In An Age Before – Part 271
'Twas only a short time ere the Noldo regained her wits. She came to with Álfrhestr blowing air into her face so that she smelt apple and hay. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted with the sight of the horse's muzzle two fingers' width from her face and she bolted upright in shock, smearing her forehead 'cross his nose and lips.
"Gahhhh!" the stallion exclaimed as he recoiled away and then stared down at her from one eye and then the other. "My apologies, Helluin, my depth perception suffers at such close distances. I truly thought there was a good cannon's length 'twixt us."
Helluin was sitting upright in front of him, wide-eyed and with a splatter of saliva and mucous on her forehead. The argument of depth perception she could readily believe, considering that his eyes were on opposite sides of his head.
"I pray thee not look down thy nose at me so," she muttered ere wiping her face and slinging the slime away with a flick of her hand. "So, thou art undeniably here…yet Artanis is gone," she said in wonder, "how can this be?"
"I had come to understand how thou affected the lady's astral projections aforetime,' he said proudly. "'Tis known now that thine accumulated power augmented her sorcery such that ye were transported fëar and hröar to Imladris and Umbar, though the mechanism governing your loss of a year and a fortnight none have apprehended as yet. Still, I reasoned that with the addition of such power, a teleportation might be had, and so I began to store up sunlight and moonlight, for 'tis the same Light, is it not?
It took centuries ere I chanced a trial, for I would not that my forequarters or hindquarters be left behind such that I could no longer follow my nose or my tail after." He grinned at her, celebrating the triumph of his reasoning.
"I applaud the subtlety of thy wizardry, my friend. Thou hast truly graduated to join the Wise," she said in praise. "Why, I wager that Saruman remains confounded by it still. But how then didst thou manage to remain? Should ye not both have been teleported back to Lothlórien?"
"Had I not expended all of my accumulated Light coming hither, I should indeed have returned to the Golden Wood, at least according to my calculations, but as she was a projection and I am entirely here, only she returned by her astral projection." He regarded the Noldo carefully and said, "For four centuries I stored up what Light I could, and 'twas but sufficient for one passage of one person."
"'Twas a great achievement nonetheless, my friend," Helluin said, wondering how and in what place he had stored up his Light. Then she decided that she really did not want to know. The Noldo then wondered how Galadriel had reacted to returning home without Álfrhestr. "My friend, what of the lady? Shall she not be disquiet at thine absence?"
"Perhaps t'will take her some time to notice?" he asked hopefully.
The notion of Galadriel not immediately marking the disappearance of a horse 'twixt one blink and the next was ludicrous and Helluin rolled her eyes. Then she reckoned that she had more pressing problems to confront. The farm's mortals and the Tatyar were gathered 'round the yard staring at them and muttering in hushed tones, and even the horses had come from the stable to investigate the rapidly spreading rumors of 'a great sorcery'.
It seemed that Álfrhestr took notice of them too for the first time. He shook out his mane and tail ere returning his gaze to Helluin and saying, "T'would seem they have ne'er aforetime seen a five hundred year old horse talking. How provincial."
Helluin could not but groan as she realized that t'would be a very long day. She also realized that she would not be able to dismiss the mortals' observations by blaming swamp gas or reflections. She wondered if perhaps the claim of a mass hallucination brought on by tainted food or water might suffice as an explanation.
In the end, Helluin was left yet more perplexed by their reactions than she had expected to be. Whilst the eldritch and unheralded appearance of Galadriel and Álfrhestr was incomprehensible to the folk from Helrunahlæw, they successfully rationalized it away for their own peace of mind as witchcraft. What they could not understand was why a wælcyrie¹ of such power would leave behind so valuable a horse. In their estimation, a talking steed was beyond any price, and even if meant as a gift, 'twas still reckoned a gift beyond kingly. In the end, none of them believed that Álfrhestr had once been foaled on the farm and had lived his early years there ere being trained as a warhorse and riding away to great renown. They refused to even contemplate that he could be verging on five centuries old. Such a claim was simply inconceivable to them and they shied away from the stallion in barely controlled fear. ¹(wælcyrie, sorceress/witch Old English)
The horses on the farm proved somewhat more receptive. For the most part, Álfrhestr acted like any other horse. He ate what they ate, walked, trotted, cantered, and galloped just as they did, and his manure was indistinguishable from their own. He spoke their language and knew what they knew. Yet he was indeed enriched, though the steeds of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý attributed that more to his travels and experiences in Gondor, Rhûn, Lothlórien, Imladris, and Eriador than to 'aught supernatural. When the Oracle Horse finally revealed to them that his longevity was due to the 'wælcyrie' bespelling him with a gold coin of Doriath that he had discovered in a buried teakettle, they spent weeks digging up the grounds hoping to find the same for themselves. Helluin had thrown up her hands in exasperation at all the potholes in the gardens, yards, paddocks, and fields, but there had been no reasoning that she could offer to dissuade them. They had carried on in their futile treasure hunt 'til they finally grew bored and gave up.
Of greater value was the inspiration that Álfrhestr's stories of adventure incited in the horses. 'Twixt seeing strange lands and riding into battle against exotic foes, charging with Knights and Rangers of Gondor, and celebrating victories in ancient walled cities, they doubled their resolve to become warhorses. The young ones would have grown up faster if only they could.
'Twas only the Tatyar that accepted Álfrhestr for what he was. In this, they had the advantage of centuries of familiarity with 'the supernatural'. Having known the Mâh-Sakâ's mage Halatir, (for he was one of their own), they knew that he had been in service to the Ithryn Luin. These they sought and eventually found, for along with the Nelyar, many of their own people already abode in the fortress, or at the allied citadel of Samara. They had enjoyed the Wizards' welcome and had remained with them in Rhûn for several centuries. There they became familiar with many forms of sorcery and much arcane lore. Sometimes, it had been difficult to distinguish 'twixt the two.
