In An Age Before

by Phantom Bard

Part 298 posted, in which Helluin and the Riders of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý aid the Third Marshal Haleth in Rohan's defeat of the Easterling invaders. Brutal weather, disease, and failing morale play a part. Aldburg is no sooner freed of the eastern threat when tidings come of the Dunlending's invasion from the west. OCs galore as usual.

250. In An Age Before Chapter 250

In An Age Before – Part 250

An hour later, as they rode through the north gate from the Pelennor and onto the Great West Road, Helluin saw twilight opening and the shadow of Mindolluin lengthening. She had hoped to restore Húrin's memory at their first night's camp so that he could inform Annuihír and Lainiel of the true reasons for their being called home, but now he was lost to them and she would have to explain what had come to pass. At least with his memories amended, he could not offer 'aught revealing their secrets, even if by accident.

That night they set their camp 'nigh the cottage wherein the two captains had spent the past fortnight in happiness and peace, and whilst sitting 'round their trench fire after supper, Helluin told them all that she had learnt from Húrin.

Lord Níshír, the nine and fortieth King of Eriador, had passed in 2006, and Prince Annuihír's father, Lord Gwíthír, now ruled Celenhár and the Middle Men of Eriador as the fiftieth Heir of Balan. The prince took the news hard, for he had loved his grandfather dearly.

To Lainiel, Helluin revealed that the Lady Athelrian was expected to have expired but lately, having been mortally afflicted ere Húrin took his leave of the North. The princess' mother, Lady Brennil, was now the Lady of the First House of Dorthonion and she, Lainiel II, was her heiress, the next in line to preserve the lineage of Dúrrél. Tears leaked from her eyes as she silently gazed into the fire, recalling all the comfort and love a little girl had felt, along with the lessons in herb lore that she had learnt from her grandmother, the Chief Healer of the Realm.

"From each of ye I have withheld the truth of late, and Húrin shall ne'er recall it, the very message he was bidden south to deliver," the Noldo confessed. "I deemed that neither his words, nor your sorrow should be known in Gondor, and so only now, as ye return to your original lives, could such truths be known. I beseech your pardon, mellyn nín."

For a time, both captains remained silent, for their grief was too sudden and too fresh for them to entertain secondary concerns. The onslaught of their sorrow held them mute whilst memory ruled them. Húveren lay flat on his belly, his worried eyes shifting back and forth from one to the other. The stars in the night sky far above had 'naught to add, but in the trench, the embers of their fire hissed softly in sympathy. Somber passed the night of 15 Cerveth.

Now though any chance to bid their grandparents farewell was long past recall, still the captains chose to ride in haste. Oft did Draugrán carry Húveren upon the saddle of his horse as they galloped down the riding track alongside the paved way. So they passed the beacon hills of Anórien, Amon Dîn, Eilenach, Nardol, Erelas, Minrimmon, Calenhad, and Halifirien, ten score miles they rode in five days. At all these they were recognized and celebrated, for o'er the past five years they had won renown in the South Kingdom and many had heard tell of their exploits. None challenged them at their coming now, but rather offered the hospitality of their garrisons, meals and lodging, and good company with much cheer.

Yet the two captains were reserved, for their sorrow clung to them still, and though they were courteous and treated their fellow soldiers with honor, they were not jubilant. Perhaps some of the Gondorim wondered at that as they were now bound for home, but these could not be told whyfor the two captains seemed so grim. For just a while longer, their secrets had to be held.

Amongst the soldiers manning the Beacons of Gondor, 'twas known that the two captains had ridden in embassy to Furthest Rhûn, and ere that, they had invaded Mordor, crossing the Nargil Pass into Nurn where a Nazgûl had been slain. Such exploits might leave any warrior reserved and hardened, and so rather than suspicion, the Gondorim accorded them sympathy and honor.

Now on 20 Cerveth they crossed Anwarhír, the small stream that ran down from the Ered Nimrais by way of Eryn Fuir, the North Wood that lay about the feet of Amon Anwar, and there they passed into Calenardhon. At the garrison of Halifirien, they had met a new Knight Commander, the replacement for Captain Angren who had rotated to another command. They enjoyed a noon meal in his company, but tarried not to revisit the Tomb of Elendil.

Helluin, Draugrán, and Dúnriel continued on their way, and they came to Írensaga in the afternoon of the 23rd. After greeting the garrison there, where the Knight Commander Lord Annuihír had also been relieved, they turned east-northeast towards the Ford of Onodló, riding off the road and into the wide, unpopulated lands that would one day be the West Emnet of Rohan. There they slacked their pace somewhat and Draugrán allowed Húveren to run.

They spent three nights and two full days crossing that grassland, where aforetime Helluin had met the wolf pack and the two captains had finally taken their new names. On the 25th, they forded the Entwash in the early evening and crossed into what would become the East Emnet where they encamped on the northeastern shore. That night, after snatching another brown trout from the water, Helluin spoke to the two Dúnedain in hopes of lifting their spirits.

"Aforetime we traversed these lands and found none," she said, "and I wager that has not changed o'er the past five years. So I deem that the names Draugrán son of Faradan and Dúnriel daughter of Anoriel may be left behind, and the names Annuihír son of Gwíthír and Lainiel daughter of Brennil may be restored." The Noldo sighed and looked them o'er. "For five years ye have maintained the necessary fiction of those assumed identities, and with them I reckon ye have accomplished all that could have been done to honor the Treaty of Ondoher and Araphant. Ye may be proud of the aid ye have given to the Realm of Gondor, for your accomplishments have been acknowledged and ye have won the esteem of King Eärnil and Steward Vorondil."

The two captains bowed their heads to honor her words, but they engendered such dissonant feelings that for a while, both sat as if graven from stone, their hearts awash with conflicting emotions. 'Twas a while ere either of them spoke.

"I think that the name Dúnriel shall be long with me, for 'tis the fifth part of my years as yet," Lainiel eventually said. "I have done much whilst owning that name, and those deeds cannot be diminished in my heart despite that they were done 'neath an assumed identity. Perhaps 'tis different for Men than for Elves."

Annuihír nodded in agreement with his cousin and added, "I too am now both Annuihír of the North and Draugrán of the South, and it may be said that Draugrán has done the greater deeds."

Helluin reflected on their words. Perhaps 'twas the nature of Men to encompass the varied aspects of themselves in various identities, and to act 'neath different names as the challenges of the times required. Túrin son of Húrin had certainly taken many names during his brief life, Neithan, Gorthol, Agarwaen, Mormegil, and Turambar. Others had been bestowed upon him, Adanedhel and Thurin by Finduilas, and Woodwose by Saeros. Yet he had always been Túrin son of Húrin, a flawed and tragic hero doing what he could whilst enmeshed by fate in the malice of Morgoth.

Perhaps 'twas easier for the short-lived Secondborn to assume new names and identities, being as their original names were less deeply etched upon them by time. Perhaps too, the demands of their lives forced changes upon them at what seemed a far faster rate than for Elves who might have centuries 'twixt challenges to digest the times they had lived through and relate them all to a constant identity that outlasted their most trying events. And perhaps mankind's mortality had forced malleability upon them that conferred the capability for swifter change than amongst the Undying. Men perceived and embraced change as an expectation, regarding it as normal. They were certainly capable of raising realms and empires in what she thought the blink of an eye, and these fell just as swiftly, not that the Elven realms of Beleriand had been so enduring, every one of them risen and gone within six centuries

Though they may now think themselves Annuihír/Draugrán and Lainiel/Dúnriel, and the Onodrim believe names grow with the years, I shall call them Lainiel and Annuihír hereafter, Helluin decided. After all, the name 'Helluin Maeg-móremenel' has served me well for 'nigh on ten thousand years.

