Of course the Hoarwelling harvest fair didn't
happen til October and everybody from the children to
the Lady Lorellos knew in their hearts that the outing
would be forbidden should Lord Elrond or Grandmother
return before that time.

So it was with a certain guilty relief, as well as
concern, that the household at Rivendell learned
Elrond and Gandalf's councils had prevailed and the
assault on the Necromancer decided. Elrond's letter
summoning Glorfindel and such Elves as could bear arms
to join him in Lorien also enclosed a second asking
the the Lady Ellemir for whatever force she could
spare. *1

Her answer rode into Rivendell two weeks later;
Estel's uncle Armegil, Captain of the North, at the
head of the largest host of Rangers the children or
Elves had ever seen gathered together. A full two
thousand Men mailed and helmed beneath worn green
surcoats and cloaks, armed with sword and spear and
bow, but flying no banner and bearing no badge.

"Are you sure the Dunedain can spare so many,
Armegil?" Glorfindel asked in concern.

The Captain flashed the brief, grim smile of his
kind. "Quite sure. We only wish it could be more."

They were sitting over wine in Elrond's withdrawing
room and three children were with them. Armegil's
smile warmed as he turned to Amin.

"Your father will command the North in my absence,
cousin, though he would much rather have come with us.
Not least for the chance of a visit with you and your
sister."

"Does he know Hallam went with Uncle?" Amin wanted
to know, grievance showing.

"He does, and approves. But that is not to say he
isn't glad his younger son is not yet old enough for
war. Do not begrudge him the joy of knowing two at
least of his children are safe from harm."

Amin flushed and mumbled he'd try.

Armegil turned to his nephew. "My mother has
decided to remain at Arnost *2 so she may keep a close
watch on the North." The children exchanged furtive
glances. "As it happens there has been a distinct
falling off in Orcish raiding of late," Armegil
continued to Glorifindel, "which is why we can spare
so many Men to Lord Elrond."

"We may thank Mithrandir and King Thorin for that."
the Elf answered. "They slew the Great Goblin and now
all the lesser chiefs are at each others throats."

"Then we must take full advantage of our good
fortune while it lasts." said Armegil.
**********************************************

After the Elven host and the Rangers rode away
there was nothing to do but wait for news - and for
October. Grandmother's letters from Arnost reported
the Hill Folk as quiet and Orc activity almost
non-existent. Trolls however were becoming a problem.

The news from over the Mountains was less good. The
first message, carried by the Great Eagles, said the
Council's attempt to take Dol Guldur by storm had
failed and they'd been forced to lay a siege. But
thanks to the death of the Great Goblin the
Necromancer had now no near allies to call on. But
he had others farther away *3 and the longer the
matter dragged on the greater the danger to the
besiegers.

The second message assured the children their kin
were still safe and hinted Gandalf had a plan. And the
third reported the success of that plan, an
infiltration of the fortress by secret ways known to
the wizard. *4 The Necromancer's creatures had been
slaughtered and he himself forced to flee.

But it was now late September and there were still
fugitives to be hunted in the darkness of Mirkwood and
the fortress itself to be cleansed, as well as might
be, and garrisoned. Elrond decided to winter in
Lorien, returning to Rivendell in spring when the
passes were clear and Grandmother would remain at
Arnost until Armegil returned, so the way was clear
for the children's own adventure.
**********************************************

1. Ellemir has acted as Chief Ranger since the death
of Arathorn eight years before, with her younger son
Armegil as Captain of the North and her chief deputy.
She is also Warden of the Evendim Hills in her own
right.

2. Arnost is the seat of the Chieftains and the
Captains of the North, (who are usually father and son
or brothers) a fortified villa, formerly a summer
retreat for the High Kings of Arthedain.

3. The Nazgul in their stronghold of Minas Morgul for
one and the Hill Men of the North for another.

4. Presumably it was by means of these he escaped the
Necromancer's dungeons a hundred years before.