Chapter One hundred seventy-five
The Return of the Spring – The Third Age of the Sun
Helluin took her leave of Godlic and Lofain 'round midnight and as she rose from their table, the witch came to her with whispered words as she had done when the Noldo accompanied Heorte and Agrona to Súthburg.
"Dark and cold this night, yet for one who marched 'neath the stars and crossed the frigid northern waste, t'will stay thee not, me thinks," she said, prompting an expression of shock on the Ælf's face. The crone chuckled and added, "Spring cometh and much shall be set to rights. Protect Eadmundrsson, Helluin. The throne he wins shall be his own."
For many heartbeats the Noldo simply stared at her, mouth agape in amazement for she spoke of far more lore than any herbwoman from a backwoods dell should have known. She spoke in prophecy as well. Eventually, the old woman shooed her out the door.
Long aforetime, Helluin had hastened from Vinyamar to the Havens of Sirion, one hundred twenty-five leagues afoot, in nine days. At that pace, she had covered as much mileage as some horsemen, and as had Fréaláf whilst riding Mul, she came to Harrowdale in four days, on 19 Gwaeron. Having set out from Godlic's house 'round midnight, she arrived a couple hours past nightfall. After marking the faint, shifting glow of firelight in the Firienfeld and deeming all there well, she turned her footsteps north and took the road towards Edoras.
'Nigh the mouth of Harrowdale, the Noldo passed through the melancholic remains of Upbourn and set a watch on Edoras from the slopes at the foot of Írensaga. The southern side of the city that faced the mountains was clearly visible to her.
Helluin marked surprisingly few columns of smoke rising from surprisingly few buildings and none walking the perimeter outside the walls. What she reckoned to be half-details of three soldiers stood watch in each of the towers on either side of the gates and in a tower to the south, coincidentally the same whence she had made her foray to steal a sack of crossbows with the aid of Beorhtwulf and Fostercyld.
In each tower stood an iron brazier wherein the sentries burnt wood for warmth. Light blinded, night blinded, she thought, and a cold grin shaped her lips. More importantly, though not abandoned, there seemed no way the city held a garrison of thousands.
Now after the half part of an hour, Helluin marked movement partway up the southern side of the hill of Edoras. She assembled her viewing tube and from a mile off, marked a small company of five Corsairs leaving one of the buildings and marching to another slightly further downhill. From this, o'er the span of a quarter hour, they ripped boards and timbers out of the interior and hauled these back to their barrack. Shortly later, the column of smoke rising from its chimney grew thicker.
So, t'would seem they are demolishing the city for firewood, the Noldo thought. She then surveyed the other structures on the side of the hill that she could see and found similar damage higher up. Likely homes and outbuildings scavenged to feed the fires of Meduseld.
Another half-hour passed and then a far larger party of two dozen Corsairs came from their makeshift barrack. These were heavily armed and more surprisingly, heavily clad in Rohirric outerwear. As Helluin watched, they descended the hill and came to the stockade. There, in the shadow of a guard tower, they pushed aside a board, squeezed through the gap, and exited the city. Amazed, Helluin followed their progress as they set out amidst the drifts coming directly towards her position. When they were within a hundred yards, she disassembled her viewing tube, withdrew further uphill, and continued her watch from denser cover.
It took little time for the Noldo to ken that the Corsairs were 'naught more than a hunting party. Once they had come 'nigh the forested slopes, they split into two groups, each seeking spoor and following such animal tracks as they found. One group stalked to the east and the other uphill and further west. These ascended past her position by a half-dozen fathoms, remaining oblivious to her presence.
The hunters moved with silent, deliberate assurance, not with the careless, impatient, or feeble comportment of starving Men. This party of Corsairs seemed sufficiently well fed. Helluin had marked no Dunlendings amongst them and she wondered what Wulf's soldiers did for food. Had they forced their allies to do their hunting, or did they hunt in the wider lands to the north? To learn more, she could only watch and wait. But perhaps one of these sailors shall offer some answers, she thought.
Now the Noldo followed the hunters as they made their way upslope. Despite that they had mustered their full stealth, they were obvious to her. She also espied the tracks of the small group of deer that they followed, a trio of young bachelors, not a family group, she thought upon examining the hoof prints herself when the mortals had passed.
After another hour of stalking, the hunters came upon the resting deer and in silence spread in an arc downhill in hope of remaining undetected and shooting them. Helluin waited 'til they had separated and then with her Laiquendi stealth, took the Man at the leftmost end of their formation. He had sought to shoot from behind the cover of an outcropping, and there she snatched him, spun him 'round, and petrified him when he met her eyes. The Corsair's will was subsumed in a moment and he ne'er had a chance to resist.
Who art thou, soldier of Umbar? the Noldo asked.
The Corsair found his will wholly dominated by the black armored figure that had taken him so easily whilst completely unaware, a figure uncannily akin to the ghost the Dunlendings had so feared in Harrowdale the summer past. 'Twas the same figure he had briefly seen at Edoras; the one who had shot his captain with unnatural accuracy and power from two furlongs ere the battle started. When he tried to resist her, he felt a crippling pain in his head that paralyzed him 'til he capitulated.
Adûnazar¹, a marine of Umbar, he ground out silently and the figure nodded in acceptance of his declaration. ¹(Adûnazar, West Star = adûn(west) + azar(star) Adûnaic)
How many are ye at Edoras?
Three hundreds, he answered.
