In An Age Before – Part 323
What differed 'twixt then and now, one might ask? During the night, Helluin had wielded only her sword, for in the First Age she had had her original dagger, but not the Sarchram. Nor had she enjoyed the protection of her mithril armor then, and so she had restrained herself from employing the craft of Gneiss in turning blows as she did in combat now. In deference to the sleeping mortals, she had forgone her war cry and her expressions of glee at the bloodletting. But the most profound differences in her fighting then versus now was that she had employed neither Ósanwe nor her Light as weapons during the First Age. She had only learnt to deploy those deadly potentials later.
In the world outside the town hall, the first dimming of the stars accompanied the gradual lightening of the predawn sky. This the Noldo clearly sensed, and she finally broke from her night's 'revels'. She felt thoroughly refreshed.
After sheathing Anguirél, Helluin moved to the hearth to repair the fire ere the infirmary grew chill. Once that was done, she set out the bedpans for the morn's excretions and then checked to see if the water barrel needed replenishing. The Noldo wondered what arrangements were to be made for the patients' fast breaking, for she was reasonably certain that at least some would complain of hunger. And short of spending time hunting, where shall I get some meat for the wolves? she asked herself but discerned no answer.
Now the patients began to waken and shortly later Ivorwen appeared. She and Helluin spoke when she entered the town hall.
"Hast thou compounded the cure for the wolves and Lord Dírhael?" Helluin asked.
"Aye and the wolves accepted their third doses without complaint," Ivorwen said, still surprised about it. "Indeed, they were better behaved in taking their medicine than many Rhudaurim, especially our children. I had sufficient mold to make enough cure for Lord Dírhael's two remaining doses, but all the bread we brought from Celenhár is expended. Should we need more, it shall have to come from the sheet cakes at the bakery."
"The wolves. How was their condition?" Helluin asked next.
"They are yet weak, but were on their feet. They drank the water from their dishes and I left them refilled. I wager they shall take food too if thou can offer it."
Helluin nodded in approval of her report and wondered yet again where in the town she might find meat fit for wolves. Finally, she shrugged and set that question aside.
"The townsfolk awaken and shortly I shall be occupied with the bed pans, the water pitchers, and the bowls of leftover soup. I wager some at least would benefit from porridge, oatmeal, or something more solid, yet I know not whence such provisions come. Pray ask of Gilmith when thou bring the morn's dose to her at Dírhael's home?"
"I shall do so, Helluin," Ivorwen said. "How passed the night?"
"They slept through it without incident," the Noldo said, canting her head towards the patients, "And I deem they are well on their way to recovery now that their course of treatment is complete. I shall observe them and when Hareth arrives, allow her to decide which should be released and which retained."
Ivorwen nodded in agreement with that course and then said, "I take my leave. I shall be at Lord Dírhael's home, assuming Gilmith feels free to aid thee with breakfast here."
Now when Ivorwen arrived at Lord Dírhael's home, she found Gilmith sound asleep in one armchair and the lord sleeping uneasily in the other. The fire in the hearth before them was reduced to embers. The heiress added some wood and coaxed them to flame. Only then did she wake Gilmith who roused slowly and grudgingly, muttering that surely it could not yet be morning.
"'Tis morn indeed and time for thy lord's second dose of the serum," she said, "and Helluin would have thine aid at the town hall, for she feels some of the patients could stand some oatmeal or more solid fare than soup and she knows not whence such can be had."
Gilmith yawned and nodded 'aye' and then shook herself.
"Let us first awaken Lord Dírhael and give him his treatment, and then I shall assist Helluin," she said. "T'would seem that I have had a night's sleep after all. Shalt thou remain hither?"
"Aye, or so Hareth had requested yesternight," Ivorwen said, and the apprentice nodded in agreement for that was the order she too had heard.
"That is well, for if I remain, I shall simply fall back asleep." They shared a laugh at that and then moved to rouse the sleeping lord.
Dírhael woke with a jerk and a splutter ere he recovered himself and greeted the two healers in a phlegm-roughened voice. Though he had taken but one dose thus far, his condition had not been so advanced that he had been unable to take the serum by mouth. His fever was no higher and his coughing was somewhat less violent. He took his second dose gratefully and then slumped back in his chair.
"My apologies for the abysmal hospitality I offer," he managed to mutter ere giving Gilmith and Ivorwen a forced grin and a nod of thanks. Shortly later, he was dozing again.
Gilmith took her leave after seeing Ivorwen settled, and she came to the town hall, intending to remain 'til Hareth relieved her at mid-morn. She found Helluin proffering water and bedpans to the patients who by then were mostly awake. On her arrival, they bombarded her with requests for dismissal from the sick house.
Helluin rolled her eyes and shrugged to her in silent commiseration, but the apprentice artfully deferred the decision to her mentor, saying, "I pray ye ask of Healer Hareth when she arrives in three hours or so."
The patients grumbled a bit, but stayed their requests understanding that the healer's apprentice was not at liberty to determine their condition before her teacher. Thereafter their protests subsided. They drank the water and used the bedpans, some as if out of spite for their continued confinement. A few also requested soup and a comedian amongst them begged a glass of spirits.
Now when the last of the patients had taken water or soup, and Helluin had dumped the bedpans into the varnished barrow that would be emptied at the town's communal latrine pit, (in a ravine on the opposite side of town from the stream, and it seemed, divorced from the water table that fed the well), the Noldo enquired about further victuals and meat.
