I do not own Lord of the Rings nor do I make any money from this story. All rights apply.
Author's Note: The creatures that the Nazgûl ride are referred to as Winged Beasts in my book (A Tolkein Bestiary by David Day), the movie however, refers to them as Fell Beasts.
Chapter Eight has been edited in some places so as to not appear rushed as the original did.
DARK WINGS
EIGHT
Èomer, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas sat at the head of the table, a map spread out in front of them.
"Here is where the beast was first sighted," said Èomer with a glance at Gimli, who nodded.
"We saw it along here," added Aragorn, running his finger along the map.
"And the Haradrim were here and here," said Èomer, then added, "I think we should search to the north."
"I agree, that many men could only have come around Mordor through Rhûn," said Aragorn.
"Do not discount the rivers," added Legolas softly.
Even though his throat no longer hurt nor bore obvious sign of injury, he spoke softly for all rivers lead to the sea.
"True but a lot of the rivers are fast flowing and using them would not only take time but man power as well," said Aragorn.
They all studied the map in front of them. The mountain range that made up part of Mordor was long and passage from Harad to Rohan without going through Gondor would mean travelling though Harad, Far Harad, Forests of Harad, Hildorien then Rhûn before getting to Rohan. It was months of travel through harsh lands. Not to mention the Elven dominated area of Rhovanion. Looking at the faces studying the map, Aragorn could see they all had came to the same conclusion – small parties had come through Gondor to recapture the Winged Beast. The time frame was too short for any other option.
"North might not have been how they got here but it is where they are now," said Èomer.
"True," said Aragorn.
"I don't think they were trying to recapture the beast," said Legolas suddenly.
All three turned to him questioningly.
"If they had, how were they going to get it back to Harad? Through Gondor? But then why hadn't they killed it?"
"What were they going to do?" asked Èomer after a moment. "Twenty or so men are not going to take a country no matter how small."
"One winged beast is not going to tip the scales in their favour either," added Gimli.
"But there is the possibility that one beast escaped, they may have others under their control," said Legolas.
There was silence as they pondered what that could mean. If they had five beasts, ten – they would not need many men at all.
"We could have a very serious situation on our hands," said Èomer, sitting down on a nearby seat.
"Do you think the two men we have down stairs would know anything?" asked Gimli.
"Even if they did, would they talk?" wondered Legolas.
"I doubt it," said Èomer.
"Sending an envoy to Harad might be an idea," suggested Aragorn, "but they might deny any knowledge of the Winged Beast."
"It would also take time and men," said Èomer. "What if we offer the prisoners freedom in exchange for information?"
"That could work," said Aragorn, "but I would wait a few days so as not to appear desperate."
"A week, I think," said Èomer and Aragorn nodded.
"What are the things we know for sure?" said Aragorn moving on.
"The Winged Beast is dead," said Legolas.
"The men were from Harad," added Gimli.
"There is also the possibility that they were a splinter group; acting on their own," said Aragorn.
"In that case," said Èomer, "where did they get the Winged Beast?"
Aragorn rubbed the bridge of his nose, so many questions.
"Putting aside the issue of where the Beast came from," said Legolas, "what were they planning on doing with it?"
"Attack," said Gimli simply.
"Ah, my battle ready friend," sighed Legolas, "that much we can assume for sure but I was more referring to another option – breeding."
"That would mean at least two out there if not more," said Èomer.
"And if there are only two – one has now died," said Legolas.
"I think it would be best, not to mention, easier to assume that there is only one beast. They had all been called to the Final Battle," pointed out Aragorn.
"Yes," said Legolas, "but we should still keep other options in mind. That way we can't be surprised."
Èomer put his hand on the map,
"We question the prisoners and revaluate with what they tell us or don't tell us," he said. "Otherwise we will be going round in circles asking the same questions. We wait until the end of the week."
Aragorn nodded,
"I, however, have to return to Gondor. I can come back if you wish."
"That is up to you," said Èomer. "It would be helpful as you speak their language."
Aragorn thought about it for a moment before nodding,
"I shall return within the week. But I shall leave as soon as we are done here."
"I'll send an escort with you," said Èomer.
Aragorn was about to object but accepted the offer with thanks.
"I shall remain for today," said Legolas. "I'll go up north and see what's going on there. Will you join me?" he asked Gimli.
The dwarf nodded.
"Shall we meet in a week from now," said Èomer.
The others nodded and set about preparations for their various journeys.
XxX
Legolas and Gimli left the morning after Aragorn had departed for Gondor. Much to Gimli's discomfort they travelled quickly to where they had encountered and captured the Haradrim. The Haradrim had made no attempt to hide their tracks thinking they would not be found so quickly. Legolas and Gimli followed the tracks for half a day alternating between horseback and walking.
