In An Age Before In An Age Before Chapter 270, a silmarillion fanfic

In An Age Before – Part 270

The New Riders of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý - The Third Age of the Sun

After her second day in Imladris, Helluin had found many things to be thankful for. Lindir had not only survived his association with the traumatized refugees, but he had shown himself to possess the qualities of a father figure who could also be a friend. He presided o'er mealtimes and bedtime storytelling that soothed the night fears of the young. The Singer had gifted them the wisdom of his years in words they could understand, and whilst offering sympathy balanced with discipline, had taught them lore and handcrafts that built their self-confidence and hope. From breakfast 'til bedtime he was rarely divorced from their company, organizing group games 'twixt e'er changing teams that brought healthy competition into their lives with an emphasis on cooperation and mutual respect. In half a year, he had weaned them from the worst of their terrors and taught them to believe in themselves, and for that, they loved him.

Helluin herself had sought the counsel of her old friend Elrond. He was, after all, a master of healing.

"I have been infected in mind, meldir nín," she had confessed, "and have vastly underestimated the sorcery of the Goblin King."

"Goblin King? There is a king of that kindred ruling o'er Kâpul Ulot?" Elrond had asked.

"Aye, just so, a Great Goblin of proportions unimagined aforetime. He stands well 'nigh as tall as a Torog and must weigh forty stone," she estimated, "but more astonishing is that he is revered by his host, and they numbering tens of thousands. In six months, I saw not a one scheming against him, nor heard any that voiced 'aught but esteem for his rule."

"Amazing," the Peredhel said, knowing as well as Helluin that achieving the rule of a band of Yrch was most oft like painting a target on one's back. "How then did this Goblin King afflict thee?" he asked.

"Oft he performs as a minstrel before his gathered throng. I deem he sang a song of power as I have seen none amongst the Glamhoth do aforetime, and perhaps his songs also bind his subjects to him," Helluin said, "for they cheer and applaud his concerts wholeheartedly. I apprehended not his glamours 'til I was already infected in mind."

"'Tis a fearsome thought, that one amongst that foul kindred commands the powers of tune and voice," Elrond mused. "How hath he sickened thee, Helluin? Pray enumerate thy symptoms."

"Since first hearing it, I have been unable to break the spell of the first song that I heard pass his lips, so that now I find myself humming the melody and reciting the lyrics at odd times when my mind is idle or incompletely occupied. 'Tis a horrid song celebrating abominable sentiments, yet drive it from my mind I cannot, despite that it offends all propriety."

"I see," the Peredhel said, setting his chin in his hand and passing into thought.

They fell into silence, and after a while, he detected Helluin humming an infectious tune 'neath her breath. She became aware of it after a short while and silenced herself with a grimace. Within him, both the healer and the lord of a realm were intensely curious.

"Reticent though I am to chance exacerbating thy dis-ease, meldis nín, yet I deem my own understanding of this condition might be aided by witnessing thy memory of the inceptive incident." He cast a questioning look to her and marked her momentary expression of horror ere she nodded her acquiescence and met his eyes.

"If thou art sure, my friend?" she asked.

He nodded 'aye' and tried to offer her a look of encouragement. With obvious apprehension, Helluin initiated the Ósanwe and suddenly Elrond was no longer seated in the comfort of his study. He saw the dark tunnel and the light from the cavern beyond it wavering on the walls. He saw what Helluin had seen as she spied on the Goblin host. Amidst his amazement at the sheer count of the creatures, he saw the Goblin King shuffling and stepping, twirling and sliding as he sang to serenade his people. The tune came to his ears and the words imprinted themselves on his mind, and he felt the compulsive nature of their appeal. Revolting as he found the sentiments, he perceived the artistry of the grotesque Goblin King. With a blink, Helluin ended the vision. He had returned to sitting in his chair behind his desk in his study in Imladris where he hummed the tune. Helluin groaned to hear him.

"'Tis without a doubt a song of great power and I am as amazed as art thou to find such a lúthas in an abode of Yrch," he said. "There is but one answer to thine affliction."

Elrond saw Helluin look to him with desperate hope in her eyes, bidding him explain.

"Very simple shall be thy cure, meldis nín. Melodies can capture the spirit ere any words are set to the music and one may feel much from a tune alone. A song without words may still provoke the spirit of one who speaks not thy tongue, for the appeal of a melody is universal. As with 'aught else experienced, thy heart's reception of this tune shall remain with thee."