Now on the morn of 26 Cerveth, Helluin, Lainiel, and Annuihír set out north from the Ford of Onodló, passing fifty miles to the South Downs ere bending half-west towards Fangorn Forest. This they saw as a dark line of trees in the distance in the afternoon of the 30th, with the sere and folded lands of the Wold lying 'twixt the Undeeps of Anduin to their east. During 1 Urui they turned north, skirting the forest and keeping it in sight at a distance of a two miles. In the morn of the 2nd, they recognized the place at the mouth of the long valley that ran west from the North Undeep whither aforetime Annuihír and Lainiel had met Helluin and her new warhorse Álfrhestr. Northward lay the rolling North Downs whose western margins they skirted the next day, and so in the early evening of the 3rd, came to the river Limlight.

That river was the northern border of Gondor, but also the southern border claimed by Lothlórien, though it lay four score miles south of the river Celebrant and the Golden Wood. Yet in days long past, (but still recalled as personal memory amongst many of the older Nandor), the woods of Lindórinand had once bordered Limlight and Fangorn ere both forests had retracted with the drying climate brought on by the coming of the Sun. Then the trees had slowly drawn away from the less well-irrigated terrain 'twixt the rivers Celebrant and Limlight, leaving behind Parth Celebrant in a loop of Anduin to the east, and hillier, broken woodlands to the west. 'Twas said that both forests were still drawing apart throughout the Third Age and would become more separated than they stood in 2008.

Helluin and the Dúnedain crossed the Limlight in the west, 'nigh where it ran out of Fangorn Forest, whilst it still ran shallow and slow. Further east, it found a channel north of the downs, and there it became narrower, swifter, and bordered by steeper banks ere emptying into Anduin. Having then officially absented themselves from Gondor, they pitched a camp a couple furlongs north of the river and there spent the night of the 3rd.

The company of three spent an uneventful two and a half days crossing the empty lands 'twixt Limlight and Celebrant, and in the evening on the 5th, came to the verge of the Golden Wood. They set a campsite two furlongs south of the first trees, but assumed that their approach had been marked for some time by the Marchwardens on the southern border. This proved true, as in the late hours ere dawn, a company of four, grey-clad Galadhrim archers approached their camp in stealth. By then, Lainiel and Annuihír had been asleep for several hours and Helluin was keeping watch.

Helluin had sensed them clearly at a furlong and marked their count, for they could not conceal their fëar from one who beheld both the visible and invisible worlds. With a groan, she tapped Dúnriel's boot with her foot, waking her, for she lay closer than her cousin. The Dúnadaneth came to wakefulness in silence and without moving, as she had long trained to do. She met the Noldo's eyes and watched as they flicked four times to the north. Then, slowly and in silence whilst remaining 'neath her cloak, she tapped Annuihír's boot with her own, waking him and passing on Helluin's message.

The sixth part of an hour later, when the Nandor reached the camp, they found Helluin and the two Rangers awake and awaiting them. Indeed, they were sitting upright with their backs to a low tussock of coarse grass, arrows knocked on the stings of their bows. These had not been drawn or aimed, but they were held ready. They marked that two arrows were held on the string of the Noldo's steel Númenórean bow. Beside them sat a small dog, silent, but eager to bark.

"Suilaid nín, mellyn. Pray join our camp," Helluin offered softly.

Having 'naught to gain by maintaining their stealth, the Galadhrim rose and walked upright into the camp.

"Helluin Mórgolodh, mae govannen. Non Orngaror, harn glan tirdir,¹" the foremost archer said whilst offering a dip of his head with his hand placed o'er his heart. ¹(Non Orngaror, harn glan tirdir, I am Treehugger, Marchwarden of the South(lit. southern border guardian) = no(be) + -n(1st pers subj pron suff, I) + orn(lg tree) + garo-(hold) + -or(n on v agent suff, hugger) + harn(southern) glan(border) + tiri-(guard) +-(d)ir(n on v male agent suff, guardian) Sindarin)

"Mae govannen, Orngaror," Helluin said after standing to return his salutation. "Accompanying me north are Ernil Annuihír, Híl Gwíthír, Hír Celenhár and Aran In Firioniath¹ Eriador, and Híril Lainiel, Hílil Híril Brennil en Herth Erui Dorthonion. We return to Eriador after five years in Gondor. I must take counsel with the Lord and Lady." ¹(In Firioniath, Middle Men = in(pl adj, middle) + firioniath(coll pl, mortal men) Sindarin)

Knowing that they had encountered royalty, the Galadhrim company then bowed to honor the two Rangers.

"Welcome to Lothlórien, Prince Annuihír, Heir of King Gwíthír, and Lady Lainiel, Heiress of Lady Brennil of the First House of Dorthonion. We are honored by your coming," Orngaror said. "Helluin, we shall inform the Lord and Lady of thine arrival," ere he added a muttered, "if they know it not already."

He and Helluin traded grins at that.

"Are barges available at the hythe?" Helluin asked.

"Aye, but none are kept on this side of Celebrant," Orngaror told her. "Thou must call out to a bargeman 'cross the water and he shall come to pick ye up."

"There is a barge?" Dúnriel asked.

At the Marchwarden's nod 'aye' she shook her head in irritation.

"On our way south, we rode all the way up Celebrant to cross Nimrodel by the bridge," she carped.

"Of course," Orngaror said, "ye rode horses. The barges are only built to aid the transport of people, for we keep no steeds in The Wood."

"And yet ye have stables and fine grooms to care for horses," Annuihír said.

"As we must, for we receive travelers from Imladris, the Woodland Realm, and elsewhere, and must offer care for their mounts during their stays," he explained.

"Our horses can find their way to the city, and they can meet us there," Helluin said. "Lainiel, Annuihír, your horses came this way aforetime and can backtrack their earlier route. Álfrhestr shall follow."

The Rangers looked to her doubtfully for it had been five years since their steeds had made that trip, and it had been once only in the opposite direction. Seeing their reservations in their eyes, the Noldo sought to reassure them.

"They have good sense after their fashion," she said, "and I shall question them and offer counsel if they recall not the road clearly. I wager they shall join us not a day after we reach Caras Galadhon."

Having had far less to do with horses and 'naught to do with the Rangers' steeds in particular, the Galadhrim looked askance at Helluin. She rolled her eyes in response.

"Have ye ne'er aforetime engaged the creatures of the forest in conversation?"

They looked at her as if she was mad. What wisdom would they seek from squirrels or foxes?

"The trees?"

Again, looks of surprise gradually shifting to pity met her question.

"Then I shall not ask after any intercourse with the shrubbery, herbs, or mosses."

Some of them humored her and shook their heads 'nay' whilst others had to look away after she gave voice to her sad delusions.

Sheesh, I was simply jesting regarding the moss, she thought to herself.

Helluin threw up her hands and stalked off to where the horses stood. Álfrhestr greeted her.

Dost thou truly speak with mosses? he asked, straight-faced.

For crying aloud, she exclaimed silently, I do not speak with mosses! Beinvír and the Laiquendi might, if any do, but I have ne'er heard tell of what they say. Ne'ermind. I have important tidings for thee. Pray hearken to me now, and you too, Bright Spark and Wind Borne.

Álfrhestr and the Rangers' horses faced her, chewing whate'er they happened to have in their mouths. They gave her the attention of their eyes though, and she could ask for 'naught more. She addressed them seriously and in silence, eye to eye.

We have learnt of a barge that may take Annuihír, Lainiel, and myself 'cross the river Celebrant to quicken our arrival in Caras Galadhon, the city of the Elves. I am sure ye recall that place from your stay there five years past?

Bright Spark and Wind Borne nodded 'aye'. Álfrhestr looked 'twixt them in question, but ere they could digress and tell him of the quality of the fodder or the sweetness of the water, Helluin continued.

