53: Nú ða æfter Gramfærnesse, nú ða æfter Gebrosgnunge...

The Elves, less affected by death than the Mortals, were the first to move, quickly and clinically checking each of the bodies before turning back to Thengel and the others. Elladan spoke first. "Most of them have been dead for perhaps a week."

"One or two of the hardiest might have survived a little longer," Elrohir added, "but not by much."

"How did they die?" Thengel demanded, his eyes cold with fury. Whoever these men were, whatever their crimes, real or imagined, those responsible had arrogated to themselves a royal prerogative in executing them.

"Exposure," Aragorn answered, having recovered from his shock enough to examine some of the bodies for himself. The Elves nodded in agreement. "We may be at the doorstep of Spring but the nights have still been cold and the days damp. Without adequate heat and left as they were...." He did not finish his sentence for it was obvious what had happened.

Thengel’s expression was as grim as any recalled seeing. "Cut their bonds," he ordered, "then bring them to the main square. Ragnawulf, go with some of the men and bring the bodies by the gate as well. Whoever these poor wretches were, they did not deserve this."

Men scattered to do the king’s bidding as he with his captains, Aragorn, Gilhael, the Elves and Wídfara made their way back to the feasting hall. "I cannot imagine Gandalf sanctioning any of this," Thengel said as they made their way into the hall. "Where is that missive he left behind?" he asked and Wídfara, still acting as his secretary, rushed to the trestle and found the parchment in question, handing it to Thengel who had moved to the central firepit where a fire was blazing, rubbing his hands together to warm them from the chill, a chill that had less to do with the early Spring dampness and more to do with what he had just witnessed. He gave Wídfara a smile in thanks and took the missive, reading it out loud, automatically translating it into Rohirric for the benefit of those untutored in Sindarin.

"‘I have done what I could to mitigate the ire of these good people, but I am only one and they are many in their anger. The dead are those found guilty either of the burning of Underharrow or of taking advantage of their position and abusing the citizens of Upbourn most foully.’" Thengel paused, looking up at Isenwulf. "Rape?" he hissed.

Isenwulf nodded reluctantly. "And the occasional torture when they were bored," he answered.

"Do you recognize any of those from the barracks?" Hildebrand asked.

"One or two but not all, for I was often away in Edoras and knew only the captain of the guards and those who were my escort. None of them are among the dead, by the way."

"Would they have gone with Gandalf and the others to Helm’s Deep?" Wídfara asked.

Thengel shook his head. "It seems not," he said and continued reading. "‘Those of the garrison who decided their loyalties lie with your mother were permitted to leave unmolested, presumably to make their way to Edoras. I am leading the rest to Helm’s Deep, for these good people have decided they want nothing more to do with this war. They are grateful that their children are safe and pray that the king will not punish them for their parents’ sins.’" Thengel scowled. "As if I would ever do that to innocent children. What does he take me for?"

"I doubt Mithrandir thinks anything of the sort," Elrohir said. "These are not his words but the words of your people."

"And apparently my people have little trust in my mercy or justice," Thengel retorted.

"They are fearful, and angry, my lord," Aragorn said, "and I think some may well have been maddened with grief at what was done to them."

"Thorongil speaks truly, Brother," Hildebrand said. "These people, to do what they did, were on the brink of madness, I deem, a madness born of grief at the destruction of Underharrow. Many of the people of Upbourn had kin in that town."

Thengel nodded, though his expression was still grim as he continued reading. "‘This is not how I wished it, my friend, but I can only inspire not command and so I will see these poor children to safety and trust that you will do what is needful to regain your throne and your kingdom. Lord Béma and the other Powers be with you.’"

"That explains much, but not enough," Aragorn said.

"With Mithrandir, that is often the case," Thandir said with a brief smile.

"I wonder why those of Edoras have not retaken this place," Gilhael said. "I’m guessing there’s been at least a week since this place has been deserted."

"That assumes the members of the garrison allowed to leave went to Edoras at all," Isenwulf answered. "The captain was appointed by Guthláf for his ruthlessness though he had nothing to do with Underharrow."

"Which is probably why he is not numbered among the dead," Hildebrand suggested.

"I doubt he would have been happy to report to his master the loss of such a strategic place as Upbourn, though," Isenwulf added with a nod, "so I would not be surprised to learn that he and his men never went to Edoras."

"Well, it’s a moot point," Thengel said with a sigh. "Those in Edoras have not been here and we are. If nothing else, this saves us much trouble and grief. Hildebrand, have a funeral detail dig a large enough grave to place all those men in it. There’s no time for us to dig individual graves and from what I suspect they hardly deserve burial at all, but I will not lower myself to the level of those who executed these wretches. Also, continue the search of the town. I want to make sure there are not other bodies stashed away somewhere. We will set out for Edoras as soon as that’s done. I wish to be before the gates by dusk."

Hildebrand bowed to his king and left, taking his sons with him. Silence stretched between those in the hall, all deep in thought. Thengel stared at the Wizard’s letter for several minutes as if memorizing its contents, then suddenly he crushed the parchment into a ball and threw it into the fire. "Damn you, Mother!" he shouted at no one in particular. When they saw tears streaming from his eyes, most were rooted in shock at the sight, save Thandir, who moved to embrace him.

"Be at peace, Thengel," the Elf said softly. "Do not let your righteous anger cloud your judgment or distract you from your goal. Remain focused and concentrate on what is before you. Upbourn is yours and can offer you no further threat. What happened here was horrific but such is the price of war and trust me when I say that I have witnessed worse."

