"I must say, I am impressed with how well hidden the Iron Hills settlement is. Even knowing that we are within a moment's walk from the entrance, I can still see no trace or hint of the door." Erestor stated as they led the horses on foot through the gully. Eruraviel nodded, lifting her head to eye the jagged peaks of rock and stone that jutted into the bright blue sky above their heads.
"Being so concealed from the enemies eye is the only reason they have been slaughtered by now. Even with prior warning, this settlement isn't established enough to withstand a siege from the enemy." Eruraviel stated, as that was one of the main worries shared by those who dwelled within the Iron Hills.
"We knew we would be at risk should the enemy ever find us, and as such, we put everything we had into concealing and securing the settlement." A gruff voice chimed in, Erestor jumping a bit at the unexpected voice. Eruraviel snickered, the advisor throwing her a dirty look as she found amusement at his expense. Eruraviel turned from Erestor, taking in the broad form of Fraldor, the dwarf commander that was next in rank behind Lord Grór and the one who'd fought beside her when she fought the Witch King for the first time with the Cold Drakes.
A black bushy beard pinned to his chest with steel clasps and hazel eyes observed her carefully, and Eruraviel knew he was looking her over to determine if she was trying to conceal and injury.
"Greetings Fraldor, I hope the situation hasn't worsened overly much in my absence." Eruraviel greeted, her voice soft to avoid having it carry. Fraldor let out a low grunt, stepping away from the stone allowing Erestor to finally make out the faint lines and runes barely visible in the light of the sun. If one didn't know where it was, it was nigh impossible to find.
"We've been fortunate enough that the enemy forces were too focused upon other tasks to mount a large assault. Who is your companion?" Fraldor answered, his voice sharper near the end when inquiring about Erestor's presence. It wasn't unexpected, as the dwarf commander didn't want to grant access to the Iron Hills to an unknown.
"This is Master Erestor, Chief Advisor to Herald Elrond. He was tasked with accompanying myself for this journey." Eruraviel explained, seeing some of the tension in the dwarf's shoulders vanish at her reassurance that Erestor meant no harm to those he was protecting.
"I see, this was please. Lord Grór is eager to meet with you. We were all relieved when out ravens reported your arrival." Fraldor instructed, mostly for Erestor's sake as the dwarf led them through the archway which folded away as the rock face split in two, with only the faint glow of the runes. Erestor remained silent, merely observing carefully as they trailed beneath the heavy press of bedrock into the depths of stone. Arvellas was calm, accustomed to being beneath the surface and that helped Erestor's stallion refrain from panicking as Fraldor led them down the winding hall, flickering torches giving light to see the smooth stone of the floor.
The Iron Hills settlement was rugged and unpolished, as the residents were focused on living and surviving rather than presentation. Better to be alive and dirty, than pretty and dead. As they moved passed several dwarven warriors, she returned the respectful nods given to her as she tried to push back her unease upon seeing the relief surging in their eyes upon seeing her.
"It is odd to see you alongside an elf lassie." Fraldor admitted, stopping as they reached a large alcove where several dwarrow waited, taking the horses away to brush down and feed. Arvellas meandered behind them, content to be taken care of. She watched her mare stride away with a soft look, gaining a small faint smile at Fraldor's statement.
"I hadn't planned on it, as you know. However, events over the past months led me far from what I had originally anticipated." Eruraviel sighed, still stunned by how much had happened during her sojourn away from the Iron Hills. They walked on through the winding halls, Erestor silently taking in the carved runes to aid in stability and protection highlighted by the flickering lights of the torches mounted into the rock. While far from a polished settlement, it was guarded and protected just as much as any other dwarven hall. Particularly as it was founded on the eve of great tragedy with more anticipated to follow. Being attacked by an Ice Drake was never something that either of Dain's sons would forget.
As they neared Lord Grór's office, a guard posted just to the left of the door saluted.
"Life rarely goes as expected." Fraldor agreed dryly as they approached the door, Fraldor raising a fist to knock loudly after returning the guards salute.
