In An Age Before – Part 299
Chapter One hundred seventy-three
The Fiery Summer – The Third Age of the Sun
Now the way from Aldburg to Edoras ran three score miles with the first score leading northward through the Folde to the Great West Road, and then two score upon the road to the king's city. During the remainder of 11 Gwirith, Helluin, Captain Ælfwine, and the Riders from Norðr-vestandóttir Bý set their camp outside Aldburg's palisade with the éoreds of the East Emnet, tended their horses, and then spent the evening bathing.
In a rain-swollen creek they scrubbed garments, bodies, and armor, trying to banish the stench of death that had followed them from the battle and clung to 'aught absorbent with the tenacity of a well embedded tick. Two buckets of hard soap weighing a stone were consumed and still the faint aroma of cadavers lingered, but there was 'naught to be done for it. Men groaned in frustration as the flames of a bonfire dried their raiment to reveal the residual scent of decay. It seemed their woolens and leather retained the imprint of dark times as readily as their memories.
On the 12th, the last refugees from the East Emnet appeared outside of Aldburg, bringing their count to seven hundreds. More Riders from outlying settlements came with them, reporting to the Third Marshal for duty. The encampment outside the palisade grew with places claimed by arrival time rather than any military order. Yet all knew the camp was temporary and soon to empty.
Perhaps most astonishing, that day had dawned with broken clouds and patches of blue sky, the first to be seen in o'er a fortnight. All considered it a good omen, but portents aside, they were simply happy to enjoy a respite from gloomy skies and rain.
That same morn, Belegund began his return to Minas Tirith, riding hard into the rising sun. The errand rider could tell the steward that the Easterlings had been defeated in Rohan and the Eorlingas would concentrate their defenses to the west in hopes of staying the Dunlending and Corsair advances so that no foes would threaten Gondor from Anórien. He could also tell his lord Beren that the Úlairdacil rode to war with their allies.
Dawn came on 13 Gwirith and the refugees broke their fasts and then doused their campfires. The o'ercast had returned, but the clouds withheld their rain. Horses were hitched to wagons and the Riders from Norðr-vestandóttir Bý prepared to take up their duty as escorts.
During the previous day, they had tried to speak with as many of the frightened farmers, merchants, herders, ranchers, and city folk as they could, reassuring them of their safety and of their destination which none of these people had e'er seen and of which few enough had even heard tell. They were apprehensive, of course, and the way was long, but their greatest fear was not of the road's length or the river crossing, 'twas of the fading memory of Dol Guldur. Still, they departed Aldburg and the lands they had known, following Captain Ælfwine and this company north.
In their wake, riding close enough behind on the first leg of the journey to be a source of pride and safety, came Prince Haleth at the head of fourteen hundred spears. Ne'er in their lifetimes had the civilians seen so many Riders gathered. Some few awed comments the Noldo o'erheard as she rode beside the prince and Captain Heaþolaf.
They see fourteen hundred cavalry and by virtue of their numbers think them invincible, she thought. I wonder what they would have said upon seeing a quarter-million Mâh-Sakâ massed for the assault on Sheol, then, Huh, I doubt there are a quarter-million souls in all of Rohan.
That evening, when they reached the Great West Road, they found another five hundred-odd refugees waiting in an o'ernight camp. These had gathered from the lands surrounding the capital. An éored had accompanied them from Edoras and would return thither with the Third Marshal's host. The refugees from Edoras and Aldburg merged in their combined camp with many greeting kith and kin, and all of them eager for tidings whilst sharing their uncertainties.
"Captain, be safe upon thy road," Helluin said to Ælfwine that night. He nodded to her, completely serious as they looked out o'er the encampment of twelve hundred refugees with their horses, sheep, cattle, wagons, and carts. "On our last night 'nigh the Easterling camp I had tidings from a pack of wolves."
"What had the grey hunters to tell?" he asked, wholly accepting the source of her news after his lifelong experience at the farm.