How many Dunlendings?
When he paused momentarily, the pain came again, just a twinge to prompt his answer.
I am not sure…many have perished and good riddance to them, barbarian scum. There were seven hundreds, but now… had he been able, he would have shrugged his uncertainty. To his vast relief, the figure nodded, accepting his answer.
What of Wulf?
Helluin found herself assailed by such a vicious volume of curses and condemnation that she well 'nigh lost control of her prisoner. The vitriolic hatred of the Corsair for the usurper king was actually breathtaking.
What of the spring when war is renewed? Helluin asked.
The war? We have missed the war! We were ordered to assail Gondor from the north, shooting a few horsemen on the way to earn passage through Rohan from Wulf. Now we are too late. When the snow melts, our commander shall order us west, back to Isen and our ships. We have suffered a year for the sake of that stupid, blundering pretender who cares not for his own blood let alone for ours. He can have this wretched, accursed country, or die more likely.
For sparing Gondor the added foes that would have attacked Minas Tirith from Anórien, Helluin was almost willing to thank Wulf.
Thy commander shares thy sentiments? she asked.
Who would not? Adûnazar asked rhetorically. He would hath rolled his eyes had he been able.
There were thousands here after Edoras was taken, whither have they gone?
From his 'majestic city', King Wulf sent thousands east and west that he need feed them not. Probably most have died. From his sarcasm at the mention of Edoras, 'twas obvious that Rohan's capital had not impressed the Southron. 'Twas true that compared to Umbar, Edoras was a ghetto of shacks. Friendships aside, even Helluin would have admitted that.
East and west…know thou whither these thousands were sent?
To hold the Road to the border of Gondor, to Súthburg, and to some citadel called Aldburg.
Aldburg, Helluin muttered to herself, but Adûnazar took it as a question.
Five hundreds he sent thither; Men from the west tainted with Rohirric blood that he trusted not.
That was unexpected and Helluin filed the tiding away to contemplate later. By then, the other hunters had shot their quarrels and slain the deer. The hunt was done and time was short.
I thank thee for thy candor, Adûnazar, she said. When spring comes, return to thy ship. Fight not for Wulf if Edoras is assailed lest thou be buried in this accursed land.
Had he been able, the Corsair would have nodded in agreement, but having answered all that had been asked of him, he expected to die in a heartbeat. Instead, a deep sleep came upon him and he knew 'naught more 'til his sergeant shook him harshly as the company watched and laughed. By then, the ghost was long gone leaving not even a footprint in the snow. He could not but aid his fellow hunters in dressing the carcasses.
With what tidings she had gleaned from Adûnazar, Helluin slipped away to the west and returned to Harrowdale. After a couple pleasant hours walking, she arrived at the foot of the Climbing Stair. There she briefly flared with the Light of Aman that the lookouts would mark and recognize her approach. Then she climbed the switchbacks and ascended to the Firienfeld.
By the time she arrived, Lord Fréaláf and Captain Heaþolaf were waiting, eager for tidings of Súthburg and the king. She greeted them with a dip of her head.
"Welcome back, Helluin," Fréaláf said, "what news from the west?"
Straight to the point he is and well 'nigh drooling for gossip, she thought.
"I have much to tell of both the west and the east," she said. "Shall we not go to the longhouse and share in its warmth?" The two readily nodded in agreement though the Noldo's suggestion was more for their comfort than hers.
When they were seated 'round the council table, they were joined by Bīetlmære the sawyer, Wærferð the mylnweard, and the veteran archer Beorhtwulf. 'Round them in the longhouse, the refugees and Riders slept or sat quietly whilst 'neath blankets a few couples rutted in effortful silence.
"I pray thee say thy rede, Helluin, for all would know of our king's state and the welfare of our people in Súthburg," Fréaláf said.
"My friends, my tidings are good," the Noldo said, and saw the Men release the breaths they had held as they looked to her in hopeful anticipation. "When I took my leave on the 15th, parties of hunters and wood cutters had ascended the east and west arms of Thrihyrne to supply the fortress with meat and wood. The starvation and freezing of the people was remedied and by then, none had perished for a fortnight."
She paused as they nodded and smiled at the news.
"And the king," Captain Heaþolaf asked, "is he delivered from his madness?"
"Though afflicted aforetime with grief for his son and sorrow for his people, Helm King is not, nor was he e'er mad," Helluin said with solemn certainty. "I reckon he feigned the affectation of Berserkery for the sake of striking fear into the hearts of his foes and elevating the moral of his people. This he took upon himself as a last resort, and upon 25 Nínui, the last of the Corsairs and Dunlendings fled the coomb in terror. With their absence, Helm renounced his campaign and the hunting parties and woodcutters went forth."
"'Twas all but a ruse then?" Fréaláf asked in wonder. "I and all Súthburg found him wholly convincing."
"Though he presented a fearsome appearance, I assure thee that when I fought beside him, Helm was wholly rational, and though he enjoyed the fighting, he was not bedeviled or mad," Helluin said. This, the warriors could understand. "For nineteen days after the enemy fled, he had not sallied forth, nor winded his horn at midnight. At worst, he may have a winter cold."
The Men chuckled at that, for most had been afflicted with sniffles and sneezes since Hithui last. More than this though, they were relieved to know that their sire was of sound mind and self-possessed enough to have deceived not only his foes, but his kith and kin as well.
