In An Age Before – Part 253
Helluin and Álfrhestr left Celenhár the next morn, that being 26 Urui. Ere taking to the road, the Noldo had 'spoken' with the stallion about their pending travels.
Our stay has been short, yet I wager our next destination shall be of particular interest to thee, she had told him as he chewed a mouthful of grass in a paddock outside the Ranger stables.
Oh? How so, Helluin? Thus far well 'nigh all our destinations have been new to me and therefore of particular interest.
All that is true, Álfrhestr, yet we shall begin by retracing our steps to cross the High Pass, this time heading east, so I suppose thy nose shall become thy tail for a while.
The stallion nodded to her in agreement since he would be able to see whence he had come without looking o'er his shoulder. T'would be one of the rare times that their way would be familiar, at least for a while.
And shall we go anywhere beyond the pass, Helluin?
Indeed so. We are to ford the river Anduin and then make a visit to an old friend who dwells somewhat north, off the Dwarf Road that passes through Greenwood Forest.
Would that be the same forest that grew east of Suꝺriborg?
The very same, Álfrhestr, and though my friend dwells north of Suꝺriborg, we shall ride south thereafter and return to the place where we met.
So then, t'will be as if none of our adventures e'er happened? he asked with his peculiar logic, though at least this notion Helluin had expected.
Nay, she said, all that has come to pass shall still exist, for whereas aforetime we left Suꝺriborg heading south, now we shall arrive at Suꝺriborg from the north.
Thereby having encircled all of the world! he proclaimed with great excitement, prancing a few steps in anticipation. That conclusion Helluin had not expected, but rather than engage further, she allowed him the last word, glad that they were not being o'erheard in Lothlórien.
Álfrhestr proved eager to circumnavigate Arda and so pushed himself forward at a great pace, galloping for much of the time and trotting to recover. In doing so, they covered the fifty-odd miles from Celenhár to the inn at the Great East Road on their first day. They had thereby saved a half-day of travel. Helluin rewarded his effort with a night in the stable where the stallion would have a stall out of the weather with both sweet hay and oats. She indulged herself in a room at the inn and 'twas well, for they both escaped a brief but heavy downpour during the night.
On the 27th, they found the world washed clean, with water dampening the ground and droplets glistening on the leaves. Whate'er front had brought the rain had blown through ere dawn, and by the time they took their leave of the inn, the sky was populated with fair weather clouds puffing their way 'cross the heavens on a cool easterly breeze rolling down from the Hithaeglir.
Is my tail correct in assuming our next stop shall be Imladris? Álfrhestr asked.
Aye, our noses shall follow thy tail's wisdom to the Hidden Valley this day, Helluin said, accepting the sagacity of her horse's ass.
Again, it seemed that Álfrhestr was determined to make haste, for he took off down the road at a gallop. After a couple hours they blew past a patrol of a dozen Rangers of Rhudaur who leapt out of the way and barely had time to acknowledge Helluin's wave ere they were lost 'round a bend. By noon, they had come a score and five miles, halfway to the Ford of Bruinen. There they stayed their ride for Helluin's midday meal and for Álfrhestr to graze and drink.
I am impressed with thy haste, Álfrhestr, Helluin said 'round a mouthful of lembas.
Having become familiar with this bit of land aforetime, I am eager to see new lands that I have not, he said, and so the sooner to the Dwarf Road and the Ford of Anduin, the better.
As I have no pending concerns on this side of the mountains, I agree, Helluin said. We may take our leave at thy convenience.
Then let us be away. As I recall, the grass is greener on the other side of the Bruinen and the water is sweet in the valley.
They resumed their ride and by evening, had come to the narrow cutting 'twixt the red cliffs that led down to the Bruinen. Helluin could not recall having e'er come thither from Celenhár in but two days, even whilst riding Barq. O'er the past five years, the young stallion had gained greatly in stamina since she had first ridden him south from Suꝺriborg to the North Undeep. Or perhaps, Helluin wondered, could it be because he had of late been enriched?
Álfrhestr paused midstream at the ford and drink a few mouthfuls.
Not bad, but not as good as it gets, he muttered, ere trotting to the far side of the ford and then lunging up the bank onto the trail leading into the Hidden Valley. There he broke into a canter and well 'nigh ran o'er Lindir who was hurrying to meet them. The ellon leapt aside in surprise.
"Thy pardon, meldir nín, we have been making haste from Celenhár," Helluin told him.
"Welcome, Helluin," Lindir replied whilst casting a worried glance to the ford whence they had come, "art thou pursued?"
"Nay, save by the anticipation of my horse that follows his tail to thy fine pasturage."
The Peredhel's seneschal stood a moment, wrestling to make sense of her words.
"And thou bear no tidings of disaster? No wars or plagues that have taken us at unawares?"
"Nay, not at present…maybe next time," Helluin said with a grin. "For now I am but passing through on my way o'er yonder mountains. I shall be away in the morn."
"I see," Lindir said. "Shall the mountains not remain for some time? Ne'ermind. I shan't stay thee. Pray greet Lord Elrond if thou hast a moment."
