In An Age Before – Part 290
Chapter One hundred seventy
Methedras and the Ford of Isen – The Third Age of the Sun
In all these regions Gondor still retained under its own command only the fortress of Angrenost, within which was the third Tower of Gondor, the impregnable Orthanc where was held the fourth of the palantíri of the southern realm. In the days of Cirion Angrenost was still manned by a guard of Gondorians, but these had become a small settled people, ruled by a hereditary Captain, and the keys of Orthanc were in the keeping of the Steward of Gondor. The 'outer fences' named in the description of the bounds of the realm of Eorl were a wall and dyke running some two miles south of the gates of Angrenost, between the hills in which the Misty Mountains ended; beyond them were the tilled lands of the people of the fortress.
(Quote taken verbatim from "Unfinished Tales", Part Three: The Third Age, II Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan, (iii) Cirion and Eorl, pg. 306.)
Now Helluin left Erebor on 16 Gwirith, 2595 and rode Smoca west 'round the northern border of Mirkwood. She passed through the lowlands to the south of the Ered Mithrin as the stallion's nose followed his tail, retracing his trail after six years. The Noldo kept a leisurely pace with the two-faced pony Fola trailing along behind. On the 26th, she turned south after passing 'the narrows' and it seemed that with all four Dragons defeated, not even the Yrch and Tor felt it worthwhile to trouble her. This, of course, was pure coincidence. She had passed 'the narrows' in broad daylight and what foes lingered 'nigh were either hiding from the sun or too lazy to bother with a single rider.
After another four days, she came 'nigh the Forest Gate that marked the western threshold of Thranduil's realm and sure enough, a company of Silvan Elves stood watch on the border. She did not acknowledge them, nor they she, though both parties were well aware of the other. To Helluin's relief, Eryniel was nowhere to be seen. This time, with neither a Bird of the Uttermost West, nor a Dwarf riding the two-faced pony accompanying her, the passage of the Mórgolodh was far less remarkable. The sentries mentioned her in their reports, but expended no energy to do so ahead of their normal rotation of duty back to their king's halls. Helluin was simply glad to be left alone as she made her way south to Rhosgobel.
During that time and after, she marked an occasional column of smoke rising from some homestead or hamlet, but as none of these lay astride the track, she paid them no further heed than to mark their presence.
The Noldo spent another four days riding south down the north south track and came to the path leading into the forest in the early afternoon. Fola pranced with anticipation at returning home at last, whilst Smoca trudged forward as if being led to the gibbet.
I pray thee not tarry long on this visit, Helluin, he said, this place discomfits me.
Whyfor? she asked the stallion, I found thee in friendly company aforetime.
Dost thou jest? he asked, incredulous. I shall be well to leave this place with only one head or with my own face.
I shall not be long, Helluin reassured him with the best intentions, or at least I shall strive not to become caught up in another ludicrous happenstance.
Uh-huh, Smoca said, seeming unconvinced. Helluin could but shrug in reply for she knew not all the melodies and phrases of the First Song.
They rode down the path 'twixt the towering termite mounds and into the noisome cacophony of Rhosgobel. Helluin groaned silently to herself as the calls of the winged and four-legged rose to announce their arrival. They came to a halt in the barren ring that surrounded the Wizard's home, well 'nigh deafened by the volume of his beastly 'heralds'. There the Noldo dismounted and stalked off towards the house to find Aiwendil.
Strangely, she found the Brown Wizard not only lucid, but also swift to respond when she pounded on his door.
"Helluin, no need to batter down my gates," he said. "I am here." 'Twas a first and after centuries of arrivals, she had to roll her eyes.
"I have returned thy pony, my old friend, and bear tidings of the doings in the north."
"Pray come in then and have some tea," he said, throwing open the door and waving her inside.
Helluin shrugged and followed him into his kitchen, though she turned down his offer of a beverage. Whilst he might not be brewing up some mélange of hallucinogens, she reckoned that his teapot was infused with such residues of toxins that 'aught boiled in it could be considered tainted and she was intent on keeping her wits.