"Ere the outbreak of plague there was a market in the town square," Gilmith said, "but it hath been closed since folk started dying. People still fear to gather." She thought a moment and then said, "At this point, I would simply raid the tavern. The foodstuffs there shall not keep and with the innkeeper dead, none shall complain if some is taken to feed the recovering sick."
"An excellent suggestion, Gilmith," Helluin said in thanks. "I could leave some coin for the innkeeper's heirs."
"I am sure they would appreciate that, Helluin," the apprentice said.
"Then I shall return shortly if thou art comfortable minding these patients. I reckon some few here might benefit from more solid food for none have vomited since yesternight."
Gilmith nodded, accepting her wisdom in healing, but she recalled a point of curiosity and asked, "What of thine own patients? How fare they, those that thou and Ivorwen are treating in your camp?"
"Of Ivorwen they had their third dose of serum this morn and had improved overnight. They had taken water and were on their feet again," the Noldo said.
"And thou wouldst offer them oatmeal as well?"
"Nay, I would not," said Helluin. "They are not partial to grains. Rather I would proffer soup bones for their marrow, game, or raw meats of such cuts as Men are less fond."
Gilmith raised a brow in surprise at that, but only said, "At the tavern thou may find some sausage or perhaps a ham. 'Aught uncooked would be unwholesome by now."
Helluin nodded recalling that she had smelt no gross stench of rotting meat when she had gone to get the vinegar. 'Aught to be found at the tavern would be cooked, smoked, or wet cured. Though fresh meat would suit the wolves better, perhaps they would be hungry enough to be less discriminating, and perhaps they would be more trusting of meats deemed fit for human consumption. Worst come to worst, she could hunt, though that would take up precious time.
"I shall return shortly, Gilmith. My thanks for thine advice." The Noldo fled the infirmary ere further questions could be asked.
At the tavern, Helluin poured rolled oats for oatmeal into a sack and then found several feet of sausage links and a couple smoked hams. These meats she deemed undesirable to wolves, especially the hams, having been brined, dried, and then smoked. Unable to deny the necessity any longer, she resigned herself to hunting for fresh meat.
Back at the town hall, Helluin poured the oat flakes into a cauldron of boiling, salted water and raised it higher over the fire to simmer. After the third part of an hour, the oatmeal was deemed ready to eat. Although only a few patients had voiced an interest in it at first, more asked to partake when 'twas done. Bowls were passed 'round and the nine who were the most recovered scarfed it down.
In her small house on the edge of Forndun, Hareth slept soundly 'til the second hour past sunrise. 'Twas the deepest and most peacefully that she had rested in weeks. She pulled back a curtain and stared out at the bright morn, looking to the Weather Hills beyond her herb garden and picket fence. A furlong uphill past the end of her yard ran the stream where the top of a tent was barely visible. Helluin and Ivorwen's camp, she realized, and then she sighed and began to prepare for her day.
Three hours after dawn, Hareth arrived at the infirmary where she was greeted with a chorus of patients beseeching her to let them go home. This time, Helluin and Gilmith both rolled their eyes and shrugged.
"Very well," said the healer, "those who feel recovered enough to go home, pray line up here." She indicated a space in the center of the town hall.
An even dozen townsfolk with Magor amongst them, eagerly gathered, a few coughing and a couple of them still a bit wobbly on their feet. Gilmith stifled a giggle and Helluin raised a brow in question, but the apprentice shook her head as if to say, 'watch this'.
"Ere ye take your leave, I would ask your aid, for Helluin is a guest who has brought the life saving cure, whilst Gilmith and I have been awake attending ye for too many hours to crave 'aught but a night's sleep in a bed. Two of ye shall take the barrow to the latrine pit, to empty and rinse it. Another pair may scrub and rinse the chamber pots. Another I need to wash the soup pot and a sixth to clean the oatmeal cauldron. There are also blankets and sheets to launder and hang for drying, towels needing the same, tables to wipe down, and a floor to sweep. I leave the division of labor to the last six. Ere noon, ye should all be done and free to go home."
Bravo! Helluin thought as half of the dozen slunk back to their beds and the other six divided the most onerous tasks amongst them. If those who declined thought they would escape, their reprieve would be temporary, for those same tasks would await them when they grew too tired of the infirmary to remain regardless of what was required to win their release.
Hareth turned to Gilmith and Helluin, one eyelid twitching in what might have been a wink. The Noldo was reminded of that same affectation in the Onod Oldbark, right Lord of Calenglad i'Dhaer long aforetime.
The healer came to them then, muttering, "I am neither a scullery-maid nor a porter and if they wish to leave early, they can earn their freedom. I am tempted to tell them the cure is an Elvish magick compounded of rare herbs and real gold dust worth a lord's ransom." She shook her head but grinned.
Needing to hunt, the Noldo made to excuse herself, having watched over the sick through the night. Hareth had no problem with that as she was grateful for her aid, but still she was curious about the three patients at the camp whom none in town had seen.
"Thou return to thy camp to attend thy patients, Helluin?" she asked.
"Aye, for Ivorwen left them at dawn. They were much recovered then, having had their third dose, but I would check on their condition. They may not progress the same as the rest." She swept the patients with a glance, only belatedly realizing that it had been the wrong thing to say.
Hareth's brows rose, her curiosity enflamed. This the Noldo clearly marked and she groaned to herself.
"If thou wouldst, I would see these patients and learn if thy treatments differ from ours. I take it they were stricken but lately?"
