In An Age Before – Part 243
The combined company marched on through the night and at the rear, Helluin and her dozen Rangers marked none behind. What Sergeant Húbion and Sergeant Orodben's Rangers met at the head of the column was unknown to them, save that they heard no disturbances. During those hours, the Noldo recalled memories of another flight of refugees long ago.
She and Galdor had marched at the head of that column for she had walked the trail aforetime. Behind them on that narrow and treacherous footpath stretched the survivors of the Sack of Gondolin with the Lord Glorfindel and the warriors of his House of the Golden Flower bringing up the rear. To their right had risen the sheer faces of the Cirith Thoronath, the Eagle's Cleft, and on their left lay the precipice dropping to the dry gulch of Thorn Sîr, its riverbed dwarfed to a thread by the height.
For a day and night, they had inched their way forward in fear and sorrow, and on the second day, calamity had struck. From some dark lair came a company of Glam, issuing out of a gap in the cliff face to assail the leaders. In a fury, Helluin, Galdor, and the warriors of the House of the Tree had driven them back, slaying such a count of foes that they were forced to abandon their assault.
Then from the rear had come the crack of stone and choking clouds of brimstone. The cliff wall was sundered, and out of the fissure strode a Valarauko. Its towering body burst into roiling flames on contact with the air as billows of black smoke rose to the sky, and the terror of that daemon had made the hearts of the Eldar quail, for just such a creature had laid low the Lord Ecthelion and the High Kings Fëanor and Fingon. Behind the daemon of fire had come yet more Glam and then hope was lost, for the column was too vulnerable, stretched out for o'er a mile on that mountain path. None could come to the aid of those guarding the rear, and in desperation, the valiant Lord Glorfindel had fought the Balrog, and with it shared death in a plunge into the depths of Thorn Sîr.
Save for Helluin's presence, and that they traversed a mountain path, there was 'naught akin 'twixt this march and that long ago flight from ruined Gondolin. The Hidden City had been the last flower of Noldorin culture in Beleriand, and from its wreck had fled a single mortal Man, Tuor son of Huor. Nurn was the breadbasket of Mordor, and from it now fled Yrch, Men, and a single Elf. The parallels seemed nonexistent. Yet for some reason, the memory came to Helluin.
As thralls, the 'Snaga' had been dispossessed of e'erything from the time of their births. They had been bred for slavery and even their capacity to reproduce had been taken from them. Now they were fleeing an existence so brutal that they were expected to survive only a few desperate years of service. They were expendable, their bodies disposable, and indeed, they considered themselves 'already dead'.
The Gondolindrim had enjoyed a life of plenty whilst constrained to secrecy and hiding by the order of their king in the only strategy that he could imagine to safeguard them. They had lived in a gilded cage as surely as the 'Snaga' had lived in a cage of privation and torment. The survivors of the Hidden City had fled for their lives, for Morgoth would surely have slain them all. The 'Snaga' had fled for their lives rather than accepting the slaves' deaths that Sauron had bred them for. Both folk had suffered mortal peril. The greatest difference was that for the 'Snaga', it had been spread 'cross all their years rather than being visited upon them in a day. And so these disparate kindreds had both fled for their lives…the freedom of the lives they had led, or the freedom of the lives they might attain. They had 'naught else in common, and yet they were the same. They had all felt the yearning to survive, and more than that, the yearning to live.
When midnight came, the column took its first and only break. Men and Yrch, they all rested and took some rations and water. During the six hard hours of their march, they had covered six miles and climbed three thousand feet¹. 'Round them, moonlight and starlight cast deep shadows on the vista of sculpted rock walls and deep ravines that had become visible as they attained a greater height in the pass. Ere they ceased for the day, they would have attained the maximum of four thousand five hundred feet and come another eight miles. The path would become less vertical, but rougher and more treacherous, the way narrower, and the measure of the Ephel Dúath would become visible for a score miles of jagged peaks and saw-toothed ridges separated by gorges of dizzying depth. ¹(This is roughly the mileage and elevation gain when ascending the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Trail, 2,968 ft. over 6 miles. Carrying 30 lbs of cameras and gear and having always lived at sea level, this trail kicked my ass in '85.)
"One would think this a forced retreat though none pursue us," Helluin o'erheard one Ranger mutter to another.
Save when marching 'neath duress, they would have taken breaks at three hour intervals.
"E'ery moment of their lives has been forced," Helluin softly replied, "and they know no other way. They shall march 'til daylight and would run faster if pursued."
The Ranger nodded, accepting her words, but he and the rest of Helluin's company had not been present during the earlier mission to the Nargil Pass.
"The first such we met in Hithui had managed to maintain a dwindling lead o'er far better fed and conditioned troops," she said as the Rangers gathered 'round. "They would not have been caught 'til midway through their second nights' march, when we slaughtered their pursuers."