Amidst the lore they learnt was the tale of Helluin's sojourn in the east, of E-ngúrglaw, and the destruction of Skator. One of the rare High Elves of the West had warred against the worshippers of the God of Fire, and by all accounts continued to do so in the lands to the west. The fourteen Tatyar had all found the story inspirational, yet their esteem for her had increased the more when they learnt from the other Úmanyar that she was also the same warrior who had once freed them from the dungeons of the Barad-dûr.
Despite the benefits they had enjoyed in the service of the Ithryn Luin, there were two factors with which the Tatyar found themselves at odds. The first was that, after the suppression of the Medes and their allies, the Mâh-Sakâ and the Blue Wizards were only involved in defending the lands they occupied from incursions along their western border. They had ne'er pushed further, nor intended to invade Mordor. Save for leading some slaves to sanctuary, they were no longer actively engaged in the struggle against Sauron. They rarely had foes to prosecute any longer and so they had settled into the decadence of empire. The second factor concerned the 'Snaga'. Though they were welcomed and accepted in Samara and their conduct was becoming, they were fore'er Orcs of Mordor. They still cooked and ate their dead, for example, and the Avari simply could not feel comfortable in their company. Like Helluin, some few of the Tatyar still recalled kith and kin abducted from their first homelands 'neath the new stars.
"Mage Alatar and Mage Pallando deem that their mandate is achieved," Ngandáro had told Helluin, "for they were tasked to oppose Sauron in the east."
"Having driven his servants and worshippers out of Rhûn, they are content," Arinya had added.
Eventually, the fourteen Tatyar had resolved to search for Helluin and continue the struggle against Sauron. They had sought counsel from Alatar, Pallando, and Maglor. 'Twas the Lord Kanafinwë who had directed them west to the Vale of Anduin, for after speaking with her 'nigh the Nargil Pass, he deemed that, "Helluin and her Dúnedain Rangers shall likely have left Gondor by now and the closest place to seek for her would be the homeland of her horse. Failing that, I should seek her in Eriador, the homeland of the Dúnedain and the Laiquendi." Somehow, marching west had felt right, as if it had been in their blood.
The Tatyar had eventually found Helluin at Norðr-vestandóttir Bý, and now they had also found her horse. That 'twas the same horse she had ridden to Gondor, Harad, and Rhûn 'twixt 2003 and 2008 they deemed 'naught but sorcery and far from impossible despite the passage of four hundred and eighty years. They knew what Helluin had done in assailing Sauron in Sheol with a weapon of Light, a weapon so unprecedented that even Sauron had been unprepared and his refuge worsted. Kanafinwë had also told them of the wisdom and nobility of Artanis, the Golden Princess of the Noldor. They had seen her appear on the farm from 'naught and then disappear into thin air again, and so 'twas hardly a stretch for them to believe that one so highborn could bestow an Elvish lifespan upon a horse if she so chose.
As Elves, they conversed at whiles with some kelvar and hearkened to the whisperings of the olvar. They had ne'er aforetime met a talking horse or a horse of Álfrhestr's age, but like themselves, they reckoned he too would have increased in skills and wisdom with age, and thus his speaking aloud with words was not so hard for them to accept.
"How dost thou feel, now that thou no longer abide in Lothlórien?" Helluin had asked her old friend a few days after his arrival in Norðr-vestandóttir Bý.
"I feel much as I did ere I came there," Álfrhestr said, "as an enriched horse of three score years." That had been his age when he had immigrated to the Golden Wood in Gwaeron of 2060. "I reckon myself the equal of any normal horse of fifteen summers or so."
"That is good then, my friend, for thou hast proposed a journey east of unknown mileage."
"And none but a horse would know best whither other horses would roam," he said.
"That I believe, yet such steeds shall not have learnt to bear riders, or to accept saddle and tack," Helluin said.
"Bah," he said dismissively, "those are minor adaptations to domesticity. No horse willingly accepts such if given a choice any more than would a Man accept laboring if 'aught he could want for was already provided for him. 'Tis merely a matter of proper inspiration and incentives. After all, most Men accept practicing a trade in return for the benefits of society. Horses are no different. I shall speak with them, for I recall the conditions in Rhûn, the scarce water, tough, dry grass, harsh winters, and the threat of being conscripted by warlike nomads."
"And thou art still convinced that appealing to wild horses is better than stealing horses already trained from the Medes?"
"Aye, Helluin. Thou hast consented to make riders of untrained Men from Helrunahlæw rather than seeking previously trained Easterling horse warriors. The latter are fierce mounted fighters, but like their steeds, perhaps they have acquired some bad habits and misplaced allegiances?"
Helluin had been forced to concede the point in principle, for trying to imagine reindoctrinating Wainriders to fight for the Éothéod or Gondor gave her a headache. And yet, she had accepted the service of Barq after finding him amongst the Easterling warhorses blockading Lindon in Cerveth of 1974. His courage had been tested and he had ne'er faltered. He had proved skilled, swift, tireless, and wholly committed. Few steeds had traveled further, well 'nigh from one end of Middle Earth to the other and most of the way back.
"When we go, I bid thee bring a sack of apples," Álfrhestr said. Though such would be from the past year's harvest and dried ere the winter, Helluin nodded in agreement. The privations of the season would make their arguments all the stronger.
After allowing the folk of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý a fortnight to digest the appearance of Galadriel's astral projection and the presence of Álfrhestr, Helluin requested that a half-dozen of the Tatyar join her. Ngandáro, Arinya, Marhrondo, Sivimaseldo, Ránehen, and Lirulin answered her call and prepared to journey east. Behind the riders, each horse bore a bale of lucerne. They took their leave of the farm on 17 Nínui, T.A. 2481, riding easily east-southeast for twenty leagues to reach the verge of Mirkwood. There they entered the forest on the 20th and crossed its narrows to the East Bight, a dimly lit three score and ten miles o'er three nervous days.
