In An Age Before – Part 251
Helluin was still sitting there half-stunned, slowly recovering from the ethereal bludgeoning of the lady's mirth, when Annuihír, Lainiel, Celeborn, and Galadriel found her the third part of an hour later. The horses were still standing 'nigh, propounding their theories of archeology and proposing further expeditions for the unearthing of ancient civilizations. By then, one side of the dark Noldo's head was sloppy with Húveren's saliva where he had teased her hair into a slimy wave with his tongue.
"Come here, boy, enough of that now," Annuihír called out to the hound.
Húveren regretfully left Helluin's side and heeled at his master's boot as a company of Galadhrim joined them to guard their lord and lady.
"Helluin, canst thou hear me?" Galadriel asked, then bit her tongue realizing that Helluin's damage had come from hearing her all too well. "I apologize for my brief lapse of self-control in sharing so lavishly my reaction, but the horses…."
She broke off and Helluin looked up to see her turning away, her shoulders shaking as she held a hand to her mouth to stifle another outburst. The Noldo shook her head and groaned, then struggled to her feet.
"I should leave them here in Lothlórien that with thy mirth thou might chase from Khazad-dûm any interlopers," she muttered, but the Lady of the Galadhrim's comportment was too gravely challenged for her to pay Helluin any heed.
"What of the teapot and the cache of gold coins, Helluin?" asked Lainiel, looking them o'er with curiosity, "I have ne'er seen such designs aforetime."
"They came from Doriath to Calenglad with the grandfather of the lost Lady Nimrodel," Helluin explained. "Álfrhestr has proposed to rebury them in the ruins of her tea garden so that she might reappear."
Álfrhestr, Bright Spark, and Wind Borne vigorously nodded 'aye' to her mention of their plan.
"That seems unlikely," Annuihír said, straight faced.
"'Naught has been learnt of Lady Nimrodel since she took her leave with Lord Amroth in '81," Celeborn said, "and only of his demise have we heard tell. Her fate remains unknown."
"I deem she hath come to Aman, one way or another, and in any case, the simple placement of a talisman is insufficient to conjure a spirit's return from beyond the world. So potent an enchantment would beg the power of a Vala, or of the One," the now recovered Galadriel said.
Helluin turned to her horse and asked Álfrhestr, "What say thou?"
Has not the Lady Nimrodel 'aught to say of that choice? he asked.
"If she has come to Aman, then her choices are few," Helluin told him. "Aman is withdrawn from Arda now, and neither by the desperate road filled with hardship that the Noldor tread long ago, nor by passage on a ship of the Teleri who came last to Middle Earth bearing the Host of the Valar to the War of Wrath can she come hither. By whate'er means, she would need to o'ercome her distrust of Middle Earth and leave behind the fëa of her beloved Amroth."
So 'tis unlikely? Álfrhestr asked.
"Very unlikely," Helluin answered. "She ne'er really liked it here."
I would be loath to drag her back to a place she disliked, he said.
Helluin nodded in approval of his sentiments, deeming them noble and respectful.
"Perhaps custody of the coins should be given to the only remaining courtier of King Thingol still residing in this land," Galadriel suggested.
To this, the horses gave thought, taking counsel amongst themselves for several minutes. They expressed many concerns, some so ludicrous that Galadriel had to turn away whilst Helluin groaned aloud. Lord Celeborn listened in amazement, now that he could look into their eyes and apprehend their speech. Of course, Lainiel and Annuihír comprehended none of it. Finally, the three horses concluded their council with nods of mutual agreement.
We accept the lady's suggestion, save that as discoverer of the treasure I claim one gold piece as a finder's fee, Álfrhestr said. Surely, tradition approves such remuneration.
"Amongst pirates and highwaymen, perhaps," Helluin muttered. Then, being quite curious, she asked, "And what shalt thou do with a piece of gold? Wouldst thou favor that we cast for thee a gold tooth? Or perhaps thou would prefer a medallion on a new headstall?"
I had not given thought to what I would do with it, the stallion admitted. I have no room in my mouth for additional teeth and I have come to prefer my lack of tack.
At this, Helluin threw up her hands, saying only, I have little qualm with thy finder's fee, Álfrhestr, but short of beating it into a clip for thy mane, I see no use for it.
I would not that so valuable an artifact of antiquity be dis-shapen for so pedestrian a purpose.
For several minutes, all stood silent, trying to discern a fitting disposition of Álfrhestr's 'fee'. 'Twas ridiculous, and yet the Elves took it seriously, (though the mortals had no idea of what was going on). Galadriel stooped and took a coin from the teapot to examine. This she looked at critically, bringing it close to her eyes and then even pressing it to her forehead where it adhered 'til she plucked it off. She then held it out to Helluin.
"Hast thou examined closely all of these coins?" she asked.
"Nay, I have not. I held three after Nimrodel gave them to Haldir for to purchase a teapot," she said, taking the coin, "and thereby recognized their origin. That was long ago."
When the coin dropped onto her palm, the Noldo felt a faint tingling along with its weight. She stared at it more closely.
"They are not all the same," she stated with certainty. "This one differs from those I saw aforetime. The design seems older and retains some trace of…something."
She handed it to Celeborn who was the most likely to recognize it. Rather than staring at the obverse or reverse, he turned the coin on edge and examined the rim.