"What of Princess Heorte and Agrona?" Beorhtwulf asked.
"They arrived safely and were safe still when last I saw them," Helluin said, "though I earnt the princess' ire for encouraging her father's 'madness'. I deem she is now much relieved though, with the end of Helm's Berserking."
The Men chuckled but the Noldo had more to tell.
"My friends, ere I came hither I questioned a Corsair from Edoras. He offered valuable tidings."
Bīetlmære and Wærferð were surprised by her claim whilst Fréaláf, Heaþolaf, and Beorhtwulf gritted their teeth with hatred for their enemy. Still, they imagined the Corsair had died horribly after Helluin's questioning and that offered some consolation.
"What said he, this Corsair?" Fréaláf finally asked.
"The count of foes holding the city is far fewer than I had reckoned," she said, "and far from thousands. Indeed, they likely number under a thousand all told. Three hundreds are Corsairs, and these are disgusted with Wulf and bitter about the war. They are likely to refuse to fight for him any longer and intend to march west, back to their ships as soon as spring thaws the snow. So claimed Adûnazar, a marine of Umbar."
"So few hold Edoras? Truly?" Beorhtwulf asked in shock, and Helluin nodded 'aye'. They could all reckon the numbers, seven hundred Dunlendings minus those dead of starvation and freezing.
"Ere winter, Wulf sent thousands east and west, for he could not feed them. He kept a mixed force of a thousand in Edoras. Adûnazar reckons many of Wulf's seven hundred have perished, so they may be far fewer now than at winters start. I dare hope they are no more than those here and perhaps far worse off. I saw that both the Corsairs and the Dunlendings had pulled down buildings and burnt the wood for heat."
Now all five Men muttered curses at the destruction of their city, but their wrath was tempered by the notion that perhaps their six hundred and twelve Riders fit for battle could match the count of their foes.
"Coming up the Climbing Stair, I marked that the wind has blown away much of the snow, leaving the trail covered far shallower than the open lands," she added.
"And so it shall melt the sooner," Captain Heaþolaf finished, and Helluin nodded 'aye'.
For another week, Helluin remained in Dunharrow as no further snow fell. Many plans were debated and many details shared, for what Helluin had seen was indeed of value in planning the retaking of Edoras. As word spread, hope grew, and Riders took to exercising their mounts, riding circles 'round and 'round the high meadow in anticipation of charging against Wulf and the hated Dunlendings. By then, they had grown accustomed to their refuge and had well 'nigh forgotten the ghosts.
The following week, the seasons seemed to turn at last. On 22 Gwaeron, the watch reported snowmelt on the switchback trail and all hoped t'would continue. The sun seemed to shine brighter o'erhead and the temperature warmed so that the snow on the Firienfeld softened and began to melt. By 24 Gwaeron, patches of bare dirt could be marked on the path and the flow of the stream carrying the runoff from the heights of Írensaga grew swollen. In the afternoon of the 26th, the collapse of a huge sheet of ice produced a crash that resounded down the valley and the tributary that fed the Snowbourn fell free as a waterfall again.
That afternoon, old widow Gylden stared o'er the edge of the meadow and watched the new waterfall for a few minutes. She checked the sun and nodded to herself in approval, then muttered, "Four score and eight winters thou may count now, old girl," and she chuckled to herself. "Thou shalt be home in no time."
On the 27th, Helluin rode Hildmearh down the switchback trail, along the road to the mouth of the valley for a look at Edoras, and then back up again. Twelve days had passed since her return to Dunharrow.
"We attack upon the morrow lest the snow melt 'round the city," Lord Fréaláf ordered, and Men began to prepare for battle.
"I go to prepare the way," the Noldo told him, and despite his uncertainties about what she intended, Helluin was an ally only and not subject to his command. He could only nod to her and wish her well. With her, she took the piece of pale, waxed canvas he himself had borne from Súthburg as a pack cover.
That night, Helluin rode back down the Climbing Stair and Hildmearh bore her through Harrowdale for the second time that day.
Back and forth, back and forth, the mare muttered to herself. Tail follows nose and nose follows tail. Helluin, shall my nose and tail become one and the same?
Perhaps, in which case thou may eat with both and drop thy dung with both, the Noldo replied.
Ewwwwwwwwwwww! How revolting!
At the mouth of the dale Helluin dismounted and bid the warhorse await her.
Into the camp of the enemy once more, Helluin? Hildmearh asked.
Aye, and as aforetime, I pray thee reveal thyself to none.
At least it rains not as it did when thou visited the Easterling camp last spring. So, no pennant this time?
No pennant this time. T'will be our foes that display their own, the Noldo said, and with that, she draped herself in the waxed canvas and strode off 'cross the field towards the palisade of Edoras. Soon, she was well 'nigh invisible 'neath her pale shroud.
Light blinded by the fires they had kindled for warmth, the Dunlending sentries in the towers flanking the gates and the Corsair sentries in the tower on the south wall marked Helluin not. She passed o'er the frozen fields as invisible as a night breeze and none even realized that she had used the same entrance the hunters had made, breaching the palisade by displacing a single board. This she left ajar and easily identifiable by anyone looking down the length of the stockade.
The Noldo passed silently 'neath the Corsair sentries and slipped from the shadow of their watchtower to the shadows of the partially demolished buildings on the streets. Then with stealth, she made her way to the closely clustered four buildings that the Men of Umbar occupied low of the southern face of the hill. Well chosen, she thought, as she perceived the diminished north wind, and I should expect 'naught else from Men who ply the seas asail. She tore a strip from the canvas and tied it to the end of a stick.
