Isildur Read online

  "We do not know the full extent of their powers, Lord Barathor," replied Galadriel. "Even Celebrimbor who made the Nine knew nothing of the incantations with which Sauron must have secretly enchanted them. But the souls of those that bear them have been stretched and drawn until they are bound to bodies that should have long since mouldered into the soil."

  "Do we then fight things of air and ether?" said Barathor. "will our weapons even bite upon them?"

  "They are living men yet," said Isildur, "though long past the age granted to even the greatest of the Men of Númenor. Your weapons should slay them. But when they launched their surprise attack upon Minas Ithil the guards on the walls were struck by a terrible unreasoning fear. They called it the Shadow of the Nine. Some brave men threw down their weapons and fell on their faces, rather than resist the coming of the Nine. Others stood firm, but told me they trembled in every limb and could barely raise their weapons, such is the fear that goes before them."

  Many more voices were raised in concern. They were ready to assail any army, but how could they hope to fight the undead?

  "If their powers be so great," said Ingold of Calembel, "how can we hope to defeat them?"

  Galadriel glanced at Isildur, and he nodded. Cirdan and Elrond, on either side of the Lady, rose to their feet. Then all three drew forth the chains around their necks and all could see the jewelled things shining there.

  "Behold the Three," said Galadriel.

  An awed hush fell over the hall, for all knew they were in the presence of power beyond all understanding.

  "Long have the Three been hidden," said Galadriel, "and never since their making have they been together in the same land, lest Sauron take them. Now all hiding is at an end, and the Three shall go to war."

  "But is it not dangerous in the extreme to bring them here?" said Meneldil, the Lord of Osgiliath. "Will they not draw Sauron here to Osgiliath?"

  "It is our belief that Sauron cannot perceive them until we put on the rings and wield their powers," said Galadriel. "Nevertheless, it is as you say dangerous in the extreme. Celebrimbor gave Vilya, the greatest of the Three, to Gil-galad, and it has been in his keeping ever since. But when the king went to war in Mordor, he deemed it unsafe to take Vilya with him and he left it in Lindon. Now at his bidding Elrond has fetched it here."

  "It is the hope of the Lords of the West," said Isildur, "that the Three will give us the strength to defeat the Úlairi at Minas Ithil."

  "But surely," said Ingold, "you are proposing to follow in the footsteps of them that became the Úlairi. Might not our Ringbearers become ensnared as were they? If Sauron's purpose is to draw the Three to himself, surely it is folly to bear them willingly to his doorstep."

  "It is a perilous chance indeed," Galadriel replied. "And we take this desperate step only because all others have failed."

  "We hope to use them only against Minas Ithil," said Celeborn. "We hope the Nine will not have power over the Three, which were never sullied by Sauron's evil. If we succeed there, it is our hope that the Army of the Alliance will destroy Sauron before he can come near the Three."

  "But think not," said Galadriel, "that the Three will make their bearers invincible warriors. They are not weapons and cannot be used to do harm, nor will they protect us from the blows of our enemies. But it is hoped that they will at least dispel the shadow of fear that surrounds the Nine. The Úlairi will be seen as they really are, stripped of all spells and illusion. Then it will be the task of edge and shaft to destroy them, not the Three."

  "But won't Sauron perceive the Three if we use them against the Úlairi?" asked Meneldil. "Is that not taking a chance of giving Sauron exactly what he has sought for so long?"

  "Yes, it is," admitted Isildur. "And that is the other part of Gil-galad's plan. Only the lure of the Three could draw Sauron out of Barad-dûr. If he knows the Three are close at hand in Mordor, it is hoped he will not be able to resist attempting to take them."

  "Then we — all of us — are to be used as bait, to draw all of Sauron's forces against us?"

  "Yes," said Galadriel quietly. "That is why we thought you must know of the Three, though we feared to reveal them openly."

  There was another silence. "And what if Sauron does sally forth and the kings cannot stop him? asked Turgon. "What if he comes against us? Will the Three avail us against him? If he is a Maia, can he even be slain?"

