In An Age Before – Part 255
The battle had been mind numbing for the elleth of the Greenwood; far faster and far more one-sided than she could have imagined. She had seen many battles and had fought the Yrch in her forest home, and always there was danger in such confrontations. Ne'er was the outcome assured. Many friends and comrades had fallen o'er the years, kin and the nobles of her realm as well. Yet she realized that here, despite the disparity in numbers, it had ne'er really been a contest, and still, that did 'naught to reduce her feelings of guilt.
Now the two Noldor were approaching her and atop the o'erwhelming impact of seeing them in combat, their very presence caused her distress. Of all the Quendi, theirs was the rarest kindred upon the Hither Shores and she had ne'er aforetime met any of that host. She knew the names of precisely two; the Lady Galadriel of Lothlórien and the Mórgolodh. The Noldor were reckoned invaders, warmongers, and defiers of the gods who were cursed, or so she had always heard. They were distrusted and denigrated by most of the Silvan Elves dwelling in the Woodland Realm. She wondered if they would slay her as readily as they had slain the Yrch.
Her heart beat harder and faster with each pace closer they came. At least their weapons were sheathed and that eldritch glow was no longer to be seen. The ellon, Galadhon, Aiwendil had called him, looked grim, and when she shifted her glance to the elleth Helluin's eyes, she had to blink. Then the dark warrior was gone and only the ellon was still striding towards her. Her heart leapt into her throat. On the ground at her feet, her shadow was no longer alone.
"Diminished seems the warcraft of Thranduil's people of late," a soft voice whispered from behind at her ear. "Thou hast cost me much this day, Afor. Who art thou? Name thyself."
"I am Eryniel¹, daughter of Filegiá². I came bearing a warning of Yrch from Lord Gwaihir," she answered as if she had been commanded by her king. ¹(Eryniel, Forest Daughter = eryn(forest) + ield(daughter) The final –ld becomes –l in proper nouns. Sindarin) ²(Filegiá, Mockingbird = fileg(small bird) + iae(mocking) The diphthong –ae becomes –á in proper nous. Sindarin)
Helluin groaned and stepped away, shaking her head.
"The Lord Gwaihir had dispatched a swan named Idnatzio…" she began, after turning to face Helluin.
"And I wager he had lost his mind and spoke only gibberish when thou found him," Helluin interrupted, to which Eryniel nodded 'aye' and gaped at her, clearly wondering how she knew.
Helluin declined to elaborate on her prior interaction with Idnatzio in Nanduhirion.
"How then did thou learn his message?" Galadhon asked, having joined them.
"We brought him to the Wizard Aiwendil," Eryniel said, to which the ellon snickered.
"'Tis forty leagues from Rhosgobel," Helluin said. "When did Gwaihir send his message?"
"20 Lothron, near as we could reckon," she replied, and Helluin nodded. "I set out from Rhosgobel on the 22nd," Eryniel added.
"We had word that day from a hawk who flew in from Rhosgobel," Galadhon said, straight faced. "T'would seem that Aiwendil has developed a sense of humor. How very Mannish."
Now 'twas Helluin who snickered.
Eryniel gaped at them and then her eyes narrowed, realizing that she had been sent on a wild goose chase of forty leagues by a lunatic. Atop that, she had been manipulated aforetime by a song. It seemed to the elleth that at e'ery turn since becoming enmeshed in the affairs of these Noldor, she had been confused, bewildered, saddled with unnecessary labors, and then unsettled to the point that she had made a combat error that not even a recruit would make. She felt irritated beyond belief at herself, at Helluin and Galadhon, definitely at Aiwendil, at that mad swan Idnatzio, and even at Gwaihir whom she had ne'er met. She threw up her hands and sat down in the middle of the burnt ruins of Nýr Vera, shaking her head in disbelief at how her life had been turned upside down. These Gelydh¹ deserve the disfame my people heap upon them, she thought. 'Aught they touch begets woe. ¹(Gelydh pl. of Golodh, Wise Folk, syn. w/ Noldor. Sindarin)
Helluin and Galadhon had withdrawn a couple paces and were standing still, staring into each others' eyes. Obviously, they were holding some privy council. Eryniel ignored them and steeped in her aggravation. Finally, they broke from whate'er they had discussed and neither appeared satisfied.
"Eryniel, the afternoon passes and we would not that thou begin they return to Rhosgobel or Thranduil's Halls without a meal and a night's rest," Galadhon said.
"Pray join us at Norðr-vestandóttir Bý," Helluin added. "Besides, for thine untimely disclosure of us to our foes, we reckon thou owe us a modest boon."
Had I done thus on patrol, I should be relieved of duty and set on bread and water a month for each casualty, the elleth of Greenwood thought. Perhaps amongst the Golodhrim, I shall have a finger hewn off, or a toe.
