Isildur Page 3

  Romach shrugged. "Bands of brigands occasionally appear and cause some trouble in the higher valleys, especially in summer when many of the men are up in the high pastures with the herds. They're outlanders, wandered up from strange lands in the south, 'tis said. And occasionally, I'm sorry to say, they're joined by some of the local lads, the wild ones, after the excitement, or the plunder. We are ever watchful. But we did not expect the King of Gondor, especially coming from the west."

  "I daresay you did not expect me on any road."

  "True enough, Sire. It has been long since so much as a merchant has been to see us from Gondor. We could well do with the trade."

  "Things are going ill in Gondor," Isildur admitted grimly. "Most of the men have been long away, fighting in Gorgoroth, and we have little time for governance or commerce. I am afraid all the provinces are forced onto their own resources. We can send you neither aid nor supplies, nor can the wealthier citizens of Osgiliath escape the summer heat by visiting your fair valleys, as they once were wont."

  "Do any still dwell in Osgiliath? We had heard that city was destroyed."

  "Then you have heard more than the truth. It is true that in the first onslaught the enemy captured and defiled the eastern districts of the city, beyond the Anduin. The people have fled to the west shore. But the Great Bridge still stands, and a strong garrison guards it. The river is now the frontier."

  "Ithilien then remains in enemy hands?"

  "The province is held by neither side and is a land of great danger for all, be they Elf, Man, or orc. We occasionally sortie into East Osgiliath or into the countryside beyond and there have been many skirmishes, but nothing decisive as yet. My own capital of Minas Ithil is yet held by the Úlairi, the most fell of Sauron's servants."

  "You cannot retake your capital?" asked Romach in surprise. "Is the mighty army of Gondor not strong enough to take one city?

  Isildur's jaw tightened, but his voice was still even. "We dare not even attempt it. Our forces encircle Sauron in the Dark Tower, but he is yet mighty. He is besieged, but we are no less trapped than he. We dare not break our siege to assail Minas Ithil. And so my beautiful city remains in the hands of the enemy, while we are helpless to free it."

  "But we rejoiced when we heard that the men of Gondor had broken the Black Gate and entered Mordor itself. We thought to hear soon that you had taken the Black Tower. But years have passed, and yet you say the Barad-dûr still stands?"

  Isildur was becoming irritated by Romach's questions. Surely such news of the war had long since reached even these remote valleys. Romach seemed to be emphasizing the Alliance's ineffectiveness so far against Sauron. But why?

  "The Barad-dûr is mighty beyond belief," Isildur replied. "You should see it, Romach. All who approach it are filled with dread and black despair. I have seen brave men quail at the sight. It is built of black adamant so hewn and joined that it is as smooth as glass for hundreds of feet up to the first parapet. It stands close-ringed by a chasm so deep we have never been able to sound it, preventing us from close approach to the walls. The only entrance is by an immense bridge of black iron, and that leads to a massive steel gate that has long been shut.

  "Smokes and reeks constantly obscure the plain, so that only the upper towers of the Barad-dûr can be seen standing above the murk. Poisonous fumes boil out of the abyss, but we know not whether from the design of the Enemy, or from some effect of Mount Orodruin, the fire mountain which stands but a few leagues away and is ever active. We can bring no siege engines to bear against the walls or gate. No catapult can overtop the walls, but Sauron assails us at will with arrows and darts, and burning missles. Many a brave Man or Elf has died in the siege. My own younger brother Anárion was slain last year by a great stone cast from the Tower. It is maddening. Seven years now have the combined armies of Gondor and of Lindon besieged it, but still Sauron mocks us from within."

  "He must be mighty indeed," said Romach with wonder in his voice.

  "He wields great powers," acknowledged Isildur, "But we are not without powers of our own. The Army of the Alliance is the most powerful force ever assembled since the Great Armament of Ar-Pharazôn. It is led by the greatest kings and heros of Elves and Men. And we have the famous weapons: Gil-galad's spear Aeglos the Snowpoint, that none may withstand; and Elendil's blade Narsil, MoonFire. Both these weapons were doomed at their making to be the Bane of Sauron. When we assailed Mordor, Sauron himself quaked in fear.

