In An Age Before – Part 320
Now Helluin and Calenvír made their way to the Men-i-Naugrim, five score and ten miles on the north south track from Norðr-vestandóttir Bý, by the evening of their fourth day. There they turned west towards Anduin as the stars kindled in the darkening sky. 'Twas the night of 2 Narvinyë¹ by the Steward's Reckoning, in the year T.A. 2800. ¹(This would be two days past the winter solstice, or roughly December 23rd.)
"The night is fair, is it not, Helluin?" Calenvír asked, staring up at Ithil as the brightest pinpoints of the constellations appeared. Neither of them were affected by the mild winter's chill.
"'Tis so indeed, meldis nín. Dost thou feel like walking 'neath the stars? We have trail food aplenty and no need to camp," the Noldo replied as she looked into the distance. Alas, the land was too uneven to afford any sight of the river.
"I do. T'will be like old times, even to Eärendil appearing ere dawn rather than at dusk."
A grin shaped the Helluin's lips. Most of the First Age had passed without Gil-Estel. He had only appeared in F.A. 542, after the Third Kinslaying and Elwing's escape to sea with the Silmaril. But 'old times' was a relative notion, different to each who bethought it by virtue of what they remembered. She looked up at Ithil and sighed.
"I recall the sky less crowded," she whispered, "yet now there is the moon and we only call this time night because the sun shall bring day after." Cast against her memories, the stars seemed fainter and their colours washed to pallor as if they were further away, or perhaps simply tired. "How bright they were ere the seas and airs were bent."
"Yet they are the same stars," the Green Elf said after a few moments.
"Aye," Helluin agreed. "'Tis the Mortal Lands that have changed. Shall we be on our way?"
At Calenvír's nod, they set out west at a leisurely pace towards the river. The lands seemed at peace and save for some passing nocturnal kelvar, they met none. The two ellith reached the Old Ford after fifteen miles, shortly ere midnight. Upon reaching the east bank, they paused.
"The water runs safely low for a crossing, even by night," Calenvír observed, and Helluin nodded 'aye' in agreement.
"Anduin runs low in winter and summer and highest in spring," Helluin said. "Upon a time, much commerce of Dwarves and Men moved 'cross the river when a bridge stood here, but that was many centuries ago. Over its rubble we may safely cross." She would not have attempted to do thus in the company of a mortal, but as the Noldo felt no danger, she reckoned that the Green Elf would be equally sure-footed.
It seemed that Calenvír felt the ford no more challenging than Helluin, for she leapt lightly from the bank to the first exposed stone a yard away and then continued onto the next. Helluin followed at a prudent distance in case any of the stones shifted, but they seemed safely sunk in the riverbed. The span from bank to bank was a bit over two furlongs in that season and their transit passed without incident. Indeed, the uppers of their boots were barely dampened.
On the west bank, they stopped briefly, surveying the road stretching into the darkness before them. Three score and five miles lay ahead ere they began their ascent to the High Pass. Thirty miles hence, they would leave the Men-i-Naugrim as it turned south for Khazad-dûm and follow the approach to the climbing road that continued due west into the foothills. The paved way was still in good condition and the land in Anduin's Vale was gently rolling, an easy walk for Elves by night or day.
Helluin and Calenvír covered another score miles ere the dawn of 3 Narvinyë, walking for six and a half hours at a comfortable pace. As light spread over the river valley, they halted and broke their fasts with trail rations of bread, cheese, sausage, and a dry, honey-sweetened mix of cereal and nuts that might one day be called granola.
If the Noldo wondered at Calenvír's ease in consuming meat sausage, she swiftly dismissed the concern. Beinvír had exhibited no aversion to hunting, though she had been younger than Calenvír. Besides, if Helluin had ever met a vegetarian Laiquende, she had been unaware of it.
The Green Elves' characterization of the first Men as being, "hewers of trees and hunters of beasts" had either been a less than universal complaint or had been stated for greater dramatic effect because Balan's folk had shown less respect for the forest, olvar and kelvar alike, than would the Elves. Helluin suspected that both were likely, for they had also told Finrod, "…we desire no strangers in this land to break the peace in which we live." She resolved to ask Dálindir and his company about it someday, for all of them were also old enough to have experienced the arrival of Men firsthand.
Indeed, like all other kindreds in Beleriand, the Laiquendi had enjoyed only irregular periods of peace and less of it in the later years of the First Age. When she paused to think about it, the Noldo realized that whilst hidden away in Gondolin, she had probably enjoyed more years of peace than the Green Elves in Ossiriand. Still, it had been a paranoid peace that was doomed to end. Námo had predicted as much in Araman during the Flight of the Noldor.
"For blood ye shall render blood, and beyond Aman ye shall dwell in Death's shadow. For though Eru appointed to you to die not in Eä, and no sickness may assail you, yet slain ye may be, and slain ye shall be: by weapon and by torment and by grief. And those that endure in Middle Earth and come not to Mandos shall grow weary of the world as with a great burden, and shall wane, and become as shadows of regret before the younger race that cometh after."
