Chapter 101

We reached Halfway Hill on the afternoon of the following day, and as I had hoped might be the case we found that a permanent camp had indeed been established there. The hill that gave the place its name had been crowned with a fresh earthwork and palisade and the pennants of Cardolan and Arthedain fluttered above it. Below the new ramparts a larger and more temporary camp had spread out, the tents and wains of the baggage train that had accompanied the horsemen eastward from Amon Sul. Horns were sounded to mark the return of our column and when we halted grooms came forward to take our horses away to be fed and watered. Once again it was something of a relief to be able to dismount, though my discomfort seemed to have lessened somewhat, but Elien on the other hand did not seem to have been troubled at all by our many hours in the saddle. We made our way through the camp to rejoin our fellow countrymen, and found that an area had been prepared in anticipation of our arrival. Here we were given food and drink, those who had need of care had their hurts tended to, and there were sufficient tents so that none would need to spend a third night in the open. Although it would have been more seemly to do otherwise Elien chose to remain with us rather than seek a tent with other womenfolk, as she did not wish to be recognised or to be parted from us.

So it was that we were preparing to settle down for the night when a messenger came to our tent, asking for me by name. He informed me that Captain Amdir and Prince Merendir wished me to join them, desiring to speak with me. I did not know this prince but rose at once to follow the messenger, and guessing that they sought news of what had transpired in Rhudaur suggested to Elien that she might wish to accompany me. "For it may be to your advantage to learn more of these men, and if indeed they wish to know what befell us then few are better placed to speak on the matter than you". I could not help once again noticing a hint of dismay in Thanguron's expression as he watched us leave with the messenger. We passed through the well ordered camp, across the road and up the hill to the newly constructed stronghold. Within its walls stood a number of tents scattered amongst stone buildings in different stages of construction, and it was to the largest of those tents, brightly lit by lanterns against the deepening gloom of evening, that we were brought.

As we entered Amdir came forward and greeted us in Sindarin, recognising Elien but glancing quizzically at the unexpected change in her appearance. He thanked us for joining them and then introduced us to his commander who wore the deep blue livery of Cardolan. "May I present Prince Merendir, Lord of the Eastern Marches and commander of this newly established position, it is he who was charged with the rescue of those fleeing from the disorder in your land. This is Captain Esteldir, former emissary of the King of Rhudaur, and his companion the Lady..." I interjected "Elien" and he continued. "Thank you, Elien, yes of course. We would hear your accounts and learn more of what has happened in your land, for the Seeing Stones do not reveal all that passes". The Prince was tall, fair of face and grey eyed, like many of the high born Dunedain of those lands, and put me very much in mind of Argeleb and his son. "I trust that you are as well as circumstances allow, and ask you to forgive us for disturbing your much needed rest" he said graciously "pray join us at our table and eat and drink a little with us if you will". Out of long habit rather than necessity it was Elien who replied on our behalf, graciously accepting his invitation in Sindarin, for to my surprise it seemed she too was able to converse well enough in that tongue.

We joined them at the table and after eating and drinking a little began to relate how Dunedain rule in Rhudaur had finally unravelled following the death of King Elion, with the murder of the Chieftain of the Hillmen, the squabble over the succession, defeat at the hands of the new Chieftain's army and the fall of Lastbridge. The Prince and the Captains listened intently, especially to Elien's account of matters. "You are singularly well informed my Lady" said the Prince, clearly curious "how came you to have such knowledge of these matters?" She replied "My Lord, I was married to a Lord of high standing in the King's household, and so was privy to much that occurred in those last few months. My husband fell during the sack of the citadel and it was only the courage and fortitude of my companion here that enabled me to make my escape". The Prince replied solicitously, expressing regret for her loss. "I thank you for your kindness" she replied in turn "but we must also thank you for saving so many of our lives on the road, for without your intervention we would surely all have perished". He shook his head. "It is many years since we have seen orc kind so far south, and I do not think their sudden reappearance was a matter of chance. They ravaged my land for many years, and it seems we will soon have open war again if the allegiance of the new rulers lies with Angmar as seems likely to be the case".