  "Though the Black Gate of Mordor was guarded by Sauron's most trusted and loyal troops, the Morannon was thrown down and the defenders ran shrieking across the vale of Udûn. We took Udûn and swept over the Plains of Gorgoroth, and we have kept him bottled up within the Tower for seven years now. But Sauron is mighty and canny and learned in the ancient lore."

  "He is said to be ages old," said Romach. "Perhaps he cannot be slain. How then can you hope to defeat him?"

  Isildur's irritation flared suddenly into anger. "We hope because there is no alternative," he snapped. "I assure you, Romach, the Barad-dûr will yet fall. I have sworn it beside my brother's pyre. I will throw down the Black Tower and fling it stone by stone into the chasm. I have foretold its doom, and so it shall be."

  Romach flinched back at the sudden glint of fire in Isildur's eye, the tightness of his voice. He was reminded that Isildur came long ago from fabled Númenor, where deeds of trained will and Elvish arts were practiced. Romach did not know what powers Isildur might wield, but he was rumored to be able to augur the future and to cast spells of power. He looked on Isildur in new wonder, and trembled. Never had he met a man more resolute, more determined to exact revenge.

  And Isildur was but one of the lesser lords at the head of that army in Gorgoroth. The immortal Elves were led by Gil-galad, King of Lindon, the greatest living warrior of any race. With him were many noble Elf-lords, veterans of the wars against Sauron's former master Morgoth the Enemy, thousands of years ago. The men of Gondor and Arnor were commanded by Isildur's father Elendil, high king of the Dúnedain, founder of the Realms in Exile.

  "I am sure you are right, Isildur," he said placatingly. "The Tower must fall. And as you say, Sauron is trapped within. What can he hope to accomplish?"

  "Do not think he is helpless in his captivity. He has powerful allies yet. His minions continue his depredations throughout the land. Orcs infest the Misty Mountains, wild Easterlings fall on our outposts in Harondor and the Nindalf, Corsairs raid the coasts. Even here in Lamedon, far from the Mountains of Shadow, brigands roam and plunder. These are not independent incidents — they are the plan and the will of Sauron."

  Romach gave a thin smile. "You ascribe all the misfortunes of the world to him, Sire. Is it not more likely that these other peoples are merely opportunists? People on the outside of power, uneasily watching the rising might of Gondor, now seeing their chance when she is weakened, distracted by Sauron?"

  Isildur shook his head quickly. "Most of our neighbors view us as protectors and friends. Throughout the Dark Years each petty kingdom was at constant war with its neighbors, instigated by Sauron himself. We Dúnedain have brought peace and understanding throughout the many lands of the Uialedain. We have not come to conquer you nor to take your land. We come as friends, with skills and assistance to offer you. Their lords are happy to have us here. Lords like yourself, Romach, who have long seen the wisdom of joining us for the mutual good of our peoples. You know Gondor is not a threat to you. Your people have long been our allies."

  "Aye," agreed Romach carefully. "We have ever been on friendly terms with the kings of Gondor."

  Soon a stocky man came in wearing Isildur's livery. Romach recognized him as the herald who had announced the king.

  "Ah, there you are," called Isildur. "Lord Romach, this is Ohtar, my esquire and friend. What news from the camp, Ohtar? How are the men?"

  "Weary and dusty, Sire, and glad of a stop. The people of Lefnui are finding it hard to maintain the pace."

  "I am sorry for t
hat, but it cannot be helped."

  "Ethir Lefnui?" exclaimed Romach with a start. "The men of Ethir Lefnui are among you?" Isildur gave him a sharp look.

  "That surprises you?"

  Romach fought to contain his surprise. "No, it…, well, yes. I have never known Ethir Lefnui to send her men to fight in another land's cause."

  "It is their cause as well. They bear the same hatred for the enemy as I, and for the same cause: he has destroyed our homes. Ethir Lefnui is no more."

  "Be it not so! How did this happen?"

  "Aye, not these ten days past, lord," said Ohtar. "We were bound there from Anglond, and in the Nanbrethil Valley, between the mountains and the Green Hills, we came upon a ragged party of thirty men and women, the sole survivors of Ethir Lefnui. It was the Corsairs. The cursed Black Númenóreans, servants of Sauron."

