CHAPTER THREE Returning Back To Form

As Kathren and Hoarmurath stood outside they gazed at Lake Ren. Hoarmurath was very careful around Kathren, she was indeed alien to him. As Hoarmurath looked at his army he knew he was ready, the Witch-King literally had control over Ren, Akhorahil, and Adunaphel, they all pledge their services to him. Hoarmurath was almost alone, Uvatha refused to fight, and Khamul had assigned the help of Dwar, and Indur. Out of them all, Dwar was the most protected, Indur had a powerful queen breathing down his neck. As Hoarmurath and Kathren march with 6,000 to the crossroads, they are still in Hoarmurath domain, Hoarmurath had considered taking the southwestern road to Uvatha's Kingdom, but decided to let his own kingdom subsume to its own fate. So they took the southeast road which eventually leads out of his kingdom and into Indur's kingdom. 6,000 brown men marched into Indur's lush green forested kingdom. Near the Angband and Great Rivers lies Indur's castle called Mumakan. Indur is known to the kings as both the Cloud King and The Outcast. As Hoarmurath and Kathren look down south, there is smoke rising from the sea-ports, devastated by Adunaphel's ships. As Hoarmurath and Kathren are greeted by a squire, they are taken into the castle, the 6,000 foot army fed outside the castle walls.

As they rest at the Mumakan, Kathren walks outside and looks at the familiar mountain range she seen 500,000 years ago…Angband, what evil festers there? As Kathren looks at Indur's massive army of four thousand dressed in black robes, Kathren can't believe that her once lush island has become a festering boil! As Kathren looks northeast, to where Carn Dum lies she can't fathom how this came to past. As she concentrates she can almost see the great Witch-Lord, cast in shadows, but a noise comes from behind, it's the high lord Ji Indur Dawndeath. "So here lies the answers to our problems…gazing a hundred miles away into the dismal abyss!"

Kathren turns to face Indur and Hoarmurath. "You are Lord Indur?"

Indur nods, "I am, and you I hear are the Lord of the Ocean, a fish folk, ancient…does any of this represents you, for you don't look fish to me, and my eyes never fail me!"

Kathren is unsure when Indur is hinting at. "I am Kathren, child of Kathren, protector of the Aqua's, child of the sea."

Indur doesn't flinch a muscle in his face. "Interesting…you know how to fight fish lord?" Kathren shakes her head. "Well you will, if you refuse, you will be your own demise." Indur turns and steady marches back to Mumakan. Kathren feels extremely hot with anger.

Hoarmurath walks up to Kathren, "Don't pay any mind to him, he is battle scared!" Kathren nods lightly. "What are you looking at when we first came to you?" Says Hoarmurath with admired patients.

Kathren doesn't break eye contact with the black mountains of Angband. "Those mountains," as Kathren points towards Angband. "I've felt a cold grip from there as if we were being watched!"

Hoarmurath looks at the ghostly mountains. "The Angband Territory, it's forbidden to enter there." Hoarmurath feels that same cold grip and it startles him, he shakes it off quickly. "Those mountains are evil!"

The following morning Hoarmurath and Indur take their armies of 10,000 men into Hoarmurath's land. It's to dangerous to march upon Adunaphel's domain…even though her armies mass near the Bay of Change, to march there would have to dedicate war there, and they needed every man they have, so they march northeast pass the Reflection Mountain's and pass Lake Eastmar, they will gather at the Easterline Mountain's and wait for the armies of Dwar to catch up and then decide who to deal with first! As the massive army leaves the shadow of the Reflection Mountain's they come to the road, but stay off the road and continue northeast to the fortress of Lord Khamul. As they reach the castle it's about dusk, the men still pouring into the camp. Khamul watches with surprise, the whole army of 10,000...not enough to defeat the Witch-Lord, but at least enough to hurt him, weaken his forces. Khamul's breed army of 10,000 will match these two nations and with Dwar's army soon to arrive, they will have a army of 20,300 men, the biggest army ever! As Khamul walks down to join Hoarmurath and Indur, the kings argue how to attack, the main plan is to march through the Valley of the Shadow, right into old-man Ren's kingdom. This tactic seems to be the only useful one, take the road to the north between the Glacier Range and the Ashy Mountain's. As night falls, the king decided that this would be their end then to do it now…a surprise attack, but one other is still coming.

About 2 AM in the morning, horns blow, the kings awake fearful to find the enemy marching on their location, but the horns are not Angmarean horns, they are horns of the mighty Numenorean empire, same empire who banished the Witch-Lord, now they come to join the fight to rid the evil that brews from Angmar.