Álfrhestr, their stay in Lothlórien came to pass whilst we were first meeting in Suꝺriborg 'cross the river Anduin. I am sure they shall enlighten thee after we have finished.

The stallion looked to them as if hoping to extract some assurance of hearing the tale, but Helluin prompted him verbally.

"Pray do not become distracted," she said, and when they had returned their attention to her, said, thank ye, I shall not continue much longer. 'Tis now our plan for Lainiel and Annuihír to join me in taking the barge 'cross Celebrant. I must hold council with the Lord and Lady of this land and the sooner done, the sooner we can continue on our way home.

To that end, I would that ye make your way 'round to the bridge o'er the river Nimrodel that ye crossed aforetime on your way south. Do ye recall it and the way there? And can ye find the way to meet us in Caras Galadhon after?

Wind Borne and Bright Spark ceased their chewing to concentrate on what they remembered of the beginning of their journey south from Lothlórien to Gondor. It took a while, yet both eventually returned their attention to Helluin's eyes and nodded 'aye'.

We recall the way, Bright Spark said, and we have quite literally reversed the steps in our memories so that we can find those paths again now.

Save that our faces shall face forwards whither our tails faced backwards aforetime, Wind Borne added for clarification, and Bright Spark nodded 'aye' in agreement.

Aye, our faces shall become our tails as we reverse our strides, Bright Spark summarized.

Brilliant, praised Helluin. I knew ye could do it despite five years passing and the doubts of some upon two legs. Pray see that Álfrhestr faces your tails and follows in your steps to arrive at Caras Galadhon with ye?

We shall do so, Helluin. Should we go forth at dawn?

Aye, that would be well. Ye have my thanks, mellyn nín.

So I shall be going forwards as they go backwards? Álfrhestr asked. Helluin groaned.

Pray follow them with thy face forward and all shall be well. T'will be for but a couple days.

Helluin had just turned back to speak with the Rangers and the Galadhrim when a soft voice spoke unbidden in her head.

I shall inform my people not to stay thy mounts, Helluin. I look forward to seeing thee on the morrow.

"Gah!" exclaimed Helluin in surprise ere recovering her comportment and replying in thought, my thanks, O Lady of the Mellyrn Wood. I had thought to ask them to bear their saddles that they might not be taken for strays.

The Lady of the Galadhrim deigned not to reply, but ere she went silent to Helluin, the Noldo heard her mutter, …our faces shall become our tails as we reverse our strides, Hahahahaha! and a voice she was sure was Celeborn's exclaiming, What?

"The Lady expects us on the morrow, the horses shall have free passage to join us, and they shall have no difficulty in finding their path," she announced.

"And what say the herbs and the mosses?" asked Orngaror, straight-faced.

Shortly later, he sent the other three archers back to their watch post in the woods and they had not gone far ere giving voice to their mirth. With softly spoken comments that Helluin was well convinced included some derision, they disappeared into the darkness as their shoulders shook with laughter. A less than auspicious start to this visit I have made, she thought, ahhh well.

The dawn of 6 Urui arrived and the horses took off west at a canter. This surprised Orngaror more than Annuihír and Lainiel who had the benefit of knowing that Helluin had spoken with wolves, horses, and owls aforetime. He watched them receding into the distance, shaking his head in doubt. Still, after a meager breakfast of way bread, Annuihír and Lainiel hefted their saddles and the Marchwarden led them into the forest. They headed just east of due north, and after four hours and a dozen miles, came to the banks of the Celebrant.

The river had widened a league further west and now spanned some ten fathoms of placid water, its surface unblemished by hidden boulders or any sign of rapids. A few leaves drifted downstream, attesting to a restrained but constant current of perhaps two knots. No sure guess could they make as to the water's depth, for beyond the low banks, the river deepened swiftly and the bottom was lost to sight. On the southern side where they stood, a flat, grey-brown stone slab lay, forming a landing. It appeared natural save that the banks up and downstream were of earth carpeted in herbs and wildflowers.

'Cross the river they saw a hythe of white stone with a low wall and a ramp leading down to the water. There lay moored many small craft, light, wooden boats of up to several fathoms in length, one larger and more ornate in the form of a swan, and a single barge with low gunwales, a narrow beam, and a flat deck offering no significant draught. A closer examination revealed that a heavy line rose from the water and passed through a pair of sturdy posts fore and aft to come ashore where 'twas anchored to a stanchion of stone. This guideline kept the barge from being swept downriver, for there were no seats for rowers, only oarlocks fore and aft where a long pole might be set to provide a 'push'.

Orngaror produced a repeated, descending cry in mimicry of a sparrowhawk's call. A few moments later, a grey-cloaked ellon appeared from one of the many telain in the trees and returned his call. Then Orngaror stepped onto the landing at the verge of the water and waved in greeting.

"Neled baur athradad, Bosgabor!¹" he shouted 'cross the water. ¹(Neled baur athradad, Bosgabor, Three need to cross, Puddlejumper = neled(three) + baur(need) + athrado-(cross) + -ad(inf v suff, to cross) + both(puddle) + cabo-(leap) + -or(n on v agent suff, jumper) At the partition of proper nouns,-th becomes –s and -c becomes –g. Sindarin)

"Narannen na tiriad tulol lín,¹" Bosgabor called back. ¹(Narannen na tiriad tulol lín, I was told to look to your coming = naro-(told) + -anne-(v past tense suff, was told) + -n(1st pers subj pron suff, I) + na(to) + tiria-(look toward) + -ad(inf v suff, to look to) + tulo-(come) + -l(active pres v suff, coming) + lín(2nd pers poss pron, your) Sindarin)

"T'would seem the Lady has 'spoken' to him as well," Helluin mildly observed.

Bosgabor took his pole and mounted the barge, and after tossing away a mooring line, began to push the craft 'cross the water. When it drew 'nigh, Helluin and the Rangers marked that the bottom was of light timbers. Its freeboard above the waterline was barely a hand's length and its beam no more than a fathom. The barge was not spacious or sturdy enough to provide footing for large hooved animals.

The guideline remained submerged for most of the way, only rising from the water to pass through the posts and keep the craft on course. When it arrived, Bosgabor steadied it with his pole and beckoned the trio aboard. Helluin, Lainiel, and Annuihír bid Orngaror farewell and stepped onto the barge, the Rangers glad to lay down their saddles. They found it surprisingly stable. Húveren leapt aboard and stood at the fore, staring down into the water.

Bosgabor was efficient and long practiced at guiding the barge, and he softly sang a song of the Golden Wood as he planted and pushed off with his pole, impelling them forward. The vessel drifted serenely 'cross Celebrant and in a short while they reached the hythe on the northern shore. There he tethered the barge with its mooring line and the passengers debarked, offering the Puddlejumper their thanks.

The company took a well-trodden path 'twixt willows, birches, cypress, ash, and a little further from the bank, beeches and a few lindens. They passed some whitewashed buildings built on the ground for the storage of boat covers, oars, paddles, and rope, and another that served as a workshop for minor repairs. Further upstream and out of their sight, lay a small boatyard, and further downstream, beyond an encircling hedge, lay the long lawn at the very tip of the Naith.

Now the path led them northwest and soon ran uphill, away from the river and towards Caras Galadhon. After the first half-mile, mellyrn trees began to replace the mixed riparian forest and by a mile, that change was complete. Helluin, Annuihír, Lainiel, and Húveren were surrounded by the golden leaves and smooth, silvery boles that grew e'er larger and older as they continued. There seemed a change in the quality of the light through the branches that spoke of watchful tranquility, an atmosphere wherein even the birds sang with respectful restraint, and 'naught broke the stillness save a gentle breeze. In Lothlórien, one could feel the profundity of memory and the waiting of powers that dwelt in anticipation of future conflict. Ere they came from the forest and beheld the fosse, the encircling Hawthorn hedge, and the white road that led to the gate, Lainiel and Annuihír lad lost track of how long they had walked. It seemed but minutes ago that they had left the hythe and the intervening ten miles had passed as if in a dream.