At their closet, they had been but seventy miles northeast of Dol Guldur. They saw no Yrch, nor Easterlings, nor did any wolves stalk them. It seemed that all of these had been constrained to the fortress for to maintain their secrecy. Only a few of the Flingiloth trailed them for a time, slinking amidst the branches o'erhead, but after the Elves shot several at their first approach, the rest of the spiders kept their distance after.
When they came from the forest on the 24th, the land was familiar to the Elves. The Tatyar had crossed that way in 2464, seventeen years past, ere coming to Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. For Helluin, the time was far greater. She had last ridden in Rhûn in 2008 when she had accompanied Steward Vorondil on his embassy to the Ithryn Luin, but they had passed hundreds of miles to the south. In the years prior, her travels had been 'twixt Celduin and Carnen, to the north, or further to the east. Indeed, the last time the Noldo had come 'nigh the area of the East Bight, the forest had been far vaster and there had been no moon or sun. The stars had been bright and her people had been following the summons of the Valar. Only could she be sure that the dun expanse was much akin to the territory of the Mâh-Sakâ to the east, flat, minimally undulating grassland with hash, windy winter chill and oppressive summer heat where water was oft scarce and landmarks few.
Off in the distance to the northeast they saw a thin column of smoke rising. Some nomads' camp lay a league or so distant and an equal ways from the forest, or perhaps 'twas only a hunting party, for the fire that gave rise to the smoke was small and suggested that the count of people 'round it was also low. An easy ride of a half-hour would reveal all.
Helluin removed the bale of lucerne from Álfrhestr and bid the Tatyar remain whilst she approached the strangers with stealth.
Helluin, there is little to be gained by this excursion, Álfrhestr opined in silence after meeting the Noldo's eyes. They are surely few and in these lands, most likely foes. I see 'naught to be gained in confronting them.
I seek not confrontation, only knowledge of who roams these lands so close to the forest. Perhaps I shall o'erhear somewhat of the doings in Dol Guldur, she replied.
They rode within a half-mile of the source of the column of smoke, and there Helluin dismounted and bid Álfrhestr await her return. Then, with the stealth of the Laiquendi, she advanced amidst the sere grass, clumps of heathers, and low shrubs. 'Round her the dried stems of grasses waved in a slight breeze and provided easy cover. None marked her even when she had drawn within hearing distance of the two wains and the score nomads gathered 'round a single fire that made up their camp. Helluin identified them immediately as Wainriders. She was amazed that only a half-dozen horses stood tethered on grazing leads behind the wagons. In the past, they would have had at least one mount for each person of riding age, two more for each chariot, plus draft animals to haul the wains.
The presence of the wains carrying women, children, and elders spoke volumes to the Noldo. Helluin saw no war chariots and only nine individuals including both sexes who were armed as warriors. This was no hunting party, no war band. 'Twas the temporary encampment of an itinerant clan, and an impoverished one at that. It seemed that these Medes had fallen on hard times.
"We have come 'nigh the forest and found none of our people," a Mede warrior said in resignation, and Helluin saw the grim nods of agreement from the others.
"Perhaps to the south?" a woman with a bow o'er her shoulder asked, though her tone was barely hopeful.
"Further south we are sure to meet Scoloti," another said, "for we shall be 'cross the forest from the Sorcerer's accursed fortress."
"Two decades we have searched," an older Mede said, "and perhaps our people are now so scarce that we missed some to the east? The lands are still wide."
"None have been seen in that time," the woman said.
"And we have not the horses to bear us swiftly to seek them," the first warrior sighed.
For a while, they lapsed into a dejected silence, staring into the fire, some shaking their heads.
"We have been deserted, by kith and kin and our God himself," a second woman bemoaned.
"Could we truly be the last?" the older Mede wondered, "the last of the Wainriders?"
None answered and the silence continued. Helluin withdrew, having learnt all she deemed of value. The once powerful hordes of the east had been reduced to this, the death of a culture.
Helluin returned to the Tatyar, finding them watchful and eager to be away. She returned the bale of lucerne to Álfrhestr's rump.
"What hast thou learnt?" Marhrondo asked.
"I have seen a small encampment of twenty disconsolate Medes with six horses and two wains," she said. "They have been searching for others of their people and have found none in a couple decades. If they are not the last then they are close to it. The fearsome Wainrider hordes of yore, once so troublesome to Gondor, are 'nigh extinct."
"Then surely that is a good thing," Ránehen said.
"Aye, 'tis, yet they spoke of Dol Guldur with loathing and of other foes they fear to meet, the Scoloti," Helluin said. "These, I know not, or recognize not that name. T'would seem the east still harbors enemies of the west."
"Of the Scoloti we heard some rumor as we came west," Ngandáro said, "yet we met none of that people. Perhaps we were too few to draw attention, or perhaps they were too few to find us."
"Yet what we heard was not good," Arinya added.
At Helluin's questioning look, Lirulin said, "They are reputed to be barbarians, cannibals, and worshippers of the God of Fire."
"Aye, the little we heard told that they are dull and brutal by nature," Arinya agreed.
"Just the type Sauron would favor," Helluin mused, "scarcely better than Orcs. We shall endeavor to avoid them."
To this, all nodded in agreement. They were too few to offer battle and that was not their aim in visiting Rhûn. 'Twas decided that they would give any column of smoke a wide berth thereafter and hope to meet none.
Through the last six days of Nínui, they continued riding east. Helluin would scan the lands with her viewing tube, seeking after any clue in the growth of vegetation that hinted at water, for horses need to drink, both their own mounts and the wild ones they sought. On the morn of the 30th, Helluin finally espied an irregular line of scrubby trees, barely surviving along what she deemed to be at least an intermittent watercourse running to their southeast. Knowing that t'would draw wildlife, the company headed towards it in a wide arc, for at a distance of 'nigh three leagues they marked smoke rising from what they reckoned to be a large camp.