  Romach nodded absently, seemingly lost in thought. "We have heard they were abroad again, though we fear them little. Our mountain valleys are far from the sea."

  "Perhaps not far enough," said Isildur. "They have assailed the strong-walled city of Anglond, and it is well up the river Anga. They nearly took it, too. Their black ships could sail far up the Morthond, and it is not impossible that you could see not friends but Corsairs coming up the west road one day soon."

  Romach smiled. "We are strong and well prepared. In truth we do not fear an attack from the seamen of Umbar. Still, we stand ever ready."

  "It would seem so. You marshalled your forces quickly."

  "Yes, we use horns to call the men of the other valleys. They are trained to come at the first alarm."

  "Mighty must those horns be," said Ohtar, "if they can be heard to the next valley. The ramparts of the Ered Nimrais are high indeed."

  Romach nodded. "We use the horns of the wild kine of Araw. They are as long as a man and give a sound when well winded that will carry for many miles."

  Ohtar turned to Isildur. "Such a horn would be of great use in a battle, Sire," he said.

  "Indeed it would," agreed Isildur. "Oft it is that the men cannot hear their orders in the tumult of battle. Armies have been lost because of it."

  "If you wish, Sire," said Romach, "I can have a horn brought for you. A gift from the Eredrim."

  "That would please us indeed, Romach. We thank you. But we are here to ask you for a far greater gift."

  "Indeed?" said Romach, his smile fading. But he was clearly not surprised.

  "Yes. We have need of your help, to aid us in the war against Sauron. We have tried to spare the western provinces as much as possible. At first it was thought that with the aid of the Elves, the men of Ithilien and Anórien would be sufficient. I also believe my father just wanted to know that there was a corner of the realm as yet untouched by the Shadow, where people could live in peace as before. Therefore we have never called upon the people of the Ered Nimrais and the western coasts, though we have had many volunteers from Lamedon and Lebennin and even as far as Anfalas. But as you see, the war in the east does not go well. The men are weary of the long siege on the plain of Gorgoroth. Gondor has need of your help. We need every man you can spare from the needs of your own safety. I must call on you at last to fulfill the oath of the Eredrim, as was sworn to me by Karmach on this very spot nearly six score years ago."

  "The Oath of Karmach is well-remembered by the Eredrim," Romach assured them. "Although it was a very long time ago. Karmach has slept in his barrow these ninety years now." He was finding it hard to reconcile the man before him with the semi-religious royal figure out of the old legends. This man had actually spoken with Romach's distant ancestor, the founder of his line.

  "Karmach was a good man and a brave warrior," said Isildur, his eyes distant as he stared into the past. "And well-loved by his people." He smiled. "I can still hear their cheers when he announced our alliance. He was a wise and far-sighted king."

  Romach was less than certain that his ancestor had acted wisely in joining the fortunes of his people to those of the Dúnedain. He couldn't help wondering if old Karmach hadn't been simply seeking the strongest ally in a dangerous time. After all, his old master Sauron, who had guided and advised the Eredrim for centuries, was suddenly and unexpectedly undone, lost in the downfall of Númenor that he had helped to bring about. Now enemies threatened on every side. And here were these newcomers, these Dúnedain, borne on the wings of storm out of the sea, asking if he wanted to be their allies. They were numerous and mighty, fierce warriors, a hundred or more years old, learned in all arts, bearers of magical weapons and Elvish sorcery. How far-sighted did he have to be to see which way the wind blew?

  But things were different now. Sauron, whom all thought lost, had returned in another form, no longer fair to look upon, it was said, but more powerful than ever. In all these years of war, the Dúnedain and the Elves have been able to accomplish little more than retake a few miles of desert.

  But Romach was careful to let none of these thoughts show on his face. He licked his lips anxiously. Much depended on how he chose his next words.

  "Much has changed in the world since those times, Sire," he said, watching Isildur's face. "Karmach was speaking for a nomadic tribe of a few thousands, helpless against its warlike neighbors. But now our neighbors are our friends. And we Eredrim have not been idle. We number nearer a hundred thousands now, and we have villages in every bay of the mountains from Nanbrethil to Gilrain. We watch the mountain passes and the fords of the great roads for Gondor."

