51: And So It Begins

Gilhael joined Aragorn and Alric in helping the refugees up the Stairs to Dunharrow. Luckily, Thengel had insisted that all refugees be ready to flee into the hold at a moment’s notice so there was little need for arguments; all obeyed instantly. Children were gathered up and some of the men hastened to don what little armor they possessed and pick up any sharp implement at hand to act as a weapon. It was a pathetic sight in one respect, but Aragorn could not help but admire these people who had lost everything yet still were willing to fight for what little they did have, but more, were willing to fight for their king and for Rohan.

In minutes all of them were on their way up the Stairs. Aragorn and Gilhael stayed just long enough to ensure that they were safely at the top before rushing to don their own armor and grab their weapons. Alric, as captain of Dunharrow, remained behind to oversee the disposition of the refugees and to order his own men out in force upon the walls, ready to defend the king’s stronghold if need be.

Of the Elves, there was no sign.

Coming down the Stairs, Aragorn and Gilhael joined Hildebrand and Hildered standing next to Thengel at the forefront of the wall of warriors facing down the dale, weapons at ready. Torches and campfires had all been doused so they were standing in darkness. The night was milder than it had been lately, but the stars glittered coldly like shards of ice. The Moon had already risen some four hours earlier and while he was not yet full, they could see well enough by his light.

However, they heard the approaching cavalcade before they saw it. Thengel motioned for everyone to hold still. Finally, they saw the troop as it made its way out of the eaves of the forest hugging the eastern slopes of the dale and make for where Thengel and his people were waiting. Just as the first line of horses cleared the woods, someone blew a horn and standards were unfurled. Even though the troop was still too far away to make out any details, in the moonlight Aragorn could see the white horse on one of the standards and knew that this was not the enemy.

"The horse of Rohan flies on the standards, my lord," he whispered to Thengel, knowing that his eyesight was superior to those of the Rohirrim.

"You are sure of this?" Thengel asked.

Aragorn nodded and Gilhael did as well. "I think this must be Hilderic come at last, lord," the older Ranger added.

As if to underscore the Dúnadan’s words, three of the horsemen broke rank and galloped towards them. They could hear one of them shouting, "Westu hál, Thengel King! It is I, Hilderic come as thou hast commanded me." The younger Rider leapt off his horse and all could see in truth that it was indeed Hilderic while the other two Riders turned out to be Wídfara and Ragnawulf. There were glad cries of welcome and Aragorn found himself hugging Wídfara while the younger Man laughingly protested that he could not breathe. In the meantime, the rest of Hilderic’s troops reached them and Thengel was ordering his own men to help with settling the newcomers in. A space to the north of the refugee camp was allotted for Hilderic’s men and soon there were the sounds of tent pegs being pounded into the half-frozen earth and campfires being built. Orders were given to allow the refugees to return to their own encampment and shortly thereafter Thengel was left with Hildebrand, his two sons, Aragorn, Gilhael, Wídfara, Ragnawulf and his uncle Isenwulf as they made their way back up the Stairs to Dunharrow.

"Let us have some mulled wine," Thengel announced as they reached the main hall. "I suspect your trip was a bit on the frozen side," he added with a smile at Hilderic, who did indeed look a bit blue with cold.

The younger Man smiled. "To say the least. We dared not light any fires once we reached the Snowbourn." He paused long enough to take an appreciative sip of the wine which Aragorn handed him. "These last few leagues were the worst actually," he added. "We did not know what the situation was. The information that Ragnawulf and Wídfara had was old and anything could have happened in the meantime, so I took the precaution of keeping as close to the eastern flanks of the mountains as possible."

Hildebrand nodded. "One of our scouts saw you approach and warned us. He was unable to identify you so we decided to treat you as a threat until we knew otherwise."

Hilderic smiled at Thengel. "My own scouts noted the locations of your scouts, Uncle, but I gave orders that none were to be waylaid or molested. Once past Upbourn and Underharrow I knew that anyone we encountered would belong to you."