"How came such hopeless wretches upon so deep a fortitude?" Another asked.
"They have only hope and I reckon 'tis like food and air to them who deem themselves already dead," Helluin told them. "They have 'naught to lose, for they have ne'er had 'aught."
"'Tis a strange thing," the first said, "that foes though they are, I feel pity for them."
"I deem that meet," she said, "for though they are Yrch, they are not foes."
"That too is a strange thing to us," the second Ranger said.
"All we have done on this mission has been strange," the first added.
Helluin offered them a smile and said, "There are many unexpected turns as the world unfolds. I am sure we all recall a mortal prince who defeated the Great Enemy that had slain the High Kings of two races, and that victory was achieved with a broken sword when hope seemed lost."
The Rangers nodded and they could not help but feel a swelling of pride at the memory of Isildur on the slopes of Mt. Doom. Yet after a few moments, their pride was tempered as they recalled their lore. Alas, the last High King had kept the Ring and it had betrayed him, sundering Elendil's kingdoms and allowing Sauron to survive.
On the trail ahead, the 'Snaga' rose and prepared to resume their march. Word came from Sergeant Orodben that they were continuing. The messenger jogged back to his company at the fore and Helluin's company got to their feet, secured their packs and water skins, and then set out, guarding the rear and following the slaves.
The march continued without respite 'til dawn drew 'nigh. By then, the mixed company had reached the place of the original ambush. The lead Ranger companies crossed the col and occupied the sheltered high ground. From there, they secured the approach downhill from that day's camp. The 'Snaga' followed them up the trail so that they could rest through the day amidst the shade cast by the enclosing walls and boulders. Helluin split her company, staying behind with three Rangers at what had been the forward watch post. They would stand watch there in three shifts throughout the day. She sent the rest forward 'cross the col to hold the rear of the ambush site whence they would replace the trailing sentries in parties of four.
Dawn came and predictably, the Yrch scarfed down meat in the dwindling darkness and then cast their ragged cloaks o'er their heads and sought refuge from the daylight in sleep, their first in freedom. When the change of watch came, four Rangers arrived at the forward post to relieve Helluin and her trio. By then, the Men were 'nigh exhaustion and cast themselves down to sleep as soon as they reached the camp. Helluin took her leave of them and made her way to the place where she had met Glohsúl aforetime. She did not really expect to see the owl during the daytime, and so she spread her ground cloth of sloth pelts and settled down in the shadow of a boulder to wait.
Now at first she reclined and observed her surroundings. On both of her prior meetings there with the great horned owl, it had been dark. In daylight, the boulders were harshly lit and their textures revealed, but when she compared what she saw with what she remembered, it seemed that the shadows were not relieved and remained e'ery bit as deep as by night. Then she marked a boulder that had not been present in her memories and her eyes snapped to it as it rotated, bringing the owl's face into view. Helluin sat straight up and met Glohsúl's eyes.
Oh, 'tis thee, she remarked in silent surprise. I had not hoped to meet thee 'til dark.
Whyfor? The owl asked as it fluffed and then settled its feathers. I exist by day as by night.
Of course, 'twas a silly expectation on my part. My greetings to thee, Glohsúl. I bear tidings.
I am glad thou hast come, Helluin. I had hoped to hear of the strange doings at the fortress.
And I had hoped to relate just such to thee, for 'tis a strange tale indeed.
Didst thou find any living there?
Indeed so, but only one. In the tower's hall, I confronted a Torog who had slain all the others to free himself from their torment. He left not a single Orc or Warg alive.
So he was not a hunter?
Nay, Glohsúl, he was a slave that rebelled.
And what became of him? Didst thou destroy him Helluin, for obviously thou survived the encounter.
When we met, he took me for a Nazgûl and I corrected him not, but put him to work, clearing the dead from the fortress. On the second night, with his labor complete, we were met by a real Nazgûl whom I destroyed. In the aftermath, I granted the Torog his freedom.
So he is now master of the fortress?
Nay. The last I saw of him, he was happily retreating into the mountains to live free of Sauron and his servants.
Then thou returned the favors he did in the cause against Mordor.
Indeed, or so I take it, though 'twas more pity than restitution that stayed my hand.
I shall keep watch for him in the future, Helluin. He shall have need to hunt, but perhaps he is not truly evil.
He felt remorse for slaying his tormentors, Glohsúl. He surprised me in that.
Hast thou known well aforetime any of that kindred?
Nay, I have not.
The owl bobbed its head, and without breaking eye contact, seemed to search its memory.
Most in these latter days were bred to evil, yet some knew freedom after Mordor's first fall and lived masterless after. Perhaps he is one of these.
Say thou that some Tor may pass two thousand years of age? Helluin asked in astonishment.
Long I have flown these mountains and ne'er have I seen one die of natural causes. War and sunlight take them, but not time, as far as I can tell. Many fled Gorgoroth after the war.
