Elfhunter (32 page)

Ordath lifted her chin and raised both of her
eyebrows. "Ah! Hear your own words, my friend. They speak more to
the wisdom of this choice than I could ever reveal. For you
cannot
be with her for eternity. If you choose to bind to
her, knowing that she is already bound to another, then so be it.
We will not interfere. But you will have to content yourself with
whatever time you have in
this
world, for beyond that you
shall be forever apart. Do you now see that it is not concern for
Gaelen that drives us to question your wisdom, but concern for
you
? And unless I am mistaken, she will not sanction this
union for your sake. Consider carefully your choice."

Ordath rose and extended her hand to Rogond, placing
it on his shoulder. "I must leave you now with your thoughts, my
friend. I do not envy you the decision you will have to make. But I
will give you one gift ‘ere I depart. If you would know the
identity of He Who Waits, look for the small, flat pouch she wears
always across her heart. It contains a token given to her upon his
death. Take notice of the design upon it, as it once belonged to
him. You may then learn the truth." She turned, and left Rogond
alone.

His thoughts were in turmoil; he had not expected
anything like these revelations. More than anything he wished that
he had not heard them, as he honestly didn’t know how he would
address them. His despair welled at the thought of Gaelen’s heart
being given irretrievably to another. He felt at once the desire to
confront her, and the desire to turn from her forever. He did not
yet know in which direction his choice would lead.

Gaelen sat once again atop the wall overlooking the
peaks to the west, weighing her choices in her mind. She had
grabbed an early meal from the pantry before going out and had now
settled herself on her stony perch. She had a sense that something
of importance was about to happen, a sort of anticipation rather
than foreboding. Something compelled her to take this vantage
point, and she kept scanning the approach route to the north, as
her sense was that whatever was coming would first appear there.
She had already eaten most of her meal, which had consisted of a
small loaf of fresh-baked bread that she had cut open and stuffed
with a mixture of butter, honey, and cream. This would sustain her
until tomorrow if need be. She chewed thoughtfully, relishing the
taste of the wild honey, and considered her course.

There was much that could be done. Someone would need
to travel to Tal-sithian, to the Verdant Mountains, and to the
lands west to warn the Elves there of the existence of Gorgon. His
next path was unknown to all save himself—he could go anywhere.

She thought of her promise to Ri-Aruin. In truth,
they should return to the Greatwood, and the thought of going there
was very attractive to Gaelen, as she missed her friends,
especially Wellyn. She did not like the thought of Wellyn worrying
about her, and though they were quite accustomed to being apart,
she would ease his mind. The circumstances under which she had left
him were far from ideal.

And what of Rogond’s desire to travel to Cós-domhain
to learn more of his origins? She would want to accompany him
there, should he choose to go. She shuddered at the thought of
walking willingly into the greatest of all dwarf-realms, but as
long as Rogond walked beside her she would not fear.

She would go and seek counsel from Ordath and Magra
as soon as was practical, as there was some urgency in the need to
warn as many as possible of this dark threat. Perhaps she and
Nelwyn could travel to Tal-sithian, though it had been a very long
time indeed since they had carried messages there. It was a long
journey, and these days the more perilous.

Gaelen also wished to make use of Magra in the best
possible way, as he might be a match for Gorgon should they meet.
He was as tall as Rogond, but of greater substance, and he had seen
more of battle than perhaps any Elf yet living. She remembered
Gelmyr, who had been taken so easily despite his experience, but
Magra had the greater power, and he was aware of his enemy. Gaelen
felt quite certain that he would not find himself sharing Gelmyr’s
fate.

It was with such thoughts turning in her mind that
she first heard the horns of the scouts who patrolled the rim of
the mountains to the north. They announced the arrival of
strangers, but not of enemies. She strained to see the tiny path
leading down into Mountain-home, and her keen eyes quickly spotted
five horses: two ridden, one laden, and two led. There were two
tall men astride the horses, but they dismounted when the going
became treacherous, turning the two other horses loose to make
their way carefully before them. These two looked familiar,
especially the dun, who stopped and lifted his head into the wind,
then gave a loud whinny.