"Then I am cursed to parrot the Goblin King's minstrelsy fore'er," Helluin groaned, shaking her head in dismay. "I shall ne'er be free of it…O the horror."

Elrond chuckled, drawing a dark look from Helluin, but he said, "I deem 'tis the words and not the melody that offend thy mind. Thou must simply replace the words of the Goblin King with words that bring thee hope and joy. Turn the spell, Helluin, and therein shalt thou find relief."

At that simple assertion, Helluin's mouth dropped open wide in shock. The idea was so simple that even she could see the promise in it. All she needed to do was replace the offensive sentiments of the Great Goblin with more appealing lyrics that spoke to her heart.

"I shall do so, meldir nín," she said with a smile, "wise thou art in healing."

"I believe that if the words come not easily to thee, thou knows one for whom song is a special gift, and I am sure that he would willingly aid thee."

After spending the remainder of that day trying to form lyrics strong enough to dispel her memories of the Goblin King's words, she sought Lindir and found him surrounded by children on a field as they played a game with hoops and sticks. She took a seat 'neath a tree on the edge of the field and for a while she watched. Soon she perceived that genuine happiness surrounded both the mortals and the ellon. The scene brought a smile to her face. When they finished their game and adjourned for the evening meal, Helluin stood and approached Lindir.

"Suilaid, meldir nín. T'would seem that both thee and thy charges flourish and I am glad to see it," she said.

"Helluin, hath it truly been six months?" he asked in amazement.

She nodded 'aye' to him and he chuckled.

"With haste pass the days whilst one enjoys mirth and good company," he said, "and none have been more surprised at that than I." Then he looked to her, recalling his lore, for long ago, she had known motherhood. "Unexpectedly, I have learnt so much from them, and much of that about myself. With trepidation I greeted this calling, and yet now, I should not trade it for the world."

"'Tis the way of parenting, mellon nín, for the One set the capacity to love within us, and who could be more deserving of it than those helpless innocents who have not yet earnt the shadows that life may bring? To discover and explore that blessing is reward in itself."

"I have come to believe 'tis just so, Helluin, and I feel myself in thy debt for providing me this opportunity."

"The debt is mine, my friend, for thou hast shouldered what seemed an onerous burden to care take these unfortunates that I had brought out of bondage," Helluin said. "That said, I would have thy counsel."

Lindir raised an eyebrow in question, and Helluin confided her need for new lyrics powerful enough to free her from the Goblin King's fell enchantment. She explained her problem o'er the evening meal and after, in the Hall of Fire, Lindir set his mind on composing words to break the spell. Though Helluin had used songs of power aforetime, in this case, she required more compelling words than any that she could think of whilst herself bespelled, yet Lindir rose to the occasion. His composition succeeded in countermanding the Goblin King's sorcery. Indeed, it succeeded so well that 'twas imprinted in the subconscious of those mortals who heard it in Imladris. The song was passed down through many generations after, 'til its theme became so ingrained within the collective unconscious that it could be lost and rediscovered as if 'twas created anew in Ages to come. It went like this:

I see trees of green, red roses too,

I see them bloom, for me and you.

And I think to myself,

What a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue, and clouds of white,

The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night.

And I think to myself,

What a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky,

Are also on the faces, of people going by,

I see friends shaking hands saying, "How do you do?"

They're really saying, "I love you."

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow.

They'll learn much more than I'll ever know.

And I think to myself,

What a wonderful world.

Yes, I think to myself,

What a wonderful world.¹

Thereafter, when Helluin found herself humming the tune, it upset her not for 'twas Lindir's lyrics that came to mind. The Goblin King's words she recalled only with effort so that though she was still possessed by the song, now it made her glad and no evil did the recollection of it betide. At last, she prepared to lead the survivors of Helrunahlæw home to the Vale of Anduin, to rejoin their kith and kin in Norðr-vestandóttir Bý.

To provide the added security that Helluin had requested, Lord Elrond assigned her old friends Glorfindel, Galadhon, Thórá, Gwingion, and eight others of the Noldor who had dwelt in the Blessed Realm long ago. In accord with Helluin's counsel, they draped themselves in hooded cloaks of black, so to give the impression of the servants of a Nazgûl.

On their last day in Imladris, Helluin gathered the people of Demon Hill and introduced the dozen warriors who would keep them safe, for their appearance seemed sinister to mortals, (and especially to the children). Thereafter, the twelve spent many hours becoming familiar to them all, for these rather grim Noldor had been strangers aforetime.

