Chapter 2.
Cirdan was puzzled. Certainly, an expert navigator like Cirdan could not help but notice that the waves and wind around the boat did not match the surrounding area, but were meant to speed this ship into port as fast as any he could recall. But as they were coming onto the dock what was this? This was the rescue force for Middle Earth? Where was Tulkas or Eonwe? None of this lot looked like maier even. Shy of a dozen, one a child? Wait, make that a halfling. Odd choice for a great warrior... A dwarf? Well there were certainly dwarves that could fight, and make weapons. One Elf, which did not look familiar, and was quite short by elven standards, and if he was not mistaken, a peredhil! Descended from Tuor, or Beren maybe? Several looked like fighters but others looked like librarians. And while all wore odd clothing, one human had clothing and gear unlike anything known to him, in all 3 ages.
"You must be Cirdan, with the beard?" spoke a "librarian" human, stepping onto the dock. "Morel is my name, and we are here to solve this "Sauron problem". Love to chat, but time is pressing. You have our transport?"
"You are correct, and the horses and wagons, 3 as you requested. Also your guides, Flodon and Galdor, are getting ready, and we have ostlers ready to introduce you to your horses. Please keep them safe, and Flodon and Galdor will do what they can to keep you safe to Elrond's door."
Morel stifled a laugh. "Sysnik here will raise them from the dead if we need to. But we are our own protection." Cirdan was at a loss for words when he saw the apparent half elf mumbling, then turning into a giant steel statue! Which was stunning enough until the statue started talking.
"Hi. I'm Igor. I assure you we are capable. For example..." and the statue became a giant eagle. "If I changed into a dragon here, the horses would spook". Cirdan could say nothing, but nodded in agreement. The group was soon on their way through Cirdan's domain.
The elves they saw were either apparently soldiers, and seemed always somber and serious, but all would stop to examine the party s it passed. A way station had hastily been prepared providing food and shelter while the horses were cared for after the first 10 miles, and the Overdogs were glad to get good rest, knowing from Galdor that after they left this camp the "free ride" would be over. The party headed east towards the Shire.
The horses and wagons were excellent, the Overdogs agreed, and thanked Galdor again. As they rolled into the Shire they were forced to rely on themselves. The first night they set camp and Flodon had several questions. " Amazing, that he (Sysnik) can create food through prayer, and that you have so many of these gold coins that shine like lamps, and you say never burn out? I am encouraged the Valar sent you. And you, the one they call Sergeant? Armed only with a knife and helm, yet fearless? Wondrous"
"Oh I have other weapons. Best you not touch these, or these iron pineapples. And if you hear a lot of loud bangs, well that would be me. Although I too get scared. I am only human! How many days to Rivendell anyway?
"With good weather, and no trouble, 10 days or so. We could go far each day on the road for sure...did you hear a scream?" In fact E.F. Nutton had and was pointing north. Igor got off a quick Fly spell on Tarkin, while Thing2 gave him protection from any lucky arrow hits. Tarkin meanwhile donned his Eyes of the Eagle and got up about 40 feet for a look while, as planned, the escorts stayed with the horses and the rest fanned out forward a hundred yards.
"Orcs on wargs, maybe 200 of each. Chasing maybe 50 halflngs right at us. They won't make it in time, they have 2 minutes tops... Oh that changes things.", Tarkin's frown became a smile as Morel had shape changed into a gold dragon and took off towards the wargs. The horses would have bolted if they the elves hadn't turned them away from Morel. The rest walked forward except Thing2 who boomed in a magically enhanced voice. Halflings come to me, the dragon will stop the orcs!" Upon seeing the dragon, however, the halflings froze to a man, terrified, while the wargs closest wheeled to flee. Morel torched only 4 by breathing but landed on another. The orc leader hesitated about 4 seconds before deciding that fleeing was the better part of valor and sounded the retreat. They never got within bow range. Morel changed back.
"We are here to save you. Is anyone hurt?" It took another minute before any hobbit moved; a male named Drogo Took came forward, being the eldest of the 40 hobbits remaining. It turned out these 40 had a few wounds from arrows, darts, or rocks thrown, as any that got in range were now dead. Sysnik and Tarkin went to work on these, using not only curing spells but neutralizing poison on 2, while others in the party attended to the more minor wounds with bandages and water.