"Hereon is written in Cirth of Daeron, 'Eglador – Luithien Seld Tor Elwë Ϸindikollo Tóril Melyanna¹'. I recall such coins being minted to commemorate the birth of Lúthien Tinúviel, in the twelve hundredth Year of the Trees," he said as he handed the coin back to his wife. "Perhaps, my love, thou feel the touch of the Queen long aforetime." ¹(Eglador – Luithien Seld Tor Elwë Ϸindikollo Tóril Melyanna, Doriath – Lúthien Daughter (of) King Elu Thingol (and) Queen Melian = Eglador(Land of the Elves/Doriath) + Luithien(Enchantress) + Seld(daughter) + Tor(king) + Elwë Ϸindikollo(Elu Thingol) + Tóril(queen) + Melyanna(Melian) Doriathrin, PQ, Ilkorin)
"It may be that this coin was consecrated by the Queen's touch, or it may be that 'aught within the Girdle was blessed in the noontime of the Guarded Realm," Galadriel said. "In either case, it provides options, if Álfrhestr would accept such a grace from beyond the Sundering Sea."
The horse was nodding 'aye' ere the words had died from the lady's lips.
"Then come 'nigh, Álfrhestr," Galadriel said, beckoning him to her.
When the stallion stood before the lady, she took the coin, setting it 'neath his forelock, and then covering it with her left hand. Watching her, Helluin was well convinced that she had firmly pressed the band of Nenya, invisible to most eyes, against the gold piece.
And now what? she wondered.
They had not long to wait to witness the invocation. The lady's hand emitted a brief glow of golden Light and then she withdrew. Lo, the coin had vanished and Álfrhestr's forehead sported a bright golden blaze that ran 'twixt his eyes for the length of a hand. The stallion blinked, and then to the astonishment of all gathered 'round, cocked his right hind leg and bent his neck, lowering his head in a courtly obeisance.
Helluin met Galadriel's eyes and silently asked, what enchantment hast thou wrought upon my horse?
He is now enriched, the Lady of the Galadhrim calmly replied whilst offering a grin. Oh, and I shall mention that his span should be doubled, more or less. Another half century he may enjoy with vigor, for the Ring of Adamant acts to preserve all things and I had much power to work with here. Not bad for a day's work, eh, meldis nín?
Two score and ten listening to him hatching ludicrous plots and promoting outlandish theories? Helluin asked. I pray I shall not be required to put him out of my misery the sooner.
Galadriel laughed openly at her words, and then she and Helluin watched Álfrhestr screwing up his eyes whilst trying to see his own face. Enriched, ha! the dark Noldo thought.
Taking pity on him lest he become cross-eyed e'er after, Helluin held the mirror-polished Sarchram before his face so that he could view his reflection. This he regarded critically and for some time, tilting his head to see from several angles ere he snorted and bobbed his head in approval. When he returned to the others, Bright Spark and Wind Borne examined his 'enrichment' with great interest and much approving commentary 'twixt themselves. In the meantime, being the only remaining courtier of King Thingol still residing in that land, Celeborn had taken possession of the teapot and its cache of coins.
Now thereafter, Helluin and the Rangers gave their hosts thanks for their hospitality and made their preparations to depart. They allowed the horses to rest and graze beyond the fosse whilst they returned to the pavilion to pack their belongings for travel. Helluin made a brief visit to the bathing stream to wash Húveren's saliva from her hair as Lainiel and Annuihír packed a store of waybread generously provided by the Galadhrim. Yet finally, in the third hour past noon, the trio took their leave of Caras Galadhon and returned to their steeds.
"How fare ye?" Helluin asked. "Are ye ready to take leave of the city?"
We are well and prepared to ride, Wind Borne said silently, I am glad we came hither again.
And Bright Spark added, we shall now turn our noses to our tails to our noses as we backtrack where we foretracked five years aforetime.
"Excellent," said Helluin, as she went to mount Álfrhestr.
Dost thou feel any different now? she asked him.
Not really, he admitted, though I know not what to expect of such enchantments. Perhaps the effect shall grow with time, or perhaps t'will come upon me on a sudden. I shall let thee know.
Helluin nodded to him, then cast her thought to the lord and lady, offering a farewell, 'Til next we meet mellyn nín, be well. May the stars e'er shine upon ye.
And upon thee and thy Rangers, Helluin, she heard the lady's musical voice say in her head. If thou return within his lifetime, I should very much like to see what changes came to Álfrhestr, for in truth, I know not what to expect of such enchantments.
To this, Helluin groaned and the lady chuckled ere their connection was severed.
Blessed silence at last, she thought as she turned Álfrhestr northwest and set out at a walk.
For the remainder of that afternoon they continued northwest rather than along the same more westerly path that Lainiel and Annuihír had taken from Nanduhirion when they had come from Eriador five years past. Helluin was leading them on a more direct route toward the Dwarf Road that ran north at the feet of the Misty Mountains.
The horses marked this quickly, with Bright Spark muttering, face first again so that before is no longer behind. I shall follow my nose hereafter.
By nightfall, they had ridden a dozen miles and stopped to make camp in a small meadow beside a pleasant rill that whispered soft secrets as it ran east towards Anduin. 'Twas 7 Urui, (August 7th more or less), so the weather was fine, the air warm, and they needed no fire. After Annuihír and Lainiel freed Wind Borne and Bright Spark of their saddles, they left them free to graze and drink. The shared out some of the lembas and washed it down with water from their drinking skins.
