In An Age Before – Part 258
In the dead of night, the owl arrived at Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. He had intended to deliver his tidings forthwith as the Lady of Lothlórien had charged him to do, but he became distracted by some rats slinking 'round the yard outside the chicken coops as they fed on fallen grain. Time after time, he swooped down to snatch them up one by one, returning repeatedly to a branch in an apple tree where he rent and ate their carcasses. 'Twas his natural compulsion and there was 'naught that he could do to amend it. Several hours passed whilst he was occupied thus in the hunt, and ere he realized it, dawn was brightening the eastern horizon o'er the distant forest. He sidled up close to the trunk as drowsiness came upon him, and then he closed his eyes and slept.
With that dawn, Helluin and Galadhon rose. Helluin took buckets and brought water from the river, pausing a moment to regard the remains of some rats that lay 'neath the apple trees. 'Twas curious to find them there, but she dismissed the matter with the mistaken impression that they had fallen prey to a fox or stoat. Like any farmer, she was simply happy to see them dead.
Being mid-Gwaeron, the winter wheat and rye were beginning to grow after their dormancy. Buds were swelling on the cherry and nut trees and the winter mulch had been raked off the strawberries. The bright green of new canes was beginning to appear in the berry bramble, and in the vegetable garden, peas, spinach, radishes, and lettuce were being planted. But the most labor intensive work involved the spring planting of oats for mid-summer harvesting, and lucerne for silage and hay-making. All of these activities occupied the Elves throughout the day, and by evening, they were ready for a hot meal and a relaxing night.
Upon returning from the fields, Helluin marked that a couple of owl pellets had joined the carcasses at the bases of the apple trees. She reckoned that the raptor had gorged on several rats and was probably still asleep. If the hunter decided to settle on the farm, that would be well, and if not, 'twas welcome to as many such meals as it could consume. The Noldo turned away and went into the cabin.
Now the preparations for the evening meal were underway. Whilst Galadhon made a dough of flour, eggs, and milk, Helluin sliced cheese and sausage, drew cider and fresh milk, and filled another pitcher with clear water. She lit candles and lamps as the light faded and the cabin became dim. Galadhon rolled out his dough and wrapped it 'round a several handfuls of sautéed vegetables and a generous bundle of wild mushrooms that he had found in the cow pasture, and then baked it o'er the coals to make a savory pastry. When all was ready, they sat down and began to eat. From outside, they heard the occasional hooting of an owl, and Helluin related what she had found 'neath the apple trees.
"Perhaps thy mouser shall take up residence on our farm," Galadhon commented.
"An owl would find welcome here so long as it sticks to rats and troubles not the chickens," Helluin replied.
The two Noldor had gotten perhaps halfway through their meal and full night had fallen when they heard something strike the cabin door, followed by the renewed hooting of an owl, calling from closer now. Expecting a visitor, they leapt to their feet and Helluin pulled open the door.
At first, she saw none upon the threshold, but after another hoot, realized that she had been focusing too high. On the ground in the rectangle of lamplight cast through the open door stood the owl and a stick of wood. It seemed that to summon them, it had carried aloft a piece of firewood and then dived to launch it at the door ere recovering to a landing. 'Twas most unexpected and she regarded the hunter closely, looking it in the eyes.
Helluin of Suꝺriborg, I bring thee tidings from the Lady of the Golden Wood, he said.
Pray speak thy rede then, noble messenger," she said as Galadhon joined her at the door.
I must first offer my apologies, for I was to deliver this message yesternight, yet I was sidetracked and then slept through the day, he confessed. Thy rats are most tasty.
If an owl could look chagrined, 'twas he. Helluin nodded, and with a brow cocked in question, bid him continue.
In Mirkwood, I followed six Yrch from the haunted fortress 'til they left the forest heading west, he declared, and I bore these tidings to the lady. I found her taking counsel with a horse, and 'twixt their Sight had learnt that those I had seen were six of two hundreds newly come to Dol Guldur. The lady felt an increase in evil, but knew not if that sensation was only because of the Yrch. She bid me hither to share these tidings with thee.
Having finished his rede, he bobbed his head and flapped his wings for emphasis.
"T'would seem that Dol Guldur is repopulated, meldir nín," she said to Galadhon.
"And t'would seem that we must be away to find and question these Yrch ere the wolves slay them all," Galadhon replied.
Helluin looked back to the owl in preparation to offer her thanks for his efforts when he choked and then gurged up another pellet of fur and bones. He blinked, mortified, and tried to kick it out of sight to the side of the door.
My apologies, Helluin, he said, blushing from embarrassment 'neath his feathers. I consumed many rats last night. I pray thee excuse my untimely regurgitation.
Trouble thyself not, silent hunter. It could happen to anyone. Thou hast our thanks for thy tidings and thou art welcome to thy fill of rats," she replied as Galadhon stifled a chuckle.
They turned back to the cabin and donned their weapons, and then, after packing some trail rations and water skins, hastened to the stables to fetch Bóndihestr and Herǫr. Ere the third part of an hour had passed, they were galloping down the north-south track.
'Twas after the half-part of an hour, when the horses had attained their second wind as their muscles warmed, that Helluin and Galadhon began to feel strange. The night seemed to brighten as their pupils dilated. A feeling of relaxation, coupled strangely with a nervous sense of foreboding, grew upon them, whilst their muscles relaxed and concentration became more difficult. After a short span, they marked their uncertainty graduating to nervousness or well-being as if some hurdle had been o'ercome. Helluin marked that her sight was o'erlain with scintillating speckles of colored light, ribbons of geometric patterns that writhed 'cross her field of view, and patches of scenery that seemed to expand and contract as if breathing. Her sense of time had abandoned her and she marked not Ithil's passage 'cross the heavens. 'Twas very peculiar and yet she felt no threat in it, which was itself quite uncharacteristic.
Meanwhile, Galadhon felt his initial uncertainty increase 'til he was frantically searching their surroundings, expecting an attack and the appearance of foes with e'ery stride of Bóndihestr's hooves. Faint whispers and cries came to his ears, yet he could ne'er pinpoint their direction and Helluin seemed not to hear them. Specters populated the edges of his vision, furtively slipping along beside them, but seen only from the corners of his eyes. He drew his bow and set an arrow to the string, waiting for a target to appear, yet miles passed and he marked 'naught at which to shoot. He looked o'er and saw that Helluin had an idiotic grin plastered on her face, as if she might burst out laughing at any moment. Then she actually began to sing a lighthearted song. He could not understand her inability to sense the threat that hung o'er them. The ellon was on edge and for several hours his fear increased, yet the foes he knew shadowed their ride ne'er showed themselves. All he could do was urge Bóndihestr to maintain their pace.