A soldier runs up to Khamul. "Lord Khamul, my lord…the Numenorean army approaches." As Khamul, Kathren, Indur and Hoarmurath watch the blazing lights and hear the sound of swords clanging and the ground vibrating, the high kings are shocked, Kathren amazed. She thinks to herself: so these are Numenorean's, men of metal and long hair?

As the high general walks up to the three high kings and Kathren, Khamul walks forward. "Welcome my lords to Easterline, I am high ruler of this land, King of the people Easterling, beside me is Hoarmurath of Dir, Ji Indur Dawndeath of Mumakan and Dwar of Waw."

Kathren interrupts Khamul. "Wait a minute, I thought Ren was of Waw?"

Khamul looks at Kathren. "No, Ren really comes or should I say owns the land we call Angband and Angmar."

The Numenor lord looks at Kathren. "Who is this?"

Khamul looks at Kathren. "To be honest, I really don't know!"

Kathren really hates unanswered questions. "I have no kingdom or land, I own this whole island and the water that surrounds it, I use to live in the shadow of Numenor, I've been to Angmar, I've met both Ren and Er Murazor, I was saved by Ren and in turn, saved Er. Murazor."

The Numenor general looks at Kathren. "You know how to get to Angmar?"

Kathren nods, "And Angband…general, have you've seen Angmar?" Kathren looks at the other kings. "Have any of you seen Angmar?" No one answers, for none have seen it. "Angmar is not a fortress…it's a mountain, a series of mountains, and at its end is a castle surrounded by glaciers…it's always stormy near its source…Dum!"

Khamul looks at Kathren. "You know the way to Angmar?"

Kathren focuses on Khamul. "Only by the coast, the Misty Mountain's" Kathren turns away from Khamul to look east at the tall, rugged chain of mountains all capped with snow, "are just to vast to scale, and this army would not fit through the southern coastal passage. The only plausible way will be a cold one, if you go you will die!" Kathren looks now north through a dark, cloudy valley, a gateway to the bitter north. "You'll have to take the road through that valley." Kathren point at it.

Khamul looks at the direction where Kathren is pointing. "The Valley of Shadow…a road does meander through that valley, but it's guarded by Ren, with his powers at the ancient fortress of Fornost, he'll be able to intercept us even before we hit Ice Bay!"

Dwar, who has been quiet for the time being speaks up. "There is a private road that heads southwest, up into the mountains. It goes to Lake Evendim."

The general of Numenor looks at Dwar. "Where does this road go again Dog King?"

Dwar looks at the general. "I said it goes to Lake Evendim, then diverges off to the fortress of Carn Dum."

The general looks at the four kings. "Very well, this is the plan. Together we carry an army of 20,000, all willing to go to war to end the terror of the four lords of the east. If we all head through the Valley of Shadow, we will be noticed, so we will diverge, attack the Witch-King agents to leave him venerable to a surprise attack. We'll send ten thousand up north through the Valley of Shadow, I and Dwar will go there. Khamul, Indur, and Hoarmurath, you'll take the passage to the South…kill as many as you can, drive Adunaphel's and Akhorahil's armies into the sea, every bit of distraction will allow us to kill the Witch-King once and for all, also I am personally sending a mighty gift from Numenor to arrive soon at the Ice Bay." The general walks up to Kathren. "And as for you, I've also explored this island and never once, until now have I encountered you, I give you twenty-four hours to leave these kingdoms you spy of the north!"

Kathren, who never once experienced anger, has now felt its cold grip. "Northern spy! For sure you're only bluffing!"

The general takes out his sword and deeply cuts Kathren's chest. Blood seeps out and Kathren experiences pain. As she falls to her knees after the second blow to her legs, her once beautiful white flesh turns red. As she lies in agony on the ground, she looks at Hoarmurath, Ji Indur, Dwar and Khamul, they do nothing! The general takes his bloody sword and stabs Kathren in the back of the foot.

As Kathren lies in terror on the ground. She looks at the kings and they watch and still do nothing. As she lies there, all the kings leave her alone on the fields. The Numenorean looks at Kathren. "You should have left when you had the chance!" The Numenorean kicks Kathren to stop her from struggling. "So you say we should go through the Valley of Shadow?" The Numenorean kicks Kathren again, but this time with less force! He then strips off all her clothes and looks at the bleeding form. The Numenorean is expecting to look upon a foul woman, but this is no Numenorean descent, she's no where close to looking like a Numenorean. In horror and anger, this only convinces him that he gazes upon a creature of the north. So he calls one of his untamed horses and ties Kathren's bloody legs to the end of the ropes and ties them to the end of the horse. As he looks at Kathren he shakes his head…you could have been so useful to us, but as a spy, you know just way to much!" Kathren watches the Numenorean in fear. "If you want to report to your masters, then you better be going!" The Numenorean general takes out a thin dagger. "If you see Murazor, give this back to him…" The Numenorean stabs the horse in the buttock and the horse races into the Valley of Shadow dragging Kathren over sharp rock and soft moist-bacterial filled soil. As the pain causes Kathren to pass out, the horse continues through the mystic dark and daunting valley. As the horse continues it finally exit's the valley and is tired of running, if falls over upon the cold ground and dies from its own wounds. As the two bodies lie in the banks of the Great River, Kathren's body takes its natural form in the water. The scales are ripped apart, light bluish-white blood covers Kathren's body. Her wounds, mad with infection and being torn apart, they begin to heal and eventually fade away. As a shadow passes over Kathren, the shadow of a being does not leave her. Then a knife is pulled out of the horses hind quarters and is used to cut the ropes that bound her legs. As the shadow picks Kathren up, it throws her over its shoulders and carries her westward to the Ice Range.