  "Much has changed," said Isildur calmly, though Ohtar saw the hard dark gleam in his eye that always bode ill for someone. "But much remains the same. The Gondorrim and the Eredrim are still allies, and common enemies still threaten. Karmach swore to me on the Great Stone that the Eredrim would always come at need if called by the King of Gondor. As I swore for Gondor's part to aid the Eredrim against any attack. And we both did agree that these oaths would be binding on our descendants and successors. It was a solemn bond. Such things do not change."

  "Of, course, Sire," said Romach quickly. "The Oath of Karmach is taught to every child. Indeed, it has been but recently the subject of much discussion among the people. To be honest, Sire, many of my people feel that we should remain here to guard our homes. They have little interest in the war between Gondor and Mordor. They feel it does not concern them."

  "And what of you, Romach," asked Isildur. "Do you deem the war with Sauron is of no concern to you?"

  "Of course we are concerned. It is most uncomfortable when one's neighbors are at war with each other. It is difficult not to become involved. After all, our friends are suffering, and our trade is disrupted."

  "You will have more than your trade disrupted if Gondor falls."

  "We know that. But we are no longer bands of wandering warriors. We are a nation of herdsmen and farmers. We have no mighty army to send with you."

  "Were you not just praising the readiness of your army?" asked Isildur slyly.

  "Our army, as you call it, is but a militia.They are ready at a horn's call to defend their homes, but they return to their homes after each call to arms. They are bold and well-trained, but they are no knights errant, to pack up and troop off to war. Who would defend our homes, our families?"

  "I do not ask you to leave your homes unguarded," replied Isildur. "But many of us have already lost our homes, are some are still losing them, as at the Ethir Lefnui. There is no longer safety in remaining behind in your mountain fastnesses, Romach. If Gondor falls and Sauron prevails, there will be no safe haven in any land."

  "But Sire," said Romach. "We guard the western approaches to Gondor. We cannot leave the fords unguarded. We could protect Gondor better by remaining here."

  Isildur's eyes blazed. "Of course the fords must be guarded, and your lands and villages. But you are a numerous people and your men are renowned fighters. Gondor has need of your help." The king bent his eyes upon Romach's. "Are you saying you would refuse the summons?" he growled, and Romach's face blanched.

  "No, my
king," he exclaimed quickly. "I am only explaining that it will take some time to call all the valleys together, to make known what is required, to establish suitable defenses for those that remain. Provisions must be gathered, transportation arranged, compensation provided. Such things cannot be done quickly."

  "And yet I say unto you," said Isildur, "that haste is vital at this critical hour. We are all but a small piece of a much greater whole. Even as we speak, great forces are moving, gathering, throughout all of Middle-earth. All are to be drawn together this Midsummer's Day, now but three weeks away. Then much that is hidden will be revealed. There will plans be made and all our efforts bent to a final deciding conflict.

  "According to the schedule arranged, I was to have been at Erech weeks ago. But at Angrenost and again at Anglond I was delayed by the designs of the Enemy. Now time is short indeed. You must move with all haste."

  "I will send messengers to all the valleys tomorrow," said Romach. "Within three days, I will have the Elders of every tribe of the Eredrim before you."

  "We do not need your Elders," said Isildur. "We need your warriors."

  "I am not a king," exclaimed Romach. "I am the lord only of Erech. The Eredrim are a confederation of tribes. The Elders must be consulted on any decision so momentous."

  Isildur stared, struggling to control his frustration. Romach was frightened, but surely he didn't dare break the oath. Perhaps he was just speaking the truth.

  "Summon your Elders, then," he growled. "But let the messengers carry word also to the valleys that the Eredrim are summoned. Let the weapontake begin at once."

  "So it shall be done," said Romach.

  * * *

  They slept that night in their tents beside the hill of Erech, but Ohtar woke during the night to find Isildur gone from his bed. Scrambling quickly out of the tent, he saw a tall figure standing beside the stone at the top of the hill. Ohtar wrapped his cloak about him and climbed shivering up to join him. Isildur turned at his approach.