It was dawning the third day after the elf left the cave and traveled north.
Crebain was the first to spot the corpses of Dunlendings the day before, and also the first to respond. These crows enjoyed greatly the decomposing bodies of Hunulf and his servant, differing little from friend to foe. But they also traveled back to report these findings to Orthanc. For the tower and its owner was the able to hear what these creatures hear, and what they see. And very soon ambassadors came out of Orthanc to the northernmost tribes bordering Enedwaith. Counselling the Lheus and chieftains of barbaric tribes ‘’wisely’’.
On the third day dawning, Dunlending patrols traveled north and found the cave at the spot where Crebain reported. It was a chilling morning, and the stench of the bodies was contrasting to the freshness of air and scent of wild flowers nearby. They knew who the bodies were, and they wailed for the loss of their former comrades. They sickened by the brutality of the murder and the helplessness of their kinsmen. Since the corpses retained the bondage during their murder, Dunlendings believed correctly that they were slain with no way to defend themselves. Like dogs to put down.
Without showing steels and making noise, they silently removed the broken and rotting bodies from the pikes and embalmed them as best as they could, with molten wax and herbs. And they carried them back into Enedwaith. Into the village here Hunulf’s people have lived for so long. And they laid the bodies by his father’s only remaining eye. And he wept. He wept more when he learned the manner of his son’s murder. Hunulf’s wife and two year old boy did also wept next to his torn body.
And then a man from Isengard has come by a convenient timing. He has wept for the loss of Grun, father of Hunulf and Lheu of the village.
-”We do share your loss Lheu Grun” he said.. “And this cowardly act will not go unpunished I swear by my white hand”
”-Spare me of your speech Orthanc-man” Grun barked. “-Tell me who has done this if you know, or speak no more”
Orthanc’s ambassador smiled by the curve of his lip. And he bowed to the ground. Then he directly went to the scout party who have recently brought the corpses from Eregion marches after a two day ride. And he yelled :
“-Surely there are some evidence from the cowardly enemy, for no Dun-men would kill others with hands tied?”
Dunlendings in the camp nodded and grumbled. The stroke them from very heart. And to their surprise and amazement, the leader of the scout party nodde with his burnt face and reaching to his bags, he revealed a piece of elven flax, and unfolded it. When it was fully unfurled, the wailing and screams mixed to angry shoutings and swearing. For a Hammer was there, sign of the Northern Thugs
“Ai!” cried ambassador, “-It is revealed! Isn’t that the colour of the bandits of North? Thugs of Rivendell murdered the prince, those who wear black of death!.”
Grun lowered his eyes from the cloth to his son, realized his wounds are indeed coming from a massive blunt weapon, like a hammer. And he realized the pain in Hunulf’s face. A pain which now he too share.
Then Grun went to his tent with long steps and brought forward a massive axe, a weapon of heritage. Which he was proud to tell the tales of its ancientry and how his great grandfather slain wainriders of the north with it. And among the weepings of Hunulf’s wife he handed it to the commander of the scout party. Roaring :
“-Those thugs! took away my son. Ulfra! Take away their sons with this, and bring their heads to me. And my heart will be burning less”
Ulfra grabbed the weapon and bowed, a great many of his clansmen followed him as he started walking away.
Ambassador of Orthanc nodded many times in pleasure. This time he was lucky indeed. For that was such an easy way of keeping the northern border in turmoil and safe, while the White Hand and its orcish arms will be very busy in the coming months with The Horselords.