"Their leader spoke of several score Easterlings who fled north, I wager on the 27th or there'bouts. They may already be gone from the downs and the Wold, but be wary nonetheless."
"I shall be so," he said, a few new lines of worry creasing his forehead, "and I shall tell my Men to watch for enemies who may be sickly." To this, Helluin nodded in approval.
"In the morn we shall take different paths, my friend," the Noldo said, "I know not for how long. Still, I wish thee well on thy road and hope thou stay safe, thou and all those who depend upon thee."
"I thank thee for thy good wishes, Helluin, and I wish thee victory and safety, though the latter perhaps in vain," he said, and they shared grim grins at the prospect of any safety in battle. "I shall look to thy coming at the farm. Or worst comes to worst, I shall see thee when I am bidden to return these folk home."
They clasped forearms in a warriors' farewell and then went their separate ways, Ælfwine to take counsel with his Men and Helluin to the prince's board. T'would be o'er a year ere they saw each other again.
On the following morn, that being 14 Gwirith, Helluin, Prince Haleth, and Captain Heaþolaf watched as the company from Norðr-vestandóttir Bý led the host of refugees north. They went at a walking pace, for haste would avail them 'naught with so long a caravan of wagons, carts, livestock, and those traveling afoot.
When they were safely away, the prince turned to his host and called out, "We ride to the aid of Helm King and Edoras! Ride, Men of Rohan! Ride!"
Then the Eorlingas shook their spears and raised their voices, crying out in response, "The Eastfold to Helm King!" and "The Eastfold to Edoras!"
Many raised their horns and blew notes of defiance and of challenge to the enemies of the king. Hearing that massed winding, the refugees turned back and cheered with pride as the host began to move.
Fourteen hundred horses came to a gallop as they hastened west down the ancient road of kings, and the thunder of their hooves echoed off the walls of the Ered Nimrais as if out of some heroic tale, resounding dim like some charge of their sires into battle long ago. High of heart they were, their courage bolstered by the presence of so many comrades and the oaths they had sworn, but even more so by their love of their land and their king. Morale was high that morn, and though many would fall and their courage would be tested in the coming year, that love would not falter even when their hands grew numb with winter's chill as they gripped the shafts of their spears. T'would be the fire in their hearts more than the fire on their hearths that would sustain their courage against the cold blood of their foes in the fighting to come.
The host came two score miles that day and by that day's eve they saw the hill of Edoras and the waning sun's light turned the roof of Meduseld to glowing gold. Then they gave a mighty cheer as they rode towards the burial mounds that lay before the gates of the city, and they found the palisade encircled by the tents of a great host of Riders, five thousand spears gathered to the call of the First Marshal.
Upon the arrival of his heir, the king held a council of captains and counselors in the great hall. Half the lords of Rohan stood in attendance before the dais where Helm sat enthroned with the princes Haleth and Háma at his right hand. Princess Heorte sat off to one side with her unofficial betrothed and self-appointed bodyguard Agrona Hallamsdóttir the Shieldmaiden standing behind her. Ne'er aforetime had so great a conclave of warriors been gathered in time of war, for the threat to Rohan had ne'er been so dire. O'er fifty captains of éoreds were present representing half the Éoherë¹, and each waited, grim-faced, on the words of their king. ¹(Here should be told somewhat of the organization of Rohan's army. The Éoherë was the full strength of the realm and it was composed of one hundred éoreds, roughly twelve thousand Men. King Folcwine (r. 2864-2903) standardized the strength of an éored at 120 Riders, each commanded by a captain and subject to call-up by one of the Three Marshals. In Helm's time, roughly a century earlier, a similar arrangement probably existed.)
Helluin stood behind the throng for she was an ally only, not one of the king's sworn warriors, and besides, her Elvish hearing would allow her to mark 'aught that was said despite her greater distance from the dais. Beyond this, she desired to learn the mood of the Rohirrim and of Helm King whom she had ne'er met, whilst influencing 'naught by drawing attention to herself. Ere going to war on behalf of this scion of Fram and Eorl whom she had known, the Noldo sought to form some impression of the current king.