For a while, Helluin sat digesting the owl's words. It claimed to have inhabited the Ephel Dúath at least since the aftermath of the War of the Last Alliance. She could not help but wonder for how long.
Whence came thee, Glohsúl?
Then for a while 'twas the owl that remained silent as if in contemplation, not of the answer, but of whether or not to reveal it. Finally, it bobbed its head and settled to speak. Helluin hung on its words and expectancy came upon her, as it were a building charge that raises fine hairs ere the lightning strikes.
Thou hast known spirits winged and feathered aforetime, but they were king's messengers first, Glohsúl said. I was e'er a hunter, for from the first 'twas known that evil had come into Aþāraphelūn¹. For long, battle accompanied the tumults forming land and sea, but then Tulukhastāz² entered and the Enemy withdrew. ¹(Aþāraphelūn, Arda Valarin) ²(Tulukhastāz, Tulkas Valarin)
Afterwards, Aȝūlēz¹ lit the world. We dwelt in peace on Almaren and rested from war, yet that bliss ended with the Enemy's return. Illuin and Ormal were thrown down and the world darkened. ¹(Aȝūlēz, Aulë Valarin)
We withdrew west, but 'cross the sea, the Outer Lands were dark. There the Enemy's servants walked, but my lord Arōmēz¹ bid many hither to contest them. In the fána of a night hunter, I came to guard Helcar's shore where once Illuin fell, and here I have remained. ¹(Arōmēz, Oromë Valarin)
And Helluin broke eye contact to bow her head as she moved to rest on one knee before what she knew now to be a Maia of Oromë the Hunter who had once led her people to Aman. As Álfrhestr had wondered, Glohsúl was not truly an owl and had ne'er been one.
Finally, she raised her head and again met Glohsúl's eyes.
I thank thee for all thine aid, noble one. I too shall oppose the Darkness so long as I am able.
That shall be long, Helluin, yet thou hast the esteem of many for the choice thou once made.
The Noldo looked to the owl in question, but it would say no more on that subject. Instead, it offered reassurance and bid her well.
What thou do here shall bear fruit both sweet and bitter. Fear not; for all shall be as it should. Fare thee well, bright one.
Fair day to thee, noble hunter.
The owl broke their contact as its face rotated out of sight, the back of its head again appearing as one of the surrounding boulders. Realizing that she had been dismissed, Helluin gathered her ground cloth and returned to the camp of the 'Snaga' and the Rangers. She found them resting and made her way forward in hopes of conferring with sergeants Húbion and Orodben. Alas, they were both sound asleep and she was loath to wake them. Instead, she found Draugrán and Dúnriel amongst the Rangers on forward sentry duty.
"Has there been 'aught to report?" She asked both.
"Nay," Dúnriel said, "'naught has moved and we have heard no sounds."
"I deem we remain alone in the pass and our march proceeds on schedule," Draugrán added.
"Helluin, what shall we do with all these freed slaves when we come to Harondor?" Dúnriel asked. "We made no arrangements with Gorvon and his people."
"I have given some thought to this," Helluin began, and she observed the intense and hopeful interest on the faces of the two Dúnedain. Alas, she had no fair tidings to share. "We are not on their schedule of bimonthly meetings with escaped slaves, for their last coming would have been at the end of the month of Narwain and 'tis now 4 Nínui. Save some unexpected event, we shall have to conduct the slaves from Harondor, along the Ephel Dúath past Khand, three hundred fifty miles, and then one hundred miles further east to the border of the Blue Wizards' territory. There I hope to meet some that can lead them to Samara."
The Rangers groaned at her estimate of the mileage, eighteen or more days marching afoot.
"So we shall arrive five days late to meet Gorvon," Draugrán said, shaking his head.
"Aye, and save that they may have been delayed, they would have turned for home and we shall not catch them with so many slaves afoot," the Noldo agreed.
"And we shall make a march of 'nigh three weeks through more hostile territory, with 'nigh three hundred hungry, unarmed, slaves," Draugrán summarized, and Helluin nodded 'aye'.
"Know thou 'aught of Khand?" Dúnriel asked.
"Nay, I have ne'er traveled those lands," Helluin said.
"What of Prince Eärnur and his knights? Could they not offer us an escort?" Draugrán asked.
"They could, I suppose," she said, "save that he might have charged halfway to Umbar by now. We parted from them a fortnight ago. I know 'naught of their doings or whereabouts since."
The Dúnedain Rangers nodded in agreement. After meeting no escaped slaves, Gorvon, with the Men and Elves of Samara, would have already left the foot of the pass, if they had come at all. They could each imagine the prince leading his knights in a frenzied search for foes, and none could guess whither his errantry had led them. It seemed the Rangers would be on their own, shepherding the 'Snaga' hence.
"So how shall we feed them?" Draugrán asked.