  "In truth," said Isildur, "we do not know. Perhaps the Three together will have the strength to dispel the aura of despair that seems to fall on any who come near him. And we have other weapons of great power. My father's blade Narsil was wrought in the Elder Days by Telchar of Nogrod, greatest of the smiths of the Dwarves, and it has been borne by all our fathers since. Gil-galad's spear, Aeglos Snowpoint, was forged in Eldamar to be the weapon to slay Morgoth himself. Both are now charmed to be Sauron's bane, and no evil things can withstand their coming. These weapons should have the strength to pierce even the unholy flesh of Sauron, if only they can be brought to bear against him."

  "Then you believe the Three can overmaster the Nine?" asked Barathor.

  "It is our hope, but we cannot be certain until we make the attempt. The Nine are but slaves of the One. Their power is by terror, not by great magical strength."

  "Their Shadow is great for all that," said Elrond. "I fought against them at the Black Gate, and I felt the fear myself. In the midst of our charge, our boldest warriors suddenly quailed. Elf and Man wandered in confusion and horses went mad. Seeing our disorder, the Úlairi led their forces out in a powerful sortie against us. But Gil-galad led a column in a swift flanking attack around behind them and burst through the open sally port and so took the Gate. Even in their defeat, the Shadow of the Nine went before them, and we could not prevent their retreat across Udûn and so back to Minas Ithil.

  "I fear they have learned the folly of the extended sortie at Dagorlad. Had they remained on the walls they would be there yet. They will not repeat that error at Minas Ithil."

  "No," agreed Isildur. "We must assail the city, break the gate, and destroy the Úlairi, all in one sweeping rush. We cannot hope to besiege them, not while they bear the Nine. There must be no delay, or Sauron will be able to move other forces against us. The stroke must be swift and complete. Half a victory means defeat."

  "Yes," said Cirdan. "We Ringbearers will each lead a column. When we perceive the Shadow we shall place the Three on our hands and contend against it. We hope to dispel it or at least diminish it and force it back. Then you must do the rest."

  "You say you will contend against the Nine," said Barathor, "but how will such a struggle appear to us mortals?"

  "The Rings will change us as we wield them," said Cirdan. "We will enter into that Twilight that is not of this world. Elves will perceive us but dimly, as shapes in a mist, and Men not at all. We know not of the Úlairi, but we believe that to them we will suddenly become more clear, for they dwell always in the Twilight. If so, we shall be clearly visible targets to them, and in a world unfamiliar to us but home to them. It will be a most dangerous time."

  "Even so," said Galadriel. "Do not be dismayed at our disappearance, but press forward with all speed, for we may be unable to fight while we are wielding the Rings."

  "And what if you should fall while in that Twilight?" asked Súrion.

  "If we fall you will not see it, save that the protection of the Three will be lost. You must fight on."

  "But what would happen to you?" he persisted.

  "As you may know," said Galadriel quietly, "when an Elf dies or is slain on this side of the sea, he will yet rejoin his friends beyond the Veil at the end of this world. But it is said that an Elf who dies in the Twilight may not pass through the Veil, but will be lost forever."

  "Then you risk more, perhaps, even than we mortals." Súrion looked sadly at Galadriel with her golden hair and her face and form of surpassing loveliness. Young and beautiful she seemed, more than any other woman who had ever lived.

&nbs
p; "Tell me if you will," he said after a pause. "Is it needful that an Elf-Maiden should bear one of the Three into battle? Among Men, women do not lead armies to war. I would not see you lost to the world."

  Galadriel laughed. "And how am I to take that, Súrion? You compliment me as a Lady, but slight me as a commander. I am not unused to wearing mail, you know. I led an army of the Elves of Beleriand against Morgoth's fortress of Thangorodrim. I fought in the first war against Sauron and helped to drive him out of Eriador. I am no trembling shield-maiden."

  "My apologies, Lady," stammered the young captain of Cair Andros, his face burning. "I am unused to the ways of the Eldar. You are fair and lovely and look no older than my sister, who has seen but twenty winters."

  Many of the Elves smiled at this. Galadriel laughed and said, "You are indeed unused to us, Captain. You think me twenty? I am more than forty, and not in years, but yén. Save Gil-galad only, I am the eldest of our kindred in Middle-earth. Twenty years! Why, I had seen twenty centuries before ever I left Eldamar, and the sun has gone round nearly four thousand times since then."