Helluin and the Tatyar resolved to bypass the encampment by a league, thereby leaving a safe buffer 'twixt themselves and any others. In these lands, they expected them to be Scoloti, or worse, Yrch. If there were wild horses 'nigh the encampment, 'twas 'naught they could do for it. They would seek their quarry at greater distances and hope that any herd had made the same choice, to avoid fire and those that set it.
Now it took them a couple hours to circle the camp, coming 'round it in stealth to the north and passing east ere turning back towards the scrubby line of trees. It seemed that the nomads had sent no scouts ranging so far, for they saw none and were not challenged. Helluin continued scanning the tree line with her viewing tube in hope of detecting the movement of horses. Alas, she saw none ere they came to the water.
Now they discovered the presence of a narrow rivulet 'twixt eroded banks, with tufts of grass and scrub growing o'er the edges and low trees clinging just beyond. They thought this encouraging and rode along seeking a place where the bank was lower to make drinking easier for their mounts. They reckoned wild horses would do the same, and so they sought for tracks.
After continuing east for a half-mile, they came upon a place where the flow broadened and the banks sloped down to the water's edges. Sure enough, they marked the impressions of many hooves and the tracks of smaller animals besides. Because the tracks criss-crossed and o'erlay one another, 'twas hard to make a count of the herd, but the Elves reckoned it no less than a dozen animals. It seemed that they had come from the north, paused to drink, and then crossed the water and continued on to the south.
Helluin and the Tatyar dismounted and stayed their ride to allow their mounts to rest and drink their fill. Whilst the Avari kept watch, Helluin checked for added spoor. Soon, she came upon some piles of dung and with a stick, broke their surface, judging the degree of drying that had occurred since they had dropped.
"I wager they stood here a day past," she announced. Álfrhestr came to consult.
A day or perhaps a bit less. A dry wind blew during the night, he recalled ere continuing to sniff 'round the clumps of grass growing 'nigh. Finally, he lifted his head to meet Helluin's eyes and declared, At least six mares, four fillies, three colts, and a stallion came this way. There were probably more that relived themselves elsewhere. He then dumped his own water in a luxurious stream and returned to the bank to continue drinking.
"We seek a herd numbering at least fourteen and probably more," she announced, having accepted his counsel. The Tatyar nodded. Helluin reassembled her viewing tube and began scanning the lands to the south.
It seemed the horses had moved beyond sight o'er the last day, for she saw no movement, but as they rode, they marked signs of their passage, some grass cropped down, hoof prints where the vegetation gave way to dirt, or stems of heathers trodden on and broken. 'Twas obvious that they were foraging as they went, the normal behavior of horses in the wild, and so long as they were not stalked and forced to flee, the Elves would catch up to them in a day or two.
Now on 2 Gwaeron, Helluin did indeed sight the horses through her viewing tube. They comprised a herd of seventeen individuals, moving at a languid pace as they grazed. The Noldo marked that though they lacked not for the quantity of their fodder, 'twas on low quality and as a result, the animals were a bit thin such that she detected an impression of their ribs. This was not o'erly odd at the end of winter, yet the Elves' mounts were sleek and solidly muscled. A survey of the surrounding lands revealed none and they saw no columns of smoke rising on the horizon.
Helluin and the Tatyar approached the herd to within a mile and then dismounted. They removed the lucerne from their horses' backs, save for the bale borne by Álfrhestr.
'Tis the time of thine embassy, my friend, the Noldo told the warhorse.
Pray leave it to me, Helluin, he said, and then trotted towards the herd with the six other warhorses following in his wake.
Helluin watched carefully through her viewing tube. The seven steeds from Norðr-vestandóttir Bý approached the wild herd and they greeted each other at a furlong with neighs and bobs of their heads. The wild horses seemed unconcerned. There was no challenge from their stallion for t'would be months ere any of his mares came into estrus. Instead, they simply joined their numbers together as herding animals are wont to do, and as the Noldo watched, Álfrhestr addressed them.
After a short while, she saw Sivimaseldo's steed pull the bale of lucerne from her friend's back and take a few mouthfuls. The other warhorses followed one after another as the Oracle Horse continued his conversation. Finally, he too took a mouthful of the fodder and then stepped away. 'Twas the stallion that first sampled the lucerne. He chewed for a moment and then his head came up and he moved aside for the lead mare to sample this new treat as he resumed his chat with Álfrhestr. A moment later, the mare joined him in the conversation, giving counsel as the rest of the wild herd partook of the new fodder.
Though the Elves knew not what had been said, it seemed that Álfrhestr's rede was convincing and they had hearkened to him, for after the bale was consumed, the wild herd trailed the warhorses to where the Elves stood awaiting them. There they were greeted in silence, eye to eye, and they were surprised that any upon two legs could speak with them and the more so that they were received with honor. To the Elves credit, they did not smell of smoke, nor of blood from hunted kills. Not a one of the warhorses bore a saddle and there was not a wagon to be seen. All was as Álfrhestr had claimed, whilst upon the ground at their feet lay six more bales of the delicious, tender, fodder.
Now they stood and took counsel together, and Helluin spoke foremost for the Elves, whilst for the herd stood the stallion and the lead mare. As she had aforetime, in 2003 when she had first approached the herd at Norðr-vestandóttir Bý, she reminded them of their heritage as warhorses, and of the Mâh-Sakâ and the Ithryn Luin with whom she had ridden in battle, and of their long contest against the worshippers of the God of Fire. At their mention, the stallion had digressed with a long stream of curses and the mare had shaken her head and ground her teeth.