With a sigh of resignation, Eryniel stood and followed the two Noldor 'cross the ruins of Nýr Vera. They walked diagonally east-southeast towards a copse of trees, and after passing them, leapt o'er a narrow stream and began to ascend a long, grass-grown hill. Halfway to the top, Helluin left forth a piercing whistle and two horses came cantering o'er the high ground to meet them.
The horses drew 'nigh and one, an aging chestnut stallion, came to Galadhon whilst a black bay stallion with white socks and a peculiar golden blaze exchanged a long glance with Helluin.
So Helluin, are the Yrch dead? Álfrhestr silently asked, just to be sure.
Indeed so, we need not return here upon the morrow.
That is well, for Nýr Vera has become an ugly place. I see thou hast traded twenty-eight foes for one Elf. She looks strange. Whence came she?
From the Greenwood, one of those we dismissed aforetime, Helluin admitted with a grimace.
So thou hast enlisted the aid of King Thranduil's people after all, the stallion concluded. I am glad thou hast a new ally.
Some ally and some aid, Helluin carped. Were it not for her untimely appearance in Nýr Vera, I should have won my wager. Instead, I am now compelled to honor Galadhon's terms.
How unfortunate. Shalt thou hew off one of her fingers in restitution for thine aggrievement? he asked, straight faced. Or perhaps a toe?
Helluin's jaw dropped open in surprise at Álfrhestr's suggestions. He grinned at her.
I was favoring depriving her of a kidney, or perhaps the greater part of her liver, but thy suggestions have merit. Less surgery required after. Thou art enriched indeed, Álfrhestr, she praised, offering a nod of approval and thereby breaking their connection. "Come," she said aloud, "we return home."
Galadhon rode the chestnut, whom he called Erynroch, whilst Helluin rode the horse she called Álfrhestr. She had dragged the reluctant Eryniel up behind her, "for we wish not to be delayed should thou prefer to walk," Helluin had told her.
Though she probably could have tracked them easily enough, the elleth of Greenwood had swallowed her combined irritation and uneasiness, for riding pillion behind Helluin would be exactly the second time in her life that she had sat atop a horse. In the forests and on the foot trails, horses were a hindrance or an outright liability where maintaining stealth was required. They were useless whilst traveling above the ground in the trees. In all of the Woodland Realm, only the king's messengers, some far-ranging traders, and some specialized scouts rode. Forests were poor habitats for horses and she doubted if there were even a hundred in the entire Greenwood. They, and other large draft animals, were most oft seen in trade caravans of the Naugrim.
Well 'nigh as soon as they were mounted, the Noldor coaxed their steeds to a canter and maintained that gait for the two miles to the farm. They pulled up and dismounted in front of a log cabin that stood 'neath the shade of three great apple trees. An enviable stock of firewood was stacked to either side of the door 'neath the o'erhanging eaves.
Outbuildings stood behind the cabin with enclosed paddocks and loosely fenced fields of crops lying beyond. Eryniel caught a glimpse of a vegetable garden, rows of nut trees, and a field of wildflowers amongst which were set wooden posts topped with woven, mud-daubed beehives from which an industrious buzzing could be heard. A small smokehouse with the scent of hickory rising from louvers in the upper parts of the walls was the closest building, purposely set away from the barn, stables, byre, sheepfold, and chicken coops to spare the animals the instinctually upsetting scent of the smoke.
Galadhon took Erynroch to the stable where he set to removing his saddle and tack. Helluin simply looked Álfrhestr in the eye a moment ere leaving him to wander off on his own business.
She cast a glance to the stable, but not seeing Galadhon returning yet, walked o'er to one of the apple trees and rapped thrice on the trunk ere swiftly stepping away. Shortly later, three ripe apples fell from somewhere amidst the branches, one aimed admirably at where she had been standing. After a few more moments of warily eyeing the tree, she darted forward and scooped up the fruit ere retreating again.
'Naught more dropped and she offered Eryniel one of the apples ere buffing a second on her cloak and then biting into it with a satisfying crunch. The scent of fresh apple came to the elleth's nostrils and after a quick look, she too bit into the fruit. She found that it tasted normal enough, even if the tree was enchanted.
Galadhon emerged from the stable, and Helluin whipped the third apple at him whilst calling out, "Head up!" He barely caught it ere it struck his face, then laughed and took a bite.
Now the two warriors carried their weapons into the cabin with Galadhon beckoning Eryniel to join them. With a sigh, as if she were walking to the gibbet, the elleth tossed away her apple core and followed him warily through the door.
