47: Rescuing the Hostages

"Tomorrow" Isenwulf told them, "I will be going to Edoras. Four of Éolind’s guards will come to fetch me." He grimaced, the thought of having to be fetched by anyone, let alone by a female, obviously rankling him.

"Four guards, you say?" Elrohir asked, looking thoughtful. "Neither more nor less?"

Isenwulf shook his head. "And always the same four guards."

"Which will make my task easier," Gandalf said with a grunt.

The others gave him enquiring looks. "Would you care to elaborate?" Elladan asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"Not at the moment," Gandalf replied, looking rather smug.

"Hmph," the elder son of Elrond said. "Keep your secrets, then. We have plenty of our own."

"We do?" Elrohir looked at his twin in surprise. When Elladan gave him a meaningful stare the ellon changed his tactics. "Oh yes, we do!" he said brightly before casting a brief scowl at his brother. "In fact, they’re so secret, even I don’t know anything about them."

Elladan rolled his eyes and gave his twin a swat on the back of his head. Gilhael and Aragorn both snickered. Isenwulf just looked bemused while Gandalf huffed on his pipe, the only indication of any emotion from him being a simple uplifting of an eyebrow that reminded the Peredhil and the Dúnedain of Elrond.

"Regardless," Aragorn waded in, "four guards and there are four of us. The trick is to be able to pass for them and to keep them quiet and out of the way while we play their roles."

"I think that between you and the Elrondionnath you should be able to concoct a sleeping potion that will keep them down for a time, especially if the potion is reinforced with an induced healing sleep," Gandalf commented.

Elrohir frowned. "I hesitate using that technique where no healing is needed."

"Assuming they won’t need it when we finish manhandling them," Gilhael retorted mildly giving them a wry smile.

"He has a point," Elladan said to his brother and Elrohir nodded reluctantly, still not sanguine about having to inflict pain on those who were not orcs.

"Assuming we can pull it off," Aragorn asked, "what then?"

"Then you go with Isenwulf to Edoras and free the hostages," Gandalf replied, sounding far too reasonable for anyone’s comfort.

"You’re being very helpful," Gilhael retorted, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

"You do not realize just how helpful I will be, young Gilhael," the Wizard said equably, though there was a look in his eyes that warned them that further questioning would be useless.

At that point the twins rose almost as one. "We’re going scouting," Elladan said.

Aragorn stared at his brothers in disbelief. "In broad daylight? Don’t you think you won’t be hard to miss?"

Elrohir gave him a sniff and Elladan simply refused to answer the question. "We’ll be back in a couple of hours." With that they made their way to the loft, the sound of a shutter opening and closing the only clue that they had left the house.

Gandalf continued to puff on his pipe; the other three just sat there, not sure what to do or say. Finally, Isenwulf stood, his expression still one of bemusement. "I’ll boil some water for the dishes."

Gilhael bestirred himself. "Nay, my cousin and I will do that. I think he needs the distraction. Sit you and keep Gandalf company. Come, Cousin, let us repay our host for his hospitality."

With that, the two Dúnedain stood and began clearing away the remains of breakfast while Gandalf and Isenwulf continued to sit beside the fire and talk.

****

It was actually nearly dusk before the twins returned by the same means as they had left. When more than the stipulated two hours had passed Aragorn began to fret and fume, muttering dire imprecations about what he would do to his brothers separately and collectively if they got themselves caught, or worse, killed. Most of his threats were uttered in Sindarin so Isenwulf was unaware of what was said, though he could guess by the tone and constant scowl that marred Aragorn’s face. Finally, the older Man decided that enough was enough and set both Dúnedain to peeling potatoes and cutting up other vegetables for the evening’s stew. "There is little enough for any to eat in Upbourn," he said, "so our meal will be lean."

"It will do well enough," Gandalf assured him. "Elladan and Elrohir can go long without sustenance and these two are used to surviving on rations while on patrol in the Wilds."