Thengel returned Hilderic’s smile with one of his own, though it was more ironic than not. "I thank you for your forbearance, Nephew. I’m rather fond of my scouts and would not wish them to be molested even by family members."

The others laughed and soon they were busy exchanging news and discussing the upcoming siege. Thengel clapped a hand on Hilderic’s shoulder once they were finished with the debriefing. "I am glad you are here, Nephew. You came in good time."

"I am glad as well, Uncle," Hilderic answered. "I would see thee returned to thy proper place and Rohan restored to peace. We still must deal with the troubles in the Westfold, but until Edoras is restored to us...." he shrugged and everyone nodded in silent agreement.

"In two days," Thengel said quietly. "In two days we will begin and may Béma grant us the victory."

****

Later, Aragorn sought out Thandir and the other Elves to see what they were planning to do. He did not think they would join in the battle and was not surprised when Thandir told him as much. He was surprised, though, at the Elf’s next words.

"This is not your battle either," Thandir stated baldly. "Neither you nor Gilhael should be involved in this."

"But we are," Aragorn retorted quietly.

"These are not your people," Thandir said, his expression unreadable.

Aragorn lifted an eyebrow in reply. "Are they not? Rohan has ever been a friend and ally to Gondor. Should I who may one day wear the winged crown abandon them at this late date? Thengel is a worthy king and the blood of Númenor flows in his children’s veins. For that reason alone would I fight beside the Rohirrim."

"You do not belong here, Estel," Thandir replied.

For a long moment silence reigned between them. Aragorn gave the Elf a considering look. "What upsets you more, Thandir? The fact that I am no longer the brash and eager fifteen-year-old who constantly begged you and my brothers" — here he nodded towards the twins who were silently watching the tug-of-war between Elf and Man — "to join you on patrol or the fact that I am acting as Dúnadan and making decisions of which you obviously disapprove."

"Both and neither," came the enigmatic reply and there was just a hint of a smile on the Elf’s lips that did not quite reach his eyes. "You will always be ‘Estel’ to me, I fear." He sighed, and his smile turned more rueful. "It is hard to see you as the leader of Men that you are. My apologies."

Aragorn nodded. "Adar has a difficult time as well, so you’re not alone." Then, deciding to change the subject, he asked, "Will you ride with us?"

"Only in so far as our road follows yours for a time," Thandir answered. "When the king reaches Upbourn we will continue on our way. I think we have outlived our welcome anyway. The upcoming war is a Mortal concern and we Elves have no desire to be embroiled in it any more than we have."

"Will you tell Thengel?" Aragorn asked.

Thandir nodded. "When we deem the time is meet," was his reply and Aragorn was wise enough to leave it at that.

"What about the Westmark, though?" Elladan asked. "There is still the threat from the Dunlendings and possibly more orcs to be dealt with."

Aragorn flashed him a smile. "One battle at a time, brother. We are, after all, only Men."

There was a brief silence between them and then the twins were chuckling. "In that case," Elrohir said, "we’ll give you a week before we expect you to tackle the troubles in the Westmark."

"You’re so generous," Aragorn said, his expression dead-panned.

The twins laughed outright at that and gave Aragorn warm hugs while Thandir exchanged grins with Celegrýn and Gilgirion.

****

Thengel’s éoreds left Dunharrow at midnight the following night. Thengel’s plan was for them to be in place at Upbourn before the dawn. Scouts ranged down the dale and reported that the ruins of Underharrow were empty of any threat of ambush and the gates of Upbourn were closed, though there did not seem to be as many guards on the ramparts as there once had been. Thengel thought long and hard about the news which the scouts brought to him, but in the end decided to continue as originally planned.

"We will have to see what is happening there," he told them as he ordered the troop onward. "I wish I had been able to speak to Gandalf before this. His absence worries me. Why did he not come to Dunharrow?"

"He is a Wizard, Thengel King," Thandir stated. "It is best not to look too deeply into the motives of the Ithryn. Even we Elves are chary of them. Allies they may be but they cannot be relied upon."