The chimneys of all four buildings spouted columns of smoke and subdued voices could be heard from within. Cloths covered the windows behind the shutters that no light escaped to make them targets. Still, there was little doubt about which buildings were occupied, for they displayed melted snow atop their rooves. Indeed, the thatch was completely clean 'round the chimneys.
Despite their precautions in darkening their windows, none stood guard outside the doors. So many months had passed since the city was taken, and in all that time, no foes had been seen. The vigilance of those in Edoras had grown lax o'er the autumn and winter. For this, Helluin was thankful.
At the entrance to the largest and grandest of the four buildings, the Noldo rapped with authority on the door. Probably expecting none save another of their own from one of the other buildings, only a single marine of Umbar answered her knock. When he saw her, he drew back, a hand on the hilt of his sword. Helluin followed him 'cross the threshold, shutting the door behind her and holding up the white flag of parley.
Now whether by design or because of partial demolition, the door opened onto a single large chamber, and within, in various poses of relaxation, were six dozen Corsairs. Helluin saw that Adûnazar was not amongst them. In shock and amazement, they leapt to their feet at once. E'ery eye was fixed on her in a heartbeat.
Through the silence, whispers of "the ghost" and "the daemon" were clear as shouts.
"I am Helluin Maeg-móremenel of the Host of Finwë," she said in Adûnaic. "I came to the Mortal Shores with my people at the dawn of the First Age. In the Second Age I rode to Anadûnê in the king's ship Entulessë and there wed Vëantur, Captain-Admiral to Ar-Nimruzîr¹. Our daughter Almarian was queen to Ar-Minalbên² and foremother to the kings and queens of Anadûnê after. Many storms ye have weathered, but a new storm approaches. Will ye hear my parley?" ¹(Ar-Nimruzîr, Tar-Elendil, King Elf-Friend = ar(king) + nimîr(elf) + zîr(love)Adûnaic) ²(Ar-Minalbên, Tar Meneldur, King Servant of Heaven = ar(king) + minal(heaven) + bên(servant) Adûnaic)
In these latter days, not all of those from Umbar spoke the Adûnaic tongue and the lore Helluin cited was so ancient as to be the province of scholars. Yet amongst the officers were those who had enjoyed the benefits of a noble lineage and a formal education. The captains Bêthân and Târik whom Helluin had slain were two such, and Lieutenant Abrazân had been another. At Edoras, there remained only a lieutenant named Hazadazarî¹, a longtime friend and liege of Captain Târik, whom Helluin had shot from the gates of Edoras. ¹(Hazadazarî, Seven Stars = hazad(seven) + azar(star) + -î(pl. suff., azarî - stars) Adûnaic)
"We are not the friends of Elves whate'er their background, and we do not believe thou art a friend to us," Hazadazarî said, and added, "slayer of our captain."
"I am not thy friend or a friend of Umbar since the days of Ar-Balkumagân¹ and his second son, Murazor the Nazgûl, whom I slew at Pelargir," she said, now using the then current creole of Adûnaic, Haradic, and nautical speech widespread amongst the contemporary Corsairs. "I do not come to thee as a friend. I have learnt that ye are sick of this winter, of Wulf and his war, and of the delay in warring against Gondor. Lives have been lost, your mission has failed, and neither plunder nor slaves have ye won in Rohan." ¹(Ar-Balkumagân, Tar-Ciryatan, King Shipbuilder Adûnaic)
Now Men looked to the Noldo and they understood her words. She had not lied or feigned friendship to gain their trust, but rather spoke of what even their foes could see. 'Twas the same as what they had come to feel. Wulf's campaign in Rohan had been a waste of their lives, time, and opportunities, and because of his failures, they had been constrained from fulfilling their part in their admiral's battle plans. They had seen Wulf's incompetence and the quality of his troops, and then winter had come.
Their superstitious Dunlending 'allies' had feared to embattle the Eorlingas in Dunharrow. They had not used their great advantage in numbers to root them out last summer. Wulf had utterly failed to inspire his troops, to lead them to victory in battle, or to provide for their welfare. 'Neath his 'leadership' they had failed to prepare for the rigors of the winter season. Instead, Wulf had sent his own Men out to die that he need not be responsible for them.
"When becalmed aship, do ye stay or do ye kedge forward seeking fair winds? When the fish bite not, do ye stay or do ye seek elsewhere for their schools? When a land provides no profit, do ye stay, or do ye seek up the coast for sweeter rewards?" Helluin asked them and many hearkened to her, some shaking their heads 'nay'.
"Spring comes and the war shall be renewed," she said, grave now and searching their faces one by one. "Shall ye remain? Shall ye fight and die again for Wulf? Shall ye stay in a land of brutal cold, endless rains, and foul winds? Shall ye stay where there are neither fish, nor a wealth of game? Shall ye stay in an impoverished land bereft of plunder?"
And now many more Men shook their heads 'nay', even the lieutenant Hazadazarî.
"We are sick of Rohan, Wulf, and his war," he said, and his Men muttered comments in agreement. "If not for our place in our admiral's plan, we would not have come."
To this, Helluin nodded in understanding. The Corsairs cared little for Rohan now and ne'er had aforetime. Their hereditary foes dwelt hundreds of miles south in Gondor. Yet their plan was old now and its time was past.