And just when the Medes had grown scarce, the Scoloti appeared and treated our kind even worse, she said. We avoid them when we can and flee them when we must, and any of us taken are short-lived after 'neath the lash ere being eaten.
Helluin had nodded in sympathetic understanding, ere saying in silence, and then there are the Yrch whom we hate yet the more from of old.
How such vile creatures walk the world, we cannot understand, the mare said as the stallion snorted, his nostrils flaring with hatred. How could the One who created us have created such monsters? We do not understand.
The Yrch were not created by Eru, the Noldo told them, but by His great enemy Morgoth who was later defeated and cast into the Void, yet his monsters remain, breeding and serving Morgoth's lieutenant, the God of Fire. The Scoloti are now his soldiers, as were the Medes aforetime. Long have we fought them, in many lands and through Three Ages of the world.
And do ye fight them still? The stallion asked, and his herd hung on their words.
Aye, we do, and some have joined us of late, she told them, Men of the kindred of the Éothéod that dwell beyond the forest. The Éothéod are mounted warriors who hold their horses in high esteem. If ye would join us in our struggle against the evil Men and Yrch who serve the God of Fire, then 'tis these Men I would ask ye to bear, for they are warriors in training who yearn for mounts with whom to share in learning the arts of war.
Do all of our kindred who dwell with thee eat such tasty fodder as ye have brought? a younger mare asked Helluin, pointing her nose to the bales lying on the ground.
Aye, and sweet grass, and oats, and in their seasons, apples and other fruits and nuts. Water is plentiful and clean, and from the worst of winter's chill and summer's heats they are sheltered. We care take them with honor, and provide for their health and healing when injuries threaten.
And what of their twilight years? Are they slaughtered for meat and leather? asked the lead mare, the whites of her eyes suggested by a widening of her eyes in apprehensiveness.
Nay, they are simply retired to their ease, Helluin told them, and held in honor for their service. On our farm, resources are not so scarce that those who dwell there may not partake of the plenty with which the One has blessed us.
So bountiful a land is difficult to imagine, the stallion admitted. It sounds like a sweet dream of paradise, beyond the rainbow.
If thou would have it so, Helluin can show thee, Álfrhestr told him, 'tis the land where I was foaled long ago and where my friends were foaled. 'Round him, the other warhorses nodded in agreement.
Ye have but to gaze into my eyes, Helluin told the stallion and the lead mare as the others gathered 'round in hope of partaking of this vision of paradise without the rainbow.
Now after a bit of eager jostling, Helluin faced a compact front of horse heads, all with their eyes staring into hers, and she nodded to them. Then they felt themselves engulfed by the bluest of summer skies and the dun, chill lands of Rhûn vanished.
They saw the trail leading beside the river and marveled at the abundance of water, and then through the ungated fence they came, amongst real trees tall enough to give shade, and past a bramble of sweet, juicy berries. A hillock lay to their right and they walked 'round it to see the settlement of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. There were buildings not on wheels, and many Men and Elves and animals of several kindreds wandering about on their own business, horses, cattle, sheep, and chickens. They saw the apple trees outside the cabin and the gardens of vegetables and wildflowers, the fruit and nut trees in their orchards, and finally, the fields waving with grain and fodder. They saw the outbuildings in which sheltered horses, cows, sheep, and chickens and all were fed and at peace, contesting not 'twixt each other, nor with a dry and stingy land.
The scene shifted and they saw the Tatyar training as mounted archers with the very same horses they had met. Then the scene shifted again and Helluin showed them what the fight could be.
From the eastern breach in an encircling ridge, a cavalry army of twenty thousand issued onto a circular plain, and there they faced fifty-five thousand Medes encamped before a rocky spur topped with a citadel of stone. There many were cut down and driven in rout by a beam of Light, yet their flight through a breach on the west side of the ridge stalled and then reversed. Driving them back onto the battlefield rode two hundred and fifty thousand Mâh-Sakâ warriors with Tahmirih Khātūn and her brothers Kolaksai and Lipoksai at their head. The beam of Light clove the tower and assailed the black cloud of evil. Then the allies fell upon the Wainrider host and worsted them utterly.
So ended the Wainrider threat, they heard Helluin say, there too, the spider daemon Ungolúróg fell and Sauron Gorthaur, the God of Fire, was driven hence in rout. She blinked and the vision ended. The horses blinked and shook their heads, but all had returned to normal save that the vision lived in their memories.
"The battle continues against the God of Fire and his minions," Helluin told them gravely, "and all of noble heart who would oppose them are welcome."
The horses spent but a few moments in council ere the lead mare told Helluin, we would join thee, to partake of the bounty of thy home and stand against the evil.
We shall be warhorses, said the stallion, for here we seek but to survive, advancing not the struggle that has been thrust upon us in these lands. We shall serve thy cause.
And we shall honor thee and thy folk and do 'aught we can to uplift and support ye, Helluin said. So the first pact was made 'twixt the Elves and Men of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý and the herd from Rhûn, and the oath of fealty they declared was long honored upon both sides.
They made their way north at a faster pace, back 'cross the streamlet, and then west to the East Bight. They rode through Mirkwood, during which time they ate the lucerne and the dried apples, for forage in the forest was poor. Upon 10 Gwaeron, they left the trees and after another two days, came at last to the farm, arriving in the afternoon of the 12th. There they were welcomed and made comfortable, and Helluin bid them spend a week to rest and eat and becoming familiar with their new home ere any training should begin.
Of that herd of seventeen, eight were of saddle bearing age and began to learn the skills of a rider's steed. These Helluin gathered in the paddock and they chose riders to partner with. The stallion chose Eadmundr, much to the Man's rejoicing, and he treated his new mount like gold. Another five were still too young for battle, but old enough to start their training. From outside the paddocks and training grounds, the remaining four watched, and with the young horses of the farm, dreamed of the day when they too would become warhorses.