"Are we to hasten on the morrow," the prince asked, for they had ne'er broken from a walk the whole afternoon.
"Aye, on the morrow we shall ride faster," Helluin answered. "The horses had spent much of the past day and a half running the long way 'round to Caras Galadhon and so I sought to give them a bit of rest. I reckon that by the morn they shall be recovered."
"Whyfor art thou leading us north rather than going o'er the Redhorn Pass as we did when we came?" Lainiel asked.
"On my way hither I sought to close the doors of Khazad-dûm and the Caradhras Pass lies 'nigh, but now I would avoid that way in case enemies have invaded its mansions o'er the past five years," Helluin said, then muttered to herself, "and I should very much like to hear tidings from Lord Gwaihir."
The morn of 8 Urui arrived with broken clouds and the company mounted, continuing their ride northwest. They did indeed hasten, mostly alternating canter with trot, but leaving the gait and duration up to the horses. The forest of Lothlórien was wholesome and the understory oft open rather than choked with brambles so that the horses found many clear paths to tread. Húveren trotted or ran beside them, or followed his nose on short sidetracks when some scent proved interesting. In this way, they came a score and ten miles by evening and reached the verge of the trees.
The mellyrn had become sparse by that time with other species dominating, so that the margins of the forest looked much like any other healthy forest in Middle Earth. Beyond lay rolling hills that grew taller as they marched west towards the Hithaeglir. That range had come to present as a wall of grey ten miles away, crowned with white snow and brushing the clouds. Closest lay the twin arms of Fanuidhol, Cloudyhead in Westron, with the ruddy slopes of Caradhras to the south. A league west ere the hills rose lay the gently curving ribbon of the Dwarf Road, paved with pale grey and cream colored stone.
"Here 'neath the last of the trees we shall camp this night," Helluin told the Rangers, "though after we shall pass the nights without such cover. I know not what foes may wait on the heights to espy our camps 'twixt here and the High Pass."
"Are the count of Yrch renewed of late?" Annuihír asked.
"I know not for sure, but absent the Gonnhirrim, they have had few foes to limit their spread these past score and seven years," Helluin said. "Now only the Eagles watch those heights."
"So we may be assailed in the night," Lainiel said. "We shall have to maintain our guard."
"Aye, though perhaps they still fear," Helluin mused, "and absent an o'erlord in Angmar or Dol Guldur, they shall act on their own account and weigh all against their own safety, hunger, and chance for mischief."
The Rangers were not sure what the Yrch might still fear, but they were reassured that no Nazgûl had charged them to waylay anyone traveling on the road. Still, no Dark Lord had commanded them when their companies had attacked and slain King Isildur and his party at the Gladden Fields, and those swamps still lay a hundred and fifty miles north.
"Quiet we must remain this night," Annuihír softly told Húveren as the Rangers prepared their bedrolls. "Pray stay beside us."
It seemed the hound understood at least their mood if not the words. He remained 'twixt their bedrolls, snoozing silently or watchful 'twixt periods of drowsing. Annuihír and Lainiel passed a night of troubled sleep whilst Helluin kept watch on the road and the slopes to the west.
9 Urui dawned, and after quickly breaking their fast with a few mouthfuls of Elvish waybread, hard cheese, and dry sausage, the trio mounted and set out from the forest. They reached the Fihmal Tharkh¹, the Northerly Road, as the Naugrim had called it in Khuzdul, after half an hour at a canter. They looked carefully in all directions, but seeing 'naught awry, rode north, again allowing the horses to determine their gait.
It seemed that after their days in the forest, Álfrhestr, Bright Spark, and Wind Borne desired a faster pace and spent most of that day 'twixt gallop and trot as they stretched their legs. From that time forth, Húveren again rode on Annuihír's saddle for he could not keep pace with the horses during a full day. They covered 'nigh two score miles on the 9th and ended their ride by rounding the easternmost arm of Fanuidhol.
The trio had made good time, but would now encamp for the night very close to the highlands. This left none of them at ease, for if Yrch had some lair close by in the mountains, they would be a target of convenience. They walked off the pavement and found a small copse of a half-dozen hornbeam trees 'neath which to shelter. Above their greyish trunks, the branches spread wide and the foliage was dense and deep green, casting deep shadows and leaving little growing beneath. They freed the horses to forage on the far side of the copse after Helluin warned them sternly not to stray or become visible from the mountains.
Orcs? These lands crawl with orcs? Álfrhestr had asked his eyes wide with worry.
'Twas so at times in the past, Helluin told him. I left them greatly diminished, but that was o'er three decades past. More died in the last war with Angmar shortly after. Perhaps they have remained few.
I find I am little comforted, the stallion admitted ere turning away to rejoin Bright Spark and Wind Borne.
"Were ye Elves, I would recommend taking your rest above the ground," the Noldo told Lainiel and Annuihír, "but I deem that sleeping on the east side of the copse shall have to suffice. I shall keep watch from the westernmost tree."
After a meager supper of waybread, sausage, and cheese, the Rangers retired to the eastern side of the copse nearest the horses whilst Helluin climbed several fathoms up into the tree closest to the road. There she kept a careful watch through the night, hoping not to see torches, or more likely, dark figures creeping downhill. In this she was rewarded, for 'naught moved on the slopes during the hours of darkness, though she deemed this no guarantee of foes not appearing further north. After all, they were still 'nigh Khazad-dûm and warrens of Yrch had been few in the lands that had once hosted the Gonnhirrim's surface mines.