Before them lay Caras Galadhon, the city of Lothlórien, wherein waited Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. 'Twas then early afternoon, yet to the mortals it seemed that the morn lingered still. Neither felt as if they had missed their midday meal.

They crossed o'er the fosse on the white bridge, and at the gates, they were welcomed by the sentries and bidden to follow a guide to a refreshment pavilion that was set 'nigh the guard post. There Helluin gave thanks for water and fruit and the Rangers discovered that they had an appetite.

"I wager our walk has birthed a hunger despite the hour," Lainiel remarked ere biting into an apple.

"And I wager we shall be as Periannath, so closely following first breakfast with second and eating again at mid-morn," Annuihír said.

"The hour for second breakfast is long past and ye have also missed their 'Elevenses' at an hour ere noon," said Helluin. "'Tis two and a half hours past midday and a meal is well earned by the labor of a score and two miles afoot."

They stared at her in disbelief at first, then marked the shadows and reckoned the time.

"We should be more practiced at how days pass here after our last visit," Annuihír said, shaking his head at their lapse.

"To the good, the horses shall be here by next afternoon," said the Noldo, straight-faced as she let a gobbet of porridge fall into a bowl.

'Tis welcome to come here and take succor from the Fading for a while, she thought. The outer world leaves the hröa hungry.

As she was tossing a handful of raisins and chopped walnuts atop the oatmeal, a robed Sinda appeared at their table. He offered them a bow of greeting and announced the welcome of the sovereigns.

"My lord and lady welcome ye to Lothlórien," he said, "and guides shall come shortly to show ye to quarters set aside for your use during your stay. Helluin, thou art awaited."

"I pray thine indulgence, meldir nín, but I have just filled this bowl and should waste it not," she said by way of apology, then began shoveling the food into her mouth with a wooden spoon.

He nodded to her and stood by, trying not to stare at them as they ate. After she had wolfed down the contents of the bowl in seven heaping spoonfuls, Helluin rose, bowed to the Sinda and said, "My thanks for thy patience, meldir nín, pray lead on."

There followed a short walk to the center of Egladil whereon grew the tallest of the mellyrn of Lothlórien. At its base stood the foot of a ladder 'neath a weatherproof covering and at the sight of it, the attendant groaned and shook his head.

Helluin heard him mutter, "Up and down, up and down, all day and all night without respite."

After they climbed to the Royal Talan, the robed attendant took his leave having delivered the guest and Helluin watched him disappear down the ladder ere turning to enter the audience hall. She passed 'twixt the closest pair of the encircling columns and within, seated on their chairs 'neath the carved canopy of mallorn flowers, were the lord and lady of the realm. Helluin bowed low to them in greeting as they rose from their seats to bow to welcome their guest.

Suilaid nín, Lord Celeborn, Lady Artanis, Helluin offered as she met their eyes. I thank ye for your hospitality.

Suilaid vín, Helluin. We give thanks for thy safe arrival, she heard Celeborn silently reply as he returned her glance.

And for the safe arrival of Hír Annuihír and Híril Lainiel, Galadriel added with a smile that Helluin was sure covered renewed laughter at her early morn's conversation with the horses. As if perceiving her thought, (which Helluin had been long convinced was exactly the case), the lady mused, it seems an Age since last I shared much speech with horses. I find it refreshing now that we are come to a land where such noble kelvar are rare.

They are blessed with their own wisdom and good sense, Helluin replied, oddly as they may choose to express it at times.

She received a nod of agreement from Galadriel as Celeborn suppressed a grin, the lady having obviously shared their words with her husband.

Thou come with tidings, we have heard, Celeborn said.

Indeed so, my lord. During our time in the South Kingdom, I was able to destroy two more of the Nazgûl and one of their Rings. In alliance with soldiers of the Ithryn Luin, we freed many slaves from Nurn who immigrated to the Wizards' allied city of Samara 'nigh the River Rā. They were Yrch, but detested Gorthaur.

Then for a while, Galadriel and Celeborn fell silent, digesting the astonishing deeds that their friend had shared in a few short sentences. They looked to each other to share thoughts 'twixt them, but finally they looked back to Helluin, for after the initial impact of her statements, they craved further details.

How came thee to dispense with the Ringwraiths, Helluin? Galadriel asked.

The first I slew whilst he was constrained to conversation with his master, leaving him indisposed to fend off the Sarchram as it hewed what would have been his neck. After taking up his Ring, I learnt that he was once a sorcerer of Númenórean descent named Akhôrahil, and ere his liberation from servitude, he was Steward of Minas Morgul. I then destroyed his Ring with the Holy Light. Sauron must now forge a new Ring if he is to again have a compliment of Nine.

The second, I slew in combat outside a fortress guarding the inner entrance to the Nargil Pass. I ne'er learnt more of that one. At its defeat, it vanished, doubtlessly consigned to the Void. Its Ring disappeared with it, but I believe that trinket survived. Thus, I deem it shall be replaced the sooner, Helluin said in conclusion.

We agree. Even for the Lord of Lies, a Ring of Power would not be an easy thing to recreate in his diminished state. Thou say 'it' regarding the second, Helluin, whyfor? Celeborn asked.

Helluin nodded and explained, since the slaying of the wraith in the Sammath Naur, I learnt that that one was aforetime a woman of Númenor named Adúnaphel. I know no more of her tale. Of the second recently slain, I could determine no gender.

Their falls are a boon to all who oppose the Enemy, and thou hast our thanks, the Lord of the Galadhrim said.

In Nurn, I met a Stone Troll who wanted no part of Sauron's schemes. Singlehandedly he had dispatched a fortress filled with Yrch and Wargs, his tormenters, for which he expressed remorse. He seemed reasonable, so I let him go. Of far greater import, at least to me, was my meeting with an owl, she said.

Here the lord and lady regarded Helluin with questioning glances, willing her to reveal her thought. A Torog with a conscience was unexpected, but owls, after all, were not Eagles.

In the Nargil Pass, I came upon Glohsúl, a great and ancient spirit that chose the fána of an owl in which to keep watch o'er the starlit lands that were then the southern shore of the Sea of Helcar. Glohsúl is a Maia of Oromë and recalled the Age of the Lamps and the time of the formation of Eä ere that. As a night hunter 'neath the old stars, Glohsúl took up guardianship of what became the Ephel Dúath bordering southwestern Nurn.

Glohsúl gifted me aid in battle and the tidings that like us, the Tor pass not from age. Alas, I realized too late that after our recent embassy to the east, I had spoken not of Glohsúl with Alatar and Pallando, though they serve the same Hunter, Helluin said.

They surely would have appreciated such tidings, yet 'naught may be done to amend that now, Galadriel said. I must wonder if Glohsúl's watch signifies the continuing vigilance of Oromë, or if that Mia has been forgotten with all that has come to pass during the intervening Ages.

I heard 'naught of any such concern from Glohsúl, Helluin said. I reckon that for the Maia, that duty has not changed since it began, for evil still inhabits those lands, whether Morgoth's or Sauron's.

To this, Celeborn and Galadriel both nodded in agreement. Thereafter they remained silent a while, pondering the repercussions of what the Noldo had told.

I must admit, thy tidings are of great import, Galadriel finally said. The strength of the Enemy is further diminished, at least for a while, and an unknown guardian has been revealed. I had ne'er aforetime pondered the lifespan of the Tor. Now I would ask, whyfor thou went again to the Ithryn Luin?

I went accompanying Steward Vorondil of Gondor, Annuihír, Lainiel, and two dozens of the newly trained Dúnedain Rangers of Gondor who were sent as an embassy to the Blue Wizards, in hopes of creating a treaty of mutual support and borrowing E-Ngúrglaw to deploy against Sauron.