The hall was awash with whispered speculation and expectations of battle. Some were thankful, for they saw the Third Marshal and the captains of the éoreds that had accompanied him hither as reinforcements. Then the king cleared his throat and the throng fell silent. E'ery eye met their king's gaze as he looked them o'er one by one, oft times with nods of acknowledgement, and they hearkened to him with their full attention.
"As ye know, our lands have been invaded by enemies east and west," Helm began, and many heads nodded in agreement, for these tidings had been heard far and wide. "For those who have yet to learn of it, the threat of the east is dismissed. The Easterlings from 'cross Anduin were defeated by the Third Marshal and the courageous éoreds of the East Emnet!"
Then the hall erupted in cheers and boots stomped to acclaim their victory. The defeat of the Easterlings had obviously not been widely published aforetime, though Helm certainly would have learnt of it in messages sent from Aldburg to Edoras. Still, on the eve of battle in the west and the arrival of his son's reinforcements, 'twas an astute time to share good tidings and Helluin nodded in appreciation of the king's acumen.
He is a good king, she thought, knowledgeable of the needs of his warriors and the value of promoting good morale ere they go to war. Now these Men have a victory to celebrate and it shall feed their fervor as they clash with the Dunlendings and Corsairs.
Helm allowed the celebration to continue a while ere he rose to his feet to continue motivating his troops. Seeing him stand, the captains quieted, though now they wore smiles.
"On the morrow, we ride for Súthburg and battle," he proclaimed. "Let the thunder of our hooves set fear in the hearts of the savages and their Corsair allies that they shall know their doom betides, for their blood shall flow on the reddened tips of our spears!"
Again, the hall rang with cheers and stamping feet, even louder now, and the eyes of the Eorlingas shone with a fell light. E'ery Rider was possessed by the eager anticipation of smiting their enemies and driving them from their lands. Upon the dais, Helm King nodded and a smile curled his lips as he projected full confidence in his Men and the outcome of the war, and this too fed his warriors' spirits. After a few moments, he raised a hand and again, the hall fell silent.
"Ye are bold Men, by oath and honor bound," Helm said, softer now, yet with no less power, and after a short pause, he added, "as am I, for 'twas my foresire who swore his oath to Cirion of Mundburg that our people and his would fore'er stand in mutual alliance." Then his voice strengthened again and he recited, "Their enemies shall be our enemies, their need shall be our need, and whatsoe'er evil, or threat, or assault may come upon them we will aid them to the utmost end of our strength. This vow shall descend to my heirs, all such as may come after me in our new land, and let them keep it in faith unbroken, lest the Shadow fall upon them and they become accursed."
Here the king again looked o'er the gathered captains and it seemed his eyes met each Man's, and they straightened and gazed back uncowed for they all knew the words of the Oath of Eorl.
"Now the day has come at last, and though we ride west to relieve Lord Eadmundr at Súthburg and not to Stāningeard, still we honor the oath as we can, for by our blood, no foes shall come from the land of Rohan to assail our friends!"
Then the captains cheered and stomped their boots so that the rafters rang. There were cries of "Death to the enemy!" and "Glory to Rohan!", and had the king ordered it so, they would have ridden west that night craving slaughter. But Helm let them fulminate a while, and when they had carried on a pace, he again raised his hand and they quieted.
"Rest your bodies this night, but let your hearts burn hot as embers soon to be fanned to flame, for in the morn we ride to visit ruin upon the foemen who dared enter our lands with war!"
This time, whilst his Men cheered, Helm took his seat upon the throne and after a short while, the captains retired in high spirits to their encampments and the hall gradually emptied. Helm, Haleth, Háma, Heorte, and Agrona remained on the dais. Soon, only a few householders and Helluin remained.
"Thou fought beside Eorl, didst thou not?" Helm asked without preamble. There was but one person in the hall that he could be addressing.
"Aye, my lord, with Eorl King and Borondir of Gondor, and briefly, with Steward Cirion," the Noldo said.