"I shall do so straightaway, my friend," Helluin said, then gave Álfrhestr his head, for he was pawing the ground in irritation at their delay.
After continuing at a canter, they came to the stables where Álfrhestr led the groom to a stall. Helluin watched 'til they walked out of view, and then she made her way to Elrond's study. A breathless Lindir had arrived barely a moment earlier and simply announced her.
"My Lord Elrond, here is Helluin Maeg-móremenel, hastening to the High Pass on behalf of her horse's tail and lacking any tidings of catastrophe."
He then bowed and withdrew, shaking his head at what he had said. The Peredhel raised a brow in question at Lindir's rather peculiar introduction. Helluin shrugged and took a seat before his desk.
"Álfrhestr was eager for the high quality fodder grown in thy valley, so we encountered Lindir whilst at a canter. 'Twas a close miss, but I am still devoid of any tidings of calamity."
"So thou art not being run out of Eriador?" he asked with the shadow of a grin shaping his lips.
"Nay, not as yet. All was admirably civil in Celenhár with forbearance of the lash and pillory. Lainiel and Annuihír's parents were so relieved to see them safely returned that they were forgiven for going truant. Chieftain Aranarth busted them from captains of the South to trainees of the North and set them to aid in the harvest. In all, I deem they have lost a year or two of creditable service as common Rangers, but no worse."
"So thou would say they have learnt a valuable lesson?"
"I deem it so, for they were sufficiently wracked with guilt upon our arrival that the clemency of their parents was received with heartfelt love and thanksgiving. I wager they shall not repeat their offenses."
"T'would seem then that all is well in Celenhár," Elrond concluded.
"I believe so," said Helluin. "Even the Laiquendi were glad for Annuihír and Lainiel's return. I met a trio of their scouts who were marching to report that event."
The Peredhel nodded, satisfied that the hearts of his distant kin and mortal neighbors were again at peace.
"So thou shalt now take up that watch of which we spoke?" he asked.
"Aye. I hope to find Aiwendil in Rhosgobel, as he was not upon my last visit," she said, "and thereafter I shall return to Suꝺriborg, a deserted fortress of the Éothéod whence Álfrhestr came and whither I shall make my camp."
"Whither lies this fortress of Suꝺriborg, Helluin?" Elrond asked.
"'Tis some forty leagues north of Dol Guldur and ten leagues from the east bank of Anduin, close enough to allow access, and far enough for a measure of safety. In the time when I went to Tower of Sorcery with Prince Fram, 'twas his peoples' southernmost stronghold."
The Peredhel nodded, no doubt memorizing the directions. Helluin imagined that 'Suꝺriborg' would soon appear on maps of the Vale of Anduin in the library of Imladris.
Thereafter they had little more to discuss as there were no tidings of cataclysms or tragedies, and being evening, they adjourned and made their way to the Hall of Feasting. There they joined the household in the evening meal. Helluin found that her old friend Galadhon of the House of the Tree, whom she had known from Gondolin, was seated just down the table, and she beckoned him o'er to join herself and the Lord Elrond. He slid his dishes and mug down and greeted them with a smile.
"My Lord Elrond," he said, offering a dip of his head, "Helluin, 'tis a joy to meet thee in better times."
"And I rejoice to meet thee, my old friend," Helluin replied. "I hope the days of peace have treated thee well."
"Peace is e'er welcome of course," he said, "and so I have become a farmer…of trees."
"That is unexpected. Whyfor hast thou taken on such a task?
"Of course, the valley has many trees of all kinds, yet I find myself loath to see them cut," Galadhon said. "Once the deadfall was used up centuries ago, we were left with no options but to fell those still sound. It seemed a waste, and one day, the toll shall be visible in stumps and voids in the canopy, and perhaps even whole tracts of land denuded. The very thought left me rest-less. Therefore I took to planting those kinds regularly needed, hickory and alder for the smokehouse, oak, pine, and fir for building, apple, pecan, cherry, and hazel for their nuts and fruit, and walnut, maple, birch, and ash for cabinets and furniture."
Helluin regarded him with astonishment. Not since Tar-Aldarion of Númenor had she heard of anyone planting trees extensively with an eye to their harvesting. Of course, none in Imladris engaged in shipbuilding, but any sizable settlement had many needs for wood.
"I am impressed, meldir nín," she said. "Think thou that thy plantings shall prove sufficient?"
"In truth, I am not sure. The population of the valley grows but slowly and so too its needs, so perhaps. Still, I plant more. In Gondolin, we were e'er more concerned with warfare, eh? Yet now I am more concerned with preserving the beauty I see all 'round me. I suppose that I simply love trees."
He laughed at that, for though he had been one of the most forward at arms in his Lord Galdor's service, that had been many thousands of years aforetime and much had changed since.
"So what of thee, Helluin? Whither art thou bound? We have heard of thy sojourn in Gondor," he said, "and the tidings of many events. Wilt thou remain here with us a while?"
