In An Age Before – Part 283

The Noldo's first impulse was to grab the Dwarf and flee Rhosgobel ere her situation became yet more complicated. Raising a baby bird was not included amongst her life's ambitions and she refused to regurgitate a pap of worms. But despite her intentions, Aiwendil refused to allow her to leave for at least a week, (and t'would have been a fortnight save that after their short incubation period and their rapid hatching, he deemed that his 'most wonderful birds' would also mature at an accelerated rate). Helluin groaned and capitulated because 'for all his bizarre behavior and beggarly appearance, he was a Maia' and Helluin would do his bidding.

She was most relieved when they discovered that the hatchlings would eat well 'nigh 'aught that was placed before them. Aiwendil had offered them a selection of potential foods on the palm of his hand; several kinds of nuts and seeds, a stupefied fly, a grub, and some earthworms that he had actually chewed up and spat out. Helluin had stood by, revolted, whilst Kallfelak had watched with vulturine attention as the hatchlings consumed with gusto all that had been offered.

Three clung to the Brown Wizard and scarcely let him out of their sight. They populated the crown of his hat whence they watched all things passing before them. The first hatchling clove to Helluin with such maniacal fervor that she deemed it pathological. At the slightest hint of her leave-taking, even for a moment, t'would call her back with the most appealing tones. She took to attaching her mithril coif to her left pauldron with a length of copper wire that also held it shaped into a nest, and therein rode the hatchling. Kallfelak could barely contain his mirth and grinned or chuckled each time he laid eyes upon her. Helluin had wanted to brain him and feed his carcass to a dragon ere a couple days had passed.

After the hatching and the creation of the baby bird's 'nest' on her shoulder, Helluin had retreated from the Wizard's house, returning to Smoca as she had promised. She found the stallion standing in the yard where she had left him, but now he was accompanied by a pair of rabbits that each stood o'er a ranga tall, a young cow with two complete heads, a large lynx, and a millipede of two rangar in length. The group was engaged in a game of elocution, but the contest was complicated because the cow could not help but speak with both mouths at once. Smoca appeared confused and the lynx irritated. At Helluin's appearance, they broke off to stare at the baby bird.

I see thou hast made some new friends, Smoca, the Noldo said in relief, for the horse had been nervous when she had last seen him several hours aforetime.

Indeed so and good company they have proven to be. We are passing the time in comparative recitation, he explained. Helluin nodded to him, though she thought their pastime ludicrous as she had ne'er aforetime heard any sounds from a millipede and no two species of the contestants spoke with the same vocabulary.

Are ye creating thy content spontaneously, or excerpting it from scripted works, she asked, to humor them.

We are supposed to be reciting selections from the 'Lay of Leithain'¹, but Bessie/Betsie there persists in speaking en chœur and 'tis irritating as fuck, griped the lynx. ¹("Lay of Leithain", "Release from Bondage" is an Elvish composition recalling the Tale of Beren and Lúthien and their Quest for the Silmaril.)

Helluin looked at the group. The lynx's fur bristled, his eyes were dangerously slitted, his claws exposed, and his back arched. The millipede was gravely nodding in agreement, but Smoca and the rabbits appeared embarrassed at his outburst. The two-headed cow Bessie/Betsie ignored them all and chewed their cuds.

Perhaps ye could amend your rules, Helluin offered, seeing little chance of separating the cow's two heads so that each spoke in its proper turn. The hopeful animals gave her their attention and she said, If ye all recite en chœur, ye may then eliminate contestants as they become confused and err in their recitations.

For a moment, they all stared at her in surprise, but that quickly graduated to outrage.

T'would make a mockery of the skills of oration and enunciation! one of the rabbits exclaimed as the other vehemently nodded in agreement.

T'would result in a chaotic cacophony, hissed the lynx, and I refuse to participate in such a sordid travesty. With that, he stalked off with the millipede following at its own pace.

I suppose ye could engage in a harmless game of riddles, a chastened Helluin suggested in an attempt to mollify the rest. T'would inject a measure of levity to raise this somber mood.

I don't have any riddles, Betsie said whilst holding her cud in her cheek, Bessie always guesses them.

I don't have any riddles either, agreed Bessie, Betsie always guesses them. 'Twas little surprise really as they shared most of their nervous system.

We do not really think anything is funny. 'Tis a hereditary prey-animal thing, explained one of the rabbits.

