Now that the Dunedain have made it to Theodred's Camp, they will attempt to make a plan to rescue Gwin, Lothrandir, and Candaith. How will Ergothorn fit into all this? Will he be a help or a hindrance? More adventures await! Enjoy!

Chapter 119

Ergothorn's POV: One Day Before Gwin's 2nd Encounter with Saruman

I woke to the sound of quiet murmuring, but noted it seemed like more voices than expected. Sitting up groggily, I squinted in the early morning light and noted, with some surprise, the figures of two familiar Elves. Elladan and Elrohir noted my movement and gave me small smiles, before returning to their previous conversation.

Running a hand through my tangled, blonde hair, I made my way over to the fire, some cram and dried fruit in hand. I then noted the plethora of Dunedain rangers sitting around it, and they all greeted me as I found myself a seat on the ground. "I must say, I did not expect to see you so soon, but I am glad of it," I exclaimed. "Bema must be looking out for us."

Halbarad shrugged and murmured, "Whether it is fate or just luck which brought us here, we must move quickly to save Gwin, Candaith, and Lothrandir." He turned to face me more fully. "Prince Theodred mentioned you are to travel to Isengard yourself?"

I nodded, "I planned to gather some intelligence, for Theodred as well as for myself. I do not know if I have the skills to rescue anyone, but I owe it to Gwin and the others to try and find a way."

"Do you have any ideas?" Radanir asked.

"Not exactly," I said uneasily. "I figured I needed to see how things looked first." I felt foolish and unprepared. How was I to help in such a task? A map-making Rohirric Gondorian with little fighting experience did not sound like someone best suited to a rescue mission.

There was a short period of silence where everyone was sitting in thought, before Corunir spoke. "I told the others earlier, but I believe they will find a way to escape on their own. However, I worry at what condition they will be in. I think it would be prudent to travel there and be nearby the entrance, should they require aid in leaving Nan Curunír, with plenty of healing supplies in hand. They may need medical attention." Corunir grimaced. "I hope it will not be anything serious, but we must be prepared."

"We have plenty of healing supplies still," Elrohir added. "Between Calenglad, Elladan, and myself, we should be able to provide what they need." While the Ellon looked confident, I could still hear a flicker of worry in his tone. Clearly, he feared they would be in poor shape, if they managed to escape.

I explained that Léofward and Haldred would be joining us on our scouting/rescue mission. "I understand it will take a couple of days to reach Isengard, especially since we will need to be cautious in our steps."

"There is a large road which runs straight through Nan Curunir and up to the gates of the ring around the tower," Haldred explained, having wandered over. "However, I doubt it will be unguarded. If we leave the road, it will still be difficult to navigate, but we might be able to defeat foes who would otherwise ambush us by surprising them first."

"The Dunedain are light on their feet," Halbarad said. "And Elladan and Elrohir move nearly soundlessly when they put their minds to it. With their superior vision and hearing, we should be able to spot the locations of enemies. I'd prefer to avoid them rather than engage them in battle, but we will do what we must."

"Will we be leaving shortly?" I asked. "Or are further preparations needed?"

Halbarad said, "We are ready, but it would be prudent to speak with Prince Theodred before going on our way."

"Did I hear my name?" Theodred asked lightly, a cheeky smile on his face.

Haldred huffed a laugh, "Indeed, my prince. We are ready to depart."

Becoming more serious, Theodred clasped Haldred's shoulder, and gave a polite bow to Halbarad before addressing the two Rohirric scouts and myself, "As much as I value your contributions, please take care. This will be a dangerous mission, and I would rather you return safely than take extravagant risks and lose your lives simply for information." He then turned his attention to Halbarad. "I do not have any sway over your actions, but I offer the same advice. While the average Uruk and orc are not the most intelligent, Saruman is a crafty wizard. He may use tricks to deceive you, should he become aware of your presence. Use your discernment and resist the urge to react on impulse." Theodred chuckled, "Although I cannot claim to be the best at using such skills, for I have the temper of my cousin Eomer." He smirked, "Although I control it better, I think." He straightened up and said, "Westu hál!"