"Nay, I shall not," said Helluin. "I am bound for the Vale of Anduin, for I have learnt that Sauron and his servants long sought for his lost Ring along the banks of Anduin. I intend to keep watch on those lands 'twixt the river and the forest, and with the aid of friends, perhaps discover if that search continues and then thwart it if I can."
The ellon's eyes widened in concern at her declaration. The notion of Sauron recovering the One Ring set a roiling in his gut, as of something eaten and not agreeing with his digestion. And for Galadhon, there were other possibilities.
"When we sought thee in the Hithaeglir in 1974, I looked out 'cross the river to the rumor of distant Greenwood and recalled it from the march south to Dagorlad in an Age before. For all that I traveled its length then, ne'er did I set foot in that greatest of remaining forests. I promised myself that I would do so one day. Now thou art going thither. I long to stand amidst the trees of such an ancient wood and sense the memories and the passing years it hath seen."
"'Tis indeed the repository of much memory, meldir nín. Whilst wandering thither, I have felt the weight of time and revisited the starlit journey of my youth. I only wish that thou could have come thither whilst Lord Oldbark and the Onodrim still ruled that realm," Helluin said.
Galadhon sighed, and for a while, his eyes were turned within. Long ago, he too had walked with the Host of Finwë as they followed Oromë into the West. Slowly, a grin shaped his lips.
"Helluin, if thou hast no objections, I would like to join thee, at least for a part of thy journey," he said.
"The road is free to all and I would enjoy having thy company upon it," she replied. "I am to leave in the morn. Hast thou a horse? Canst thou be ready to depart on the morrow?"
He smiled and nodded 'aye'.
On 27 Urui, Helluin and Galadhon set out from Imladris. Being a farmer of trees, he feared not for his crops. They could take decades to mature and so he deemed he had time. Those who had aided him would plant the remaining seedlings in the spring. The ellon had brought both his sword and his studded club, for though he sought no battles, these weapons had become as second nature to bear and after o'er five thousand years, he could conceive of traveling abroad nowhere without them.
As they made their way up the east wall of the Hidden Valley and onto the ascending trail to the pass, they shared much conversation and indeed Helluin was thankful to have his company. Álfrhestr and Galadhon's horse Erynroch¹ also shared many tales and observations. Alas, the subjects of their conversation were not recorded. ¹(Erynroch, Forest Horse = eryn(forest) + roch(horse) Sindarin)
Helluin and Galadhon spent three days in the pass, and there was but one occurrence worthy of remark. In the morn of their second day, that being 28 Urui, they were assailed by a stench most foul, of rotting blood and decomposing meat. That malodor increased 'til even the horses breathed through their mouths. At its worst, it became obvious that it wafted from the narrow defile that led to the Yrch lair. Ere they could pass it, both of the Elves' eyes were watering. They were forced to choke back their gorge and clench tight their teeth lest they retch. Yet fortune was with them, for the same easterly breeze that had provided their torment whilst to the west, carried the reek away once they were to the east.
After hearing her explanation, Galadhon muttered that they smelt worse than carcasses slain in combat. Helluin had wished that she could have withstood that miasma long enough to somehow block up the cave entrance and force it to spread within the Yrch lair rather than be liberated into the outer world. The horses simply wanted to be away and hastened their walking pace as much as they could whilst still ensuring their footing. In the end, they passed by safely with 'naught more than some new and disgusting memories to bear hence.
Now in the afternoon of 30 Urui they descended from the High Pass and came to the Men-i-Naugrim that led east to the Ford of Anduin and Greenwood Forest. In deference to prudence, they continued riding 'til dark ere setting their camp five leagues east of the foothills. There they hoped to be safe from any opportunistic assault by Yrch from the Hithaeglir.
With the dawn of 1 Ivanneth, Helluin and Galadhon continued east, and their horses galloped much of the way, for it seemed that Álfrhestr had conveyed his desire for haste and Erynroch had concurred. The road was well paved and after two score miles, the ford lay ahead. They crossed as twilight began to deepen the shadows. The two old friends again rode 'til full dark and made their camp a dozen miles east of Anduin.
"I reckon that on the morrow we shall come to Rhosgobel, home of Aiwendil, who is now the Brown Wizard," Helluin informed Galadhon.
"Aiwendil? The same that was a Maia of Yavanna in Aman?" Galadhon asked. "He whom we once called Hrávandil¹?" ¹(Hrávandil, Wild Beast Friend The name by which Radagast was known when he served as a guardian of the Quendi during the Westward March from Cuiviénen. Quenya)
"Aye, just so," she said.
"So he is now one of the Ithryn. Huh. Thou hast met him aforetime upon the Hither Shores?"
"I met him in both 1551 and 1975."
"And so how is he? Hath he adapted well to the Mortal Lands and his new purpose?"
"He provided me aid at need, yet he hath become strange. Still, 'tis perhaps not our place to question those of higher order," Helluin hedged.
"Uh-huh," her old friend said. "I suppose we shall see upon the morrow."