The interior of the cabin was rustic, comfortably furnished, but without luxury. She saw a table and benches, a cupboard and food prep counter, but no instruments of torture. The hearth was generously sized, with a spit, cranes and hooks suspending pots, a kettle, and a cauldron, but no branding irons, thumbscrews, or shackles affixed to the masonry. There was a wood box with cut logs and branches, beeswax candles and oil lamps pendant from the open rafters or sitting on the table, several sleeping pallets, and trunks for personal items. Indeed the only ominous things she saw were armor stands, a weapons rack, and some arrows partially assembled.
To Eryniel's eye, the place looked more like a home of farmers and hunters than warmongers and murderers. All appeared mundane and wholesome. She was sincerely surprised, but then began to suspect that they confined their dark arts to the barn. Perhaps the smokehouse held body parts. Perhaps there were creatures more fell than the horses, poultry, and livestock she had glimpsed. Perhaps the soil in their vegetable garden was enriched with the cadavers of slaves or innocents. She wondered if they used much freshly shed blood in their cooking. She wondered if they practiced cannibalism and if she would end up in the cauldron as an Elf Stew.
All these doubts flitted 'cross her face and by reading her expressions, Helluin perceived much of her thought. She groaned and shook her head. Oh for crying aloud, she thought. Perhaps I should heed Álfrhestr's advice and hew off a finger or two just to banish her gnawing doubts with the confirmation of her peoples' worst impressions of the Golodhrim.
"Pray have a seat," she said, gesturing the elleth of the Greenwood to the bench 'cross the table from her. Eryniel reluctantly complied, lowering herself onto the bench with her back to the hearth and wondering if Galadhon would garrote her from behind.
Said ellon was busying himself rebuilding the fire. After that, he proceeded to combine wheat flour, a couple eggs, dried and minced fruits, crushed nuts, honey, and milk in a bowl. This he mixed 'til a dough was formed, which he turned out onto a floured board and began to knead. A well-seasoned steel plate was set o'er the fire for baking flatbread. During his chores, Helluin spoke with Eryniel.
"Regarding the battle shortly past," she began, "whilst I appreciate the effort thou hast made to convey Lord Gwaihir's warning, the manner in which 'twas done leaves much to be desired."
'Twas a remarkably mild rebuke for her shouting out 'cross contested territory and alerting their enemies. Eryniel nodded, accepting the blame she was due and waiting for the other shoe to drop. She expected an abrupt turn to rage, blue fire blazing from wrathful eyes, and a swift blade hewing off a finger, or maybe a toe.
"We had a wager, Galadhon and I," Helluin revealed, "for I had told him that we need slay but half the Yrch and leave the rest to murder and eat each other. Alas, we were forced to slay the last twenty, and atop the twenty we had already slain to provoke them…" She had trailed off with a shrug.
Eryniel regarded the Noldo with wide eyes. Rather than being thankful for having survived the confrontation, or relieved to have dispatched the company of invaders, they had been laying bets o'er how they would die and now Helluin was displeased that her intrusion had caused the Noldo to lose a wager. She had to blink away her astonishment to accept what she had heard.
In Mirkwood, any pair of soldiers who managed to slaughter four dozen Yrch by whate'er means would have been bragging insufferably about it for years. So many she knew had failed and lay dead, their spirits fled 'cross the Sea. Eryniel actually felt angry that such jeopardy was 'naught but a cause for gambling and disappointment o'er the manner of the outcome.
"I cannot believe what I hear," she declared with righteousness. "That thou, the survivor of a confrontation with four dozen of our bitterest foes, would disregard the blessing of surviving and complain o'er a wager lost by the manner in which thy victory was won. Thou art mad."
At the Wood Elf's declaration, Helluin regarded her with a sigh.
"Four dozens are not even a tithe of those I have slain in just the past two centuries," she said. "They were no threat and ne'er stood a chance. Their lives were forfeit as soon as they crossed Anduin. I shall ne'er die by the blade of a foe and certainly not one wielded by an Orch."
Eryniel was drawing herself up to present some scathing retort, but Galadhon paused from the dough and interjected, "Manwë himself declared her doom long ago, to pass not from the Hither Shores 'til one of the Secondborn should see Ithil and Anor cease their motions and the stars shine in their first glory."
And Helluin added, "Of late I have been in Gondor where I slew another two Nazgûl, and ere that I drove the Witch King from Angmar for the third time. 'Twixt the second and third assaults on Arthedain, I brought slaughter to the Hithaeglir whilst seeking tidings of my lost beloved, and slew e'ery Orch whose answer satisfied me not, sixteen thousands or so. Of the East, I shall not speak." She met the disbelief on Eryniel's face with a grin that might have been a sneer.