They galloped on through the night, Helluin borderline euphoric and Galadhon borderline paranoid, whilst the effects of the mushrooms he had picked in the cow pasture ran their course. By dawn, they both felt emotionally exhausted, but at least daylight had arrived, (somewhat sooner than their experience would have suggested), and they had remained unharmed. 'Twas only then that they thought to rest the horses.
Slave drivers, Herǫr accused, panting in exhaustion ere lowering her muzzle to graze. After several mouthfuls, she returned her gaze to Helluin's eyes and said, very strange was thy comportment this night, Helluin, so joyous whilst Galadhon was fearing for his life.
And with 'naught to cause either reaction that we could mark, Bóndihestr said as he nodded in agreement with Herǫr.
'Twas creepy, the mare added ere breaking eye contact so that she could drink.
The Noldo cast her thought back on the night just past and had to admit that on reflection, much about it had been odd. She and Galadhon were riding off intending to waylay Yrch and take prisoners, and there was certainly little cause for lighthearted revels in that. Her friend's paranoia was out of proportion to the danger as well. Finally, she shook her head, understanding not that the two of them had ridden through the night at a breakneck pace whilst tripping on the Psilocybe mushrooms they had unknowingly eaten in their ignorance at dinner. She resolved to leave the horses a couple hours to recover their strength.
Nearby, though Galadhon had returned his arrow to his quiver and shouldered his bow, he was still surveying their surroundings with suspicion. His eyes were darting left and right, searching e'ery possible place of concealment for foes, whilst his hand rested uneasy on the hilt of his sword.
"Come, meldir nín, let us break our fast," Helluin said to him, drawing the ellon from his compulsive sentry duty. From her travel bag, she retrieved some cheese, sausage, and the lefto'er vegetable pastry from their previous night's supper.
With a grunt, Galadhon broke from his watch and joined her, realizing that he had an appetite. He took half the remaining pastry and some sausage and cheese.
"I ne'er realized how little I favor these lands," he muttered 'round a mouthful of pastry. "I deem e'ery mile filled with foes. We must be cautious."
Helluin stopped whilst chewing a mouthful of sausage. She cast her senses outwards seeking for the presence of any hostile parties and found 'naught but the life signs of a few deer, a sounder of wild pigs, some foxes, birds, and other small creatures, all of them native to the Vale of Anduin. The olvar were at peace with no warnings of hostility afoot.
"I have found 'naught of flesh and blood within a couple leagues that would threaten us save by mischance," she said after swallowing her food. "The pigs being the most dangerous."
Galadhon gave her a doubtful look and said, "Then perchance they are spirits. I have long felt something festering during this ride."
To his assertion, Helluin replied 'naught, but took the last piece of pastry and ate it along with some cheese. They continued with their meal 'til both were sated and then sat reckoning the distances. During their o'ernight dash south, they had covered o'er two score miles toward the previous site of their interrogation of the Orch Urgûrz. They deemed that 'twixt the coming night and the following dawn, they would hunt.
A glance to the horses revealed Herǫr dozing, standing upright, whilst Bóndihestr lay on his side fast asleep. The Noldor gave them their peace for they had been hard pressed through the night. At first, Helluin and Galadhon spoke together regarding the owl's tidings, but o'er the course of an hour, their conversation trailed off.
Soon, Helluin sat with a smile on her face and Galadhon nervously paced, bow at the ready. The effects of the mushrooms were less immersive after the expenditure of so many brain chemicals the past night, yet they were still pronounced enough that neither felt normal. O'erhead, Anor slipped 'cross the sky unheeded. After a couple hours, Bóndihestr woke and Herǫr lay down to sleep. 'Twas just past noon ere she woke.
They have been acting strangely these past few hours, Bóndihestr informed her.
Herǫr glanced 'round to see Helluin sitting on a fallen tree trunk, giggling and trying to touch things that were not to be seen. Galadhon had circled their position so many times that he had beaten a path through the grass worthy of the passage of an Orc company. He was still at it, moving laterally in a crouch, his bow up with an arrow on the string as he sought for foes.
This will ne'er do, the mare said. If they mount, t'will be as yesternight. We shall run 'til we drop whilst they heed 'naught. I am going back to sleep. Pray wake me if they recover their wits.
Bóndihestr nodded in agreement and said, we cannot in good conscience bear them hence to battle like this.
Evening had come to the Vale of Anduin ere Helluin lurched upright, appalled to see that the sun was setting. Her glee evaporated as she looked 'round. What? Whither went the day? How could it have been so short? she thought in astonishment.
Galadhon was still circling their camp, his tracks now worn down to bare dirt. The horses were standing together, intermittently grazing or casting surreptitious looks at the Elves. Helluin shook her head in consternation, unable to fathom how they had come to their current state.
"Galadhon, Galadhon, we must away," she called out, "the day has fled and night is upon us!"
Finally, Herǫr said in exasperation.
And about damn time, Bóndihestr agreed, we have tarried long enough to grow roots.
"Finally," Galadhon declared, "'tis about damn time. I have slain dozens in thine absence!"
Helluin looked 'round in alarm, but saw no bodies. Galadhon's quiver was still full of arrows.
"Meldir nín, I see none fallen," she said. "Where lie thy foes?"
"All 'round!" he shouted in exasperation. "We are 'nigh ankle deep in the blood and corpses of Yrch, Wargs, and Easterlings. I believe I heard the bellow of a great serpent, perhaps a cold drake, for I saw no fire!"
"Then we must take flight," she said. "Let us be away at once!"
'Twas easy enough to convince him to flee the scene of such a perilous threat. The notion of an attacking dragon was an all too fearsome memory for those who had survived the Fall of Gondolin. Helluin and Galadhon mounted and charged south down the track.
Oh, here we go again, Bóndihestr carped as they came to a gallop. I hope they come to their senses sooner rather than later.
And I hope they regain their wits ere we come to the land of Gondor, Herǫr groaned.
They raced down the north-south track without pause 'til 'round midnight the horses agreed 'twas time for a break. They slowed and finally came to a halt. By then, Helluin and Galadhon had recovered for the most part though both remained glassy-eyed for the rest of the night.