Even after the pardon, I chose to stay, only to learn from an Eagle that the West was closed to me especially, the Noldo thought. Ahhh well…
Helluin suddenly found her rations as unappetizing as a mouthful of sawdust and washed them down with a gulp of water. She then marked Calenvír watching her from the corners of her eyes as she grimaced over her memories, and she groaned.
"Let us just be on our way, shall we?" she huffed.
The Green Elf shrugged, shouldered her travel bag, bow, and quiver and stood waiting for Helluin to join her. They continued thereafter through that day, the Noldo glum and the Green Elf studiously oblivious to her mood. They covered ten leagues ere dusk, passing the juncture where the Men-i-Naugrim turned south as they marched west. Five leagues ahead, the road began its ascent into the mountains and already, the foothills were growing steeper.
"In years past, 'twas deemed prudent to camp at this distance from the mountains, for it conferred a degree of safety from raiding parties of Yrch," Helluin said as she gazed ahead, tracing the lighter twisting line of the road as it wound its way uphill. "Now it may be that they have become so few that such precautions are no longer warranted."
"I saw none on my way east two and a half years past, so perhaps they have become few and wary," Calenvír replied. "Yet even if they are many and bold, still they cannot assail that which they cannot mark. I deem that few or many, we shall pass them by virtue of our stealth."
"I agree," Helluin said, "and yet I wonder. To the north of the High Pass lies the great warren of Kâpul Ulot where dwelt many thousands aforetime, and their Goblin King."
"And now thou wonder how they have fared after the campaign of the Dwarves?"
"Aye, for so sprawling was that lair that I cannot imagine that the Naugrim explored all its tunnels and rooms, nor slaughtered all its denizens. I wonder how great a threat it remains."
"Pray do not become sidetracked, Helluin," the Green Elf said. "Exploring and taking a survey of so vast a stronghold might be the quest of many weeks or months and we have not the time."
"Thou speak true, meldis nín. I shall contain my curiosity 'til a more fitting day."
With a nod and a sigh of relief, the Green Elf gave thanks that the Noldo would not go off on a tangent, exploring a great warren of Yrch. She had absolutely no desire to accompany her old friend into such a miserable place. Of course, the Noldo followed her agreement with dark mutterings that robbed Calenvír of any sense of tranquility.
"Far older and darker things than Orcs inhabit the deep places 'neath the mountains and I am sure Thráin and Dáin found them not or even suspected their existence. I know that I did not."
"Night is come, meldis nín. Let us take some food and some rest this night and then begin our climb upon the morrow, for light has ever been their bane," the Green Elf suggested, ignoring Helluin's disturbing declaration. She had no intention of ever visiting any place under the mountains called Goblin Town.
Helluin nodded 'aye' in a distracted manner and doffed her travel bag, bow, and quiver. Then she took a seat staring up into the heights whilst wondering about the Leviathan.
With the dawn of 4 Narvinyë, the two ellith set out once more. In their third hour of walking, the trail began to turn uphill in earnest. After another hour, they began to ascend a seemingly endless series of switchbacks. By noon, their high viewpoint revealed a widening vista of the lowlands spreading out behind with the Men-i-Naugrim winding away south. Ere nightfall, their far-seeing Elvish eyes could just discern a ribbon reflecting fire from Anor's ruddy setting light off of moving water.
During the next few days, they trod the High Pass amidst windswept trails dusted with snow. Calenvír went forward carefully but wide-eyed, joyfully absorbing the breathtaking panoramic vistas of the unfamiliar mountains. Intermittent banks of clouds loomed low overhead, but at night, it seemed almost as if the ellith had drawn closer to the stars. At times they saw the distant, watchful circling of Eagles, mostly to the north where lay their aeries. Atop the Misty Mountains, a brutal and frigid peace held sway, and if the Goblins of Kâpul Ulot had escaped the wrath of the Naugrim, they showed themselves not.
"Not even the scent of them lingers," Helluin remarked as they passed the narrow slot canyon that led down to a cave entrance wherein the Noldo had once poisoned a whole company by adulterating their stew pot with spider venom. Not a sound echoed from that dark pass, and it seemed that any surviving Yrch had withdrawn deep 'neath the ground.
"And that is a good thing," Calenvír said, "though 'tis known that companies from other places roam the Cold Fells and the Ettenmoors, or at least they did when I last scouted thither."
"One may hope that continued failure has persuaded them onto more profitable courses in less hazardous lands," Helluin said, though neither of them had high hopes for that possibility. The Yrch were simply too dogged in their persistence, especially when driven by a master's commands.
