It was just as they had been told. The orc army was caught by surprise and slaughtered. Another quick and easy victory. Again they struck at dawn, using the sun as a weapon to disorient and blind the orcs.
The first thought on his mind when they returned was food and rest. But then he remembered…
Elaenar asked his captain what was to be done with the prisoner.
"Nothing"
Nothing. His captain had literally said to do "nothing". What kind of an order was that? It was a curtly given reply but everyone was exhausted and irritable and Elaenar could forgive his captain for not wishing to be bothered with the matter. It didn't help that Elaenar had addressed the subject while Thrandar was trying to converse with the Gondorian captain Barothir.
Elaenar's gut sank when he realized that they hadn't given their captive food or water the entire time since he'd been taken. That was almost too cruel to do even to an orc prisoner. If there were such a thing as rules of war, this certainly would have been a breach of them.
To his credit Elaenar took it upon himself to bring water and bread to their prisoner. He said nothing and barely glanced at the cowering orc as he did so.
It was only the afternoon but Elaenar was tired and he wanted to go to sleep. The last 48 hours had been exhausting. They had launched 2 attacks within 2 days and they had traveled many miles to do so. He promptly put himself to bed and fell asleep almost immediately. He slept long and hard, someone tried to wake him up for dinner but he murmured, half-asleep, to just let him be.
In the morning Aeründal woke him up gently. Elaenar groaned when a hand shook him on his shoulder, pulling him out of his twelve hour sleep. He rolled over onto his back and rubbed his eyes.
"Slept enough?" Aeründal asked.
"Mhh, now I have." He answered, his voice hoarse with morning-voice.
"I'm almost sorry I had to wake you. It's a rare thing to see you this happy and peaceful."
Elaenar chuckled, lazily covering his eyes with his forearm and tucking the other behind his head. Elaenar knew that he had a reputation for being bad tempered. On his worst days he could be caustic and rude. Aeründal was the opposite. He was good-natured and gracious towards everyone. He even treated their Gondorian comrades with the same friendliness and respect that he showed his fellow elves.
Despite being so different from himself, Aeründal saw the best in Elaenar. Aeründal saw the best in everyone, truthfully. Aeründal recognized the good traits in his sometimes disagreeable friend. He knew that, despite his flaws, Elaenar was a loyal friend and he could be fiercely defensive on behalf of others when the occasion demanded it. Despite his outward gruffness Elaenar could be compassionate and caring.
But if there's one thing that neither Aeründal nor anyone else could deny, it was that Elaenar was competent. Like him or not, Elaenar was a gifted soldier, which was probably why he occupied an unofficial position close to his captain's side. He probably could have been a captain himself, except his disagreeable personality meant that he didn't possess the necessary leadership qualities.
Aeründal was a talented soldier in his one right, so much so that he was promoted as a spy; and spying was difficult and dangerous work, reserved only for the very best. There was always great peril to be captured or killed. It was a task fit for elves; they never recruited their Gondorian comrades who were too clumsy, too loud, and all-around inferior soldiers (and, in the opinion of some elves, an inferior race altogether).
"What is it then, did I sleep too long?" Elaenar asked. "Did captain Thrandar send you to make sure that I'm still alive?"
"Not quite." Aeründal answered. "We're being summoned, all of us, for an announcement. Captain Thrandar and captain Barothir were awake discussing matters for hours last night. It seems they have something important to tell us…"
Elaenar murmured in agreement, eyes still closed.
"Elaenar, are the rumors true?" Aeründal asked.
"What rumors?" Elaenar responded, opening his eyes and turning to look at his friend.
"You would know better than I, wouldn't you?" He asked.
"You mean about Barad Mendolin?"
"I've been saying for weeks now that there's something wrong at Barad Mendolin. No one would listen to us; though we've been watching the fortress for a month. What do you say about it?"
"I say that this is the turning point that we've been waiting for." Elaenar said while sitting up.
"But I'll say no more about it for now. Thrandar asked me not to discuss it. Let's see what today's assembly has in store, shall we?" He said while sitting erect.
Aeründal stood up and lent a hand to his friend to pull him up out of bed. Together they went to the main court where the entire company of elves and men were being assembled. The elves congregated amongst themselves on one side and the men on the other, (ever reluctant to be an integrated army).
The Gondorian captain stood a head above the crowd on a short platform, captain Thrandar stood behind him. He addressed the soldiers, elves and men alike, and told them what Elaenar already knew; that enemy secrets had already been divulged concerning the curious diversion of orc soldiers to Barad Mendolin, that the great Gondorian fortress was weakly held by a small force of orcs; not half as large in numbers as their own, and plans were being made for a great offensive to take the stronghold back for Gondor.
It was a great boon for morale among the men who had too long suffered their country to be ravished by the enemy. It was exciting for the elves too who were just as eager for a decisive victory. When captain Barothir finished delivering his message to his men (and Thrandar's elves) there were great celebratory cries and cheers among the men and many shouted "For Gondor!". The elves, not quite so loud in the celebration, murmured excitedly amongst each other.
Aeründal turned to Elaenar with an amused and hopeful look on his face.
"A turning point you say, hmm?" Aeründal said.
Elaenar smiled back at his friend. For the first time in decades, this army had reason to feel optimistic about the war to take back the north of Gondor.
