15 - Concerning elves, men, bears and the mission
(this fragment of my story is dated approximately 1 year prior to current Bar-en-Acharn's doings and adventures)
The Hall of Fire was humming with pleasant talk of dozens of voices. Fine, sweet music was completing the atmosphere.
Master Elrond, one of the most important elves, filled his delicately adorned glass with goldish wine and looked at Kor.
“This is more pleasant place to meet, isn’t it?“
“Absolutely,“ agreed Kor.
Many weeks have already passed since he and Plusheila entered service directly under one of the elf-lords. Plusheila was completely healed, except for her voice. Not even the praised elven healers couldn’t help her speak again.
The reputation earned with the Rangers, but not only them, granted our pair access to one of the most secret places on Arda – the Rivendell. Elrond was looking for all able and strong fighters in current darkening times.
At first, Elrond gave Kortheod a task to do a recon patrol around Fornost with a few other warriors. Kor met his fellows on the border of the cursed plains. The squad of elves men adventurers and dúnedain scouted the area as thoroughly as they could, given the harsh environment and circumstances. The result was truly worrying. Not only the ghosts and ghasts were more restless and agressive than usually, but also a large orc troop has settled in the region. And the misty apparitions mostly tolerated the orcs. Haven’t been attacking them. Something was very wrong.
During this journey, Kor found out that his new sword is truly great weapon. Facing the dead again and again was frightening, paralyzing and heart-freezing. But Urcarag played important role in surviving encounters with the damned, banishing them at least for some time from the world of the living.
The Fornost patrol reported back to the Esteldín and some of them joined Kor with Plusheila on the way to Rivendell.
Elrond has received this true information: The enemy predominance in there was significant, but there was no use of guarding this battle front with more men than usually. The few dozen Rangers could handle the situation near Trestlebridge. Anyway the armies in Rhunenlad and Dol Dinen were already hit hard and demoralized, with majority of the war leaders killed.
Kor returned from remembering and took a sip of the strong, fragrant wine from his goblet. The elven feast was wonderful, dissolving all the darkness outside… at least for some short time.
There were too several men at the Hall of Fire today, the wardens and trackers from the Fornost recon commando.
He looked around and smiled. Elves and men were different… Yet, there were also things they had in common: some individuals were exactly the same types as within race of men. There were some pensive, reclusive ones. There were wary, unpleasant types. There were merry, sociable characters who delighted in singing and dancing - and thankfully, there seemed to be the majority of them in Last Homely House. And many others.
There were also the posh and conceited. There were quite a few at the celebration. Watching them, Kor hid a smirk behind his goblet. This is so precise…
Kor was mostly a loner, but it wasn’t a hindrance to see the truth behind the nosed-up faces.
Some things are same everywhere…
Anyway, when realizing this, Kor didn’t start to like the elves a bit less. It was only funny - or sad - sighs.
But would I be different, being three thousands years old?
Luckily, Elrond wasn’t one of those. Though he was always adressed „Master Elrond“ by all, he was not behaving like superior to other, in the meaning of the smugginess. Kor felt naturally, commonly respected by him. And he knew Elrond treats anybody else the same way.
“So, share with me the tidings. I’ve already heard some insinuations from my sons, but I want to have also your view on it,” Elrond turned again to him.
Kor looked around. They stood rather aside from any unwanted listener, so he started to report about his second mission. This time, he, Elrohir and Elladan were tracking a particular unrest all across the Trollshaws. But time and place of the incidents were insinuating, that it was caused by something moving around the region. Something dark was cruising Trollshaws in a way, that it seemed it was prowling, looking for something special.
They had tracked him down, in fact Kor was the one who saw the… wraith. It resembled to man in long hooded cloak, but without a head, without face. Kor was watching from a hiding place, unnoticed, and that was his luck.
“I am sorry, I couldn’t do anything. I was overwhelmed by such dread…” finished Kor.
Master Elrond looked at him: „So it is true…“ he paused for a while.