Not for the first time, Galadriel and Celeborn's eyes widened in surprise, for both had been shocked in 2003 by the memories that Helluin had shared of the weapon of Light. That such a force might be deployed by King Eärnil against Mordor or Minas Morgul seemed to bode ill for the future, as 'aught less than a complete defeat of the Dark Lord would engender an eventually renewed and even more vicious war of retribution against the Men of the West. The prior precedent of Isildur's weakness when urged to destroy the Ring was not encouraging.

That deployment was impossible, for the weapon had been dismantled and a command was laid on the Ithryn Luin ne'er again to create that device. Such artifices are forbidden in Middle Earth by order of Curumo, who spoke in Manwë's stead as Head of the Istari. The king and the steward of Gondor were disappointed, but perhaps 'tis for the best, Helluin concluded with a shrug.

'Twas with expressions of relief that the lord and lady received Helluin's words. Though they understood not the Elder King's specific reasoning, on a visceral level each felt that the power of The Death Ray was too esoteric and too eldritch for the Middle Earth they knew. They were drawn from their contemplation as Helluin spoke of a further concern.

Have ye marked renewed activity in Dol Guldur? Have any servants of the Enemy been espied 'nigh the banks of Anduin? Doth it seem that they are seeking for 'aught?

Whence comes thy concern, Helluin? We have marked no darkness in the fortress and have felt not the return of the Necromancer, if that is what thou suspect, Galadriel said. So far as we know, it hath remained emptied since thou and Prince Fram came thither in 1975.

Helluin nodded to the lady in thanks for her reassurance. Now 'twas the dark Noldo who wore an expression of relief.

I deem I was blinded aforetime by other concerns and so remained ignorant of a past policy of the Enemy. 'Twas attested to me in 1975 as I came 'nigh Dol Guldur that for long a search of Anduin's banks had been conducted by the Nazgûl and their servants. I deem they sought for the One Ring, yet I recall seeking for clues 'round Gladden a century after Isildur's fall and I found 'naught.

She shook her head in aggravation at the lost chance to hamper her great foe's designs, if for 'naught but spite. Yet she knew not when Sauron's search of Anduin had begun, for how long it had persisted, and when or if it had been forsaken.

Little surety have I save for the testimony of a lynx that in years past, Yrch of Dol Guldur sought for something along the banks of Anduin, she said. I reckon that must have been ere 1002 when I drove Tindomul hence, or maybe also after, continuing 'til 1856 when the vale came to be populated by the Northmen fleeing west from Rhovanion, or perhaps ending earlier, in 1636-7 during the Great Plague.

We only took up the rule of Lothlórien late in late 1981, though aforetime we were long and oft guests of King Amroth," Celeborn mused.

Many concerns had the king during the years of this Age and we as well. If an organized search was conducted, it might have passed unmarked if the numbers involved were small and their actions sporadic, Galadriel added.

Helluin could only nod in acceptance of their words. Small parties of Yrch might wander the banks of Anduin at irregular times, especially on the eastern shore, and draw little remark from any living in those lands. Perhaps only the settlers of Berlun's kindred had seen some of those companies and paid them little heed if they moved not to attack their homesteads. It seemed there was 'naught to be done about it now. Then another realization came to her.

In 1994, we drove Sauron from his bastion in Rhûn and thereafter 'tis deemed that he came to Mordor. There he prepared his forces and in 2000, assailed Minas Ithil. Since 2002, the Nazgûl and their troops have occupied that city. I wonder if they now search the east banks of Anduin south of Rauros. Indeed, the western banks so far south as the Onodló are unpopulated and unwatched by Gondor. Yrch might even now sojourn 'cross the Undeeps to seek a treasure in the lands south of Limlight. I wager only the lands 'twixt Cair Andros and Pelargir are patrolled by Rangers in Ithilien and soldiers of Gondor on the western banks.

Deeply troubling do I find this possibility, Helluin, Celeborn said.

Consolation can we find only in that the search continues and therefore his prize has remained undiscovered, Galadriel added. If he had recovered what he once lost, I deem we would know.

Helluin accepted the lady's reasoning. Yet she had one further concern gnawing at her eudaemonia, and so she asked, have ye heard rumor of any monsters in Anduin? Fish, serpents, lizards, or salamanders possessed of viciousness, great age, or size uncharacteristic to their kinds? Some simple creature that might have ingested the Ring and become…unnatural?

At first Galadriel and Celeborn stared at Helluin as if she were touched with madness. Then they gave deeper consideration to her questions and found them less outlandish than they first seemed. Given thousands of years, were the chances really so slight? Was it not possible that along with its prey, some creature might swallow a trinket embedded in the silt at the bottom of the river? Indeed, after consideration, the likelihood felt believable if not preordained, for 'twas known that the Ring had the virtue of ensnaring its bearers with covetousness and devotion in order to ensure its own preservation. Thus it had enthralled the second High King to the detriment of all, so why not a lesser beast?

Who amongst the Wise knew all the effects of the Ring upon the kelvar or even the olvar? What manner of corruption might arise from a creature's contact with so wholly evil a token? Surely, there would be repercussions. Yet for answers, they had 'naught but conjectures.

We know of none, Helluin, yet such a possibility is horrifying, Galadriel finally said. We have not contemplated this threat, for I deem it hath not occurred to the Wise. And yet should the Ring be found, surely its effects would become manifest, for its nature is to corrupt and to dominate. We shall keep watch, both for unnatural creatures and for parties of Yrch seeking treasures along Anduin.

For a while thereafter the three old friends sat silent, each captive to their thoughts. What if some hapless creature came upon the Ring, and knowing no better became consumed by it. What if it then withdrew into its burrow, there to gloat and fester and grow in darkness. Would it one day reveal itself, only to be taken and its treasure recovered by Sauron? Would it arise on its own account, its blind instincts transmuted into seeking the proliferation of its influence and the confirmation of its power? And of course, there were more terrifying possibilities that they could imagine, now that their thoughts were turned thither. What if the Ring were found and wielded by some spirit already coeval with Sauron, say a Valarauko or an Urulókë perhaps? Having then custody of a vast measure of Sauron's power added to its own, would it become a yet more formidable foe than the Dark Lord? To such suppositions, there could be no answers and all three wound up feeling threatened and unsatisfied.

"This day began well enough," Celeborn finally remarked, heaving a sigh.

"And t'would seem it shall end with thoughts as dark as night," Galadriel muttered to finish her husband's thought.

"Yet I suspect there shall be a dawn upon the morrow and 'naught save our counsels have changed since the last," Helluin said. "I am sorry to have marred your peace with the fell possibilities that have grown in my mind of late."

"Fell they are indeed, Helluin, and yet better borne by many awakened to the threat than by one alone and in doubt," Celeborn said. "By thy tidings shall we become more watchful."

Changing the topic, Galadriel asked, "How long shalt thou and the Rangers stay with us?"

"We await our horses whose faces have become their tails, but thereafter, I reckon we must be away, for the prince and princess are eager to return home following the passing of Lady Athelrian. Lord Níshír preceded her in death two years past."

"And now they are their parents' heirs, I understand," Galadriel said. "The future continuity of their houses rests with them."

"I wager that in days to come, both shall treasure the time they spent in the South Kingdom," Celeborn said. "Although at first I had my reservations regarding the wisdom of that course, I reckon their youthful sojourn has enriched them. They now have accomplishments of their own, the memory of which shall strengthen their hearts in the face of challenges ahead."

"In but five years they ascended from the status of strangers to become founding Captains of the Dúnedain Rangers of Gondor. They have walked the Nargil Pass into Mordor, seen Furthest Rhûn, and met the Ithryn Luin as none of their people have. They have much to be proud of," Helluin said.