On 9 Narvinyë, Helluin and Calenvír descended the east wall of the Hithaeglir above Imladris. The Vale of the Bruinen opened 'neath them, shrouded in hanging mists, its upper slopes cloaked in dark firs and pines with mixed hardwoods on the lower hillsides. 'Twas the early eve of an overcast day and soft shadows already filled the depths of the deep riven dell.
"I reckon thou shalt seek to meet with the Lord Elrond, for thou hast centuries of tidings any loremaster would crave to hear," Calenvír said. "I shall not meet with the son of Eärendil, nor with any of his folk. I bid thee well 'til next we meet, Helluin, and perhaps I shall see thee again 'nigh Celenhár."
Helluin nodded to the Green Elf for she had expected as much.
"I wish thee well upon thy road too, Calenvír," she said. "I thank thee for thine efforts and thy tidings. Stay safe 'til next we meet meldis nín."
The scout nodded farewell and continued down the path. In a dozen paces, she had vanished into the mist and shadows. 'Twas as if the Noldo had been alone all along. With a sigh, she continued downhill, eventually coming to the developed parts of the valley in the dead of night.
Dawn was not far off when Helluin finally came to the House of Elrond. Despite the hour, she marked warm lamplight brightening the Peredhel's study beyond its many-paned windows. She crossed the terrace and silent as a shadow, eluded the sight of the few householders still active. Unheralded, the Noldo came to the door of Elrond's study where she tapped softly.
At a distracted grunt from within, she turned the knob and pushed open the door. The Lord of the Hidden Valley was seated at his desk, quill in hand, apparently concentrating deeply whilst amending some parchment of lore. He looked up and blinked when he marked her, then rose from his seat, a broad smile on his lips.
"Mae govannen, Helluin. 'Tis long since thy last visit and thou hast been missed. Pray come in and have a seat," he said, indicating a chair before his desk with one hand. He set his quill back in his writing stand and took a goblet from a sideboard. "Wine?" he asked.
"Suilaid, meldir nín," Helluin replied, "It hath been long indeed. My apologies if I am disturbing thy labors, but a glass of wine would be welcome."
The Peredhel dismissed her concern with a wave of his hand, saying, "I was merely amending the lineage charts of the noble houses of Gondor. The sixteenth Prince of Dol Amroth fell but a month past and word reached me only yestermorn. His son and heir succeeded him." He poured a glass of deep red wine and slid the goblet 'cross his desk to Helluin.
"How strange," Helluin said, "for whilst in Rohan during the war, I discovered the fate of Nimrodel and saw her on her journey to the West. Her tale is now complete at last."
There were few things other than previously unknown lore that could have whetted Elrond's appetite more thoroughly. The disappearance of Lady Nimrodel whilst on her way to Edhellond had long been a source of sorrow and mystery. Few were the reasons that any who knew her tale could imagine for her abandonment of her rendezvous with King Amroth. Besides the great love they had shared, the lady had felt only fear in Middle Earth and had longed to escape it for the promise of bliss in the Blessed Realm.
Centuries of speculation on Lady Nimrodel's dark fate had led nowhere and no answers had ever been found. Now, after over eight centuries, an answer had come. Helluin told her tale and Elrond hearkened in astonishment. An hour they spent as he asked questions and jotted down notes and his amazement grew as great as the mystery had been aforetime.
The dawn of 10 Narvinyë had come ere they finished and Elrond extinguished his lamps. With a sigh, he glanced down at his new-penned notes, and though he would have been happy to begin a formal account and copied it fair for his library, he felt hunger and invited Helluin to join him in breaking his fast. To this, she readily agreed, and they rose to make their way to the kitchen.
They had not reached the study's door when a knock came and then Lindir entered. He startled at finding Helluin in his lord's company but recovered quickly.
"Mae govannen, meldis nín," he said, placing his hand over his heart and offering a bow. "'Tis a joy to find thee hither from thy wanderings. I hope thou hast been well."
"Mae govannen, meldir nín Lindir," Helluin replied, "I have been well and hope thou hast been also."
"Helluin has provided me with an astonishing tale and the long hoped for resolution of a great mystery," Elrond told his seneschal, "And now we repair to the kitchen to dine. Pray join us?"
"T'would be my honor, my lord," Lindir said, standing aside to they could exit and then falling into step at their side. As they walked down a hall, he asked, "Helluin, what brings thee hither?"
"Word came to me, alas much delayed, of the fall of King Ivandir II, and now I go to Celenhár to aid in protecting the Lady of the First House," she said.
Lindir nodded in understanding and Elrond shook his head in sorrow. Both had known the late king, for he had visited the Hidden Valley on several occasions, as had his sires back to Galor son of Galion thirteen centuries aforetime.
"His loss was cause for great sorrow and wrath," the Peredhel said. "Within days, Rangers began combing the Ettenmoors and the Cold Fells, slaughtering any Orch they found. We believe the Laiquendi allied with them in that campaign. We suspect they now guard Celenhár as well and thou may meet some of that kindred there."
