Chapter 81
We sat at the table in thoughtful silence for a moment, listening to the wind sighing around the walls outside, and then my attention wandered back to the map. Argeleb followed my gaze, got to his feet and unrolled it fully across the table. "Do you wish to look upon it? It is a marvel, a copy of an ancient original kept in the library at Fornost. It shows all of the north from the mountains in the east to the furthest western shore, and it is beautifully detailed". I sensed that this was subject of interest to him. "There was a fragment of such a map in the library at Lastbridge, but to see the greater whole would be a privilege" I replied, and this further piqued his interest. "So you are familiar with the Library there? It is said to contain many ancient volumes and manuscripts, and I hope perhaps to have the pleasure of visiting it one day". I confirmed that I had been fortunate enough to spend some time there, and become acquainted with the contents, but that it was now sadly neglected and little visited. I described some of the books it held, including those I was unable to read due to the strange script they were written in, and others so ancient that I had feared to handle them for fear of damaging them. Argeleb looked thoughtful. "There are treasures there indeed, beyond price, for the scripts you describe may well be elvish and it is an ill thing when articles of such value and the knowledge and lore they contain are neglected and forgotten. Your Kingdom has fallen far indeed".
I had no wish to gainsay him and with that our attention returned to the map. I found Rhudaur, with the great vale of the Hoarwell rendered in some detail, but I was struck immediately by how much larger the other two realms were, and how apparently well populated and widely settled in comparison to ours, though the map was a thing of great antiquity and much might have changed since the original was first drawn up. It was the case in the Northern Marches of Rhudaur, where many villages and hamlets I had only known as names in the wilderness or clusters of sad overgrown ruins. I felt a pang of sadness and loss when I saw Rushwater and the other vales described with their villages and roads, and upstream of Northford and its surrounding settlements the road winding up the valley as far as an intact watchtower, all now lost and laid in ruins.
My finger swept down the course of the Hoarwell, or Mitheithel as it was named on the map, past Bearcliffe and Lastbridge and then eastward to the town on the elvish ford, Athrad Edhellen. There beyond the river at the end of a winding road was Imladris, the legendary stronghold of the elves and home of the Half-elven lord who it was reputed had fought alongside Isildur and Elendil in the wars of the last alliance. It seemed strange to see it represented in such a matter of fact way, for the stories went that it was hidden by enchantments and the path there could not be found by mortal men. "There stands still the fairest and noblest house east of the sea. Long years have passed since last I was there, but it is all as clear in my mind as if it were yesterday. Under the roof of that hall and in the valley there is still an echo of the elder days, and things of beauty beyond the powers of mortal description". There was a light in the Prince's eyes as he spoke, and once again I noticed the air of otherness about him and I was momentarily lost for words. "You have been there?" I asked him, astonished and intrigued. "Yes I have" he replied, "It has always been customary for the princes of the north kingdom to receive their schooling in letters and lore in the house of Elrond, who is our distant kin. I was sent there many long years ago in my youth, and my son too went there when his time came. Rhudaur may have become estranged from the Eldar, but Arthedain still counts the folk of Rivendell and Lindon as friends and allies. The grey clad company who passed westward through here two days since told us they had overtaken you on the road and that they had been hailed in their own tongue, a rare occurrence indeed in those parts. So we knew of your coming, and I was intrigued to see what manner of great and learned lord had been sent to treat with me". I was surprised and pleased to see a hint of amusement in his eyes as he spoke. "No great lord at all" I replied ruefully. "Yet you have done what you were sent to do, and done it well" was his reply, and abashed by this unlooked for compliment I said no more.
He told me a little of Rivendell and what he had seen and learnt there, and I felt that I had suddenly walked into a great tale where legends came to life before my very eyes. This great Prince seemed to me a part of them and my reverence for him grew apace with my own humility. I knew that it was unlikely that I would ever find myself in such a situation with him or his like again, and was grateful that he had chosen to spend an hour or two of his time with me. I realised of course that he in turn he hoped to learn more of the situation in Rhudaur by doing so, but I also profited from our discussions, learning of the true strength and purpose of Arthedain and her allies as I had been bid.
I turned my attention northward on the map once again and noticed that more recent annotations had been added in a flowing script to the map in the wide lands north of Rhudaur. I saw what I assumed to be the fortress at the end of the Trollfang range, since that was known to us from our sacking of it, for it must have been repaired and much strengthened in the long years since. I wondered how they could have had such detailed knowledge of it, and of all the other places and the roads that ran between them, culminating in the fortress and tower of Carn Dum. But then I remembered the Seeing Stone that was kept somewhere close by, and realised once again why our kings had coveted it so much. As if reading my thoughts the Prince suddenly spoke up. "Because of the stones the foe cannot move against us without our knowledge, and we have defeated his forays against us at every turn. I fear however that my father has seen fit to remain secure within his borders rather than take the battle to him, and the opportunity to do so successfully may already have passed, for his strength waxes and both Cardolan and Rhudaur have both suffered greatly in the intervening years".
After a moment he continued. "As you have already probably divined the stone also gave us warning of your assault too, though little enough and it was good fortune alone that meant we had men and horses within two day's march of the tower. Otherwise lifting a siege, or worse still retaking this place would have proved far more costly in time and men. What you met on that day was but a part of the whole force we could put into the field, and when I succeed my father in time I hope to be able to prosecute a campaign against this King Of Angmar, whoever he may be, rather than waiting for him to make his next move and simply parrying it again". He paused, pensive for a moment and then seemed to come to a decision. "You made sharing any knowledge of any threat to your Kingdom that we became aware of a condition of our treaty, so I will honour that promise. I regret to tell you that your fears regarding the treachery of the Hillmen are well founded, and we have seen men and supplies from Angmar travelling southward and crossing Mitheithel at the Fords without hindrance". I was filled of shock and dismay, for it is one thing to suspect something to be true but another altogether to hear it confirmed and realise its full import. "I thank you my lord, most sincerely. It is now even more important that I return to Lastbridge at the earliest opportunity to carry these tidings". He nodded. "Preparations are already in hand, so there is no reason why you should not be able to depart tomorrow as we have discussed. The hour draws on, and I have other matters that demand my attention, but before you descend the tower I am sure that you will first wish to look upon the stone yourself?" I naturally agreed to this suggestion without hesitation.