The king sighed and cast his eyes to an ancient tapestry hanging on the wall to one side of the dais. Helluin had marked it earlier. Thereon a black-armored warrior beheaded a prince of the Naugrim with a Black Sword as she fought amidst a host of Dwarves.
Seventeen and a half centuries have passed and they recall it still, she thought, yet the greater triumph was the destruction of Inkishûsh's Ring. She nodded to Helm in confirmation.
"Zärlagab son of Inkishûsh was the name of that prince whose head I took," she said. "In that battle there fell King Lüdhgavia, Captain Tröben, four hundred fifty Riders, and three thousand five hundred Dwarves of the Emyn Angren."
"Lore tells that in the aftermath of that battle, Captain Ërlick became king of our people, and he the first sire of my line still known by name. Thou saw the founding of our rule and perhaps thou shalt see its end as well," King Helm said, "but it shall not be this year, nor in this war." On that night, he knew not the prophecy he spoke.
"Thy lore is true, O king, for Ërlick ascended the throne by virtue of his wife Brekka being the daughter and sole descendant of King Lüdhgavia's elder brother Lundhini who was slain at Dol Guldur," Helluin said, and she marked the expressions of surprise on the faces of Heorte and Agrona. Haleth and Háma simply looked awed. "Captain Ërlick and Lady Brekka had wed shortly ere the battle and were acclaimed by the people after. Ërlick was an esteemed captain and proved a good king…and he was my friend."
Helm nodded and sat silent a while, his eyes focused far away. The hall was still save for the shuffling of servants' feet in the distance. Finally, the king looked up and met the Noldo's eyes.
"As were Ërlick, Eorl, Fram, and others of my house thou hast known through the years, I am thankful to have thine aid, Helluin Werewolf's Bane. I ken that thou art an ally and not oath-bound to my command, yet I must also constrain thee from command of my Men," he said, and saw her nod of agreement to his terms. "One thing more I would know. My heir tells me thou claim this war is to thee as a blood feud. Whyfor?"
Helluin sighed, but she understood the reasons behind his question. As king and First Marshal, he could not afford to have an ally, howe'er fell, countermanding or undermining his battle orders because of some personal passion or vendetta.
"To my husband Vëantur in 661 of the Second Age, I bore a daughter Almarian, in Númenor that is no more. In S.A. 698, she wed Írimon, heir of Tar-Elendil. Írimon came to the throne in S.A. 740 as Tar-Meneldur, the fifth king. Their sons and daughters held the throne for another twenty generations. During the last dozen reigns, they grew e'er more prideful and fearful, and 'twas their scions and followers, the King's Men, who peopled Umbar.
Now whilst the line of Almarian and Tar-Meneldur ruled Númenor, their younger daughter Almiel wed Númandil, third Lord of Andúnië, in S.A. 778. Their family kept their faith in the Valar and for that, the King's Men persecuted them. After sixteen generations, Almiel's descendant Elendil escaped the destruction of Númenor and founded the realm of Arnor, whilst his sons Isildur and Anárion ruled in Gondor.
My lord, fifty-five centuries have gone since those days and yet I reckon some strains of those lines linger still amongst the Corsairs and the Gondorim. I broke with Umbar in S.A. 2003 when I slew Prince Tindomul, Lord of Umbar, on the day he came to lay claim to Pelargir, and dying, he faded and became the first of the Nazgûl, the chief servant of Sauron. I remain the foe of Umbar to this day, especially when they oppose the Dúnedain."
The king digested all her words, marking the ancientry of the animosity 'twixt the opposing houses of her bloodline, yet to him, possessed of a mortal's perspective, a blood feud was more personal.
"Know thou the name of even one amongst these Corsairs, Helluin?"
"Nay, my lord, I do not. I oppose them all equally."
Helm nodded, reassured it seemed, and he said, "Then I shall not be troubled by the notion of thee charging forth ungoverned into a confrontation with some foe against whom all reason has fled."