Helluin threw up her hands in defeat and stalked off into the forest to seek food items for the hatchling.

Now during the first week after the hatching of Aiwendil's 'most wonderful birds', Helluin spent most of her time seeking food for her chick. Berries, seeds, nuts, flying and crawling insects she snatched from the forest one after another and handed o'er to the small daemon on her shoulder. All of these the bird gulped down at a furious pace and as the days passed, the Noldo marked that the hatchling was indeed growing, just as the Brown Wizard had projected.

On many occasions, Helluin had tried to engage with the little monster eye to eye. Alas, the chick was single-minded in the extreme and all she e'er got from it was I am hungry! With a groan, she recalled the primitive Adan, Balar son of Balan whom she and Beinvír had liberated from the house of Iarwain Ben-adar in S.A. 2994, and who had become the first King of the Middle Men of Eriador.

In the end, Helluin indeed spent o'er a fortnight at Rhosgobel, watching in amazement as the chick seemed to grow before her eyes from a featherless hatchling to a nestling with 'plumage in metallic rainbow hues' whose 'feathers sparkled as if dusted with tiny diamonds'. The creature had bypassed the more familiar downy stage completely. Nor had it e'er displayed the drab, camouflaged coloration of most juveniles, instead developing its adult coloration directly. The Noldo could hardly believe it, for Aiwendil's description had scarcely done the bird justice. Though it had yet to grow a showy tail or crest so luxurious as the Wizard had claimed of its parent, these would come with age. Helluin had truly been astonished and wondered how she would teach it to fly.

By the time sixteen days had passed, the bird, (which had hatched at roughly the size of an adult buttonquail), had achieved the size of an adult Gyrfalcon hen. This was a fifteen-fold increase in mass, achieved by consuming a bushel of sundry food items, drinking several gallons of water, creating a several gallons of excrement, and incorporating the rest into its growing self. Helluin could clearly feel the weight of its presence on her shoulder though 'twas far from burdensome. Being now able to reach even the top of her head, the juvenile took to exploring her left ear and grooming her hair through its beak as if seeking for lice.

Helluin had intended to complain to Aiwendil regarding these developing behaviors, but she found the Wizard with his trio of birds treating him no better. One was sifting through his eyelashes, having stretched his eyelid so that his eyeball was wholly exposed. Another was wriggling its beak into his nostrils, whilst the third had insinuated its head 'twixt his lips, forcing his mouth open to search his oral cavity for any residual scraps of food. The Ithron had given her a long-suffering look and she had groaned and retreated thinking, better thee than me, bird mom.

Helluin's charge had developed the strength and balance to grasp her coif in its talons and then lean forward so that it could stretch 'round to meet her eye to eye. 'Twas a bizarre and unsettling point of view the Noldo had with the nestling being so close, and she could have sworn the proximity caused its 'voice' to be distorted with a peculiar accent. On that day, she removed the coif to encourage the bird to roost directly on the plates of her pauldron. After a couple hours to adjust, it seemed the creature missed its mithril nest not at all. Most improved was its ability to sidestep halfway down her upper arm so that when it leant into her face, 'twas a respectable distance away as it met her eyes. When they 'spoke' silently, its accent had vanished.

This is far better, Helluin told it. I can understand thee clearly now.

'Tis better indeed, the creature replied. Thou hast lost thy horrible accent. The Noldo had sputtered in indignation.

By anyone's account, the bird was beautiful and Helluin felt again her old certainty that 'twas for the Valar's creation of the natural world, its terrains, its weathers, its olvar, and its kelvar, that the greatest reverence was due. A single feather some greedy person might covet for its rarity and beauty, but the living creature that grew them was beyond any price.

The Noldo oft caught Kallfelak staring at her growing charge with a dumbfounded look of awe. Then, with his heart moved by the sight that left tears shimmering in his eyes, he would look away, o'ercome. On one occasion, Helluin met his glance and gave him a questioning look. On her shoulder, the bird cocked its head to him as well, as if curious to hear what he would say. The Dwarf blinked and sniffled ere he replied.

"The beauty of this creature is beyond any gold or sparkling gems of the mountain deeps," he said softly, "and I would see such a revelation enliven Middle Earth fore'er. I fear that the sight of it alone shall incite desire in the Dragons, for they are e'er covetous."