Neither Aragorn nor Gilhael protested, and in fact welcomed the distraction. Thus it was that Aragorn was stirring the stew when the twins returned. "Smells good, little brother. We’re famished."

Aragorn turned to see Elladan grinning at him while Elrohir was sitting beside the fire looking as if he’d not moved from that spot in hours. "You said you would be back in a couple of hours," Aragorn said with a scowl. "You are now six hours late. Find your own dinner."

Both twins looked at him in surprise. "Truly we did not mean to be gone as long as we were," Elladan said. "We ran into a little trouble."

"With you two ‘trouble’ is rarely little," Aragorn retorted, unwilling to listen to reason. "Let us hope ‘trouble’ did not follow you here."

Elrohir stood then and took Aragorn by the shoulders, forcing the young Mortal to look him in the eyes. "Our delay was unavoidable but to good purpose. We overheard some Men speaking about Underharrow."

Both Aragorn and Gilhael went still, visibly paling. "What did you hear?" Aragorn whispered, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.

"Feed us and we will tell you," Elrohir answered.

For a long moment no one spoke. Finally, Aragorn gave a single nod. "You two do the dishes afterwards."

It was not a question and the twins took it in good stride, nodding in agreement. They went to wash up and in a few minutes they were all seated around the table partaking of the meager fare. No one complained; they all had done with less in their time.

When the meal was mostly over, Elladan began to tell of their scouting adventures. He spoke in Westron to avoid any confusion as to meaning. "The language of the Rohirrim has changed somewhat in five hundred years," he explained. "We found some of the words we overheard difficult to understand."

"But we are not our father’s sons for naught," Elrohir added, "so we were able to fill in the blanks and figure out what was being said."

"And what was that?" Aragorn asked.

"It seems that one Guthláf of Gálmódingsdæl was banished some years ago by the last king, Fengel," Elladan said.

Isenwulf nodded. "Aye, I remember that. It was over a maiden, one Æðelgiefu, if I remember correctly. She was the daughter of Æðelwine, a lord of Underharrow. Guthláf desired her for his wife, but Æðelwine had already promised her to another. Guthláf, in a fit of rage at being denied what he thought was his by right, raped and then killed the girl. He tried to make it look as if the other suitor were to blame but he made the mistake of assuming that Æðelgiefu was dead when he left her. She lived long enough to identify her attacker. Guthláf was banished, though many thought he should have been put to death for what he had done. Fengel, unfortunately, was not above taking bribes and so the matter was dropped. Guthláf left, vowing to wreak his revenge on Æðelwine for his misfortunes."

"You think the burning of Underharrow was Guthláf’s doing?" Gandalf asked the twins.

Both Peredhil nodded. "We heard two men, obviously in league with Thengel’s enemies, discussing how this Guthláf boasted that he had gotten the last laugh over Æðelwine and the good citizens of Underharrow," Elladan answered, his expression blank.

"A bit excessive," Gilhael said with a snort.

"Guthláf was always given to excess," Isenwulf replied, looking tired and several years older all of a sudden. "And little good did it do him for Æðelwine died two winters ago. He burned Underharrow down for nothing."

"Not to his way of thinking, if you can call it thinking," Elrohir said. "It sounds as if he is deep in the throes of madness."

"Undoubtedly," Gandalf said as he puffed on his pipe, his expression thoughtful. "Well, that’s for another day. Our primary concern is the hostages and how to release them. Tomorrow will be the turning of the tide for many and not all will welcome it."

"As usual, my friend," Aragorn said with a smile, "you speak in riddles."

"A Wizard’s stock in trade," Gandalf quipped and they all laughed, glad to put aside the sad tale of a young girl and her unfortunate demise.

****

The next morning they were ready. According to Isenwulf, the four guards always entered the house, so it was just a matter of subduing them and removing their gear. What would happen next was anyone’s guess, for Gandalf refused to tell them of his plans. "You will see when it happens," was all he would say.