"Neither shall we catalog the wrathful excesses of the Butcher of Bruinen during the Goth in Edhil a Sauron¹, nor the rampages I witnessed in the Dagor-nuin-Giliath, the Dagor Aglareb, and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad," said a smiling Galadhon.¹(Goth in Edhil a Sauron, War of the Elves and Sauron = goth(war) + in(pl def art, the) + Edhil(pl, Elves) + a(and) + Sauron(abhorrent one) Sindarin)
"Ancient history," Helluin dismissed with a wave of her hand. Then she gazed at the elleth and said, "We have a debt to settle in restitution for thy trespass that precipitated a battle."
Eryniel nodded, again accepting and acknowledging her mistake. With a sigh of resignation, she laid her hands flat on the table and spread her fingers, then clenched her jaw and looked away.
"As the result of thine actions, I have lost a wager, and therefore I reckon 'tis fitting that thou shalt offer thine aid in satisfying the terms to which I am now subject," Helluin continued as she glanced back at Galadhon's smirking face. Through gritted teeth, she announced, "Eryniel of the Greenwood, on the morrow, thou shalt aid me in the scouring of guano from the chicken coops. Thereafter, the terms of my wager shall be held satisfied and thou shalt be free to return to thy forest home."
At first, Eryniel could not believe what she had heard. She slowly rotated her head back to face the Noldo sitting 'cross the table, half expecting that Helluin's words were a jest and she would find the elleth fondling a meat cleaver as she prepared to lop off a finger. Instead, Helluin was gritting her teeth and Galadhon was trying to stifle his laughter.
"Thou can relax thy hands," Helluin told her, "though my horse recommended that I hew off a finger in payment for thine untimely actions. I cannot imagine what reasoning recommended such barbarity to him."
Eryniel gaped at her, but it seemed Helluin was perfectly serious for she displayed no signs of amusement. The Silvan elleth drew her hands from the tabletop and flexed her fingers, thankful that all ten were still intact.
"'Tis a curious thing that thy horse would recommend such a penalty, for 'tis just the specific retribution that I was fearing," Eryniel confessed, prompting an expression of shock from Helluin.
Just what is this enrichment of Galadriel's going to lead to? If he is reading minds now, we are all in trouble, she thought, all too well aware of the bizarre conclusions Álfrhestr came to.
"Why in all Arda would thou imagine I would mutilate thee so?" Helluin asked.
Eryniel took a deep breath, but deemed honesty the best policy at present.
"Amongst my people, the reputation of thy folk is very dark. Invaders, defiers of the Valar, warmongers, and Kinslayers ye are reckoned and Aiwendil specifically named thee a Kinslayer," she said. "After witnessing thy dispatching of the Yrch, I could only expect to be treated harshly o'er the mistake I made, placing ye into needless jeopardy and precipitating an unwanted battle."
Helluin groaned and Galadhon grimaced.
"I understand the beliefs of thy people," Helluin finally said, "and I understand whence they arose; the reports of Sindarin immigrants out of Doriath, wrathful that the peace of Beleriand had been broken by the return of the Noldor, and later embittered further by the slaying of King Dior, Queen Nimloth, and their sons by the sons of Fëanor. Some may also have survived the Kinslaying at the Havens of Sirion.
Yet in truth, Beleriand had lain 'neath a false peace ere the rise of Ithil and Anor, for there was the first battle where Denethor fell upon Amon Ereb. Morgoth's servants had long been inciting evil by then and would surely grow bolder after. Only later did the Noldor return to Mortal Lands, most seeking redress against him for the slaying of our High King Finwë and the theft of Fëanor's jewels. For the next six centuries, there was war and e'ery realm of the Elves fell ere the War of Wrath. Imagine the darkness Morgoth could have unleashed during that time if we had not come.
As for being named amongst the Kinslayers, aye, I am guilty of that. At the behest of Lord Ulmo who had charged me thus in Vinyamar, I hastened to Avernien and there put Noldor and Sindar of the Host of Maedhros and Maglor to the sword in defense of the survivors of Doriath and Gondolin. I slew two of Fëanor's sons and then pursued the remaining two, for they had taken Elrond and Elros hostage. Eärendil was then at sea and Elwing escaped thither with the Silmaril. That was the third great Kinslaying. I had no part in the first two."
Helluin fell silent, a brooding look on her face for evils done long aforetime and now beyond amendment. There was a measure of indignation as well.
"In the years leading up to the War of the Last Alliance, Beinvír and I came to King Oropher offering training and counsel to thy people. In Gondor, Minas Ithil had been taken. War loomed with Sauron. 'Twas obvious and its wider outbreak only a matter of time. The very beliefs thou know were also held by many on the king's council, and Oropher was hamstrung by them. We gave what training they would accept, but it proved woefully inadequate. Then, by poor preparation, deficiency in arms, and ignorance of strategy, the king and much of his army fell, leaving yet another experience of bitterness to reinforce the distrust of my people, and myself in particular, by thine. The same befell King Amdír and the army of Lórinand, charging fey into battle poorly equipped. I wager there is little that can amend it all now. Alas, it need not have been so."