Now it was Elrond who looked around to avoid unwanted ears.
“It is good you didn’t do anything. You’ve met a incredible evil. You wouldn’t stand a chance. Don’t worry.”
Kor shrugged, still embarassed, but the words comforted him a bit.
“I will discuss this matter with you tomorrow. Let’s end for now. We should feast!“
Master Elrond raised his glass and toasted together with Kor.
Plusheila returned from embrace of one of the dancers, took a glass of wine and stood by Kor’s side.
Come and dance with me too, she gestured.
“So much for your -I will not wear this fancy dress-“ said Kor.
She frowned, then pulled him by the sleeve.
“No. Rather ask a bear, he’d perform better.”
You are unbearable, poked him Plusheila.
Kor exhaled a defeated sigh.
“Well. At your own risk. But only on the side of the dance floor.“
It wasn’t such a disaster. Within the missing sklil he kept rhythm, so no one noticed truly bear dance.
On the next day, Elrond asked to see them both in the library. His expression was more solemn than ever.
“I could not speak about the dark wraith plainly. Every word about it would spoil the atmosphere.“
They both stared at him with serious faces.
“There could be only one reason of this turmoil at Fornost: the long disappeared dead kings have returned and are supporting the enemy again. The Nine of the Nazgul are back.”
He paused to let the pair digest the facts.
“In case you didn’t know, the Nazgul are elite servants, or better to say - highly skilled slaves of Sauron. During centuries he slowly regained power in his dark land. The war we saw coming is now at full scale.
And what you saw in the woods near Bruinen, it was one of them. I hope you now understand.”
Kor nodded.
“Some of them are rallying troops in their former kingdoms. Others are performing missions for the dark lord. That is the true cause of all the unrest in Eriador and the rising of orc armies everywhere.
All the effort we put in defying the evil, all deeds of you and other free people are important and not forgotten. But we need more.”
“Army,” guessed Kor and clenched fists.
Elrond paused. “Yes, too. But…”
He took a breath.
“We need also another thing. Even among my people, this is quite confidential matter.“
“We are all ears,“ said Kor for both.
“There is a way to weaken Sauron. The only way. Only few know it and even less are now organizing a secret mission. I can only reveal you a bit, it is best even for your own for safety.“
Kor understood and nodded. He glanced at Sheila and with much exertion he chased away all thoughts she’d been captured and interrogated by orcs.
Elrond continued.
“I can only tell you, that part of the squad is Aragorn, and also Gandalf is involved. This should comfort you a bit. Among all the people in whole Middle Earth, there are no other persons I would trust more.
But they need help anyway. The importance of the mission can be barely expressed by words. We need all our forces, all effort of the free people to distract the enemy. We need to plant false traces, attack at unexpected spots, show not our full strength on field. Mostly the Ranger way of battle.“
Kor’s joints turned white, as he yet didn’t loosen his fists.
“Guerilla war. Good.”
Elrond smiled sadly.
“Exactly. I understood you are good at that, better that commanding dozens of soldiers.”
Plusheila crossed her arms, letting know she agrees.
“You will need another horse, my brave woman. You both will need speed and versatility.”
“Our Brownie is strong and reliable, he is used to carry us both, Master Elrond.”
“I doubt not, Kortheod. But you know it will be useful, please accept my gift.”
Plusheila bowed in thanks and gratefulness.
“Now, let me explain your mission…”
Destination was Eregion. Objective: to eliminate all possible threats.
Kor knew, that there were other commandos with similar mission within the region. All involved would recognize each other soon, so the danger of attacking an ally was zero.
Plusheila fastened saddle to her new animal friend. The chestnut horse was a few inches smaller than Brownie, exactly fitting to her size.
“I have a name for him,” said Kor.
He already has a name, shook head Plusheila.
“I know. But consider: Cuintelch – Cookie. It sounds nearly the same.“
So we have Brownie and Cookie?, Plusheila cracked smile.
“They both are so dainty, aren’t they?“ grinned Kor.
<— previous next —>