"Of late ye have healed and rested here in the Hidden Valley, but the lands of your home lie on the far side of the mountains," Helluin told them. "Thither I would guide ye, for already many of your kith and kin dwell in peace on farmlands to the south. They abide on the far side of Anduin, and there they are safer than ye were in your old village of Helrunahlæw.

I know the idea of journeying o'er the mountains brings ye thoughts of fear and memories of hardship. The path is not easy to walk, yet with time and good preparation, I know ye shall be able to accomplish it. I also understand that venturing into the highlands shall bring ye from the safety of this valley and closer to past enemies, yet I bid ye fear not. Like me, those who shall go with us have spent Ages of the world fighting the foes that attacked your village, and we are still here. We shall spare no effort to keep ye safe."

Both the adults and the children looked to Helluin and the other warriors, and they saw them nodding in agreement with her words whilst offering smiles of reassurance. They appeared confident, and that gave the mortals hope.

Now the children and adults were provided warm raiment suitable for spring in the High Pass, along with sturdy shoes and travel bags for rations and the odds and ends that had become dear to them during their half-year in the Hidden Valley. On the day they were to debark, many of the Elves whom they had come to know gathered to bid them a safe journey. One of these unexpectedly begged leave to join their march, and his request brought the mortals much rejoicing. For the first time in many centuries, Lindir chose to venture from Imladris, for he would see his friends to their new home ere returning afterwards with the dozen guards.

"Of course thou art welcome to join us, meldir nín," Helluin had said, smiling. "Seeing thy charges settled amongst their neighbors and families should do thy heart good."

Lindir nodded to her in agreement, saying, "They have become dear to me and in but half a year I have seen them change and grow. So swift flee the years of mortals, especially in their youth, that I would stay our parting, even if by but a month."

Having lost one mortal friend after another o'er the long years of her life, Helluin gave Lindir a somber nod and a bittersweet smile. She imagined that he would recall them fondly after they had passed from Arda, to live thereafter only in his memory.

The company set out from Imladris on 8 Gwaeron, marching through the Hidden Valley to the east wall, and there they began their climb to the High Pass. They set a pace comfortable to the children, though ere long many of the youngest were carried by the adults. Rather than spending four days to cross the Hithaeglir, Helluin expected to spend eight ere descending into the Vale of Anduin, and another four to reach the Old Ford. By then, the start of the third week of Gwaeron would be 'nigh and soon after, the spring rains would start, swelling the river and making the ford chancy.

At first, the children thought their trip a pleasant outing, an adventure into the hills, but as the grade steepened and they recalled their captivity in the mountains and their terror of the Yrch, they became somber and fearful and those feelings were made worse by the exertion. But Lindir's presence, leading them in singing familiar songs together, did much to relive their moods. Having sufficient clothing and food brought comfort, and the presence of the cloaked and hooded warriors provided reassurance against their fears. Ere they actually entered the High Pass, Helluin walked amongst them, and though her appearance was forbidding, they recalled her as their liberator and seeing her gave them confidence.

On their third day, the company reached the pass and Helluin took the lead with Galadhon beside her. The remaining dozen Noldor spread themselves amongst the column with a trio holding the rear. Lindir walked in the center with the children, constantly reassuring them and providing the distraction of stories, games, and songs. He coaxed them to look 'round themselves and name what they saw, to mind the changes in the rock layers in the cliffs, and the plants and animals viewed in the distance. All of their hearts rose when they marked an Eagle soaring far o'erhead as it circled above their march.

For four more days, they climbed and walked amidst the heights, and no sign of Yrch did they espy 'til finally their path began to descend. Then they stared down at the broad vale and the river far below, where mighty Anduin, dwarfed by the distance, seemed a bright, silvery ribbon that turned into a rivulet of fire in the ruddy light of the setting sun. For the first time since their abduction, the folk of Helrunahlæw looked upon their homelands.

Now in the dark of that night, Helluin and the other Noldor felt the approach of foes, yet they numbered five only and they made no attempt to hide. They appeared in plain view upon a promontory o'erlooking the path by ten fathoms, and there they stood 'til they spotted the Nazgûl. When they looked at her, she captured their eyes, and into their minds came a vision of Mordor, of the Plain of Gorgoroth thick with the columns of the Dark Lord's host as they marched north to the Isenmouthe, just as it had appeared when Helluin had spied on the Black Land on 10 Gwirith of S.A. 3434. Then for a fleeting moment they saw the Great Master himself, standing in the topmost chamber of the Barad-dûr on 7 Nórui of S.A. 3435 as he gave instructions to his Mouth for to demand the surrender of the Host of the Alliance. The vision ended as Helluin blinked and the Yrch were freed.