When the year 2482 closed and winter came again to Norðr-vestandóttir Bý, the first of the new horses and their riders had digested the basics of their training. Helluin waited for 2483 to open, and then she took four Tatyar and two Men of Helrunahlæw riding their new mounts from Rhûn, and they rode to the forest and passed through the trees. Then, coming to the East Bight, again went in search of wild horses. So the years 'twixt 2482 through 2485 passed ere all the forty-three aspiring riders were horsed and the garrison of the farm could boast a compliment of fourteen Tatyar, forty-three Men, and one Noldo.
As the following years passed, the younger boys and a few girls who had fled Helrunahlæw in their youth essayed to learn the skills of riders of the Éothéod, and with them, more horses came of age. In those years too, the first new babes were born to the refugees from Demon Hill. So the martial culture of the Northmen was reestablished at the farm that had once been the breadbasket of Suꝺriborg.
Yet in the summer of 2483, after Helluin and the first group of Men riding the recently recruited horses succeeded in enlisting more steeds from the east, Álfrhestr spoke with the Noldo, for he desired to return to Lothlórien.
Helluin, I deem my counsel taken and my cause achieved, and so I would return to the Golden Wood, the warhorse said.
So be it, my old friend, and I shall accompany thee hence, for I would greet my other friends there, Celeborn and Artanis, and Arwen should she still linger 'neath the mellyrn.
That would be well, Helluin, and greatly appreciated, for I would not care to come upon that Ghost of Sîr Ninglor alone. He shivered at the thought of some entity that desired to steal fëar.
They set out on the north south track on 4 Nórui and made their way north at an easy pace to the Men-i-Naugrim, the way long familiar. Behind them trailed a five year old mare named Þeostru¹, which signified 'darkness' and applied more to her gloomy outlook than the hue of her coat. On the 8th they turned west, and on the 10th came to the Old Ford o'er Anduin. The water level was low as was usual for the summer season and they crossed without difficulty. On the 11th they turned south onto the Dwarf Road. ¹(Þeostru, darkness, shadow Old English)
Again, they rode south as they had in 2060, save that when they came to the river Ninglor; there was no longer a bridge. Four hundred twenty three years aforetime it had collapsed during the spring flooding and now they took the well-established path through the iris marshes. Both Helluin and Álfrhestr were unsettled as they crossed the eyots and sandbars 'twixt the shifting channels, and at night, neither found rest. By contrast, Þeostru spent the hours of darkness looking out into the swamp, curious and unafraid, as if hoping to meet this mysterious creature. By then, a score years had fled since Helluin had encountered the Ghost, yet they deemed ghosts unchanging for they had no longer lives to lose, but perhaps long lived wrath and the desire of revenge instead. They both breathed sighs of relief when they rode from the marshes onto solid ground on the 21st.
Much ado o'er 'naught, Þeostru muttered silently as they took the trail back to the Dwarf Road along the southern bank of Sîr Ninglor.
'Twas the 25th when they came 'neath the outlying trees of Lothlórien and there encountered Rúmil and Orophin. The two march wardens greeted Helluin with warmth, Álfrhestr with jubilation, and Þeostru with a dip of their heads in acknowledgment ere urging them onward to Caras Galadhon. They arrived at the city of the Galadhrim on 27 Nórui. Þeostru and the Oracle Horse made sure to crop mouthfuls of the tender grass from the lawn 'nigh the bridge o'er the fosse. Helluin dismounted and strode through the gate, intending to pay her respects to the lord and lady. Shortly, a pair of sentries greeted her and escorted her to the Royal Talan ere bidding her well and returning to their post.
"Suilaid nín, Lord Celeborn, Lady Artanis, Lady Arwen," Helluin said as she entered the encircling colonnade and offered the sovereigns and their granddaughter a bow. Her old friends had risen from their chairs and bowed to her in return ere offering their greetings.
"Helluin, 'tis good to see thee well," the lord said with a smile. "Welcome, my friend."
"Suilaid, meldis ifant nín, I am glad to see thee," Galadriel said. "I am also glad that thou hast brought Álfrhestr. The people were upset that I 'lost' him." She chuckled at that.
"Greetings, Helluin, 'tis good to see thee again," Arwen said with a radiant smile.
"And thee, Arwen, I am pleased to be able to greet thee for I knew not if thou wast here or in Imladris," Helluin replied returning her smile.
"I shall return thither soon, in a year or two," the younger princess said. "It hath been 'nigh half a century and I miss my father and mother, and my brothers."
Helluin nodded to her in sympathy, then shifted her attention to answer Galadriel's question.
"He sought to return, having accomplished his embassy to the feral steeds of Rhûn," she said, "and I accompanied him lest he run afoul of the Ghost of Sîr Ninglor."
Celeborn had raised a brow in question at her assertions and Galadriel canted her head, bidding Helluin elaborate. Arwen produced an expression of disgust at the mention of the Ghost.
"I would also learn how he managed to teleport when I had thought us partaking of a simple astral projection," the lady added with a faint hint of pique.
Helluin nodded to her, understanding that she desired an explanation for what had caused a loss of civic pride amongst the Galadhrim. The ill wages of the saddle of rule, Helluin thought.
"T'would seem that Álfrhestr correctly apprehended the mechanism whereby we teleported to Imladris and Umbar, and thereafter spent four centuries accumulating Light from the sun and moon. This power he applied whilst astral projecting with thee and was able to succeed at teleportation, once and for himself only, for such was the limit of the Light he had accrued."
Celeborn, Galadriel, and Arwen looked at her with expressions of astonishment. They had a million questions; that Helluin clearly saw on their faces.
"I asked not how he absorbed, nor wherein he stored his power," she said to preclude those queries. "I deem the centuries for the accumulation of the Light he required derives from the relative feebleness of Ithil and Anor when compared to Telperion and Laurelin." With a nod to Galadriel, she added, "Then too, we spent o'er three and a half millennia 'neath the Light of the Two Trees."