"Come." A deep voice called from within, Fraldor opening the door and ushering the two elves within as he stepped inside and closed the door securely behind him. Grór's office was larger in size as it was also used as the war room, several large tables set up with large maps tacked down alongside bottles of ink, parchment paper and pens. Relief crossed blue eyes as Grór saw her, the red bushy hair of the dwarf nearly escaping the many clasps restraining it.
"Mahal lassie it is good to have you back." Grór breathed, earning a smile from her at the greeting from one she considered a dear friend.
"It is good to be back Mellon-nin. This is Master Erestor, Chief Advisor to Herald Elrond. He was given the choice to accompany me here to aide in the battles to come." Eruraviel replied, once more introducing Erestor who gave a respectful nod to the dwarf lord. She was glad to see that unlike many elves, Erestor wasn't overly prejudiced against the dwarrow. Her words had Grór blinking in mild surprise.
"No elf other than yourself has offered any help till now." Grór stated, a bit confused as to why Erestor would have accompanied her here to the north. Eruraviel took a slow breath as she approached the war table for the area around the Sea of Rhûn, Erestor keeping pace next to her.
"The machinations of Sauron run deeper than we knew. None of the other realms knew of his return and embodiment. Not until now anyway." Eruraviel conveyed solemnly. Grór grunted deeply, coming over to look at the map with her, Fraldor settling on Grór's other side.
"That explains much about the communications black out we've been dealing with. None of our messages to even the other settlements have been replied to. Were you able to reach King Durin or Thrór?" Grór growled out, wanting to know how alone they were. Eruraviel shook her head.
"Following the supply lines led me too far south. I will likely pass aim to travel through both upon my return to the west, and I can carry the news to the other realms. As of now, only the Elves have been informed, and the High Council summoned. We have more information about that at a later time." She replied, getting a tired nod from both dwarrow before Grór turned his attention to Erestor.
"Why come to the east when I know the lassie would have informed you of the risks?" Grór questioned Erestor seriously, wanting to know the motivations of the sable haired ellon.
"Because of that very reason. Sauron is a threat to all, and a figure all the eldar who fought in those last days despise with every fiber of our being. As soon as Elrond learned of his return, plans were made rapidly. The Elven High Council has been called, though we await Lord Cirdan's return from over the sea before it can begin. As such, Eruraviel was granted one year before we must return to Imladris for the council." Erestor explained, Grór blinking quickly in surprise.
"The firstborn intend to join this fight once more?", Grór asked before pausing as he turned to Eruraviel. "Granted leave?" Grór pressed seriously, none of the dwarrow accustomed to Eruraviel having… boundaries in regards to her aide. Eruraviel took a deep breath, and began to explain what had been happening in her time away from the Iron Hills.
"As we'd planned, I followed the supply lines to find where the problems were occurring. I found six points where ambushes had been laid." Eruraviel said, using a pen dipped in red ink to mark the six locations on the map, all three watching her intently.
"That explains why our supplies constantly go missing and entire companies vanished with no word. Was it orcs or humans responsible for it?" Grór asked, looking over the six marks she'd made.
"Humans, from Harad mainly." Eruraviel stated, getting a low sigh from both dwarves.
"The problems the Harad people cause never seems to find an end." Fraldor groused, gaining a tired nod from Grór.
"After finishing the last group, I came across a captured elleth held prisoner by goblins. I freed her, killed the goblins before learning that the elleth was none other than Hiril Celebrian, mate to Herald Elrond." Eruraviel continued, getting blank stares from Grór, the dwarf lord clearly as stunned about that as she had been.
"I hadn't expected that." Grór admitted, Eruraviel sighed but nodded.
"Indeed, I hadn't either. I escorted her to Lothlorien and during that trip I discovered that Champion Glorfindel was alive and on our side of the sea, having returned to Middle Earth during the second age." Eruraviel announced. Grór's eyes widened in shock, Fraldor freezing in place. The pause lasted only a moment before Grór's eyes locked onto Erestor in understanding, then returning to her.
"You did present yourself to him correct?" Grór stated, his face making it clear that she better tell him she did just that. Eruraviel quickly nodded, not wanting to face either dwarf when they became angry.