Beside her, Galadhon watched their e'ery move with clear focus. Should they so much as twitch, an arrow would fly from his bowstring, yet they did 'naught but blink for a moment, disoriented and awed of what they had seen. Although none of them had e'er set foot in Mordor, nor known any still surviving from the time of the War of the Last Alliance, they knew that the Nine had been there and they had no doubts about what the Nazgûl had shown them…fearsome sorcery and the figure of the Great Master. Then, to Galadhon's astonishment, they bowed as one to the Nazgûl and withdrew without saying a word.

"Truth be told, I had thought we would endure at least a challenge on this march," Galadhon admitted after the Goblins had disappeared beyond hearing. "Instead, it seemed as if they had come to pay their respects."

"So they had, meldir nín," Helluin replied. "I saw in their minds that they had received reports of our march and came to bear witness." At her friend's look of surprise, she explained. "Since coming to Kâpul Ulot, I had concentrated my actions against the Uruk-hai who are the scions of deserters from Angmar. The Goblins I left alone. This I confirmed to them by the writings that I left in blood on the cave walls. The words declared the slaughter by the Ghâshgûl, but also the vendetta against the betrayers of Angmar. The Goblins saw what they wanted to see whilst the Uruks were reminded of the terror of the Fire Wraith they have long feared, coupled now with fear and distrust of Tindomul. In the end, e'eryone's expectations were met."

"So the Goblins are rid of their unwanted guests and the Uruks have been convinced to shun their old master, the Witch King, who may or may not also be the Ghâshgûl. I wager they shall flee or hide if he calls upon them in the future, and that is a very good thing," Galadhon said, nodding in approval, and they shared smiles.

"We shall have 'naught to fear from them as we continue our march," Helluin confirmed.

Another three days the company spent in descending from the High Pass, and they remained unchallenged. By then, the villagers had been anticipating reaching the river vale they could see ahead, and their spirits rose. In the afternoon of 16 Gwaeron, they finally left the foothills and stepped onto the Men-i-Naugrim that led to the Old Ford of Anduin. Three score and six miles still lay before them ere they could cross to the eastern bank, but the hardest part of their journey lay behind. Though a couple hours of walking light yet remained, Helluin eyed the sky and decided to camp for the night and let the people rest. Conspicuously, the Eagle that had o'erseen their march was no longer to be espied o'erhead.

Probably returned to its eyrie some two score miles to the north, Helluin thought, or if 'twas Meneldor, then mayhap he hath gone to snipe a two-headed snack from Rhosgobel. She sighed and turned to the villagers.

"The hardest part of our journey lies behind us," Helluin told them, "and hereafter the land is mostly flat, save for some gently rolling hills. Ye have done famously, conquering the High Pass without mishap, my friends. 'Tis an achievement to be proud of, for only the Caradhras Pass to the south is more forbidding. I bid ye rest now and take some food. We shall set out again on the morrow's morn."

She did not bother to tell them that the Caradhras Pass was the only other recognized high pass o'er the Hithaeglir. For a group of mortal villagers, and o'er half of them children at that, they had indeed achieved something to be proud of, for they were not as soldiers, used to marching day after day in such demanding terrain. The Elves set a watch and allowed the people to relax and prepare a hot meal. For the first time in o'er a week, the land finally provided kindling and firewood.

In higher spirits the company continued on their way east in the second hour after dawn. On each of the next four days, they made seventeen miles, and so they spent the night of the 20th on the east bank of Anduin. Helluin and the Noldor deemed they had crossed just in time, for the rain clouds had been gathering o'erhead and humidity could be felt in the air. On the 21st they came to the north south track and in the afternoon, the spring rains began. Within a league, they were soaked and miserable.

"How far yet, Helluin?" asked Eadmundr¹ who had aforetime been a mason and was the oldest Man of the group, being then a score and sixteen years of age. ¹(Eadmundr, Edmond Old English)

"I reckon five score and twelve miles 'til we come to Norðr-vestandóttir Bý," she said after a moment's thought. Eadmundr groaned.

"Fins and scales we shall grow ere reaching thy farm," he carped, shaking his head. "We shall be another week to ten days afoot and soaked to the skin."

"I know 'naught to amend that, my friend," Helluin replied sympathetically, "at least we are all equally wet."

He nodded in agreement, his expression glum, and he muttered, "fine weather for ducks."