They settled in mismatched and oft repaired chairs and Helluin spoke of her experiences in dismissing the Dragons, especially Biraikhgirul-Uslukh the Reeking Dragon whose kind she had ne'er encountered aforetime. Aiwendil was curious about the creature, but 'twas when the Noldo continued on to share her memories of the explosion and the following aerial combat 'twixt the Fëanicse and the fire-drake Smaug that he really hearkened with his full attention. Finally, after all her tidings had been told, he sighed and shook his head.
"The trio of birds that remained here all vanished in a puff of smoke at what I reckon was the same time that thy bird was transformed. They had grown huge by then, but suddenly with a loud 'pop', they vanished and left behind 'naught but an acrid haze wafting amidst the branches o'erhead. 'Twas unfortunate and untimely for I found no eggs and there were no flames. I was distraught then and have been confounded e'er since," he revealed.
"'Twas no deficiency in thy care of them, my friend," Helluin reassured him. "The Fëanicse claimed that 'twas only by her encounter with Dragon fire that she could come into her own. I wager the trio here and the one I left with were akin to a larval stage."
"Larvae, yes, yes!" Aiwendil exclaimed, seemingly with great relief. "And metamorphosed in a chrysalis of fire! I cannot help but wonder what would have happened had all four gone north with thee and encountered Smaug together."
"She said there could be only one of their kind at a time; a faithful replica of the original that came from Aman to battle the Dragons in the War of Wrath, else her spirit would be diluted and diminished."
"I see. Aye, that makes good sense, though to be honest, I ne'er encountered such a creature in Aman and if any should have known of them, t'would have been me," he claimed.
"I ne'er saw any of that kindred in the West either," Helluin agreed, "but I reckon they were created after the Noldor left and perhaps only after Morgoth revealed his Dragons."
Aiwendil offered her a provisionary nod in agreement for he had no knowledge of the Fëanicse and could not gainsay her. 'Twas still troubling to him that such a marvelous creature had been created and he had been left ignorant of it even after returning to Middle Earth. Finally, he sighed in resignation and softly muttered to himself, "None of us were privy to all of the Song."
Helluin took her leave of the Wizard shortly later, much to Smoca's relief. She found the stallion surrounded by other creatures. The unfortunate warhorse had become, after being introduced to them by Fola, the subject of great curiosity and many questions. He gave her such a look of relief when she appeared that she was hard pressed to stifle a cackle of mirth at his plight.
Helluin, save me, I pray thee! They are relentless in their investigation and with all of them interrogating me at once; I cannot even begin to form a coherent narrative!
I see, she said, and what do they ask of thee, pray tell?
They wish to know of the Dragons, of course, well 'nigh the only creatures not represented here.
In that case, I shall offer them tidings and win thine emancipation, especially as only I was present at each Dragon's demise.
Now after interceding in the conversation and offering them her firsthand accounts of five different kinds of Dragons, the animals crowded together before the Noldo in a tight semi-circle so that they could all look into her eyes. For a moment, she felt like one of the rabble-rousers orating before the crowds in the Royal Precinct of Osgiliath back in the days of Eldacar. Then she looked 'round the arc of hushed and expectant animal faces and well 'nigh choked at how ludicrous 'twas. Yet after mastering herself, Helluin offered them a barely edited compendium of her memories within the lairs and outside the dens of the great lizards. 'Round her there were subdued squawks and chitterings, muffled barks and growls as the 'sights' of the Long-wyrm, the wingless Fire-drake, the winged Cold-drake, the Reeking Dragon, and the winged Fire-drake were presented directly to their minds.
There were expressions of horror and disgust as Khabbkurdu burned the head from 'Urmuakhshâm whilst being crushed in his coils. They shuddered in fear as Narag-Bagd charged from the entrance of 'Urdazhâr and collapsed in the stream before his own gates. They flinched in terror as Biraikhgirul-Uslukh's butt exploded, and they held their breaths in awe as Smaug tried and failed to immolate the Fëanicse.
After she had shown them all those visions, they were hushed in shock so the Noldo mounted and turned Smoca ere they could begin to pelt her with questions. Helluin and the stallion fled up the path 'twixt the termite mounds and did not pause 'til they were well south of Rhosgobel on the north south track.
I shall make a point of not returning thither for a century, Helluin promised herself.
Nor I, Smoca agreed, which, being mortal, was far more likely to prove true than the Noldo's declaration.