Anor's light had scarcely brightened the eastern sky when the Rangers awoke, took a bit of lembas and water and saddled their horses. Helluin climbed down after hearing their movements and called Álfrhestr. 'Twas 10 Urui.
"We have now ten score miles ahead ere we turn west to the pass," Helluin told the Rangers as they set out north in the dim morning light, "a week's ride or so, I reckon. Three days hence, we should cross the Ninglor."
It seemed that during the night, Álfrhestr had shared his concerns with the Rangers' steeds, for they spent that day and the days after in haste, covering o'er two score miles each day. In that way, the small party reached and forded the river Ninglor in the early afternoon of the 12th.
The horses continued at the same pace for the next few days, and so on the 15th, Helluin, Lainiel, and Annuihír reached the intersection whither the Northerly Road dead-ended into the Men-i-Naugrim that ran west-east from the Cirith Forn en Andrath, the High Pass from Imladris, to the Iant Iách Anduin, the Old Ford of Anduin. Anor had begun its westerly descent by then and they decided to camp for the night ere beginning the ascent into the Hithaeglir, during which they would come closer to any enemies that might lurk 'nigh the pass.
Ye have made good time, Helluin said to the horses in praise, and we have spent two fewer days in jeopardy by the swiftness of your hooves. Ye have my thanks.
We are glad to be early rather than late, Wind Borne said, and save two days upon which we have been neither slain nor eaten.
Or both, Bright Spark added.
So have we reached safety then? Álfrhestr asked.
I reckon we shall not be truly safe 'til we reach Imladris, Helluin answered, but I sincerely hope that the lack of foes so far betides a lack of foes hereafter.
The horses nodded, unconvinced, but hopeful. At least they had not been slain or eaten…yet.
Helluin was reminded of the rumor of a populous Yrch warren that some she had questioned had called Kapul Utot, 'Goblin Town'. During her years as the Ghâshgûl, Helluin had ne'er extended her slaughter north of the High Pass and so had not taken that stronghold's measure. Now she knew not whether 'twas still a threat or whether its denizens had been conscripted by Tindomul and marched to their deaths in Angmar. Again, she wished for the counsel of Gwaihir or at least the skin-changing settlers of Berlun's kindred. Yet the lands of the Vale of Anduin were wide and sparsely populated and they had met none 'nigh the Dwarf Road. As the land fell into darkness, Helluin sighed. 'Twas 'naught to be done for it and absent any evidence of threat, they would proceed upon the morrow.
Four days Helluin anticipated spending in the pass, or at least it had been so when she had come west riding Red. On that trip, she had not ridden in haste and she expected the two Rangers to equal her pace as none were afoot. The Noldo fully intended to be in Imladris by the night of the 19th, and another week or so after would bring them to Celenhár. A grin shaped her lips as she realized that Annuihír and Lainiel would be home in time to help with the harvest.
Now the night of the 15th passed without incident. Despite her sharp eyes, Helluin marked no movement on the heights so far as she could see. This she took as a good omen and when the 16th dawned, she was encouraged.
"The pass has existed since the Westward Journey of my people. Later, the Gonnhirrim of Khazad-dûm connected it with their own roads. In the days after Imladris was founded, 'twas mapped and improved further still," she told the Rangers as they prepared to ride. "Then, in the days of the Last Alliance, Elendil had much engineering done for the passage of his arms ere the armies of the west crossed the mountains into the Vale of Anduin. In spite of the two thousand years of weathering since, the pass was still in good shape when I traveled it in 2003."
Lainiel and Annuihír nodded, acknowledging her words. Though they had known of the High Pass all their lives, they knew none of their own people who had traveled it. T'would be another first of which they could give tidings on their return home.
They rode west from the meeting of the roads, past stands of red and black pines, cedars, and an occasional oak whilst the tall grass of the river vale gave way. The road ascended an e'er-increasing grade, and slowly the vista opened 'round them. At noon, they could look back from an altitude of a thousand feet to see the ribbon of the road leading south to Nanduhirion and east toward Anduin. Whilst the Rangers ogled the view of the lowlands, Helluin kept a sharp eye on the highlands ahead. Ere they stayed their ride at nightfall, they had climbed to three thousand feet and covered a score miles. For the first time, they felt a chill breeze after sunset, rolling down from the snow-capped heights after day-warmed air no longer held it at bay.
Annuihír and Lainiel spent the night shivering in their cloaks with Húveren whilst the horses carped about the poor fodder. They were all too eager to be on their way as soon as dawn lit the sky, not even pausing for an actual morning meal, but rather choosing to nibble on lembas whilst in the saddle.
17 Urui passed as Helluin, Lainiel, and Annuihír ascended the east side of the pass. The road soon turned to switchbacks as the grade increased and they zigzagged their way upslope through the day. Their pace slowed, the air grew colder, and the wind constant. The pines and other trees were stunted, wind-blown, and then failed altogether as they crossed the tree line 'round eight thousand feet, leaving 'naught but low sedges, coarse grasses, saxifrages, and heathers. Soon, crusts of lichens ranging from grey-green to mustard yellow clung to the bare rock surfaces of boulders and cliffs.