Amazingly, at least to the Noldor, several of the adults conceived of tying the corners of their cloaks to sticks, so to form a roof of fabric that could be held o'erhead whilst walking by groups of their folk, even the children. This amazing invention served to keep them somewhat o'er half dry, though the children gleefully stomped through puddles as children are wont to do.

"I wonder why in all the Ages, none of our folk bethought to invent such," Thórá said to Helluin as they gazed at the mortals pacing along 'neath their temporary tents.

"I deem we care the less for the weather," she guessed, though there had been many times when she would have welcomed such a contrivance. The first weeks of the march that she and Beinvír had endured from Calenglad to Umbar came to mind.

By night, the people huddled 'neath those same cloaks, seeking respite from the rains during their hours of rest. Throughout their march south, it rained two days out of three, sometimes in torrents, only allowing them to half-dry their clothing ere becoming half-soaked again. Being ne'er truly dry, nor truly soaked to the skin, they were always uncomfortable. There was much grumbling to be heard, especially from the adults who had lost the better part of their sense of humor, ere the company turned off the north south track on 2 Gwirith. Their relief was the greater, for on that day, the clouds had withheld their rain.

Now they took a trail leading west and walked through an open wood beside a small river. They marked a couple older trails coming from the north, grown with grass and obviously seldom used. Helluin led them through a split-rail fence without a gate, and then past a sprawling, mixed berry bramble, though 'twas still too early for fruit. By then, the people had seen buildings ahead along the riverbank and a herd of horses grazing. A low hill rose on their right, but as they continued 'round it, they saw more and more buildings revealed beyond its slopes. Finally, they cleared the hillock and looked o'er a street leading past shops and homes to fields greening with winter wheat and rye, perennial lucerne, and the early leafing of trees in the orchards. A little ways past the road, they saw a stockade upon a low hill, encircled by a tall log palisade.

But the real cause for rejoicing was the people. Amongst the shops and homes stood Men and Elves, and the mortal folk were familiar. As promised, their kith and kin stood in joyous astonishment at their approach. Then there was shouting and laughter, and people were running to meet each other. They dropped cloaks and bags and leapt into each others' arms, heedless of being damp and dirty from their long march, and those receiving them were no more mindful of their hygiene than they. Only their joy at this reunion o'ershadowed all, and the hugs and kisses and tears continued on for a long time. Beyond hope, they were together again. One amongst them raised a hunter's horn and blew a blast, and after several moments, 'twas returned from a distance west.

"My heart soars to see them so happy," Lindir said to Helluin as they stood watching.

"Aye, past all the hurt and fear, they have found peace and happiness again," she replied. "Some they shall miss, but for now, their hearts are healed."

'Twas Gwingion and Thórá who first marked what had occupied some of the Men ere their coming. Against the palisade stood a half-dozen targets pierced by many arrows, and on the ground at a dozen fathoms, bows and quivers abandoned on the ground. They traded a knowing look. Four of the Tatyar approached and met with Helluin as the other Noldor gathered 'round.

"Mellyn nín, here are Marhrondo, Lirulin, Ránehen, and Erinítaite, who have joined me on the farm," Helluin said, introducing the two ellith and two ellyn. To them she said, "These are old friends of mine who came from Imladris to guard the refugees, Galadhon, Thórá, Gwingion, and Lord Glorfindel, with whom I served King Turgon in Gondolin, and others who came with us from Aman, Gilsilien, Háronór, Calardan, Thúlgolant, Nenglár, Idrialiel, Delugam, and Halthestil¹." ¹(Gilsilien, Star Shine = gil(star) + thilio-(v. shine) + -ien(fem n on v suff) At the partition in proper nouns, –th becomes –s and the duplicate –i is elided. Háronór, Distant Fire = haeron(distant) +naur(fire) In proper nouns, the diphthong –ae becomes –á and the diphthong –au becomes –á. Calardan, Lamp Wright = calar(lamp) + tán(maker, wright) At the partition in proper nouns, -t becomes –d. Thúlgolant, Wind Borne = thúl(wind) + col-(v. bear, carry) + -ant(v past suff, borne, carried) At the partition in proper nouns, -c becomes –g. Nenglár, Water Song = nen(water) + glaer(long poem, lay, song) In proper nouns, the diphthong –ae becomes –á. Idrialiel, Sparkling Daughter = ido-(v sparkle) + -rial(adj on v suff, sparkling) + ield(daughter) The final –ld becomes –l in proper nouns. Delugam, Deadly Hand = delu(deadly) + camb(hand) At the partition in proper nouns, -c becomes –g and the final –mb becomes –m. Halthestil, High Hopes = hald(high) + estil(hopes) At the partition in proper nouns, -d becomes –th. Sindarin)

"'Tis our pleasure to meet ye," Lirulin said to the Noldor, and to Helluin, "the rest of us are spread out 'round the farm, as are more of the people of Helrunahlæw. I am sure that all shall arrive shortly as word of thy return spreads."

