And when in the end Glorfindel and Earnur, prince of Gondor entered to the depths of Angmar, The Witch King of Angmar fled the accursed lands for Mordor. Though the Angmar’s defeat was in full, it was too late to prevent Northern Kingdom’s fall. And even without the Witch King, the curse of the land persisted. Like every victory in the last two ages it was fruitless, and bitter.
Elven lords had come to the conclusion thus, that the land had to be watched continuously. Elecarnë was one of the volunteers. For he had lived much of his life in the shades. But he would not be alone. Belorion and Nanorviel whom he met while the second age reigned in Lindon, stood by him in this endeavour. Their friendship would be long lasting. And in the following days there would be more volunteers to come.
Their band was of twenty two elves strong. Their work was laborious and long lasting even for the perception of elves. They were not staying long in any outpost and never had any permanent settlement. At times they were heading to the frozen north of Forochel and then to North and South Downs if needed.
Elecarnë in time denied using his own name openly. Neither he was using the Sindarin translation of it :Carangil. His comrades and Northern men, which he seldom resorted to contact with, started calling him Belethoriel. It was the name of the very sword which was forged the elf in Gondolin, who is now the Lord of Vanimar.
In time the foresight of Glorfindel and elven lords proved to be true. Angmar ever continued to be a dangerous place. Orcs were seen here and there even though in small numbers. Next to them, the children of traitorous northern men who once served to the Witch king, were drawing their swords still in his name like their fathers. The people living in the north before Numenor were raised, were eventually returning their faces back to the darkness.
The benefits of this elven company in North were not substantial. Still, was bigger than it seemed. During their duty they managed to send messengers to Imladris four times only. And no answer that was unsaid before, reached back to them. Time to time the members of the Northern company retreating to the South downs, Imladris and even to the Havens. However Belethoriel and Belorion did not leave Angmar themselves during their watch.
The Capture of Belethoriel and Dissolution of the Northern Company
There was an unusual activity in Angmar in the year 2943th year of the third age by the reckoning of men. The number of the orcs was increased beyond containment and was impossible to handle with little ambushes. The company itself had casualties but only barely maintaining itself with mere one or two new recruits.
In a sunny day, Malenhad was in the shade. Unnaturally black clouds were travelling atop an orc company to ease their march. The Northern company watched them march from one of the hills. And in the first light of the next day Laerith and Engwe, sentries of the same company appeared. With news from other regions of the realm.
Belethoriel listened to them and told to Belorion “Let us ambush little groups, separated from the main host”
Belorion approved with a joy that was contrasting to the darkness of the realm they reside. He was the one closest to Belethoriel and often leading warriors of Noldor blood in the ambushes. As they were planning the details of the attack another voice was heard. It was Merillas of Doriath, whose past was not as long as others in the company. “A man approaches” she said.
It was a man called Baranthir. Whom was contacted several times before and brought them news of importance. Belethoriel greeted him with warmth. “It did not surprise me that you appeared on the eve of the dark day” commander said. But the news of Baranthir were dark indeed. “The orcs you saw yesterday was a small portion of what they had” he said. “Send your fastest rider to Rivendell. Until the help arrives from there, fight will continue as my men will join to your company”
Belethoriel heard all what he had to say. And after a moment of deep thought he assigned Curvuniel and Edraewe as messengers to Imladris. As they bowed and rode back fast, Baranthir continued to tell the story how he organized a resistance in the North.
“They do not trust to elves” he said, “But if you come alone they would perhaps understand that your intentions are at least true”. Baranthir added. Then there was a shadow in Belorion’s heart and shared it with Belethoriel. But he told him to be at ease, “In any condition we can’t stand to this force alone. Bring the company to the Malenhad approach and wait for me there. If I do not return, they do your duty first and await orders from Imladris”
Thus, by the nightfall the company was retreated backwards and Belethoriel found himself heading to a dark town with Baranthir. It was a long march and less than pleasant. When they arrived, there were an unusual silence reigning. Baranthir then urged him to wait and walked towards the biggest manor of the town. In a short while he returned back. Returned but not alone. A number of armed men were now alongside him. Then Baranthir added coldly “it’s the end of the road for you, elf”
“Whatever was promised for you, you are not going to have it” said Belethoriel. A dark laughter of Baranthir was his answer. Then they detained Belethoriel and put him in a carriage with iron bars.
In which, Belethoriel was carried towards every direction in Angmar. He first saw the lifeless bodies of Curvuniel and Edraewe and then the rest of the company. If it was not a game that the hope played to him, some of them must have been alive. But he was denied to know their fates. Nor they allowed him to stay long in Angmar to learn about it.
