Glorfindel and Caledorn took over leading the group that went to the south. The path they took led them right into the South Downs, a dreary, vegetation forsaken series of hills that most travelers just avoided. Fortunately, it also kept the small party well concealed from watchful eyes. Caledorn knew the land well, and had chosen this route with that intention in mind.
Taliel rode at the rear of the group, occasionally glancing behind them to make sure they weren't being followed. Although she saw nothing, there seemed to be a constant presence watching them...
The ranger Flicker seemed to notice as well, and he too would cast a wary eye to the hills surrounding them now and then, frowning when he saw nothing. His men were restless, for their watchful Ranger senses had them on edge as well.
Edhael was trying to boost their mood, singing songs that, though normally soothing, sounded forlorn and sorrowful in the lonely expanse of the Downs:
Fanuilos heryn aglar
Rîn athar annún-aearath,
Calad ammen i reniar
Mi 'aladhremmin ennorath!
Glorfindel joined in, his clear voice harmonizing with the bard's:
A Elbereth Gilthoniel
I chîn a thûl lin míriel
Fanuilos le linnathon
Ne ndor haer thar i aearon.
Finally Caledorn's deep, resonating voice completed the harmony, the sound of the three elves' voices unnaturally beautiful to hear:
A elin na gaim eglerib
Ned în ben-anor trerennin
Si silivrin ne pherth 'waewib
Cenim lyth thílyn thuiennin.
A Elbereth Gilthoniel
Men echenim sí derthiel
Ne chaered hen nu 'aladhath
Ngilith or annún-aearath.
When they had finished, their voices echoed through the dark hills until they trailed off into eerie silence. Caledorn watchfully glanced around as the uncomfortable feeling of being watched came over him. He didn't see anything, but his suspicion wasn't quelled.
"Does anyone else feel like we're being watched?" He asked aloud.
Taliel looked uncomfortably around before responding. "Yes. Perhaps it is just this place though. It has an unpleasant feel to it."
Just then a figure appeared over a nearby hill. He was running and seemed to be in distress.
"An elf!" Glorfindel exclaimed as he saw the figure. "I wonder what he's doing in such a forlorn place as this!"
The company went into motion, galloping towards the lone figure. He didn't slow his pace until he was nearly upon them, and by then they were close enough to see his panicked expression.
"Sauron has struck!" He cried in fear. "Doom comes upon us all!"
Glorfindel dismounted and approached the frightened elf. "What do you mean? What has happened?"
The elf took a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure. "Mithlond. Sauron has launched an attack on the Grey Havens."
All present were shocked at this news, even Caledorn, whose eyes widened in surprise. "Where did they attack from?"
YOU ARE READING
Defenders of Middle Earth: A Middle Earth Story(Book 3)
FanfictionGerithor, a Dunedain ranger, has been a guardian of the West for many years, protecting it and keeping watch over the Shire. But when he receives word that his fellow Dunedain were attacked at Sarn Ford by Nine Riders, he hastens to Rivendell, where...
