August 3023 T.A. - High Pass
High Pass was a passage way across the Misty Mountains, situated to the north of Rivendell, and was along with the Pass of Caradhras (better known as the Redhorn Gate), Caradhras being one of three mountain peaks that lay on top of Khazad-Dûm, one of the main ways to cross the Misty Mountains. Unlike the Redhorn Gate, which was narrow, the High Pass was broad enough to march an army through, at least the lower pass was. Those who took the High Pass had a choice of two ways, the broader, much more used lower pass or the less travelled narrow high pass. The lower pass was a very established and well-known crossing point. In the First Age, before Man was born – or it has been told – , the Dwarves used it primarily as a trade route to connect the western and eastern Mansions of their peoples. In the Second Age Elendil and Gil-Galad used it to march their forces across the Misty Mountains to link up with the forces from Lothlórien, Khazad-Dûm and the Woodland Realm before striking south towards Mordor. When they defeated Sauron at the Battle of Barad-Dûr the Third Age began and the High Pass was once again a safe way to travel between Eriador and Rhovanion. When evil started to spread again and the caverns of the Misty Mountains started to be inhabited by Orcs once more, the main pass fell into disuse. Only the bravest souls would choose to use it, these being mostly Dwarven parties travelling between their Mansions. Peace had returned to the High Pass when the united armies of the Dwarven Clans had raged through the Orc strongholds of the Misty Mountains during the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. However that war was fought more than two-hundred years ago and Orcs multiply quickly and though the Dwarves had been very thorough in their slaughtering, many Orcs had survived the massacre by fleeing to the deepest caverns. Supplemented with Orcs from Mordor they had become a menace once again, conducting raids both into the Vale of Anduin and into Eriador. The Pass only stayed open because of the bravery of the Beornings guarding the way. These skin-changers were the folk of Grimbeorn, son of Beorn and they hated the Orcs more than anything. They were fierce in battle, uncompromising to their enemies, quick to anger and difficult to befriend. Luckily for their company Gandalf was one of those few friends, a sort of friend anyway.
It was accounted that, in the mythological Years of the Trees, the Vala Oromë created the pass to ease the passage of the Eldar's Great Journey to the Undying Lands. Whether Oromë had found the pass or created it was unclear yet the Elves believed the former. That is what Eldarion had learned anyway from his time perusing the books in Imladris' library and now that he stood before it's magnificent and daunting gate he could easily believe it had been created by the Vala himself. A wide opening, almost splitting the mountain range into two, flanked by the enormous mountain peaks, stood the gate leading to the pass. Eldarion could see that the path narrowed as it gradually climbed up into the mountains. Gandalf had told them the crossing would take them approximately five days, less if the weather was generous, more if not. When they set out from Rivendell the hobbits had been given ponies and Eldarion a horse along with provisions, Gandalf had his own horse. Summer was nearing it's end and Eldarion and Gandalf assessed that they would probably get across before the heavy autumn snowfalls would descend upon them. In the best case the snows would come quickly after their crossing, this would make pursuit across the mountains impossible. Should the Enemy try to follow the Company they would have to go around the mountain range through the Gap of Rohan. The sky was a clear bright blue and a chilly breeze blew down on them as they passed the gateway into the mountains. They trotted for an hour when they saw a huge man brandishing a double-headed axe on their path. He stood in the middle of the road and looked rather grim, a bushy brown beard covering his face. He seemed to have traded all of the hair on his head for a beard, for the sun reflected brightly on his cranium. He remained silent while the Company moved closer. When they were but ten paces away he ordered them to halt. His deep voice was kept low and he seemed to struggle to keep it down.
“State your business.” his bushy eyebrows were furrowed while he waited for an answer. Eldarion thought that this was a man not to be trifled with. Not only stood he as high as Eldarion seated on his horse, he was burly and a fire gleamed in his eyes. For attire he wore not much, merely a cloth pants and longsleeved brown shirt yet he seemed impervious to the cold.
“We are seeking passage through the High Pass.” Gandalf kindly replied. The big man's face remained stony.
“Who are you.” he asked. Gandalf introduced the hobbits first, to which the man nodded respectfully. Gandalf then introduced himself to which the man's eyes' widened only in the slightest and one could have easily missed it, Eldarion hadn't. When Gandalf introduced him the man's face became its stony self once more.
“Grey Wizard, news of your coming had already reached us, courtesy of a little bird. You may pass free of charge. The Little Folk may pass freely also but the Man, Prince or no, must pay tribute for the passage.” Gandalf nodded in agreement and if you could've seen his face you would've discerned his pleasure with the bargain. Eldarion, however, was not too pleased and he replied angrily.
“What is it that you desire brute? Gold, silver?” the man laughed, not contained like he had his voice but a rumbling sound that vibrated through the pass so hard, Eldarion feared it might cause an avalanche.
“We have no use for your gold or silver, royal man. What we do need is furs, food, drink and men who can fight. Do you possess any of these things, little man?” A vicious smile had widened on the Beorning's face. Gandalf tried to smooth things over by offering the carefully prepared gifts of tribute, but Eldarion had already dismounted his horse and had marched right up to the huge man. Eldarion had to really crane his head backwards to look the man in the face. The Prince only now came to the realisation how big his adversary actually was. Still he was insulted in his pride and he didn't fear this clearly savage man.
“Why don't you find out if I can fight for yourself.” Eldarion said, spitting the words into the man's face. The Beorning's smile had disappeared and had been replaced with an inquisitive look as he eyed the Prince up and down.
“Very well.” he simply said before beckoning the entire Company to follow him. Eldarion, taken aback by the simple reply and having thought they would settle this immediatly, returned to his horse, mounted it and followed the man. While they continued through the pass Eldarion saw that more of the Beorning's kin had joined their party. Another two hours of silent journeying passed, with Eldarion stewing in the juices of his anger while Gandalf had turned grim and the hobbits unsure of what was happening, after which they reached the Valesmen encampment. It was situated in a shielded cove and provided for no more than twenty-odd men. There were also women and children roaming the camp, which was much to Eldarion's surprise. A palpable tension hung in the air of the camp, the men were dour, the women huddled together and the children silent. They were greeted by the guard on duty.
“Customers Grimdar?” he asked. Grimdar, the Beorning who had been leading them, simply nodded before turning to the Company.
“Leave your horses and ponies here with Harohd. They will be taken good care of.” The Company dismounted and each handed over the reins to Harohd. The animals were to Eldarion's surprise calm and at ease with the giant of a man. The Prince was the only one reluctant to give up his horse and Grimdar noticed. It was the Beorning's turn to reply in anger.
“Savage we may seem to you but we take care of animals better than any, what you call 'civilised' peoples.” Eldarion wanted to sneer at the man but Gandalf interceded.
“The Beorning's are true friends to the animals Eldarion, just give Harohd the reins.” it was clear Gandalf had had enough of this so Eldarion gave the Beorning the reins to his horse. Grimdar led them towards the fire in the middle of the camp where a group of five men sat. A particularly old and grey Beorning, probably their Chief, sat in the middle of the group. The men were discussing something when their Company reached them.
“We must do something!” one of them yelled. Grimdar cleared his throat and the five men became aware of him and the foreigners he had brought. Grimdar introduced the Company to the Chief and his men. As an introduction for Eldarion he shoved him forward into the ring of light adding:
“I've found someone who will help us with our problem.”
Eldarion stumbled forward, not the first time, confused. |