As Kathren is lied down on a straw bed, the shadow is revealed, it's Ren. As Ren examines Kathren, he believes he has seen this woman before, but this one is different…changed! The only reason why Ren had helped Kathren was she had a knife that belongs to his master…the Witch-King of Angmar! As Ren treats the wounds, he uses his energy from Angband to seal up the wounds after they're clean. As Kathren dries down, the scales die away and the flesh is revealed…it's her, the woman from he ice fields, but that is impossible, she'd be over 500,000 years old! Ren is amazed, but also worried…what wrong has she committed to be treated this way? As he finishes the last wound, he gets up.

Behind Ren, Urzahil of Umbar comes up from behind. Urzahil acts as the Witch-King's main messenger. "My Lord Ren?"

Ren already known why he is here. "Yes Urzahil?"

Urzahil who has a massive deep voice answers. "My master bids thee to notify thee. He grows whirly of the divided powers."

Ren looks at the palintir. "Tell your master this…at this moment, ships from Numenor sail to the Ice Realm, they will be here in days, there are 30,000 strong aboard!"

The look on Urzahil's face is a fatigued look. "Ah…" Urzahil bows and leaves.

Ren looks at Kathren…"We really need a miracle!" As Ren gets up, he leaves Kathren by herself. As Kathren's body enters a repair mode, Kathren wakes up and looks around, she is no longer attached to a horse. As Kathren feels her wounds, they're healed, this is no energy she has! As Kathren puts on some clothing, the cloth rubs against her back, but something is not right! A large fin running down her back is what alarms her. As Kathren stops putting her clothes on, and stands in terror, she reaches behind her to feel a calcium fin that shelters her spine…it's not transforming back! As Kathren covers her back, she hopes no one saw her, but being in this place, she had to be seen! As Kathren gets on her feet she walks out to a balcony, there are hundred of thousand of creepy creatures, they are chanting and shouting aloud! A old man walks outside. "Impressive is it not?"

Kathren turns to face her savor. "Who are you?"

Ren can't believe she really does not know him. "Have you grown soon to forget? I saved you from the harsh north!"

Kathren thinks for a second. "Ren of Waw!"

"Not of Waw anymore, I lost that to the Dog King, I now own what is left of this northern wasteland. Most of the northern wasteland is gone as you can see…melted!"

Kathren looks at the stormy north…"Waw is coming!"

Ren looks at the stormy mountains, "Yes…I'm afraid my lord has another greater plan then I could dwell!"

Kathren looks at Ren, "Why this evil I hear?"

Ren actually looks surprised! "Evil, we're not evil, Khamul and his party have invaded our domains, robbing our food and material. Now the Numenorean's come to rule us, they will be arriving by ship in two days. Lord Murazor won't have it!" Ren looks at Kathren. "Did you meet a Numenorean?" Kathren nods, but doesn't have the will to face Ren on that answer. "They beat you?" Kathren looks at the cold ground for the moment.

After finding no answers on the stone, Kathren looks at Ren. "A army of 20,000 march here as we speak."

Ren pulls back, "there is no kingdom to match that number…you must be mistaken?"

Kathren's expressions look bitter. "Khamul is not alone, he is joined by Hoarmurath of Dir, Ji Indur Dawndeath of Mumakan, and Dwar of Waw, but they are in control of a wicked general of Numenor!"

Ren's face is bitter cold expression. "What about Uvatha?"

Kathren shakes her head. "No, he is staying in Khand."

Ren rubs his chin…"Hmm…" Ren walks to a dark tower…he goes to a palantir and calls Murazor. Murazor answers…"My lord, we have a problem!"

Murazor calls back. "Explain!"

Ren looks at Kathren. "I've been told that the Numenorean fleet approaches quickly!"