Drogo was still somber witnessing the healing of his neighbors, remembering his brothers and parents were certainly dead. "Thank you for this, but those orcs are still nearby. We have lost everything we had but our lives." This led to a hasty council with Drogo, Morel, Thing2, and Galdor. It was decided that Flodon would ride directly back to the Grey Havens and ask Cirdan for Elven protection of the Shire. Drogo would lead the hobbits to Hobbiton to organize their defense, and Igor Rock, and E.F. would stay as protection until the elves arrived. Drogo also mentioned a group of men he called Rangers. Morel nodded, as Manwe had mentioned the Dunedain warriors and Strider in particular. Sysnik was called over.
"We want to find the location of the Rangers of the North, one Strider in particular. How about a Commune spell? Play 20 questions, if you need that many", laughed Morel. In fact it took less than a dozen to find they were north and east, in the abamdoned city of Fornost. "They are likely battling trolls, orcs, what have you. I suppose they could use some help...but we are already dividing ourselves once with three staying here and Flodon heading back. Oh, Sauron is no fool, either delaying us here, or sacraficing the Shire and Breeland. Suggestions?"
Galdor stood. "If I may... we can not leave Eriador to burn. True, Sauron is the prize, and you have wondrous powers, but in the traveling time alone, even without delays, it might be too late for the north. Orcs, goblins, and trolls have been trouble here on and off for ages, but this is quite bold of them. Certainly this is connected to why you were sent. The Gray Havens might stand against them, but if the Ringwraiths were to come in force, and if the Corsairs of Umbar brought an army along the coast, what would we be saving in all Eriador?"
Thing2 was next. "All true, Galdor. Also, we know how important "Strider" is. We can not teleport there, given we have never been there nor have we studied the area enough, for a safe transport. We ride to this "Fornost" and make it by tomorrow sundown, no wagons, just horseback. You know Arak and Boling can't go too long without fighting either... so, Igor stays here with E.F. , Tarkin, and the wagons with our supplies, maybe, while Flodon headed back to Cirdan. The rest of us ride tothe Rangers, after Morel uses the crystal ball to get a good idea where. Objections?" There was agreement and preparations were made. They made 15 miles and camped for the night, it was Galdor, Morel, Thing2, Zapboy, Arak, Boling, Cazoo, Enos, and Sysnik. The camp did not try for stealth, instead camping in an open area using the magically lit coins around the perimeter as well as a decent sized fire. According to Galdor they needed to make 80 more miles, which would be pushing it in one day but Sysnik was able to increase the endurance of the horses through a prayer, while another prayer allowed them to follow the most efficient pathway to the ruins. They arrived an hour before dusk with clouds coming in from the east. Morel halted the party maybe 4 miles shy of the ruins.
"See to the horses and yourselves. I will cast a simple polymorph into a Great Eagle, which the Rangers should not fear. Thing2, hit me woth a protection spell in case they shoot arrows at me anyway. In an hour, walk the horses towards the ruins. My wit and charm will have won them over by then. If I shoot a fireball straight up, mount up and join the fight."
Fornost was now only the ruins of an ancient city of Arnor, mostly abandoned for centuries although the Rangers camped their periodically, according to Galdor. Being the shape of a giant eagle also gave Morel the vision to spot the most outlying men. What sounds do eagles make, thought Morel? Caw? Chirp? How about just drop down by the closest and transform back?
The Ranger had noted the eagle about 15 seconds before Morel landed and gave a short series of whistles, likely some type of code. The ranger then took partial cover behind a medium sized tree. Morel landed and quickly returned to human form, which made the Ranger's jaw drop. "I seek Strider, and am sent by Manwe." More whistles from the Ranger; Morel didn't know if that was good or bad but expected more company to arrive. Morel decided to wait, leaning on his staff; they would feel less nervous if they had more numbers. Within 5 minutes there were 6 more, who fanned out, all armed with bow and sword. "Hello Rangers. I am Morel, a wizard with powers to destroy Sauron and his armys. Oh, and Saruman too." The Rangers, to their credit, thought Morel, did not seem impressed.
"All by yourself? I am thinking you rave. Perhaps go to Bree, maybe they will be interested in your stories. It is dangerous here." This came from one of the newly arrived Rangers.
"Not alone, I have my own team. But ask your friend, did he not see me in the shape of a great eagle?" To which the first Ranger nodded slowly, not taking his eyes off Morel. "Shoot me with an arrow. Maybe in the foot, take your best shots." All drew arrows and aimed but none fired until the first Ranger spoke.