Artanis was shaking her head in amazement. The enriched horse was conducting experiments in esoteric science to answer a line of inquiry worthy of an Ithron. Celeborn too was astonished, but for different cause.
"If Álfrhestr can do thus, then why not my wife?" he asked. "She can initiate the astral projection and has much accumulated Light."
At that, Arwen perked up and focused her attention on Helluin, no doubt thinking to save herself weeks of potentially dangerous travel 'twixt the Elvish realms.
To his question howe'er, Helluin could not but shrug.
"I know not, m'lord. I suppose a like question would be why I cannot teleport," she said, "nor even astral project. The workings of such lúthin¹ are lost upon me." ¹(lúthin, spells Sindarin)
"Such conjuring is the purview of the Maiar and the Valar," Galadriel said, "a sorcery I can only attain to by means of that which is hidden."
Meaning Nenya, no doubt, Helluin thought, and Artanis nodded to her in confirmation. Celeborn and Arwen looked disappointed, yet both had been born and lived all their lives on the Hither Shores and had no inborn reservoir of Light with which to augment the lady's conjuring.
"With Álfrhestr's aid, we have enlisted the fealty of thirty-one horses from Rhûn thus far," Helluin said, to change the topic, "and in another year or two, I reckon I shall be able to horse the forty-three aspiring riders now dwelling at Norðr-vestandóttir Bý."
"These are the folk hailing from Demon Hill that Elrond told us of?" Celeborn asked.
"Aye, they come of those who wintered in the Hidden Valley or those who came directly to the farm with Aiwendil and were ne'er held prisoner in Goblin Town."
"That must have been terrifying for them, to be assailed thus by monsters," Arwen said. "I can understand why they would seek to learn to defend themselves. I am only surprised that they sought not to rejoin their people in Framsburg."
"'Tis for the same reason that they went not in 1977," Helluin said. "They deem that their peoples' city in old East Angmar lies too close to Mt. Gundabad. Honestly, I agree."
"And yet they cleave to thee and dwell at Norðr-vestandóttir Bý, but one hundred ten miles from Dol Guldur as the vulture flies," Artanis observed, a grin curling her lips.
"In their lore, Norðr-vestandóttir Bý was part of Suꝺriborg, the south fortress of their people. There is historical precedent and they feel safe there." She shrugged. In her estimation, no place and no one was truly safe.
"Helluin, art thou raising an army?" To the dark Noldo's surprise, 'twas Arwen that had asked. For a few moments, Helluin gave thought to her question.
"Huh, t'would seem so I suppose, though not through any intent. Thus far, I have simply accumulated strays. We number fifty-eight, myself included, hardly the host of the Last Alliance." She chuckled.
Galadriel gave her a calculating look.
"Men and horses multiply, and in the decades to come, perhaps more Elves shall join thee as well," the lady said. "I would welcome such a force upon my east flank, to hold the river lands and contain Dol Guldur."
"So we have been, even when 'twas but Galadhon and I suppressing incursions from 'cross Anduin four centuries past," Helluin said. "Later, we prosecuted those coming from Dol Guldur. For this time, thine eastern flank is guarded."
Just as was thine east flank when Beinvír and I ruled Lebennin and kept watch upon Mordor in an Age before, she thought, and the princess dipped her head in thanks and recognition.
And I wonder if as aforetime, thou shalt leave behind a legacy in these lands, a tradition of warriors as ye did in Lebennin with the Rangers, Artanis thought. She resolved to keep watch.
Now thereafter they discussed less pressing topics as they shared a light repast, but in the end, Helluin needed to return to Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. The training of the Men of Helrunahlæw would needs continue and only Helluin had met the Éothéod and knew the ways of their warfare. When their meal concluded, Helluin bid her friends farewell for that time and offered Arwen her hopes for a safe journey back to Imladris, and then she took her leave of the Royal Talan. Shortly later, she passed the gates of Caras Galadhon and rejoined the horses.
"Well, my friends, the time has come for me to return to the farm. Álfrhestr, I wish thee well here and hope to meet thee again ere much time passes," she said.
I shall look to our next meeting, Helluin. 'Til then, may the stars shine upon thee and may the Valar keep thee safe, Álfrhestr said. In the meantime, I shall begin accumulating Light. One ne'er knows when it might come in handy.
If thou art resolved to again absorb a well-spring of power, then perhaps I can aid thee and cut the time somewhat, Helluin offered. Four centuries is long to spend attaining sufficient Light for a single trip.
What dost thou propose, Helluin?
I know not how or where thou store thy Light, but I can offer it in more concentrated form than what thou may reap from sunlight and moonlight, she said.
The Oracle Horse gave thought to her offer and then nodded his head 'aye'. He turned his side to her and said, the Light comes to me through my coat and accumulates in my liver along with much else. Pray simply illuminate my sides and I shall hold what I can.
Helluin nodded, happy to understand somewhat more of his mechanism, and then spread her arms and burst into a controlled ril of Light. Álfrhestr basked in this 'til he began to sweat, and then turned to present his hindquarters, and last, his other side. Finally, he stepped away and regarded Helluin through squinted eyes.
My thanks, Helluin. I have taken so much as I can absorb for now, he declared. Helluin extinguished her Light and regarded the stallion. His eyes glowed dimly for several moments ere returning to normal.
How dost thou feel, my friend? She asked.
After a moment's reflection, he said, I feel as if I have crossed a vast desert 'neath a blinding sun. I believe thou hast saved me a century at least.
And thou hast taken no hurt?
Nay, I feel much more normal already, though I believe I shall drink some water and stand a while in the shade. Again, I thank thee.
Helluin nodded to him and said, "Pray be well 'til next we meet," as he moved off to stand 'neath the trees. She then turned to Þeostru and asked, "Shall we be away?"