"'Twas by word of the scout Calenvír that I learnt of Ivandir's fall," Helluin said, "and both thy belief and thy suspicion are true. Gwilolrán commands three hundreds in a cordon of the town."
"A Laiquende ventured over the Hithaeglir?" Lindir asked, and Helluin nodded 'aye'.
"The first to do so since Beinvír accompanied me," she said.
"I sense a story in this," Lindir said, and Helluin nodded in agreement.
"She has learnt that the Yrch seek for rings, for a Ring they call the Precious, and I believe as doth she that they are compelled by Sauron's will to search for his One Ring amongst the Men of Eriador. This can only be from having heard some version of the tale of Isildur."
"Yet these Yrch seek without knowing whither or for whom they should search, t'would seem," Elrond reasoned, "else they would bedevil the remnants of the Dúnedain and ignore the Rhudaurim."
"That was Calenvír's guess as well."
"So then whilst thou and the Laiquendi protect Celenhár, the Yrch shall see the validation of their suspicions and seek for the Ring amongst the Middle Men rather than the Dúnedain," Elrond said. "This could be a worthy deception."
"I doubt Lord Arathorn shall think so," Lindir said.
"Nay, he shall not," the Peredhel agreed, "for 'twas to spare his folk the danger of Angmar that his sire Aranarth ordered the dissolution of the North Kingdom."
"And when those same folk are threatened by agents of Angmar's master, I wager his response shall be rash," Helluin said, finishing his thought, and Elrond nodded 'aye'.
Through their morning meal they continued to debate the topic, but short of informing Chieftain Arathorn that he would needs reveal himself to his enemies as Isildur's heir, they could think of 'naught save protecting the Rhudaurim. None of them wished to subscribe to that course and so they finished eating without a decision. Thereafter, Helluin and Elrond returned to the Peredhel's study, for the dark Noldo had other tidings to share, some regarding the ghost of a long-dead witch and her mule, and others describing the details of the War of the Dwarves and the Orcs.
That lore and other matters consumed the remainder of that day. Amongst these was the succession of Brytta to the throne of Meduseld after the passing of Fréaláf Hildeson. 'Twas a complete surprise to Helluin.
"When did this come to pass?" she asked in amazement. "And whyfor did my own people say 'naught of it when I returned to Norðr-vestandóttir Bý."
"Brytta became the eleventh King of Rohan in 2798," Elrond said, "but why thine own folk mentioned it not, I have no idea."
Helluin sat shaking her head in confusion. She did not believe that Captain Mearcweard and the rest of the council had willfully concealed that tiding from her. Then again, she had been back on the farm for barely half a day ere leaving again over their protests. By then, the news of Brytta's succession would have been over a year old, no longer news to them, and presumably no news to her either.
"Save for Brytta and the Prince of Dol Amroth; are there any further successions I have missed since 2791?" Helluin asked.
"None of which I know," Elrond answered with a chuckle. "Thou already know of Ivandir II's fall and the now empty throne of Eriador." The dark Noldo nodded in relief.
"In the morn I shall make my way to Celenhár to meet with Lady Morwen and protect her daughter, Lainiel III. Perhaps during my time there I shall also take counsel with Gwilolrán and Arathorn."
To her declaration, the Peredhel nodded for he had expected as much.
"And so again thou shalt take up Iarwain's charge and become protector of the next Lady of the First House," he said.
"Aye, for only of her may come a son to take Eriador's throne."
"Save that she wed Arathorn's heir Argonui and bear the next chieftain," he said, chuckling.
"Lainiel is four years old, meldir nín," Helluin said. "I find that possibility unlikely."
"And Argonui is now two score and three," said Elrond, "and may outlive her yet."
To this, Helluin could only nod in agreement. One of pure kingly Dúnedain blood could live a century and a half if he were not slain untimely, whilst an heiress of the First House might survive 'nigh a century. Could the next generation see the fall of Sauron and the realization of Iarwain's prophecy? Only time would tell.
The next morn, as Helluin prepared to take her leave, Lindir came to her with a folded parcel of fabric.
"My lord Elrond would have thee accept this garment as he saw thou lacked any such," he said.
Helluin unfolded the fabric and found a hooded cloak dyed in the mixed greens of the Laiquendi. At Helluin's surprised and questioning glance, he explained.
"From memory Lord Elrond recalled the patterns and colors of those cloaks thou and Beinvír wore long ago, and so he had this one dyed to match some years past. He would be glad if thou found it useful now."
"I do indeed, meldir nín. Pray convey my gratitude to Lord Elrond for his forethought and generosity," Helluin said, sweeping the cloak on 'round her shoulders. She found the length of the hem admirably fitting to her stature.
Lindir extended a hand and on his palm, Helluin saw a broach to pin the cloak. 'Twas not the black Sarchram broach that the Rangers of Lebennin used, nor the Star of the North worn by the Dúnedain of Arnor. Rather, 'twas shaped as a mallorn leaf, exquisitely sculpted and enameled in green above and silver under, just as in life.