On schedule the four guards appeared and entered Isenwulf’s house, arrogant and surly in their manner towards the older Man. The Dúnedain and the Peredhil waited until all four were inside before coming out of hiding and attacking them, swiftly knocking them out, for the element of surprise was theirs.

"Quickly now," Gandalf chivvied them. "Change into their gear, then lay them out on the bed."

They did as he bid and soon the four guards were lying on the bed with the Peredhil and the Dúnedain standing at its foot. Gandalf then came into the room, making it a very tight fit, and placed one hand on the forehead of the nearest guard and the other on Elladan’s. Everyone else remained still, barely breathing. At first, nothing much happened but then Elladan’s features began to shift and in a matter of seconds they were all staring, not at the eldest son of Lord Elrond, but at the guard’s twin.

Gilhael whistled in admiration, but Gandalf did not stop, only shooing Elladan out of the room so he could do his brother next. In a matter of minutes the four of them now wore the shapes of the guards. Isenwulf stared in amazement. "If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it."

"Well, it will not last long, just long enough to get you all inside Edoras. After that, you’re on your own. Go now with the blessings of the Valar," Gandalf said once Elladan and Elrohir had placed the hapless guards into a healing sleep, showing the Wizard how to bring them out of it if necessary. Then, without another word they all left, leaving Gandalf alone with the sleeping guards.

****

With whispered instructions, Isenwulf directed the four fake guards towards the gates and in a matter of minutes they were on their way towards Edoras. Other guards accompanied them so there was no talking but Isenwulf had already told them all they needed to know about the Men they had replaced. Fortunately, there was little speech between the parties so the ride to Edoras was done mostly in silence. They reached the beleaguered city around noon, admitted without question. The bulk of the guards went their way, leaving Isenwulf with his four ‘guards’ as he had told them would happen.

"The barracks are that way," he said with a nod. "I am permitted only a quarter of an hour’s visit, just long enough to assure myself that all are well, then I am normally escorted to Éolind in Meduseld. She usually keeps me here overnight before sending me back to Upbourn."

"Then we need to free the hostages before that," Elrohir said, his tone giving nothing away as to what he was thinking or feeling. He may as well have been commenting on the state of the rose garden in Imladris.

"What’s that building behind the barracks?" Elladan asked.

"One of the stables used by the éored," Aragorn answered, well acquainted with the layout of the city.

"Hmmm," Elladan muttered.

"What are you thinking, brother?" Elrohir asked.

"We need transportation for twenty-two people, twenty of them under the age of twelve," Elladan muttered. "Horses would be helpful."

"And so we will just borrow twenty-odd horses and walk out the front gate," his twin retorted.

Elladan shrugged. "You have a better idea?"

"Actually no, but that doesn’t mean your idea will work."

By now they had reached the barracks and the two guards standing before the doors stepped aside an allowed them entrance. As he stepped inside Aragorn saw that someone had strung rope across one part of the room and flung blankets over it to provide the hostages with some modicum of privacy. When they entered, there was no one in sight.

"Reinhild," Isenwulf called softly. "Reinhild, my love."

The curtain of blankets shifted and a Woman stepped out. She was nearly as tall as her husband and though her fair hair had more grey than yellow in it, she stood straight and held herself regally. Her eyes lit up at the sight of her husband, but in the presence of the guards, she remained distant.

"Isenwulf, my husband," she said, "I am glad to see you again."

"And I," the Man replied, taking her by the hands. "We have not much time so you must listen carefully. These guards are not who they seem to be and I will not explain any further. You must trust me. Gather the children and tell them they must remain quiet."

Reinhild gave her husband a jaundiced look. "What trick is this Isenwulf? What do you...."

"There is no time, Reinhild," Isenwulf interrupted. "Go and gather the children. We are running out of time."

She gave him a hard stare and then a brief nod before leaving them. Isenwulf turned to the ‘guards’. "Now what?"