On the morrow, they saw indeed. After riding east for fifteen miles to reach the north-south track and then riding ten miles north, they were greeted with the sight of a cyclone of birds. Included in that living maelstrom were sundry species, from mockingbirds to wrens, pigeons to swallows, and crows to jays, all of them flying in an endlessly rotating frenzy. At first, the cyclone headed south towards them down the path, but then veered away into the forest.
Galadhon had to rub his eyes ere asking, "Didst thou also see what I think I just saw?"
"Indeed so and for the second time, meldir nín," Helluin replied. "'Twas only by the sight of that phenomenon that Beinvír and I discovered Aiwendil's abode in 1551."
"Think thou that it presages Aiwendil's presence then?"
"I hope 'tis so. Let us go and discover whether 'tis yea or nay."
At the same time, Álfrhestr and Erynroch were also discussing the birds.
Well, I ne'er…
Nor I, my friend, but I have come to expect the unexpected, Álfrhestr said.
Think thou that they were real birds?
I shall only be convinced upon closer inspection. Perhaps they were just large insects.
Or large motes of dust on the wind, said Erynroch.
Yes! That seems far more likely, Álfrhestr agreed. More likely still would be that having eaten the same fodder, we imagined the same thing whilst in truth we saw 'naught at all.
I could more easily see 'naught. I can simply close my eyes and see 'naught right now, said Erynroch.
I too. So indeed we have imagined the same 'naught. That proves the notion beyond a doubt.
Despite having reasoned that they had seen 'naught with their eyes closed, a short walk into the forest proved otherwise. The remnant of the bird cyclone was still gyrating 'round the oak protruding from the top of the Wizard's 'estate'. Galadhon was struck dumb and gaped at his first sight of Rhosgobel. The horses froze in astonishment 'twixt the termite mounds and gaped at their first sight of Rhosgobel. Helluin marked a thin column of smoke rising from the fieldstone chimney and smiled.
"T'would seem that we are in luck and the Wizard is most likely in," she said.
Now Aiwendil's home had changed little since Helluin had last walked through it in 1975. If 'aught, it had simply expanded somewhat whilst remaining the same in character. If the termite mounds bracketing the entrance path had grown, Helluin marked it not. If the stacks of rabbit hutches, birdhouses, and wolf dens had increased in height, 'twas immaterial compared to their existence at all. If the southern wing of stables had lengthened to accommodate more two-headed calves and giant rabbits, 'twas little apparent. The whole produced a cacophony of birdsong, animal calls, growls, and barks akin in volume to the Glamhoth, whilst the effluvia of so many creatures in proximity raised a stench far beyond the most neglected byre or sty.
"Well, I ne'er…" muttered Galadhon, still astonished.
"Nor I, my friend, ere seeing it for the first time," Helluin replied, looking o'er the Wizard's abode and finding it indeed enlarged from the most recent image in her memory.
"I should come to expect the unexpected, I suppose," the ellon said to himself.
"As I said aforetime, he hath become strange," Helluin said.
After reassuring the horses that they would not be stalked or attacked, Helluin and Galadhon dismounted and walked to a door that opened onto a porch of barely a ranga square, raised three steps above the ground. Upon this, Helluin pounded loudly with a fist, hoping to be heard o'er the din of the animals.
Several minutes passed, and receiving no reply, Helluin pounded again on the door, but after that too was ignored, she recalled the successful summons of the settler Balorn who had come bearing a basket of Psilocybe mushrooms.
"Aiwendil! 'Tis Helluin and my friend Galadhon whom thou also knew long aforetime," she called out. "Art thou home?"
When her call was met with 'naught in reply, she repeated herself and pounded on the door.
"Aiwendil, thou hast company! We wish to greet thee. Pray come to thy door!"
From somewhere within Rhosgobel they heard a great crash, as of many dishes dashed to the floor or a cabinet upended, or both. Immediately after, they heard the pounding of feet, as of someone vigorously hopping away with both legs in a sack. Helluin and Galadhon looked to each other and then both pounded on the door.
"Aiwendil, art thou well? Art thou in danger?" Helluin yelled.
When they had again received no response, Helluin punched out the lowest pane of glass in the door and stretched her arm through to wrestle with the inside doorknob. Finally, she managed to release the lock and the door swung open. They charged in, finding a moderate cloud of smoke.
Helluin led Galadhon to the center of the dwelling, the kitchen whereat she and Beinvír had once sat in stupor after sampling some of the Ithron's Ayahuasca tea and Psilocybin mushrooms. There they found the china cabinet fallen forward and crashed upon the floor from which wreck a giant sloth was just beginning to extricate itself. Several more of its kind populated the ceiling beams directly o'erhead and these were just turning their heads to view the accident.
The sloth slowly took notice of them and said, "Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii…."