"Brought out of Lothlórien by Lady Arwen on her last visit home," Lindir explained.
Helluin pinned the cloak with the broach, then placed a hand over her heart and bowed to her friend.
"Pray offer my thanks to the Lady of the Hidden Valley, meldir nín," she said. They traded smiles and then Helluin took her leave of Rivendell.
Three days later, after happily walking day and night, the Noldo reached the outskirts of Celenhár. She had met Ranger patrols on the East Road and on the road that ran south through The Angle, but she was mildly surprised to have met none of the Laiquendi. Yet I can feel their presence, ever watchful, she thought. They allowed me to pass their outer cordon two furlongs ago. She had offered a subtle dip of her head to acknowledge them, but had received no response. 'Twas the early afternoon of 13 Narvinyë.
Along the way, Helluin had passed farms and hamlets, somewhat more numerous than on her last visit, but Celenhár had changed little. It still boasted no wall, and though some new buildings had been built, the size of the town was only minimally increased. True to the nature of the Rhudaurim and the intentions of Aranarth, no cities had grown up and no forts stood in the north. The farmers, merchants, and tradesmen she had seen went about their business and paid her relatively little heed. All seemed at peace, and beyond that, normal.
The Noldo had entered Celenhár on its single road and 'twas not 'til she walked up the slope leading into town that she was challenged. Before the first building on her left, three Rangers rose from a bench and approached her. They were Men of Rhudaur, not Dúnedain. She marked that their swords had remained sheathed and their bows were still slung over their shoulders. Helluin stopped at a fathom and regarded them expectantly.
"Hail and well met, traveler," said the one standing front and center, "pray offer thy name and business, for strangers are few and thou bear weapons rather than wares or produce."
"I am Helluin Maeg-móremenel, long a friend and ally of the people of Celenhár. With my lost beloved, I found the babe who became the first Lainiel amongst the camp of her dead family in Cardolan in 1448. I saw her wed Galor son of Galion in 1482, after he discovered his status as the thirty-fifth King of Eriador.
Of late, I have learnt of the fall of King Ivandir II, and so I come to honor a charge laid upon me long ago to protect the Lady of the First House. Only she or some future heiress of her line may bear a son who would become the next king. Now I would meet Lady Morwen daughter of Híthiel, and her young daughter Lainiel III."
"For one who would protect the Lady of the First House, thou come alone past those who might have shot thee ere thou knew of them," he said, "and even hither thou stand with many arrows trained upon thee. I understand not what protection thou may offer."
"If thou mean the Laiquendi, they have been my allies since the Second Age when together we defeated an army of the Glamhoth from whom thy folk fled. I marked their presence and they allowed me to pass, for of one of their scouts did I learn of Ivandir's fall.
If thou mean the ten archers ensconced in the alley to our right and 'round the buildings ahead, then I will tell thee that their shafts cannot harm me."
The trio of Rangers standing before her were staring her in the eyes and she reckoned the eyes of the archers were trained on her as well. By the projection of her will, she constrained them and invaded their minds. Then they stood before her unable to move or to speak. In their minds, they heard her voice, though her lips moved not.
Within ye abide the threads of life and those threads may so easily be snapped. Now ye understand that I need not take weapon in hand to slay. Such is the protection I offer. I bid ye shoulder your bows and escort me to the town hall wherein I shall take counsel with the Lady of the First House. We have no need to contest here, for we share many of the same goals.
Ere Helluin blinked and released them from her enthrallment, she implanted the notion of conveying her with honor to the town hall and summoning Lady Morwen if she was not already there, and then she freed them.
In the aftermath, they blinked in surprise as if something monumentous they could only dimly recall had passed them by. The foremost Ranger shook his head, but then stood straight though no command to attention had come. The elleth, (for this was surely no mortal woman), stood waiting on him, seemingly at ease, yet watchful. Her eyes flicked from his face to mark the remainder of his company as they broke cover and moved into the street, bows slung and weapons sheathed.
"Helluin Maeg-móremenel, be welcome in Celenhár. Pray allow us the honor of escorting thee to the town hall," he said, and only mildly wondered why. The elleth offered a dip of her head.
"T'would be my pleasure, good sergeant," Helluin said, having seen the small rank patch with three black hatch marks sewn to the shoulder of his cloak. "Pray lead on."
The dozen Rangers formed up six to a side and marched up the street towards the town center with their sergeant at their head and the Noldo in their midst. Along the way, Helluin marked that whilst roofing thatch and shake shingles had been renewed, some trim painted, and some timbers replaced, the buildings looked just as they had a thousand years ago. Being the central and oldest part of the town, no new structures had been built. Only the people had changed with the years, the new ones dwelling in the homes of their forebears and the old moving east into the graveyard.