Helluin sat shaking her head in sorrow for all that had come to pass, much of it needlessly, perhaps. Eryniel sat, silently trying to digest all that she had heard. Save for the accounts of Oropher, Thranduil, and those that had accompanied them east to the Greenwood, little was truly known of Beleriand and the First Age. None of her people had ventured thither at that time and now the chance to learn the truth was gone beyond recall. Few enough had e'er even crossed Anduin save some that had visited Lórinand. Eventually, she had to admit that firsthand knowledge of Beleriand, the First Age in the west, and the Noldor was scant and based on the impressions of relatively few. Yet her peoples' beliefs about all these had persisted long and remained unchallenged.
Eryniel had to wonder if of all those born in the Greenwood, she alone had actually met any of the Noldor since the War of the Last Alliance. She found herself quite curious. No great leap of reasoning was required for her to wonder how long she might remain absent ere being sought, or taken for dead. She had last been seen jogging south from Rhosgobel with the intention of coming to Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. That had been on the 22nd and 'twas now the 26th. That much of her journey the commander of her patrol would expect. She reckoned t'would take her at least a fortnight to return to Thranduil's Halls in the northeast of the forest, and that much too would be expected. The elleth reasoned that she might tarry for a week to indulge her curiosity without any significant repercussions.
No doubt, her commander would make his report to the king, for his findings included several incidents far out of the ordinary. Beyond the standard reports required following all patrols, the burning of Nýr Vera, their discovery of a messenger from an Eagle, their interaction with Aiwendil, and her sojourn as courier to the Noldor would all qualify as unusual enough to prompt a personal debriefing by the king. She could reasonably be expected to present her own account upon her return to the Woodland Realm. This she was bound by duty to do, for she had already learnt and seen much worthy of report. Ere she left, she would hear tidings of far greater import.
'Cross the table, Helluin rose and went to aid Galadhon with the meal preparations. She sliced vegetables and tossed them into a pot with water, and then set them o'er the fire to boil. From an urn, she poured a pitcher of cider and then filled a second pitcher with water. After a trip into a storage room off to the side of the hearth, the Noldo returned with a dish of butter, a pot of mixed berry jam, a smoked sausage and a smoked cheese. The latter two, she placed on a cutting board with a paring knife. Simple plates, bowls, and cups of hand built stoneware, with spoons and forks were laid out for each of them and then Helluin resumed her seat.
"I doubt not that upon thy return, thou shalt be called to testify before thy king, or so I should require were I he," she said. Eryniel nodded 'aye'. "Then beyond what thou hast already learnt, I shall provide thee tidings appropriately dark to bear hence from the Mórgolodh."
At the mention of that name, Eryniel's eyes widened and she was amazed that 'twas only now that she realized to whom she spoke. Have I been bespelled? she wondered. If the Noldor were distrusted by her people, the Mórgolodh was cursed. Indeed some believed that any of their folk caught in that sorceress's web would not long survive. Many blamed her personally for the death of King Oropher, reckoning that she had goaded him to join in a foreign war and then abandoned his folk to their doom when they faced the Dark Lord.
She had heard some whispered accounts of how the duplicitous Mórgolodh had appeared at Thranduil's wedding, bearing gifts from Dwarves and feigning remorse, and had received absolution after shamelessly enthralling their king. Some claimed that Sauron himself had scarcely given a more convincing performance when he had humbled himself before Ar-Pharazón. That was mere hearsay, of course, as none of her people had been present north of Umbar in the Second Age, yet it made for an instructional comparison in their humble opinions.
Having been relegated to patrol duty at that time, Eryniel had not witnessed such transgressions herself and had only heard the rumors of them after. By then, Helluin and Beinvír had fled the Greenwood. That had been in 1551, 'nigh on five centuries past.
"I am not sure that 'aught thou say shall be believed, for thou thyself are not deemed credible," she told Helluin.
"By many of the councilors certainly," Helluin agreed, "yet thou shalt be questioned by the king. Thranduil knows me, and whether or not he chooses to believe me is up to him. What I have to tell thee is not for all ears anyway."
Shortly later, after Galadhon had produced a stack of flatbread and the soup was deemed ready, Helluin went 'round the cabin, turning up the wicks of the oil lamps to brighten the room. Then they sat down to supper as twilight began to darken the landscape beyond the windows.