"Indeed so and if thou wouldst, then pray accompany me thither. It should take little of thy time," Helluin said, for any denial would only raise Hareth's curiosity further.
The healer nodded and said to Gilmith, "Pray watch over these and take no guff from them. I reckon they shall be well enough to go home this eve, all but the worst seven. Those we shall keep another night. I should not be long."
They left the town and headed uphill towards the stream, crossing the short distance to the camp. Neither spoke along the way. The three wolves had been lounging on the ground in front of the tent but stood at their approach. They were scrawny and still a bit unsteady on their feet, but they watched carefully, sniffing the air. When Helluin and Hareth were a few fathoms away, the male she had first spoken with met the Noldo's eyes.
Thou hast brought us meat! he happily exclaimed. Though she may prove a bit stringy at her age, we are so hungry that we shall not be finicky.
Helluin rolled her eyes at that and well 'nigh lost their contact, but she admonished him and introduced the healer.
This is Hareth, the healer of the town, who has come of her own free will to check on thy condition. She had heard that three were being treated at our camp and she is oath bound to aid those she can. She is not to be eaten. Shortly, I shall hunt for thee and thy companions. I pray ye have patience.
But we are well-er and mostly healed. Whyfor needs we another healer? he asked quite reasonably. We have already been patients, have we not?
Indeed, ye have and I am glad the cure has worked so well. Even so, the plague is rare and ancient and Hareth would know all she can of it lest it come again. So far, she hath seen it only amongst the sick Men of the town.
To this, the wolf gave thought for a moment, but finally nodded, accepting Helluin's reasoning.
Very well, bright one, I too would know the roe deer from the white tail if I had aforetime hunted only one or the other.
Exactly, the Noldo agreed. I reckon she shall not be long and then I shall bring ye meat.
Now whilst Helluin and the wolf conversed, Hareth had taken note of what she deemed a trio of ragged dogs guarding the sick folk. She gave Helluin a nod, smiled at the wolves, and walked to the tent. There she peeled back the flap and looked inside. Save for Ivorwen's bedroll, Helluin's bow, and some supplies, the healer found it empty. At first, she deemed that the Noldo had been deceiving her and there were no patients, but finally she turned and regarded the Elf and the dogs. They are not dogs…they are wolves! She cures wolves? She hath left them to spend the night with Ivorwen and not feared the danger whilst the lady slept?
Hareth saw Helluin and one of the wolves continuing to face each other in silence. From what lore of the creatures she knew, to stare them in the eyes was to offer challenge, yet both were calm and the other two simply waited, having resumed lying on the ground. They were watchful but they sat with mouths open and tongues lolling out just like any hounds taking their ease amongst friends. There was no threatening or snarling, their ears were perked up, not laid flat, and none stood in a defensive posture with head down and forequarters lowered, growling.
As she watched, it seemed the parley 'twixt the Elf and the wolf ended and the wolf sat. Helluin knelt beside him and felt his brow with one hand, and this he allowed.
She checks for fever, just as would I with a child, Hareth thought. So these are her patients and scant wonder then that she said so little of them. The townsfolk still hate and fear their kind.
"Helluin, how fare thy patients?" she asked nervously as she walking over. She had never drawn so close to living wolves aforetime, but these were as well behaved as any farmers' dogs or hunters' hounds.
"They are much improved since yesternight after their second doses when I saw them last," she answered. "If 'aught, the cure works swifter on them than on Men, and at half the measure. Come and meet them, Hareth. Fear not. They have accepted that thou art a healer curious about their recovery."
Now though it required courage on her part, the healer knelt beside the wolf next to Helluin. The Elf took her hand and brought it closer to the wolf and he leant forward and gave it a careful sniff. When he seemed satisfied and sat back, Helluin drew her hand forward and laid it upon the wolf's head. He sat, brows raised, a slight tremble in his breathing as if he too were nervous.
Hareth felt the warmth of his brow 'neath his thick, coarse fur for his winter coat was coming in. The heat seemed a bit greater than what she would have expected, though she had little reference to base such a judgment on. Finally, she withdrew her hand and nodded to the wolf.
"He doth feel warm, but not dangerously so, though I know not what is normal for a wolf," she admitted.
"T'would be slightly hotter than in Men," Helluin said, "but unlike Men, wolves are more uncomfortable during a hot summer than a cold winter. Their temperatures may rise and fall with activity more than a Man's and still be 'normal' because they shed excess heat less easily. For that reason, they endure winter more safely, conserving body heat by virtue of their coats."
Hareth nodded, for all the Noldo had said made sense.
"Know thou 'aught of how they came to be sick? Are there other sources of plague that we know 'naught of?" the healer asked.
"On their arrival he told me their pack had found the carcass of the cart pony Dírhael, Halmir, and Borlach had left behind and they ate of it. Like Halmir and Borlach, the pony had died of plague and so they were afflicted."
Helluin had nodded at the wolf when ascribing the source of her tidings and at first that had struck Hareth as odd, yet she had seen the Noldo and the wolf appearing to converse.
"Thou say he told thee…" she began.
"We trade silently in thought eye to eye as is the way of Elves with each other and with those of others kindreds. These three feel great sorrow, for the rest of their pack died of the plague and this one's sister the last, only shortly after they arrived here. For wolves, the pack and their place in it is everything."
"The poor things," Hareth said. Even for a wolf, she felt sympathy on the passing of so many close kin. "Know thou their names?" she asked.
