Chapter 26

A/N Elvish translation in the footnote.


The next day, Sam was back in his garden when he heard a cry of "Halloooo!" and with a large early spring turnip in one hand, turned to see Merry Brandybuck coming up The Hill to Bag End on one of his fine Rohan ponies.

He nearly rolled his eyes, but snorted to himself and smiled instead.

"Sam!" Merry dismounted at the garden gate and loosed the pony to graze.

"If you're lookin' for Mistress Essie," Sam said. "She's inside with Rosie, of course."

Merry laughed. "I do have manners, Sam. Always speak to you first, of course." His eyes went wide in admiration of the large turnip as Sam placed it carefully in the large handle basket nearby.

"Well," Sam said, straightening. "I'm always ready for news from Buckland." He smiled, glad to see his friend.

"Don't have much," Merry hooked his thumbs in his suspenders. "Mostly we watch the river this time of year—for flooding and the like. So far, the glade near the Bridge is good."

"The one you want to use for The Visit?" Sam carefully avoided saying "Aragorn's visit" out loud.

Merry nodded. "It will do fine. I've hired a group of strong lads out of the North Farthing to attend the Brandywine Path—Dunedain use it, but there's always the odd old tree down or overgrown thicket. A few old stone bridges to check."

"Good thinking," Sam said, brushing off his hands and handing the basket to Merry. "Here. Make yourself useful."

Merry looked surprised at first, then shared a knowing look with Sam and winked. He knew exactly who he would be finding busy in Bag End's kitchen.

"Go on," Sam laughed. "And tell Essie to add one more chair to the lunch table."


Fili, King of Erebor, sat easy in his saddle and peered from beneath his solid and kingly helm to look at the horizon. Between him and his brother's kingdom far to the west lay the Misty Mountains. He had journeyed over them three times. First, in the company of his uncle, and second, leading a company of his own. Balin and Gloin had been with him on that second journey to Rivendell. He had met Gandalf there, and he had welcomed Gimli, his younger cousin from Ered Luin, into the company for the return trip.

Seeing young Gimli's eyes go round at the first sight of Erebor was something to remember, he snorted.

Of course, now Gimli traveled the free lands at will and Fili was glad to have his company on this trip.

The third time he crossed the Misty Mountains on a journey back to Ered Luin in support of Kili's Kingship, and just in time for the birth of his brother's first son.

Fili sighed. And now…now he was traveling west once again.

No longer such a dangerous thing, he told himself. Yet he was still unsettled. He glanced to his right, where his young daughter Iri rode with fresh eyes wondering at the world around her. Fili was enjoying this aspect of the journey–and of course, beside Iri rode Zêl, the tutor and chaperone. And the best astronomer since Balin. She was quite excited about an eclipse of the sun.

And that brought back to Fili, the odd warning from Thranduil.

What a King desires lies in shadow still.

An ancient scroll.

This you must study to save your kin….

Durin nosse anida tumba nu dagora nalla en' annuminas lirilla i' sikil en' nir' sana tuulo' numenor. i' er ya a' maa ten' i' sikil lotesse il- caela ta ar' will utua ere' ba...

Annuminas.

Sikil en' nir'...knife of many.

Kili's news told him that the last ragged bands of goblins east and west of the Lune were finished, either by the Dunedain or by Kili himself. Fili smiled grimly: his nadadith had more reason than most to hunt goblin-kind. Yet there was something more to Thranduil's strange warning.

A frown deepend under his beard as he rode.

Red-moon marks a journey. Aragorn was going to Annuminas.

Sikil en' nir'...knife of many blades.


Iri and Zêl rode in the King's company, and Iri made it her duty to watch her father's mood. He does seem happier to be out in the wilds, she decided. Fjalar says he's eager to see our Uncle again. Even the Ravens seemed to enjoy the day, flying silly dips and weaves. Several were busy flying ahead to the wall of tall trees that marked the old forest.

"I've never been this close to the Greenwood," she said to Zêl. "From Erebor, it doesn't seem like the trees would be so tall."

Zêl gave the woods a glance but sat hunched on her pony, not as interested as Iri. "Mirkwood," she grumbled. "We always called it Mirkwood before the war…"

Iri twisted in her saddle to scan the entire tree line. "Was it truly murky?"

Zêl snorted. "Full of evil. Ask your father—Thorin's company ran into a nest of giant spiders there…"

Iri looked toward her father again. He was silent now, as if deep in thought. "Maybe not," she murmured to her friend and tutor.

For a brief time, high fluffy clouds shadowed the sun, but these continued south and after a time the sun became bright and warm again.

The Ravens lingered, then flew off, then returned in what Iri assumed were reconnaissance flights. The local birds–an assortment of meadowlarks, thrushes, and small falcons–came and went, though she could understand nothing from their constant chatter.

She was nearly asleep in her saddle when she realized the bird life had gone silent.

Overhead, a single raven quorked.

Strangers!

Iri lifted her head, her eyes instantly wide and alert.

Her father had reined in his pony and stopped, a sword in one hand.

And before she could react, the dwarves of his Guard suddenly leapt into action–and with the sounds of quickly drawn weapons moved to surround the King.

"Quick!" Zêl hissed, moving her pony to a protective position between Iri and the Forest. "To the rear!"

Iri obeyed, her pony instantly following Zêl's and heading away from the King.

"Hurry, lass…!" Zêl urged in a quiet voice. With snorts of concern, both ponies cantered directly toward the knot of archers behind them, who opened a way into their center and closed ranks around them.

As they wheeled around and dismounted, Zêl looked at Iri and shook her head. "I dislike this road already…and it will take us far too close to Gundabad, no matter what Old Dwalin says about it being deserted."


A/N: thanks for reading and a shout out thanks to the reader who asked about Gunz and the stone he found…he is currently in a tent at Annuminas discussing it with the Sons of Elrond—which we will see in Chapter 27! And as you might guess, we are finally on the way to Annuminas-an event that is noted in the LoTR appendices. :D And a shout-out to the fabulous Jessie152 who is both proofreader and prodder.

- Translation:

Elvish: Durin nosse anida tumba nu dagora nalla en' annuminas lirilla i' sikil en' nir' sana tuulo' numenor. i' er ya a' maa ten' i' sikil lotesse il- caela ta ar' will utua ere' ba...

English: Durin kin beware: deep under the battle cry of annuminas lays the knife of many...taken from Numenor. The one who seeks the knife may not have it and will find only death...

Source: The Tel'Quessir Online Translator