Of these new people, no few walked the streets, going about their business, calling out greetings to friends, or standing in pairs and groups engaged in conversation. A surprising count of Rangers stood in companies, or sat on benches as if waiting, far more than Helluin thought had been normal in the past. When off duty, they had usually repaired to the barracks for a meal and rest, or if they lived locally, to their family's home. Now they stood watching, some subtly, some less so, and especially herself, she noted. Yet they were neither drilling, nor in posture of war. The Rangers grew more numerous the closer they came to the center of town, and many of these, she marked, were Dúnedain.
They passed the main cross street and came to the town hall, unchanged in appearance since Níshír's time, and the pair of Rangers standing watch at the entrance saluted the sergeant and opened the doors. With a gesture, his company had taken station to the side of the sentries so that they stood along the front wall. Helluin took a last look 'round at the street filled with staring faces and then followed the sergeant inside.
The antechamber was the same as it had been on her last visit, save that two companies of Dúnedain Rangers stood watch, one company on either side. Helluin and the sergeant strode 'twixt them through the center and into the hall proper, thirty feet broad by sixty feet long, with its shallow dais rising waist high at the far end. 'Neath the tapestries, the chairs upon it were unoccupied for no king or heir now held office. Instead, a dozen Men were gathered in the room's center holding council, Rangers and nobles amongst them. The sergeant led Helluin thither and then they stood silently outside the group, waiting to be acknowledged.
After some minutes, it seemed that the council reached a decision. They adjourned and began to drift apart. Helluin and the sergeant finally drew the attention of the gathering, but all deferred to a tall Dúnadan of early middle years dressed in Ranger greens and browns. He regarded them with bright eyes and a smile of greeting.
"My Lord Argonui, I have escorted hither a noble guest found entering Celenhár," the sergeant said. "She passed the outer cordon unchallenged."
"Aye, she would," he seemed to muse to himself, and then, "Well done, sergeant. Thou hast my thanks. With thy company, thou may return to thy duty, or if thy watch is done, then pray join thy mess and enjoy some rest."
"We shall return for the remainder of our watch, my lord," the sergeant said, and then with a bow, he withdrew. The chieftain's heir then turned his attention to the Noldo.
"Mae govannen, Híril Helluin Maeg-móremenel, naneth haereden¹," he said, and then offered a bow. ¹(Mae govannen, Híril Helluin Maeg-móremenel, naneth haereden, Well met, Lady Helluin Maeg-móremenel, distant mother = mae(well) + govannen(met) + Híril(Lady) + Helluin Maeg-móremenel + naneth(mother) + haered(distance/remote) + -en(adj. on n. suff, distant) Sindarin)
Those who had begun to disperse turned back and hearkened to the meeting in progress.
"Suilaid nín, Lord Argonui," Helluin said, offering a bow in return, "Thou hast my sympathy on the loss of thy far cousin King Ivandir. I learnt of his fall but a fortnight past."
"Tidings were slow to come over the mountains then," he said, "yet better late than never. We are glad to meet thee again."
"The tidings came swiftly, but I was not there to hear them 'til I returned from the Hithaeglir. I had been nine years at war on behalf of my friends and allies, the Sons of Durin."
And now more eyes turned to them and the councilors hearkened with their full attention, for they had heard little of the battles fought on the far side of the mountains.
"Thou fought in En Auth i-Nogothrim a i-Nglamhoth, and but rumors of that war have come to our ears," Argonui said. "Our scouts report some few of the Naugrim returning east to the Ered Luin, and if they are victorious, they are also grim and speak not. Yet they come heavily laden with arms and armor, more than even they themselves would wear."
"They come laden with the arms and armor of their fallen, bearing these hence that they may not be won as plunder by their enemies. For all that the weight bends their backs, they are laden yet the heavier with their sorrow, for their victory was won at such a cost as to feel bereft of any joy. They have lost the half-part of their strength and their recovery shall be long in coming, yet they have slaughtered such a count of the Glamhoth that if even one in twenty survived, I would deem that generous."
"And yet Eriador has been troubled these past few years by bands of Orcs coming down from the northern mountains," Argonui said, and some standing 'round them nodded 'aye' in agreement. "'Twas one such band that slew the king."
"So I have heard tell," Helluin said, "and these bands I deem are the survivors, or perhaps the deserters of those battles instigated by the Naugrim as they advanced south from Gundabad to Moria. Tens of thousands they have slain, and tens of thousands more in Nanduhirion during the final battle. The mountains have not been safer in an Age."
'Twas then that a young Dúnadan who stood attending his lord spoke for the first time, saying, "Yet if the Nogothrim have slaughtered those from Gundabad south to Moria, what of those south of Nanduhirion? Surely they must be many."