"He hath claimed none, but I can ask," Helluin replied ere turning again to look the wolf in the eyes.
The healer would ask your names, Helluin said.
Names? asked the wolf, cocking his head in question.
She is known as Hareth, the Noldo explained. I am called Helluin. My companion here at the camp is named Ivorwen.
We are omegas and any in our pack would have known each of us by our scent as we knew them, he explained. We need no words for ourselves. We cannot follow the trail of a word and who would we tell?
To this, Helluin nodded, for it made perfect sense.
I understand, she said. As the one lost was thy litter sister, dost thou share kinship with these two?
Aye, they are brother and sister born two summers past in the litter a year after mine, he said.
Helluin dipped her head to the wolf in thanks for his answers and then broke their eye contact and turned to answer the healer.
"In a wolf pack, only the alpha and his mate breed and that only once a year. He that I speak with was born three summers past and is the elder brother of the other two by a year. As for names, they have none and need none, for all the pack members are known to each other by their scent."
"They are so young to have endured such losses," Hareth said, looking them over with sad eyes. The young female met the healer's gaze and whined softly as if trying to offer her comfort.
"Aye, they are, and in coming hither, they passed through the ranges of other packs, a deed those probably only allowed because they followed us and lingered not to hunt prey that those packs deem their own," Helluin said. "Whilst staying here they are too close to the town to be trespassing on any pack's territory."
"And what of when they leave?"
"At best they would return to the territory their pack claimed, but they are no longer a pack. They have not the numbers to hold a range. They have no alpha or his mate to produce young. They have no hierarchy. 'Tis as if Men would order a realm without lord, lady, counselors, or Rangers, only the poorest of common folk and few enough of those."
"Could they not join another pack then?" Hareth asked.
"Perhaps, though packs seldom seek additional omegas. Established packs have already their own and more mouths to feed are not offset by the added aid they can provide. Prey is limited and a deer will only feed so many. Being newcome, they would be lower in the social order than the pack's original omegas that are most oft related to the higher-ranking wolves by blood. Even if they were accepted, and three being accepted together would be a stretch, they might well starve this winter."
Hareth had apprenticed for five years and had been the healer of Forndun for thirty. She was no warrior, but in her own way, she fought to keep the North free. Central to her was the desire to relieve sickness and suffering. 'Neath her worldly and sometimes gruff mannerisms, sympathy and empathy lived in her heart. Had anyone told her that morn that she would shed tears over the plight of wolves, she would have deemed them touched by madness.
Though a wolf is considered mature at two or three, still, they are young to me, she thought. In the ways of the Wild, fate has laid this doom upon them, and all from eating the cart pony that our lord's party left behind bearing a scourge of Men. Heartless is the natural world for it follows The First Song by mindless inertia, yet the One is merciful. Merciful too should His Children be. Surely, He would not have them cured of plague, only to die of starvation during the winter. Tears of sorrow for the inequity of their ill fortune tracked down her cheeks.
The two younger wolves had crept over and settled one to each side where she sat in the dirt, whilst the one that Helluin spoke to curled up and laid his head on her outstretched legs. Absentmindedly, she ran her hands over their fur as she felt the warmth of their bodies beside her. They looked up at her with concern. All of this, the Noldo marked with a critical eye.
"Would that I could speak to them with an enchanted glance as thou dost, Helluin," she said, "for I would offer them my sympathy and sorrow for their plight. They are cured now and I am no hunter, but I would aid them as I could."
"Thou cannot speak to them as do I, that is true, yet they ken thee all the same," Helluin said. "Wolves measure the mood of all things they encounter, by sight, sound, scent, and movement. As hunters, they must know the state of their prey. Indeed, they must decide if 'tis truly prey and not a danger instead. T'would seem these have perceived thy mood and the sympathy thou offer. Thou needs neither words nor a magickal glance for them to ken thine intent. Is it not so with dogs that they are sensitive to the moods of their masters? Dogs are wolves with the wildness bred out, and perhaps the sharpest edges of their perception as well."
Hareth nodded, accepting the Noldo's words. The wolves seemed as sympathetic to her as she was to them. Had anyone told her that morn that she would share sorrows with wolves she would hath thought them mad.
"If thou art comfortable in their company, then I shall seek meat for them," Helluin said. "They have not eaten since ere they came hither."
"They must be famished then, now that they are recovering," the healer said. "'Twas so with the townsfolk. Go and hunt, Helluin. I believe we shall be alright." Had anyone told her that morn that she would feel safe amongst hungry wolves, she would hath known they were mad.
The Noldo gave her a nod, and with a quick glance to the wolf, told him she sought meat for them. He gave a soft yip and a raising of his jowls that passed for a hopeful grin. Helluin went to the tent, retrieved her bow and quiver, and then stood staring 'round at the landscape. Finally, at a distance beyond sound and mortal sight, she espied movement in the uplands and stalked off toward the northernmost of the Weather Hills. Eventually, she entered the woods at their feet.
There a game trail followed the stream that led past the campsite to its headwaters somewhere 'nigh the ruined fort. Along the way, Helluin marked a few prints, toed rather than hooved. They had not been made by the prey she had marked on the high ground, but perhaps by others who had stalked them. Yet the tracks were not so new that the Noldo expected those hunters to linger. Still 'twas sobering, for it meant that others claimed this hunting ground as their own.