Indeed, it seemed just so, for already more people were hastening from the fields, the gardens, the houses, and the outbuildings. They cried out in surprise and joy and joined the growing crowd. Then, whilst they were still celebrating their reunion, a dozen riders came down the track beside the river from direction of the mill. A party of five hunters and the mylnweard and his journeymen joined the throng.

"We shall have many tidings to share, mellyn nín," Helluin told the Tatyar, "and t'would seem ye have much to tell as well."

"Indeed so, Helluin, and we are eager to hearken and share," said Ránehen.

Now it came to pass that in the following days, those who had family already living in Norðr-vestandóttir Bý abode with them, and those who did not made their homes in the stockade. With well 'nigh an entire village of people, most of the necessary trades could be filled and the settlement came to function like a well-to-do hamlet of Northmen. There were many hands to work the crops for no few of them had been farmers and well 'nigh all had maintained gardens. The farm finally found a potter to make vessels of clay. Yet there were some changes from the order of Helrunahlæw.

Living now in the lowlands of a river vale, rather than in the uplands of the mountains, left some with little need to practice their crafts. Save for the few occasions when a completely new building was constructed, Eadmundr found scarce call for a stone wright. He offered what aid he could to the other trades, but felt less than fulfilled. In this situation, he was not alone.

Though it had been the hunters of the village who had first practiced at archery, the mason of Demon Hill surprised himself as much as any other when he found that he possessed an aptitude for the bow. When he spoke with the hunters, they were glad to teach their skills and to have his company. Yet even in this, he was no more content than they, especially as he watched the Tatyar practicing at mounted archery, and with their spears. Finally, he went to speak to Helluin, for by then, 'twas obvious that she was the leader of the settlement. He knocked on the door of the cabin after the evening meal.

"I wish not to appear ungrateful, Helluin, but there is little call for the craft I learnt aforetime, and whilst I am happy to contribute as a hunter, I feel there is more that I should do, especially after the attack on our old village that none amongst us was prepared to repel."

The dark Noldo nodded to him, understanding his reaction to feeling helpless in the face of his enemies. As 'twas, there were but fifteen Elvish warriors to defend the farm and the 'nigh three hundred mortal inhabitants.

"What wouldst thou then, Eadmundr?" she asked.

"It seems that at least some amongst us should learn to defend our own lives and this place that is bountiful beyond our hopes," he said. "We would fight to preserve it, but dearer to us, we would fight to safeguard the lives of our families."

The Noldo nodded to him and thought his notion good.

"Knowst thou that thy folk come of a culture long steeped in the valor and honor of its riders? The Men of the Éothéod are mighty horsemen and fell warriors whom I called friends and allies long ago," she said, and saw him nod. "This land was once the southernmost of their holdings. The stockade was garrisoned with riders for its defense."

"I would learn 'aught that thou would be willing to teach, Helluin, and many would join me for they feel as do I, that a Man unwilling or unable to raise his hand against his foes shall be a victim of them," Eadmundr said. "Whilst that is bad enough, many here have families with women and children to protect, and they yearn to make them feel safe."

"Then I shall teach ye what I know of the ways of warfare as the Éothéod practiced it in the days of Prince Fram and King Frumgar," Helluin said, deeming that such tactics were far better suited to mortal Men than the warcraft of the Laiquendi. "Pray speak this night with those who are like-minded and willing to train, and we shall begin."

Eadmundr nodded with great enthusiasm and a smile shaped his lips. "We shall be ready in the morn," he promised.

After he left the cabin, Helluin wondered if they would have enough horses. She knew for a certainty that they lacked for saddles and tack, for like her, the Tatyar rode bareback.

At least the farm now has several artisans versed in leatherwork, she told herself, and no lack of fine woodworkers. I suppose the construction of their own saddles shall be a good lesson for our future cavalry.

Of course, they would also need bows, quivers of arrows, spears, daggers, swords, and axes or clubs, and she knew not how many Men would seek to train. All of their weapons would needs be fabricated anew. Helluin groaned and wondered if they would not need to start capturing slaves to provide the labor. 'Twas 5 Lothron, 2478, just o'er a month since the refugees had come from Imladris.