Helluin could only shrug. Dúnriel rolled her eyes. Draugrán groaned.
"Save that we may meet some bandits of Harad, I know not," she admitted.
To this, Draugrán rolled his eyes and Dúnriel groaned. Helluin's notion of slaying and feeding other Men to Yrch sat poorly, even if they were Haradrim bandits.
"If the bandits were Elves, would thou still favor such a course?" Dúnriel asked.
Her question gave Helluin pause. It had been two Ages since that had even been a possibility.
"It hath been fifty-five centuries since I last slew another Elda," Helluin mused, recalling the Third Kinslaying and her slaughter of Amrod and Amras and many of their host, "but those I would have fed to Yrch had they been like these 'Snaga' and not soldiers of Morgoth."
Her answer gave the Rangers pause. Later, when they pondered what she had said, they realized that they could not think of a single Elf they had e'er met that they would call a foe for any reason. Whether rejecting wealth to live free in the woods, or holding power and wisdom as the lord of a realm, the Elves simply were not inclined to resorting to evil to achieve their desires, or at least they had not been for a very long time. Perhaps they desired not those things conferred by unscrupulous behavior, or perhaps, being immortal, they felt no hurry to attain what they desired through ignoble 'short cuts'. 'Twas something they would ponder in idle moments for the rest of their lives.
Now the day passed slowly for the boredom, but eventually evening drew 'nigh. The shadows lengthened, the daylight failed, and the camp roused to continue their march. The forward companies of sergeants Orodben and Húbion shouldered their packs and formed up.
As the 'Snaga' began to awaken 'neath their cloaks, Helluin strode amongst them announcing, "Hukizgu!¹" ¹(Hukizgu, We go = huk-(v. go) + izgu(1st pers. pl. suff., we) Orkish)
When they had roused, some scarfing down a few more mouthfuls of meat, she formed up her company of Rangers and awaited the movement of the column. With the appearance of the stars and the fall of full night, the call came from the fore, "Companies, move out!" and they recognized Sergeant Húbion's voice issuing the order.
The night of 4 Nínui became the morn of the 5th as the march descended the last few miles of the trail, 'til shortly past midnight, the lead Ranger companies came to the foot of the Nargil Pass. As if they had not already experienced many surprises, the first to look out into the lands of Harondor were greeted with a most unexpected sight. Immediately, Sergeant Orodben raised a fist, signaling the Rangers to stop and remain silent. Then, with a few hand signals, he ordered the rearmost of their company to seek the First Guardian and bring her hence, for her counsel was required.
"Pray come to the fore, First Guardian," the Ranger said after finding her towards the back of the rear guard, "Sergeant Orodben seeks thy counsel."
Helluin gave the Ranger a nod, glanced pointedly to one of her company to lead in her stead, and then followed past the slaves to the forward companies. The Noldo asked 'naught of her along the way, for 'twas the sergeant who had asked for her presence whilst the Ranger offered 'naught, for she had been hindmost in her company and had not seen beyond the mouth of the pass. At their arrival, she resumed her station and Helluin passed the remaining Rangers to join Sergeant Orodben at the fore. He pointed two fingers to his eyes, and then pointed those fingers out and into the lands of Harondor.
Now Helluin came to stand amidst the last shadows at the foot of the pass and looking out, stifled a groan. Surely, the Valar jest, she thought to herself whilst shaking her head in amazement. Yet after so much else unforeseen that had come to pass of late, she deemed that she should have expected this.
Arrayed in a fan-shaped formation before the entrance to the pass were a dozen wagons drawn by two-horse teams. Behind the wagons waited twelve dozen mounted archers, divided roughly equally 'twixt Men and Úmanyar, save that their leader, who sat his horse front and center before the wagons, blazed with a luminosity to be seen by those whose eyes could perceive it. The entire company were still 'neath the light of Ithil and the stars, unmoving and silent, and how long they had remained thus could not be told.
Facing them in a crescent 'cross a narrow gap of perhaps thirty yards were Prince Eärnur and the Knights of Gondor. Helluin marked that they now numbered ninety-two. The prince sat at the center of their formation. To their rear were nine of their original dozen wagons, each with two squires seated on their benches. Four of them had a second pair of horses in harness and were more heavily laden than the other five. It seemed that the prince's company had taken a few more losses. Save for some shifting of hooves and the soft snorting of their mounts, the knights too remained still and silent.
'Twas a standoff, as clear cut as any Helluin had e'er seen. Though there had been no demands or parlay since their arrival, the Rangers were newly come and none would have been surprised if those had been voiced aforetime with no resolution reached. The opposing companies appeared 'nigh evenly matched and neither party seemed o'erly eager to precipitate a battle, but neither appeared ready to concede or withdraw either. Helluin shook her head in exasperation, seeing allies facing allies with no possible good to come of the confrontation.