We sat reflecting on his words in silence for a little while before the Prince spoke again. "I trust that the arrangements we have made for you are satisfactory even if they are somewhat rudimentary. We will resume the march westward in two days, when Amdir and his men and horses have had an opportunity to rest and recuperate and are ready to return to Amon Sul. Further arrangements will then be made for your onward journey to Bree and then either northward to Fornost, or westward to my own fair city of Ost-en-Tyrn should you choose the shorter road. Whatever your choice it has been decreed that you will all be given the opportunity to begin new lives among us fitted to your station and aptitudes. In that case my Lady, what would you hope for? Elien replied earnestly "My Lord, I desire to enter service in a House Of Healing and learn Leechcraft so that I may ease the suffering and tend to the sick and those those hurt in battle ". The Prince was evidently surprised her answer, but it was clear to him that this was no ordinary woman of high birth who stood before him in her mannish clothing and roughly shorn hair, and he expressed his admiration at her courage and strength of purpose. "Your wish is unusual for one of your rank, and a hard choice but there is no reason that it could not happen" he continued " the skill and lore of the Healers of Fornost is a mattern of renown, and if you are sincere in your desire then I will personally see to it that you are offered a position there. What of you Captain?" he said, turning his attention to me. I clutched the hilt of my sword and also spoke with feeling. "My Lord Prince, I have only know life as a soldier, and that is what I will remain. If fortune has been kind to them I hope perhaps to find some of the men I left behind at Amon Sul five years since and serve alongside them if I may. Captain and King's Emissary I might once have been but I now hold no rank now beyond that of a common soldier, and I do not seek any more than that for myself". The Prince and Amdir both looked surprised at this. "Your service will be gratefully accepted, and the men of Rhudaur that you speak of still serve at Amon Sul under their captain Norchon. They have proved themselves to be incomparably brave and loyal and are held in high regard at the tower. Whatever misfortune may have befallen you lately is of no account, for it is clear from our dealings with you that you have proved yourself worthy of the rank and titles you previously held". I thanked him and bowed, abashed but quietly heartened by the tidings he had brought me of my old friend Norchon and the others.

Afterwards we returned to our billet, our grief and sadness now tempered a little by renewed hope for the future. The others too were reassured by what we were able to relate of our meeting, and fell to quietly discussing amongst themselves what each might choose to do at the end of our journey. Several of the soldiers expressed a desire to remain with me to Amon Sul, but Thanguron was not among them. When his turn came he spoke softly, eyes downcast. "I have always tried to do my duty and fulfil my oaths of service, but I am not a soldier by natural inclination, and though it may seem craven my choice is to return to my former occupation if I am free to do so. I hope you will not think ill of me for this, my lady". This last question was directed at Elien, who smiled kindly and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Nay, you must follow your heart as I follow mine, and it would truly be a waste if your songs were heard by only a few or none at all. Would you sing for us now?" A look of anguish crossed his face in the dim light of the single lantern that illuminated the tent, but he acknowledged her request. "I swore I would not sing again until I was free of war and misery and knew peace again, but since it is you that ask it of me I will break that vow". I saw that her hand remained on his shoulder, and when he stood to begin his song she sat down at his side, her grey eyes fixed on him.

We all fell silent and he began the lay of Beren and Luthien in a pure and beautiful voice choked with emotion. I could tell at once that he possessed a rare talent, and that Elien had not exaggerated his gifts. I also knew, from his expression and the way he looked at her, that she was Luthien to his Beren as he sang. Others from the surrounding tents and soldiers from the camp who had been passing heard his voice and gathered round to listen in a reverent silence, and after a while the audience had grown considerably. I would hazard that there were many tears shed other than my own that night as they listened the ancient tale of love, loss and eventual redemption unfold and saw in it a mirror to their own suffering and loss.