Things get dicey on the Forsaken Road; will the Oath-Breakers take Halbarad's offer?

Since it's been a week, if you want a refresher, I'd go back to the previous chapter and start at Halbarad's POV, when they first enter the Forsaken Road. It might help with the flow of this chapter.

While writing this chapter, I was listening to a LOTRO track on their "Mordor" album called "Lhaereth of Seregost", by Chance Thomas. It's got a nice, creepy vibe. You can find it on Spotify, or on YouTube. If you like listening to music while you read, I'd give it a try. No lyrics to distract you or anything, as it's just instrumental.

Chapter 72

Candaith's POV

As soon as Maonir engaged Halbarad in battle, the rest of us attempted to help. However, a strange barrier had surrounded Halbarad and Maonir, and we could not penetrate it. Luckily, Halbarad prevailed.

"Is everyone all right?" Halbarad asked cautiously, his eyes trained on Maonir. "As you can see, the Dunedain are not to be trifled with."

Yet again, Maonir attacked Halbarad, but the Oath-breaker seemed slightly weaker. I wondered at this; if he was a ghost or spirit, how could a man injure or incapacitate one? Or was it just for show? I knew from second-hand accounts that Gwin had fought countless undead spirits and had somehow defeated them, but I had never asked her how it was possible. She did not share her experiences much, and I knew it would be long before she felt she was able to speak of them.

"You have no honor, as of now," Halbarad said calmly. "My chieftain can return it to you, if only you answer his call to arms." I was impressed at how seemingly at ease Halbarad was, and it only increased my admiration of him.

Maonir seemed frustrated and embarrassed, and when he swung his sword at Halbarad again, it was only a few moments before he was kneeling on the ground, shaking with fatigue. "I…I desist…for now," Maonir gasped. His fellow Oath-breakers were muttering amongst themselves, but I could not understand them. I glanced over at Himeldir, as he spoke Dunlendish. "What do they say?" I whispered.

"They wonder at Halbarad's words. Some seem to be considering their merit," he replied. Could it be possible to convince them to follow Aragorn?

Maonir struggled to his feet. "You…you fight well for a child, warm-blood," he said patronizingly, but I could tell he wanted the memory of his recent fight with Halbarad to be forgotten as soon as possible. Halbarad raised an eyebrow but did not reply. "Britou will want to speak with you. Britou always wants to speak with those who brave this road. Keep the chasm on your right, and you will find him."

Something about the way he spoke his last words made a shiver run down my spine. We gathered as a group to discuss. "I feel uneasy moving so far from the entrance," I murmured. "If the Oath-breakers turn on us, we will be too far away to escape."

Halbarad nodded, and pondered my words. I tried not to shift impatiently, but the heaviness of the air was weighing on my spirit, and I was unsure how long we could manage it. "Perhaps if we were to split up into small groups along the path? If some of us require aid in a certain area, we could gather there."

Radanir shook his head, "I believe that puts us at a disadvantage. If the Oath-breakers attack, would it not be wiser to be together as one fighting force?"

"I had hoped to avoid violence," Halbarad muttered grimly. "Yet we have already faced it." He sighed, "If the Brenin will not speak to us here, we must take a chance and find him further down this road, or we will have failed our mission."

"Very well," I replied, the unease returning. At this, we grouped together, but Radanir volunteered to stay behind near the entrance. "If we need Elladan's aid, I will be able to call for him quickly. Shout across the chasm if you need help!" His reasoning was sound, but I could tell he was also afraid, and I did not begrudge him for staying where he was.

As the youngest of the group of Dunedain, he was eager to prove himself. Yet, he had much to learn, and I agreed it was the right decision for him to be near the door. I was unsure if he could withstand the terror we could be facing when in conference with the Brenin, if things went ill.

Carefully we made our way down the dusty road. It was crumbling in places, but the path was clear. Various rooms branched off, and part of me was strangely drawn to wander into them. I had to force myself to focus on moving forward without deviating from the path.

Finally, after walking for only about 10 minutes, I could see the visage of the Brenin ahead, in front of a kind of throne.

I wondered what the next few moments would bring.

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Halbarad's POV

I was at the head of the group, and was surprised to note that my fear had left me. I was hopeful we could work this out and avoid further fighting, but I knew I had a strong group of warriors behind me if things should go ill. Additionally, I needed to provide the impression to the Brenin that I was serious in my offer to help them find honor and rest by following Aragorn. I wondered what he would be facing in the Dwimorberg, and I hoped to be able to reach him in time to join him, with this fighting force at the ready.

I had been careful to avoid using Aragorn's name; if subterfuge was required in order to survive and convince the traitors to follow him, it would be prudent to keep his identity a secret until it was required.

Finally, we stood in front of Brenin Britou. He eyed us impassively, and I could not read his expression. To be fair, he was a spirit, and discerning facial characteristics was not easy. "All who stray here belong to the dead," Britou said, sounding almost bored. "It is no place for the living, Duvodiad."