Helluin rolled her eyes, deeming that the creature would say its rede as slowly as an Onod. Instead of harkening to it, she turned to the table, for there slumped in a chair sat Aiwendil, naked, wheezing, and with one eye fixed on the empty space a fathom before his face. His other eye was staring at the ceiling where the trunk of the oak tree passed up into the roof thatching. His hands hung limp where they dangled from his arms on either side of the chair, and his legs were akimbo 'neath the tabletop. Strangely or not, he had retained his boots and the peculiar hat with its earflaps and wide brim. The two Noldor shook their heads in consternation at his condition.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad…" said the sloth, drawing out the syllable.
Helluin patted Aiwendil's clammy cheek with a palm and cajoled, "Come, come, my friend, canst thou hear me? Wake, O wake, I pray thee."
At the same time, Galadhon had taken a towel and pulled open the oven door whence smoke still seeped out 'round the seams. He discovered the remains of something in a cake pan, long ago having passed from baked to blackened, and now reduced to embers and still smoldering. After gingerly drawing it forth and tossing it into the sink, he doused it with one of the two buckets of water that stood 'nigh. Acrid steam went up in a great hiss.
"Aiwendil. Aiwendil, pray heed me," Helluin continued, "awaken, my friend."
It seemed her pleas had no effect on the Ithron's catatonia, and despairing of waking him with her entreaties, she took up the second bucket of water and dumped it o'er his head. That shock did seem to have some effect, for the Wizard sputtered and shook his head, disheveling even further, if possible, his hair. He closed his eyelids and used his fingers to reset his eyeballs, then reopened his eyes and looked 'round at his home.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannn…." the sloth continued.
"Pray check my brownies, Helluin, thank thee kindly," he said after marking the smoke.
Mistaking his meaning, the Noldo stared down 'twixt his legs and assured him they were still there. Watching them, Galadhon guffawed.
"Ackkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk…" the sloth said.
"They are burnt beyond any rehabilitation, my Lord Aiwendil," Galadhon reported after constraining his mirth.
The Ithron groaned, shaking his head o'er their loss and finally bemoaned, "Alas, alas, o'er half this summer's crop of hemp resin, lost in the ruin of those brownies."
Confused, Helluin looked to Galadhon with a brow raised in question, but the ellon knew 'naught about hemp resin either and could only shrug. Thereafter, the Wizard lapsed back into his stupor and said no more.
By midnight, his condition had neither improved nor worsened. The two Noldor had set the china cabinet back upright, but found that it had only a single leg at its right front corner. Apparently, it had been leant back against the wall with the left front corner propped up on a pair of flat rocks. 'Twas little wonder that the sloth had unbalanced it and caused it to topple when it tried to climb down. During the process, Galadhon had hefted the sloth and set it aside out of danger. This resulted in a leap of unexpected progress and prompted the creature to complete its sentence at once.
"SeeeeeeeDennnnnt," it said, completing its thought with the day of 2 Ivanneth.
Helluin left it to Galadhon to drape the Ithron's robes o'er his body whilst she went to bid the horses graze beyond the margin of the forest and then return afterwards for the night. This they did whilst the Noldor shared some travel rations. The ellon had debated trying to bake them a loaf of fresh bread, but Helluin had warned him not to trust 'aught that he found in the Wizard's kitchen, deeming all of it adulterated with hallucinogens. A glance at their host convinced him and he left the stove fire to die out.
Two full days passed ere Aiwendil was wholly lucid, but in the morning of 5 Ivanneth, he rose from his chair, garbed himself, and set about making breakfast. The Wizard's recovery seemed complete, for he engaged them in intelligible conversation and interacted in a predictable way as any sane person would. By then, the sloth had finally regained its perch in the rafters.
O'er porridge of cooked grains enriched with nuts and berries, Helluin proposed her hopes for having Aiwendil's friends aid her in keeping watch o'er the banks of Anduin. When she spoke of her reasons for discerning or foiling any search by Sauron's servants for the One Ring, the Wizard was only too happy to help.
"Of course I would like to help, Helluin, and I believe my friends will aid thee as well," he said. "Well 'nigh all who dwell here are refugees from those parts of the Greenwood o'errun by spiders or blighted by Yrch and Men in the Dark Lord's service. He drove off the Onodrim and desecrated Amon Lanc, then built Dol Guldur and sent his spiders and Yrch against Thranduil, forcing that folk to move north. Unopposed, the situation shall only grow worse, but should he recover his Ring, no opposition shall be able to challenge him."
"That is my thought too, for then more than the forest would suffer," Helluin said. "Know thou of the abandoned Northman settlement of Suꝺriborg?"
For a while, Aiwendil sat thinking, trying to recall that name. Finally, he seemed to place it.
"Norðr-vestandóttir Bý that became Suꝺriborg, the South Fortress of the Éothéod?" he asked.
Helluin nodded 'aye'.
"Stands but a couple miles south of the town of Nýr Vera?"
From memory, she had seen that name on the framed map hanging on a wall in the large house. Helluin again nodded 'aye', but even more vigorously.
"Both have lain abandoned since the Éothéod moved north in '77 at King Frumgar's behest?"
"Just so, my friend. It seems thou know of it."