More important to her that morn though, was the scant air movement of a gentle, intermittent breeze that slipped down from the hilltop. With that blessing to hide her scent, coupled with the gentle whispering of the water running in the streambed to cover any sound, even a mortal might hunt here successfully. When she had come halfway upslope, the Noldo mantled herself in the stealth of the Laiquendi so that none, hunter or prey, would mark her passing.
Now she had ascended two furlongs over a four-furlong walk up the steep path when she sensed presences ahead. They were ten kelvar, resting and yet attentive, and her approach was not the focus of their concentration. She continued to advance 'til she marked them.
Amongst some outcropped boulders beside the stream, now just a creek, Helluin saw shadowy figures lying in disciplined stillness. Coats of grey, cream, and dun hairs tipped with black described their forms. She was upon them ere a chagrined delta designated as the pack's rear guard gave a soft growl to alert the others of her presence. 'Twas the first time they had ever been taken at unawares by one on two legs. Then ten pairs of eyes turned towards her and their lips drew back in silent snarls of warning and threat.
The Noldo marked the one that met her eyes most directly, felt the confidence in his unwavering stare, and saw the arrangement of the others 'round him. She reckoned him the alpha and so she held his attention and spoke to him in silence.
Peace, grey hunter. T'would seem we have marked the same prey. Tell me, how shalt thou approach those above on bare rock with a vantage in all directions? They are fleet afoot on stony, broken ground and I can see no approach to them for more than one or two.
The wolf gave her a grimace that clearly expressed his own recognition of that quandary. His pack could not attack en mass, cut one from the herd, and pursue them to exhaustion over such broken ground. And such prey could climb 'nigh vertical cliffs where his pack could not go.
'Tis true what thou say, bright one. We could but await their descent when they seek water and even then, attacking them on this trail would be a chancy thing. Aforetime, we have been successful perhaps once in eight tries.
Their coats begin to thicken in this season, being all the harder to grasp, Helluin said, and the alpha nodded subtly in agreement. How many hast thou to feed?
Eleven adults and three pups, he said and Helluin nodded, reckoning that one adult minded the young during the hunt.
If by thy leave I can gain the heights of yonder outcrop, I could shoot two, the Noldo said. I have three mouths to feed and require a haunch. I would leave ye the rest.
Thou wouldst cede to us most of two animals?
Aye, for the trail is steep on two legs. I can carry back no more and need no more, and I would not waste meat. 'Tis thy range and the choice is thine.
The alpha nodded gravely for in this they thought alike. The gift of prey animals to sustain the lives of hunters was not to be wasted. Unlike the hunters of Men who took what they could in ignorance of prior claims, the Elf acknowledged his pack's territorial rights.
I agree to thine offer then, bright one. By thine efforts, I pray we shall all eat.
Helluin dipped her head to the alpha and then made her way in silence past the rest of the pack as he spread word of their agreement to the others. They watched her with great curiosity as she silently advanced uphill, then turned off the path and began to scale a great, outcropped boulder that rose amidst a stand of pines. For one on two legs, she made almost no sound they could hear and that was wholly unexpected, yet they had never seen Elves hunting in these lands.
Now the Noldo had found a crevice on the downhill side of the boulder, and in two straight ascents using pinch and pocket holds with a short, unchallenging traverse 'twixt them, she ascended to the shoulder of the great rock where she remained out of sight from above. Then, so slowly that even the carefully watching wolves could scarcely mark her movement, she shifted upward 'til one eye and part of her nose were revealed at an angle, allowing her a glance at the disposition of the small female/offspring herd of mountain goats.
Six animals she saw, two adult females, two yearlings, (one female and the other male), and two kids a few months old. Moving carefully and slowly, Helluin nocked two broadhead arrows on the string of her bow and paused.
Though the wait seemed long to all who watched, in truth no more than the sixth part of an hour passed 'til the animals moved into an acceptable arrangement on the rocks above. Then, ere they could move apart again, Helluin drew and swung the bow 'round to bring her shafts to bear. She loosed whilst lying prone on her back with only her shoulder, left arm, and half of her head revealed. With the Númenórean steel bow's power, the arrows seemed to cross the distance in a blink and slammed into the bodies of one adult and one yearling, both female. They dropped cleanly and half a heartbeat later, the rest scattered.
Now when Helluin reached the kills, the pack was already there waiting, silently guarding the carcasses. They drew back as Helluin approached with her dagger. Ere she stooped to carve off the yearling's haunch, she gave the alpha a nod that he returned, and then she butchered the ibex in a few practiced strokes, cutting free and recovering her arrows as well.
I thank thee for thy leave to take meat in thy range, grey hunter, she told the alpha with a dip of her head as she shouldered the haunch.
I thank thee for thine aid, bright one. We shall all eat this day and none have been injured in the hunt. We could not ask for more. He offered her a dip of his head in parting and then turned to supervise the feeding of his pack.
Approaching the camp, Helluin saw that Hareth was still seated, but the three wolves rose at her approach, sniffing cautiously. The Noldo detoured away from the camp and towards the bank of the stream, beckoning the wolves thither. There she set down the meat and then took to washing the shed blood from her backplate and pauldrons.
Thou met the local pack, the wolf nervously said, having obviously scented them on her. Didst thou needs contest with them to hunt in their range? Shall they come hither in anger?
Aye, I met the local pack, or at least the ten that comprised their hunting party. And nay, I did not have to contest with them. I held a parley with their alpha and we reached an agreement. I shot two ibex but took only one haunch. They were happy to have the rest without expending effort or courting danger in the hunt.