"You came to this place to escape your curse, and brought your men with you," I began, with a measured tone. "Do you not wish to instead break this curse?"

"Hmm," Britou murmured, seeming to be in thought. "I will consider what you have to say." Again, I watched his expression closely, but saw a flicker of a smirk and my heart sank. Perhaps this was all for naught.

Candaith, however, seemed cheered. "This seems to me a good sign. If the Oath-breakers will fulfil their oath to Isildur, we will command an army the like of which has never been seen in Middle Earth. Surely victory will not be far behind," he said quietly. I looked at him in some surprise; he was not known for the naivety I was now seeing from him. In response, he furrowed his brow. "Do you not agree?"

During our conversation, the Brenin had gathered several of his Oath-breaker soldiers, and they looked to be deep in conversation. Unfortunately, not even those of us who could speak Dunlendish could understand, as they were speaking too quietly to be heard.

After several minutes, his soldiers melted into thin air, leaving only Britou standing before us. "What have you decided?" I asked.

"I said I would consider it, did I not?" he replied, looking…amused? "I will do so…if you can defeat my fighting force!"

With this warning, a few Oath-breakers rematerialized, with swords in hand. Luckily, no strange barrier appeared, so we all joined in the fray. It took little time to defeat them, and I had a sneaking suspicion Britou was toying with us.

"Witness the strength of the Dunedain," Candaith proclaimed proudly.

"Yes, I am filled with fear of you," Britou drawled, his words dripping with sarcasm. Candaith's facial expression changed, and hardness replaced his optimism. More fighters appeared, and we dispatched them with ease once more.

"Enough of this! We have nothing to prove to you," I growled.

"Ah, but I think you do!" Britou replied merrily, and I wanted to cut off his smirking head. As more Oathbreakers replaced the previous ones, the battle seemed to be fiercer, as if Britou had decided to increase the difficulty.

Candaith was angry now, and shoved his way forward before I could stop him. "We did not come here to entertain your careless whims!" He got right up in Britou's face. "We are here to offer you deliverance from your curse! Why do you not accept?"

"I need not listen to your demands, warm-blood," Britou retorted, as some of his amusement fled and something grim replaced it. "Who are you to make such an offer? Only the Heir of Isildur can do so."

Candaith seemed to gather himself, and my eyes widened as I realized what he was about to say. I grasped his shoulder tightly and said, "Wait-"

"I have the authority to command you and all your kind to fulfill your oath!" Candaith shouted, before taking another fortifying breath and continuing, "For I am the Heir of Isildur!" If I had not known better, I would likely have been convinced. Where I had expected some hesitancy or a quaver in his voice, I only saw conviction and a glimmer of the strength of the Numenorians, from long ago.

Britou looked shocked, "What proof have you of this claim? What evidence is there?"

Candaith revealed his hand, where the fake ring of Barahir was located. It shone with an eerie light as the stone reflected the blue torches. The twisting snakes looked almost sinister. His face was serious and his eyes shone with pride, and I knew he was reflecting on how important Aragorn and the mission of the Dunedain was to him. "The Ring of Barahir, heirloom of Isildur's line, which is my line also."

Britou came closer to examine it, shaking his head in wonderment. He stepped back then, but I noticed his expression of surprise was less realistic than he had hoped to convey…and I knew we had lost. "We will fulfill our oath at last, that the Heir may lift the curse. Tell your men," Britou said, but it was ominous.

Before the Brenin could say another word, I shouted, "Run!" I had half-expected the others to hesitate, but they followed me without question.

All except one.

Just as I began to turn away, my eyes widened as Candaith engaged Britou in battle. Both were clearly angry and skilled, but Candaith had the disadvantage, as the other Oath-breakers were flooding in from everywhere.

There was nothing I could do to aid him when Britou's sword went through Candaith's chest, and a scream tore from my throat as he crumpled to the ground.

"You are not the Heir of Isildur!" the traitor boomed, and as I tried to get to Candaith, a wall of Oath-breakers moved towards me. I had no choice but to turn and run, or face my own death.

As I ran, I stumbled over what I feared were the bodies of my comrades, but did not have the ability to look closer. The number of Oath-breakers was more overwhelming than I had anticipated, and I could barely see where I was going. I was swinging my sword as fast and as hard as I could, fending off my enemies and hoping I wouldn't fall into the chasm. I again tried to retrace my steps, but a flood of the traitors was coming my way and I knew it would be suicide to attempt to get to anyone who was left behind, if in fact they were still alive. The thought made my heart nearly stop in my chest, and I hoped I was mistaken in what I felt in my heart was true…that the others were dead. It had been foolish to assume our small group would be able to fend off such a powerful fighting force, and I berated myself for being overconfident. The weight of what I had done felt like it was crushing me.