Taking a few paces back, Helluin doffed her cloak and handed it to Dúnriel who had marched in Sergeant Orodben's company. She gave her a small smile and then turned to the sergeant.
"Pray remain and await my signal," Helluin whispered. "I know both parties and they know me. I believe this standoff can be resolved easily enough."
Sergeant Orodben nodded and then followed her back down to the cleft where the pass ended and awaited her there, remaining concealed in the shadows. Helluin took a last survey of the scene, confirming that 'naught had changed, and then she stepped out of the pass, taking up the utter stealth of the Laiquendi.
She chose a path 'twixt two mortal soldiers of Samara and slipped 'tween them unmarked, then breached the space behind one wagon and the noses of the horses hitched to the next wagon in line. The darkness and shadows were her allies and they facilitated her advance. Continuing forward whilst their attention remained fixed on each other, she strode out into the space separating the two companies. Intending to increase the effect of her sudden appearance, she projected a ril of silver and gold to focus all attention to herself. To their eyes, she seemed to have simply appeared, a phosphor blazing bright, still, and silent in their midst, as if deposited from 'naught through some enchantment.
The effect was shocking even to those who understood the illusion. Helluin had seen the Blue Wizards' Moriquendi archers maintain their stealth whilst exterminating the last of the rogue Naugrim army when she had first met Maglor again, yet even they were not Laiquendi. For all their natural ability to remain undetected, even the Nandor of Lórinand and Calenglad had ne'er ascended to the transcendent stealth of the Green Elves of Ossiriand, for they had ne'er been tempered by the horror that Morgoth had unleashed in Beleriand. No other kindred of the Quendi had attained to their perfection of that art, and for the mortal Men, 'twas even more confounding.
Horses shifted and whinnied as their riders started. E'ery eye in both companies snapped to fix upon her as she slowly turned in a circle to survey them. When the initial shock of her appearance had diminished so that Men and Elves had mastered themselves and their mounts, Helluin bowed to the lords and then spoke her parlay.
"Lord Kanafinwë, Lord Eärnur, friends from distant lands who oppose Mordor and the Dark Lord Sauron from east and west, I bid ye stand down and come together in celebration of common purpose, for though ye seem at odds now, ye stand together yet the more and there should be no contention 'twixt ye."
So, this is the heir of Gondor, Maglor thought, recognizing the prince's name. My old friend speaks true, that we should stand together.
Kanafinwë…that name recalls tales of lore from the Elder Days, but it cannot be! War took the sons of Fëanor long ago, Prince Eärnur thought. Even the last perished though they achieved their oath ere they passed 'neath water and earth.
"My lords, pray join me now that your companies may come together after, for I have much to tell and our allies are 'nigh," Helluin said, beckoning the commanders to join her on neutral ground 'twixt their troops.
"With joy I shall join thee, my old friend," Maglor called to her as he dismounted and walked forward.
"I too shall join thee, Lady Helluin," Prince Eärnur said, for he was intrigued and unwilling to fail at matching the stranger's actions. He handed his reins to the knight beside him and swung down from his saddle.
Now when the lords Kanafinwë and Eärnur stood with her, Helluin extinguished her aura of Holy Light, reducing the possibility of their being marked by foes and setting both companies more at ease. The Men and Elves relaxed and breathed less nervously as they waited in their formations, and though they remained prudently wary, they gripped less tightly their weapons.
"Lord Kanafinwë Fëanorion, pray greet Prince Eärnur, son and heir of King Eärnil II of Gondor," Helluin said.
At the confirmation of his name, the prince's eyes went wide in 'nigh comical fashion, and then as he had done years aforetime at his meeting with Círdan in Mithlond, Prince Eärnur dropped to one knee and bowed his head to honor yet another to whom his deference was due.
"My lord, I pray thy pardon for opposing thee, I did not know…," he said, trailing off as words he deemed fitting eluded him.
"Erich, híl haereden iond nín,¹" Maglor said with a small grin, generously acknowledging the prince as an heir of Númenor even though the Men of Gondor had not used such a title in an Age. ¹(Erich, híl haereden iond nín, (You) Rise, distant heir of my son = erio-(rise) + -ch(2nd pers sing pro suff, you) + híl(heir) + haered(distance) + -en(adj on n suff) + iond(son) + nín(1st pers poss pron, my) The noun híl followed by the noun iond creates a genitive construction, distant heir of my son. The son Maglor refers to is, of course, Elros. Sindarin)
Still stunned simply by the presence of the son of Fëanor, Eärnur rose to stand before him. More stunning still to him was the son of Fëanor's appearance. For having been born in the Age of the Trees, Maglor appeared younger than the Dúnadan prince who was just shy of four score years of age, but his eyes, beyond the hypnotic light that illuminated them from within, were filled with the wisdom of Ages; sorrow, joy, regret, and triumph that only uncounted years of desperate living could confer. Catching his glance was akin to the feeling of submersion he had felt when looking into Helluin's eyes ere she had shared her recent experiences with him, his father, and the steward, but then he recalled his lore and lowered his head. Warrior that he was, in no way would he be willing to receive memories of the deeds he knew the Noldo could share.