Their alpha is wise, for not all would be willing to include a stranger.
I deemed him so, yet when we met, his choices were few for the mountain goats were high above and hard to reach afoot. I was able to deliver the prey safely and from a distance.
The wolf nodded in agreement then licked his chops whilst regarding the meat ere returning to meet Helluin's gaze again.
There were no mountain goats in our hunting range, he said. I wonder if they taste like other goats?
I recall 'twas so, though I have only tasted it cooked, Helluin replied, prompting an expression of distaste from the wolf. Let me know what thou think. 'Tis from a yearling female. I leave ye to your meal. Pray eat at a reasonable pace lest ye vomit. The wolf rolled his eyes at that.
With their conversation done, Helluin turned from the wolves and walked back to the tent where Hareth waited. Behind her, with eager growls of long-suppressed hunger, the three dug in, tearing off hunks of flesh and wolfing it down.
"Had I any doubts aforetime, I should be cured of them now," Hareth said in greeting. "They eat as ravenous wolves ought." And I have sat beside them this past hour and they did not so much as drool on me, she thought. Who would believe it?
"'Tis the way of their kind, oft forced to feed whilst contending for a share with other animals or their own pack mates," Helluin said with a shrug. "When they swallow, the food is driven down their gullets faster than a galloping horse."
The healer nodded and with a greening complexion watched their vigorous display of unabashed gorging.
"By their appetites I deem them recovering well, Helluin," Hareth said. "This experience has been instructional, but I have been gone for over an hour and reckon I should return to the town hall for Gilmith's relief and the dismissal of more patients."
"Then I should not keep thee," the Noldo said, unshouldering her bow and quiver and returning them to the tent.
"Canst thou administer Lord Dírhael's third dose this eve?" Hareth asked.
Helluin nodded 'aye' and said, "I shall ask Ivorwen after Lord Dírhael's condition when I relieve her at the lord's home." Hareth gave her a nod and a smile and took her leave.
'Twas a sober and contemplative healer who walked from the camp to the town hall, her mind swimming with thoughts of the experience she had just had. The world and the creatures that populated it, seemingly so well known aforetime, were far more complex and far less alien than she had ever imagined. Hareth had, for a short time, seen a bit of Ennorath as others saw it, as Helluin and the Elves saw it, and 'twas a revelation.
This land is not as it seems to the eyes of Men, she realized. 'Tis as if the world were a lake of clear water that each kindred plumbs to different depths and from different places along its shore. The view is different for each kindred and yet 'tis the same lake…the same world. Unlike the Elves, we cannot share thoughts in a glance and only with words and feelings can we share with the minds of others. To hear the hearts of wolves, I am as one listening through a wall that my own senses have built. Is it the same with the horses, cows, sheep, cats, and dogs that I see each day? Do they speak their own minds with thoughts that I am deaf to?
Having been granted a glimpse of a world wider than her own, Hareth the healer would ponder it for the rest for her life.
Now when she returned to the town hall, Hareth found Gilmith and the patients chatting, but no new problems or threats to their health. Their recovery seemed on track and again, she deemed most would be ready to go home by that evening. She drew her apprentice aside out of the patients' earshot and none thought that odd, for healers oft consulted secretively 'twixt themselves.
"Thou saw Helluin's patients?" Gilmith asked her mentor and Hareth nodded 'aye'. "How fare they?"
"They are well on their way to recovery and I reckon they may be released this day for they were on their feet and their appetites were returned in full," she said.
"And how came they to be afflicted?" Gilmith asked, and Hareth nodded in approval at her understanding of the possible threat.
"Their party ate of the cart pony Lord Dírhael's company lost during their journey to Celenhár and were thereby sickened, having consumed tainted meat. Most passed ere the last trio arrived here. T'would seem 'tis an isolated incident and not a further outbreak."
Shocking as was the account of them eating the dead cart pony, Gilmith sighed in relief. She had already lost her brother Borlach and other friends and acquaintances, but she had been so exhausted from tending the sick that she had barely even begun to grieve. Learning that another outbreak was not a threat proffered profound relief and she smiled her thanks to her teacher.
"All seems well here and thou hast been awake since the middle of the night," Hareth said. "Pray go home and get some sleep. I have rested since thou relieved me at Lord Dírhael's house and truth be told, I had slept for several hours there too. I shall watch over our patients here this day. Pray relieve me this eve to keep watch tonight over those who remain."
"Thank you, Hareth. I crave more sleep. Who shall watch over Lord Dírhael after Ivorwen?"
"I asked Helluin to keep him company after his third dose and she agreed," the healer said.
Gilmith gave her a grateful smile, retrieved her cloak, and took her leave thinking of 'naught more than the waiting comfort of her bed. Hareth settled down to trade banter with her recovering patients, smiling to herself as they exhibited complaints, humor, and the return of their personalities. Over the course of that day, she allowed most to take their leave after performing some chores that demonstrated their return to health.
Their progress is amazing, and all from the mold of bread, she thought. I wonder how the Elves could have discovered such an unlikely cure. Surely there is a story behind it and I shall have to inquire of Helluin.
Also during that day, Lord Dírhael's condition, less severe than most of his peoples' and caught early, responded swiftly to the treatments. After two doses of the serum, he was feeling far better than yesternight. By noon, midway 'twixt his second and third doses, he was lucid and conversational and engaged Ivorwen in an exchange of stories that both greatly enjoyed. Aforetime, Dírhael had never been closer to Celenhár than the field beside the graveyard and Ivorwen had never left the Angle. They found that had much to tell each other.