Besides, Helluin continued, I shared all my memories of those incidents with Aiwendil and his 'community' may now beseech him for such clarity as they desire on these matters.
The air blown through Smoca's slack lips and the clacking of his molars served as what Helluin interpreted as a chuckle.
A week hence, Helluin and Smoca arrived at Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. 'Twas then 6 Lothron, T.A. 2595, and they had been gone six years and a month. By chance, Ælfscyld son of Ælfhere, Captain of the Riders happened to be inspecting the patrol o'erseeing the entrance at the north south track. He and the company gave Helluin a hearty and heartfelt welcome home. He strode beside her whilst she walked Smoca along the path beside the river and they traded tidings 'til they drew 'nigh the hillock. Then farmers, tradesmen, and Riders surrounded them as they turned north up the lane from the riverbank towards Helluin's cabin.
The crowd clamored their own welcomes and amongst them, the Tatyar gathered as well, though to the Elves the time had not seemed nearly so long as it had to the Men. After Helluin had spoken briefly to acknowledge her settlement's welcome, Ngandáro and Arinya joined Ælfscyld in the cabin, and there o'er a light meal the Noldo gave and heard more detailed accounts of what had come to pass since Gwirith of 2589.
Along with the expected tallies of births and deaths, marriages and crop yields, came tales of a some battles in which the Riders of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý had aided the Third Marshall and his Éored of the Eastemnet against a few bands Easterling raiders that had crossed the Undeeps. Those invaders had been either allies or remnants of the Balchoth culture for their warcraft had been similarly savage and primitive, but now, thankfully, they seemed to have no great captain to unify them. If they had been allied with Dol Guldur, they had died unwilling to admit it.
Of Yrch, the Wolves had reported no incursions. The local pack and the allied southern pack had been at peace.
"Nor have we received alarms from any of Aiwendil's friends," said Arinya.
"The whispers of the trees and grass have been sleepy as well," Ngandáro added.
After a lifetime associated with the Tatyar, Ælfscyld only nodded in agreement. Save for some skirmishes to the south in Rohan, the years had been peaceful. There were only a couple developments that could have been considered unprecedented.
"Four years past, three families engaged in the breeding of horses moved south, accepting the standing invitation of King Aldor to all his people that they be granted grazing land in the Westemnet," Captain Ælfscyld reported. "The open pasturage 'round Norðr-vestandóttir Bý grows limited and after joining battle in the downs south of the Wold in 2590 and seeing somewhat of Rohan, they chose to relocate with their increasing herds."
Helluin only nodded in acceptance at this, for she knew the rolling, unforested lands to the north had been mostly used for grazing sheep. The flatter, open grasslands favored for horses lay outside the bounds of the fence, either east along the north south track, or north 'round the burnt ruins of Suꝺriborg.
"I am sure they shall win esteem in their chosen trade and like thyself, they are already subjects of Aldor King," Helluin said. "The population continues to grow here and of old, lore tells that this farm was ne'er an intensive horse breeding center for the Riders."
"The king also seeks to people his western province," the captain said. "Those who came from Framsburg still concentrate in the Eastemnet and 'round Edoras. Cirion's grant encompasses a vast land, far more than they were accustomed to holding, and though 'nigh a century has passed, still there is much grassland open and free."
"That much is true, and even ere the Great Plague, the west of Calenardhon was ne'er densely populated," Helluin said, recalling the farming hamlets and estates in the days of the Kin-strife when she had aided Eldacar during his advance eastward after the subversion of Angrenost. "By Cirion's day, the west was populated mainly by Men of mixed Dunlendish blood. I hope they shall trouble Aldor little."
"They do not as yet," Ælfscyld said, though his expression showed worry. "Howe'er they are suspect and time shall tell whether they remain loyal to Rohan or revert to their prior alliance with Gondor's old foes."
"As thou say, time shall tell," Helluin agreed, "perhaps when the land becomes more heavily populated and 'tis contested 'twixt the new settlers and the old."
The captain nodded, accepting her reasoning and then passed to another topic that, as it regarded the mortal residents of the farm, Ngandáro and Arinya deferred to him to broach.