"If you are friend we would not hurt you. Some type of sorceror you are, and we dare not let you pass without more proof of your claim to alliance." Shape changing was not unheard of among the wise, for example Beorn, to the east, but his allegiance was uncertain as well.
Morel pondered briefly. "Tell Aragorn son of Arathorn that if ever wants to be king, he will talk to me, as I am aware of the Ring passing to Sauron, and will see Frodo's arm healed, and Gandalf is waiting in Rivendell to explain his delay, and there is a certain elf that misses him dearly also in Rivendell, and I don't mean Elrond. Oh and they are going to reforge that Narsil sword too" Now the Rangers could not hide their shock. "Also, my friends are walking horses towards me, maybe 2 hours behind, don't shoot at them. Also don't shoot my lions, or my Djinni." At that, Morel summoned his djinni and dropped the figurines into action. The lions appeared first, and immediately tensed to spring into action. Surprisingly the Rangers did not flee at the sight of the lions but djinni had them speechless for a moment.
"I am the one you seek", said a newly arriving Ranger, dressed in green. With him was another, missing his right arm, and recently by the look of the dressing. As Morel looked closer (they were still maybe 100 feet away, and he was now surrounded, several were wounded. No surprise.
"A halfling, Drogo I think, said the Rangers were fighting to the North, while wargs and orcs raided and slaughtered in the northern Shire." Aragorn showed a look of sadness and then anger.
"You can help us fight, then? If you plan to kill Sauron, as you claim, there a few dozen trolls scattered in caves just north and east of us, we have decided not to wait for the hammer to fall from the East, but have been rooting them out a few at a time. They usually don't stay in larger groups than that. I suppose that will change towards the end." This Aragorn seemed resigned to a bitter end, though at least he planned to go down swinging.
"As I said, my team is coming, maybe an hour now. They arrive, we kill a mess of trolls, then you decide what you want to do. Fair?" Aragorn nodded. Morel broke out the crystal ball to check on the Overdogs, they were indeed walking the horses and were maybe 2 miles away.
"You have a Seeing Stone? From where did you come by it? And if I am who you say, are they not by right mine?" Morel was puzzled, as Manwe's instructions were brief and did not mention the palantiri.
"This you can not use, only a wizard, and I know not what it is you refer to. But I can see afar with it, if I know the land, and this land I just flew over." Aragorn was about to respond when another Ranger rode up on a light brown horse and whispered a message. Aragorn whispered back instructions, apparently, then turned and glared at Morel.
"You distract us while your real friends move in on us? Charm and treachery are the tools of Sauron." Meanwhile some of the Rangers were scrambling north, likely to face the new enemy.
Morel knew that fighting the Dunedain would be a disaster. " What is the new enemy? Trolls? I can handle trolls. How much time do we have before they get to your front lines?"
"Prove your worth now, whether to us or them. Time for talking is over". Morel had to admit, Aragorn had a point. Morel recalled the lions and djinni and cast a teleport back to the Overdogs.
"Change of plans" he announced. They are about to be attacked by something. Thing2, you and I shapechange to Invisble Stalkers and get over there and see what the threat is; then maybe we turn into dragons? Or, if you feel its right, maybe stay invisble and levitate and cast on them from above. Use your judgement. Sysnik, your blessings would be nice, and we should give ourselves fresh protection from missiles. The rest of you, sit tight for 20 minutes, then advance on horse. TRY not to kill any humans, at least not ones wearing green, EVEN IF they shoot once or twice." Arak and Boling looked quite disappointed not to get into the thick of things. Regardless, spells were cast and they raced north, past the Rangers; judging the location of the threat by the alignment of the men... and there they were. These trolls were closer to big ogres or small hill giants, strong, stupid, and no regeneration. And behind them on a horse... oh a Ringwraith makes an appearance. Didn't look like they were spotted. he called to Thing2. "Sit tight here maybe 200 yards, I am going to "negotiate". Thing2 smiled. There would be blood, and soon.