Helluin looked at him and saw that he was wholly serious. Amongst Men, animosities are inherited rather than retained, she thought.
"Save that the Dark Lord himself or one of his Úlairi comes, there is 'naught to trouble thee," she said, thinking, And I wonder how he shall conduct himself when facing Wulf.
Satisfied, the king next looked to his sons and issued his orders.
"Háma, thou shalt accompany me to Súthburg with forty-three éoreds. Haleth, I commit to thee the defense of Edoras and the Eastfold. Take twelve éoreds and set a cordon of patrols 'twixt Írensaga and the Entwade so that none flank thee, but guard most strongly the road. The downs and the Wold we shall not expend Men on, for none may threaten Anórien o'er the river or through the mouths of the Entwash at this time of year." The princes nodded to their father, and if Haleth would rather have ridden west to war, he gave no hint of dissension. He was the Third Marshal and the East Emnet was his charge.
The king then turned to his daughter and a shadow of regret crossed his face.
"I should have insisted more strongly that thou lead our folk to Norðr-vestandóttir Bý. Captain Ælfwine would have honored thee and kept thee safe and the people would have taken heart from thy presence," he said. Heorte had set her lips in a stubborn line, not quite a pout, and her father shook his head in capitulation. "It shall be remembered that my failing as king is that I could refuse thee 'naught."
The princess sighed, for this was a recurring argument. But when she spoke, 'twas softly, for she understood her father and how could she challenge him o'er his love for her? She had known his favor e'ery day of her life and 'twas a blessing she held close to her heart.
"Father, we agreed that someone from the royal house should remain to order the peoples' needs at Edoras such as distributing stores, housing refugees, managing the harvest, and Béma forbid, o'erseeing healers should the war bring wounded hither. I shall support my brother in his defense of the Eastfold so that he may concentrate on his Riders and the enemy. 'Tis my duty, and had thou a third son, t'would be his."
To this, the king nodded in reluctant assent.
"After the passing of the queen, thou art the Lady of the House of Eorl and I doubt thee not," Helm said, "and yet thou art still my daughter and I shall e'er wish thee safe."
"I know, father, and I love thee for it with all my heart."
The family council disbanded and Helluin took her leave of the hall. In the darkness, she walked 'round the corner of the platform that comprised the foundation of Meduseld so that she was out of sight of the door and its wardens. 'Twas the same place whereat she had met the ghost of Lord Mórthróg during her visit to King Brego when she had sought Prince Baldor in the Paths of the Dead.
On this night, she was visited by no phantoms, but looked up to the snowcap of the Starkhorn and the dark peak of Írensaga, knowing that downslope at the head of the Harrowdale stood the switchback path ascending to Dunharrow. There lay the Firienfeld, the sheltered field before the small forest of dark pines and the entrance of the Dimholt Road 'neath haunted Dwimorberg. After the third part of an hour, she marked the closing of a door further down the platform and turned at the approach of soft boots and the rustle of cloth.
"Fair night, m'lady," the Noldo said, dipping her head to Princess Heorte. As e'er, Agrona the Shieldmaiden accompanied her, girt with a sword and dagger.
"Fair night to thee, Helluin," she replied. "T'would seem thou hast quite the history in these lands."
"I have," Helluin said, "and now for a second time in this Age, I find them at war."
"We have had incursions from east and west, but this is the first real war," Heorte said.
Helluin nodded and said, "'Tis the first real war since Eorl came, but thirteen centuries ago I aided in the invasion and conquest of these lands on behalf of Eldacar son of Valacar. We too came from the west and swept away all opposition on our way to Minas Anor."
"Think thou that the Dunlendings may sweep us away in like manner?"