"My lords," Helluin said, recovering their attention, "I know not how this meeting came to be, and I am truly astonished by the timing of it, but I deem 'tis good fortune that brought ye together, for I have much to tell of Nurn. Yet first, my old friend, we have conveyed from servitude many slaves who wait with the Rangers in the pass and seek their freedom in Samara."
Maglor smiled and said, "Pray bid them come forth then, Helluin. We had hoped such would come to pass despite our late arrival. We had conflict with some Men of Khand and were forced to do battle. I fear our return may be contested as well."
Helluin set her fingers to her lips and produced a whistle of surprising sharpness and volume. Then, filing from the shadowed exit of the Nargil Pass in response came Sergeant Orodben, Sergeant Húbion, and their companies of Rangers, followed by the 'Snaga'. Their numbers forced Maglor to make some hand signs, bidding his troops forward so the wagons could move and make room for them to gather. As they appeared and he made a rough count of them, Maglor's smile grew wider. Behind them came the Rangers of the rear guard, Helluin's company.
"They number two hundred eighty-eight, all the slaves subjugated 'neath one compound of o'erseers," Helluin explained.
"Well done, Helluin," said Maglor, "thou managed to free them all. I am impressed. I wager their o'erseers shall suffer when their flight becomes known."
"They shall suffer 'naught, my friend, for they are all slain and their Wargs as well," Helluin replied, and she and the prince of the House of Fëanor shared grins. "The o'erseers became trail rations," she added, nodding to the remainders of limbs that some of the slaves still carried.
This prompted a grimace from Eärnur and a full-throated laugh from Maglor.
"Thorough thou art, Helluin, and in that, I am not truly surprised," he said.
Perhaps he recalled her merciless swordplay 'neath the trees in Taur-Im-Duinath when she, he, and his brother had left not a single living Orch whilst defending the Peredhil 'neath the newly risen Gil-estel.
Then, turning to include Prince Eärnur in the conversation, she said, "I was able to slay another Nazgûl that I reckon came to investigate the emptying of the fortress guarding the entrance to the pass. We had no part in that slaughter for 'twas accomplished by a Torog, ill-treated by the Orkish soldiery 'til he snapped and bludgeoned to death all of the Yrch and Wargs garrisoned within."
At this, both princes' eyes widened in shock. Within four months, she had destroyed two of the Dark Lord's Nine. Compared to that tiding, the slaughter of Sauron's troops in the fortress was but a welcome boon.
"What became of the Troll?" Prince Eärnur asked. "Didst thou and thy Rangers slay him, fearsome as he must have been?"
"I had intended to, but thought better of it after slaying the Nazgûl," the dark Noldo confessed. "'Twas with his rampage that he that lured the Ringwraith hence, and so in thanks I offered him the freedom he craved. When I last saw him, he was retreating into the foothills of the Ephel Dúath and I wished him well."
Again, 'twas surprise that shaped the features of the two princes, that Helluin would show mercy to a Troll. She shrugged, imagining that little consequence would come of it, but for better or worse, 'twas done.
'Round the entrance to the pass, the troops from Samara were directing the slaves to mount the wagons and they were climbing into the beds, a tight fit with two dozen to each wagon. The Knights of Gondor had relaxed and the Rangers had come forward past the wagons to join them. There the two companies from Gondor exchanged many tidings and much wonder came to the knights upon hearing the strange tale of the Rangers in Nurn. Yet tidings too the knights shared with the Rangers, of foes found and fought, the loss of some of their own, but also the slaughter of many outlaws of Harad.
"I mark the absence of five knights, five squires, and three wagons since we parted, Lord Eärnur," she said. "I reckon thy company found battle?"
"Aye, on several occasions," the prince said. "After thy leave taking on the 21st, we continued riding south down the Harad Road, for I hoped to come to the River Harnen, the old border of Harondor. Warily we went, following that first attack, sending companies forward and to the flanks to support the wagons. For four days and a hundred miles, we remained unmet and all seemed well, yet still, we remained on edge.
'Twas in the night of the 24th that we were again assaulted by Haradrim bandits. I had taken to keeping two dozens horsed at all times riding patrol 'round the camp, and these were the first to meet our foes as they charged out of the dark. As aforetime, they came at us from both east and west, and as aforetime, following a battle lasting the third part of an hour, we drove them off. In that meeting, we lost Sir Baras, Sir Huor, and two squires, Róvan and Iolv¹. We were able to slay fourteen of the enemy ere the rest scattered and withdrew." ¹(Baras, Fiery/Eager; Huor, Courage; Róvan, Rough/Wild; Iolv, Fire Brand Sindarin)
The prince gritted his teeth, still angered by the loss of his Men and perhaps irritated by being unable to pursue their retreating foes as well. The wagons had become a shackle, reducing his options and dictating a defensive posture.