At this, a cold grin shaped the Noldo's lips and she said, "They were twenty thousand, eight hundred, and sixty-four, including three hundreds that fled the final battle and died on the Field of Celebrant and in the lands south of the Limlight. In nine years, I slew every Orc I could find 'twixt Methedras and Moria, yet compared to those in the north, they were not so many, really."
"My kinsman, Gilbarad," Argonui said in introduction. "He attends me as an adjutant and shall no doubt commit time to the study of thy lore in the near future."
The young Ranger dipped his head to his lord and to Helluin and remained silent thereafter. At the start of Helluin's campaign nine years aforetime; he had been a youth of seventeen. Truth be told, at that moment he was equally curious and terrified. In no way did he actually believe the elleth had slain 'nigh twenty-one thousand Yrch single-handed, but his lord had addressed her as 'distant mother' and that piqued his interest. Helluin acknowledged him with a dip of her head and then resumed speaking with Argonui.
"My lord, I bear further tidings, but these I would proffer first to thee and to thy father through thee. Beyond this, I seek to take counsel with Lady Morwen regarding her daughter Lainiel and a charge lain upon me over thirteen centuries ago."
The lord Argonui betrayed 'naught of surprise in reaction to her words, but nodded gravely and beckoned Helluin to follow him away from the crowd of ears. When they stood beside the dais several fathoms from the nearest person, they spoke softly with their voices pitched to carry only to each other.
"I believed not for a moment that thou had come hither after centuries simply to regale us with tales of battle, Helluin. Let us take counsel in private that thou may speak thy concerns. I shall hearken and thy words shall come to my father if he comes not to meet thee himself."
He cast his eyes to the door beside the dais that led to the kitchen and Helluin nodded in agreement.
"My thanks, Lord Argonui, for there is danger to thy father and to thee," Helluin said. "Indeed, it extends to all the Dúnedain and the Rhudaurim as well because of the ignorance of the great Enemy. The Yrch come not for idle mischief, nor did Ivandir die by chance alone."
"I wager thou hast marked the gathering of Rangers in Celenhár? Despite my presence, they mass to protect the Lady Morwen and her heiress," he said, and Helluin finished his thought.
"For only of Lainiel may come a son to reclaim the throne of Eriador…and perhaps more."
Argonui nodded and then called to Gilbarad.
"Gil, set watches of one company beside this door and each of the doors outside," he ordered, "and send two more companies to escort Lady Morwen and her daughter hither with all haste."
The young Ranger's eyes widened in surprise for a heartbeat and then he dipped his head and said, "As thou wills, my lord."
He then turned and strode through the councilors and into the antechamber where words were exchanged with the gathered Rangers. Moments later, the sound of feet hastening hence followed and a company entered the hall and approached their lord.
"We are not to be disturbed," Argonui told their sergeant. "When the Lady Morwen arrives, pray admit her at once."
The sergeant dipped his head in token of acknowledging his orders and arranged his Men in a wedge formation facing into the hall. Argonui then led Helluin through the door and to the familiar kitchen space where they took seats. Beyond the back door that led to the alley behind the hall, the tramp of boots could be heard as Rangers took up a similar guard formation outside.
'Twas not long ere the Lady of the First House arrived, leading her four-year-old daughter by the hand. At her entrance, Argonui and Helluin stood and offered bows. These the lady returned with a graceful curtsy, and after a gently nudge, Lainiel did as well, though she regarded them with impossibly wide eyes.
"My Lord Argonui, Lady Helluin," she said, "we came at once. What goes forth, pray tell?"
"I beg thy forgiveness for the inconvenience, my lady, but Helluin is come with grave tidings," the chieftain's heir said, and then looked to the Noldo, deferring to her to speak further details.
The Noldo looked up and nodded, though she had begun gathering seat cushions and stacking them atop the chair on the right-hand of the one at the end of the table opposite the king's empty place where the Ladies of the First House had sat in years past. Morwen cracked a grin at that and then helped her daughter onto the newly raised seat. This seemed to make the girl happy, being at the adults' level without being relegated to a child's 'highchair'.
When all were settled, (and before Lainiel became bored), Helluin resumed her seat and began.
"My ladies, ye have my sympathy on the passing of King Ivandir. Alas, tidings of his fall came to me only of late, indeed but a fortnight past. I had been long at war in the Hithaeglir.
She who bore that tiding to me in Norðr-vestandóttir Bý was a scout of the Laiquendi whom I had met upon Amon Sûl in 1975. For one of her kindred to leave Eriador and cross the Misty Mountains was itself a deed of remark, yet perhaps the lesser of those she had lately undertaken. Alone and for a month, she had spied upon and even joined in their camps a company of Yrch and of them learnt of a grave threat. Great was her skill and bravery to chance such deeds.
From what she heard, she, Lord Elrond, and I reckon that to the ears of the Black Master of Mordor has come some version of the tale of Isildur's Bane, and in his unending search to reclaim his One Ring, he hath commanded Yrch of his dominion to seek for rings amongst the Men of Eriador. I wager he told them the bare minimum to prompt their attacks, disguising his true desire 'neath an order to seek for rings and mithril, treasures even an Orc would understand.