'Twas a concern that Helluin had not bethought aforetime and it gave her pause. Yet perhaps the bird would stay at Rhosgobel after she had seen it safely fledged. She could imagine no cause for it to follow her to the Withered Heath on a deadly mission filled with jeopardy. The bird only bobbed its head at the Dwarf and then settled again on Helluin's shoulder.

Now on its seventeenth day of life, the bird became agitated and urgently bid Helluin climb a tree. It stood midway down her left upper arm, bobbing its head and flapping its wings and would not cease for 'aught. Finally, Helluin threw up her hands and climbed a tall pine whose limbs grew out from the trunk horizontally at comfortable intervals. The bird resumed its perch on her shoulder, but continued goading her upward without pause. Higher and higher she climbed as the bird urged her on. Finally, seventy-five feet above the ground, with the branches bowing 'neath her weight, Helluin stopped, for the trunk had grown too slender to chance ascending further.

We have come so high as I deem safe, at least for me, she said. Thou art welcome to continue higher if thou must.

This shall do nicely and I am quite satisfied, the bird replied. I thank thee for the view.

The bird then spent some moments staring 'round and taking in the panorama. Helluin also looked, but saw only the forest extending in all directions for many leagues. There was precious little to differentiate any one direction from any other with the canopy being unbroken and the ground primarily flat. She supposed that perhaps it looked different to a bird. Soon enough, the creature returned its attention to her and surprised her with a request.

I pray thee follow me not, or at least, not by the route I shall take, it said, utterly serious.

Fine, said Helluin, looking again up at the remainder of the trunk, already too slender to support her weight. Continue up howsoe'er high thou desire. I shall remain here.

The bird bobbed its head in thanks and then flapped its wings experimentally. The Noldo could feel the backwash of air 'cross her face and slitted her eyes to protect them from the rush of dust and dander. A quick glance revealed an expression of such earnest concentration on the nestling's face that Helluin well 'nigh guffawed.

She was not prepared when the creature launched itself, flapping frantically from her shoulder into the space 'twixt the surrounding branches. Shockingly, (but only half surprisingly), it plummeted in an awkward and uncontrolled fall, and with no choice but to continue in its desperate, wing-beating descent, barely managed to avoid crashing into the tree's limbs. Finally, just shy of impact, the bird managed to master itself sufficiently to glide out safely 'twixt the surrounding tree trunks at what looked to be shoulder height. The Noldo shook her head 'til a grin finally shaped her lips. Though half-suicidal, the nestling had graduated to fledgling with its first flight, such as 'twas.

There is not a chance in Udûn that I would follow that path down, Helluin thought to herself as she began her descent in a much calmer and more controlled manner. When she reached the ground, she looked all 'round, wondering whither the bird had flown.

Being so bright of plumage, it should have been quite easy to espy. Helluin sought for it as she walked in widening circles, looking up into the branches and listening for its calls. Along the way, she realized that if it had actually managed to attain true flight, it could be anywhere. Shaking her head in irritation, she hastened her steps.

It took the Noldo the half part of an hour ere she heard the contented cooing of the bird from a dense cedar grove and made her way thither. Her aggravation was transmuted into worry when she marked the cobwebs choking the branches o'erhead, for ne'er aforetime had she found the presence of Spiders so near to Rhosgobel. A bad sign she deemed this and worse because her newly fledged charge was somewhere 'nigh. With increasing urgency, Helluin sought amidst the spider's web for the colorful bird.

After several minutes spent in an increasingly desperate search, Helluin finally located the bird, ensconced amongst the sticky filaments of the web with the Spider right next to it. She charged forward, snatching the Sarchram from her belt and intending to send it to flight to destroy the foul creature, yet she paused as the situation was revealed.

The colorful bird was indeed in the Spider's web, but 'twas not helplessly stuck and thrashing in fear of the approaching Spider that would bind it in its silk and make a meal of it. Instead, the fledgling was happily cooing as it gouged great chunks from the Spider's head, carapace and all. With each bite of the bird's beak, the Spider's legs gave mindless reflex shudders, animating the whole web in a macabre dance whilst green slime oozed forth, falling to the ground. Helluin threw her hands up in exasperation and set the Sarchram back on her belt clip.

"Can that possibly be wholesome?" she called up to the bird, which bobbed its head and swallowed, then wiped its beak on the carcass to clean it of slime. Despite the distance, Helluin was able to meet its eyes.