Thengel nodded and no more was said as they made their way down the valley, passing the dark ruin of Underharrow. Many of them kept their eyes forward, not willing to look at the burnt-out town, though Aragorn noticed a few of the older Riders making signs of warding. In the waxing moonlight Thengel’s expression was harsh with fury at what had been done at Underharrow, but even he refused to look in that direction. Instead, he urged the cavalcade to move more quickly. No one objected.

Their route between Underharrow and Upbourn swerved eastward towards the mountains. It was Thengel’s intention to come to Upbourn from the east rather than the south. "Otherwise, my left flank will be exposed to archers from the ramparts," he had explained during one of their briefings, "for the land before Upbourn will not allow for us to move out of shooting range. We need to come at Upbourn from further east so we will do what Hilderic did only in reverse."

Thus, the army made its way along the eaves of the mountain woods, which slowed them down, though from the position of the moon as he began sinking behind the western flank of the mountains they could tell they were making good time. The last few leagues however would be the most difficult for by then the moon would be lost from view and it would be yet another hour or so before the sky would begin to lighten in the east, heralding the coming dawn and the beginning of Thengel’s campaign to reclaim Rohan.

It was here that Thandir and the other Elves proved useful, for with a single word from their leader, Celegrýn and Gilgirion went ahead to scout out the land, the lack of moonlight no deterrent to their elvish sight. Elladan and Elrohir joined them as well and between the four of them Thengel was able to bring his men safely before Upbourn while darkness still reigned upon the earth.

Now came the dangerous part of the king’s plan. It had been decided that Hilderic would lead his men north and circle around to the west to come upon Upbourn from the river side in an attempt to block any retreat by its citizens. Therefore, the Elves volunteered to lead the Riders through the darkness.

"We will do this for you, Thengel King," Thandir said, "but after we have seen your nephew and his men in place we will continue on our way. Imladris calls to us and these two" — here he nodded towards the Elrondionnath — "must needs continue their own mission to Lord Círdan."

Thengel nodded. "I thank you for your assistance, my lords, and wish you a good journey. Elennath Elbereth sílar or le."

"Farewell, Thengel King," Thandir said, speaking Rohirric. "Lord Béma grant you success in your endeavors to win back your throne." He raised a hand in salute and then turned his horse to join Hilderic at the front of the line. Soon the éored was lost in the darkness.

For a while no one spoke, then Thengel turned to Aragorn and Gilhael. "Your friends did not farewell you." There was the sound of a mild reproof in his tone.

"We said our farewells in Dunharrow," Aragorn said softly. "Elves rarely bother to farewell Mortals for they know all too well that it may indeed be the final parting, so brief are our lives in comparison to theirs."

"It must indeed be a grief to them," Thengel commented.

"Which is why they rarely befriend us Mortals," Gilhael said, "though the Elves of Imladris have always succored the Dúnedain at need and are more willing to interact with Mortals than the Elves of other realms."

Thengel nodded in understanding then looked toward the east where the very faintest hint of grey streaked the sky. "Now we wait," he said.

****

It had been decided that Thengel would not move his troops until Hilderic was in place, therefore the main army was to wait for the signal: a single horn blown in a particular pattern. Dawn was advancing, the sky turning first mauve and purple and then blue. Stars faded and birds began to sing. Horses and men became restless as the first rays of the sun turned the snow-covered mountains peaks around them golden-red. Then...

Clear notes rang through the morning air, cold and distant, barely heard but echoing through the mountain walls.

"Mount up," Thengel ordered and in less time than one would think the éored was heading down from the hills into the valley where lay Upbourn just as the sun rose above the mountains, bathing all in its auroral light.

