Isildur

'Aratan was captain of the guard at Annuminas,' said Isildur, 'and Ciryon commanded the garrison at Amon Sul, a watchtower on the eastern borders of Arnor. They came to join me after the war was over and the ways safe again.'

'Alas,' said Galadriel, 'the ways are still not as safe as we would like them. Only last month a party of our people travelling in the Misty Mountains was attacked by a band of orcs. Several were slain, for they were not heavily armed nor expecting attack.'

'Orcs?' exclaimed Isildur. 'But they were forbidden to travel into the westlands!'

'We know not whether they are come from Mordor or if they have remained in hiding in the mountains. They seemed not to have a leader. We supposed they were but a band of renegades, making their living by attacking travellers. We have sent out several search parties, but have been unable to locate them.'

'We have heard tales from our Sindarin cousins,' said Celeborn, 'of similar attacks in the forests further north. Sauron may be no more, but his evil influence continues.'

'The roads shall be made safe again,' said Isildur with determination in his face. 'When I have returned to Annuminas and put my own realm in order, I will establish outposts and send rangers out to root out these bands of renegades. We shall not rest until all are destroyed. The roads should be open and safe for all travellers.'

'It would be a great boon to all,' said Galadriel. 'But again you set yourself a difficult task, my friend. As in Mordor, you want to cleanse the world of every trace of Sauron's work. It may not be possible.'

'Nevertheless, I accomplished much in Mordor. The Barad-dur no longer exists. Osgiliath and Minas Ithil are again as they were. I have many subjects and friends to aid me in my work.' He looked pointedly at Galadriel. 'And I have other help besides.'

The Lady looked gravely at him. 'Aye, when Cirdan passed through Lothlorien on his way home, he told us of your decision at the Sammath Naur.'

Isildur nodded. 'I assume he told you he did not approve. He and Elrond did their best to dissuade me. I hope you are not going to lecture me as well.'

'We shared his concerns,' said Celeborn. 'You take upon yourself a perilous burden.'

'Do you then think me unable to bear it?' asked Isildur in some irritation.

'It is not that, Isildur,' said Galadriel soothingly. 'It is that none of us know what its powers may be. And if it should somehow fall into lesser hands than your own, what should become of them? In hands with a propensity for evil or with a lust for power, might it not still be used for evil purpose? These are our fears.'

Somewhat mollified, Isildur smiled and patted his chest. 'I can assure you it shall never leave my person while I live. Never shall any hand touch it but mine. And when I die it shall go to my heirs, with all my advice and cautions in its use. I assure you it is quite safe.'

'I would prefer the thing had been destroyed and was gone forever from the world,' said Galadriel, 'but I do not doubt your good will, your strength, or your wisdom. We shall rest easy knowing it is in Annuminas, safe in your care. But we urge you to use it as little as possible.'

'I rarely wear it at all,' replied Isildur. 'Already I have learned the limits of its capabilities. In truth it seems but a poor thing compared with the wonders you have wrought with Nenya,' he added, gesturing around at the hall around them, the city, and indeed all of the Golden Wood.

'The Three were forged to assist in good works and in building fair creations. The One was not. But perhaps you can yet wrest some good from it.'

'It is not wholly evil, I assure you, Lords,' said Isildur. 'I find that it can be most useful when rebuilding that which Sauron spoiled.'

'Is Ithilien then renewed as clean as before?' asked Galadriel with a knowing look. 'Is its produce as sweet?'

Isildur caught Elendur's eye. 'Well, perhaps not as much as before,' he admitted. 'But we have rebuilt Minas Ithil, and we have hopes that after the rains of spring have flushed the poisons from the soil that it will produce as it once did.'

'Perhaps it shall,' said Celeborn. 'We shall see. And our hopes are with you. It was clearly a lovely land before Sauron got his claws upon it.'

'But we are remiss as hosts,' said Galadriel. 'You have had a long journey and must be tired. Sometimes we forget that you Men desire your nightly periods of rest. Show our visitors to the best guest chambers. We shall talk again in the morning.'

The men were led to a series of rooms along the outer wall of the palace. Before he went to sleep, Ohtar stood at the window and looked out over the city. The ground below was too far away to see, lost among the lower branches and the many houses below. All about them were spread the tops of the other mallorn trees. Lights of gold, yellow and white glowed from among the foliage, and he could hear singing and the voices of sweet instruments drifting up to where he stood. Far away to the east, the moon was rising above the eastern reaches of the wood, setting silver glints upon the golden leaves.

Ohtar crawled gratefully into the heap of soft woven Elven blankets and slept more comfortably and peacefully than he could ever remember.

* * *

They spent a few days resting and visiting with the Elves. The men strolled about the city, observing the Elves at their daily duties and entertainments. Isildur and his sons had many talks with the Lords or with the greater of the Elves, learning of their lore and hearing their counsel. The evenings were spent feasting and listening to singing of the ancient Elvish sagas. Verse after verse of the doings of ancient heros, most went on for many hours. One by one the men drifted off to sleep, their dreams full of the brave deeds of former ages. On their last evening the minstrels performed their newest saga, the Lay of Isildur, and Isildur congratulated the talented composer. On the following morning they prepared again to depart. The Lords accompanied them to the gate of the city.

'Go in peace, friends,' said Celeborn. 'I would recommend that you do not attempt to cross the mountains by way of the pass of Caradhras. Our scouts report that the snow lies especially heavy there yet. It would be very difficult for men and heavily laden horses.'

'We had thought to go further north and cross by the pass that lies east of Imladris,' said Elendur. 'It is lower and it will have another few weeks to melt before we arrive there.'

'Yes, that would be best,' agreed Galadriel. 'Take care in the mountains. Remember the raiders.'

Isildur laughed. 'I do not think orcs would attack such a numerous and well-armed party. If they did they would get a most unpleasant greeting.'

'No doubt you are right,' said Celeborn. 'Take our greetings and good wishes to our friend Elrond. Namarie.'

'Namarie, my Lord,' said Isildur. 'My Lady, farewell.'

'Farewell, Isildur. May all your hopes and plans come true.'

Then the men turned and with many waves and shouted farewells rode north around the moat that guarded Caras Galadon. Passing along a broad lane through the trees, they rode under the golden mallorns for another day before emerging blinking into the bright sunlight. The land here was low rolling hills cut by many shallow streams. The hills were covered with bright yellow grass, though their cooler northern slopes were thick with oaks. Day after day they rode over these hills, keeping the mountains on their left hand. From some of the higher hills they could catch occasional glimpses of the broad and muddy river Anduin away to the east.

On the fifth morning after leaving the Golden Wood, they topped a ridge and looked out over a wide flat land marked by many bright green fens and bogs. Beyond they could see a river coming down from the mountains and winding across the marshes to join Anduin.

'That is the Greenwood River,' said Isildur. 'There is a ford just to the west of the fens. And beyond are the grassy lawns the Elves call Loeg Ningloron. When father and I rode this way to the war we met some hunters there; men, but of a race we had never seen before. Their speech was strange and we could understand very little of what they said. But one thing I can recall is the name of this place, for it struck me as an odd name. Both the river and the lawns are known by the same name in their language: Gladden, they said it was called.'

'Well, it gladdens my heart,' said Ciryon, 'for it means we are done with climbing these ridges for a time.'

'Aye. Beyond this Gladden the land is flat and easy. In another week we should be at the pass, and but a few days beyond that lies Imladris.'