Now their council passed to other topics. Helluin asked if Yrch had been seen in the Dimrill Dale or if the Marchwardens on the western or northern borders had marked 'aught awry of late. Though no reports of any increased presence of foes in the dale had been heard, there was no way to be sure if some had not snuck through the Azanulbizar Gate and now occupied Moria. Short of conducting a search within Durin's Halls, Helluin deemed that she would have to live in suspense. In any case, unless she was willing to take up residence there as a guardian, even eradicating them now would not stop more from coming in a year or a decade, or a century.

Last, she had asked after any tidings from the Woodland Realm in Calenglad. (She was still just as unwilling to call Greenwood 'Mirkwood' as she was to call Khazad-dûm 'Moria'). Of Thranduil, Legolas, and their people, Celeborn and Galadriel had little to tell. Messengers were few. The last had come ere Helluin's own previous visit to Lothlórien and had only told of constant, low-level skirmishes with the spiders. Since their war with Gundabad in 1889 in which Queen Inthuiril was slain, and the subsequent defeat of Angmar in 1975, Yrch had been few, and with the coming of the Éothéod to the northern Vale of Anduin in 1977, Mirkwood's security had been enhanced. Little of note had come to pass in the last thirty-three years.

Of Eriador there was also little to tell. The lands of old Arnor were at peace, the chieftain's rule had stabilized, and the Dúnedain had adapted to their new way of life. Their Rangers had proved sufficient to quell any remaining threats lefto'er from Angmar, and now most folks passed away from natural causes or accidents, rather than battle.

Shortly after, having upset their counsels and left them with uncertainties, Helluin took her leave of Galadriel and Celeborn and descended from the Royal Talan. After asking directions, she rejoined Lainiel and Annuihír in the pavilion that had been set for them on the ground. She found that 'twixt fatigue, full bellies, and boredom, they had dozed off.

Being loath to wake them unnecessarily, Helluin instead took her bow and quiver and went to the training grounds where she found the Galadhrim's archery range. There she saw a few of the border guards practicing at their shooting. They exchanged nods of greeting and Helluin took a lane at the far end of the field where a target of coiled rushes backed by planks wood stood at a prudent fifty yards.

Now after stringing the steel Númenórean bow and setting her feet, Helluin drew an arrow and sent it towards her mark. Fifty yard to a target was hardly a challenge and the arrow flew true to the center of the inner ring. Ere its impact, she had drawn, knocked, and loosed a second arrow, firing with speed, as was her practice in battle. The first arrow struck the target with a sharp crack that told of splintering wood. The second followed it a heartbeat later, passing through the same hole.

With a groan, the Noldo lowered her bow and set out towards the target whilst the Galadhrim broke from their shooting to watch. After pacing down her firing lane, Helluin came to the target and found the rushes pierced through, the backing plank behind its center shattered, and her arrows another twenty yards down the range just shy of the trees. With another groan, she shouldered her bow and went to retrieve her arrows.

Ere she returned to the target, the border guards had begun to converge there. The first of these were surprised at the damage and walked 'round it pointing and remarking. Their clustering drew the attention of the range master who supervised all shooting for safety's sake. She approached the gathering and the guards gave the tall elleth nods of acknowledgement ere withdrawing back to their own lanes. Helluin met her and together they examined the shattered plank.

"My apologies, range master," Helluin said, shaking her head in consternation, "I had not expected such an outcome."

"None would, I reckon," the elleth replied with the hint of a grin. "Pray call me Corchiá¹," she said. "I mark that thou art shooting broadheads." ¹(Corchiá, Mocking Jay(lit. crow) = corch(crow) + iae(mocking) The diphthong –ae becomes –á in proper nouns. Sindarin Note that jays are part of the Corvidae (crow) family of birds.)

Helluin dipped her head to the range master and said, "Aye, Corchiá, broadheads rather than bodkins. Pray call me Helluin."

"I fear our range is unsuited to so powerful a bow, Helluin," the range master said, eyeing the steel weapon. "The bodkins might have punched a cleaner hole, but 'tis no matter. We shall repair the target. I can only recommend that hereafter, thou find a fallen trunk in the forest where none tarry 'nigh. I fear that only solid wood shall be sufficient to arrest thine arrows."

To this, Helluin sighed, but could only nod in agreement for she had sought the relaxation of shooting, an activity into which she could focus her concentration.

"Know thou such a place?" she asked the range master.

Corchiá gave thought to her question and paused a while, searching her memory of the woods lying 'nigh. Finally, she brightened and offered a smile.

"I reckon I know a spot that may serve. Pray allow me a moment to charge my assistant to take o'er the supervision of the range and I shall lead thee hence."

"'Tis no need for thee to abandon thy duties, Corchiá," Helluin protested, "thou need only share thy memories of that place and I deem I shall be able to find it."

The elleth chuckled and said, "Those memories are quite personal and I shall not share them, but I am curious to view thine archery, Helluin. Thy bow I find intriguing, for I have ne'er seen its like aforetime."

"I deem this bow came from Númenor with Elendil's people, for I found it in an abandoned arsenal atop Amon Sûl."

"'Tis ancient," Corchiá marveled, "far older than any bow of wood."

"Two thousand years at the least," Helluin agreed, "yet even steel fatigues with use. Most such bows became embrittled centuries ago."

Corchiá called to a younger ellon and bid him watch o'er the archery range 'til her return, then she took up a quiver of arrows and her own recurved bow and led Helluin past the range and into the woods. For the third part of an hour, they walked down a path amongst the trees heading mostly north and away from the city. During that time, they spoke of archery and of bows and arrows. It seemed that Corchiá was an avid archer. She had honed her skills through much of two Ages of the world and still sought to advance her knowledge.

"For many centuries my people have used bows akin to this one," she said, holding out her own weapon for Helluin's perusal.

The Noldo nodded in appreciation, for 'twas sturdy, gracefully recurved, beautifully carved, and well 'nigh identical to the one Helluin had once fashioned when she took up the mantle of King's Hunter during her first visit to Lindórinand in the reign of King Lenwin. 'Twas a bit o'er five feet in length and could be fired with the arrow to the right or left of the riser. She guessed that it would send a 30-inch shaft downrange with 'round fifty pounds of force.

"'Tis a fine weapon for open woods, effective for hunting as well as for defense against lightly armored foes," the Noldo said.

Corchiá nodded in agreement and said, "So I have found it to be."

Now they walked for the third part of an hour, coming roughly a mile from Caras Galadhon. The afternoon had grown late and the sun was lowering, casting golden light on the leaf-littered ground. Then, rounding a turn, they came upon an old trunk fallen and leaning 'cross the path sixty yards ahead. Beyond that tree the path continued on, making any who happened that way visible to the archers long ere they came 'nigh, and so too the archers to any others.

"Few came this way aforetime and fewer still now that the path is partially blocked," Corchiá said. "I deem this trunk shall make a fitting target, Helluin."

'Twas about as perfect as it could have been. The trunk was from a red pine o'er two feet in diameter, dead long enough that the bark had sloughed off and the wood had softened. To the left, its base lay amongst royal ferns, whilst on the right it rested on a higher bank at a roughly thirty-degree angle. A space of almost four feet allowed travelers to duck 'neath it on the path.

Its fall had left a patch of sunlight from the absence of its crown in the forest canopy, and this now lit the trunk o'er and to both sides of the path.

"I could not have wished for better, Corchiá," Helluin said in admiration. "Thou hast my thanks. Shall we shoot?"

"Aye, and I would recommend the bodkins for they may prove easier to extract than the broadheads," the range master said as she took her own bow from o'er her shoulder.

"I accept thine advice," Helluin replied. "Pray begin as I separate my arrows."

Corchiá smiled and dragged the toe of her boot 'cross the path, scribing a firing line whilst the Noldo divided her arrows and set aside the broadheads. A dozen shafts tipped with bodkin points remained and these she replaced in her quiver ere slinging it back o'er her shoulder.