I am hungry, the bird declared as usual, and this thing presented itself most timely.

'Tis a foul Spider, a spawn of Ungoliant of the Elder Days, I wager. 'Tis an enemy of all good folk, Helluin said. Then in curiosity, she had to ask, What doth it taste like, pray tell?

It tastes of 'naught. I taste 'naught. We birds can eat the hottest peppers and the driest seeds equally and experience no flavors at all.¹ 'Tis merely textures. ¹(This is not strictly true. Most birds do have far fewer taste buds than mammals, but can still detect flavors. It is also true that birds are not affected by hot peppers. This bird's claims may only be true of its species.)

At that claim, the Noldo's brows rose in astonishment and she stuttered, Ye…ye taste 'naught that ye eat? None of it hath a flavor?

How strange, since Tawarui Tavor described the flavor of his grub as would a gourmet, she thought to herself.

Flavors I have only heard rumor of, but have ne'er experienced for myself. None of us has. Are they akin to scents, pray tell? Then it muttered, as if in an aside to itself, Not that I can smell much either.

Aye, they are akin, Helluin said. Sweet and sour, salt, bitter, and savory blend to reveal the flavors of 'aught we eat. I am astonished that thou sense them not.

Hast thou e'er looked closely at a bird's tongue? When Helluin shook her head 'nay', the bird elaborated. Mostly, we use our tongues as adjuncts for trapping and manipulating food items. Different kindreds of birds have different shaped tongues depending on their preferred foods. After all, we have neither knives, nor forks, nor spoons, as thou can plainly see.

I have marked the absence of utensils at thy board, the Noldo said, thinking that fact so obvious that commenting on it was ludicrous. Neither have I marked plates, cups, bowls, or saucers.

All unnecessary, commented the bird blithely, and all for 'naught save adding complexity to the simplest of tasks. It then bobbed its head, breaking their connection, and resumed feeding.

Helluin paced a short distance away to avoid being splattered by slime falling from above and then settled down to wait. The Spider was many times the bird's body mass, but the fledgling made a good accounting of itself, consuming all of the Spider's head and thorax. One by one, its legs dropped to the ground where they lay feebly twitching, leaving only the abdomen hanging by its threads amidst the web. Throughout its banquet, the bird produced repeated spurts of excrement from its cloaca and Helluin would have sworn it also grew larger before her eyes.

When the bird completed its gorging and was finally sated, it fluttered down to the ground and walked o'er to Helluin.

I am not hungry, it declared for the first time, seeming quite pleased with itself.

I would imagine not, the Noldo agreed, straight-faced, though I am impressed that thou hast consumed so much of that Spider without taking ill.

Whyfor should I fall sickly? 'Twas nourishing enough, though at times I imagined I was chewing someone else's fingernails and eating mouthfuls of frog eggs. I consider it a peculiar food item, but I would not refuse it if 'twas offered again someday.

I wager that in this forest, thou shalt be offered Spiders again for they are endemic and further south, they well 'nigh choke the trees with their numbers and their webs, said Helluin. As I said aforetime, they are enemies and I revile them. I should be revolted to eat one. She grimaced in disgust at the thought.

Perhaps t'would be less off-putting if thou forgo thy knife, fork, and spoon? asked the bird, straight-faced.

It would not, Helluin ground out. Howe'er, I congratulate thee on thy first flight. Now that thou art fledged and fed, I reckon thou art free to find thine own way as well. Adulthood beckons thee and thou may live happily in this forest with thy kin and the Wizard. I have an errand to the north with the Dwarf and must soon be away. Shall we return to Rhosgobel?

The bird looked at her, seemingly in shock at her declaration, and said, So, soon thou shalt take thy leave? I shall miss thee, whom I have known all this life. Despite my flight and successful feeding, I still have much to do ere I may claim adulthood. 'Tis the way of my kind. But what lies to the north, pray tell?

To the north lie the Withered Heath and the Grey Mountains whither dwell the Dwarf's people, Helluin said, and they are threatened by great creatures, deadly and covetous, who crave their treasure and drive them from their homes to get it. I hope to aid them, if I can.

These 'great creatures'…they are Spiders?