As they reached the open land before the town, Hildebrand took a third of the warriors and moved southwest while Hildered took another third and headed northwest. Both flanks moved faster than the center so that in due course they formed a half ring before the gates of the town, though keeping well out of arrow range. Aragorn and Gilhael were with the king as were Wídfara and Ragnawulf. Isenwulf was also there and had begged the king’s leave to act as his herald before Upbourn, thus he held the king’s standard on Thengel’s left. When Hildebrand and Hildered were in place, Thengel nodded to Isenwulf who spurred his horse forward until he was directly before the gates. All could see several men on the ramparts, though fewer than they would normally expect.

"Something is not right," Aragorn whispered to Gilhael in Sindarin.

The other Ranger nodded, giving his cousin a grimace. "Too few men on the walls," he whispered back. "Why are there not more men? An alarm should have sounded through the town by now and we should be facing a wall of arrows, but I count fewer than ten men at the gates and none appear to be archers."

Thengel, nearby, overheard their speech and nodded. "This troubles me as well," he answered, speaking Sindarin also. "It smells almost like a trap."

At that moment Isenwulf brought his steed to a halt, still out of arrow range but close enough for those on the walls to hear him. "People of Upbourn," he called out clearly, "the time of choosing is upon ye. Thengel your king demands your surrender. Open ye the gates and lay down your weapons and ye will be treated kindly. The king knows that not all are guilty of sedition against him and will render mercy as well as justice. Choose quickly and wisely, for though your king has been patient, abiding his time when he would treat with ye, patience hath its limits."

With that Isenwulf swung about and headed back towards Thengel and the waiting army.

"Now we will see what happens next," Thengel said with a nod as Isenwulf approached, taking his place on the king’s left.

Anor rose further into the sky and still they waited, for there was no movement that they could discern from the town. The number of men on the walls neither increased nor decreased and none could fathom its meaning.

"It’s almost as if they are merely statues," Aragorn opined at one point. "I have yet to see any of them actually move."

There was a hiss of anger from Thengel at that as he turned to the younger Man. "You are sure of this? I confess my eyes are not as young as they were and the glare of the sun makes it difficult to see clearly what is happening on the walls."

"Thorongil speaks truly, lord," Gilhael answered. "None of the men on the walls have moved so much as a hand in this last quarter hour. Indeed, I would venture to say that none have moved at all since we approached."

"What can that mean?" Wídfara asked in frustration. "What is happening behind those walls? Why has there been no answer, either yea or nay, to the king’s ultimatum?"

"There’s one way to find out," Aragorn said.

"And what way is that?" Thengel asked, raising an eyebrow.

"We should move closer to the gates, within arrow range in fact," Aragorn answered. "Or rather, one of us should and see what reaction we get."

"A dangerous ploy," Thengel said, "but I agree that we need to do something."

"Then let us get on with it," Wídfara replied with the impatience of youth and without waiting for leave he spurred his horse forward, galloping towards the gate.

"Wídfara, wait!" Aragorn nearly shouted and was about to go after the brash younger Man, but Thengel and Gilhael held him back.

"Let him go," Thengel ordered. "If the enemy doesn’t kill him for his temerity, I will certainly kill him for his... stupidity."

If the situation hadn’t been so grave, Aragorn would have smiled, but all he could do was watch helplessly as his friend risked his life. He had been all set himself to go to the gates, the thought that others would have objected to his going never crossing his mind. They watched as the young Rider reached the place where Isenwulf had spoken and then continued on until he was definitely in arrow range, yet none of the men on the walls made so much as a gesture. Aragorn held his breath as Wídfara came ever closer to the gates and noticed that the Rider had slowed his horse almost to a walk and then stopped while still several feet from the walls and looked up. He sat there for a moment and then quickly turned his horse about and galloped back to the line.

As he approached them, they could see his face was drained of any color. "I... I do not think... anyone is th-there," Wídfara stuttered as he brought his horse to a halt before them. "The men on the ramparts..." he paused, gazing back at the town before turning his attention back to them, his expression one of horror. "I... I think they are dead."

****

Ithryn: (Sindarin) Plural of Ithron: Wizard.

Elennath Elbereth sílar or le: (Sindarin) ‘Elbereth’s stars shine over you’.