"Helluin, we have had more of our people leave Norðr-vestandóttir Bý o'er the past few years. In the summer of the same year the horse breeders migrated south, some Woodsmen of Mirkwood came seeking the truth of tales they had heard. It seems they had learnt of us from Riders of the Éothéod and recalled some old lore telling of Suꝺriborg and Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. Indeed, their lore was so ancient by their own reckoning that they had more doubts than faith." The captain chuckled at that, but Helluin only cast him a questioning glance.
"They still thought that all of their people had long ago migrated north and believed that none still lingered in the south 'nigh Anduin," Ælfscyld said. "A century and a quarter ago, they would have been correct. In 2590, they were shocked to learn that their long-sundered kin now dwell in Rohan, but that an outpost loyal to the king also stands here. So they came to learn the truth of the tidings they had heard and they were amazed."
The captain sighed and shook his head ere he continued. It seemed he was little less shocked than these Woodsmen had been to discover another branch of their culture divorced from the Éothéod.
"In looks and speech they are much like us save some antique expressions and words seldom still heard amongst us in these latter days. The head of their company claimed they had been driven out of their ancestral homelands east of the forest long ago and have dwelt in the lands 'twixt the forest and the river since. Aforetime they had dealings with our people ere King Frumgar led the Éothéod north to Framsburg, and like us, they chose not to follow. In their case, 'twas not for fear of Gundabad, but rather because of an independent streak in their character. So they have continued as their fathers had, hunting, farming, fishing, and breeding horses and livestock, I reckon since the attacks of the Wainriders, seven and a half centuries ago."
"I passed some columns of smoke rising along my way south, but encountered none of the people dwelling there, and yet perhaps some of these were the same folk as came hither in 2590," Helluin said.
"That may well be, Helluin, for they are scattered up and down the whole of the eastern lands 'twixt Anduin and Mirkwood. They are arranged in small communities or in individual family holdings, but trade 'twixt themselves and aid each other on a regular basis. They cleave to no common lord, and yet they acknowledge a loose allegiance to the king. Perhaps they came of a different clan than those of us that accepted the rule of the House of Marhwini." The captain shrugged, for 'naught he knew told for sure.
Helluin thought back on the lore she had learnt of Suꝺriborg and Norðr-vestandóttir Bý, particularly from various talks with Eorl and his Riders.
"Upon a time, 'tis said that this farm was founded by one such, Norðr-vestandóttir, though being so close to the South Fortress, she eventually clove to the rule of King Marhwini and his vassal Captain Hrólfr in Suꝺriborg, who granted her and her husband noble titles and confirmed their lordship of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý 'neath the crown."
"That tale many hither learnt in childhood and perhaps it laid a foundation for their acceptance of such independence now," Ælfscyld said. "O'er the past four years, some three dozens have taken their leave to join the Woodsmen. These were mostly younger scions of tradesmen and farmers who stood to inherit little from their families, and so with their wives or in small groups, they sought to chance a more prosperous future."
"Then I can but wish them well," Helluin said.
For many years, the crafts and trades of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý had been filled with masters and apprentices. The farms had families to till their fields. Save for joining the Riders, there were few options for the younger brothers of the eldest sons who would inherit the family's wealth and position save to make their own way. For their sisters, their usual option was marriage.
Amongst the Elves, family life had been somewhat similar and somewhat different. The eldest still inherited the family's title and rule, but they all had immortality on their sides and little requirement to succeed within a mortal span. If it took one of the Elder Children centuries to find their calling, that brought little hardship. Besides, their parents were usually alive to offer counsel and support indefinitely.
Though Helluin had been an eldest child, her parents held no office or lordship and she had 'naught to inherit that she desired. After reaching Aman at the age of 230 years of the sun, she had gone exploring and had been off on her own pretty much e'er since, currently 10,576 years. Seeking a brighter future in another place seemed wholly acceptable to her for it partook of hope.
"Have so many leaving in the past few years caused any problems for the farm, Captain Ælfscyld?" she asked.
"Nay, none so far as I can tell," he admitted.
"Then I reckon all is well," the Noldo concluded and Ælfscyld, Ngandáro, and Arinya nodded in agreement. "If any have concerns, pray bid them speak of them with me."