"It hath been long known that after the High King Isildur fell 'nigh the Loeg Ningloron, that his trophy, Sauron's One Ring, was lost in the waters of Anduin. In all the years of the Third Age, it hath not been found," Helluin began.
"Of late, I have learnt that Sauron long sought for it, dispatching many companies of Yrch to Anduin to seek this token along the banks. I reckon that most of these came from Dol Guldur, and I suspect that the fortress may even have been built to facilitate his search.
Since 1856, Dol Guldur has stood abandoned, whilst in 2002, the Nazgûl issued from Mordor and took Minas Ithil. I deem this was meant to allow his search to encompass the lower Anduin, yet so far, it hath been foiled by the Rangers of Gondor who constrain the Dark Lord's servants to Imlad Morgul.
The Wise reckon that the Ring remains lost, for Sauron has not recouped his power, nor moved against the free peoples of Middle Earth. 'Tis my suspicion that with the search of the lower Anduin foiled, the search of the Vale of Anduin may be resumed, and so we have come hither, to keep watch for any renewal of those efforts and to foil it as we may. We deem 'tis but a matter of time ere Dol Guldur is reoccupied and Yrch again roam the banks of Anduin.
Should the activity of the thine enemies increase, or that Sauron or his Nine have returned to Dol Guldur become known in the Woodland Realm, I pray that I learn of it swiftly, for should Sauron recover his Ring, war shall again engulf our world."
The Noldo fell silent and regarded the elleth of Greenwood with a grave expression.
Eryniel felt a creeping horror that left her slightly nauseous and she swallowed hard, willing her stomach to settle. During the span of her own lifetime, whilst Thranduil's folk fought spiders and Yrch 'neath the trees, the Sorcerer or the Necromancer had commanded the search of the riverbanks for 'aught that could bring their world to an end. The last time Sauron had made war whilst wielding his Ring, King Oropher had been slain and two thirds of his army with him.
Helluin believed 'twas only a matter of time 'til such dark days came again. The Great Enemy, the One Ring, and the coming of a cataclysmic war. Trust that t'would be a Noldo whose words presaged the faltering of peace. Indeed, such tidings were not for all ears lest they birth despair. Yet even were such to become known, that Sauron had resumed his search for the Ring, what then? What could any do to stop him? Tens of thousands had died and years had been spent to achieve the incomplete victory that had ended the Second Age.
"Many, I deem, would do 'aught they could to oppose the Dark Lord, yet in truth, what can they accomplish?" Eryniel asked. "The last time we stood against Sauron, our king and most of our warriors perished. Men and Elves lost their lords and now all kindreds are diminished."
Helluin sighed. The elleth's perspective was sound so far as it went, yet 'twas not the whole story of the Ages long struggle against evil. Where Eryniel saw only the prospect of defeat, Helluin still saw the potential for victory.
"The enemies of the Shadow can do much to oppose the Darkness," she said. "I have seen Morgoth o'erthrown and Sauron twice defeated in war. I have met him four times; twice upon the ethereal plane, then in personal combat atop his own keep in Mordor, and in battle in the east. I have threatened him, deceived him, repelled a personal attack, invaded his tower, liberated his prisoners, stolen his treasure, freed his slaves, slaughtered his soldiers, and laid waste his refuge in Rhûn. I have destroyed one of Celebrimbor's Seven and one of the Nine. Of his Nazgûl, I have slain three and wounded thrice that count. Four times, the Lord of the Ringwraiths has fled me in battle. Long ago, I slew him as a mortal Man. Given time, I would destroy them all, and I am only one amongst Sauron's many foes. Keep hope, Eryniel."
The Noldo's words sparked a glimmer in the elleth's heart. Despite the heavy toll of Dagorlad and Mordor, Sauron had been defeated, and if the choice were thrust upon them again one day, she knew that many of her people would sacrifice themselves if t'would bring down the Dark Lord. They were already dying as they fought his lesser servants, the Yrch, the spiders, and the Men of Darkness.
Of course, there were many who would abandon Middle Earth to flee west 'cross the Sea. The Elves had been doing so for Ages. Yet for herself, that escape would sour if she knew that she had left behind to darkness e'erlasting, the lands that had always been her home. In her heart, she knew that she loved the forest, and she would fight to keep it free. 'Twas the only home she had e'er known. She wondered if all that the Noldo had claimed was true.
As if she read her thought, Helluin said, "When thou offer thy report to King Thranduil, ask after my errand to Dol Guldur in 1002. The outcome proved close to his heart."
Now thereafter, some time was spent in the clearing of the table and the cleaning of the dishes. Anor had set by then and darkness lay o'er Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. Galadhon set to work on fletching the unfinished arrows at the dining table. Helluin had left the cabin to view the stars. After finishing the last of her mug of cider, Eryniel followed, desiring to be outside 'neath the night sky.