In the meantime, Corchiá had begun shooting, standing motionless save for her right arm as she pulled arrows one after another from her quiver and set them to the string. She drew smoothly and spent not an extra moment to aim ere loosing and drawing another. The arrows ended their flights with solid thumps as they struck the trunk in a row from left to right, each separated by a couple finger-widths of wood. After two minutes, her quiver was empty and two dozen shafts presented in an unbroken line following the inclination of the trunk. 'Twas a masterful demonstration of archery and Helluin smiled and offered a bow in salute of Corchiá's skill.

"If thou waited on a border talan, two dozen Yrch would lie dead in the forest 'neath thee," she said in praise.

"As they have through two thousand years of such duty," the range master replied softly as she stepped back from the firing line.

Helluin took her place and set her left foot on the mark. She inhaled as she raised the steel Númenórean bow and reached o'er her shoulder for the first arrow. She notched and drew as the weapon came horizontal and loosed just ere she started to exhale. At the point ere she began to inhale, she loosed the second arrow. She shot the remaining ten shafts in the same manner, at the points 'twixt inhale and exhale when her lungs were still. The last left her bowstring after half a minute, and each struck the trunk with a satisfying crack. Once done, she lowered and shouldered the weapon.

Together, Helluin and Corchiá walked the sixty yards to the fallen tree. There the arrows were stuck in the wood with Helluin's just 'neath Corchiá's, point matching point for the range master's centermost dozen. Indeed, the only noticeable difference was that the Noldo's had sunk twice as deeply into the soft, weathered wood. She stood aside to allow the Silvan Elf to retrieve her arrows first.

After the Nando had recovered her two dozen shafts with a quick wiggle to loosen them that allowed an easy pluck to release them, Helluin tried the same technique. She found her arrows too deeply embedded and growled in aggravation. She was forced to cut a v-shaped trough with the Sarchram to reduce the depth by half ere she could remove them. At least the mithril Ring hewed the age-softened wood like hard cheese. Corchiá watched all this with great interest.

"My bow pulls fifty-two pounds," the range master stated on their walk back to the firing line, "and thine arrows sank twice mine's depth. Know thou the power of thy bow, Helluin?"

"I reckon it somewhere o'er a hundred pounds," she said absentmindedly, weighing whether or not she was willing to carve her arrows from the trunk each time she fired. "The Númenórean archers shot from battlements or in ordered hosts upon the field, against armored foes up to four hundred yards away. I had this bow reduced in length by a foot, but in battle, I have still found it capable of piercing one enemy to slay the one behind."

Corchiá nodded in acceptance of the Noldo's words. She was not so greatly impressed by the bow's power itself, but rather that Helluin could shoot it with such control. There had been no evidence of laboring in her motion, or of cumulative fatigue decreasing her speed or reducing her accuracy.

"I should very much like to try firing thy bow, Helluin, if thou would allow it," she said when they had returned to the firing line.

Helluin nodded and handed o'er the weapon, along with her quiver. These the range master received, but moved not to don the quiver or raise the bow. Instead, she spent several minutes closely inspecting the workmanship of the riser, limbs, the string grooves at their tips, and even the string. The fine filigree of the grip and its internal reinforcing ribs in particular drew her attention. Then she tested the grip by flexing her fingers 'round it as she clasped it in her left hand and experimentally hefted the weight.

"We craft relatively little in metals and 'naught so fine for such a weapon," she said at last.

"I know of none save the Dúnedain who have done so," Helluin replied, "not even the Noldor in the Elder Days. They were a revelation to me when Ciryatur's archers took the field."

"That was somewhat ere my time," Corchiá replied with a grin. "It must have been a sight."

"'Twas so indeed," Helluin said as her glance retreated for a moment into her memories. They had been dark times for Eriador and even darker times for her. Butcher of Bruinen, sheesh.

"I have heard some tales from a few veterans who followed Amroth to war through Khazad-dûm," she said. "They withdrew from Eregion ere the Doors of Durin were shut. 'Tis difficult for me to imagine hosts so great or times so desperate."

"Of the hundred thousand warriors Admiral Ciryatur brought to the Hither Shores, thirty-six thousand were bowmen," Helluin said. "Prominent amongst them were companies armed with steel bows, and they wrought great casualty on the enemy at the crossing of the Luin, at Sarn Athrad upon Baranduin, and at Tharbad on the Glanduin."

"There are not thirty-six thousand bowmen in all Lothlórien," Corchiá said.

"Six thousand marched with King Amdír to Dagorlad," Helluin recalled, "to fight beside their twenty-six thousand brethren from Calenglad. Alas, barely three thousand returned hither."

That great loss had ne'er been forgotten by the Galadhrim. Somber was Corchiá's mood as she nodded and then turned to the fallen tree. She took an arrow from Helluin's quiver and laid its notch to the string, and then she raised the weapon and drew. 'Twas with effort that she held and sighted the target. When she loosed, she felt as if the shaft well 'nigh exploded from the string. It struck the tree a fraction of a moment ere the memory of her own arrows' impacts, having crossed the distance at a greater velocity. She lowered the bow.

"This bow I might draw and fire thrice ere the fatigue was detrimental to my aim and speed," she admitted. "I would not bear such a weapon to battle."

"Against lightly armed Yrch or Men at distances of thirty to fifty yards in the forest, such power is not necessary," Helluin said, understanding the needs of Galadhrim warfare. "E'er the best bow is the bow thou know best."

They each took up their accustomed weapons and again shot the contents of their quivers. After recovering their arrows, they deemed it time to return to the city as the long summer twilight had begun. During their walk, neither felt haste and so they spent the half part of an hour in a leisurely stroll, speaking on topics less grave. When they came back into view of the range, Helluin reiterated her gratitude to Corchiá for all she had done.

"My thanks to thee, my new friend," the Noldo said. "Thou provided me the opportunity to shoot in a place of great beauty. Perhaps one day I shall be able to repeat the experience."

"Come again when the notion takes thee, Helluin, and I shall loan thee my bow that thou may shoot at our targets," the range master said. "'Til then, stay safe upon thy road, my new friend."

When Helluin returned to their pavilion, she found Lainiel and Annuihír just returned from bathing and preparing to seek for their evening meal.

"Think thou that we should return to the gates whither we supped on our arrival?" Lainiel asked.

"Nay, I do not," Helluin said. "Ye are royal guests of the Golden Wood and I deem a fine meal shall be sent to thee as soon as full dark falls."

She cast a glance to the sky, reckoning that another three-quarters of an hour remained ere their dinner was delivered. Therefore, Helluin divested herself of her weapons, traded her boots for camp slippers, and took up a washcloth.

"I am off for a splash in the stream," she declared, "and shall return for the evening meal."

Now Helluin indeed patronized the bathing stream, and aside from the accumulated dust, sweat, and horse scent on her body, she took the opportunity to wipe down her armor. This actually took longer than her own bath, for as Gwilwileth, the chambermaid of Minas Tirith had lamented, Helluin's armor encompassed far more plates than the armor of any knight of Gondor. Only thus had Gneiss ensured that Helluin's movement would not be constrained by the mithril plates and mail. So, rather than a simple cuirass, there was a breastplate and six additional o'erlapping articulated plates forming a plackart that graduated down in size to her waist. The plates on her back were arranged in similar fashion. Two plates each front and rear formed the fauld and eight plates on each side made up the tassets. Eight separate segments encased her forearms from elbow to wrist as a vambrace above her gauntlets. The pauldrons and rerebraces guarding Helluin's shoulders and upper arms were similarly formed, whilst all the junctures 'twixt the plates were protected by fine mail.