Yet it seemed that the farm, which Helluin and Galadhon had reclaimed from abandonment, had taken on inertia. With the fourteen Tatyar and some five hundred mortals, all the functions of a Rohirric outpost had continued comfortably absent her 'leadership', and as she had long aforetime with Beinvír in Lebennin, Helluin recognized that Norðr-vestandóttir Bý would flourish well enough as a settlement of Men. The Noldo toyed with the notion of withdrawing herself and the Tatyar and leaving Captain Ælfscyld and the council of farmers and tradesmen to govern, and yet she still felt her mission to hold the east bank against the threats of Dol Guldur and Sauron incomplete. 'Cross the river in Lothlórien, Galadriel and Celeborn were counting on her presence to constrain the Shadow. Norðr-vestandóttir Bý's location was too strategically valuable to abandon, and so Helluin resolved to stay 'til some great need called her hence.
Now the years passed as they are wont to do. The fifteen Elves marked the births and deaths of their mortal friends and the departures of some of their folk to join the king in Rohan, or the Woodsmen in the Vale of Anduin. The 2600s of the Third Age came and went with five Stewards of Gondor ruling in Minas Anor and perhaps strangely, an equal five kings at Edoras in Rohan.
In the South Kingdom of the Dúnedain, Húrin II of his namesake's house took up the rod of the Ruling Steward in 2605. He was followed by Belecthor in 2628, Orodreth in 2655, Ecthelion in 2685, and Egalmoth in 2698.
In Rohan, Aldor's long reign continued 'til 2645. Born in 2544, he lived five score and one and ruled for seventy-five of them. He was followed by Fréa, born in the year his father had taken the throne so that he came only in his late years to the high seat in Meduseld, crowned at the age of seventy-five, he ruled 'til 2659. Fréa was succeeded by his son Frëawine, who ruled Rohan 'til 2680. Goldwine, the sixth King of Rohan ruled 'til 2699 when he was succeeded by his son Déor.
Now in Gondor, Steward Ecthelion son of Orodreth took the rod of office in 2685 and his rule of thirteen years was unremarkable save in two things. The first of these was the more visible. He essayed to rebuild the White Tower of Minas Anor, deeming that he could improve upon King Calimehtar's T.A. 1900 reconstruction of King Ostoher's T.A. 420 design that was in turn a renovation of the original concept of Isildur and Anárion. In each case, the edifice grew grander, though it retained the purposes of offering an elevated watch post, a shelter for the city's palantír, and an architectural focal point of pride for the City of Kings. Ecthelion made other improvements to the citadel, but most of those were less dramatic and more in the nature of repairs. The city was at that time o'er 2,800 years old after all, and it had weathered several wars.
The second thing for which Ecthelion would be remembered was that, like the earlier Ruling Steward Dior, he died childless. Having no heir, the line of succession in the House of Húrin devolved to his grandnephew Egalmoth, the grandson of his paternal aunt, Morwen Belecthoriel. So 'twas that by another degree, the direct lineage in blood was broken once more, and the descent of the ruling house of Gondor was again diminished.
Word of these things eventually came to Helluin in Norðr-vestandóttir Bý, but only after many months' delay, and as they bore on her not at all, she retained the lore but accorded it little import. Nay, the first event that held consequence for the people of Rohan came in 2710 when Captain Ælfscyld's concerns of o'er a century aforetime rose to presence. In that year, an incursion of Dunlendings o'er the River Isen led to their occupation of Isengard.
Now somewhat must be told of the condition of the fortress of Angrenost, for in hearing that 'Dunlendings had seized it and could not be removed', it might be imagined that the tower was filled with 'savages', looting and pilfering the ancient property of the kings, not the least of which included much arcana derived from observations of the stars and the Palantír of Orthanc. Yet this was not at all the case.
Following the Great Plague in 1635-6 and the resulting depopulation of Calenardhon, (and indeed all of Gondor), but few were detailed to keep watch on the tower. The garrison was reduced, though as all threats were diminished as well, King Tarondor reckoned the jeopardy slight. O'er the following years, the realm, its army, and the garrison of Angrenost were ne'er restored to their original strength. If 'aught was deemed worrisome in hindsight, 'twas that the watch on Mordor had been abandoned in those days.