Nay, they are Dragons, the Noldo clarified, and at the bird's blank look, she elaborated, saying, like great lizards they are, grown beyond all proportion. Some fly and some breathe fire. They can be cruel and cunning, but they all crave gold and gems and take them from others when the chance arises.

So, they are larger than the Spider in yonder tree? the bird asked, caring 'naught for treasure.

Very much so. T'would take thee at least a week to consume one, maybe even a fortnight, Helluin hedged. The bird gave her a calculating look but said 'naught else and they set off through the forest for Rhosgobel.

When they returned to the Wizard's home, they found Aiwendil chasing his trio of birds 'round the tree in the center of his kitchen. It seemed that they too had fledged that day, but constrained to the interior of the Ithron's house, they could only flutter in an irregular circle. It helped them not at all that they were all still perched on his hat and their undisciplined flapping only served to foil each others' flight plans. Oft enough, one or more of them would crash into the Wizard's household furnishings. What a trio of morons, Helluin thought. Her fledgling regarded the display with a measure of agitation that the Noldo understood not at all.

Shalt thou journey north on the morrow? it asked her, as if 'twas suddenly an urgent matter.

Aye, Helluin replied, as I have already been here longer than expected.

Then I shall accompany thee and the Dwarf, the bird declared. I feel that I must see these Dragons, especially if some breathe fire. Ere Helluin could digest its words, it asked, Shalt thou also take thy horse?

Smoca shall bear me hence. I am not sure if the Dwarf shall ride or walk, she replied, having ne'er known a Dwarf that was fond of horses. Whyfor wouldst thou seek after the sight of Dragons? They are dangerous to approach and even I do not relish that encounter.

The bird tilted its head from side to side, regarding her from each eye in turn, as it perched on her upper arm, and finally said, I do not know, but after seeing this sordid travesty…this scene of chaos, it feels imperative. The bird shrugged and almost plaintively asked, Pray say 'naught of Dragons to the others.

Helluin should have been suspicious, for thus far she had exchanged no speech with the other three birds and had no reason to tell them 'aught of her plans. She was far more concerned about her fledgling's seemingly sudden desire to see a Dragon…for no reason it had deigned to explain. If 'twas a caprice, then 'twas an ill-advised one, yet the Noldo realized that now that her bird could fly, she could hardly constrain it to not follow her. She regarded the creature through eyes narrowed in suspicion, but finally shook her head and went to speak with the Brown Wizard and the Dwarf.

'Twas decided that Helluin and Kallfelak would depart at first light upon the morrow. Helluin would ride Smoca, and as she had half-expected, Kallfelak was unwilling to ride pillion on a horse. Aiwendil pressed him to accept the loan of a pony and he finally capitulated as it offered some hope of recouping the time lost in fledging the Brown Wizard's 'most wonderful birds'. The Noldo mentioned 'naught of her bird's intentions for t'would follow of its own accord or not, and she would not seek to constrain it, for in her opinion, birds were meant to be free, for better or worse. After their council, she spoke only to Smoca, to inform him of their plans.

They set out as the first light of 8 Lothron crept through the forest canopy. Smoca was glad to leave, for though he had made some friends and played some games, he still felt uncomfortable at Rhosgobel. Unlike Norðr-vestandóttir Bý, with its familiar animals of a few types, the Wizard's home was rife with unfamiliar species, the air filled with unfamiliar scents, and his ears constantly assailed by unfamiliar calls. As they walked back up the entry path 'twixt the termite mounds, the world began to feel normal again and when they had passed beyond the eaves of the forest, he finally felt at peace.

Unsurprisingly, Kallfelak was not at peace. 'Twas strange enough to be journeying in the company of an Elf and stranger still to be riding a pony rather than trusting his own two feet. But strangest of all was that the pony he had been loaned had two distinct faces growing from its skull. The look of the creature, with its two ears, four eyes, two muzzles, and two mouths had struck him as just plain creepy when he first met it. Though it seemed a docile and accommodating animal, 'twas simply crafted wrong. Could Mahal and the One be so fallible, or could the Enemy have somehow meddled with it? The Dwarf was deeply troubled and only glad to be riding it because whilst mounted, he could not see its faces.