"Wood," the guard with Elladan’s voice said.

"What?"

"It burns."

"Ah, you are getting devious in your old age, brother," the guard with Aragorn’s voice said with a smile.

"You mean to set fire to the barracks?" Isenwulf asked, sounding incredulous.

Elladan shook his head. "No. I mean to set fire to Edoras."

With that he and the guard who in reality was Elrohir brought out their bows and arrows which they had hidden under their cloaks and using the meager fire that was the only source of warmth and light in the entire building they began constructing torches with their arrows. In the meantime, Aragorn and Gilhael made their way to the other end of the barracks where there was a privy attached to the building. They passed the children who were all huddled on their cots, staring at the two Men with wide and frightened eyes. Next to the privy was a door that obviously led towards the stables. This was barred from the outside, so Gilhael went back to the front door, calling for the two guards to come in, quickly subduing them with Isenwulf’s help, then walking out and going to the back door and unbarring it.

By now Reinhild had gathered the children near the center of the barracks where Isenwulf was speaking to them. "You older children must keep the younger ones in hand," he told them. "In a few minutes there will be a fire and there will be much panic and confusion. Do not let that distract you. Follow Mistress Reinhild and my daughter and obey these men, for they are on our side."

Elrohir came up to them at that point and several of the children gasped and cringed. The Peredhel raised an eyebrow as he looked at Isenwulf who smiled grimly. "Your disguise is slipping," was all he said.

"Ah, well Mithrandir said it would not last long." Elrohir turned to the children and going down on one knee gave them a smile. "My name is Elrohir and I and my brothers are here to help you escape. Who can ride?"

More than half the children raised their hands. Elrohir gave them an amused smile. "I mean who can ride a horse?"

Now about a third kept their hands up and the Peredhel nodded. "My brothers and I will take the little ones who cannot yet ride, while those who can ride ponies will double up with those who can ride horses. Is that clear?"

They all nodded. Elrohir rose and called out softly in Sindarin. Elladan, Gilhael and Aragorn now joined them all in the center of the barracks. All of them had resumed their usual shapes and the eyes of the children were wide with surprise and awe. Elladan handed his brother his bow and a set of arrows wrapped in rags soaked in oil gotten from the lamps hanging from the rafters.

"We’ll set fire to as many buildings as possible and meet you in the stables," Elladan said. "With luck the confusion will allow us to escape through the front gates."

"The Valar make it so," Gilhael said fervently.

"Did you see anyone about while you were outside?" Elrohir asked Gilhael.

"No. The way to the stables should be clear and luck is with us, for a fence blocks the view of the path between the barracks and the stables. If everyone stays low they will not be noticed."

"Good enough," Elrohir said. "Go now and get the horses ready. If there are more horses than we need, open their stalls as well. We can use them as a distraction."

With that, Isenwulf, with his wife and daughter’s help, began to chivvy everyone towards the back of the barracks while Elrohir and Elladan went to the front where they checked to make sure no one was about. Then they slipped out, closing and barring the door behind them. Aragorn and Gilhael led the way to the stables, keeping a wary eye out for anyone who might see them, but they were in the clear and soon all of them were inside.

"We do not have time to saddle all these horses," Aragorn said to the children, "so we will have to make do with bridles and saddle blankets."

"What about our own horses?" Gilhael asked.

"Go fetch them," Isenwulf replied, "and bring them here. Since they are already saddled we can tie these other horses to ours. All the children have to do is hang on and they’ve all been taught that much."

Gilhael nodded and in a few minutes the five horses were brought to the stables. "Nothing’s happening," he told them as he brought the horses inside. "Are you sure this is going to...."

Suddenly a scream rent the air. "Fire! Meduseld is on fire!"

Other voices joined with the first and then there were calls for a water brigade. Gilhael gave Aragorn a wry grin. "Never mind."