The rest of us repeated the farewell, before mounting up and moving at a brisk trot towards the road. Not all of the Dunedain would be going on this journey, for a large group could tip off the enemy. Haldred and Léofward went first, as they were more familiar with the surrounding area, with me following close behind, the map within easy reach. The work I had already done would be useful until we passed closer to Isengard; I had mapped out the Gap of Rohan in my earlier travels, as I had taken it coming North from Gondor. It would be good to ride the landscape once more, in order to increase the precision and detail, as well as double check my previous work. Once we came into more unfamiliar territory, I would quick draft something on scrap parchment, which I would use to add to my map when I had the time.

However, I needed to survive this journey first.

The path started rather narrow, nestled between two cliffs which towered above us. Luckily, they were quite smooth, and an ambush would be very difficult from such a height, if the enemy were to somehow scale the sheer rock wall. Nevertheless, those with bows kept them strung and ready for use, just in case.

After a time, the landscape opened up, and we were surrounded by fields full of green and yellow grass, swaying gently in the wind. I took a deep breath, smiling at the familiar scent of the lands I had traversed for so many months. It was nice to be on the road again, especially with those who I considered to be friends, or at least acquaintances. I had to admit, I felt safer by their presence alone, and knew I would be well-supported in case we were thrown into battle. Theodred and his men had given me many tips and corrected some of my errors, but I had a long way to go before I could ever consider myself a decent fighter. I wonder what Gwin would think of my skills now. Noting my thoughts had turned to her once again, I pushed her out of my mind. I needed to focus; thinking about her would only lead to distractions and mistakes.

"Our goal will be to get to Forthbrond," Léofward commented. "It is one of our encampments in the Gap; the last time I was there, it was well-fortified, with many soldiers of various companies. Most are Theodred's Riders like myself, but others have trickled in over the past several months, including refugees who have fled from their homes." Léofward sighed. "Eventually we mean to transport them to safer cities, but we have few men to spare on such errands when things are so dire."

"Will they welcome us, especially since we are not of your people?" Elladan asked.

Haldred shrugged. "Once we tell them you travel under the blessing of Prince Theodred, no more questions will be asked." He frowned, and added, "Although I cannot guarantee they will trust you, especially the Elves."

"We understand," Elrohir replied ruefully. "Many fear our people based on stories and legends which paint us in a bad light, but we have come to expect it."

"Although Gwin has done much to dispel such fears," Elladan said with a grin. "It seems that when she helps someone, they tend to change their opinion of her."

"Mostly for the better, although I hear some of the dwarves in Ered Luin are still suspicious," Elrohir added, laughing musically.

"Ah, you mean those Dourhands?" Saeradan asked with a smile. "Langlas mentioned them the last time we spoke; they hold a strong dislike for all Elves, as well as any dwarf who does not side with them. Not even our sunny Gwinthilnel would be able to turn their hearts back towards the light."

"Although she certainly tried her best!" Elladan said with a grin. "We were helping her with some things in Ered Luin many months ago, and when the Dourhands attempted to resurrect their long-dead king, things…got out of hand."

"Out of hand?" Calenglad asked, raising an eyebrow. "Whenever you say that phrase, it usually means a near-death experience occurred."

"You would be right!" Elladan replied. "We were in a grand hall, which suddenly began crumbling around us as the ritual to bring King Skorgrim back to life created a great earthquake. We ran for our lives and barely managed to get out of there before the door crumbled; it would have trapped us inside with the undead King and a Gaunt Lord."

Halbarad looked pensive. "King Skorgrim…the name sounds familiar to me."

Elladan sobered. "He and his fellow Dourhands were the ones to assail and eventually destroy Edhelion, where Gwin was living at the time. Her mentor and great friend, Talagan, sacrificed his life to kill the King, and Gwin was there when it happened." He sighed. "She fled to Celondim, unable to face anyone she knew for many years, wanting peace and solitude."

"Eventually she was more open to visitors, and would travel to Imladris with us at times, but she always found her way back to the city by the Sea," Elrohir continued. "I was quite surprised when she offered to go around Eriador and help defeat the evils within, for I thought she would stay in Celondim, in peace, for many more years, and then sail to Aman. She has done much good and vanquished many foes, but I fear it has burdened her soul greatly."

"She has Candaith now," Lothrandir insisted. "As well as the support of us; I think we have brought her much happiness, despite all the peril we have faced together."