Amongst their small company, Kallfelak was the only one not engaging in conversation with the others. Helluin, Smoca, the bird, and the pony, (whose right face claimed their name was Fola¹, which its left face claimed to have forgotten along with much else), spent most of their time speaking of their homes, their expectations for the journey, and such lore as they knew. For this, they traded in thought, silently, eye to eye. Unable to partake in their Ósanwe, Kallfelak either muttered to himself or posed occasional comments to Helluin. Indeed, he had no notion that the others were speaking 'twixt themselves to his exclusion. ¹(Fola, Foal/Colt used as a category to refer to small breeds of adult horses as well as the young. Old English)

Now in the morn of 11 Lothron, that being the fourth day of their ride, and having then come five score and ten miles north from Rhosgobel, they approached the Forest Gate. At once, Helluin sensed the presence of other Elves, close, but not too close. She deemed them marchwardens of the Woodland Realm, charged with guarding the entrance to the road into their kingdom. A glance two leagues east against the rising sun revealed eleven staring back as they stood guard on the eaves of the wood. Oh no! That elleth Eryniel is amongst them. Pray remain in thy forest…please! Helluin silently implored any Vala listening.

It had been o'er a thousand years since Helluin had last come to Thranduil's lands, and since then, much ill had befallen her old friend. For this, she blamed her own actions against Angmar in no small part. As she had told his heir o'er five centuries aforetime, she would not darken his father's counsels with even the mention of her name. The company tarried not, but rather maintained a comfortable trot and rested not 'til they had put several leagues behind them.

Of course, the sharp eyes of the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood had marked them as they passed up the north south track. Standing in the shadows of the outermost trees, each of the eleven had committed to memory all they saw, for the sight they had witnessed, their king would surely want to share.

Their eyes had first been drawn to the lazy but graceful circling of a large bird whose kind was unknown to them. That alone was worthy of remark. All the colors of the rainbow flashed in its plumage and this so reflective that the feathers might have been encrusted with precious gems. It could only be a creature from the Uttermost West, they all believed. They had soon discerned that 'twas circling a pair of riders, and these too were strange.

There rode a Dwarf mounted upon a pony of two faces! They had stared long at him and his unnatural steed, scarcely believing their own eyes, for his presence alone was worthy of remark. Accompanying him was one of Elven kind girt in black armor and riding a black stallion, the Mórgolodh! It could be no other. Her presence alone was worthy of remark. When those riders and their escorting bejeweled bird had passed away to the north, the detail of border guards stared at each other for only a moment ere they hastened east down the Forest Path to Thranduil's halls to make their report, filled with all their worthy remarks.

Amongst them was only one who could confirm beyond doubt what had appeared to them all. Lieutenant Tauriel had met aforetime with the Mórgolodh and briefly shared her home. As she had learnt more of the Noldo in the centuries since visiting Norðr-vestandóttir Bý, she had come to hold a growing respect for Helluin Maeg-móremenel. Few enough of her own people even knew her right name. Only a few old veterans recalled their impressions of her from the War of the Last Alliance. Most intriguing were some hints that had escaped the lips of the prince.

Five centuries aforetime, Legolas Thranduilion had returned from months of wandering with vastly increased martial skills. Too, there had been a new-born concern for the future and their perennial war against the forces of Darkness. It seemed that he had been inspired as well as schooled. To this day, he spoke 'naught of his experiences during that time, but to one who had come to know him well since, it seemed that he had acquired a sterner demeanor and the skills to redress the murder of his mother, their queen.

There were few in the Woodland Realm who could teach such skills, and since those days, Legolas had eventually bested them all at sparring and shooting. Yet Tauriel knew of one who could teach such skills; skills that she herself had witnessed and which left her shivering still at their recall. Twenty Yrch fell in moments to her and her friend Galadhon and they considered it but a trifle. She vanished before my eyes and this after befuddling my company with Song. Against all that has come aforetime, even our king esteems her. And now she goes north in the company of a Dwarf and a bird of the Valar, but on what errand?

Eight days after the sighting, King Thranduil had received the company's report and shared their memories with surprisingly little reaction. Then again, they knew that their king kept his own counsels. After dismissing the sentries and briefly questioning Tauriel alone, she too had been dismissed leaving only the king and his heir.

"T'would seem thy teacher riders north to aid the Dwarves of the Grey Mountains with their Dragon problem," Thranduil had said, marking the widening of his son's eyes in shock. "Yes, I know thou hast taken instruction from Helluin, my son. I recognize her hand in thy warcraft."

