For the previous chapter, click here.
Stride,
when you relish in your time.
Walk,
when you are being expected.
Run,
when you wish to embrace your love.
Persevere,
when the assault is at hand.
Be your enemies' death.
Be their very end.
So it may be
that you
stride over the battle-field.
- Dark Elvish Wisdom
North of Middle-Earth, Land of the Conclave, Eye of the Tower, End of the Third Age
Cadhalor saw Thangrineth lying on the ground, infront of the pedestal on which the members of the Conclave stood. Instantly after the last words of the servant who had brought him up into the tower he threw himself next to the Elf maiden in awe on the floor. Then he peered carefully to the side to look at Thangrineth's face.
Her expression was full of rejection; darksome became her eyes, the same feature appeared as to the time when they had met in the black-beech forest. Signs of immense anger. She had to be downright wrathful about his sudden appearance here. More than that.
Cadhalor felt a hint of joy about that and grinned deviously over to her. The dark in Thangrineth's eyes became abruptly thicker.
Cadhalor had no idea why the Conclave had ordered him to come before them. That he found Thangrineth already here made him wonder. With that Elf he had nothing in common!
»Cadhalor«, said one of the Conclave with a fine sounding voice. »It gladdens my heart to see you before us.«
He knew the voice. It belonged to Timánsor, who had blessed him. As sign of thanks did Cadhalor raise suggestively his arms.
»Stand up«, they heard the order ringing from the mouths of the five members of the Conclave to the very same time, so that they intermingled and left an eerie shudder.
Servants carried a three steps high visual cover made of thin, dyed paper into the room and placed it between the Elves and the Conclave. Their wraithlike outlines and that of the pedestal could be clearly perceived, but Thangrineth and also not Cadhalor were allowed to look upon the members directly. They warded their identity with utmost strictness and only their names were known. Only few had ever looked upon them. »Thangrineth, report what you and your friends deem to have gained knowledge about from the lands of Middle-Earth.«
Cadhalor saw that the Elf was taken by surprise. Curiosity spread within him, about what he would get to hear and would happen after it.
»Divine Conclave«, Thangrineth began faltering at first. »I am here to speak to you about the campaigns of conquest of the barbarians from the East. The tribe of the Khundolar and Jangovar are about to overthrow one mile of land after the other. Their host could harbor thousands if they would unite at some point. After my estimation and calculation to the ten-thousands!« She looked upon the wall of paper as if she would look the Conclave themselves into the eyes. »The increasing raids of the mountain trolls on barbarian villages of the Wilderlands show how much the beasts are up for an open war. Their hordes are seventy creatures strong and ten of these groups have been reported so far, when they attacked the settlements. They train themselves - but for what? Worrying is also the news from the fortress of Dol Guldur, which is now feared by the woodland Elves for an unending stream of Orcs and worse pouring from its gates. They even tried to overthrow the Kraggash goblin tribe to the far north.« She was stretching up and raised her arm imploringly up. »The poison-makers were not attacked since hundred years! If the enemies is not recoiling from that, what will they do next?«
Some of that Cadhalor had perceived as rumors, but the numbers that Thangrineth was counting up were exceeding the heard and said by far. She and her friends must had a finely woven net of out in the eastern lands - spies and scouts who were striding about and brought their news directly to the land of the Conclave. Cadhalor had to admit that he was impressed.
»Everything around our land is drawing together and in movement. This morning the wind changed, Manwë let the west-wind roar, a certain harbinger for war. It cannot take much longer until the strongest have come forth from the battles between beasts and barbarians. And in their foolishness they will feel strong enough to unite against us. I say: Let us steal the march from them! Not of fear, but foresight«, she was appealing vigorously. »Divine Conclave: For the protection of our people we must carry the war out into all of Middle-Earth. When the beasts and kingdoms of man are undone by our superior plans and guile we will be victorious and may enjoy the calm that will come about us. The calm of the greatest triumph that our legends will forever sing of!«
Silence came unto the hall.