"I deem we have escaped, thank the Valar," Galadhon said after taking a careful look 'round.
"I agree, for I see no Yrch, evil Men, or Wargs here'bouts," Helluin said.
She looked east and marked a thin column of smoke rising a couple miles off. 'Twas the home of the settler, Bartan son of Gortan, she reckoned, and so the place of their sojourn in 2053 lay but a mile south. After allowing Herǫr and Bóndihestr the quarter part of an hour's rest, the Noldor urged their horses to a trot and soon came to the place where they had met the southern wolf pack. 'Twas now the third night since their quarry had come from the forest and they had still to seek for tracks. They went forward at a walk, carefully surveying the grass to either side.
They had gone not half a score yards when, rather than seeing a trail of trampled grass, Helluin marked a she-wolf sitting by the verge of the track with tongue lolling and ears pricked forward. She gave a yip in greeting and then walked forward to touch noses with Herǫr and Bóndihestr who showed no alarm. 'Twas well 'nigh certainly the same young wolf, now full grown, who had waited with them as Helluin and Galadhon had hunted boars for her pack. Helluin dismounted, met her eyes, and offered a greeting.
Well met, grey hunter. I hope that thou and thy pack are well.
Greetings, bright ones. Indeed, we have been well and I thank thee for thy good wishes. I was bidden to await ye should ye come. Once again, Orcs have invaded our range, the wolf claimed.
Then thou hast our thanks, for we have indeed come hither after hearing tidings of Yrch coming from the forest, Helluin said. Are they slain?
Yes and no, the wolf said, grinning, three were run down and mauled to their deaths. Three surrendered and were prisoners when I left them the past morn.
These we would question if we may, for we have learnt that they came from Borg Fjōlkyngi where many more linger, Helluin told her.
The wolf growled low in her throat at those tidings, but said, pray follow me then. They were halfway to the river when they were taken.
Helluin remounted and the Noldor followed the wolf through the darkened grassland, eighteen miles west towards Anduin. The wolf set their pace and chose the places for their breaks, knowing whereat water could be found. This, the horses were quite glad of, for their guide paused more frequently than the Elves were wont to do. Still, after three hours spent at a speed somewhere 'twixt a trot and a canter, they came to a dell sheltered by a few trees newly come into leaf, and there they found three Orcs sitting on the ground encircled by a score of wolves.
During the last quarter-mile, the Elves had marked the corpses of three others viciously bitten and lying discarded on the ground. By then, Helluin had taken the precaution of drawing up her hood to hide her face. She deemed her appearance immaterial to the wolves, which would know her by scent alone, but could confer an advantage with the Yrch. Their guide and the pack greeted each other with howls that set the Orcs' hair on end and left them muttering curses.
Now when they rode up, the pack alpha came forth from the dell to greet them, trailed by a younger male wolf. They sat and waited for Helluin and Galadhon to dismount. The Elves dipped their heads in greeting.
Ere ye question these prisoners, I would that ye meet my son who shall lead my pack one day.
Helluin met the alpha's eyes and said, 'tis my honor to do so, grey hunter. Then she turned to the younger wolf and said, greetings, son of the leader. As I honor thy father, I would honor thee in thy turn.
The young wolf met her glance, having mastered his nervousness at speaking with one on two legs for the first time, and replied, as my father has honored thee, I would honor thee as well in my time, bright hunter.
The alpha looked to his son with pride and then said, three await thee, alive and unspoiled. We cowed them to drop their swords, but they may have smaller weapons still. Be thee ware.
Helluin dipped her head in appreciation and thanks and then handed the Sarchram to Galadhon ere she advanced to the lip of the dell. There she looked down on the prisoners. They glanced up and recoiled at the sight of her, for just ere they had left the east on their mission, they had seen Khamûl Nazgûl. Helluin appeared little different to their eyes. They watched in growing terror as she strode down into the dell towards them, supremely confident. Soon she was close enough for them to make out her antique black armor and the sword and dagger sheathed 'neath her ragged black cloak. They were the very same accouterments borne by the Black Easterling.
She stopped a fathom from them and then leant forward and sniffed at them. That same behavior they had also marked in Khamûl and 'twas one thing too much. They broke from their paralysis and began frantically gibbering, cursing, making excuses, and accusing each other of treachery. Helluin regarded them, arms crossed o'er her chest, her only movement the slow swinging of her head from one to the next as she examined them.
She let them rant a pace, but after half a minute, commanded them in her harshest and most threatening voice, "Hoshat!¹" ¹(Hoshat!, Silence! Orkish)
The Yrch instantly ceased speaking as if struck dumb and they cowered back, staring at her and expecting to die. To their horror, they saw only darkness 'neath her hood where a living person's face would be, and then they froze, held in thrall by Helluin's unseen eyes.
After staring at them for a few heartbeats that seemed an Age, she hissed, "Pukhl!¹" ¹(Pukhl!, Report! = pukhl-(v. report) Imp. uses verb stem only. Orkish)
Rather than allowing them their natural habit of bickering, lying, contradicting, and blaming each other as they all answered at the same time, she constrained them just as Tindomul had done whilst interviewing the wights in Fornost; she forced them to take turns and speak one at a time.
Tell me all that has come to pass, and how thou ended up a prisoner of wolves, she compelled the first Orch silently, mind to mind, not bothering to ask his name.
In command of a company of six, I took leave of the fortress five nights past. For two, we marched west through the forest. The third and fourth we marched in these filthy grasslands. On the fourth, we were betrayed by three that I slew, then all the hounds of Angmar came upon us, seeking to gorge on our flesh. They ate those I killed and now a company of them guard us as they wait on their hunger ere feeding on us. We have been here a day and now this fifth night.
As had Tindomul in Fornost, Helluin believed a quarter of what the Orch had said. She deemed that they would all claim to be the commander, but odds were even that the real commander already lay dead. Wolves had slain the three that she had seen, not Orc blades, and they had not been eaten. The wolves ne'er ate them. The Yrch had not been betrayed; they had unknowingly trespassed on the wolf pack's home range. The pack numbered a score, not hundreds, and they had defected from Angmar 'nigh a century ago. Still, based on the tidings she had received, his timetable seemed accurate. She dismissed the first Orc with a hiss and a gesture, and after a silent command, the next Orc came forward.
Thou hast failed to reach the river. Why then should I not slay thee, being of no use to the master? Helluin demanded of the second Orc as she loomed o'er him.