In the late afternoon, they passed what looked to be the junction with another trail, much poorer as it had not enjoyed the benefit of grading or paving in the past. It arrived from lower elevations whilst their own path led higher. Húveren had sniffed the ground and a low growl came from his throat. This the Noldo marked and she was loath to ignore his keen sense of smell.
What mark thou, my friend? she asked after catching his eyes.
Foul smells, old and faint now, he said.
So none of late left behind such scents?
Nay. I reckon many seasons have come and gone since the last, Húveren said.
Thou hast my thanks, my friend, Helluin said, accompanying her words with a smile.
"Whither goes yonder path, Helluin? Annuihír asked.
"It and several others lead down to the Cold Fells north of Imladris," she said. "Some are little more than game paths and others were hunters' paths used by the Rhudaurim and the Hill Men of old. The Elves shun them, as they are oft times hedged by warrens of Yrch, or were so in the past. In the time of the Last Alliance, Gil-Galad, Elrond, and Elendil knew of Sauron's plots to waylay their armies and chose to improve the way most direct and least hospitable to the Yrch."
"Huh. Of these tidings we have no knowledge," Lainiel said, looking off to the north where the alternate route wound out of sight into a bay beyond an intervening promontory. "Of old they deemed the cold and altitude daunting to Sauron's creatures?"
"Aye, 'twas just so. And the higher the ground, the more easily subject to the o'ersight of the Eagles," Helluin said.
They spent the night of the 17th camped alongside an o'erhanging cliff face that served as a windbreak and huddled there with Húveren and their horses. They had come eighteen miles since their last camp, but had ascended to 'round nine thousand feet. Ere the land fell into darkness, Lainiel and Annuihír had stared off to the east where now their view encompassed a horizon of 'nigh a hundred and fifteen miles. In the far distance, barely discernable to their mortal eyes, golden light flickered in reflections from Anduin. 'Round the river, the lowlands fell into shadow and were finally lost in the dark.
Why does all seem so small? The hound asked the Noldo when he caught her glance.
The distance makes it seem so, for the river valley lies two days behind us now and far below, Helluin answered, wondering if his further conclusions would be as strange as Red's had been.
I believe I understand, Húveren said, for I can no longer smell it.
On the 18th, Helluin's party continued west, but now, after a short ascent in the early hours, they passed most of the day wending their way amongst the cliffside trails with sickening precipices dropping into 'naught on the opposite side. They had reached the highest ground in the pass after which the altitude changed little during the course of the day. Here Annuihír allowed Húveren to walk beside Wind Borne and he spent much time scenting the trail, though he found little spoor for creatures were few. They came a score miles and towards evening the hound stilled, pointing to another trail that branched off downslope and to the right through a narrow cleft in the cliff face. Helluin dismounted and came to stand beside him, looking down into the dark defile. Finally, she met his eyes.
What scent thou, my friend? she asked.
Foul smells akin to those I smelt aforetime, but these are new, left within the past couple days, he reported. 'Tis the mark of evil, is it not?
Thy nose is finer than mine, my friend, for I smell 'naught, but I see tracks of iron-shod feet moving with uneven gait, she said. With her toe she indicated boot prints in a patch of loose grit and said aloud whilst he was looking away at the tracks, "three came, stood hither, and then returned whence they had come. I am well 'nigh certain they were goblins."
At her words, Annuihír and Lainiel dismounted and came to stand beside them. They too read the tracks and then shared a worried look as they eyed their lengthening shadows. Anor had already fallen behind the further peaks and twilight was upon them.
"We cannot go far ere darkness falls," Annuihír said, speaking their concerns.
"Nor can we linger 'nigh," added Lainiel.
"'Tis too late for flight to any real safety, that I agree with, therefore the only alternative is to scout our foe, take their measure, and perhaps attack," Helluin said, prompting looks of disbelief from the Rangers. "This ravine is too narrow for horses, so it falls to ye to shepherd them away as far as daylight shall allow, Húveren, Álfrhestr, and your own steeds."
"We are loath to leave thee to face the Yrch alone," Lainiel said, crossing her arms o'er her chest.
Beside her, Annuihír nodded in agreement and added, "Surely t'will be better to stand three together rather than one alone."
Helluin looked them in the eyes and sighed. If the situation had been different, they might have had a point.
"We know not their count, the distance to their lair, or what they seek in these heights," she said. "We have seen 'naught of them and they have left no scent 'til now, and so I reckon we have the advantage of surprise, for I wager they suspect us not.
Rangers though ye be, of us all I am best trained to stealth and the most likely to scout our foes undetected. Last, mark this ravine. A dozen fathoms long, the walls higher, and so narrow that one alone might successfully oppose many if battle should be offered. I would not hesitate to hold this position against several hundred, knowing they must come against me one at a time, yet even then, I would need hold only 'til daylight, should they not flee me ere then.
I bid ye take our friends to safety, even if just a mile. Pray go thither and then await me. My memories tell of no other such places, so I do not fear ye being flanked. And if arms are raised, ye shall soon hear it."
Though all their instincts screamed against it, the Dúnedain knew 'naught to gainsay Helluin's arguments. They had to acknowledge that she was the most proficient at stealth, and if she had to waylay the defile singlehanded, she could maintain combat as long as necessary. Finally, in a grim silence, Lainiel nodded her acquiescence and Annuihír turned to the horses, beckoning Húveren to follow.