Eros!
Gaelen whispered his name, then stood
up, balancing atop the wall, and called out in a loud, clear voice.
Eros and Réalta both heard Gaelen’s call as it carried to them on
the wind, and they broke into a careful trot, taking the difficult
path without hesitating. Gaelen was very happy to see them, and she
knew that Rogond would want to be told right away.

She looked carefully at the two figures that now led
their mounts and pack horse. Even from here, she could tell that
they were men, Northmen most likely. Both had dark hair and were
unshaven. They looked hale, but were probably travel-weary. Gaelen
would go at once and find Ordath and Rogond, as well as Galador and
Nelwyn. She rejoiced as she sprang lightly from the wall and
sprinted back down the twisting, narrow path to Ordath’s dwelling.
Here, perhaps, were more allies! She would count three hardy
Tuathar as a definite asset. "Vile, black-hearted creature, you
will spill no more Elven blood before long. Gaelen and her army are
coming for you!" She entertained an amusing thought of herself,
clad in kingly armor and brandishing every sort of weapon, leading
an army. By the time she reached the lower courtyard she was
laughing out loud.

She found Ordath in the upper courtyard, and ran up
before her, flushed with excitement. "Two Rangers are coming down
into the valley from the north! They have Rogond’s horse with them.
He will no doubt want to be there when they arrive—do you know
where I may find him?"

Ordath held up her hand in an attempt to calm Gaelen.
"I will summon Rogond. Why don’t you find Nelwyn and Galador?"

Gaelen seemed not to hear. "So, where is Rogond?" she
asked, literally bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet with
suppressed excitement.

Ordath placed a hand on her shoulder to quiet her.
"Please, Gaelen, you are making me dizzy. Perhaps you would do me
the favor of alerting those in the stables, and I will fetch
Rogond. It will be an excellent use of your apparently boundless
energy."

Gaelen started to protest, but Ordath held up her
hand again. "You are in my house, Elf of Greatwood. Here, you will
do as I request." Gaelen flushed and dropped her eyes in
submission. Ordath did not tell her that she had an excellent
reason for keeping her from Rogond just now. When Ordath had last
seen him, he had been in no condition to confront Gaelen.

Nelwyn and Galador were first to arrive in the lower
courtyard, followed closely by Gaelen, who had practically flown to
the stables to inform the caretakers of the five new arrivals. She
ran breathlessly up to Nelwyn as Eros and Réalta first made their
appearance. Eros trotted right up to Gaelen, ears forward,
nickering softly. Réalta nearly knocked Galador down, shoving his
head under the Elf ’s right arm. Galador accommodated him,
scratching the base of his neck at the withers, while Réalta
nibbled affectionately at Galador’s back, an expression of bliss on
his finely chiseled face.

"They appear to be a bit lean, but otherwise in fine
condition," Nelwyn observed.

Gaelen agreed as she rubbed Eros’ neck and face with
practiced hands. She swung astride him, and as Rogond appeared in
the courtyard she called out: "See what I have found!"

Eros turned about and faced the outside entrance,
ignoring Rogond completely. Gaelen laughed and slid down as the
rest of the party arrived—two tall men and three horses; a bay, a
chestnut, and a black.

"It appears our good friend Rogond has been shunned
by his noble mount," said Nelwyn.

Rogond returned the insult, walking right past Eros
to meet his friends. They exchanged warm greetings, then Rogond
turned and introduced them to all assembled. "This is Thorndil, and
this is Belegund. They are two very good friends, come to look
after me, I expect." The Elves bowed courteously. A few of them had
met Thorndil and Belegund before.

Thorndil chuckled. He looked older and far more
careworn than either Rogond or Belegund. "Indeed, we know that you
are less than capable of looking after yourself on occasion. But
you seem to be faring well enough now, though Eros still begrudges
you."

"Ah, well, Eros doesn’t understand that I must
sometimes leave him behind. When he is thus abandoned he gets
rather non-sociable until I do something to appease him. It may
take a while this time," Rogond observed, taking note of the look
of disdain in Eros’ eye. He wasn’t really worried, though. By
tomorrow morning they would be the best of friends again.