And so, despite the slaughter of the vast majority of these fell servants of the Dark Lord in the recent war with the Dwarves, the survivors in the northern mountains have ventured into the Ettenmoors and the Cold Fells where they seek for Men amongst whom they believe lie treasures with which they may win great reward from their master. For this, I deem that King Ivandir was slain," Helluin said.
"My father shall learn of this as soon as may be, and a warning shall be given to the Rangers," Argonui said. "In days to come we shall examine our worsted foes and seek for their plunder to confirm these tidings."
Helluin nodded to this, for she would have done the same herself. The Lady Morwen then spoke and the foresight attributed to her by Calenvír was evidenced.
"They shall seek long for the One Ring, knowing not what it is. Fear not, they shall never find it, yet many shall die because of their search. The greater danger is that they may discover that an Heir of Isildur lives."
'Twas an alarming thought, that after all the years, Aranarth's deception might be revealed and Angmar renewed to root out and destroy the last remnant of the North Kingdom. Yet such knowledge could only come from words spoken unmindfully or by a captive during torture, or…
"Doth thy father bear Felagund's ring, the Ring of Barahir, Lord Argonui?" Helluin asked.
"Nay, he doth not. Aranarth left it and the other treasures of Arthedain in the keeping of Lord Elrond Peredhel in Imladris," he said. "It resides there to this day." Helluin sighed in relief.
"Then not by that token shall any servant of Sauron's learn 'aught of Isildur's line. Such tidings should not come to him by any other means either," she said.
"Our people speak not oft or lightly of the House of Isildur and its heirs," Argonui said gravely. "The Dúnedain understand the danger. They speak only of the chieftain. To our common folk, even that now engenders both fear and awe and these they would have as legend and lore, not as part of their daily lives. Beyond the Angle, we are mostly forgotten."
"That is good, and so we come to the greater cause for my coming hither," the Noldo said, and she turned to Morwen and Lainiel. She marked that both Edaineth¹ were regarding her with their full attention. ¹(Edaineth, Women of the Three Houses of the Atani (pl. of Adaneth) Sindarin)
"In the year 1461, I came with my beloved to the House of Iarwain Ben-adar, a strange person of great power who dwells in the Old Forest 'twixt Buckland in Sûza and the Barrow Downs of Cardolan. We sought for 'aught we could learn of the ancestry of the first Lainiel. Of Iarwain that night came a prophecy and a charge. He foresaw that from the First House would someday arise a king who would defeat the Shadow and usher in a new Age of peace. Thus, the loss of Ivandir was a blow to all free peoples. Now, only from the First House can a new king come to take his throne and renew his destiny.
To ensure that this would come to pass, Iarwain bid me protect the Heiress of Dúrrél, the first Lady of the First House in this Age whose distant son would see Sauron defeated. Now for the first time since S.A. 2994 when we won Balar's freedom from the house of Iarwain Ben-adar, the line of Eriador's kings has failed. I deem that it shall be some son of thy line, Lainiel, who shall save us all. And so I have come, in answer to need and the charge lain upon me long ago, to do 'aught I can to protect thee and aid in seeing the prophecy made flesh."
Lady Morwen knew her lore and the words of Iarwain's prophecy well and gave Helluin a subtle nod of acceptance. In her time, her daughter would enjoy the tutelage and protection of the same guardian who had stood beside the first Lainiel through all the years of her life. 'Twas more than she had hoped.
Helluin cast her glance to young Lainiel and the girl stared back. Finally, she seemed to find her voice.
"Lainiel had a puppy. Can I have a puppy too?" Morwen rolled her eyes at what must have been a repeated request and Helluin chuckled.
"Húveren belonged to Lainiel's cousin Annuihír," she said.
"Not that one!" Lainiel exclaimed, and Helluin had to think back. Finally, she nodded.
"The first Húveren belonged not to the first Lainiel, but to her daughter Dúriel," she said. "Dúriel learnt her mother's skill as a healer and when her dog took ill, she cured him with charcoal and apple cider vinegar. She became both healer and loremaster of the realm."
"Then I would be the first Lainiel with a puppy," the girl said triumphantly. Morwen and Helluin chuckled.
To be Continued
The following is in response to a review of "The Lay of the Conqueror". Because I had already posted a 'review' there as an explanatory note long ago, I could not reply to you there. As your review was a signed guest review, I also could not reply to you directly.
Thanks for your review, mantawoop. It's really nice to know that even after 19 years, a reader has enjoyed the "Clonefic" series enough to reread it multiple times. I'm very glad to have been able to provide you with a personally valuable experience as well as entertainment. Also, thanks for your praise. I don't think any author of fanfiction can hope for more than to have their words remembered in a reader's heart.