»I thank you for what you and your friends have gathered«, an elvish woman said finally silken soft and alluring. Her name was Nagsár. »What do you think about that, Cadhalor?«
»As you invited us both, I imagine that you wish to hear two different opinions how we can secure the future of our home and people«, Cadhalor began measured and looked shortly over to Thangrineth who showed him with a gesture to gather himself for a moment. »I have the strong conviction that we should strengthen our own borders and should build this city into an impenetrable fortress. We could raise a wall immediately behind the river and ...«
»Nonsense!«, Thangrineth called outraged and turned towards him. »The more land we possess, the saver we are.«
»We do not have the numbers of soldiers to control the conquered regions, let alone hold them against a counter-attack«, Cadhalor held undaunted against her and turned towards his opponent. He saw that she was just a step before loosing her temper. That was well, for then Thangrineth would embarrass herself and her idea for the many-fronted-war would die. Cadhalor combined a taunting tone with his arguments. »On slaves and servants whom we give weapons into the open hands and whom we leave behind in those lands I do not want to count.« He crossed the arms before his chest. »And I see another danger: This situation the vassals could use to dare a rebellion right here and destroy our land from within.«
Thangrineth glared hatefully at him. »I have calculated everything exactly. We would only require about the half of our ...«
Cadhalor gave a stilted laughter. »Certainly are we incomparable warriors who have no problems even when being outnumbered and who can act quickly if the situation on the field of battle should change. But unexpected things can always happen. You know the Kraggash and their poisons. What if they would provide our enemies with a substance that would let our soldiers die like flies under a troll's foot so that the front would collapse? Reserve-troops would require far too long to stop an enemy assault into our immediate borders. And already would the land be in highest danger. I think that you and your Comet-friends hardly understand the basics of tactics and did not weigh the risks correctly.« Then he grinned devilishly. »Comets fly and perish. Because of that I prefer stars: They glow on the sky for all eternity.«
»Be silent!«, Thangrineth called out to him and spread her arms slightly from her body, while her jaws were working and the blackness in her eyes dimmed the blue of her iris. »You are a waverer, a coward, whose last battle lies back long in the past. You live of the memories of the Dark Elves! I however am nigh the present and the future. My plan will save our country, yours will bring us an eternal defensive battle at the shores of the river until we run out of supplies and arms and our people must perish.« She turned to the Conclave. »I appeal to you: Do not believe his destructive words! Persevering will mean the demise of our land. We must set out and exterminate what is a threat to us.«
Again it became still in the hall.
The Conclave was not moving, they had become statues.
»There is a missing of meaning«, Timánsor said finally and a faint note of reprimand swung in his voice for Thangrineth. Cadhalor felt satisfaction. »Not in your plan. In the news from the surrounding lands.«
»In the highest north-east, beyond the wastes and mountains, behind the land of the Kraggash, a being has settled down that, so it is said, has been in contact with the stars itself«, Nagsár added.
»And it is supposed to possess remarkable abilities that would make it a valuable ally«, Timánsor took over again so that no break was made between the sentences. »We intend much for the end of the Third Age and for that we require more knowledge about this being. You both have proven yourselves before us through your bravery, your wit as well as your skill in numerous battles. And you unite the extremes that put our people before a hard trial.«
»We know«, another voice took over, »that our people is even as such divided. For that reason we have chosen you to go into the farthest North of the world and to speak to that being. To convince it and win it for our plans through negotiations.«
»So we prepare an offensive?«, Thangrineth asked who could not hold back anymore of excitement.
»Different than you might believe«, Nagsár said.
»Different than you and all our people could have dreamed of«, whispered Timánsor and leaned slightly forward. »The end of all foes of Elven-kind!«
Cadhalor was instantly taken by a wave of thrill. The march on the lands of the dark lord, the eradication of all Orcs and all that was alike to them alongside with Mankind had always been one of the farthest wishes of their people. To restore the order as it had been when only Elves had existed on the World. But never could they bear forth the sufficient power or number of arms to undertake such a campaign. To that came the fortress of Linschibog that lay in the territory of the Easterling and barred the way to the south for them. Would the Dark Elves march upon the lands of the Dark Lord? Did the Conclave want to forsake this land in favor to others? He did not dare to ask that question.