  Súrion stared unbelieving, and Isildur laughed.

  "Do you still fear to follow such a young girl into battle, Captain?"

  "Nay, Sire," he gulped. "I am honored, my Lady, and I will follow you to victory or to death, though still do I fear for your safety. Such beauty should not perish."

  She smiled at him. "You are kind, Captain, but be not anxious for me. Think only of victory and it will surely come."

  "Now all tales are told!" said Isildur, rising to his feet again. "It is time to act. Do any here doubt the necessity or the wisdom of Gil-galad's plan?" There were a few shouts of "No!" and "Let us strike quickly!"

  "Then we need only plan our attack. Since speed and surprise are our allies, I suggest a direct approach. We will cross the Great Bridge into East Osgiliath and press forward with all possible speed up the main road to Minas Ithil. It will mean crossing ten leagues of occupied territory, in clear view of their spies. Our only hope then is to travel faster than their spies and arrive at Minas Ithil before word can reach the city. As many of you know, it lies well up in a winding mountain valley. With any luck they should have little time to prepare their defence. Then we will have to surmount the walls. They are both strong and high, for I built them myself to withstand even a determined attack from any evil things that might issue out of Mordor.

  "But ever since my family was driven out of Minas Ithil I have dreamed of reconquering it. I have given great thought to how it might best be done, and I think I know the way. The city stands on a rocky prominence on the southern side of the valley, and its main gate faces north with a strong tower on either side. The gate is set back between the feet of the towers, so attackers find themselves in a kind of courtyard, at the mercy of archers on the battlements above the gate and in the towers. The gate would be very difficult to take by any force and losses would be terribly high. In the center of the city is the fortress of the Citadel, enclosed within its own wall, with the Tower of the Moon at its heart. We must not let the Ring-Wraiths withdraw into the Citadel or we shall find it hard indeed to dislodge them.

  "There are three sally ports let into the outer wall, but these too are well fortified and certain to be strongly guarded. A passage is let into the top of the walls, along which men can move to any point of attack, completely protected from their enemies. That passage is everywhere wide enough that four men may walk abreast, except at one point. The western tower of the gate is built close to the edge of a steep bank above a stream, with hardly room for a man to stand at its foot. It was built thus purposely so it would be difficult to come against it. But because of the nearness of the declivity, I was forced to narrow the passage atop the wall to but a few feet so defenders must pass in single file, though this is not apparent from without.

  "Because of the steep slope, this tower appears impregnable on that side. I am hoping that the fewest defenders would be stationed there, especially as the narrow passage prevents many from gathering on that side of the tower. I propose that we make a strong feint to the gate, massing our strength there, but without allowing ourselves to enter the deadly fore court before the gate itself. Hopefully this will draw many defenders to those parts of the walls nearest the gate.

  "At the same time, parties of mounted archers could sweep around the city, riding close under the walls on either side. It is difficult to see or attack fast-moving enemies hard against the wall. These parties would then climb the hills behind the town and lay down the heaviest possible fire at defenders on the walls. This should further distract the defenders and discourage them from putting their heads over to look down the wall.

  "As the riders pass along the narrow path by the western tower, a small party would dismount. They will then attempt to scale the tower with the aid of grapples shot from crossbows. If they can gain the top and take the passage, it can be easily defended at both ends because of the closeness. With the passage held, a bold and agile man could enter the tower through a small window that overlooks the passage. Within the tower is the mechanism for the gates. They are counterweighted by huge stones that descend within the tower. It takes but a touch to open them."

  "A bold plan indeed, Sire," said Ingold. "But who will scale the walls?"

  "Not I, it pains me to say," replied Isildur, "for I shall be looked for on the field of battle. The enemy knows me well, and if I am not seen leading the attack on the gate, they might suspect a feint. And yet it should be someone who knows the walls, and the gate mechanism."

  "I will open the gates," said a quiet voice and all turned at the sound. Elendur, Isildur's son, had spoken.

  "Elendur, no," said Isildur. "It should be an older, more experienced leader. You are yet too young."