"Did Wulf not send Men east to hold the road?" she asked. "I wager the border garrison of Gondor marked those months ago and an invasion is expected in Minas Tirith. There would be no surprise in thine attack. For a year, the fortunes of war have advanced and much has likely changed in the south."
"What thou say is true," Hazadazarî admitted, and then he sighed. "We would return to our ships in the Isen, there to sail and rejoin the war on the coast or set course for home. Rohan has been a disaster. I wish I had ne'er come." And now e'ery one of his Men nodded in agreement.
"When the war resumes, mark thy barracks with flags. Join not the fighting. When Wulf is gone, ye shall take your way from Rohan, ne'er to return," Helluin said, and after taking up a piece of charcoal, wrote the Tengwa 'umbar' upon the white flag of parlay, and handed it to Hazadazarî. "Hang one akin to this upon the doors of your barracks."
He accepted the flag and then asked, "Shall the horse lords honor thy terms? We slew many when the city fell."
"Ye slew their king's heir and many amongst them shall crave revenge, but I will hold them to the accord we have made," she said. "When Edoras is freed, leave the city with haste and tarry not in these lands. Spread these tidings to the rest of thy folk."
'Twas 'naught left to do save clasp forearms in acceptance of their agreement and then Helluin took her leave. Lieutenant Hazadazarî walked out the door with her, waved to the Corsairs in the watchtower, pointed to her, and then withdrew back indoors. From a short ways downhill, she looked back and saw marines hastening to the other three buildings they occupied, spreading word of the accord.
The watchmen in the tower waved to her as she left the stockade, but swiftly lost track of her as she crossed the fields outside the city. Shortly later, she returned to Hildmearh.
I am frightfully bored, Helluin, was the first thing out of the horse's mind.
I apologize, my friend. I would have taken thee with me to meet the Corsairs, but thou wouldst not have fitted through the gap in the palisade.
The Corsairs…they eat horses, do they not?
I believe they are so inclined, aye, Hellion said, but at least these seemed sufficiently fed.
After reconsidering, I am gladder to be bored, the warhorse said.
Pray let us return to Upbourn, for I should like to meet with Fréaláf and the Riders ere they break from cover, the Noldo said as she mounted. Hildmearh obliged at a walking pace, for there were still hours of darkness remaining and the Rohirrim would not arrive 'til 'nigh dawn.
They came to Upbourn and took shelter in the mill, the best preserved structure in the hamlet. It sat hard by the bank of the Snowbourn 'nigh the ford and the Rohirrim would pass it on their way from Dunharrow. Helluin then went out and dragged a few boards from the remains of the chandler's workshop, and with these and some fallen branches, kindled a fire in the mylnweard's hearth. She lit an oil lamp and set it on a window ledge, attesting that the mill was occupied.
After sweeping up forage lefto'er from their processing of grain in the autumn past for Hildmearh, Helluin ate a supper of mixed rations and then settled down to wait. Foremost amongst her concerns was convincing Fréaláf and the Riders to exclude the Corsairs from their vengeance. Amongst them was most likely the crossbowman who had slain Prince Haleth, yet on this day, 'twas more important to have these foes stand aside in the coming battle.
The Dunlendings would be expecting an assault by mounted soldiers, for so the Eorlingas had e'er fought, yet Helluin deemed winning the gate a time consuming and potentially deadly waste of effort. She intended to bring Fréaláf's company through the gap in the palisade, march right past the barracks of the Corsairs, then ascend the hill to Meduseld and slaughter all within. Priorities, I must ensure they are mindful of their priorities afore and after, she thought. Besides, though the snow begins to melt on the Climbing Stair, the exposed track to the gate is still an obstacle to horses, indeed, 'tis a deathtrap. We must approach from the south, beyond sight from the gate towers.
The hours of darkness passed as Hildmearh dozed off standing upright beside the fire. Helluin kept a lackadaisical watch on the road but remained sharp of ear for the fall of hooves crunching on snow. Eventually, the night sky began to lighten and the stars faded by degrees. The dawn of 28 Gwaeron was at hand. A fortnight had passed since Helluin had left Súthburg and though she knew it not, she had missed much there.
Now the sky lightened and though the sun had yet to break the horizon behind Írensaga, the clouds blushed rose above the White Mountains. Shadows began to recede from Edoras towards the feet of the uplands and light glinted from the snow. Down the road from Dunharrow came Eadmundrsson with six hundred and twelve Riders. They saw the lamp in the window straightaway, and the smoke rising from the chimney of Wærferð's mill. Fréaláf called a halt and dismounted. He and Captain Heaþolaf approached and Helluin came out the door to meet them.
"My lord, we have somewhat to discuss ere prosecuting the attack," she said, and they raised brows in question.
"Hast thou achieved what thou hoped?" Lord Fréaláf asked.
"Aye. The Corsairs shall take no part in the defense of Edoras. They want 'naught further to do with Wulf or his war. If they honor their word and stand aside, we must let them withdraw from the city and attempt to return west to the Isen and their ships. They have pledged to leave Rohan and ne'er return."
Fréaláf sighed and Heaþolaf gritted his teeth. Letting them slip away was uncomfortable.
"Many of my Men shall desire vengeance for Prince Haleth and I amongst them," the captain said, "and none shall favor allowing our enemies to retreat unchallenged." Beside him, Lord Fréaláf nodded in agreement.