Thangrineth's face had acquired its paleness again, the joy was driving off her anger. »You make me your happiest tributary!«, she called excited, sank to one knee and bowed her head. »I will do all what it takes to make this being our ally.«
»And I not less«, Cadhalor said. »Do you wish to inform us about the abilities that make it so impassable for the war?«
The Conclave stood quietly for a moment. »Only one, and that is the most important of them all: It can undo the powerful spells and terror that lie as protection over many fortresses of our enemy«, Nagsár said and raised her right arm; The by silken gloves enfolded fingers moved steadily and softy, caused a dimmed snip. Four servants stepped forth from the shadows of the hall. »Whatever you require to go on this journey, it will be brought to you. But go as two, without any other companions. The way into the farthest north harbors great dangers where one better rides quickly past instead of fighting them. It must not be known what your true errand is.«
»Come back successfully or not at all«, Timánsor added and this time they perceived an icy cold in his voice. »What responsibility you have towards our country, what burden you carry on your shoulders and what can be made possible does not need explanation.« His hand pointed to the door. »Go with our best wishes.«
The servants came to both of their sides, took them into the middle and made all too clear that they should leave.
Cadhalor saw that Thangrineth was hesitating. He knew for what the Elf was waiting: for the blessing of the Conclave.
The servants turned at the same time towards the door and walked on, Cadhalor and Thangrineth had to follow them if they did not want to be accused, indicted and sentenced for a harsh, unforgivable insolence. Thangrineth did not receive a blessing.
Cadhalor smiled coldly. So was his companion still behind him in the ranks of society. This recognition Thangrineth would only receive when she returned in succession.
That made an explicit foothold to harm his rival. He had to be the one who would enter the alliance with the being for the Dark Elves. From Cadhalor's idea sprouted after few steps a definite purpose. Not, because he was feeling the same burning ambition as the stubborn Thangrineth, but because he wanted to prevent that an advocate for an incalculable and unpredictable war would become the shining icon of a warrior.
Silently they left the hall and went down the stairs at which end the servant remained back. Thangrineth and Cadhalor left the sanctum.
»What a shame that you did not receive a blessing«, Cadhalor began and tried to sound innocent. »It is an incomparable feeling of being risen when being touched by one of the Conclave and they speak ...«
Thangrineth's head shot around and again did the blackness mingle with the blue of her eyes. »Try to challenge me. You will not succeed. The land of the Dark Elves will soon be three times, four times as large as it is now and neither you nor anyone will know to hinder it.«
Cadhalor turned around to the half, looked up to the tower. »Huh? You are the lost sixth member of the Conclave? You sound as if they would need to make space for another seat. Will you sit to the right or to the left of Timánsor?«
»Your way of thinking«, Thangrineth said patronizingly, »is too petty-minded. Empires are not made by defending.«
»We don't need an empire«, Cadhalor countered and laughed at his opponent. »For you it is about personal gain. To win a few battles, great battles, to return and rise in power and in this game.« He closed in on the Elf. »You and your friends, you forget one thing. All of us«, his finger described a circle, »obey the Conclave, but not the Comets or the Stars. Their orders are the law, not yours.«
»There is no doubt about that. But the Conclave rather likes to listen to me than to you, before they give an order«, Thangrineth replied in hostility. »Elves like you should be thrown out of the land, Cadhalor.« She grinned like a predatory animal. »And exactly that I will do. As soon as we have returned.«
»Now you show your true face.« Cadhalor wanted to say more, but one of the nether servants of the Conclave closed in on them and gave each of them a leather-bag. Then they returned back into the building and left the two warriors in the fading moonlight that met the peaks of the mountains with the last of its silver rays.
Cadhalor fell quiet and opened the bag, looked inside: several maps for the different region of the North of Middle-Earth and the marked path to be taken.
An headache caused him the way through the land of the Kraggash, a tribe of black skinned goblins that were renowned to be unreached brewers of poison. For almost every race that lived in the world they had created the fitting substance that could kill within the blink of an eye. Good that they were not the sort of conquerors.
»We will be gone for a long while«, he estimated and turned around to Thangrineth. But she was gone.
Cadhalor saw her outlines in a distance of fifty steps beneath him on the stair-way that led down the mountain on which the tower of the Conclave stood. »We ride in four days by the fall of night«, he called after her. »I will meet you on the fourth gate to the North.«
Thangrineth gave no note that she had perceived his words.