Aye, though I too should like to retire here one day, unless I am first struck by lightning or immolated in a barn fire, she said.
I reckon those chances slight, Helluin replied, and with the lord and lady's blessing, perhaps thou shalt spend thy twilight years in peace 'neath the mellyrn.
Þeostru nodded to the Noldo and said more hopefully, then I shall pray not to have my face gnawed off by weasels whilst I sleep.
Helluin mounted and they rode away through the forest in a northerly direction, beginning to retrace their way back to the farm. The mare followed her tail accurately and they made their trip without incident back to Norðr-vestandóttir Bý where they arrived on 15 Cerveth. Along the way, Helluin had heard such a litany of possible misfortunes from Þeostru that she wondered what had befallen the mare to make her so morose. Alas, her enquiries into the matter remained inconclusive.
I ponder whyfor at each turn thou voice such dismal possibilities, the Noldo had asked.
They are simply what comes to mind, Þeostru had said, and I have spent little self-examination on wherefrom come my inclinations. Mayhap my skull is riddled with brain worms?
Hast thou endured any seizures? Dost thou see colors or suffer headaches? Helluin had asked.
Nay, or at least not thus far…mayhap later. I know only that for so long as I can recall, my imagination is given to dreary prognostications of woe, and it matters little that they have not come to pass…as yet.
Helluin had nodded in understanding. Huh, and aforetime some have held me mirthless and dour. To Þeostru, she asked, Art thou discomfited by thy notions?
Nay, for I reckon someone must consider them. They are all of them possible and go unrecognized by most. Forewarned is forearmed 'tis said, and I should not choose to surrender my weapons in such dark times.
I see, said Helluin, and thereafter gave up that line of questioning. 'Twas consuming too much of her thought and reducing her awareness of their surroundings. Lest the mare's expectations of disaster become a self-fulfilling prophecy, the Noldo focused on the landscape and any sense of potential foes. Happily, none opposed them and they met 'naught of threats ere returning safely home.
Now the years continued to pass on the farm, as the years are wont to do. The herds increased and the count of warhorses grew. The New Riders from Helrunahlæw increased in proficiency and grew in numbers along with their steeds. In time, they became fell warriors and in Helluin's estimation, the equals of the Northmen she had known. Yet the years passed in other places too, setting the stage for later events.
'Cross Anduin in the Hithaeglir, the Uruks who had fled Kâpul Ulot after the predations of the Ghâshgûl spread to populate long abandoned warrens and lairs. They too increased in numbers and the mountains grew perilous for travelers, as they had not been since ere the fall of Angmar. Though centuries passed, long ere the end of the Third Age, the Misty Mountains hosted 'nigh as many Yrch as they ere had, and 'twas not only the lesser lairs that Helluin had once emptied that were repopulated.
In Dol Guldur, Sauron wrought his sorcery with malice and deliberation, creating more Werewolves and other fell creatures, whilst at his fortress 'nigh the Sea of Rhûn, Khamûl Nazgûl o'ersaw the enhancement of his Yrch.
In 2477, the Dark Lord had sent a dozen Werewolves and a hundred Warg Riders to Moria 'neath the command of the Werewolf Gijakûrz-kragor. They had successfully entered Khazad-dûm, but soon became lost in its labyrinthine halls and tunnels. Finding the east gate into Nanduhirion again had taken them a year, and along the way, they had slaughtered the Wargs for food. Though Bloody-Fang would have preferred to sacrifice the Yrch instead, (for he deemed them less trustworthy), they alone had hands with thumbs, and they alone could make torches and kindle fires.
When they finally rediscovered the entrance to Moria, Gijakûrz-kragor had chosen his lieutenant, Hokurzêmar¹, and commanded him to bear tidings to the master, but also a token. Having no hands, nor being able to carry a sack, the commanding Werewolf bit a hole through his lieutenant's ear, and then, 'neath his watchful direction, an Orc installed a ring through the hole. 'Twas a trifle, aye, yet it gleamed silver bright for 'twas wrought of mithril. Thereby would Gijakûrz-kragor declare his success in meeting two of his master's three commands. Iron Heart took his leave of Moria and ran through the night. Ere dawn, he was loping down the high trail heading south and bypassing Lothlórien. After three weeks, he came to Dol Guldur. ¹(Hokurzêmar, Iron Heart = hokur(iron) + zêmar(heart) Orkish)
Sauron was gleeful at the return of one of his servants and at the token he bore. No other had e'er returned or sent tidings. He looked into the Werewolf's mind and saw all. Now he knew that Moria was available and held a treasure that he would have. He named Hokurzêmar commander of the next mission, comprised of ten more Werewolves and another hundred Warg Riders, and ordered him to return to Moria by the same route and reinforce Gijakûrz-kragor. The company left that same night. 'Twas the early winter of 2479.
Thereafter, in each year, Gijakûrz-kragor would send his lieutenant and a Warg Rider or two back to Dol Guldur to deliver more treasure to the master and Sauron was greatly pleased. He sent more and more of his creatures to help populate the old Dwarf kingdom and soon it had become a stronghold of evil. The only aspect of his desires as yet unmet was the alliance he had hoped to forge with Durin's Bane, but that creature had remained hidden. His servants had ne'er even seen it and had begun to wonder if it existed at all.
Also in 2479, the year after Helluin's sojourn in Kâpul Ulot, some Uruks arrived at Moria. Knowing no better, they entered, thinking to claim the vast realm for their own, yet they were met and cowed by Sauron's Werewolves and Warg Riders and were quickly absorbed into their ranks, though not even the Orcs from Dol Guldur trusted them.
So it went, and whilst Helluin trained her New Riders, Sauron laid claim to Khazad-dûm and all it held. T'would be long ere that changed.
To Be Continued