"Pray do not die on us, Helluin, or we shall be lost fore'er in these mountains without a guide," Lainiel finally huffed.
Huh? Is someone dying? Álfrhestr asked in alarm as he sought the Noldo's eyes.
Helluin groaned and shook her head.
Nay, no one is dying, for crying aloud, she silently said to all three horses. "Maybe later…"
Oh, good. I should very much dislike being lost fore'er in these mountains, he replied.
Helluin rolled her eyes at that, then pulled her travel bag o'er her shoulder, took her bow in hand, and marched off down the ravine. If 'aught was true, she found the passage tighter than the Nargil Pass. The walls rose vertically for seventy-odd feet above a bed of sand and scree or bare rock. She could reach out and comfortably span the distance 'twixt them with her hands. Indeed 'twas so narrow that there was barely any breeze within those confines. With twilight falling, the defile was cast wholly into shadow and she reckoned that after nightfall, t'would be dark as a mine.
In silence whilst hugging the left-hand wall, Helluin advanced with her bow held out ahead, an arrow notched on the string. She heard 'naught of any others, but remained vigilant for the least tell-tale sound or movement. The same dimming light illuminated both ends of the ravine and such a backlight would reveal any presence ahead, providing a target. Yet none appeared and after a few minutes, Helluin peeked out into a small amphitheater wherein a trickle of melt water ran down a rock wall and 'cross the stony floor.
The same tall cliffs hemmed in three sides of that dell from which boulders had calved to lie strewn at their feet. The fourth side was a precipice offering a dimming view of distant mountains and valleys to the north. Helluin emerged from the ravine in the southern wall, marking that the eastern wall hosted the maw of a foul tunnel about whose entrance lay some bones and heaps of unnamable filth. 'Twas a Yrch warren if e'er she had seen one and perhaps the only good was that the dell lay deserted and the tunnel entrance remained silent.
Swiftly, the Noldo made her way to the entrance of the tunnel. The darkness within was unremitting, for no torches burnt there and the silence told that none tread within. Having no other options, Helluin entered, finding the expected downhill slope of rough-hewn rock and uneven floor. She continued to hear 'naught 'til she turned a sharp, left-hand bend after what she reckoned to be about half a furlong. Then the faint susurration of many voices came to her ears. Distance and reverberation made any words impossible to discern, save that their timbre, guttural and harsh as grating stone, told of the language being Orkish. Helluin replaced her arrow, slung her bow, and drew Anguirél.
Deeming that any occupants lay well ahead, the Noldo proceeded faster, silently striding down the deserted tunnel at a normal walking pace. Thus, o'er the next furlong, she turned several more corners, noting that at each, the volume of the voices increased. At each, she reassessed her reckoning of the distance, deeming the Yrch closer with each corner she turned. Finally, having come 'nigh four furlongs, Helluin rounded a last turn and found the ruddy flickering of firelight dancing on the walls of what was the exit of the passage into a larger chamber. Now she crept forward in stealth, pressed flat against the tunnel wall.
When the Noldo came to the end, she stood immobile for several moments, listening only. The voices were distinct now, definitely Yrch, and all muttering at the same time as is their nature. No voice seemed predominant and if some captain held sway, he spoke not in command. Her best guess made their count several dozens or more if some remained silent.
Slowly, Helluin leant forward, allowing one eye to view the scene. Before her lay a natural cave, far vaster in size than she had expected. The light came from many fires spread 'cross the floor 'round which small groups clustered. This cavern was far longer than wide and continued off into darkness ere any far wall could be discerned. The entrances of several passages pierced the walls, leading off in all four directions. She deemed this space a guard chamber, being closest to what was likely regarded as a minor entrance to an extensive lair. 'Twas certainly old and too extensive to have come into being recently.
Perhaps on Sauron's orders, the Yrch had hewn an exit to their cavern long ago with the aim of waylaying and assailing Elendil's engineers as they made improvements to the High Pass. Yet when the armies had marched, their numbers had cowed the Yrch and they had not attacked the host. Thereafter, travelers had been few and came only at irregular times. There had been little profit in keeping watch from the exit she had entered, and so 'twas likely not regularly patrolled. Because of this company's vigilance, no invaders would come to the greater lair unmarked. Alarms would be raised by this outpost and a battle fought, with reinforcements soon to arrive.
All this the Noldo took in at a glance, and then she slowly edged back out of sight. Helluin could not have known that she stood at one of the many entrances to the vast delvings of ancient Kapul Utot that stretched for miles in all directions, deep 'neath the Hithaeglir. She could not know that for Ages, 'Goblin Town' had been ruled by a succession of kings who at times paid lip service to Sauron, but ruled their realm mostly in isolation. From the heights of the pass to the very roots of the mountains, tunnels and chambers riddled this region of the Misty Mountains, so numerous and so old that most had been forgotten. Not even the king knew the true extent of his realm, nor all the creatures that inhabited its nether regions.
One thing that Helluin did know after her brief glance into the cavern; a communal stew pot sat on a bed of dying embers, heated, but not even to simmering, and that it stood 'neath a smoke hole in the ceiling closer to the entrance tunnel than any of the clusters of Yrch. The pot was of cast iron and could have held a horse. Whate'er actually lay 'neath the surface of its watery contents, she did not wish to know. The Noldo had to stifle a bark of laughter, imagining the uproar she would cause.