Rogond turned then to his recently-arrived comrades.
"How came you to the Sanctuary? You must have passed through the
Greatwood, for that is where we left the horses. They still wear
the King’s mark on their halters."

Thorndil explained that the horses had come in search
of them after escaping their handlers. "Because the halters bore
the mark, we went looking for you in Ri-Aruin’s realm, as we knew
Eros would never intentionally leave you and Galador, and feared
some ill fate had befallen you. It’s a relief to find you alive and
well!"

Thorndil observed the still-healing wound on the left
side of Rogond’s neck, where Gorgon’s sword had brushed him as he
had deflected it. "It appears as though someone has tried to remove
your head," he said, his expression more serious. "You must tell us
your tale."

"Not until you are fed and rested, my friends. Then I
shall take you to Lady Ordath, for she would know of your purpose.
Now that you are here, we would all like to know your immediate
plans, for a matter has arisen that we must deal with, and your
help would be most welcome."

"Our plan was simply to find you. We have no
other—unless Thorndil keeps it from me," said Belegund. "And you
know we will always aid one of our own when needed. We are also
counted in the service of Lady Ordath and the Elves of
Monadh-talam."

Rogond clapped each of them on the shoulder. "Then
let us see to your welfare. Your horses will be looked after, and
your things sent to your chambers. I will conduct you."

He turned to Gaelen, who had been standing by, hoping
to be introduced to Rogond’s friends, but instead he merely
instructed her to see to the horses. She noticed that he would not
look her in the eye as he spoke. Confused, she nodded and took the
reins from Thorndil and Belegund, who bowed respectfully before
following Rogond from the courtyard. Gaelen looked over at Nelwyn,
shrugged her shoulders, and led the horses down toward the stables.
Eros and Réalta followed willingly; they had seen quite enough of
the wild for the time being.

After Gaelen had gone, Nelwyn turned to Galador.
"What do you suppose has gotten into Rogond? You haven’t been
telling him of things you don’t really understand, have you?"

Galador had not informed Nelwyn that he had been in
conference with Ordath concerning the matter of Rogond and his
affections, but he still took slight offense that she hadn’t
credited him with more sense.

"Of course I haven’t. But I wonder whether someone
else has. Perhaps I should inquire of him."

"Best wait and give it more time; it may be nothing,"
said Nelwyn. "For the moment we should occupy ourselves with more
pressing matters—we should enlist the aid of these men in our
quest. Let’s go and help Gaelen, then we will all await Rogond and
his two friends, whereupon tales will be both heard and told." She
turned and strode toward the stables, with Galador close behind.
She hadn’t cared for the look in Rogond’s eyes as he had turned
from Gaelen. For a brief moment, pain was graven there.

That evening tales were told, counsel was given, and
acquaintances were renewed. Thorndil and Belegund enjoyed the
hospitality of Mountain-home after many months in the wild, and
they listened with great interest to the tale of Gorgon, which was
told from the beginning by Nelwyn. Thorndil was especially
interested in the details of Gelmyr’s fate, as he had once
discovered the body of an Elf during his travels near the
Ambros.

The Elf had been stricken with a blunt-tipped arrow,
but the force of it had been too great, and it had killed him
outright rather than merely crippling him. The arrow appeared to
have broken the great vessel that runs along the spine, and the Elf
had bled to death in a matter of moments. The signs had been
confusing. The body had not been molested, although someone had
gone to the trouble of hanging it head-downwards. Thorndil had cut
it down and tended it, giving it to the waters as they had done
with Gelmyr. That had taken place nearly sixty years ago and had
remained a mystery. Now they all wondered whether Gorgon had been
responsible for this death as well.

It was with such unsettling thoughts, and after much
debate over the course of action that should now be taken, that the
group disbanded for the night and went to their resting places.
Thorndil and Belegund would sleep more comfortably than they had in
many months, as the security of Mountain-home was a thing they
rarely knew—they could never relax their vigilance in the wild.
Rogond found that he was quite weary and took his leave. He passed
by Gaelen, who rose and started to follow him, but he raised a hand
to halt her.