Centuries had Shanator waited for this. His master had the One back. These worthless Dunedain were not as impressive as the warriors of old Numenor that had savaged his people of Umbar in the days of Ar Pharazon. It was easy to command these dull trolls, and he had gotten 50 in the short time allotted. The Dunedain had certainly less than 500 in Fornost. Now, with these dim trolls at his command he would crush all he would find. the Witch King had ordered him not to return to Barad Dur with the others once the Ring had been taken from that weak halfling joke. Fine, Shanotor obeys as always. At least he could be the first to start the open slaughter. This horse was near death being ridden so hard recently, and it would be hard to get another, as beasts tended to flee when he was near. No matter, master had almost readied the flying beasts. Now THEY were impressive, almost like small dragons, without the attitude. Almost wordlessly he could command these trolls to cross this little stream and up a gentle ridge. Looked like 100 or so humans, bows and arrows, the usual. Maybe a prisoner or two for information might be good... Ah, the smell of humans. Our next mounts eat human flesh! Ah, yes... Why are they not fleeing? Brave, but foolish. And just now, that is a strong sense of magic, quite a bit. Hmm, the trolls should still smash them.
Morel steadied himself about 70 feet high and switched to human form and laughed, which was shockingly loud to the trolls, who stopped wading across the stream. Audule Glamer really came in handy. "Attention slaves. By which I mean you idiot trolls and pathetic undead pissant. Does anyone want to survive the next 10 minutes and carry a message back to jagbag has been Sauron the Ugly Loser? No takers? OK then."
Shanator was enraged by the words but this was unfamiliar ground, the flying, the voice, the magic aura. Shanator had been accepted the ring in the late Second Age. It was not commonly known that several Ringwraiths had been killed over the centuries, though not the Witch King. He was the second to accept his particular ring; his predecessor had been killed by a Numenorean with one of those crafty blades they made. Too many of those things were still lying around... (Of course after a few years Sauron took back the ring; once in wraith form one was doomed to a "life" of slavery, er, service, to the Dark Lord whether the ring was on his finger or not.) Anyway, the matter at hand. The old Numenorians in particular had powerful sorcery, as well as arrogance, especially near the end, but a man standing on air? Oh a pity he didn't yet have his flying mount now! He sent his thought message to the trolls to charge and at least flush the ones on the ground. The lead trolls had gotten within 100 feet of the men on the ridge when it came, streaks of fire that became an inferno like an Orodruin eruption. His 50 trolls was now 42. Meanwhile the cursed Dunedain were shooting arrows and they were hitting the trolls in vital areas like throats, joints, and one in an eye. At least the other trolls were gaining ground. A DRAGON? GOLD, and breathing fire? 4 more down from the dragon and 3 from the Dunedain but the lead trolls had reached the men. Oh, those clubs could smash! Just some rainbow like light just in front... WHAT? the leading 6 trolls burning, screaming in pain, and then it looked like lightning, and they were gone before he could command them to fall back. Now the dragon flew up over the barrier and was heading right towards Shanator. Whereupon his horse bolted in terror. Apparently enormous fire breathing dragon outranks Ringwraith in the fear factor. Not going to outrun this dragon for long and this horse will have a heart attack in another 5 minutes tops. Well I am not dead yet. Wait, kind of, but I have options. I can go invisible, or try parlay. He did mention something about a message, right? No, dragons were notorious liars and if this guy commanded a dragon... Sauron might be wathcing in the palantir, but if not he needs to know about this. Invisible it is then, and a long walk back to Mordor.
Thing2 flew 4 loops aound the area the unmounted where Ringwraith disappeared but could spot him with ease using the ancient gold dragon vision. The Nazgul was clearly getting while the getting was good. Better to finish off the trolls now, and it might not be a bad idea to let Sauron feel doubt and fear, as it might make him more defensive and save lives. He got back to find about 30 trolls left blocked by the prismatic wall. Thing2 landed in range and gave a fiery blast that torched 3 more before rearing up to take on any comers. The trolls were now leaderless and caught between a magic killing wall and killing dragon, began bickering and even clubbing themselves in confusion.
Aragorn, when not firing arrows at the trolls, was just amazed. He could fly, shoot balls of fire, and he commanded a dragon, not to mention those lions and who knew WHAT that wierd hovering thing was. The only bad part was that the rainbow "wall" stopped his men's arrows. Regardless, his men had stood no chance against 50 trolls and a Ringwraith, yet the wraith had fled and half the trolls were dead. He decided against ordering hs men to flank the wall to shoot as then the trolls could also attack them. If dragons want to fight trolls, who was he to stop them? Just then another horse rode up, and he saw a half dozen more with men he assumed must have been part of Morel's "team". One an elf, a dwarf, and was that a half elf? Wait till Elrond heard of this.