After a serious conversation with the wolves, Helluin came to Dírhael's home at dusk. There she found the heiress and the town's lord engaged in an animated conversation that made his improvement obvious. The two were seated in the armchairs before the hearth and it seemed they had been awake for many hours. The empty bowl of gruel sitting on a table beside his chair and the full chamber pot at its foot attested that he had recovered somewhat of his appetite as well.
"Helluin, is it time for Lord Dírhael's third dose already?" Ivorwen asked, and then she cast a glance to the window and marked the failing light. Helluin nodded 'aye' to her question.
"'Tis time indeed and thou art relieved for the night," the Noldo said.
"How are our patients?" she asked next.
'They are much recovered and took fresh meat this morn. I should be surprised if they linger after this night."
"Shall they return to their home?"
"They shall decide that ere the morrow, but I suspect not. Indeed, they may be inclined to stay."
"Stay here?" Ivorwen asked in surprise.
"Perhaps," Helluin said as she measured out a jack of the serum for Dírhael. "We shall see."
Though the heiress could not imagine that the town of Forndun would welcome the addition of a trio of wolves, she said 'naught before the town's lord and only nodded to the Noldo.
"I shall wash the dishes and then be gone," was all she said.
"I have several rooms in this house and all of them more comfortable than a bedroll in a tent, my lady," Lord Dírhael offered. "May I amend the poverty of hospitality of which I have been guilty thus far and offer thee accommodations for this night? I have not stepped foot within any room upstairs since falling ill."
Ivorwen looked to Helluin with uncertainty, but the Noldo said, "I reckon our patients need no further supervision this night. Should 'aught betide untimely, I shall have thee 'nigh."
To this, the heiress nodded and told Dírhael, "With thanks I accept thine offer, my lord. Sleeping on the ground has not been the favored part of our journey."
"Oh? And what has been thy most favored part, pray tell?" Dírhael asked with a grin.
"Why, seeing the recovery of our patients, of course, my lord," she said, offering him a smile, a blush, and a dip of her head as she moved to retrieve his empty gruel bowl.
When she finished washing up in the kitchen, Ivorwen climbed the staircase to choose a room in which to pass the night. Ere she ascended out of sight, she paused a moment and cast a glance to Lord Dírhael, a fond smile shaping her lips. Then she met Helluin's eyes with a look of such certainty that the Noldo's eyes widened. She hath received a vision, the Noldo thought, the gift of her foresight.
Long after her steps on the floorboards above had stilled, Dírhael remained awake and spoke with Helluin. Though they had spent a fortnight traveling from Celenhár, he had been required to keep his distance 'til the final day and less had been said 'twixt them than he had hoped.
Many questions he asked concerning times long past that only she recalled, for of the ancient wars of Beleriand and the might of Númenor he craved to know. To the Noldo, both topics were unsurprising subjects of curiosity for a latter day Dúnadan and she answered what she could. Yet ere he slept, he also asked after Ivorwen and Celenhár, and of the noble lines of Rhudaur, and on these topics too, Helluin was uniquely qualified to speak.
"It sounded like a nightmare, Beleriand," Dírhael said, shaking his head at the descriptions Helluin had offered of the Mortal Shores during the First Age.
"'Twas certainly that," the dark Noldo agreed, "but much else besides and all of it new. I had trod the Mortal Lands long aforetime, but never had I imagined seeing them lit by the moon and sun. No one had, and much had changed whilst we Noldor were away. When we returned, 'twas to discover war, Angband, Yrch, the Sindar, and Doriath.
Only the first of those had we expected and 'twas still a surprise when legions of Orcs assailed us in Lammoth. We had never met their kind aforetime. Still, so foul was our mood and so wrathful were we after the ship burning and the Helcaraxë that we slaughtered them to the last by moonlight. Alas, that battle cost the life of our king's son Argon who led the first charge of our counterattack. We had much to learn of battle tactics then." She shook her head sadly for the first fallen prince of the House of Fingolfin.
"I have heard it told that thou sailed to Númenor upon a time," he said. Helluin nodded 'aye'.
"I dwelt in Westernesse from S.A. 600 'til S.A. 992 and left for Lindon upon the death of my husband Vëantur," Helluin told him. "Thereafter I returned several times as an embassy from my king Gil-galad."
"Thou wed a Númenórean?" Dírhael asked in astonishment.
"Aye, Lord Vëantur who was Tar-Elendil's Captain-Admiral. We met upon Belegaer when he rode to Lindon in Entulessë. 'Twas their first sojourn to the Mortal Shores after the First Age. For the next three centuries, we sailed in exploration, even so far as the Walls of the Sun."
"Had ye any children?" he asked.
"A daughter named Almarian, born in S.A. 661. She wed Írimon, Tar-Elendil's son in 698, ere he took the throne as Tar-Meneldur in 740. I am sure thou recognize the name of her sister-in-law, Aranel¹ Silmariën?" ¹(aranel, princess Quenya)
To this, Dírhael nodded 'aye' for the lore of the founding of the Lords of Andúnië was recalled amongst the nobility of the Dúnedain. The first lord of the royal line's ancestral house had been Valandil, son of Silmariën and Elatan.
"As thou come of the line of Isildur, I shall tell thee that we are related in distant measure," Helluin said. "My granddaughter Almiel wed Númandil, the third Lord of Andúnië, in 778."