By the time of Steward Cirion, 'nigh nine hundred years had passed since the Plague. In 2510, the garrison of Angrenost had become a settlement 'neath a hereditary captain descended from the last Captain of Gondor detailed to command the garrison of the fortress. Several hundred Dúnedain of increasingly mixed blood, (for the original garrison had been all male), dwelt in a farming community in the vale eventually known as Nan Curunír. Military discipline was but partially preserved and for centuries, only a few small-scale local skirmishes with the neighboring Dunlendings had given cause for a militia at all. In truth, it had become a well 'nigh forgotten posting that had lost its purpose and posture.
During all that time, the keys to Orthanc had been in the keeping of the king, (and later the Ruling Stewards), in Minas Anor. This included not only the keys to the tower itself, but also those to the inner and outer gates in the encircling wall. The people who descended from the detail of guards dwelt outside the rammas and set no foot inside the fortress proper. Within, trees grew wild, the once manicured garden plants as well, and Angrenost lay as if t'were outside of time, impregnable and indestructible, weathering the years uninhabited and untouched.
In truth, this was fine with the Eorlingas. They felt disquiet at the sight of the black tower of glassy rock within its tall forbidding wall, jutting jagged and threatening before the heights of Methedras, and none sought to enter it. 'Twas unnatural, eldritch, and though perhaps suitable to the long-lived kings' folk from 'cross the sea, 'twas no abode fit for normal Men. Their relationship was friendly enough with the 'guards' when they met them, for by then these seemed little different from themselves and they shared the same foes in common.
So 'twas that in 2710, when the Dunlendings came in force against Angrenost, they crossed Isen, worsted the fifty-odd settlers able to bear arms, and took up residence in the vale and the lands just east of the Fords of Isen. They ne'er managed to enter the fortress, neither breaching its encircling wall, nor setting foot in the tower, but they denied access to it to any but their own. They were most satisfied with having won control of the fords and the surrounding farmland. They regarded the black tower with even less desire than the Eorlingas, and for the same reasons.
Unlike all the rest of what had been Calenardhon, the fortress of Angrenost was understood to still be a holding of Gondor. This King Déor acknowledged, as had all his sires back to Eorl, and so when tidings reached Edoras that Dunlendings had wrested control of Isengard, he sent word to Steward Egalmoth.
The steward's reply reflected the prevailing constraint on Gondor's ability to project power. As Angrenost was locked and deemed impregnable to 'savages' by the steward's council, Egalmoth declined to send troops through the entire length of Anórien and Rohan to confront foes that might return as soon as his soldiers withdrew. He thanked King Déor for his prompt tidings, sympathized with him o'er the incursion of enemies into the westmarch of his realm, and renewed Cirion's pledge of aid should a full-scale invasion threaten Rohan, but that was all.
Upon receiving the steward's reply, Déor shrugged and ordered the Marshal of the West-Mark to foil any advances east but did not order him to try to retake the Fords of Isen at that time. Rohan was not responsible for Isengard. His people had no business in the lands beyond and the Dunlendings thus far had penetrated no further than a couple miles east of the river. The Eorlingas rode not to Eriador and missed not the access that the old King's Road provided to Tharbad and points north where lay, (so old tales from King Frumgar's days told), 'naught but the ruins of a Dúnedain kingdom destroyed long ago amidst the cursed lands of fallen Arnor.
Whilst Déor chaffed by reflex, as did his Men at the seizure of what was Rohan's land, like the triangle of territory 'twixt Isen and Adorn that lay south of the western end of the White Mountains, 'twas 'map land' only. Although technically part of his kingdom, none of his folk dwelt there and he would not endanger precious lives in wresting it back to no real gain, for they had not the people to hold it. Besides, since the reign of Aldor the Old, the Eorlingas had known peace. Maybe someday…
So things stood when a company of Riders came to Norðr-vestandóttir Bý in Ivanneth of 2710. As usual, the patrol keeping watch at the border met them as they turned west off the north south track and offered them welcome. They continued on to the stockade where their mounts were stabled and lodging was provided in the barracks.
They bore greetings from some who had migrated south and tidings of their land to friends-in-arms from past battles. As had the king's Riders since the day when Eorl the Young had visited in 2510, they were welcomed warmly and shared much good cheer and camaraderie on the farm. Many mugs of ale and many stories passed their lips as they joined the local Riders in the stockade, along with much good farm fare and, (for their curiosity's sake), encounters with Elves. Such visits had become a kind of rite of passage to young riders, a few of whom always seemed to be included by their captains on such trips.
