The Sands of Rhun: A Middle Earth Story(Book 2)

Chapter 21: Gathering an Army

After leaving the fair forest of Ithilien we traveled south along the Road. Since we all had steeds we moved quickly, and it wasn't long before we reached the border of Gondor and Harad. Here it seemed as though the trees had fled, and had given reign to tall grass and rocks. On either side of the road were lush fields of green grass waving in the wind, and there was no sign of habitation as far as the eye could see. Every here and there were herds of wild cattle, and strange, long legged birds strode across the plains. I had never seen birds of that kind, and seeing them now filled me with curiosity.

"Those are called Cawara," Hadar said as he noticed my attentive gaze. "Their eggs are quite good! The meat... Not so good."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why isn't the meat good?"

"The birds can spit poison. They don't have alot of it, but even a drop can be deadly. It's rare, but sometimes the poison travels through their bloodstream and ruins the meat. It's better to be safe."

"Ah," I said thoughtfully. "Are they aggressive?"

"Only when their offspring are threatened." He laughed. "The eggs are worth the danger though. They're delicious."

Just as I was about to open my mouth, I saw a cloud of dust on the horizon. I instantly tensed.

"It looks as though we have company," I said.

"So it does." Hadar halted the company. "Draw bows!" 

His men all pulled shortbows from their horses' saddles, watching as the cloud drew nearer. Caledorn rode swiftly to my side.

"They're Haradrim. There's around ninety of them, and they're well armed. But they don't seem to be hostile."

I glanced over at the elf in surprise. "How do you know all that?"

At this he tapped his temple with a long finger. "Elves have keen senses, mellon. Try and keep up." When he said this, he came close to grinning and a mischievous twinkle came into his eye. I tried to ignore it.

"Of course, silly me." A second later I rose my voice so the whole company could hear me. "Do not attack unless we are attacked!"

I could now see the approaching horsemen. Caledorn was right. They were indeed Haradrim, and they were very well armed... More so than I had ever seen before. They all wore midnight black armor, and around their angular, serpentine helmets were dark blue bands. There was one, however, whose helmet had horns, and he wore a blood red band instead of a blue one. He approached me ahead of the rest of his men.

"Hold! What business do you have in the sovereign Kingdom of Harondar?" The man's voice was deep, deeper even than Hadar's, and despite the thick armor I could tell that he was a hulking brute of a man.

"We merely travel through, m'lord," Hadar said with a bow. It was clear they knew each other, for at these words the armored man visibly relaxed.

"Hadar? It has been too long, my friend. Tell me, how have the Northlands treated you? Last I heard you went to seek your fortune in Rhun, of all places!"

"That I did, and it was quite an experience!" Hadar looked over at me. "In my travels I met this man. Allow me to introduce to you Prince Rukil, of the Dorgeshi."

"My honor, ruler. I am called Nadow, I too am a prince. My father rules Harondar, the land which you see around you." Seemingly trusting of us now, he ordered his men to lower their weapons, and he removed his helmet. He looked relatively young, but his dark skin was scarred in many places, including a large gash on the top of his shaved head. It was clear he was no stranger to battle.