Vrasulûk, she whispered, kill them all.
The Yrch understood not that deep shadows and flickering firelight were perfect for an approach with Laiquendi stealth. Only full darkness would have been better. Whilst the small groups of Orcs endured each other's company 'round their fires, Helluin advanced into the cavern. With wavering motions, she clove to the shadows, moving as an insubstantial flicker of darkness 'cross the floor. She reached the stewpot unmarked and there drew forth a stoppered flask from her travel bag. From it, she dispensed a couple tablespoons of the venom she had milked from the fang of Ungolúróg and let it splash into the foul soup. She gave the pot a couple stirs with the long-handled ladle that rested against the rim and then withdrew leaving none the wiser.
The Noldo returned to the tunnel whence she had come, waited thither 'til she saw an Orch retrieve a bowl of soup, and then made her way back up towards the surface. During all that time, she listened for any uproar, but heard 'naught ere she reached the surface. There, she exited the tunnel and walked swiftly to the defile. Helluin retreated halfway through the narrow ravine ere turning to hold a defensive position in case any should come forth in pursuit.
She was still waiting there when the light of dawn illuminated that constricted way, brightening the mountain trail behind her and the amphitheater at the far end. Deeming that none would follow her now when it would mean marching out into full daylight, she turned and walked back to the pass. There she found her friends' tracks and followed them for a mile 'til she saw Lainiel and Annuihír standing beside the horses, awaiting her return. She waved and saw then heave sighs of relief, then Húveren charged forward to greet her. Happy as he was to see her, he grimaced at the scents that clung to her fingers.
"I reckon we should not tarry, for though I expect no pursuit, we have 'naught to gain by lingering on these heights," she said.
"And what didst thou find?" Annuihír asked, giving voice to their curiosity.
"As expected, a warren of Yrch lay at the end of a tunnel opening into a high dell surrounded by cliffs at the far end of the defile," she reported. "I made their count half a hundred, but the cavern extended beyond sight and side tunnels branched from it. I deem it but a guard outpost of a larger lair whose size none may guess."
"So thou deem we are not in danger?" Lainiel asked.
"I deem we shall be safe. I adulterated their food and they shall be wholly occupied with their digestive constitution hereafter," Helluin said, recalling Steward Vorondil and his obsessive diet of beef.
The Dúnedain eyed her critically, but she offered no further comment.
I am glad to see thou art not dead, Álfrhestr said in greeting, and we shall not be lost for all time in these highlands.
Thy sentiments are much appreciated, Helluin replied. Shall we take our leave?
Aye, and none too soon, he said as she mounted.
Helluin set out on Álfrhestr and the Rangers had little choice but to mount and follow. They continued through that day, 19 Urui, following the trail amongst the cliffs and precipices of the High Pass. Surrounding them were vistas of the mountains, stretching off peak after peak, to the north and south. Dramatic as they were, such views soon became tiresome and unwelcome and they longed for trees and fields, good fodder and open water. The air was e'er cold and a chill breeze constant, but no worse, for they encountered no storms. In the evening, the way began to descend, and by then they had put a score miles 'twixt themselves and the den of Yrch.
"On the morrow we shall leave this pass," Helluin told the Rangers at that night's camp and marked their sighs of relief. "Perhaps we shall spend tomorrow night in Imladris."
'Twas only as Anor's light waned that Helluin marked the dark speck of an Eagle riding the high airs above. She offered a wave of her hand and saw the great raptor wobble as he bobbed his wings in reply, then come spiraling down towards their position. The Noldo managed to scramble up a low cliff face to await him upon a narrow ridge as Lainiel and Annuihír watched from 'neath her. The horses clustered in rising alarm as his size became apparent. Then they tried to hide behind each other and the Rangers, a ludicrous scene that left Helluin chuckling as she looked down on them.
Now the Eagle alighted with outstretched talons after stalling his flight and dropping the last few fathoms to alight before the Noldo. Helluin offered him a bow, marking that 'twas her hungry friend Meneldor.
"Suilaid nín, Lord Meneldor," she said, "I am glad to meet thee."
"Helluin Mórgolodh, I see thou hast brought me a meal," he said straightaway, regarding the Rangers and their horses first with one eye and then the other.
Helluin groaned as Annuihír and Lainiel looked up to them in alarm and the horses lost their water.
'They are not for eating," she told him in exasperation. "Lord Meneldor, Lieutenant of Gwaihir the Windlord, pray greet Prince Annuihír, heir of King Gwíthír of the Middle Men of Eriador, and Lady Lainiel, heiress of Brennil, Lady of the First House of the Atani, our horses, and Húveren, hound of the royal house of Celenhár."
Meneldor looked Helluin in the eyes and offered a sigh of disappointment ere silently muttering, Yrch again, I suppose. Very well.
Then he dipped his head to the prince and princess and greeted them as royalty.
"'Tis my honor to meet ye, Your Highnesses, on behalf of myself and my lord, Gwaihir."
The Rangers returned his greeting with bows, but declined to yell their salutations up from the bottom of the cliff. With protocol satisfied, the Eagle turned back to Helluin to trade tidings.
"Had ye not already passed the majority of the highlands, I would have warned thee of a den of Orcs that appear from time to time out of a ravine a day's ride east," he said.