The cleaning occupied Helluin 'til dark, at which point she quit the water and made her way back to the pavilion. She arrived just as several servers set a lavish meal before the Rangers. Then, with Annuihír and Lainiel, she sated her hunger and thirst o'er the course of an unhurried hour. Húveren too fed well on tidbits. Probably due to the several bottles of wine, the Rangers soon became drowsy and retired. Helluin took her leave shortly after, seeking a tall tree with a high and sturdy branch upon which she could recline and view the stars. She purposely avoided those hosting telain, for she sought not the company of others, but rather solitude in which to contemplate her memories.

Alas, despite appearing part of an unspoiled forest, Caras Galadhon was indeed a well-populated city. The trees were filled with Elves and most of the canopy glowed blue with Elven lamps. 'Twas truly the city that ne'er sleeps. The Noldo had to settle for climbing past a guard post and several families ere reaching a height considered uninhabitable because the limbs were too slender to support constructions. There she draped herself o'er a fork in a branch that she deemed sufficient and stared up at the night sky 'twixt gently fluttering leaves.

Hours passed as the Noldo lay there unmoving, tracking Ithil's course 'cross the sky. A couple hours ere dawn, Eärendil appeared on the horizon. As she oft did when seeing Gil-Estel, Helluin gave thanks that the young captain had been on Belegaer in Vingilot when the Third Kinslaying had occurred and that his wife Elwing had escaped the Sack of Avernien with the Silmaril. She recalled standing on the strand after the slaughter as the ships of Círdan and Gil-galad approached, watching the Light that wove to and fro as it crossed e'er more distant o'er the waves. Rothinzil his descendants in Númenor called that ship upon a time, she mused, and then Anor cast her light upon the eastern horizon and 7 Urui began.

"As a boy, I recall thee in Gondolin. Peredhel bain, glas en aran¹,"she whispered and then began her climb back down to the ground. ¹(Peredhel bain, glas en aran, Beautiful Half-Elven, joy of the king = peredhel(half-Elven) + bain(beautiful/fair) + glas(joy) + en(the) + aran(king) The king being Eärendil's maternal grandfather, King Turgon, of course. Sindarin)

The morn progressed with Elves and the Rangers breaking their fasts. Annuihír and Lainiel had rested well and indeed were feeling more invigorated than they had since leaving Minas Tirith three weeks aforetime. Being also washed, the lord and lady of the Golden Wood felt it a good time to exercise a matter of statecraft and invite the visiting royals for an informal audience. Thus, Lainiel and Annuihír were invited to share the noon meal with Celeborn and Galadriel. Of course, they gratefully accepted whilst in their absence, Helluin decided to await the arrival of their horses 'nigh the city gate. She had for company, Húveren the hound.

Noon came and went. The Rangers disappeared up into the Royal Talan following a robed courtier, and Helluin went to share company with the sentries posted at the entrance to the city. She spent a couple hours sitting on a low talan of watch, sharing conversation with the guards. At the same time, she sought for the fëar of the horses approaching. In this search, she was finally rewarded in the second hour past noon. The trio of faithful steeds were following their tails towards the city by the same route they had taken whilst leaving five years aforetime. As they drew 'nigh, the Noldo bid the sentries a good afternoon and descended from their post.

Now after walking out through the gate and crossing the white bridge, Helluin and Húveren paced 'round the fosse 'til they were facing north. Already, she heard distant hoof beats approaching at a trot. Another third of an hour brought their strides more clearly to her ears, along with a puzzling clanking and jingling that was certainly not any part of their tack. She cast a sharp glance to the north and eventually marked the passage of Álfrhestr, Wind Borne, and Bright Spark.

A few more minutes passed and then the horses were slowing to a trot before her. Wind Borne was in the lead, with Lainiel's Bright Spark following and Álfrhestr last. 'Twas from her own horse that the clanking and jingling came, specifically from a small, molded porcelain teapot whose handle he clenched in his teeth and whose lid bounced 'round within its rim. He had scarcely come to a halt ere he was staring into her eyes and pridefully boasting.

Look, look, Helluin, I have found a buried treasure!

He had to break eye contact briefly to set the pot down on the ground at his feet. Húveren sniffed it carefully as Helluin groaned and shook her head, for she recognized the pot at once. She just wondered why he had tarried by the Falls of Nimrodel ere crossing the bridge.

How came thee by this? she asked, honestly curious.

'Nigh the ruins of a waterside tree house, I discovered this evidence of ancient civilization buried shallow 'neath a path as I cropped small wildflowers. There were also a table and chairs of wrought iron, too unwieldy for me to retrieve, yet they were also proof of habitation in antiquity.

In antiquity, thou say? Helluin managed to grind out. I wager all such artifacts of this long lost civilization date from as late as 1981.

That is 'nigh a generation past, Helluin, quite a long time. 'Tis as I said, a lost civilization, for certainly none now dwell 'nigh.

Helluin looked o'er and saw Bright Spark and Wind Borne nodding solemnly in agreement. For them, twenty-seven years indeed seemed a long time. She sighed, realizing that all history was subject to the wisdom of those recounting it.

To satisfy her own curiosity, she bent down and lifted the lid. Within lay several dozen gold coins. Upon examination, she saw that they had been minted in Doriath, in antiquity. They were identical to those once supplied to Haldir by the Lady Nimrodel. Helluin could not begin to guess why the peculiar lady had not taken them with her when she fled Lórinand. Then she realized that King Amroth's beloved had sought the western shores and ultimately Aman. A bit of gold carried from Middle Earth would seem 'naught but a burden to her, especially if she was forced to carry it herself.

I shall tell ye the history of these coins and this teapot, for I have encountered both aforetime. The coins were brought out of the ruins of the realm of Doriath at the end of the First Age, and later gifted to the Lady Nimrodel of Calenglad by her maternal grandfather, a Sinda who was once a courtier at King Elu Thingol's court in Menegroth.

When the lady left Calenglad and settled in Lothlórien, she brought the coins with her. Being highly suspicious of all, she chose to hide them in a pot buried 'neath the path in her tea garden.

In 1431, Beinvír and I came hither and met the lady. She had recently broken her teapot and could not properly entertain her king, with whom she shared a mutual, romantic fixation. Desperate to amend that pass, she proffered three such coins to the Marchwarden Haldir, for to buy a replacement teapot from the Gonnhirrim traders of Khazad-dûm. T'would seem that this was done, for the teapot has the look of Dwarvish wares from Moria. I can only guess that she buried the coins in it when she fled south, hoping to come to the Undying Lands.

Thou hast indeed discovered evidence of an ancient civilization; more than one perhaps, said Helluin.

She looked at the three horses and saw that they were trading triumphant grins as they began bobbing their heads up and down in agreement.

So we stood where was once the court of King Elu Thingol, in the tea garden that used to be Menegroth, Álfrhestr summarized. The presence of the coins proves that beyond any doubt.

Yes! And thou found the coins left behind for thee by the Lady Nimrodel as payment for rediscovering her teapot, added Bright Spark with enthusiasm.

And let us not forget the table and chairs, Wind Borne added with sagacious mien, someone sat thither. Perhaps they brewed a tea by steeping ancient coins in scalding water, for why else a teapot?

Precisely! Álfrhestr chortled. Now if I replace the teapot full of coins, Lady Nimrodel must reappear! Helluin, I shall see thee on my return in the evening of the morrow and I shall bring the lady with me.

At first, Helluin gaped in astonishment at their reasoning, and then she desperately clamped her hands o'er her ears in a vain attempt to exclude the shrieks of laughter in her head as the Lady Galadriel was reduced to hysterics. In the background, the Noldo heard a voice she was sure was Celeborn's exclaiming, Helluin and her horses again?

She barely managed to forbid Álfrhestr from galloping off, back to the ruins of Nimrodel's talan, ere she sat on the ground beside the tea pot with Húveren licking her ear.

To Be Continued