"After honoring our dead, we continued south an hour ere noon on the 25th," he said. "We knew enemies skulked in the surrounding landscape, but saw neither hide nor hair of them through that day and the next. 'Twas little surprise, for we had come to expect them by night.
That eve, the 26th, we came to the place where the Harad Road bends east and reckoned 'twas but another three score and ten to the river Harnen. Then at dusk, whether by some error on their part, or by the favor of the Valar, one of the squires caught sight of a flash, a reflection from a blade or plate, seen as he stood atop a wagon unloading our evening rations.
I mustered all the knights and the squires armed themselves with bows and axes. We circled the wagons, but left space 'twixt them, whilst in the center, the knights prepared to charge out. In the midnight hour they came upon us, their count more than aforetime by twice at least, and as they rode 'nigh, I gave the order to charge.
The knights burst forth in all directions from the circle of wagons and then gathered, and whilst our squires sent arrows against them, we charged with lances, slaying many in their saddles, for they wear no proper armor. Again and again we assailed them, now with swords and shields from horseback, driving our formation into their midst and wrecking slaughter upon them. Alas, Sir Úguruthos, Sir Angwedhospui, and Sir Ascaron¹ met their fates in the press of battle. ¹(Úguruthos, Fearless of Death; Angwedhospui, Chain Smoker; Ascaron, Impetuous One Sindarin)
Many we hewed whilst others died by our arrows, yet the Haradrim had archers of their own and these bore cunning fires of oil soaked charcoal carried in horns upon their saddles, so to ignite their arrows. These they loosed against us and thereby four wagons were set afire. One of them was saved, but in trying to defend them and extinguish those blazes, our squires Fernál, Tarlanc, and Moed¹ lost their lives." ¹(Fernál, DeadPool; Tarlanc, Obstinate; Moed, Handy/Skilled Sindarin)
Helluin and Maglor marked that Prince Eärnur's earlier reaction was yet stronger as he related the more recent battle and its losses. Now his hands were fisted and his jaw set in a grim line. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out ere continuing with his account.
"Forced to defend the wagons and attend our wounded, we were again unable to pursue those foes who escaped the battle, and though we slew far more than we lost, still I reckon five dozens at least escaped unharmed into the night.
After counting our losses and mourning the fallen, 'twas decided that our remaining provisions were insufficient for extending the campaign. Fitting it seemed then that a bitter cold wind rose from the west, and with it to cover our tracks, we set out in the dark, heading off the road to the northeast. None have been marked pursuing us since and our withdrawal has been uncontested.
We found the ground flatter and less riven with rock than to the north 'nigh the Poros, and our company was able to cover close to nine leagues a day, although those days were longer than the days aforetime. So 'twas that after eight marches we came hither and found the foot of the pass held by Lord Kanafinwë's troops. We knew them not and thought they sought to ambush thee and thy Rangers upon your return from Nurn. Still, as they made no move to attack, we held rather than attack unprovoked."
The prince fell silent and Helluin nodded to him, accepting his words. Despite the losses of eight knights, six squires, and three wagons, he had thrice engaged the Haradrim in battle, driving them off whilst inflicting losses greater than those his own company had incurred at each encounter. By that reckoning, 'twas a successful campaign, though with no strategic value, a fact that Helluin decided not to mention. Nor did she mention that in the first engagement, it had been the Rangers that finished the battle, leaving no survivors. She only hoped that the Haradrim believed that Eärnur's company had retreated north up the Harad Road and that the west wind had truly erased their tracks on that first night.
By the foot of the pass, the 'Snaga' were still mounting the wagons. With bows to Lord Kanafinwë and to Helluin, Prince Eärnur withdrew and went to speak with his knights of all he had heard. Shortly, they began to dismount and stretch their legs and backs. The squires moved to unhitch the horses from the wagons so they could graze. Helluin caught Maglor's eyes after he had surveyed his warriors' progress loading the 'Snaga' and she spoke silently of tidings that she felt should remain 'twixt them.
There is more, old friend, if what has already been told was insufficient, she said, offering a smile. Indeed 'tis perhaps the most important tiding I have to share.
Should the destruction of a Nazgûl, the freeing of 'nigh three hundred slaves, and the emptying of a fortress not be enough for one mission, he jested, matching her smile.
T'would be plenty and more, Helluin agreed, yet as Gorvon may have told, we came here in Hithui and aided the flight of a small company of slaves.
Maglor nodded 'aye'. He had heard Gorvon's report. To suppress any possible Haradrim incursion whilst meeting the 'Snaga', and on the chance of meeting Helluin again as well, he had received command of the current deployment. Now he gave her a nod, bidding her continue.