"That may well be and I understand that desire, yet ye must forgo it. The Corsairs are willing to set aside the slaying of their own, including their captain whom I shot at the gate," Helluin said. "If we fail to honor the accord I have made, t'will birth a new vendetta, and rather than leaving Rohan fore'er, they shall be seething to avenge our faithless acts. Ye shall then have a new foe for the Ages, the same that Gondor earnt long ago." Then she chuckled and said, "I wager that as allies of the Stewards, ye may war against them again one day."
Slowly, the two Men traded glances and then nodded in reluctant agreement. Rohan needed no hereditary foes more than the Easterlings, Orcs, and Dunlendings they already opposed.
"Much as I hate them, I shall restrain any that attempt to break this accord," Helluin said to add incentive to her argument. "We needs dispense with Wulf and his troops, win back Meduseld, and recover the throne for Helm King. Ye needs not face Corsair crossbows this day. Besides, they are likely to perish ere they come to the Isen. 'Tis a long, hard road to tread even as winter fails, whilst 'twixt them and their ships still wait thousands of Dunlendings and the garrison of Súthburg."
Presenting the accord to the Riders required some debate, but in the end, they grudgingly accepted the plan, though the notion of not riding heroically into battle rankled.
"We have no ram to break the gates, no siege towers to pass o'er the palisade. Would ye force your steeds to traverse two feet and more of snow all the way 'round the city to the gate 'neath the arrows of the enemy when there is a safer way for Man and horse?" Helluin had asked in exasperation. Eventually, most shook their heads 'nay'.
"So we are to sneak as thieves into the city 'neath the eyes of the Corsairs?" a Rider asked with residual disbelief.
"Aye, just so. As raiders at Edoras ye shall be and ye shall ignore the Corsairs whilst they raise no alarm, nor oppose ye with their crossbows," she said, passing a stern glance o'er the gathered éoreds. "They are enemies still, but ye shall not fight them this day. This day, ye take back your city and the throne." Then Men nodded, more agreeable, but still there were doubts.
"And after, we are simply to let them walk away from all they have done?"
"Ye shall allow them to face the hardship of winter travel afoot, seven score miles to the Fords of Isen, past wolves and the Dunlending allies they flee, and the king's garrison at Súthburg. If they make the fords, I know not how far south they must come ere finding their ships. I wager those who win back home to Umbar shall be few indeed."
This seemed to placate the most doubtful, for they could all imagine that trek. There would be retribution, even if it came not from their own spears but from the land and the weather. And some recalled that when these Corsairs had accompanied Wulf's host east, they had come 'cross the open lands to the north, not by the old King's West Road. Save for the sun and the stars, they would have 'naught by which to find their way. The Men nodded grimly, accepting the plan.
They rode to the mouth of Harrowdale and left their horses behind, continuing on towards the city afoot. Helluin led them through the drifts by the same path the Corsairs had used when they sent forth hunting parties. Closer and closer they came to the stockade and no alarm was raised though they trod forth in full view. In the south-facing guard tower, they espied a trio of Men, but these simply watched their approach and did 'naught, giving no sign of what they saw. Even when the Riders reached the palisade, the watchmen pretended to mark them not, ignoring them entirely. The Rohirrim shook their heads in amazement, but were wise enough not to look a gift horse in the mouth. They pretended to be unaware of the Corsair sentries in the tower above.
When they reached the wall, Helluin pulled aside the loose board and the Riders passed within in single file, gathering 'neath the watchtower and in its shadow to the west. Once all had entered the city, the Noldo replaced the board and led the Men uphill along streets they knew well. 'Twixt the buildings they advanced, staying out of sight from Meduseld atop its platform on the crest of the hill. Only one company of a score of archers broke off, and these made their way building by building 'round the palisade towards the gates.
As the host passed a group of four buildings on the lower slopes, they marked the white flags with the symbol of their enemies and knew these were the Corsair barracks. They clutched more tightly the hilts of their weapons, but Helluin stood closest to the buildings with Fréaláf and Captain Heaþolaf, watching them with a stern expression as they trudged by.
The Riders passed away uphill and no longer needed any to lead them hence, she cast a glance to the building wherein her parley had been held and saw Hazadazarî peeking from a partially shrouded window. She gave him a nod of acknowledgement and then followed Fréaláf towards Meduseld.
As the Rohirrim ascended the hill of Edoras, Captain Heaþolaf bid them spread out to the flanks. The Riders walked through streets they had trod all their lives, looking with growing anger at nearby buildings stripped of boards and roofing to feed the hearths of their enemies. A few marked the absence of fencing and the foundations of stables and outbuildings that had been pulled down first. But after they passed from the area nearest the Corsair barracks, the buildings remained untouched 'til they came to the streets 'nigh Meduseld.
In the buildings closest to the king's hall there was much damage. These had been the homes of the most influential citizens, a handful of finer craft shops catering to nobles and the wealthy, and some outbuildings of the royal house. All of them had been partially demolished by the Dunlendings, and the Men's anger was kindled anew. They were some of the most damaged structures in the city, and the Riders took positions amidst them as close to the king's hall as could be whilst still remaining concealed.
From the corner of the nearest building just 'cross a cobbled street, Helluin, Fréaláf, and Heaþolaf surveyed the king's hall. Atop the platform on which Meduseld stood, they espied two details of guards, each numbering three Dunlending soldiers, who circled 'round the king's hall in lazy fashion. They watched one detail pass out of sight 'round the back.