She stepped silently, her footfalls soft from a lifetime's habit, and she came 'neath the apple trees. Eryniel was actually startled when a ripe fruit dropped at her feet.
"Cin hannan¹," she whispered softly. ¹(Cin hannan, (I)Thank you = cin(2nd pers sing dir obj pron, you) + hanna-(v. thank) + -n(1st pers sing pron suff, I) The object pronoun precedes the verb. Sindarin)
She bit into it and sent feelings of appreciation and praise for the apple's sweetness to the tree. Above her, the canopy rustled gently though no breeze blew, and it brought a smile to her face.
Ahead, by starlight, she could see Helluin standing amidst the herd of horses. By their gestures and hers, it seemed that they were holding some silent council. She watched as Helluin's steed Álfrhestr whinnied and bobbed his head and the Noldo threw up her hands in response. 'Round them, many of the other horses bobbed their heads. 'Twas as if some jest had passed 'twixt them and the throng was entertained at Helluin's expense.
Strange at first it seemed to the elleth, and yet not unbelievable, for she herself paid heed to the whispers from the trees. That, she deemed was natural enough, living in a forest. Whyfor then should Helluin not hold converse with the animals she lived amongst?
"Pray join us, Eryniel," she heard Helluin say, shaking her from her train of thought. She walked towards the river to meet them.
"Cabethroch¹ has consented to bear thee hence to the Forest Gate if though would have it so," Helluin told her, whilst gesturing to a red dun stallion. "T'would save thee many days travel afoot. Of course, thou shalt needs ride bareback, for he is not trained to the saddle, and I reckon, neither art thou." ¹(Cabethroch, Leaping Horse = cabo-(v. leap) + -ed(gerund suff, leaping) + roch(horse) The –d becomes–th at the partition in proper nouns. Sindarin)
"'Tis true, I am not familiar with saddles or tack, nor even with horses, for they are few in the forest," Eryniel admitted. "I would be loath to cause him harm in my ignorance, though his offer is appreciated."
"If thou would give him leave to determine pace and breaks, then all should be well with no saddle or tack to put on or take off," the Noldo said. "He hath seen the way in my memories and he shall recognize the trail and the destination."
Considering that she had ne'er made that journey outside the forest aforetime, Eryniel was intrigued. The route would bypass all the hazards of the central reaches of Mirkwood along with the Emyn-nu-Fuin, which were some of the most spider-infested in the entire wood. Seventy leagues that way ran on the north-south track from Suꝺriborg to the Forest Gate, and she knew a horse could cover it faster than any Elf afoot. At the very least, she would see some new lands and enjoy the unfamiliar company of a horse.
"Cabethroch, I thank thee for thy generous offer and would be glad to have thee bear me hence," she said, offering the steed a dip of her head that the horse returned. "Helluin, thou hast my thanks for making the arrangement." Glancing up briefly, she added, "Bright shine the stars on this occasion of good fortune."
"Indeed the air is clear tonight," Helluin replied, "yet it seems the stars dim a little with each passing year and are now much faded from how they once shone."
At the Silvan Elf's look of surprise, the Noldo glanced up and wistfully said, "Upon a time, even the least of the stars shone 'nigh as bright as Eärendil. Time has brought the Fading to all things and yet still they shine, the primal Light of Creation preserved unsullied and untouchable even by the hand of Morgoth. They fade to the eye, just as time draws Middle Earth e'er further from the Song."
Eryniel looked up too, and the feeling of longing in Helluin's voice drew forth the sensation of a thing of great worth lost that time and old choices had denied to her. At times, she had felt that something unidentifiable had been missing from her life. Her parents had only referred to it as the 'Sea Longing'. Now she understood that the Fading of the Elves had already begun and suddenly it felt as if her time was short. She realized that she had simply been born too late.
"Would that I could have seen them thus," she whispered, "yet even now, the whole of the sky is hard to view in the forest."
"Once much of the Hither Shores was clad in trees, and yet from time to time, onto some high hill or 'nigh the shores of a mighty river, we would see from horizon to horizon and weep in awe of what the Valar had wrought. Then we would sing praises to Varda Tintallë, and to the One in whose conception all had been born. Perhaps that awe was held most strongly in the hearts of those who found themselves unwilling to abandon the treasures they saw for the promise of a treasure that would eclipse them, and so remained in Middle Earth."
She nodded, more affected by her melancholy than she e'er would have expected. A single tear escaped to trickle down her cheek and she wiped it away absentmindedly. 'Twas a longing unrealized that Helluin had seen aforetime amongst the Tawarwaith. She recalled the reaction of Haldir and his company in the early Second Age, when she had first come to Lórinand and sung a song of Valinor that drove them to tears.