"Nay, I do not. Rohan is mostly grassland and the Rohirrim are a mounted force well suited to its conditions. Aforetime, the Men in Dunland hailed from many tribes, though of late those 'nigh Isen and Adorn were impressed by Freca. Their numbers and quality as warriors is unknown to me, yet I reckon the Dunlendings and Corsairs will fight mostly afoot as hunters, herders, and farmers from mixed uplands or those who come by ship are wont to do. They know but poorly these lands; where to find drinking water or avoid being beslogged in fens, and how to hide their movements on open ground. They shall be denied, even if not so swiftly as many would hope."
The princess nodded in agreement, for though she was no strategist of military campaigns, what the Noldo said made sense.
"They are fierce in combat though poorly equipped," Agrona said, speaking for the first time.
"So too were their ancestors the Enedwaith, and so too are the Orcs," Helluin agreed. "Yet strategy, discipline, and tactics may o'ercome that. Morale is the key, for hope is e'er an army's heart."
For a while after that, they stood in silence, each of them thinking of the coming war, and again Helluin looked to the mountains.
Heorte marked her gaze and said, "The highlands are of great beauty and I have e'er felt them a comfort. Though forbidding, they are a bound from which no living foes threaten."
The White Mountains were impressive when seen close up, though they held not a candle to the Pelóri in Helluin's opinion. In any case, she had not been looking thither in appreciation of the landscape.
"M'lady, has the refuge of Dunharrow been provisioned? I have long deemed it the strongest fastness in all of Rohan. Should war approach Edoras, t'would be a strong redoubt for the aged, the young, and the infirm. Its ascending trail could be held long by few Men against many."
"Dunharrow," the princess repeated, shivering, "I have ne'er climbed to that haunted place and know few who have. 'Tis rumored the abode of fell spirits, old and unfriendly to the living."
"The ghosts remain within their halls 'neath the Dwimorberg and so long as they are not vexed, shall trouble none," Helluin said, "or so they claimed in the days of Brego King."
"We have seen no ghosts, but fear the rumor of them," Agrona said.
"I have held converse with one of them whom I had known long aforetime in life. He told that they were many, the bitter oathbreakers from the Great War, cursed by King Isildur to find no rest in death. He said they are visible to Men, but hold no enmity for the Eorlingas."
"I find that not so reassuring," Heorte said.
"Still, at need if doom betides, I pray thee consider it, princess," Helluin said.
"T'will be a grim day indeed ere I lead any thither," she said, and after looking again to the mountains, bid Helluin good night.
"Fair night and restful sleep, m'lady," Helluin said.
Heorte nodded and then she and Agrona made their way back to the door at the far end of the platform where they entered Meduseld. Helluin marked the hand the Shieldmaiden gently laid on the princess' back as they passed within. Then she tilted her head and stared up at the stars, thankful that the sky was clear. Eventually their distant beauty inspired whispered words.
High above turn Héri Tintallë's lights,
Jewel colored, kindled of Her thought,
From Ilmen shine down upon Endórë,
To comfort all with the Ainur's love,
Bring to the Eldalië the gift of hope,
'Neath the Shadow of Nan-Dungortheb.
xxxxx
High above burn Elentári's fires,
As cut gems, blazing by Her design,
Cast their light bright to bless Anadûnê,
Led the Atani to Elenna,
Gaze down heartbroken upon fallen kings,
As Atalantë slid 'neath the waves.
xxxxx
High above the press sailed Eärendil,
Bright mariner helming Vingilot,
Threw down Ancalagon o'er Anfauglith,
Smote his ruin on Thangorodrim,
Shine fair, pride of Men undimmed by years,
Anna estel anatoi sanda i Fallassi Fírime.¹
My lady, thou look to the mountains, seeing beauty but feeling fear as do I when I look to the stars, for beyond their bound lies the Void wherein the greatest of enemies waits, she thought.
She was still standing there as the first of the day's watchmen took up their duty 'neath the fading vestiges of night. Soon cook fires were kindled in the camp outside the stockade and Men roused from sleep to break their fasts and then strike their tents. Meduseld began to hum with activity as servants prepared the morning meal.
Helluin had come 'round the corner of the hall and there she found Helm King standing at the edge of the platform looking out o'er the city toward the gates. He turned at her approach.