Half a minute later, the other detail appeared from 'round the front corner. The gap in their vigilance resulted from having to transit the breadths of the front and rear of the hall. It took the second trio 'nigh four minutes to walk down the length of the hall ere they vanished 'round the back corner. After another half-minute, the first detail reappeared 'round the front corner.
"We can be thankful for the laziness of their watch," Helluin softly said to the other two as the trio of guards passed by on the platform above. Fréaláf nodded in agreement.
"Say rather we may be thankful for their stupidity," Captain Heaþolaf said. "I shall make the Men ready."
He then withdrew back behind the abandoned building and spoke to some volunteers. As the trio of Dunlendings passed, six Rohirrim moved to wait as near to the platform as they could whilst remaining unseen. Three more slipped 'cross the street to the base of the platform. After receiving a nod from their captain, they climbed the masonry 'til their heads were just 'neath the walkway. There they waited as Helluin prepared her bow.
The trio of sentries passed out of sight 'round the back of Meduseld and the captain began counting as the seconds passed. He had reached a score and eight when the next trio appeared 'round the front corner. As they approached the place where his Men waited just 'neath their feet, he jerked his head to the Noldo.
Helluin sidestepped 'round the corner of the building they hid behind, drawing her bow. A trio of broadhead arrows were nocked on the string and in the blink of an eye, she loosed them to flight. Mastery gleaned from 'nigh seven thousand years at war guided the shafts. The Noldo deigned not to watch, for she had seen their flight in her mind's eye and knew they would strike their targets to the death. She was already behind cover and preparing another three arrows as the Dunlendings fell.
They had scarcely struck the ground when the three Rohirrim clambered atop the edge of the platform and snatched them o'er the side. They fell to the street with dull thuds and the six who waited burst from cover and dragged them away by their feet. As they hauled the bodies out of sight, the three climbed back down 'neath the edge of the platform. Then they all awaited the appearance of the other three Dunlending sentries.
After four minutes of walking the far side and front of the king's hall, the surviving detail of sentries appeared 'round the front corner of Meduseld. Like those who had come aforetime, they reached the point just above the trio of Riders clinging to the side of the platform and there Helluin shot them dead. As swiftly as their predecessors, they were hauled off the platform and tossed down into the street. From there, they joined the other three already slain, just inside the door of the abandoned building.
"Swiftly ere any mark their absence ye must take the entrances," Helluin said as she stooped to retrieve her arrows. "I shall join ye shortly."
The captain nodded to her and then with a whirling motion of his hand o'erhead, his Men broke cover and rushed to climb the side of the platform. Of course, they knew well from memory all of Meduseld's entrances and soon, dozens of Rohirrim stood beside of each, waiting for a signal from their captain. By the time they were poised to breach Wulf's stolen hall, Helluin had rejoined Fréaláf outside the rear doors.
'Twas the winding of a war horn that shattered the morning's chill air and all 'round the walls of Meduseld, warriors kicked in doors or threw their bodies against them and slammed them open. The few guards standing watch beside them on the inside were swiftly o'erpowered and slain. Then the Riders raced throughout the hall, crashing into rooms and slaying any they found within.
Now though some Riders had dreamt of heroic combat and worsting their foes in mass charges with spear and shield wielded in masterful violence, such was not to be. The whole purpose of a surprise attack was to catch the foe unprepared and destroy him ere a defense could be mustered. Their plan sought not after the greatest renown or tales of bloody battle worthy of song, but rather the swiftest defeat of the enemy and the return of Edoras to the king's rule with minimal loss of life. So 'twas that though it became the high point of the war, the recovery of Meduseld by Lord Fréaláf and six hundred Riders, was celebrated with few details in the lays of Rohan after. The achievement of dismissing the Dunlendings and ending the reign and threat of Wulf the Usurper was not the less, but 'twas o'ershadowed by other events in the popular imagination.
The Rohirrim found no great concourse of their enemies. Not but a few of them sat on benches in the feasting hall, for there was little to eat. Gaunt and shivering, most of the Dunlendings lay drowsing on floors or leaning against walls, weak from hunger and cold and in no state to repel an assault in earnest. They were taken whilst wholly unprepared and failed to muster a defense. The surprise attack had succeeded magnificently. Most of the foemen died without raising their arms and relatively few were the clashes of weapons to be heard.
In the king's chamber behind the throne, Fréaláf, Helluin, and a dozen Riders found Wulf abed, barely waking at their arrival. Eadmundrsson laid the point of his sword to his neck and bid him rise. He crawled from 'neath the covers girt in but a loincloth, shivering, wild-eyed, and muttering curses. They marched him out to the throne room whilst the fighting still continued.
Soon, the surviving Dunlendings were forced to retreat into the great hall as the Rohirrim drove them inwards towards the center of Meduseld. There they were embattled as the scattered combat converged, and there 'nigh a hundred fifty of the invaders made their stand against six hundred of Helm's warriors.
Yet the winter had taken its toll. The Dunlendings were weakened by the long months of cold and the lack of rations so that they tired swiftly and could not maintain the ferocity of their defense. They began to fall, and far more died than the fiery Rohirrim who fought to regain their city. Though these had suffered in Dunharrow, their enemies had suffered far worse in Edoras.