"Ne'er heard of it, but thy mind is publicizing it all so loudly that I cannot but learn of it now," the Wizard explained. Helluin groaned…just like Mithrandir.
He chuckled at her as Galadhon stifled his laughter.
"Suꝺriborg stands forty leagues north of Dol Guldur and ten leagues from the east bank of Anduin. I deem that places it one hundred twenty-odd miles south of Rhosgobel. I intend to make my camp there for the duration of my watch. Would thy friends consent to bring their tidings to me there?"
"I can only ask," Aiwendil said, "they are each their own person and have their own priorities. I do believe that at least some will be glad to aid thee against the Orcs, evil Men, spiders, Sorcerer, Necromancer, or whate'er names they go by these days."
"Then I can ask no more of thee or of them, but thou hast my thanks, whatsoe'er they decide."
The Ithron nodded to her and she thought their council done, but he surprised her yet again.
"I have been occupied with the sickness of the forest, for that has continued to spread and deepen, and though I seek palliative measures by deep concentration and esoteric investigations, I do recall some tidings for thee."
At his words, Helluin harkened with her full attention. Odd as he might be, he was still Maia and she esteemed his wisdom regardless of how 'twas obtained.
"This vision came to me in a trance some months ago," Aiwendil said. "Now I shall share with thee directly what I have seen, for t'will be better than words."
Helluin nodded and then stared deeply into the Wizard's somewhat bleary eyes. Immediately her will was captured by as powerful an enchantment as e'er she herself had lain upon a mortal. There she perceived motion and a flash of brightness, and then 'twas done. Aiwendil blinked and released her and she sat blinking and shaking her head, for she had not really seen 'aught.
"What was that?" she muttered.
"Too fast?" he asked. "Pray let me repeat it, but slower this time."
Now on their second try, Helluin saw a vision of a causeway leading to a fortified gate, the scene illuminated from behind by the last light of the setting sun, and by the direction of cast shadows, she deemed the causeway ran west to east. Then the gates opened and from within the fortress poured a horde of Yrch, Men, and a few Tor. The vision ended when all was eclipsed in a blinding flash of light. Again, Aiwendil blinked and the sharing ceased.
"Was that more easily visible?" asked Aiwendil.
"Indeed so and that place is unmistakable," Helluin said, "for 'tis the main gate of Dol Guldur. Know thou 'aught of when this was, or perhaps when it shall be?"
"Nay, I do not, alas," said the Wizard. "Therein lies the failing of all such prescience. Still, I felt it better for thou to know part of a truth than none."
"So thou hast no doubts about the veracity of thy vision?"
"Nay, I do not," the Ithron said apologetically.
Helluin nodded to him and sat thinking of when that scene might have been, for if 'twas yet to be, there would be 'naught that she could do in anticipation of it. Finally though, she could reach no conclusion, for she had ne'er seen any such charge of foes from the gate of the Tower of Sorcery.
"I thank thee for thy vision, my friend. I shall continue to contemplate it," she said.
Shortly later, Helluin and Galadhon took their leave of Rhosgobel. Aiwendil walked them out by way of the southern annex. There the ellon was stunned by the creatures he saw inhabiting the stalls, the cows, calves, cats, and sheep with two heads, and the rabbits that stood a four feet tall. Indeed at their entry, one of these had bounded down the annex ahead of them, making the thumping they had heard when they first entered the Wizard's dwelling, the thumping that sounded like someone hastening forward with both legs in a sack. They marked that 'twas very fast, as fast as a galloping horse.
They found Álfrhestr and Erynroch playing a game of charades with a lynx, an anteater, and a huge snail, and broke them from that pastime only with difficulty. Eventually the horses bid their new friends farewell and the Elves took their leave of Rhosgobel, unsettled, but hopeful.
They rode south for another three days meeting none, and on the fourth day, 8 Ivanneth, reached Suꝺriborg in the early afternoon. 'Twas unchanged to Helluin's eye save perhaps that the chicken coops were somewhat more decrepit. The grains had grown tall, the gardens had vegetables ready for picking, the hives were full of honey, and the nut trees were heavy with walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, and almonds. All was ready for harvesting, and they saw that the abandoned farm was still populated by horses, cattle, sheep, and chickens, all in slightly greater numbers than she had seen in 2003. Amongst these were the members of the herd from which Helluin had enlisted Álfrhestr. The horses greeted him as a returning son who 'had made good in the big city' of Minas Tirith. Long and joyous was their reunion with many tales recounted of his adventures and their doings on the farm. He introduced Erynroch, for whom they had many questions.
Helluin and Galadhon left them to their reacquainting whilst they inspected the farm. Save that roof thatching was in poorer condition than when Helluin had seen it last, the structures were much as they had been five years aforetime. They reckoned the cabin, whose chimney and log walls had stood for two centuries by then, would require the least work to become habitable again. The stockade and barracks too were largely undamaged, but stood further from the fields and gardens and were therefore less desirable. The Elves resolved to first repair the cabin's roofing and replace some of the floorboards.