Aragorn laughed and mounted his horse, allowing Isenwulf to place two little ones before him. Reinhild and Isenhild found suitable mares for themselves and also had a couple of the youngest children sitting with them. Gilhael and Isenwulf helped the older children to climb upon the horses selected for them and then they too were doubling up with the other children. Just as the last of the children were accounted for, the twins ran into the stables and without a word jumped upon their own horses and giving a great cry led the cavalcade out.

As soon as they left the stables they found themselves in the midst of great confusion. There was smoke billowing everywhere and the snap-hiss of flames licking eagerly at the thatched roofs of nearby buildings. All around them people were running and screaming as more and more buildings caught fire. The horses shied at first but the children proved themselves sons and daughters of the Rohirrim with their firm handling of their steeds to the approval of the Peredhil and the Dúnedain. The twins led everyone on a circular route to avoid the mass of people. As they neared the gates, Elrohir took his bow and shot at the guards, who panicked, fleeing for their lives and leaving the gates wide open. With a cry in Sindarin the Peredhil urged the horses to a faster gallop. In short order they were all out of the city, including about a dozen riderless horses who followed along.

Aragorn had feared the possibility of either some of the children falling off their horses or guards on the walls shooting at them, but neither happened. These children were Rohirrim, most of whom sat their first pony before they could properly walk and the guards were too busy trying to help put out the half dozen fires now plaguing the city to worry about escaped horses.

The twins maintained a hard pace for some distance, for there was always the possibility of pursuit, but it never came. Only when Edoras itself was out of sight did they slow to a walk to allow the horses a chance to breathe.

"Where do you take us?" Reinhild demanded at one point.

"Dunharrow, my lady," Aragorn answered. "Thengel King is still waiting to have words with your husband."

"Upbourn will be punished," Reinhild said firmly. "Éolind will not allow us to escape with impunity."

"Upbourn must look to itself," her husband replied. "If they know their children are free...."

"And how will they know that, Father?" Isenhild asked. She was a young woman of about twenty summers who looked much like her mother though her eyes were definitely Isenwulf’s.

"We will tell them," Elrohir answered. "We have to pass Upbourn anyway."

"And do you think the traitors who rule in Upbourn will allow us to pass?" Isenhild asked scornfully.

"Probably not," Elrohir responded with a shrug, "but only one of us needs to give the news. The rest of you will continue to Dunharrow without stopping."

"What the people of Upbourn do with the news is up to them," Elladan added.

"But will they believe you?" Isenwulf asked. "Should it not be I who tells them?"

"It is best that you continue on to Dunharrow," Elladan answered. "But let me have one of the children who will be recognized. If they see him with me, they should believe my message."

"I will accompany you, lord," Isenhild said. "I am well known to everyone in Upbourn. If they hear me confirm your words they will have no choice but to believe."

"Very well," Elladan said with a nod. "Come. You and I will ride ahead while my brothers lead the others further east to avoid being seen. We will meet up with them at Underharrow."

"What about Mithrandir?" Aragorn asked in Sindarin.

Elladan shook his head. "I suspect that by now the good Wizard is long gone from Upbourn. We may even meet him on the way to Dunharrow or he will have gone elsewhere on business of his own."

So they rode on. Elrohir and Isenhild could be seen some distance ahead and as they reached the gates of Upbourn (Aragorn noticed with approval that his brother stopped just shy of bow range) Elrohir called out, speaking in perfect, if somewhat archaic Rohirric. "People of Upbourn, rejoice, for your salvation is at hand. Here is Isenhild daughter of Isenwulf whom you well know. She is freed from hostage-bond as are your other children who even now make their way safely to Dunharrow. Free yourselves and join Thengel King in his war against those who would destroy Rohan."

With that, he turned his horse and together he and Isenhild rode swiftly away. There was no pursuit and it would be some time before they learned the reason for it. But for now, the two made their way to the ruins of Underharrow where they met up with the larger party. Without any words being spoken they continued deeper into Harrowdale towards Dunharrow, where Thengel King awaited them.