"She did, though she was not in good health at the time of that meeting. Glorfindel and Elrond both declared that until her health did improve, she wasn't to be traveling on her own. She did originally intend on returning here for the year alone, however part of the way through the Misty Mountains she fell into a goblin bait trap." Erestor said, the last said in a dry tone of voice.
Grór snickered, making her roll her eyes.
"Again lassie?" Grór chortled.
"That's happened to you before?" Erestor demanded, cutting her off before she could do anything more than open her mouth. Sheepishly, Eruraviel just nodded while holding up three fingers. Erestor groaned, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation.
"You really are a natural at finding trouble aren't you." Erestor sighed, Eruraviel only shrugging as he wasn't wrong.
"Once inside the goblin tunnels I set it aflame and the smoke alerted Imladris. They found me, and it was decided that Erestor would join me for the year I've been granted." Eruraviel concluded finally.
"One less goblin hive is always something to rejoice in." Fraldor stated somewhat menacingly.
"We did come across the Witch King and it is our belief that he is going to Dol Guldur to free the remaining Ulari while Sauron plays the part of red herring to pull our attention away from his servant." Erestor added on, using the pen she held to mark where they'd seen the Witch King.
"That is not good news. It isn't often the Witch King leaves Angmar and the Grey Mountains. If he left, who is now in charge of those who dwell within?" Grór wondered, his eyes worried.
"It is possible no one was left in charge." Fraldor pointed out but Eruraviel shook her head.
"The forces under the Witch King are too volatile to leave them alone for any length of time with no commander. Either the Witch King appointed someone or Sauron did it for him. Neither prospect is a good one as it remains an unknown." Eruraviel groaned out, getting a tired sigh from Fraldor.
Grór placed his palms flat on the table taking a closer look at the map.
"Until they reveal themselves, we won't know. Regardless, we will need to prepare for the coming assault. Scouts estimate that we have a month until Sauron's forces are within striking distance." Grór stated, drawing their attention to the detailed battle lines marked on the surface of the map.
"Has he split his forces three ways as we anticipated, or has he decided on a two pronged assault?" Eruraviel questioned.
Grór traced the lines of red ink lining the northern shores of the Sea of Rhûn.
"Two pronged. His northern forces are comprised of men from Harad and Khand, about 4,000 in total. The southern prong consists of his usual rabble from Mordor, equal in size to the men." Grór began, and Eruraviel began frowning.
"Why isn't he mixing his forces as he has been? Why keep them separate now?" She wondered, uneasy at the change in the enemies tactics.
"It is possible he is having problems between the men of the east, and his creatures of the dark. If there are fights breaking out, or there is contention between them, he may have decided it was easier just to keep them apart." Erestor theorized as the advisor considered possible reasons.
"If that's the case, then which prong with Sauron be leading?" Fraldor asked darkly, his voice tight with unease.
"North." Eruraviel and Erestor chimed in unison, getting stares from both dwarves.
"How do you figure that?" Grór asked.
"If the Witch King is heading to Dol Guldur as we think he is, then Sauron is going to want to pull as much attention away from that as he can. As such, leading the Northern Prong of the assault will draw our focus farther away than if he led the Southern Prong." Erestor explained as Fraldor sighed and opened a drawer under the table.
"Either way, we need to determine how we want this campaign to kick off, as well as our priority objectives." Fraldor sighed, setting several markers and tokens onto the side of the war table. Eruraviel was frowning as she looked over the broad scale map in front of them.
"Do we have a more detailed map of the area available. Planning such intricate maneuvers isn't wise without more information about the terrain." She asked, getting a nod from Grór who stepped away from the war table and over to a nearby rack filled with various rolled maps secured with twine. The dwarf lord dug through the available selection before selecting one. As he returned to the table, Erestor turned briefly to Fraldor.
"Do we have an updated count of warriors and available supplies?" Erestor questioned the dwarf commander.
"Not here, but there is a copy in my office. One moment and I can have it retrieved." Fraldor stated, moving to the door where he had a hushed conversation occurred with the guard posted at the door. As Grór unrolled the map, Fraldor returned to the table.
