Chapter 83
I slept soundly and woke refreshed in the grey twilight before dawn, knowing that today was the day that I would be commencing the journey back to Lastbridge and to my heart's desire. I did have some misgivings in the cold light of early morning about how the treaty I had had the temerity to sign would be received on my return, but the exchange of lands we did not and could not hold for five hundred or more of our best soldiers did seem a fair exchange to me, and I hoped that others might swallow their pride and be of the same mind. However there was nothing to be done for it for now, and at least I would have my moment riding back into Lastbridge at the head of a column of returning soldiers. I rose and began to ready myself for the day ahead.
After a good breakfast with my men in the hall we gathered our packs and gear and went out into the sunlit courtyard near the gate. There we found our horses had been readied and were waiting for us along with the rest of the Prince's retinue, their cloaks tugging in the stiff breeze. The Prince arrived a few minutes later dressed in magnificent plate armour and we all mounted up and began the lengthy descent to the plain below. He acknowledged me politely, lacking the familiarity he had shown in the tower the day before, but I thought that was how it must be for the benefit of those around us. I rode alongside him at the head of the column and we were flanked by our banner bearers, but my horse was finding it more difficult to go downhill than his young fresh mount which meant I was constantly falling behind and spoiling the picture. As we descended towards the plain I could see that men were gathering near the road beyond the settlement at the foot of the hill, among them were a large loose group that I surmised must be the prisoners I was about to take back with me. There were also supply carts being readied nearby, and it seemed the Prince had been true to his word and we would not go hungry even on the march home. This small gesture spoke volumes to me once again about the stark differences between our two Kingdoms.
As we approached along the road from the settlement at the foot of the hill I saw that my surmise had been correct and the large group of our soldiers stood in loose order , flanked by guards who seemed relatively few in number. A company of horsemen stood beside them on the road ahead and as we neared I could see straight away that there were men of rank among them. Their captain was surprisingly young, not many years older than I judging by his appearance, and I wondered for a moment that he should have risen so high so soon, until he saluted the Prince and spoke. "Hail Father, all is prepared as was ordered, the prisoners are ready to march and we have provided them with stores for their journey". His eyes caught mine and he looked me up and down with a certain amount of disdain. The Prince acknowledged him and thanked him. "May I present Esteldir Of Forn Athrad, Emissary of King Elion Of Rhudaur" he said, and then turning to me "I present my son, Prince Arveleg, Commander of The Army Of The Southern Marches". I saw at once the similarity in bearing and manner they shared, but the son was still clearly young and impetuous and I thought back to the way their horse had charged us down recklessly at the start of the battle. I imagined that Arveleg would have been at their head and it may well have been he himself that slew our own Prince. I bowed to him a little stiffly but said nothing, and he did not return the compliment. Then the company turned their horses towards the crowd of soldiers and I followed them, halting alongside and facing my countrymen.
They eyed us for the most part with great curiosity, and although they would not have known who I was I recognised many of their company badges. They were indeed mostly men from Lastbridge and Bearcliffe companies, apparently hale and well for the most part with the obviously wounded amongst them bearing clean bandages on their hurts. A herald announced us to the men, and then the Prince called out in a clear voice to them. "Men of Rhudaur, terms have successfully been negotiated for your release and you are now free to return to your homes and families. Go with our blessing and if you return here in future then let it be as friend rather than foe". A muted cheer went up from the crowd, followed by a buzz of conversation, and I was about to speak myself when a figure came forward, causing the guards who stood ahead of us to draw steel and close in on him. With a start I realised I knew the man, for it was none other than my friend Captain Norchon from Bearcliffe, looking weary and grim faced. He bowed low before the princes, and acknowledged me too with a smile and spoke in halting Sindarin. "My Lords, Captain, forgive me my impertinence, but I do not wish to return home with the rest of these men, for nothing awaits me there but despair and death. Rhudaur is doomed, and I would rather give my allegiance to a true Dunedain king if he would have me. Captain Esteldir here will speak for me I hope, and vouch for me, and I also hope he can also forgive and understand my desertion". He regarded me with pleading in his eyes, and though I did not speak I acknowledged him silently with a nod. The Prince addressed the prisoners again and they fell silent, most unable to understand what had been said and curious as to what was going on. "Men of Rhudaur, this man wishes to remain here and pledge his allegiance to the Kingdom of Arthedain". An angry buzz of voices rose from the crowd but the Prince continued "I accept this pledge, and if there are any others amongst you of similar mind then make yourselves known also. You will be accorded all the rights and privileges of your current ranks and accepted into our service with honour". The buzz grew into a tumult and abuse was shouted at Norchon, naming him a turncoat and traitor. The crowd surged forward and were halted by a line of drawn steel, but a surprising number of others came forward quietly, spoke to the guards and were allowed to pass the line and join with Norchon. They had all seen what I had seen myself, and I could not find the heart to condemn them for their actions. It was not a choice to be taken lightly however, for it was likely that they would never see their homes or loved ones again and had thrown themselves on the mercy of a Prince and Kingdom they knew little of. Nonetheless I envied them, and if it had not been for Idhrethil and the love I bore her I too would have joined them there and then. In the event almost sixty men opted to remain behind in Arthedain and take their chances there instead.
When all was done the Prince turned to me and spoke to me. "Take your men home Esteldir. I wish you every good fortune for the days ahead, for I foresee that they will be dark and hard, storm clouds are gathering over your realm. Remember our words, for one day soon I will be King and there may be hope for Rhudaur yet". He smiled warmly and we clasped hands, parting in friendship, to the evident surprise of some of those around us. I rode out through the line of guards and approached my own men, my retinue following. I brought my horse to an unsteady halt and rose in the stirrups and they approached and gathered round me in a wide arc. "Men of Rhudaur" I began "you are now free to return home, and we will begin our march back eastward without delay. If any are of rank and still command here, let them come forward so that things may be set properly in order". And so various lieutenants and captains came forward through the crowd and made themselves known, and foremost amongst them, his face full of hatred and confusion at my sudden and unexpected elevation, was Belegon, husband to the woman I loved.