Now despite her initial doubts, Helluin woke the next morn to find forty-three Men eager to begin training as riders. Out of a total population of two hundred seventy-four souls, this was a large portion. On that morn, they had not a sword amongst them and none had handled a spear. To the good though, all of the settlement's dozen hunters had appeared with their bows and quivers of arrows. The Noldo began by warning them that becoming warriors would take time, for the first requirement would be the production of their weapons and armor. These things, she assured them, were within their capacity to create at Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. What they could not fabricate in haste was the horses.

"As we have no heirloom swords, nor an abundance of steeds, we shall began as we can, with the iron smithying and wood working necessary for the crafting of weapons. In time, and whether by foaling amongst our herd or capture from the wild, mounts shall be acquired and ye shall all be horsed," Helluin told them. "Now pray tell, how many of ye have ridden?"

None raised their hands save six of the hunters and Helluin had suppressed a groan.

She began as she had with the Tatyar, by demonstrating the forging of spearheads. These were lighter and shorter bladed than those for the Avari, for they would be used as lances by riders. The replication of these for forty-three spears she left to Heregar the smith and his son who was his apprentice. She then took her students to the woods where they procured poles of ash, rather than the hickory used for the Tatyar spears. Again, these would be lighter for use in mounted charges wherein some would be lost.

Helluin passed then to instructing them in the craft of the bowyer so that their weapons would be of uniform kind and power. The Noldo taught them the skills of the fletcher so that all of them had sufficient knowledge to build a bow and the arrows it would fire. They felled a birch tree and seasoned the staves.

When they went south 'cross the river to Hafrland, Helluin again summoned the local wolf pack to gorge on the excess goat meat. Alas, their presence wholly terrified the Men at first, despite the Noldo's reassurances. She stood amongst the hunting pack as they quailed a 'safe' distance away.

"So these are thy warriors, Helluin?" the alpha asked, whilst looking askance at the cowering villagers.

"One day, I suppose…" she replied, shaking her head. "They are lacking the culture of the Éothéod and must learn afresh their courage and fearlessness."

"Not to mention their drunkenness and propensity for boasting," he added with a wolfish grin, "but mayhap they shall grow into them in time. So, we are to feast on goat?"

"Aye, ye are welcome to so much as thou and thy pack can eat."

"Well then, shall we? 'Tis a good day to gorge," said the alpha as his pack nodded in enthusiastic agreement.

It took a couple days, but the Men saw that Helluin shot goats, took their sinews, horn sheaths, and hides as the wolves sat patiently waiting for her to finish, and then, after she gave them a nod, dove in and ripped the carcasses apart with bestial gusto. At times, it also appeared that she took counsel with the leader. Slowly, the Men grew more comfortable as they carried off the raw materials for their bows whilst the wolves studiously ignored them. In the end, the experience had been the second most terrifying thing they had endured, but led to some 'light' boasting as they had all survived.

After finishing the forging of the spearheads, Heregar made steel helms, axe heads, and later, stirrups, bits, and various rings for sets of tack, whilst leather workers cut thongs for reins and headstalls.

By that year's end, the forty-three apprentice riders were practicing at archery with their new bows and doing drills with their spears. For the latter, they were forced to thrust at straw targets swinging from ropes whilst they sat astride sections of tree trunks set upon wooden cross-braces far cruder than any carpenter's saw horse. This led to absolutely no boasting for they knew they looked ludicrous.

When two years had passed, only five horses had attained the safe riding age for their breed of four years. Helluin had acquainted them to her presence and touch from their first days. Their dams trusted her and so they trusted her, and by extension others, as a natural part of their childhood. They had been worked on a lead as colts and fillies and trained to carry a saddle in their third year, but they had not been mounted 'til well into their fourth year. 'Twas time for them to choose their riders.

Into a spacious paddock Helluin brought the five horses and there let them graze, then she summoned the forty-three hopeful riders in training and set them inside 'round the fence.

"Try to make eye contact and be reassuring," she told the Men, knowing that some would connect more easily than others.

Horses raised by people were curious about people and could tell their nature pretty easily, whether by scent or by some sixth sense peculiar to their kind. The five trotted 'round the paddock at first, but gradually, they slowed to a walk and examined the Elf's offering of humans more closely. Having been from birth surrounded by other horses, including those ridden by Helluin and the Tatyar, they had years of advice to draw upon, for they had grown up hearing the tales of warhorses and had developed the ambition of becoming such themselves. 'Twixt their noses and their lore, they eventually made their choices, measuring their riders' good intentions, sincerity, and compatibility with uncanny perceptiveness. Alas, Eadmundr was not amongst them.