"It should arrive shortly." Fraldor reported, getting nods from all of them.
As the newer map was tacked down, they leaned over it and she eyed it critically.
"Woodland, planes and bluffs to the south along the Sea." Eruraviel murmured, contemplating their options. Fraldor moved to point to the mentioned bluffs with a frown.
"Bluffs comprised of Slate and Dolomite."
Eruraviel grimaced.
"So that's a no go, not unless we want to deal with razor sharp shrapnel and constant problems." She said dryly, getting a soft laugh from Grór.
"Definitely not. We will have enough to handle as it is." The dwarf lord stated.
"So we keep the bluffs to the flanks, their horses wouldn't be able to climb them as it's too steep and uneven. Their mounts would be more likely to break a leg than reach the top." Fraldor agreed, moving some of the tokens to illustrate the battle line into place. Eruraviel nodded, not wanting to try fighting on shale and dolomite, as the two were prone to break and exploding under sufficient force.
Erestor slid more markers to push their main line onto the other side of a small river.
"We will need to remain in possession of this area, particularly the river as it will be the only reliable source for clean water. As this coming winter ends, it will also fill with fish. That will help supplement the rations." Erestor pointed out.
"Our flanks will need to be protected. If the front line of defense against the horsemen is here then we need to keep the battles contained to the woodland. That will prevent them from using a charge to punch through our lines." Eruraviel added, keeping the main line hidden within the trees for a good mile. While the woodland was dense, the trees were smaller and less imposing that those that grew around the elvish havens.
Fraldor and Grór just groaned piteously.
"Mahal I hate forest battles. Those are best left to the elves." Fraldor groused. Erestor and Eruraviel both just chuckled sympathetically. Dwarrow hated forest battles as much as the firstborn hated fighting in the underground.
A knock on the door made them jump, Fraldor flushing a bit as he left, coming back with a long list in his hand.
The commander tacked it next to the map, and Eruraviel eyed it seriously as calculations ran through her mind.
"2,000." She began slowly, thinking over strategies.
"2,000 for what lassie?" Grór asked.
She moved more markers into place, and then traced out three supply lines.
"For this front. It will be easier to hold our ground here that it will be in the marshes and wetlands. As such, we should be able to make do with minimal forces allowing the Southern Front to contain the bulk of the troops. Keeping the units organized is important and we will need to send an exploratory unit ahead of the main forces to scout of the land to determine where we want the commander tent and healers to be located." She said tracing a smaller area within the woodland within a stones throw of the river. It would make them a little easier to find, but would be better for their wounded than having to run for water constantly.
Fraldor hummed, lifting a hand to stroke his beard as he considered her words, much as Grór was currently doing.
"We'd best send the stone masons with the second wave ahead of the main column. That way they can begin digging the trenches and preparing the defenses for the coming attacks. Trenches are a must when dealing with a mounted enemy." Grór commented, tracing the lines the stone mason would be directed to follow as much as the bedrock would allow them to.
"We also need to try and keep the convoy line out of sight. We don't know if Sauron has any aerial spies he can use. If he does, we'll want to remain hidden as much as we can." Eruraviel said, not wanting them to tip their hand to the enemy just yet.
"A fire line also needs to be laid." Erestor added, pausing before seeing the looks of confusion the two dwarrow carried.
"A break in the tree line so that if Sauron attempts to set the forest aflame it won't spread behind our lines." Erestor explained, both dwarrow blinking before they shuddered.
"That would be a bit bad." Fraldor winced, as Erestor smirked.
"A bit bad, yes." The advisor concluded.
Eruraviel sighed, looking over their many lines and annotations on the smaller map.
"So we have a tentative plan in place for our battle lines on the northern front. How will we handle the wetlands and marshes?" Eruraviel asked, a bit weary over how exhausting the battles on such terrain could be.
"If we have 4,000 for the southern front, then we will need to scout it even more carefully than the forest." Grór sighed, retrieving yet another map that he unrolled on the other end of the table.