As the commander of this company, I have value for my loyalty to the master. I led my company well and we made good time, but I was betrayed, perhaps by some backstabbers in the fortress, scheming disloyal snakes. I would prove my loyalty by killing them all. I shall come to the river if it is the last thing I do.
Helluin nodded in agreement, believing only that coming to the river would indeed be the last thing he did, when they threw his carcass into Anduin. As for killing them all, she was far more likely than he to do that. She dismissed him and beckoned the third Orc forward, assuming he would lie just like the first two.
Commander, how shalt thou come to the river to satisfy the master now?
The commander was a fool, he claimed. He led us to the wolves and deserved his death. We followed orders after a monster chased us to the fortress. Now I think we shall die too, but the master will send others.
This one was far more cunning than the first two, and yet his nature compelled him to lie and to blame others even in the face of his own death, which he rightly recognized. This one is certainly the commander and the only one wise enough to try to evade the blame of failing as leader when confronted by one of his master's Nine, Helluin thought. But what was this monster that chased them to Dol Guldur?
As she seized his mind for to sift through his memories, the Orch realized his mistake and Helluin felt the momentary flaring of his despair ere all his thought was subsumed. The Noldo reached back, ignoring their march from Dol Guldur, marking their panicked flight through Mirkwood to get there, and then paying heed to his memories of the East Bight.
The Yrch had come from the east, two hundred strong, running through the nights, and when they reached the forest, they had met a few of the surviving Wainriders. The most esteemed of these nomadic warriors had come to greet their old allies, and there invisible hands had seized and rent their bodies.
Piecemeal, the monster had donned the sundered scraps to make for itself a suit of meat. Some fell spirit had animated that collection of body parts to give itself form, and in horror, the Yrch had fled this terrifying apparition lest it, or others like it, did the same to them. Into the forest it had pursued them, but they were compelled to flee together as a company to Dol Guldur, rather than scattering through the forest to preserve their individual lives. 'Twas with great relief that he and his five comrades had taken up their orders to leave and march west to Anduin.
Helluin was amazed at what she had seen in the Orc's memories. Surely, Sauron had dispatched some dark spirit to accompany his Yrch west, yet 'twas of a kindred she had ne'er encountered aforetime. Now, 'twas her own memories that she reviewed.
Fell spirits had been housed by Morgoth in the hames of werewolves, vampires, and even dragons, but all of these had been embodied at birth and grew to maturity already ensouled. Spirits might partake of the possession of a living being, but there too, the resulting creature was, and had been, alive, though perhaps not for long, fey as they oft were. Finally, by spells of necromancy the spirits of the dead might be awakened and compelled to animate their own bodily remains, persisting so indefinitely after death, as did the wights at Fornost or the Barrow Downs. What she had witnessed through the Orch's eyes was darker still. The bodies of the slaughtered Wainriders had been torn asunder and then select parts cobbled together as a vehicle for one malign spirit. In her ten thousand years of life, 'twas unprecedented.
Tidings of this abomination must come to the Wise! her mind screamed.
One last inquiry Helluin made, and she found that as expected, deep within the memories of each of the three Yrch there stood a wall of fire. She had no reason to believe that any of these differed from what she had found within Urgûrz a year aforetime.
The prisoners were still constrained by her eyes and she was still ensconced within their minds. In the ethereal equivalent of a wrenching twist, she snapped something fragile and vital within each of them. The three fell dead without a sound.
The wolves howled in alarm as Helluin drew back the hood of her cloak. She glanced briefly at the fallen and then climbed out of the dell. There she met the eyes of the alpha who seemed unsettled.
My apologies, grey hunter. I should have commanded them to walk to Anduin and slain them there, she said. They were o'er fifteen miles from the riverbanks.
Thou slew them as one, without touch or weapon, he said in nervous astonishment.
Aye, but they were feeble witted and easily mastered, for they had known only servitude and fear was their constant companion, she said. I had come deep within their minds and found 'naught to contest my dominion. I executed them from within.
I understand, he said with relief, and didst thou learn 'aught?
Indeed so, something terrible, she said. I saw a monster that rent the bodies of Men and then donned their parts as a pelt to give presence to its evil spirit. 'Tis a thing I have ne'er seen aforetime. Keep thy treaty with Bartan, grey hunter, and stay west of the north-south track. Borg Fjōlkyngi has grown far more perilous of late. Coming thither, one might lose not only their freedom, but their body as well.
We shall do so, bright one, the pack alpha said. That horror shall not afflict my pack.
Helluin turned to Galadhon, retrieving the Sarchram and then sharing her memory of what she had learnt from the Orch. He was amazed and horrified in spite of all the evils that he had seen during the First Age.
"We must bear these tidings to Lothlórien at once. No owl can convey the monstrosity of what thou hast seen."
Helluin nodded to him in agreement. Only the sharing of her personal memory would do justice to these tidings. The Wise would have to be made aware of what now lurked in Dol Guldur. But first, they had one further thing to do on behalf of their allies.
Ere taking their leave of the wolves, they dragged the bodies of the Orcs from the dell and gathered them with the three slain on the trail, and then they buried them in a shallow pit that they no longer debased the landscape. They rode north in the early morn and at dusk on the second day, they returned to Norðr-vestandóttir Bý.
We shall rest through this coming day, and on the following morn, ride for Lothlórien, she told Herǫr and Bóndihestr who groaned at the prospect.
T'will be in the third week of Gwaeron, Helluin, and Anduin shall be high, Herǫr reasoned. Can thine errand not wait a fortnight 'til the ford is shallower? Thy words shall not reach the lady if we are washed away.
Helluin gave serious thought to this, for when they had ridden to the Golden Wood in the previous year the spring flooding had come to Anduin earlier and more abruptly than usual. The current year had seemed more normal though.
I shall give thy words serious consideration, she told the mare ere taking leave of the stable.
By the following night, both her consideration and the horses' reservations became immaterial. The evening meal that she and Galadhon prepared included a delicious stew filled with fresh vegetables and abundant mushrooms that the ellon had gathered from the pastures. Ere they finished that cauldron of stew, they had endured the full week affected by the psilocybin and had been in no condition to travel.
Most of those days and nights they had spent pursuing various artificially induced inspirations. These resulted in some very peculiar results that neither could explain afterwards, despite their apparent profundity at the time. Once the effects of the mushrooms receded, they appraised their activities with confusion and chagrin, unsure of what they could possibly have been thinking.