"Eight millennia of memories I cannot give thee, but perhaps one I can convey for surcease if thou would have it so," she said. Eagerly, Eryniel nodded 'aye'. "Then look into my eyes."
Her prior suspicions of the sorcery of the Noldor were forgotten, and willingly she looked into Helluin's eyes. There was the blue of a summer sky, and a Light from within that she had ne'er seen in the eyes of any of the Elves of Mirkwood. Then, Norðr-vestandóttir Bý was gone.
Suddenly she stood amongst a great host, tens of thousands arrayed upon a hill that would one day be called Laiquadol, and eventually, Amon Lanc. The canopy of a vast forest spread 'neath their feet, and above stretched a seemingly endless sky. 'Twas neither night, nor day, for the moon and sun would not exist for millennia to come. Velvet black was that canopy, darker than a night without Ithil, and amidst it blazed a billion stars. They were brilliant, unblinking, and felt close enough to touch. Each had its own color, so impossibly bright, as though they were flawlessly faceted gems set within reach of a child's hands. Then she marked the constellations she knew, but unsullied by time, un-Faded. Menelmacar, the Swordsman of the Heavens, (Orion), Anarríme, Crown of the Sun, (Corona Borealis), Wilwarin, the Fluttering Crown, (Cassiopeia), Lórocco, the Sky Steed, (Pegasus), Remmirath, the Netted Stars, (Pleiades), Soronúmë, Eagle of the West, (Aquila),Valacirca, Sickle of the Valar, (Ursa Major), and Ráca, The Wolf, (Canis Major), from which blazed the icy blue fire of Helluin's namesake, (Sirius).
Like well 'nigh all the Quendi, Eryniel loved starlight, loved the stars, and reverenced Elbereth. A good view of the night sky was a boon she valued whensoe'er it could be seen, but ne'er had she seen the sky of the Westward Journey. She had been born 'nigh eight thousand years too late. She stood petrified, staring up at the ancient sky. To her ears came a hymn sung by tens of thousands.
In the vision, Eryniel heard Helluin translating the unfamiliar proto-Quenya into the long familiar Sindarin:
A Elbereth Gilthoniel
silivren penna míriel
o menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
Nef aear, sí nef aearon!
A Elbereth Gilthoniel
o menel palan-díriel,
le nallon sí di'nguruthos!
A tiro nin, Fanuilos!
She knew the words, unchanged since ere the Noldor had become Calaquendi. The immigrants accompanying King Oropher had brought the Sindarin version out of Doriath in Beleriand. It had been passed down in e'ery realm on the Mortal Shores. Perhaps some version was still sung in the east amongst the Avari, for they too exalted Varda.
The impact of the vision and the hymn struck the elleth of Greenwood straight in the heart. She collapsed forward onto the ground, wracked with sobs for the loss of the beauty that had passed from the world. With the contact broken, Helluin looked down on her and sighed.
"Sometimes, I too feel the heartache and the loss," she whispered. "Memory unfading is a treacherous thing." Then she sat down and waited.
By then, the horses had moved off to graze or doze and the two ellith were left alone 'neath the diminished sky. On that night, Amanya and Úmanya waited together for the dawn as the memory of what had been drew another day further into the past.
To Be Continued
Author's Notes: The hymn at the end is the long version of "Aerlinn in Edhil o Imladris" (Hymn of the Elves of Rivendell), as found on pgs 231-2 of LotR, Book 2, Ch I, 'Many Meetings'.
The translation I found reads:
O Elbereth Starkindler,
white-glittering, slanting down sparkling like a jewel,
the glory of the starry host!
Having gazed far away
from the tree-woven lands of Middle Earth,
to thee, Everwhite, I will sing,
on this side of the Sea, here on this side of the ocean!
O Elbereth Starkindler,
from heaven gazing afar,
to thee I cry now beneath the shadow of death!
O look towards me, Everwhite!
While writing the draft for this chapter, I dabbled with a Quenya translation, (because the vocabularies for any earlier languages are lacking), but the result was horrible, completely lacking in meter and rhyme, and so I ditched it and just alluded to a 'proto-Quenya' version that was sung by the Host of Finwë.
The notion that the hymn is so extremely ancient that it might be shared by all Elves including the Avari is not canon, but I think may be suggested by the line, "from the tree-woven lands of Middle Earth,". In the Age of the Trees, a great portion of Middle Earth was supposedly covered in forests that later shrank. Also, the line, "to thee I cry now beneath the shadow of death!" seems to suggest the fear of the Elves from the shadowy creatures that Morgoth sent to kidnap and torment the first Elves.
As today is Christmas Eve 2021, I want to wish everyone who celebrates a very Merry Christmas. I wish peace and all the best to those who do not.