Thereafter, Helluin set the five lucky Men to the care of their mounts, for though there were both stable hands and a horse master on the farm, they needed to show their steeds that they could and would care for them when afield. They were also encouraged to spend as much time with their horses as possible, especially at the start of their relationship.

"For ye shall depend on your mounts for your very lives and so too shall your horses depend on ye," she told them gravely, "so take 'naught of this relationship for granted."

The Noldo watched as the weeks passed into months and the Men cared for their horses and their horses bonded with them, and soon enough, they mounted to the saddle and began their mutual acquaintance as riders and warhorses in the tradition of Captain Ërlick and all those who had come after. 'Twas then mid-Hithui of 2480, and at the rate that foals were being born and the yearlings maturing, Helluin reckoned t'would be 'nigh two decades ere all forty-three riders were horsed. The realization made her groan.

Somewhere, somehow, I must find 'nigh forty horses to carry the Men from Helrunahlæw ere they are too old to ride to war, she thought, and o'er the winter, a plan began to take shape. Just ere dawn, she thought to herself, this could work!

The following morn was heralded by a mortal woman screaming in the yard 'twixt the cabin and the large house wherein the Tatyar dwelt. Helluin groaned and walked out to find Mæðhild in hysterics, pointing a finger at the lady and the horse that were standing in the yard regarding her with suppressed humor. The dark Noldo's own eyes widened in surprise to see them, but she managed to compose herself and offer a bow and a greeting as the Tatyar tumbled out their door to watch.

"Lady Artanis, Álfrhestr, suilaid nín a erin bein nalen,¹" she said. ¹(suilaid nín a erin bein nalen, my greetings and a good morning to ye Sindarin)

"A strange morn, Helluin," the lady said, casting a surreptitious glance at Mæðhild who was still gibbering incoherently whilst being ushered away by some of her friends.

"Did ye simply appear before her?" Helluin asked, deeming that witnessing the sudden astral projection of her friends had severely discomfited the poor woman.

"Indeed so, but of course we could ne'er have known that she would be standing exactly where I would appear," Galadriel said with a grin and Helluin groaned. The princess had appeared superimposed o'er Mæðhild just as she had appeared in Helluin's lap in Elrond's study.

Shaking her head at the timing, the dark Noldo said, "Trouble thyself not, my lady, it could happen to anyone. I shall speak with her later and assure her that 'twas but a mirage, or swamp gas, or a hallucination wrought of sunlight on water vapor, or some such…" she trailed off.

After a few moments to reflect on the absurdity of the situation, she thought to ask, "Whyfor have ye come?"

"Ahhh, yes. Álfrhestr sought to take counsel with thee and knew I could convey him hence," Artanis said, casting a glance to the horse.

Helluin too looked him in the eyes, but as aforetime when he had accompanied Helluin and Galadriel to Imladris as an astral projection, he spoke aloud with words.

"I have perceived that thou hast a plan to obtain more riding horses, Helluin, and thought I might aid thee."

Helluin's eyes started from her head at that assertion, for she had only thought it to herself and had told none. It took a few moments for her shock to abate, during which time it seemed that the Oracle Horse chuckled.

Finally, she managed to croak out, "then let us take counsel together, my old friend."

Whilst Artanis wandered off to view the farm, Helluin and Álfrhestr stood close in speech whilst the folk from Helrunahlæw stood 'round gawking and gossiping. Though she hearkened to his words, she idly wondered what mythic monstrosity would grow from their accounts. After he made his points, Helluin found herself swayed by his opinions and conjectures and accepted his counsel. Thereafter, Artanis returned.

"If thou hast had thy say?" she asked, and Álfrhestr nodded 'aye'. "Then we shall be away. May the stars shine upon thee 'til next we meet, Helluin."

"May thy home remain at peace, meldis ifant nín," Helluin replied, and then to Álfrhestr she said, "'Twas good to see thee, old friend, I thank thee for thy counsel."

The lady set her hand upon Álfrhestr's neck and in the next instant, she vanished. The warhorse remained and bent his neck to lift an apple that had fallen from the tree at his feet.

"My favorite!" he exclaimed ere taking a bite.

Helluin reeled and barely muttered, "how?" ere she collapsed on the ground.

To Be Continued