Galadhon had taken upon himself the labor of constructing a new chicken coop. The woodworking and construction were of perfectionist craftsmanship, but alas, sized for sparrows and wrens. 'Twas lavishly appointed and any hen would have been gleeful to call it home if only the door had been large enough to admit them. Instead, 'twas barely large enough for a chick to enter. A couple days after they ran out of the vegetable stew, he shook his head in wonder at what he had wrought and could not comprehend the notion that had caused him to create it. In the end, they filled it with spoilt grain and used it to poison vermin, for the owl had not tarried.
During that same time, Helluin had been obsessed with the notion of enhancing the farm's defensive capabilities, reasoning that Suꝺriborg had once been a fortress. She walked into the woods and selected a fallen tree, and then with great labor, built of it a counterweight trebuchet capable of lofting a missile of two stone so far as a furlong. Alas, her weapon was still in the midst of thick woods and could not be moved, for she had not built it upon a carriage that could be drawn by horses, and in any case, there was no road. There were no stones 'nigh to provide shot, and she had oriented it so that it targeted the cabin. After her wits returned, the Noldo was not only vexed that she had wasted so much time and effort, but also abashed that she had targeted her own abode without a second thought. They wound up cutting it into firewood.
So passed ten days, and during that time, Gwaeron had come to its end. Helluin and Galadhon both felt wiped out after their weeklong mania and still had no notion of what had possessed them. It took another three days ere they to begin to feel like themselves again, and 'twas only by luck that they consumed no more mushrooms during that time.
Finally, on the fifth day of Gwirith, they set out for Lothlórien.
"Meldir nín, I believe I shall forgo mentioning this past week to Celeborn and Galadriel," Helluin had declared as they mounted Herǫr and Bóndihestr. "What say thou?"
"I shall say 'naught of it as it bears not upon the tidings we need to share," he grumbled in reply, still disgruntled o'er his chicken coop. It had seemed a brilliant idea at the time, though with the return of his sobriety, 'naught but a laborious parody. At least Helluin's siege engine would stock their hearth rather than assail their home.
They found the Ford of Anduin submerged a foot deeper than during summer, but 'twas still passable with care. At the Ninglor, they were forced to carefully pick their way through the swampy iris beds 'nigh the delta where the river emptied into Anduin. That detour claimed almost three days ere they could return to the Dwarf Road. Finally, 'round noon on 24 Gwirith, they reached Caras Galadhon. They met again with Celeborn, Galadriel, and Álfrhestr in the same garden.
"Helluin, Galadhon, welcome, mellyn nín," Lord Celeborn said in greeting.
"Suilaid nín, Helluin and Galadhon," Lady Galadriel said, "I feel some trouble weighs upon ye. Is it that which has brought ye hither?"
"Indeed so, my friends. Alas, we have found dark doings involving Dol Guldur," Helluin said.
"We thank ye for dispatching the owl with tidings," Galadhon added, "or this abomination might have passed undiscovered."
Álfrhestr, Galadriel, and Celeborn regarded them with alarm and the lady bid them speak.
"Pray tell us all ye have discovered," she said.
"More readily shall the horrors we have learnt be conveyed to ye by sharing my memories of the three Yrch that I interrogated of late," Helluin told them. They nodded their agreement and looked deeply into her eyes.
In her memories, they saw Helluin and Galadhon approaching a small, tree encircled dell by night. A score of wolves ringed the site and these howled in greeting. They watched the exchange 'twixt Helluin and the pack leader and then saw her prepare to confront the prisoners.
In the guise of a Nazgûl, Helluin cowed the Yrch and then enthralled them with her eyes. They heard her silently question them in Orkish and they heard the Orcs' answers. Helluin offered translations of their dialect and an analysis of what had been said. 'Twas when she pressed the third Orch and viewed his memories that they learnt of the horror she had found.
Some unseen spirit had ripped the bodies of the Wainriders to pieces, and then it had chosen from amongst the scraps for to clothe itself and become manifest. In that morbid attire, it had chased the two hundred Yrch all the way to Dol Guldur.
Ne'er aforetime have I seen such a monster, nor such a process, they heard Helluin say, yet herefrom do I reckon thine impressions of a greater evil in Dol Guldur arise."
I agree, Galadriel said, for I too have ne'er seen such barbarism aforetime. Undisputed is the darkness of this malign spirit. From its accompaniment of the Yrch, I doubt not that 'tis in league with Sauron Gorthaur. He hath sent it forth, but whether as an o'erseer of his slaves, or upon some evil purpose of its own, I cannot tell.
I deem that whilst 'tis clothed in the flesh of Men, it may be assailed, Helluin said, but should it shed that grisly hame, t'would become unseen and a far greater threat. I fear it slipping from the fortress one day, to wreck havoc in some settlement or city of Men, perhaps even in Gondor.
The lord and lady shivered, imagining that possibility. Having conveyed such information from her memories as she could, Helluin blinked and broke the connection.
"I know not if the monster shall retain this guise 'til the meat rots away naturally, or if it can sustain its gruesome pelt for so long as it desires," Helluin said, and watched as the others shuddered in horror. "The Orch left Dol Guldur almost immediately after arriving and the monster still appeared 'fresh' when last he saw it."
"I deem the tidings of this abomination must come to the lords Elrond and Mithrandir at once," Galadriel declared and the others nodded in agreement. "Let us hope the Grey Ithron still lingers in Imladris when we arrive."
"It shall require o'er a fortnight to ride to the Hidden Valley…" Helluin began, but then fell silent when the lady regarded her askance with a look that said, pray take me not so literally, eh?
Galadriel offered her hand and Helluin took it. Although she had little understanding of what to expect, she trusted her old friend.
"Relax, Helluin," the lady said with a smile, "and trust me."
Helluin nodded her acceptance, but when Galadriel initiated the projection and she felt their fëar being partitioned on the astral plane, she 'twitched' and in her surprise, allowed the partial opening of her etheric aperture. A quantum of Light was emitted and its power augmented the lady's spell in an unanticipated fashion, creating a phenomenon wholly unexpected by either ellith, (though in truth, Helluin had no real notion of what to expect anyway).
It seemed that in the next instant, they appeared in the Lord Elrond's study, suddenly standing before his desk and heralded by the easily audible 'thump' of air displacement. In the garden in Lothlórien, Celeborn, Galadhon, and Álfrhestr panicked at their disappearance.