  "Young and active enough to scale a wall," replied Elendur. "I have led the Forithilien lancers these last three years. And I know that tower and the gate mechanisms well, for I played there as a boy. I was born in Minas Ithil. I will be Prince of Ithilien after you. Do not deny me this thing, father, for what is a prince without a land?"

  "Ah, you strike deep there, Elendur. You know my own pain. What say you others here? Shall we trust our lives and fortunes to this lad?"

  "Aye," said Meneldil. "Elendur is right. He knows the city better than any of us."

  "Aye," said many voices. "Give him his chance. He is no child."

  "So be it then, Elendur," said Isildur, though all could see he was not pleased at the decision. "Choose you a bold party, no more than a dozen, with knowledge of Minas Ithil."

  "I will take my own housecarls that rode with me from Gorgoroth. We grew up together, and many's the day we defended the west tower against imaginary enemies of the king. We have fought together since the war started, and know one another's ways."

  "Very well. Prepare yourselves well. Draw what you need from the armory. And may tomorrow night find you again within the city of your birth."

  "Tomorrow?" exclaimed several of the lords. "Can we march so soon?"

  "We must," replied Isildur. "We hoped to have the surprise of them, but it may be that Malithôr is already there. If he tells them a great army is gathering here, they will guess where the blow is likely to fall. Thus our only hope is in speed. They will expect us to fight a long and bloody battle at the bridge, then move carefully through East Osgiliath and Ithilien, rooting out the orcs from every building and copse, before we attack them in Minas Ithil. But I say that a few scattered and dispirited orcs can cause little trouble if we take Minas Ithil. Let us not bother with them, but strike directly for their nest.

  "My plan is to mount as many of our warriors as possible. We have six thousand mounted knights now. If we scour the city and all the nearby villages, we may find four thousand horses still capable of running. They need not be war chargers, nor the riders skilled in fighting from horseback. As soon as the bridge is taken, we should drive immediately for Minas Ithil. We can have ten thousand men-at-arms before their
gates before the Úlairi know the bridge is assailed. It is but thirty miles. If the infantry keeps up a steady march, they will be but a few hours behind the cavalry."

  "But Sire,"said Meneldil. "The defenses at the bridge are strong. It may take us long to overtop them. If it takes but three hours, a messenger will have arrived at Minas Ithil and our advantage will be lost."

  "That is so. But I propose to send a party across the River by boat tonight and land them near the southern walls of the city where there are many docks and empty commercial buildings. If they can move stealthily through the city and reach the bridge by daylight, they will be behind the defenders when we attack. Caught between our forces, the orcs will be helpless."

  "This is a sound plan, Isildur," said Elrond. "If it can be carried out without discovery, it will be a brilliant stroke. You have planned well."

  "I have had twelve years with little else on my mind," said Isildur with a grim smile. "We will not fail now."

  "Sire," said Turgon of Ethir Lefnui. "A boon, if you will. Let me lead this boat party. I have spent most of my life on a river in all manner of small boats. And I have a great debt to repay."

  "Very well, Turgon. I estimate fifty men will be enough. Choose your men carefully, for in an enterprise of this sort each man's life will depend on the other's."

  Amroth rose to his feet. "I too beg leave to go with Turgon. I too know small boats well. And an Elf can move silently where a Man cannot. I would take some bold Lothlórien Elves with me. Deer-stalkers, used to moving stealthily at night."

  "What say you, Turgon?" said Isildur. "Would you have Amroth accompany you?"

  "It would be an honor, Sire. I welcome you, Lord Amroth."

  "Are we all agreed then?" asked Celeborn. "We attack tomorrow, and as Isildur has proposed?"

  "Aye!" shouted many voices. "We have suffered their insults and their raids long enough. Let us take the war to their gates for a change."

  "It is well," said Isildur. "Long have I waited for this day. Thardun, Ingold, go with your men and round up as many horses and saddles as you can find in Osgiliath. Meneldil, send to all the outlying villages and have every beast capable of trotting brought to the fields near the gates. Halgon, we will need six or eight boats near the southern walls by sundown, the smallest and lightest you can find. Barathor, I hope your yeomen can ride as well as plow with their horses."