"Find the islands, or the sturdiest bits and fight for those. It will be critical that the line isn't broken. You can use local debris such as trees and brushes to line the ground to give a more solid footing. Keeping equipment dry is also important. Rot will set in rapidly in such conditions both equipment and feet. The elves learned that the hard way during the last war." Erestor immediately listed off, and here she let him take lead on the planning as he held the most experience with planning battles on such terrain.
"Could we use multiple supply lines as we are up north?" Fraldor questioned, only for Erestor to shake his head.
"No, too risky if the ground is unstable. It's best to have one line and keep it secured rather than spreading out and losing a line or supplies by being overtaken. Troops also need to be even more organized before you arrive to the marshes, sending a unit from the rear to the head of the column in such conditions is a literal nightmare for all involved." Erestor groaned, shuddering as the advisor no doubt remembered such difficulties.
"We may also be able to send more troops south once the northern front is secured. If we can force Sauron to retreat he will have to handle procuring more men and mounts which will be more of a challenge than just pulling more of his forces from behind the black gates. They will have a harder time in the north, especially once winter sets in as horses require much more food and water than a human does. Particularly when being used regularly in battle." Eruraviel offered seriously, hoping they would be able to repel Sauron relatively quickly rather than settling into a battle of attrition.
"Couldn't the men eat the horses for rations?" Fraldor asked, making both elves shudder in disgust at the idea.
"While abhorrent, yes, they could. That, however, still leaves them trying to supply feed and water for the mounts." Eruraviel grimaced, swallowing back nausea at the concept of eating a horse. Grór sighed, looking down at the map in contemplation.
"Reinforcements will help, but more detailed planning will need to wait until the scouts return. That leaves a simpler question, who is to lead which front? It will needed to be good to keep him distracted in the north." Grór finished solemnly, knowing how dangerous Sauron was.
"Me." Eruraviel gritted out, her voice curt. Erestor let out an exasperated sigh, even as Eruraviel continued knowing the advisor would not take well to her following words.
"However, it might not be wise for you to be a part of that fight." Eruraviel said, Erestor going still as his dark eyes turned from the map to fixate on her with alarming intensity.
"Excuse me?" Erestor asked his voice deathly soft, a shiver sliding down her spine at his tone with Grór and Fraldor both taking a step away from Erestor.
"Sauron has been intent of keeping his return hidden from the elves. As such, that gives us a good advantage to give the High Council time to prepare unnoticed. If Sauron sees you, he will know his manipulations have been revealed." Eruraviel explained.
"The lassie has a point." Grór agreed as Erestor's eyes closed briefly before reopening to show they were filled with steel.
"Even if I joined the Southern Forces rather than fighting him, he would eventually learn of my presence when word from the orcs reached him - and it would reach him. Either way, our presence would be revealed. My purpose for joining you on this venture is to protect you and to try and keep your reckless naturefrom getting you killed." Erestor stated with finality, making her cringe a bit. Valar, he really wasn't one to mince words was he? Little wonder both Elrond and Glorfindel had both backed down upon being faced with it.
"I don't know how successful you'll be. Lassie's mind is a hard one to change." Grór teased, making her toss a scowl at him.
"Like you're any better!" She shot back. If she was a cat, her back would be arched as she hissed at the dwarf. Fraldor snorted roughly before coughing and pointedly looking away from all three of them.
Finally, Grór sighed and moved away from the war table.
"Lassie, I apologize to you both for dragging you into this fight and for having such a planning session when you've both only just arrived. Lassie, I know you remember where you chambers are, feel free to take yourself and Master Erestor to them and get some rest. We'll see you both at dinner." Grór apologized sincerely, Erestor waving a hand.
"Please don't worry about such a small thing. We both are far too old to be complaining about small comforts and 'niceties'. It actually is more comforting to know what is coming and to have plans in place than to be left adrift and unknowing." Erestor returned, getting a respectful nod from both dwarves. Eruraviel smiled, seeing the ease with which Erestor was interacting with them both.
"As you said, I do remember the way. We will see you both for supper." She agreed, nodding before guiding Erestor from the office.
"Planning a war never ceases to be exhausting." Erestor sighed softly, and Eruraviel could only grimace in agreement.