It had long been true that, whilst their folk had e'er been uneasy about Dwimordene, (as they called Lothlórien), at Norðr-vestandóttir Bý, Helluin and the fourteen Tatyar were familiar and far outnumbered by mortal Men akin to themselves. They were folk their sires and grandsires had fought beside, and Helluin they knew from childhood stories and her depiction on the tapestry in Meduseld.
On this occasion, when they strode up to the cabin, the Noldo was just emerging from the smokehouse bearing a basket of smoked cheeses and she waved a welcome to them at first sight. They had bowed in greeting, drawing a smile that left some of the younger riders smitten in the moment. Captain Æfæst¹, the great grandson of Captain Ælfscyld, had joined them at the stockade to escort them hence and now rolled his eyes at their youthful reaction. ¹(Æfæst, Righteous Old English)
"Helluin, here is Captain Hæglfaru¹ son of Windig² of Aldburg bearing tidings from Rohan," Captain Æfæst announced. ¹(Hæglfaru, Hail-storm Old English) ²(Windig, Windswept Old English)
"Welcome, Captain Hæglfaru," she said, "it hath been some years since thy last visit. I pray thou and thy kin have been well."
"We have been well in the Eastemnet, but trouble comes in the west," he said, shaking his head. "This spring past the Dunlendings finally crossed the Fords of Isen and took control of Isengard, yet in the five months since, they have not tried to advance further."
At first, a dangerous hint of blue flames lit the Noldo's eyes, but the captain's words gave her pause. She blinked and extinguished her manifestation of battle fire.
"Let us take counsel together, Captain Hæglfaru, for I would hearken to all that thou may tell of these events." Both captains nodded and the Noldo led them to her cabin whilst the remaining Riders dispersed. There they settled at the table as she repaired the fire and then provided food and drink for a light meal.
"Speak thy tidings, I pray thee, good captain, for somewhat already spoken gives me pause," Helluin said. Hæglfaru nodded in agreement, for certain aspects of the Dunlendings incursion made little sense to him too.
"Tidings came to us in Aldburg that the Lord of the Westfolde had sent word to Déor King that in mid-Gwaeron a couple hundred Dunlendings crossed at the Fords of Isen and swiftly worsted the guardians of Isengard. They have since occupied their lands, making their own farms and displacing some the steward's people east."
"And they have not committed wholesale slaughter, nor sought to advance their invasion further?" Helluin asked.
"Nay, they have not as yet," Captain Hæglfaru admitted, "and whispered is the notion that some amongst the invaders share ties of blood and marriage with those displaced. They have dwelt well 'nigh side by side for many centuries, separated by 'naught but a few miles and a shallow ford. 'Tis known that much trade travels o'er the Isen and has for many, many years, indeed from ere the Eorlingas came to Rohan."
"And these things have been made known to Steward Egalmoth?" Captain Æfæst asked.
"Aye, just so and swiftly," Hæglfaru replied, "and the Lord of Stāningeard¹ in Mundburg deigned not to send soldiers. 'Tis said that he hath little concern for the recovery of the fortress." ¹(Stāningeard, Stoneland = Stāning(stone) + eard(land) Old English Gondor means Stone-Land in Sindarin)
"The fortress has long been locked. Know thou of any that have entered it ere the coming of these Dunlendings?" Helluin asked. The captain received her question with a look of horror that was 'nigh comical.
"None of our folk have entered that place and none desire to," he declared. "'Tis so unnatural in appearance that 'tis hard to believe it a work of Men, even the People of the Kings. I have ne'er come 'nigh it myself, but I have heard tales… I doubt not that great sorcery was done there and none now know what spirits or spells may linger still."
Helluin tried to imagine the reaction of a people who built mostly with wood and thatch to the black circle of Angrenost and the tower of Orthanc. T'would appear eldritch sure, and from that, rumors of sorcery would grow, greater with each telling, no doubt.