Fifty-five centuries ago, he thought, and she looks no older than an Adaneth of thirty. I cannot even begin to reckon in what degree we are related. How many hundreds of descendants hath she seen pass from Arda, I wonder?
Now the Lord Dírhael also asked after Ivorwen and soon, Helluin wondered if that had not been his primary motivation all along. Still, her background and the root of her ancestry were remarkable by any measure, and they spent longer discussing it than the entire First Age.
"Ivorwen has told me that she is heiress of the First House," he said, "and that house has long been prominent in Celenhár, but I am probably lacking in the lore of her house and how it came to be in the Third Age when 'twas destroyed in the First."
"The lordship of the First House passed with the first death of Beren Erchamion in 465," Helluin told him. "Within a couple decades, the last remembered nobles of that house had also passed from Arda, these being Rían daughter of Belegund and Morwen Edhelwen daughter of Baragund."
Dírhael nodded at this, for the mother of Tuor and the mother of Túrin Turambar were both dead by F.A. 500. Such was the lore known regarding the House of Bëor.
"Yet from those times there were rumors of another heiress of that house, finally confirmed in S.A. 1700 following the War of the Elves and Sauron. Dúrrél daughter of Baragund was by three years the elder sister of Morwen, but at the age of twenty-five, she left Dorthonion for marriage. That was in F.A. 455, just ere the Dagor Bragollach. After the upheaval of the war and the slaughter of so many of her kin, she was largely forgotten.
I never knew her in Beleriand. Indeed, I knew 'naught of her, for no word of her came with Húrin, Huor, or Tuor to Gondolin. I only saw her once, in Cardolan in T.A. 1448, and by then, she was already dead," Helluin said.
Dírhael remained silent at this revelation, not knowing what to say. T.A. 1448 was over fourteen centuries in the past and the dates in the First Age were so long ago as to be dimly recalled lore to him, well 'nigh myth.
"Born in F.A. 440, by her appearance I reckon she was over eighty when I found her corpse amongst those of her descendants, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and great granddaughter. Dúrrél had survived the Nirnaeth Arnoediad by then and must have left at least one other child in Beleriand for she had descendants in Númenor in the Second Age.
Only one did my beloved and I find alive. From the slaughter of Dúrrél's family, we rescued an infant girl. We brought her to the Regent of Cardolan, Lord Húngan and his wife Lady Eilianu to be fostered, and they gave her the name Lainiel. In her time, she took the title of her great grandmother, Lady of the First House of the Atani and wed Galor son of Galion, Lord of Celenhár and the five and thirtieth King of Eriador. Ivorwen is the thirty-first generation heiress of Lady Lainiel, and therefore shall be the thirty-second Lady of the First House in this Age."
Helluin fell silent and Dírhael gave her peace for the memories arising from the recounting of the lady's lore were many. Eventually, the Noldo sighed and shook herself back to the present.
"Of Ivorwen may come an heiress to follow in her office as Lady of the First House, but also perhaps a son who would be the five and sixtieth King of Eriador."
"By the marriage of her forebear Lainiel to the then King of Eriador," Dírhael said, and Helluin nodded 'aye'.
"Their families are long entwined, and they are entwined with the royal House of Isildur as well. In the years following the Fall of Fornost, Brennil, then Lady of the First House wed Prince Artamir, second son of Arvedui. His sister, Princess Artanis wed Gwíthír, King of Eriador and Lord of Celenhár."
"Then she is a distant cousin to me," Dírhael observed.
"Aye, and on more than one count, for her father is the Dúnadan Gilbarad, a lateral descendant of the House of Isildur," Helluin said.
To this, the Lord of Forndun nodded and said, "That line is indeed distinct from mine," as if in relief.
Now they spoke further, but in the end, Dírhael said, "Many hopes rest upon her and yet she is not overwhelmed. It says much for the strength of her constitution and I esteem her for it."
"Those heiresses of Dúrrél whom I have known have sometimes been impulsive and sometimes prudent," Helluin said. They have been warriors, leaders, and healers, captains and servants of their people. They have made mistakes, admitted them after, and accepted the consequences. They have honored family and their history, and ever have they opposed the Shadow as they strove to do good. Those traits and virtues that once distinguished the Atani have bred true in them."
"And they have not the stain of Númenor or the weakness of Isildur to darken their counsels," he added, thoughtful. To this, Helluin reluctantly nodded in agreement, and she watched his eyelids flutter and droop. Soon, sleep claimed him.
The Noldo realized that she had offered an acceptable version of Ivorwen's history with no mention of Iarwain Ben-adar, his time hopping, or his kidnappings. The story had already been unbelievable enough. She wondered how Hareth was faring, for she should have completed her shift at the town hall with dusk and was hopefully at home resting. Gilmith should have been presiding over their few remaining patients through the night.
I wonder what vision she saw and what she learnt, Helluin thought as she recalled the look that Ivorwen had given her as she climbed the stairs. She cast her glance to the lord as he dozed in his armchair, his breathing easy and his brow dry of sweat.
He is a good Man, she thought, recalling how he had come to Celenhár for hope's sake and never mentioned his title or status, only begged their aid for his sick as if he were any commoner. He had insisted on sparing the town the possibility of his infecting them, and he had remained apart without complaint during the fortnight of their travel. He values his people above his own comfort, and she recalled another lord, unknowingly a king, who had once said, "I am no high lord to take my ease in a lavish chamber, or rule from a guarded keep," and she thought, A good match they would make.
To Be Continued