Eventually I somehow made it to Radanir, who was staring at the chaos with wide eyes. He had the sense to pull Elladan inside when he noticed the battle begin, and the Ellon looked upon the onslaught of enemies and our flight of escape with rage. He was likely not angry with us, but rather at the betrayal of those we had hoped to gather to our cause. "Get out of here," Elladan shouted, and power echoed in his voice. "I will cover you." A strange light was in his eyes, and it made the Oath-breakers pause. I knew Dunlendings greatly feared magic, and apparently this held true even to those who were dead. He was almost glowing with it, and I looked at him with wonderment. What was this Elf capable of?

Shaking myself out of my temporary stupor, I dragged Radanir through the door, while he was shouting "Where is Candaith? Where are the others? We must wait for them!"

"Elladan will find them," I replied, but even I thought my words sounded unconvincing. There was no way Elladan was going to be able to fight them all off, nor get to the other side of the cavern to rescue Candaith and the others…if they were still alive. He would be lucky to escape himself. Elladan was willing to sacrifice his own life to save ours, and it made me feel both guilty and grateful.

We waited…and waited…and waited. I had attempted to move the stone of the door multiple times, but it would not open again after it had closed behind us. I could not be sure if it was the ghosts or Elladan who were keeping it shut; it was likely the enemy sealed off the entrance in order to prevent the others from escaping their doom. The sun was shining brightly, but it did nothing to dissipate the fear and dismay Radanir and I were feeling. I tried to be strong, but my heart was breaking at the realization that six proud, brave, good people had lost their lives. For nothing. I wanted to scream at the injustice of it.

However, leaders did not scream.

They took charge.

I stood up shakily, trying to find my footing after I had eventually sunk to the ground. I turned to Radanir and said, "Up you get," and pulled him to his feet. Tears were on his face, which was full of grief and shock. I wondered if mine looked the same, sans the tears. I could not remember the last time I cried, and I could not afford to do so now. "We must return to camp and report what happened." I realized we should have done so long before now, but I had let my hopes of the others escaping overrule my usual ability to make a plan. I could still see the sword plunging into Candaith's chest in my mind, playing over and over.

What had I done?

Radanir threw my hand off his arm, "You would leave them!" he said, outraged. "You would leave them in that pit of Morgoth? To rot?"

I sighed in frustration, "We cannot reenter; even if we could, the Oath-breakers will attempt to kill us as well." I stalked towards the door and tried yet again to open it, but it would not budge.

Radanir gripped his shaggy black hair in his hands and choked back a scream, collapsing again to the ground. "We…we failed them."

"If they survived, and fought off the Oath-breakers, they may be taking the time to recover inside," I said, trying to be optimistic.

Radanir scoffed, "Inside? With the traitor ghosts? Unless Elladan managed to banish the uncounted number of them out of existence, I am sure they are still there, roaming around and dealing death and destruction to all who live." Or the Oath-breakers had already finished this fight and had faded back into nothingness, leaving only corpses in their wake.

Deep down, I knew Elladan did not have the power to eliminate such a large enemy presence alone. Even with Elrohir by his side, it would likely not have been enough. I remembered hearing about when the two of them cleansed a cursed chest of gold, and how they used so much energy that they almost did not survive. If it took such a large amount of power to cleanse such a small thing…how could Elladan hope to somehow defeat what could be hundreds of the cursed undead? Thousands? Perhaps if Lord Elrond or Lady Galadriel had been present…I sighed. There was no use in fantasizing on what I wished could have happened.

I kneeled down next to him, "When we return to camp, we will bring back a stronger force and push them back." And recover the bodies of our fallen comrades. I left these words unsaid, but Radanir seemed to guess, if the anguish in his eyes was any clue. "Please Radanir, the sooner we return, the sooner we can come back here. We have tried on our own for long enough."

Radanir nodded, and I was dismayed at the abrupt change in his expression from anguish to pure, unadulterated rage. "They will regret their actions!" he shouted, glaring at the stone door. Revenge was on his mind, and although I felt it also…I feared Radanir would be consumed by it.

At this, we made our way across the road and towards the trees, where we had tethered our horses. They were grazing calmly, which warred against the storm within my heart.

I knew with a startling clarity that Gwinthilnel and Elrohir would be shattered to hear what happened. What would it do to their spirits? If it turned out Candaith and Elladan were dead, would they survive or fade away? The thought of it made me shudder.

"Noro lim," I murmured in my horse's ear, and Radanir followed as we took off at a gallop, riding north.

Well…probably not what you were expecting, although perhaps the treachery of the Oath-Breakers was something you anticipated. Remember that this story follows the plot of the game, as least in a broad sense, and things aren't always sunshine and roses (I mean, look at Gwin's life). I hope you liked reading the chapter, even if you didn't like some of the events which occurred. Just bear with me. Leave a review :-)