An inspection of the barn revealed some tools left behind and a cart that was mostly sound. The smokehouse needed work on its firebox and chimney, and some cedar shakes replaced, but t'would be easily repaired. Yet more shakes would be needed for the roof of the large house, along with some floorboards ruined by water where the roof had leaked. The need for so large a building was deemed slight and so their efforts would be saved for more immediately necessary work. The smithy that stood beside the river would need its waterwheel respoked, but the helve hammer, anvils, and open forge that had been too heavy to move were all intact. Helluin nodded in approval at that, for she foresaw a need for many nails.
Yet ere 'aught was done of construction, their first labor would be harvesting. Helluin and Galadhon saw so much food available that to waste it seemed inexcusable. They knew they could not harvest all, but what they could take would be far more than they would need for the winter. 'Twas a far better use of their time than hunting or fishing. The greater difficulty was the preservation of their stores through the winter. Though they found some crockery, t'would not be sufficient. They faced the same problems that Norðr-vestandóttir had confronted in her first years. To solve those problems, they used many of the same solutions.
They wove baskets. Apples, onions, carrots, and potatoes, they dried, slicing or mincing them to hasten the process. Peas, beans, nuts, and berries they dried whole. From the fields they brought wheat, oats, and barley, threshing and winnowing the grains on the cabin floor. The stalks they saved for short-term repairs to the roofing thatch. They cut and bundled lucerne to store in the barn as winter fodder. And finally, whilst Galadhon waved bundles of smoldering stalks to spread the smoke, Helluin robbed some hives of honey, squeezing the combs o'er the crocks and saving the wax.
Though they had both dwelt in Gondolin, and Galadhon had dwelt in Lindon and then Imladris, they were not truly city folk as are Men, for they had lived so long that the ways of farmers were known to them. And though they had not practiced such skills either recently or for long, they forgot 'naught once learnt, and o'er the millennia they had learnt more of wringing sustenance from the land than many cultures had e'er learnt. Other advantages they had o'er mortal farmers. They were Edhil and required little rest. Late into the night they processed their crops and 'neath the starlight they harvested, for having awakened ere the sun or moon, they could see perfectly well by Varda's lights.
Ivanneth gave way to Narbeleth, and such of the harvest as they needed for winter and spring was in and stored. They turned then to gathering deadfall and built a store of firewood, stacking it 'neath the eaves to either side of the door, just as Norðr-vestandóttir had done, and just as some nameless settler had done ere her.
'Twas as they were inspecting the chimney that Galadhon discovered the slate covered and rock lined cold storage bins outside the cabin along the hearth's foundation. He and Helluin immediately gathered more apples, potatoes, carrots, and onions and set them underground, curious to see how long they would remain wholesome.
Finally, late in Narbeleth, they took boards from what had once been a row of stalls outside the shop that Revna, Stjarna the potter's widowed mother had run, and repaired the chicken coops.
And in the coming year, we shall improve the condition of the barn, stables, byre, and fold, those places wherein ye dwell, Helluin informed Álfrhestr, knowing that he would speak with the other horses, the cattle, the sheep, and the chickens.
The chickens offer their thanks, Helluin, and they shall lay eggs for thy breakfast, as they shall not seek to raise chicks during the winter, he replied.
Pray offer them my thanks, she said.
That winter, whilst Helluin and Galadhon gave thought to the improvements they would make in the spring, the animals held many councils and concluded that perhaps things would be looking up. Not since the Éothéod had left had the farm been blessed with caretakers for their welfare. Yet these were Elves, not Men, and 'twas said that they lived fore'er. Putting two and two together with their version of common sense, many of the creatures now believed that they, or perhaps their young, would also live fore'er, or at least for far longer than aforetime. After all, their lore told that life had been safer and more comfortable when Ivar and Norðr-vestandóttir had managed the estate, and 'neath them and their heirs, all the animals had lived longer. Why then should they not look forward to immortality now?
None of these hopes and expectations were known to Helluin and Galadhon, at least, not at first. Had they known, they would have rolled their eyes, but would probably also have seen no point in disabusing the animals of such optimistic beliefs. There would be no benefit, and after all, e'eryone needed causes for hope. Besides, they would all live so long as Eru saw fit.
Now the winter of 2008-9 was neither milder nor harsher than normal for that time and place. The air grew chill, cold winds blew down off the Hithaeglir to the west, and snow fell. Frost grew and still water froze. The plants rested and waited for the renewal of spring. The animals huddled together for warmth, but with the fodder set aside by their caretakers, none perished of hunger. In this, they saw the first dividends of their beliefs, for even immortality was lived one day and one season at a time. Helluin and Galadhon had eggs and cooked grains with fruit and nuts for breakfast and spent the days weaving baskets and making their plans.
Spring came and they set to work. O'er the next few years, the buildings were repaired, the tools and equipment necessary for farming were constructed or rebuilt, and in 2011, Böðvildr's forge was restored. With hand-carved spokes, the water wheel was repaired. The two Eldar gathered wood and cooked charcoal. From red clay they smelted blooms of 'sponge iron', and this they beat free of slag to make billets of wrought iron. These billets they repeatedly heated and folded so they would carburize to become steel. Then hammer rang on anvil as Helluin and Galadhon forged tools, fittings, and many nails.