In the pass, I chanced to meet a great owl on my first sojourn hither, and we met several times on this trip. On each occasion, Glohsúl has provided aid and tidings of great value. At our last meeting, he spoke of his origin. A great spirit inhabits the fána of this owl, meldir nín, one of the Maiar of Oromë.
She watched Maglor's eyes widen in surprise. Having associated for centuries with the Ithryn Luin, he had no difficulty believing that another such spirit inhabited the Mortal Shores. 'Twas unexpected though, for the Nargil Pass was remote and held by the Enemy.
Glohsúl said that his lord Oromë bid him and others to oppose Morgoth's servants in Middle Earth after the Fall of the Lamps and whilst darkness still covered these lands. So Glohsúl chose the fána of a night hunter and has remained 'nigh the vanished shores of the Sea of Helcar since. Alatar and Pallando too serve Lord Oromë and I thought they would wish to know.
Maglor placed his right palm o'er his heart and dipped his head in appreciation just shy of breaking eye contact.
My thanks, meldis nín, he said. I shall ask if they remember Glohsúl from of old.
They ceased their silent conversation then, each looking to the progress of Maglor's warriors in seating the slaves in their wagons. They seemed close to finishing their task.
"What said thou of thy battle with some Men of Khand, meldir nín?" Helluin asked. "How great dost thou reckon thy jeopardy?"
"'Twas ten days past as we neared the middle of our journey that we saw dust rising in the distance," he said. "I bid the wagons stop and all but a dozen of our archers take cover. The rest of us waited. After the quarter part of an hour, a company of several dozen mercenaries approached and made demands. We shot most at once and rode down the few survivors as they attempted to flee."
Helluin nodded to acknowledge his brief account. It seemed that he had endured little trouble after all.
"They were stupid enough to be tempted and greedy enough to ignore any suspicions they should have had," Maglor continued. "Twelve riders guarding a dozen wagons and eleven dozen saddled horses? Who but a fool would see that and not expect eleven dozen waiting in ambush? I thought t'would be a warning." He threw up his hands in residual incredulity.
Helluin shook her head in amazement, but sometimes the idiocy of mortals could not truly be calculated. She was about to reply when he continued.
"We were attacked thrice more by bands of raiders, slavers, and bandits. Many bodies we left littering the landscape, the last but two days back on the trail. T'would seem that the greed and lawlessness are endemic and epidemic in this region of Khand."
"I am sure thou hast done a service to any good folk in that region," Helluin said.
She marked Maglor crease his brow in concentration and stand perfectly still. Helluin too stilled and sought for whate'er had drawn his attention. Then she marked a rumor in the ground and that the slight breeze had gone still. Glances to the east and south revealed dust rising from the distance in both directions. With a groan, she met his eyes and both Noldor resigned themselves to whatsoe'er The Song augured.
"Lord Eärnur," Helluin called out as Maglor turned to his warriors and bid them prepare. She pointed to the south with one hand and to the east with the other. "Dust rises! T'would seem that some have marked thy tracks after all and some have followed the trail of Lord Kanafinwë."
The prince stared hard into the darkness in one direction and then the other, straining to see any signs of approaching armies. Alas, his eyesight in the dark was not so good, nor was the sight of his Men. He cast his gaze to the warriors from Samara and saw the Moriquendi pointing and spreading warnings amongst their mortal comrades. The slaves too had begun pointing in both directions and gibbering in alarm.
Helluin called out, bidding the Rangers return to line of the slave wagons. Being the only soldiers afoot, she was loath to place them at the fore against mounted foes.
"Dúnriel, I shall have my cloak," she said as the Dúnadaneth passed by.
Having recovered it, she donned it and drew up the hood.
Though they made no plan together, the battle order was clear to all from experience. Maglor directed his wagons to take the ground closest to the pass, well 'nigh backed against the cliffs facing out. Before them, but leaving space for them to pass 'tween, Prince Eärnur placed his supply wagons to provide cover for the slaves whilst still allowing the wagons from Samara room to drive out in desperation at the last. Maglor divided his mounted archers, six dozen on each flank, whilst the Knights of Gondor held the center. During that time, Helluin appropriated a horse from one of the squires, a mount from Minas Tirith whose knight had fallen aforetime in battle. Then, as the rising dust became visible even to mortal eyes and the first rumbling of hoof beats could be heard and felt in the ground, Helluin, Maglor, and Prince Eärnur placed themselves forward in the center of the formation with their Nazgûl imposter at the fore. Swords were drawn, arrows knocked, shields raised, and lances leveled…and then the allies waited.
"T'would seem that we wait on a battle of four armies," Helluin said.
"Then I pray their armies are as small as ours," Prince Eärnur muttered in response.
To Be Continued