Murazor pauses and then gives orders to Ren. "Call your legions, send them to the mountains, I will deal with Numenor myself! Tell no one of my plans!" The Witch-King leaves Ren. Ren looks at Kathren.

As Ren focuses on Kathren, he smiles. "So you're a fish right?" Say Ren with a tremble in his voice.

Kathren looks down. "My family are water-kind." Kathren can't figure out what Ren is hinting at. "What's going to happen Ren?"

Ren does not say at first. "I can't say…just stay here, I can't protect you from my army." Kathren nods.

As Kathren watches the army enter the mountains, she can't figure out why they leave the battle field. By the second night the storm from Angmar grows and approaches the capital of Fornost. As the storm covers Fornost, it goes beyond the capital. Kathren begins to fear another ice storm. As Kathren goes in, the rain falls hard, so hard that the castle leaks. As the bottom level of the castle floods, Kathren goes to the window, she can't see anything, the rain makes visibility of the landscape impossible.

The Great River is flooding, the land is also flooding. As Kathren looks at the river she telepathically travels up the river. As her mind travels, she finds the army of the kings, the valley is flooding. She sees Hoarmurath escaping up into the Ashy Mountain's, next is Dwar and Ji Indur who escape also into the Ashy Mountain's, Khamul stays to fight, but the rising river causes him to flee…he personally hates water. As the general of Numenor stays, he is not afraid of getting wet, but as he fights the rivers current, Kathren lashes out. As Kathren uses the water, she reforms herself using the water. As the water takes form and turns into a hydro-copy of the carbon-copy of Kathren, Kathren gets the attention of the general of the Numenorean army. "Hello general."

The general of the Numenorean army turns to face the foe who called him by name. "Who--what! I sent you away--you should be dead!"

Kathren smiles. "Yes, I should and would have been dead if I wasn't saved."

The general pulls out his sword to defend himself. "So you return with Ren's army?"

Kathren shakes her head…"No, I am afraid they won't be fighting…they retreated as we speak."

The general does not trust her, this could be a Angband trick! "So you're alone?" Kathren nods. ":Why do you then come knowing you will die?"

Kathren's smile fades away. "Die, who said I was going to die?" The general lunges his sword into Kathren, the water ripples where the sword enters, Kathren looks at the sword in her chest. "Not what I was expecting!" The general watches in horror and pulls the sword out quickly. The water had aged the sword to a rusty old blade, eaten away by the rust upon his blade.

"Wa--what are you?" Says the general with no courage left in his voice.

My name is Kathren, a child of the ancients that dwelled on this planet before your race."

The general whispers. "Mermaid?"

Kathren shakes her head. "No, not a mermaid, they are committed to spend their life completely submerged. No, I'm a race with no name, just Kathren."

The general looks at this apparition. "I have you give advice…information."

Kathren answers. "So it's answers you want…I have some, even as you ride to war, it's in vain…you're all going to die!"

The general swipes with his sword to cut of her head, the figure of Kathren falls in a torrent of water. As the general pants with fear, the water echoes all around him. As the general stands knee deep in water, he hears whispers all around him, voices calling his name. As hands grow out of the water they yank at the armies feet. As the general slices the watery hands, he's making no advance, cut one, two more take its place. As the army is yanked into the water, dragged to the river, the kings in the mountains watch and smile, Hoarmurath laughs, he did not approve of the attempted murder of Kathren. Khamul also smiles, the general has been warned. As the river rises due to the Angmar storm, Kathren grows in power. As one-third of the Numenorean army is drowned, there comes a thump allover the world, Kathren's attention is called back to Fornost where are flesh body is. As Kathren drags her mind out of the water, she wonders what had just happened. Ren is near Kathren, he observed Kathren's seizure event. As Ren looks at Kathren, he sees she's awake. "Where did you go?"

Kathren looks at Ren. "What happened?"

Ren looks at Kathren. "I don't know Kathren, I believe we are about to end this war"

Ren and Kathren look at the river…it's dry, the ocean is resided…the tide is out beyond normal levels. Kathren looks at Ren. "Where did the water go?"

Ren's can't figure it out. "I don't know?"

As the castle begins to shake, there is a 200 foot wall of water heading directly towards them. As Kathren looks at the wave, she looks at Ren. The wave looks like it might hit Fornost, but it misses and wipes over the watch tower of Almon Sul. As the wave washed up the valley, its water level was not going down. It hit the Numenorean general with lethal force and ripped the mountain's apart killing everything in its path.

As Kathren looked across the water, if finally began to subside, but very slowly. Kathren herself knew that a lot of fresh water has been depleted, only one lake left…Lake Evendim. As Kathren enters Fornost, the water goes down, but most of the island of Alquarious remains divided into micro islands. It's a whole new world…again!

END OF CHAPTER THREE