Again, the Peredhel was startled to the point of choking and jerking up from his chair, upsetting his goblet of wine. It rolled 'cross the desktop towards the edge and dropped o'er the side. Helluin lunged to catch it ere it could strike the floor and managed to snag it by reflex at knee height. She set the goblet back atop her old friend's desk, though she could do 'naught for the split wine.
Helluin offered Elrond a smile, but then quirked her brow at his frozen expression of shock. Moments dragged on. She glanced to Galadriel who was no less astonished. Then, the lady stomped lightly on the floor. She felt and heard the impact of her sandal on the carpeted wooden boards. A look of wonder blossomed on her face. She turned to a bookcase and lifted a volume, then dropped it with a crash and clasped both hands o'er her mouth as she burst out in peals of laughter.
"We are here!" she exclaimed. "We are truly here!"
"This is not thine accustomed astral projection, my lady," Elrond managed to utter in a gross understatement.
He looked o'er to see that Helluin had helped herself to a seeded cake from the salver on the sideboard and was chewing with gusto. The dark Noldo seemed unaffected and unaware that 'aught was abnormal in them appearing physically two hundred fifty miles as the Eagle flies from Caras Galadhon.
"We bear tidings for thee," Helluin announced after swallowing her mouthful of cake, but the other two were paying no heed at all. Elrond was looking at her as if he barely knew her and Galadriel was touching e'erything.
Finally, the Peredhel recovered himself enough to call for Lindir. The ellon appeared at the door in moments and then stared at Helluin and Galadriel with an expression of astonishment, forgetting even to bow to the nobles.
"How came ye hither, unmet and unheralded…" he muttered. "I would swear that none have passed the ford this night…"
"We arrived by way of the lady's enchantments," said Helluin, waving a hand toward Galadriel who had wandered o'er to the hearth and was stroking the upholstery of the Peredhel's sofa as if she were petting a cat. "Artanis, what on Middle Earth? That sofa is unchanged for at least six hundred years. Surely thou hast seen it aforetime."
The lady looked back to Helluin and with a rapturous smile said, "we are here."
The dark Noldo threw up her hands and asked of no one in particular, "whyfor has our presence whelped such discomfort? We are where we intended to be and have important matters to discuss."
Still stricken with awe, Elrond managed to order Lindir, "Pray summon Lord Mithrandir, mellon nín. This, he must see."
Confounded, the Seneschal of Imladris bowed to the room in general and fled his lord's study.
Shaking her head, Helluin took a chair opposite Elrond and regarded him 'cross his desk. Behind the Peredhel, the window revealed the large terrace by moonlight, shrouded in darkness and above, stars twinkling in the sky. That struck the Noldo as wrong. Then she sputtered in shock, realizing that it had been not an hour past noon when she and Galadriel had taken their leave of Caras Galadhon. Their 'instant' journey had taken most of the day.
"The time, Lord Elrond," she demanded urgently, "what is the time?"
"'Tis the middle of the first hour past midnight, Helluin," he said, again feeling confused.
"Then our 'appearance' has consumed half a day, for we left Lothlórien in the first hour past noon on 24 Gwirith," Helluin said in wonder. "Celeborn and Galadhon must be worried sick."
Elrond's mouth dropped open yet again, as if on this night 'twas becoming a habit.
"Helluin, 'tis 8 Lothron," he stuttered. "And ye…"
Now 'twas Helluin who sat gaping at her old friend in shock. As Elrond made to add more, she raised a hand requesting a moment's peace. She realized that she had some questions for the lady regarding her 'process'.
"Artanis," she called out 'cross the room, "pray tell, how long do such enchantments require to deliver one hence?"
"Why, astral projection is 'nigh instantaneous, of course," she said lightly. "I have employed it many times, arriving in spirit, conducting my business, and returning after the expected span. 'Twas e'er the same, 'til now."
"Then 'tis indeed not the same this time," Helluin ground out, "we have consumed a fortnight and half a day, and I am convinced that I am not here only in spirit. In that time, we could have ridden to Imladris on horses, nice and normal." She groaned and covered her face with her hands.
The lady bolted to her feet and strode o'er to take the other chair before the Peredhel's desk.
"Can this be true?" she demanded of Elrond. "Have we been gone from Caras Galadhon for a fortnight?"
"If ye left Lothlórien on 24 Gwirith of 2061 as we have heard, then ye have spent far more than a fortnight projecting thyselves hither," he said. "'Tis now 8 Lothron, 2062."
With that revelation, Galadriel swooned and Helluin simply passed out. Somehow, they had lost a whole year. At that moment, Mithrandir arrived with Lindir trailing behind. The Ithron surveyed the study and the lord Elrond's guests, finally heaving a sigh of relief.
"The Lord Mithrandir, hír nín," Lindir announced, ere withdrawing in haste.
"I see they have arrived at last," the Wizard said. "Were it not for Álfrhestr's reassurances, I should have expected that they had come to harm long ago. Pray tell, what hast thou done to them? Lindir said they were fine but a short while ago."
"They were indeed fine whilst still in their ignorance, but learning that they had lost, not half a day, nor even a fortnight, but a year proved difficult for them to digest," Elrond said. "They are both strong-willed, and I deem they shall be well enough once they recover."
Mithrandir nodded in agreement with the healer's opinion and then settled down to wait on the reawakening of his friends. Elrond poured them glasses of wine and then set two more aside for Galadriel and Helluin, deeming they might need a drink. That proved true shortly later when the two ellith sputtered to wakefulness, still in shock, and trying to accommodate their disbelief.
"I understand not how we could have been gone a fortnight and a year," Helluin said doubtfully, "it felt like but a moment to me."
"And to me as well," said Galadriel, "indeed it felt as it hath e'er felt aforetime. Yet somehow, we projected not only our appearance as representations of our fëar, but indeed the whole of our beings, fëar and hröar. 'Tis unprecedented."
"So, this was not how 'twas supposed to work," Helluin said, still trying to convince herself. "'Twas perhaps some cosmic accident visited upon us? I might suspect the wiles of the Enemy save that it serves no purpose I can fathom."
"If the process could be understood and controlled, it could be highly beneficial," Elrond said. "Imagine being able to travel from place to place without the chances for mishaps or threats upon the road."
"More likely, I can imagine losing years and arriving later than on foot, whilst courting the possibilities of coming to someplace unwanted, or not arriving anyplace at all," Helluin griped. "I cannot favor doing thus again."
"Oh come now, Helluin," Galadriel said, "we have come whither we intended, but simply later than expected. We have arrived safely. I deem that this is a great mystery of Creation. We should solve it, thereby to perceive an aspect of Arda hidden and unsuspected aforetime."