"Father, I have said 'naught of that time, nor mentioned her name. How couldst thou know?" Legolas asked for the thousandth time in his life. His father's perception seldom failed to surprise him.

"Nay, thou hast not, and I wager she bid thee be discreet to save me the memory of her, for she is ridden with guilt o'er things that were not truly her fault." To this, the prince could only nod in agreement, for Helluin had told him as much. "Thine improvement at shooting after thy return in 2063 could have been the result of unremitting practice," Thranduil said, "but the likes of thy knife-work I have seen aforetime and some of the movements thou could hath learnt from no other."

"She fought not with paired long-knives, father, only with her sword and dagger or the Ring-blade. How could my use of my paired knives be traced to her fighting style?" Legolas could not help but ask.

"Because 'tis the fighting style of her beloved, Beinvír Laiquende," Thranduil said, and for some moments he fell silent, remembering the elleth who had offered him sympathy and support when he was heartbroken and in doubt after Inthuiril had slipped away to follow Helluin to Dol Guldur. "Many times I saw them sparring ere we marched upon the Black Land. Thou cannot know the honor done thee in the sharing of those skills."

"Nay, I cannot, for ne'er did I meet this Beinvír Laiquende," Legolas said, "but I can honor Helluin's teachings by opposing the Darkness as doth she."

Thranduil nodded to honor his son's words and said, "I too refined much of my swordplay with Helluin's tutelage in the days ere the Great War. Thou could not have found a finer teacher."

Legolas nodded to his father, for that detail about the king, Helluin had also shared, but then he asked, "Thou say she rides north to aid the Dwarves against the Dragons of the Withered Heath. Should we not offer aid to fight such dangerous foes? They were once agents of Morgoth and they could cause great harm to our people. What if they join themselves to the hosts of Gorthaur one day?"

"Then upon that day, we shall fight them for the freedom of the forest," Thranduil said, "but I shall not send Elves to fight for the treasures of the Dwarves. We shall not spend our blood for their baubles. 'Tis their hoarding and their greed that tempts the Dragons. Nay, 'tis a problem they must solve. After all, how many Dwarves have we seen marching to our aid against the Spiders of Dol Guldur? We have already battles enough at home."

Legolas knew the truth of his father's words and bowed his head, accepting his judgment. He had Spiders, Orcs, and evil Men to fight in Mirkwood. His hands were already fully occupied, and besides, what could he do against Dragons that Helluin could not?

On the north south track, Helluin and Kallfelak continued riding north. In the afternoon of 13 Lothron, four score miles past the Forest Gate, they turned east and rode through the narrow land 'twixt the northwestern corner of Mirkwood and a southward thrusting spur of the Ered Mithrin. There trees grew within a mile of the foothills and for eight miles, there lay a land long debated 'twixt Dwarves, Men, Orcs, and Tor. Alas, those Gonnhirrim that had once dwelt 'nigh had fled east following the attacks of the Dragons and so they counted on finding no allies in that land. As they entered the narrows, Helluin checked Anor's position and reckoned the remaining daylight more than sufficient.

"Whate'er betides, we must leave this land ere nightfall," Helluin advised. "A company of Orcs can easily be defeated, but the addition of Tor could make the engagement troublesome. I hope to meet none, but if we must fight, I would have the odds in our favor."

Kallfelak nodded, though he suspected that a company of Yrch would be trouble enough.

"We should pass through this land in two hours, give or take," he said, "for 'tis well known to us. Let us ride in the shadow of the trees." To his suggestion, Helluin nodded in agreement.

They went forward warily and in silence thereafter, riding at a walk 'neath the eaves of the forest and accepting the possibility of meeting Elves or Men whilst hoping to pass unnoticed by Orcs and Trolls. Kallfelak held his axe and Helluin kept an arrow nocked on the string of her bow. Of course, they could have galloped through that land in far less time, but the noise of such a pace was sure to draw the attention of any enemies that lingered 'nigh.

When they had come the first league, they reckoned that they were making good time. Not an hour had passed and they saw no sign of foes. The slopes of the Ered Mithrin stood silent and 'naught moved upon those rocky faces. Neither shadow shifted nor dust rose from any marching feet. The horses were calm for they sensed no threat.