"My lord, these claim to be Morel's friends, and insist on fighting". the ranger Halbarad said.
"Let them, and now! Rangers fall back, and watch" cried Aragorn to all within earshot.
Noone was going to beat Arak and Boling into the melee; they charged. Morel spotting this dropped the prismatic wall. Cazoo was content briefly to fire crossbow bolts, his rod changed into battle axe shape for the ineveitable melee. Enos went invisible immediately after dismounting and drew his giant sword. Sysnil started with a prayer to bless the fighters in battle.
Finally, some real smashing to do, thought Arak. Morel stayed hovering and used his staff to drop a fireball on some trolls, which only wounded them. But now it was Arak, Boling, and Cazoo that became whirlwinds of destruction. Arak's flaming sword added to the stench of burnig troll flesh, while Boling's Defender blade was all attack now, the damage dealt further enhanced by his magically strong arm. Zapboy was singing a dwarven drinking song, though noone spoke that language here, while tossing and catching his glorious Axe of the Dwarvish Lords, hitting on 12 of 14 tosses, accounting for 2 dead trolls and one soon grabbed his rod/axe and began chopping away at trolls, reminiscint of another great warrior of the First Age, though Cazoo was unaware. The past is for cowards and losers, a great man once said. 2 trolls went after Sysnik and he incinerated one with a Flame Strike. The other troll seemed to have a clear path to Sysnik and raised his spiked club, only to be knocked off balance as Enos became visible pulling his giant sword out of the trolls thigh, it had gone clear through and troll blood gushed out both openings. The holy mace of Sysnik landed on the trolls forearm, shattering it despite it being much larger than a strong man's leg, and the troll's scream ended as 6 blue lights burned into him from up above. Morel directed the extra magic missiles a few of the remaining trolls.
There was maybe a dozen trolls left when they fled back northwards. Arrows raind on them from the Rangers and Thing2 flew onto and shredded the hindmost. Only 8 made it away alive. Boling looked to Morel. "Do we mount up and ride them down? Should be easy to track even as night is here." Indeed, Aragorn had barely noticed that it was night, as these newcomers had several gems, or something, that emanated light. Must be some elven magic thing, and certainly not the biggest wonder of the last few hours.
"Nothing wrong wth killing trolls, but we have priorites to attend to, dear Boling. And the horses, and we, can use rest. Nice sword work, by the way. Any wounded, be they ranger or Overdog, Sysnik may attend to." At this the men took count. One dead ranger and 10 newly wounded, Cazoo had been hit hard, and Arak and Boling, despite great armor, had each taken one hit.
As the fighting appeared over, Aragorn ordered a watch kept around their perimeter, then went to the area where the wounded had congregated. Tell Morel I will thank him after I attend to my wounded, and we bury Balanof" he ordered to Halbarad, as typical at Aragorn's side.
"No need to tell me, I am here. Sysnik can take care of your most wounded, we even have a few potions that can heal... oh you there, you want your arm back? Oh, and was Balanof a good soldier?"
"All the Rangers are good soldiers... though compared to dragons and such sorcery, I fear you might disagree." Morel could see no fault in Aragorn's statement there.
"Perhaps Sysnik can restore him to you... no, not like a ringwraith, or barrow wight, I bet you are thinking. I see you are skeptical." Despite the recent events, Halbarad and Aragorn looked at each other like Morel promised to fly them to the moon... wait, he COULD fly... "Well, let Sysnik take a look at his arm for starters. One thing at a time", pointing to Halbarad. "Sysnik can maybe give that a try?" Sysnik was called over, and Halbarad, after getting a nod from Aragorn also sat on the ground waiting.
Sysnik began a near silent chant as his hands gently touched the elbow area of Halbarad's stump. Halbarad did not flinch, which impressed Sysnik, but he was busy. A full 3 minutes went by when suddenly Sysnik smiled and wiped the sweat from his brow. The Rangers gasped in wonder as not only did the hand and arm return, but Halbarad stood tall and the other minor abrasions disappeared. Halbarad grasped a log and tossed it into the fire with his new hand. "My lord, it is as new, and I am ready to serve. Is this as it is in the Undying West?" Aragorn quickly gave permission for Sysnik to attend to Balanof. Sysnik took a drink of water and got to it, using the Raise Dead spell. Shortly, Balanof started coming too, staring up at Sysnik, Aragorn, Halbarad, and his 2 brothers who were speechless. This was certainly a day to remember for them.