As Wulf watched at sword point, the third part of an hour passed and the last of his Men fell to the Riders' swords and axes, bathing the flagstones of Meduseld's floor with their blood. And finally, only Wulf Frecasson was left of the host he had marched to the Eastfold from the Fords of Isen
"Here then is thy kingdom, declared enemy of Rohan, for having returned hither against the curse of Helm King, in Meduseld thou shalt die," Fréaláf said, pronouncing the charge and sentence. Then, according to tradition, the accused was bid speak. "Hast thou 'aught to say?"
"I am king and would be king for long had my Men brought me Princess Heorte to take in rut," Wulf said, "for of my seed would she have borne me a son to sacrifice to the King of the Dead so that the grace of Brego would pass to me and mine."
'Round him, the Rohirrim looked on in wrath and disgust. The notion of sacrificing an heir to the King of the Dead in order to gain a ghost's leave to abide in Edoras was ludicrous, whilst the notion of Heorte rutting with Wulf was simply repulsive. At the shock on their faces, Wulf giggled as if drunk.
"I craved to see her squirm 'neath me as she begged for my seed," he said. "Yet when my father failed to gain her hand for me, and when her father slew mine, all this was ordained. It fell to me that my destiny betides. I would have made her a brood mare, content in pregnancy after pregnancy 'til she was used up."
Fréaláf whipped his sword hand 'cross Wulf's face, the pommel cracking a few teeth from his jaw. Wulf spit them out 'cross the floor and laughed.
"Little Lord Fréaláf, a king thou shalt ne'er be," he said, unable to resist offering derision, "and ne'er shalt thou breed a princess."
"The only princess of our people is the brother-daughter of my father and the Men of Rohan wed not their close kin," he said and then kicked Wulf hard in the belly, driving him to the ground.
At a nod from their lord, the Rohirrim pinioned Wulf on the flagstones as Fréaláf sheathed his sword and drew a dagger.
"Ne'er shalt thou breed my cousin the princess, or any other," he said, "not even an Orc." And then he leant down and cut away Wulf's loincloth.
It seemed the Dunlending pretender knew what he intended, for he struggled frantically against his captors, but they held him firmly and his efforts were in vain. Then Fréaláf leant down again and gelded him with a clean stroke. Wulf produced a bloodcurdling scream and at a nod from their lord, his Men released him and he fled shrieking in horror and pain from Meduseld.
Fréaláf kicked the fallen meat into the floor hearth as Wulf exploded out the doors of the hall. He staggered down the stairs and fled through the city 'til he came 'nigh the gates, blood flowing down his thighs and leaving scarlet footprints in the snow. There he saw the sentries from the watchtowers fallen, arrows piercing their chests as a score Rohirrim archers led by Beorhtwulf looked on. There he fell on his face, still screaming.
"Open the gates," the veteran archer ordered. "This one has no longer any place in Edoras."
Then Men hauled open the right gate and with their spear points, encouraged Wulf to his feet. They forced him from the city with a few jabs to his hindquarters and he wove off down the track 'twixt the burial mounds like a drunkard. Then they shut and secured the gates.
From the towers, they kept watch on his progress. The deposed 'King of Rohan' made it almost to the Great West Road ere he collapsed, his trail marked with spattered blood and ruddy tracks. None went to collect his body, nor offered him burial. In the night, the wolves came and feasted on his flesh. Their howls and growls as they fought o'er his meat could be heard in the city and dawn found his bones scattered. By the time that a month had passed and the snow had finished melting, his corpse was unrecognizable, the remains already sinking into the turf.
Now following the defeat of the Dunlendings and the dismissal of Wulf, Fréaláf and Captain Heaþolaf set their Men to dragging the bodies of their vanquished to the gates. To keep from drawing the wolf pack, they did not toss them outside the palisade. That task kept them occupied as their bloodlust abated.
In the meantime, Helluin, Fréaláf, and the captain returned downslope to the barracks of the Corsairs. There they met with Lieutenant Hazadazarî. Helluin made the introductions.
"Are they defeated?" the Corsair asked, looking to Fréaláf and the Captain Heaþolaf.
"No Dunlending lives in Edoras," Fréaláf said, "they are all slain and Wulf died the worst of them."
To their surprise, Hazadazarî set his right hand o'er his heart and bowed deeply to them. When he stood again, he said, "Ye have our thanks. I pray ye rebuild and enjoy your city in peace."
Then he turned to Helluin and raised a brow in question and the Noldo gave him a nod 'aye'.
"Ye are free to take your leave. The day is yet young and I bid ye well upon your road."
He gave her a nod of thanks and set two fingers to his lips. A sharp whistled note broke the air and from the four barracks came ordered columns of Corsairs. It seemed they had been waiting, ready to march.
As they passed away downhill towards the loose board in the palisade, Hazadazarî looked to the Rohirrim and said, "I pray we ne'er meet again." Fréaláf and Heaþolaf nodded in agreement with his sentiment.
In the quarter part of an hour the last of the Southrons had passed from the city. From the guard tower they had abandoned, Helluin watched them as they assembled in the field outside the stockade. One amongst them produced an instrument of polished brass that glinted in the strong morning light. This he set to his eye and shot the sun, whilst another consulted a compass. These two then conferred briefly with Hazadazarî and their column set off due west.
They have amongst them a navigator, Helluin thought, for I have not seen such an instrument since the days of Númenor. I wager that if they survive unopposed, they may yet see their ships and even Umbar one day.
To Be Continued