A great ring-wall of stone, like towering cliffs, stood out from the shelter of the mountain-side, from which it ran and then returned again. One entrance only was there made in it, a great arch delved in the southern wall. Here through the black rock a long tunnel had been hewn, closed at either end with mighty doors of iron. They were so wrought and poised upon their huge hinges, posts of steel driven into the living stone, that when unbarred they could be moved with a light thrust of the arms, noiselessly. One who passed in and came at length out of the echoing tunnel, beheld a plain, a great circle, somewhat hollowed like a vast shallow bowl: a mile it measured from rim to rim.¹ ¹(Passage taken verbatim from LotR, The Two Towers, Book Three, VII The Road to Isengard, pg. 541.)
"The Kings of Men were great builders and explorers in their youth," Helluin said. "Many things of wonder they created here in Middle Earth and in their island home of Númenórë that is now sunk 'neath the sea. As for sorcery, aye, there is much of their artificing that would appear so to thee, not the least of which is the Seeing Stone that Orthanc was built to protect.
But since the days of the Plague, the keys to the gates and tower have been in the keeping of the Kings and Stewards of Gondor. Did the Dúnedain guardians of Isengard enter the gates or dwell in the tower?"
"Nay. Our lore tells that the guardians settled and farmed the lands beyond the wall 'twixt the arms of the mountains and none have entered the fortress since long ere the coming of the Eorlingas." Helluin nodded, accepting his lore.
"Then I reckon Steward Egalmoth fears not that any can breach the wall or enter the tower," she said. "He declines to send soldiers far afield and into jeopardy on an unnecessary errand."
Though that reasoning was tactically sound, the notion of a lord disregarding the welfare of his vassals as they faced foes was unacceptable.
"But what of his people?" Captain Hæglfaru sputtered. Captain Æfæst nodded in agreement, viscerally understanding his concern.
"I am sure they would be welcomed, should they choose to withdraw to Anórien or Minas Anor," the Noldo said, "but I wager they have remained in the homeland they have known for centuries and in which their kin have now joined them. Have any been met fleeing through the Westmarch?"
"Nay, no words have I heard telling of such flights," Captain Hæglfaru admitted.
"Has King Déor ordered 'aught in response?"
"Only that the Marshal of the West-Mark shall foil any further incursions or expansion."
Helluin nodded to this, deeming that Déor and Egalmoth were of one mind, though perhaps for different reasons. Still, the peace would be preserved and no war would be fought this year. Helluin had to suspect that this incident was not the end of it all though. Emboldened by their success in the spring just past, perhaps one day some ambitious chieftain amongst the Dunlendings would grasp for more and invade, using the toehold already won to ensure safe passage for his troops o'er the ford.
Five score and fifteen years aforetime, Helluin had held a conversation with Captain Æfæst's great grandsire, Captain Ælfscyld, regarding the population of western Rohan.
"By Cirion's day, the west was populated mainly by Men of mixed Dunlendish blood. I hope they shall trouble Aldor little."
"They do not as yet," Ælfscyld said, though his expression showed worry. "Howe'er they are suspect and time shall tell whether they remain loyal to Rohan or revert to their prior alliance with Gondor's old foes."
"As thou say, time shall tell," Helluin said, "perhaps when the land becomes more heavily populated and 'tis contested 'twixt the new settlers and the old."
She had imagined the crowding on the east side of Isen as the population of Rohan grew. She had ne'er given thought to the conditions in Dunland on the west side of the fords. Time shall tell, she thought to herself once again. For now, 'tis not our part to do 'aught the rulers of these lands refuse to do. Having heard the tidings of Rohan and decided her course, Helluin adjourned their council.
"I thank thee for sharing what has come to pass in thy homeland, Captain Hæglfaru. I pray thee and thy Men enjoy the hospitality of Norðr-vestandóttir Bý for the duration of thy stay. The Eorlingas are e'er welcome here."
The captain dipped his head to the Noldo for her welcome and for hearkening to his rede, and though he was still dissatisfied with the decisions of his lord and the steward, 'twas not his place to gainsay their commands. Together, the two captains drained their cups, bowed to their hostess, and took their leave.
Left alone in her cabin, Helluin sighed and stared into the fire. In truth, she was no more satisfied with the way things stood than the two captains were, though unlike them, she was curious about more than just some new residents squatting outside of Angrenost.
To Be Continued
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