In 2014, the pottery was reestablished. Clay was dug and slaked in the original, stone-lined pool, wares were made by hand, (for neither of the Noldor had skill at the potter's wheel), and finally, Stjarna's kiln was fired for the first time in thirty-seven years. Helluin and Galadhon made many storage vessels of unglazed stoneware, rather humble and unappealing to the eye, but impervious to water and vermin. In these, they would store much surplus of foodstuffs.
Finally, in 2016, they undertook the refurbishing of Kátmaðr's mill. The single most indispensable components were preserved intact, those being the millstones. Though the wooden vat that encased the runner and nether stones was in need of replacement, the heart of the mill was still sound. Much labor at woodworking was required ere any grist could be ground, for the paddle wheel, gears, axels, and barrel lift had suffered from the passing seasons of neglect. Even the channel in the river needed to be cleared of debris ere the current could turn the wheel, but still, after the labor of a couple years, Helluin and Galadhon were able to grind their accumulated surplus grain into flour. Thereafter, baking was far less time consuming, for each loaf or cake needed not to be preceded by the grinding of handfuls of grain on a flat stone.
So it came to pass that after eight years, Helluin and Galadhon had restored Suꝺriborg to the status of a functional farm. Ivar and Norðr-vestandóttir would have found it strange though, for the estate they had built, which in their heir Leifr's time had hosted 'nigh six hundred souls, was now home to only two.
To the north stood the remains of Nýr Vera, wherein the Lords Hrólfr and Rekkr had ruled in the name of the king. A true fortress town it had been, home to two and a half-thousand Northmen and hundreds of riders. Now it lay abandoned, its palisade rotting and its buildings slowly disintegrating back into the landscape whence they had risen. Though they had surveyed it, Helluin and Galadhon had done no more, having already sufficient tasks to occupy their time. In truth, the place left them uneasy. 'Twas a stronghold held by none, and it lay all too close to their farm. No friends they could imagine in those lands had the numbers to require so large a settlement. Should foes come to occupy it, t'would be a disaster.
In 2020, having spent a decade in growing unease, Helluin and Galadhon resolved to rid themselves of the danger that Nýr Vera posed. That spring, whilst the rains kept the ground damp and plants were not yet dry, they took their bows and rode north. After entering the stockade, they made their way to the center of the settlement, to the two-story house that had once been Lord Hrólfr's abode, and they kindled it, and after, they fired e'er structure they found, homes, shops, stores, and stables. The conflagration was vast and the smoke of it went up to the heavens, drawing e'er eye for a hundred miles.
'Cross the river, the Eagles marked it as they soared o'er the Hithaeglir. At first, it seemed a great battle was being fought wherein many were losing their lives and homes, yet they knew that no kindred of Men now dwelt in those lands. Upon closer inspection, they saw no combat, no armies, and no slaughter. Only two moved amidst the spreading inferno.
'Tis Helluin and her friend burning the homes of none, Landroval observed. I suppose there are some in Eriador who would find interest in such tidings.
Last, Helluin and Galadhon saw the palisade with its gates and watchtowers burnt to the ground. So 'twas that for the second time, the Southern Refuge of the Northmen was reduced to ash, yet this time, without loss of life. As they rode back to Suꝺriborg, Helluin and Galadhon both felt a sense of relief.
The great fire was marked by some other than the Eagles. A score miles to the northeast, a settler broke from the tending of his milk cows to watch the column of smoke rising into the sky. Generations of his folk had known of Nýr Vera and Suꝺriborg, though they had no regular contact with the Éothéod. The riders had simply been another new folk who had come and gone from their lands, their tenancy lasting little more than a century. At least they had not been foes.
From the eaves of Mirkwood, at roughly twice the settler's distance, sharper eyes took note of the burning and they wondered at what it portended. The old stronghold of the riders was afire, and no lightning had caused that, for the day was fair.
The patrol commander dispatched a messenger north to report what they had seen with another to follow if tidings required. Then a detail was assigned to discover what had come to pass and if some new danger had arisen. This half-dozen slipped silently through the trees along the verge of the forest, making their way south. Two days hence, they would confront whatsoe'er lay in the emptied lands of the Northmen, upon whom they had kept a watch for just shy of an ennin.
If they found a mass of foes, they would scout the threat and then return to their patrol and report their findings. If they found but a few engaged in malicious mischief, they would dispatch them with arrows ere returning to their commander. With Dol Guldur emptied, they suspected the latter; a handful of Yrch crept from the Hithaeglir, most likely. These they would gladly shoot on principle for they all held a seething hatred of that kindred. Six score years was 'naught and their enmity had ne'er cooled after the loss of their queen. Many curses and bitter oaths they shared as they marched. Long ere they came to the ruins of Nýr Vera, they were all itching to slay their most despised enemies.
To Be Continued