Chapter Five: Althamus ArrivesAs Woodpecker and Tuor stood, surveying the battle-zone, the cries of the dieing in their ears, they suddenly saw a rustling in the bushes off to one side of them. Both men reached for their weapons, but the bushes parted, and out stepped a ranger. Tuor glanced at Woodpecker. “One of yours?” “No” came the reply. “Never seen him before”. The two leaders cautiously moved forward to greet the ranger, who on closer inspection was seen to be garbed in the costume of a Gondorian, with the White Tree blazoned across his chest. “I bring you word from Captain Althamus, he is leading a small party of Rangers to intercept and join you. They will meet with you at the foothills of Emyn Muil, in three days hence and there join up with you.” He pulled a scroll from his tunic and handed it to Woodpecker. “I was also told to give you this, my Lord. I was told it was for your eyes only.” Woodpecker moved apart from the two men, and opened the scroll. His eyes darted across the text quickly, and seemed to darken as he read. Folding the scroll up, he returned to the two men. “Tuor, I am sorry, but I must depart from you here, I have just received news that one of my associates has found a pass across Ash Mountains. Should this prove to be possible, I might be that a small band of men, such as mine, would be able to infiltrate Mordor, and perhaps reach the Dark Tower.” At this, Tuor’s eyes seemed to shine, and he asked Woodpecker if their whole band might journey and find the Dark Tower, but Woodpecker shook his head. “A small band might pass unnoticed. An army would certainly be seen. I must take my men and go alone. I will leave you now, but journey on down the Anduin, and meet up with Althamus; he will be a great asset to your army, for I have fought with him before.” So saying, Woodpecker gathered to him 30 of his men that were fit and healthy, and, leaving the rest of his men in Tuor’s command, left the camp, heading east.
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Three days later, Tuor, guided by the ranger, led his men to the foothills of Emyn Muil, there to take camp while waiting for Captain Althamus to arrive. As they crested a hill, they saw before them men numbering near 100 camped below them. Tuor, accompanied by the ranger, and two of his generals, LordofDragons and SaviouroftheSite descended the hill to meet with them. As he came down, a tall man with long, dark brown hair came out to meet them. He wore a sword in his belt, and shield strapped onto his back, and seemed to wish them no harm. “I am Captain Althamus, leader of this band of rangers. Are you Tuor of Dol Amroth?” “I am” replied he. “Let us adjourn to a place of more comfort to discuss matters in more detail as to the whereabouts the army should go.” |
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Later that evening, Althamus and Tuor were sitting in Althamus’ tent. Over the day, the two men had grown to know and trust each other, and were deciding where to lead their army, although the conversation had almost come to its end. “So we are decided then?” asked Tuor. “We march with the first light to Cair Andros, for it has been said that there is a large force of Orcs camped there, and we may be able to catch them unawares.” “Aye”, replied Althamus. “Let us go.” |