"And during our trials, what if we should be deposited a century hence in Mordor, or after an Age in furthest Rhûn? Artanis, we have not the slightest inkling of whyfor 'twas different this time from all the times thou hast done the like aforetime," Helluin reasoned. "I desire gaining the tactical advantage, believe me I do, but the jeopardy inherent in exploring this process may make it a mystery best left for the Valar and the One." And with my luck, we shall appear in the Void just ere the Dagor Dagorath, she thought darkly. Mithrandir chuckled at that and Helluin groaned.
"We who stand against Sauron would be loath to lose either of ye," the Wizard said, "and whilst I too can see the tactical advantages that such an ability might confer, I deem they are few compared to vigilance, stealth, planning, alliances, courage, and hope. I know not whether such transportations are reserved for the Valar, but I reckon the hazards of exploring this possibility are too great ere 'tis understood. If we can answer whyfor the result was different this time than at all prior times, then perhaps a realistic avenue of experimentation shall open, but only then."
"I should like to know whence ye came during the year of your absence," Elrond said. "I find the disappearance of any from Arda to be a sinister thing, for 'tis a deviation from the path set before them in the Song."
"Well, at least we were not constrained in the house of Iarwain Ben-adar," Helluin said with a sigh of relief, "or we should not have returned for an Age." The others nodded in agreement.
"We have simply lost the time," Galadriel said, "for unlike a normal astral projection, 'twas our whole selves as were transported and 'naught was left behind as an ethereal anchor."
"Is it possible to be nowhere?" Helluin nervously asked Mithrandir. "Could we have been rendered to 'naught?"
The Ithron gave serious consideration to her question, for the possibility was truly horrifying. Could one actually pass out of Creation, out from 'neath the dominion of the One?
"My heart says nay, and yet in truth I am not sure. The question has simply ne'er come up aforetime," he finally said.
For a while thereafter, they all lapsed into silent contemplation. What had befallen Helluin and Galadriel offered great possibilities, yet it engendered great jeopardy as well. The lady had oft used astral projection to appear in Imladris, and occasionally in Lindon as well, especially after Círdan had surrendered Narya and Ósanwe o'er great distances had become impossible. She had brought others with her at times, most recently when Celeborn and Álfrhestr had accompanied her to Imladris a few years aforetime. Ne'er in an Age had 'aught gone awry. Perhaps 'twas only coincidence, but she had ne'er aforetime brought Helluin. This thought occurred to all of them eventually.
"Helluin, how felt thee when accompanying Artanis hither?" Elrond asked.
"Anxious at first, then astonished, and now confused, and perhaps apprehensive as well," she recited, ticking off her emotional states on her fingers.
"'Tis a departure from relaxing as I bid thee," Galadriel observed mildly with a grin.
"I have heard that 'tis best to relax ere the headsman hews one's neck," Helluin muttered.
Galadriel, Elrond, and Mithrandir laughed at that.
"Helluin, could thou have influenced the lady's projection in some way?" Mithrandir asked.
"If so, then I know not how. Indeed, I know not how this projecting is done in the first place. Despite the lady's entreaties to relax, I may have become tense as I would ere leaping into an icy stream," she said. "Even so, I would still end up bathing in frigid water, and even so, I am here."
Elrond and Mithrandir nodded, accepting Helluin's reasoning for the moment, and the Ithron said, "Perhaps we should move from this matter to that which brought ye hither. Though we have heard much of what thou shared, I should like to see thy memory of the Orch for myself."
Helluin heaved a sigh of relief, for now they were at last passing to a topic she was familiar with and was convinced had great import. Still, her tidings were now o'er a year old and she had no idea of what had come to pass since.
"Pray look into my eyes, mellyn nín, and I shall share what came to pass."
Elrond and Mithrandir gazed into her eyes whilst Galadriel drank wine and ate cake, for she had seen these memories aforetime. At once, the Ithron and the Peredhel found themselves 'nigh a dell in the Vale of Anduin, encircled by a wolf pack. They saw Helluin and Galadhon greet their allies, and then Helluin confront the three prisoners. They saw and heard the questions and answers, and then partook of the viewing of the third Orch's memories of his flight to Dol Guldur. They saw the monster and 'twas e'er bit as fearsome as what Celeborn and Galadhon had shared with the Wizard when he had gone to Lothlórien shortly after Galadriel and Helluin's disappearance. Helluin blinked and the sharing ended.
"Having twice seen this abomination, I am still unable to view it with my Sight," Mithrandir said. "'Tis shrouded by powerful spells and that leaves me troubled."
"I too was unable to See it aforetime," Galadriel said, "and not for lack of trying even ere knowing what 'twas that lurked in Dol Guldur."
"It hath been a year. Has 'aught changed since 'twas revealed? Hath it come from Dol Guldur? Hath it threatened any realm?" Helluin asked.
Galadriel too looked to Elrond and Mithrandir with worry etched upon her face. For o'er a year, Nenya had been away from the Golden Wood. Her Sight had been curtailed by her absence and the security of her realm was much reduced. Now was not the time for such a lapse.
"We have heard 'naught of any changes," Elrond said. "We have not even learnt of more Yrch coming from the forest. Whether the monster remains or has returned to the east, we know not."
Helluin nodded with a grim set to her lips. In this case, she felt that no news was not good news. Shorn of its coat of body parts, the monster could be anywhere and could linger or attack unseen. Invisibility was a horrific advantage, and shorn of its king, she deemed Gondor weak.
"I at least must return o'er the mountains, afoot if necessary," Helluin said. "I shall not chance thy projections again, my lady." She offered Galadriel a respectful dip of her head.
"I too must return," Galadriel said, giving Helluin a nod of understanding, "and I would share thy company on the road, old friend. This time, we shall ride."
Mithrandir cast a worried glance upon them, Elrond as well, and the Peredhel said, "The High Pass is perilous in this season. The Yrch have become numerous and recently, small parties from Imladris have been assailed. I would send no less than two dozen knights with ye, yet perhaps there is a better way."