"They are my people," Thengel whispered through his tears, "yet they trust me not...."

"Say rather, they trust themselves not," Thandir interjected, giving the king a firm clap on the shoulder. "That they chose to remove themselves from the temptation of divided loyalties speaks well for them, or perhaps for Mithrandir’s powers of persuasion. After you have regained Edoras will be the time to deal with the people of Upbourn, but not before."

Thengel nodded. "Le hannon," he said simply and Thandir gave him one of his brilliant smiles.

"We will leave now," he said, gesturing to the other Elves and the Peredhil. "We have stayed overlong and what follows is not our concern."

"As far as you know," Aragorn said.

Thandir nodded. "As far as we know, yet even with foresight we make our choices rooted in trust that all will turn out as it should."

"That is not to say that all will turn out as we wish, though," Thengel said with a grim smile.

"You are wise, Thengel King," Thandir replied, giving the king a nod. "Use that wisdom to good advantage." Then he turned to Aragorn and Gilhael and gave them both a hug and a kiss on their foreheads in benediction. "Nai Eru tye mánata," he said to them. Then he and the other Elves bowed to Thengel and departed.

Elladan and Elrohir remained behind to give their brother their own farewell. "Stay out of trouble, brother," Elladan said as he gave Aragorn a hug. "We don’t want to have to come back and rescue you again. Either of you." He said this last as he offered Gilhael a warrior’s handshake.

"I could say the same for you two," Aragorn said with a smile as he and Elrohir hugged. "Give my respects to Lord Elrond and all in Imladris." He was careful not to speak of his ada before the Rohirrim.

The twins both nodded and after bowing to Thengel and giving Wídfara hugs, which surprised and pleased the young Man no end, they, too, departed; the hall seemingly darker than before without the light of their presence.

Thengel sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Come, let’s see to the burial of those wretches and be on our way. I have no taste to remain here any longer than necessary. Wídfara, gather those papers we were examining; we will take them with us." He turned to Aragorn and Gilhael. "I found the journals of the geþeaht. They may prove... interesting reading."

Aragorn and Gilhael merely nodded their heads, well aware of what Thengel meant. "We will help Wídfara gather the papers," Aragorn suggested and with a nod Thengel left them, his expression set. The two Dúnedain gave each other knowing looks before turning to help Wídfara with the documents.

****

The funeral, such as it was, was brief and to the point. Thankfully, no other bodies were found in the town. The dead were covered with blankets and taken outside to the cemetery which lay to the south of the walled town. A grave had been dug that was just wide enough to lay out three bodies side-by-side, which meant that the others were stacked on top. It was a grisly sight and the Rohirrim and two Dúnedain were grim-faced. There were no songs of farewelling for these dead men, no words of blessing or praise, only silence as the bodies were thrown into the pit and dirt was piled over them.

At the last Thengel nodded. "It is done. Let us go."

Fifteen minutes later, Upbourn was left deserted, save for the memories of the dead.

****

They reached Edoras an hour before sunset. There were no signs of life. Even the walls were empty of sentries. The sight was disturbing to them all.

"What has happened?" Thengel mused aloud, not really expecting an answer from anyone as the Rohirrim ringed the tor upon which the city sat, though remaining outside bowshot.

Hildebrand shook his head. "I know not, but it either bodes well for us or ill."

Thengel gave his brother-in-law a wry grin. "Care to be more specific?"

"I only meant that the walls not being manned could mean that they are planning a trap for us or that there are none alive to man the walls," Hildebrand explained. At Thengel’s pained expression though, he hastened to apologize. "Forgive me. I fear what we found at Upbourn has clouded my good judgment...."

Thengel waved away the apology. "We are all somewhat rattled by what we found there. Let us look on the bright side and assume they are plotting a trap for us instead."

The drollness of the king’s tone set more than one listener sniggering and then looking guilty for it, yet the mood lightened somewhat as they went about setting up the encampment. Just before the sun set, Thengel sent Hildebrand with his standard to ride before the city gates and declare the king’s intentions to retake Edoras and his throne, commanding that those inside surrender or suffer the king’s wrath. Silence was their only answer.

"So be it," Thengel said with a heavy sigh. "We will offer terms again tomorrow and for two days after. If they do not surrender or give answer by the third day we will decide on our next course of action."

The others nodded grimly, well aware that the siege could take longer than expected. Aragorn wondered to himself if Thengel would have to burn the city down first if they could find no other way in. He grimaced at the thought, knowing full well that such a course might well have to be taken.

The waiting for dawn was interminable, for none in the camp slept. When the first rosy hints of morning seeped across the night-shrouded sky, Thengel sent Hildebrand before the gates again with the king’s ultimatum. The answer remained the same: silence.

Aragorn exchanged a worried glance with Gilhael after Hildebrand returned to the camp. They were in Thengel’s tent along with the king’s other captains and councillors. "Lómë lanta Rocconórenna," the older Ranger whispered gravely to his cousin while the Rohirrim responded more vocally to the news.

Aragorn could only nod, his expression more sad than grim at what the silence from Edoras might portend.

****

All words and phrases are Rohirric (Old English) unless otherwise noted:

Nú ða æfter Gramfærnesse, nú ða æfter Gebrosnugne...: ‘Now for Wrath, now for Ruin...’

Nai Eru tye mánata: (Quenya) ‘God bless you (sg. familiar)’; an attested phrase.

Geþeaht: Assembly or council, consisting of the ealdorman, or chief magistrate, and guild masters of the town.

Lómë lanta Rocconórenna: (Quenya) ‘Night falls on Rohan’.