The 'most wonderful bird' still rode on Helluin's left shoulder, grasping her pauldron in its talons as its head swiveled right and left whilst keeping watch. It had continued hunting, eating, and growing at the same remarkable pace o'er the last week and now equaled the size and weight of a male golden eagle. Thus it had increased its wingspan from four and a half to six feet and its mass from five to eight pounds. Helluin feared that her spine would curve into a new shape, for the bird had become a constant and noticeable weight on her shoulder.

The company's tension continued unabated for another hour and a quarter, but they reached the end of the narrows safely and all breathed sighs of relief as the foothills of the Ered Mithrin withdrew to the north. Helluin replaced the arrow in her quiver and shouldered her bow as Kallfelak relaxed his grip on the haft of his axe. They traded glances and nervous grins.

Thereafter, they veered away from the border of Mirkwood and rode at a trot through the remainder of the day. At dusk, they set a camp on the west bank of the Forest River, intending to ford it in the morning.

"We have made good time this day," the Dwarf commented as they cooked an evening meal and their horses grazed nearby. Helluin nodded in agreement. Kallfelak continued, saying, "In the vale 'nigh the headwaters of the Forest River lies the westernmost of our mansions now occupied by a Dragon. In the Common Speech that place is called Riverbank Mines, but I have heard that from of old thou speak our tongue." At Helluin's nod 'aye', he told her that, "In Khuzdul, we call that one 'Anshâkalathuk¹." ¹('Anshâkalathuk, Riverbank Mines = 'anshâkal(riverbank) + athuk(mines) Khuzdul)

Helluin cast a worried glance to the north where the ribbon of water reflected the setting sun's colors ere disappearing into a deep valley 'twixt mountain ridges. That vale ran northwest, bending out of sight from their position, and the Dwarvish stronghold probably lay a score and fifteen miles to the north. 'Twas just far enough to lull one with a false sense of security where a Dragon was concerned.

"Fear not, my friend," Kallfelak said, "for we are out of sight, the prevailing winds blow from the north so we are downwind, and the Dragon has slept for 'nigh twenty years. Most of all, to that monster, we are insignificant, being but two and not riding up the river."

To his reasoning, Helluin nodded in acceptance. They posed no threat to such a mighty creature and could pass its lair in relative safety.

"How far to the next occupied mansion, my friend?" the Noldo asked.

"At the head of a deep bay 'twixt arms of the mountains two score miles east lies Zudrâathuk¹, which was taken in 2577," he said, no longer bothering to translate the Khuzdul for Helluin. "On a south-facing slope another two score miles further east is 'Urdazahâr² that was lost in 2582." ¹(Zudrâathuk, High Mines = zudrâ(adj. high) + athuk(mines) Khuzdul) ²('Urdazhâr, Mountain Home = 'urd(mountain) + azhâr(home) Khuzdul)

Helluin nodded to him in sympathy and understanding. There was but one further city, the one most recently assailed by the Cold-drake Biraikhgirul-Uslukh, whither had fallen King Dáin and Prince Frór.

"South of the western end of the Withered Heath is Gunûdu Uzbad¹, but alas, 'tis no more." Kallfelak hung his head in sorrow for Dáin's halls no longer hosted a king. ¹(Gunûdu Uzbad, Halls of the King = gunûdu(underground halls of) + uzbad(king) Khuzdul)

"And only there is the chance great that the Dragon is still awake," Helluin said and received a nod 'aye' from the Dwarf. "That is still several days away and perhaps we shall be ignored as we pass Gunûdu Uzbad, for being only two, I hope we shall not be seen as a threat."

Kallfelak nodded hopefully, but then cast a glance at the bird and his expression turned grim.

"One glimpse of thy bird and Biraikhgirul-Uslukh shall surely come forth, enticed and driven by his greed to capture it," the Dwarf said and then groaned. "We shall all surely die."

"Bah," said Helluin. "If he lives up to his name, we shall smell his coming ere he appears and worst comes to worst, I shall shroud the bird in my cloak."

Predictably, the creature protested.

"I shall not be held captive as if in a sack when so great a meal awaits," it declared and Helluin rolled her eyes.

Talk about 'enticed and driven by greed to capture it', she thought, we shall all surely die.

To Be Continued

Tibblets: Thanks for your review. They're always appreciated. Sometimes, I think you're the only one who notices those names. I guess that most people tune out those word construction notes, but you picked up on Ishkabibúl and the Sultan of Suat earlier. I'll continue to amuse myself with minor characters' names. I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the ground cloth materials.