So 'twas that they adjourned from Elrond's study and stood on the terrace in the warm spring night. Uphill, two Elves had been detailed to the small building beside a swift falls, and there they had slid back the roof and engaged the waterwheel. Shortly later, a brilliant beam of arc light lanced into the sky, the emblem of a soaring Eagle projected upon the underside of a few clouds lingering o'er the high peaks to the east. The signal was given and the party remained to watch. For two hours, they stood thus, searching the high airs above the Hithaeglir, and finally they were rewarded with the sight of a dark speck circling the sigil of the Theryn¹. ¹(Theryn, Eagles, pl. of Thoron. Sindarin)
O'er the next third part of an hour the speck spiraled down, following the beam of light. Soon the movements of its wings and head could be discerned, and finally it came o'er the fells to the northeast ere banking towards the Hidden Valley.
"Gwaihir answers thy summons, meldir nín," Helluin said to Elrond as they watched him swoop low o'erhead. She greeted the Lord of the Eagles with a dim ril of Light from her fëa and saw him wobble his wings in reply.
Gwaihir came to perch on the balustrade along the rim of the terrace and then hopped down onto the paving to meet them as they gathered 'round.
"Helluin, my Lord Elrond," he said, then greeted Galadriel and Mithrandir, offering each a dip of his head. "My Lord Mithrandir, Princess Artanis, thy signal drew forth many Yrch from their lairs, yet I flew beyond the range of their small bows. Whyfor have ye called?"
"We would beg a boon of thee, Lord Gwaihir," Mithrandir said. The Eagle cocked his head and regarded the Ithron from one eye and then the other. Finally, he bobbed his head, bidding the Wizard continue. "Helluin and the Lady Galadriel must come swift and safe to Lothlórien. The High Pass we deem hazardous and the Caradhras Pass too distant. Wouldst thou consent to bear them hence?"
"Bearing them o'er the Hithaeglir is little trouble, my lord, but I cannot land, nor can I launch within a forest," he said with regret. He turned to Galadriel and Helluin and said, "I can bear ye to Nanduhirion, or perhaps to the heights of the southern arm of Fanuidhol o'erlooking the Dwarf Road north of the Golden Wood. I reckon Nanduhirion would be closer. Can ye have riders and horses waiting?"
"I believe I can provide for such easily enough," Galadriel said, dipping her head to Gwaihir in thanks. "Pray give me a moment to make the arrangements."
Despite the peculiar results of her last attempt at astral projection, the lady stilled herself in concentration and a dim ril enveloped her. Her eyes went blank, staring straight ahead, and she reacted not even when Helluin waved a hand before her face.
"Huh. Is this how the enchantment is supposed to work?" she asked, casting a questioning glance to the Peredhel.
"Aye, or so she hath always appeared when conversing with Círdan in Lindon, or with Celeborn or Arwen in Lothlórien," he replied.
The lady was absent for many minutes, but none found that surprising as she would be seeing her husband for the first time in a year. When she returned, 'twas with a broad smile on her face, though she revealed 'naught of what had passed save that a company would meet them ere the road from the Azanulbizar Gate passed into the trees.
"Then all is well," Gwaihir said. "Pray mount before my wings and we shall be away."
Reverting to a trace of her old competitiveness, the princess leapt lightly onto the Eagle's back and then offered Helluin a hand to ride pillion behind her. Helluin shrugged and allowed the lady to pull her up, though she met Gwaihir's eye with a wink as he bent his neck 'round to see that they were safely seated.
As Mithrandir and Elrond watched, the great Eagle took two strides, hopped onto the balustrade, and then leapt out o'er the steep drop beyond the terrace. He glided downhill, following the contour of the land 'til he judged his speed sufficient, and then he flapped his wings to gain altitude. In moments, they were ascending o'er the valley, the course of Bruinen shrinking rapidly 'neath their feet. Galadriel let forth a shriek of pure joy that resolved into laughter at the feeling of freedom inherent in flying, a thing she had ne'er done aforetime.
Helluin wrapped her arms 'round Galadriel's waist and tucked herself in behind the lady's wind shadow, allowing her to meet the air that grew increasingly chill as they rose in altitude. When they crested the spine of the Misty Mountains, the lady began to shiver.
"Helluin, 'tis freezing up here," Galadriel complained, "how long shall we be flying?"
"I should say no more than another couple hours," Helluin replied. "'Tis two hundred and fifty miles as the Eagle flies and at these heights, the air is chill. 'Tis e'er as Narwain up here, but 'tis our speed that truly makes it feel cold. We fly at thrice the pace of a galloping horse."
The princess groaned at the prospect of spending another two hours shivering in her sandals and spring robes.
"'Tis the Helcaraxë all o'er again," she muttered, and Helluin had to stifle a chuckle.
I wager she would welcome even the heat of Umbar by comparison, Helluin thought.
After another fifteen minutes of feeling Galadriel's shivering increase so that she could hear the princess' teeth chattering, Helluin began to emit a soft glow of Light that heated her armor to provide some comfort to them both. She leant forward against Galadriel's back and felt the princess press back against her with a sigh at the offering of warmth. So they flew on through the night 'til Galadriel thought to escape the chill by projecting her astral self back to the garden in Lothlórien. 'Twas a horrible miscalculation, for she was in contact with Helluin who had her hands wrapped 'round her waist, and the dark Noldo was emitting far more than a quantum of Light.
Gwaihir lurched upward a hundred feet at the sudden absence of their weight on his back. He had to glide and twist his neck 'round to make sure that they were actually gone. Then he circled back and looked down, carefully surveying the barren mountain slopes, but he saw no bodies.
Oh, by the Valar, how shall I explain this? he thought. I had one job…sheesh!
Helluin and Galadriel appeared with a clearly audible 'thump' of air displacement. The dark Noldo was standing behind the princess, her arms wrapped 'round her waist. They were ankle deep in sand and standing in the blackness of a desert night on what appeared to be a massive dune or promontory. Above, the sky was cloudless and speckled with a billion stars, but the constellations seemed a bit…off. This they sensed by second nature. Ithil hung o'erhead as well, showing a westering, waning quarter.
They parted and glanced down o'er the edge of the promontory. The vista encompassed a vast bay and a strong citadel lit with many lamps. In the harbor before it lay a multitude of anchored ships, dark, their sails furled and their spars revealed as the ribs of skeletons, ghostly in the moonlight.
Galadriel looked down upon it all with rising anxiety as a sensation of threat impinged upon her shocked mind.
"Helluin, where in Arda are we?" She did not really expect an answer.
Helluin groaned at the sight of the place, a place she had not visited since an Age before.
"Umbar," she ground out. "What hast thou done?"
To Be Continued
Dragon King Hecht: Thanks for your review. I suspect that Álfrhestr would like that.