"It is as we suspected," said Legolas. He was standing on the crest of a hill. His gaze stretching far. "They came through Gondor. And it appears they left that way as well."
"What do you want to do now?" asked Gimli after a long pause.
"I want to go further north," answered Legolas as he mounted Arod. "I want to be sure."
Legolas reached down and helped Gimli settle on Arod before turning the horse's head northward. They would skirt Fangorn Forest and cut across The Wolds before returning to Edoras. Gimli knew Legolas wanted to search further but they had a time limit. And unlike their previous journeys, this one was quiet and full of suspicion.
Gimli woke slowly on their last day out in The Wolds. He lay for a moment watching the smoke drift from the dying coals. That afternoon they had to head back to Edoras – they had already lingered too long and were going to be late getting back. He sat up and stretched spotting Legolas a little way off gazing into the distance.
"Still nothing?" he asked as he ambled over.
Legolas shook his head, his brow furrowed.
"All is quiet – no evening light and no morning fires. There is nothing out on the plains," he said.
"Quiet again," muttered Gimli.
"Disquiet."
Legolas spoke to himself but Gimli was close enough to hear.
"Come, we must return," said Legolas suddenly.
"I thought you would want to ride further out today – maybe have a look on the other side of the river Anduin?" said Gimli.
Legolas shook his head.
"We are heading for Edoras but following the river Anduin for as long as possible," he said. "Men and horses need water and no one has been this far north for some time."
But the new path brought nothing new so Legolas and Gimli turned for Edoras.
XxX
Legolas and Gimli had not returned when Aragorn arrived at Edoras seven days later. And when they did arrive the following day, the news they brought did not ease the tension of the situation.
"There is no activity out there – me and Gimli were the only travelers for many miles," said Legolas. "The Haradrim that we saw are no longer there – I think they left the day we saw them."
"Is that good news…" murmured Èomer to himself as they sat around the dying fire in the main hall.
Even with the promise freedom added to a week of imprisonment did nothing to loosen the captive's tongues. The following morning saw them in the same situation only a week later; sitting around the same table with the map spread out.
"If they had one beast, our problem is solved," said Èomer. "However, if they had two, there is still the possibility of attack. If they had three-"
"I don't think they had more than two," interrupted Aragorn, "there weren't that many to begin with. I think it is safe to believe they had two at most."
"I'm inclined to agree but I do not want to be caught unprepared," said Èomer.
"If they had three that puts us in another situation, not the one we're dealing with now," said Legolas.
"We still don't know what they were planning to do with it," said Gimli.
"No need to worry about that now seeing as the beast is dead," said Aragorn. "Our concern now is if they have any more. Their current behaviour leads me to believe they don't."
"How so?" asked Èomer.
"They are trying to make us think they know something by not saying anything," said Aragorn.
"To what end?" asked Èomer.
"They don't believe we will let them go or they are pretending to know something so we won't kill them," said Aragorn. "Either or maybe neither but I still think there was one beast."
"It is a valid tactic," said Gimli referring to the prisoners. "That way we can come to our own, possibly unrealistic, conclusions."
"Gimli does have a point," said Legolas, "it's rare but he does."
Gimli's head snapped up and toward the Elf, who continued.
"Fear of the unknown is making the unknown bigger than it is or was."
"So, if we assume the immediate treat is gone we fall back into our old relations with Harad," said Aragorn.
"I am not satisfied with this conclusion but there is no other option," said Èomer.
"It's a slight improvement to our previous situation where we were just keeping a look out," said Aragorn. "Now, we know what possibilities they may have."
"With their men failing to return, the Haradrim will suspect that they were captured and hopefully delay any plans they may have been putting into action," said Legolas.
"It might actually be a few years before they try anything that big again," said Aragorn.
"Possibly even canceling them all together if there is no Winged Beast," finished Legolas.
"So until that time; we wait," said Èomer.
"We wait," said Aragorn.
"What are you going to do with the prisoners?" asked Legolas.
"They can stay there until they decide to take the freedom that is on offer," said Èomer.
"With that said, I shall return to Gondor," said Aragorn.
Èomer nodded,
"If anything does happen to come up, I'll let you know," he said.
"Likewise," said Aragorn.
"I shall accompany you and head on to Ithilien," said Legolas.
"I too shall return home," said Gimli.
"You arrived with men, did you not?" asked Èomer.
"Yes," said Aragorn, "I did."
"Well, then," conclude Èomer, "till our paths meet again."
Aragorn nodded and said his goodbyes; Legolas bowed his head slightly and departed, followed shortly by Gimli.
That evening while Èomer finished up the last of his paperwork he caught sight of a small rolled map. He picked it up and studied it before muttering to himself,
"So this is how it ends."
END