To his belated warning, Helluin nodded in appreciation and said, "Of those I have taken the measure early this morning past. I entered their cavern and deem it a guard post for that entrance, but I reckon it also a branch of some larger warren. I came amongst them and poisoned their soup pot so I would warn thee to eat not of any that appear sick."
"Oh, this is good to know and I shall warn Landroval and Gwaihir and the rest to eat from other establishments for a time," he said, then looked off to the east and said, "Perhaps I shall have mutton on the morrow, or a two-headed calf of beef."
"Uh-huh," said Helluin, feeling sympathy for the skin-changing settlers and Aiwendil who would be providing the meals. "Know thou 'aught of other actions amongst the Yrch or any other enemies?"
"We have slain several companies in the long valley behind Fanuidhol o'er the past few years, but 'naught else of remark," he said, "just a tidbit here and a tidbit there."
"I have wondered if thou or thy kin have marked 'aught of a search conducted by the Enemy's troops in the Vale of Anduin?" she asked.
Meneldor turned his head from side to side, again regarding her with one eye and then the other ere looking her straight in the face again.
"Of course," he declared as if bored with old news, "they have been at it off and on for two thousand years, e'er seeking for his Ring. E'eryone knows that."
"I did not know of it," she huffed. "Celeborn and Galadriel do not know of it."
Meneldor shrugged, hunching his shoulders momentarily and shaking his head.
"But they are Wise. Surely they would know," he said, giving a laudable impression of astonishment. When Helluin only gaped at him, he added, "Ere thou drove Tindomul from Dol Guldur, we would snatch up whole companies and drop them from several thousand feet onto the Carrock or that eyot north of the Gladden Fields. 'Twas sport amongst us."
Whilst she had no sympathy for the Yrch, Helluin was irritated that all the Eagles had long known of Sauron's search for the Ring and they had said 'naught. Still, she could see no profit in upbraiding him for it now and so she swallowed her aggravation and only asked, "Hast thou 'aught else to tell that may be news to the less informed?"
"Only that those in Celenhár have looked to the return of thy prince and lady since their leave-taking."
"In that, they shall soon be rewarded," Helluin said. "To that end, I suppose we should be on our way."
"Very well, Helluin Maeg-mórmenel," Meneldor replied. "Then I shall wish ye safe passage through the mountains and a joyous arrival home. My thanks for thy warning to avoid sick Yrch here'bouts."
Helluin offered the Eagle a bow and said, "My thanks for thy tidings, Lord Meneldor, may Manwë favor thee with fair winds and sunshine."
She squinted to avoid the dust thrown up as he flapped frantically to gain altitude when he cast himself from the ridge and back into the air. He turned and headed south, rapidly dwindling to a tiny dark speck. Helluin clambered down the cliff face to rejoin her party on the trail.
"Learnt thou 'aught of value from Lord Meneldor?" Lainiel asked when she had returned.
"Only that Yrch are sometimes seen a day's ride east, your return to Celenhár is awaited, and that the Eagles have known all along that Sauron's minions seek 'nigh Anduin for his Ring," she said as she mounted Álfrhestr. "Come, let us ride a bit further ere camping for the night."
The wound up riding only another third part of an hour and covering an added mile ere darkness fell, but that mile brought them 'round an arm of a mountain and revealed a vista of the lowlands of the west spreading out into the last gloaming. At their feet lay the southern Cold Fells of Rhudaur, and somewhere in one of the deep river riven valleys, the pleasant realm of Imladris. 'Twas the most welcome sight that they had seen in days and all were impatient for the dawn.
The 20th began with Helluin and the Rangers mounted and on their way ere Anor showed her face o'er the distant forest of Mirkwood. The trail turned downhill, first by switchbacks and then in long swinging arcs as the miles passed. Soon they entered a forest of evergreens that rose to tower o'er their path. They followed the contours of the last promontories of the Hithaeglir and then dropped into the foothills. By late afternoon, the vegetation had grown scrubbier and their way less sure for they were crossing the sometimes treacherous broken lands northeast of the Hidden Valley. Though they were forced to ford several streams, their way was ne'er in doubt, and so in the early evening, they descended the eastern wall into Rivendell.
Helluin and the Rangers continued onward after dark fell, for these lands were so familiar to the Noldo that she could have traveled them blindfolded. Húveren happily ran to and fro, sniffing out trails none of the others could see. The horses stared 'round at the wealth of growing fodder whilst Lainiel and Annuihír breathed sighs of relief. They felt again that their spirits were cloaked within a well-being that they had known from many visits in their youth, the wholesomeness that came of the power of Vilya.
Two hours after sunset, they were following a path along a watercourse in the bottomlands and there before them stood Lindir. He greeted them with a bow.
"Mae govannen, Helluin, Lord Annuihír, Lady Lainiel," he said. "Many shall rejoice at your homecoming. Come, the Lord Elrond awaits ye."
Helluin eyed the Peredhel's seneschal critically. He seemed somewhat less jovial than could be expected for the arrival of esteemed friends and guests. She met his eyes and sensed his apprehension.
What now, pray tell, meldir nín? she asked silently.
Rather than receiving an actual answer, Lindir subtly shook his head 'nay' and told her, 'tis not my part to say.
Helluin groaned, for Lindir knew much of his lord's concerns and his evasion was unsettling.
Perhaps I should have remained in that den of Yrch rather than poisoning their soup and taking my leave, she silently muttered to herself.
To Be Continued