"Fair morn, my lord," she said, offering the king a bow.
"A fair morn to thee, Helluin," he said. "It augurs well that we set out on a day without rain."
"I deem the sight of the sun good for the mood of the host, and after thy words yesternight, they shall ride with high hearts."
"That much I can give them ere the press of battle draws them 'neath its shadow," Helm said, and then more quietly so as not to be o'erheard by the door wardens, "I told them not that four hundreds of Eadmundr's Men fell in the first days of the battle when the Fords of Isen were o'errun. The enemy outnumbered them three to one."
"Surprise is a great advantage in war," Helluin said just as softly, "and a first battle's outcome is not the harbinger of final defeat. Besides, the land 'round the river is wooded whilst most of Rohan is open grassland. I wager the war shall turn in thy favor."
"So I hope. Once the fighting reaches into the plains, horsemen shall have the advantage."
"Thy lands are perfect for cavalry, my lord, and thy Men know them well. I believe Rohan shall prevail."
"As do I, Helluin," Helm said. "Now let us break our fasts and then, we ride."
They ate quickly in the hall, still chill from the night though the fires had been banked, whilst smoke from newly added logs curled up into the thatching. Helluin, Helm, Haleth, and Háma spoke little as they broke their fasts. Heorte was absent, but at the other tables 'round them the Men of the king's household scarfed down eggs, ham, hash browns, bread with butter and honey, and cider, deeming it too early for ale. In the half part of an hour, they were finished.
Outside, Edoras was a whirlwind of Riders, city folk, and Men from the encampment finishing their preparations to ride. Wagonloads were checked one last time and their teams hitched. Horses were saddled and waiting as stable hands bustled back and forth through the gathering throng of well-wishers, tending to tack and checking girth straps, stirrups, and headstalls.
Helluin found Hildmearh standing and watching the frenzied activity with a nervous glance.
Ready, my friend? the Noldo asked as she looked the warhorse in the eyes.
I am, and the sooner gone the better, the mare said. At Helluin's questioning expression, she explained, There is a stable boy, Offa, who has come 'nigh thrice in growing fear for he can find no tack for me. I deem we should leave ere he finds something horrible in his desperation.
If we leave he shall be the more vexed for having misplaced not only thy tack, but thyself as well.
I can live with that, Hildmearh said silently, eye to eye. Then she resumed her apprehensive survey of the surroundings. Helluin chuckled as she mounted.
"Let us await the king's party outside the gate," she said aloud, and the mare began to move.
Soon enough, it seemed that all the frantic activity had resolved and Helm King rode out of Edoras with Háma at his side and the knights of his household behind. Haleth was already waiting with the éoreds that would hold Edoras and the Eastfold, but they would remain at the stockade 'til after the host had departed.
When Helm turned back to look at Meduseld, Helluin followed his gaze and saw Heorte and the other ladies of the court standing before the doors of the hall to farewell the king and his Men as they rode to war.
Helm waved to his daughter and she returned the gesture, and then the king raised his horn and winded it, and the note carried strong in the morning air. Well 'nigh immediately 'twas answered by such a blast of notes as to shiver the ears as the Riders blew their horns in reply.
Forward the host began to move, first at a trot. Lines of Men rode double-file in their éoreds with their captains at the fore as they followed the First Marshal. One after another the companies fell in behind in files of two éoreds breadth and the thunder of their hooves grew as they came to a gallop. Dust rose into the air as they passed the Barrowfield, eight mounds on their left mantled in green turves, their westward slopes speckled with white Simbelmyrnë.
Helm came to the Great West Road and turned towards Súthburg, and the host of the Rohirrim snaked behind in an endless ribbon of green cloaks and bright mail, the morning sun glinting on the tips of their spears. It seemed to take fore'er ere they passed beyond sight of Edoras. 'Twas 15 Gwirith.
To Be Continued
¹(Anna estel anatoi sanda i Fallassi Fírime, Gift hope to those abiding the Mortal Shores Quenya)