a rider. When she met their eyes again, the horses' wavered not. Whether ignorant or simply naive, she deemed that their intentions were noble…just like Annuihír and Lainiel, she thought. What a trip this shall be.
Have any amongst ye borne a rider or learnt to bear saddle and tack?
To a one, the horses shook their heads 'nay'. Some looked down, shamed, and Helluin marked that their hooves were unshod.
Then I shall assume that none of ye have charged against a mass of mounted foes, all shooting arrows, screaming, yelling, and brandishing spears and swords. I shall assume that none amongst ye have carried a rider amidst fire and smoke, or had to match the pace of a thousand others of your kind in a formation. I shall assume that none of ye have been called upon to continue the fight despite bearing wounds. And I shall assume that none amongst ye have faced such foes as the Yrch who would slay and then eat both ye and your riders if not slain first.
Again, the horses shook their heads 'nay'. They looked dejected, and despite having come of a lineage of warhorses, they had known 'naught but a life of ease on the farm.
I have fought since the first sunrise and in all that time, I have learnt much of war, Helluin said sternly. All I have spoken of is war craft, the skills that make victory more certain. Yet they are not what are most required in battle. Foremost are courage, honor, and hope. 'Tis spirit and strength of heart that confers victory and survival. The knights of the Éothéod know these things, for they stood against the terror of the Witch King and his host but two years ere they moved north.
I must go to Gondor bearing tidings of powerful allies in the east that they know not. I would ride to hasten my errand. I deem that I shall not come to battle for at least a month and perhaps not at all on this trip south. In time, I can teach all of war that a warhorse needs to know. Would one amongst ye consent to bear me hence?
The horses considered her words and all looked to each other. Any of them who accepted would immediately need to bear a rider, something none of them had done. Thereafter, they would travel many miles and learn many skills to survive in battle, which, if they were honest with themselves, sounded terrifying. In the end, only one amongst them stepped forward, a young black bay stallion with white socks.
To Be Continued