Instead of bringing Elrohir some comfort, he looked pained as he murmured, "I fear what Isengard has done to her. She…" he swallowed thickly. "She already struggles with the strange darkness. What if…" he shook his head, unable to speak as he tried to hide his tears.

"What if Saruman has done something to make it worse?" Saeradan continued quietly. "Then we will help her master it, however we can. I have seen what you and Elladan have done to aid her; once we are reunited, you can use those skills to help her."

I had to admit, I did not know much about this 'darkness' they spoke of, but I knew Gwin had been struggling with something she did not wish to share with me, back in the cave. I had the urge to ask more about it, but held back my inquiries, for I could sense they would not be welcome, at least for now. Léofward and Haldred were at the front of the group, and appeared to be purposefully not paying attention to our conversation. I was grateful for it.

Luck was with us, for our journey to Forthbrond was uneventful. We were greeted by Cadfrith, the captain and overseer of the large garrison, and Léofward and Haldred were pleased to see Andreg, the scout Theodred had been worried about. He had received some injuries from some wayward Dunlendings on his way between Grimbold's Camp and Forthbrond, but would be heading out soon to return to Theodred's camp. "There is more activity on the borders of Nan Curunir," the soldier reported gravely. "I had established a rough camp for a couple of days, and could spot many orcs and Uruk-hai wandering the blackened lands, although I could see little in the way of organization or coordination in their movements." He frowned. "It was almost as if they were roaming about listlessly, waiting for something."

"Waiting for what?" Halbarad murmured, furrowing his brow in thought.

Andreg shrugged, "I'm not sure, but suffice to say, taking those lands back from the enemy would be a difficult task for Theodred to complete."

Cadfrith bade us to take some rest, but it was clear he was uneasy around the grim-looking Dunedain rangers. I wanted to tell them to lighten up a little, since I knew they had the ability to be friendly, but due to the nature of their mission, I knew it would do little good to mention it. Once we were all settled into tents, we gathered around a small fire to discuss our next moves. "Do you think we will reach the tower tomorrow?" I asked curiously.

Léofward put his chin in his hand, clearly thinking. "I believe it would be best to spend tomorrow night at Andreg's old camp. We can observe the movements of the enemy much closer, and we will be able to gather some very useful information to give to Prince Theodred."

"And also aid in the formulation of our rescue plans," Halbarad added.

"If they need rescuing," Corunir interjected.

Elladan looked frustrated as he faced Corunir, "What makes you so certain they will escape on their own?"

Corunir looked uncomfortable with all the attention. "It is just a feeling I have, in my heart. I know not where it comes from, but I believe it to be true."

"You have always been a little fey," Golodir joked, chuckling at Corunir's scowl. "No foresight, of course, but you seem to sense danger long before we encounter it, know where the best game is to be found even if it makes little sense, predicting the weather with startling accuracy…."

"That's quite enough from you," Corunir grumbled, but Golodir just laughed. I noted the other rangers looked pleased, and surmised that perhaps the older ranger did not laugh much.

That night, I updated my maps in the fading sunlight, determining I would add colors later when I had more time to mix them. I pushed aside the anxiety I felt over this mission with some difficulty, finding the chatter of my companions to be a decent distraction. Radanir valiantly attempted to tell some jokes, but they fell a little flat due to his obvious worry over his kidnapped friends. There was one awkward moment where Calenglad was telling some memorable stories about Gwin where Elladan said, somewhat angrily, "You speak of Gwin as though she is already dead, with all your stories." Calenglad had snapped his jaw shut, unsure what to say as Elladan stalked away, his brother following close behind. Eventually, the Ellon returned and apologized. "I know you do not mean to sound as such, but I miss my sister dearly, and it is hard to hear such things without my worry for her overtaking me."

"No worries, mellon nin," Calenglad replied with a sincere smile. "We all are worried about her, as well as Candaith and Lothrandir. Let us try not to let it overtake us, if we can."

"Easier said than done," Elladan replied ruefully. "But Gwin would tell us to hold onto hope, so I will do my best to take her advice."

Eventually we all settled into our bed rolls, and I fell asleep quickly after a tiring day.

They managed to make it to a fortified camp, and plan to head ever closer to Isengard the next day. Ergothorn doesn't really feel like he fits in with the veteran Dunedain, but he believes helping his friends is the right thing to do. Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!