[150 powerstones bonus chapter]
- - - - - -
After many days of hurried travel, more than twenty days later, Kaen Eowenríel at last led the united host of the expeditionary army into the Anduin River Valley.
The City of Tusgar.
This city, stretching across both banks of the Anduin, had been but a shadowy outline when Kaen departed two months ago. Now, however, it had begun to take form and substance.
The city was divided into eastern and western quarters, each along the riverbank. High embankments had been raised, and behind them rose districts for dwellings, docks, markets, and other halls of trade.
Binding the two halves together were twin bridges to the north and south, each spanning nearly eight hundred yards. They had been wrought by the masons during the river's dry season, with tens of thousands of hillfolk laboring under their guidance. Stone pillars rooted deep in the riverbed upheld their strength, and thus were raised the Bridges of Sun and Moon, named in the star-lore of the South.
At the very heart of Tusgar stood the small hill rising from the midst of the Anduin.
About it a high wall had been raised. Within, many buildings were set; upon its mid-slope a fortress stood, and crowning the summit was a slender tower, soaring more than thirty meters into the sky.
This place was named the King's Dwelling. From it, the Bridge of the Sun and the Bridge of the Moon ran forth, binding together the east and west quarters.
Strongholds had been built upon those bridges, fit to garrison at least six thousand soldiers, though to the common folk they were never opened.
When Kaen returned, he set his great host in their encampments, then himself entered the Royal Hall upon the hill. Since he had not foreseen the Elves accompanying him, the company of Caladhîn under the command of Tauriel were also lodged with him in the royal seat.
Winter in the North was cruel and bitter, and it was the season when the Orcs of the Misty Mountains were most restless and bold.
At first, many bands of Orcs, beholding such a vast settlement of Men, and seeing that no outer walls girded it, were tempted to launch sudden assaults.
Yet the answer they found was the thunder of heavy horsemen.
Soon tidings of the Battle of the Five Armies had spread through the whole North of the Great East Road. And when it was told abroad that Kaen's mighty army had encamped at Tusgar, the Orcs of the Misty Mountains at last grew wary, and their raids abated.
For a while Kaen lived in ease. Beside him were his gallant captain Cathril, and Ameliah, his chief healer; in their company his bonds were deepened. At times he would seek Gandalf and Saruman, learning the high arts of wizardry; at other times he turned his spirit toward his guardian goddess, Artemis. Among the Caladhîn he walked also, casting forth his light among them, and listening to the songs of Elves, graceful and fair.
Never, since he had come into this world, had Kaen known such days of peace.
Yet he did not lose himself in idleness.
After a month, he sought out Gandalf and Saruman, and put before them a request.
He brought forth the Arkenstone, and said:
"I would ask the aid of you both. Purify this gem utterly, and into it I shall pour my light and a portion of my spirit. So, though I wander far, by this stone I may watch over the City of Tusgar through enchantment."
The wizards, having no pressing burden, did not refuse him. Indeed, they were pleased to lend their hands.
Gandalf, whose heart and light were of the purest, cleansed the gem with his power. Saruman, together with Kaen, labored for nearly a month, inscribing within it countless runes with their spirits—tiny sigils unseen by mortal eyes.
By those runes, the gem was made indestructible. It became a vessel, a magnifier, a channel, and a well of elemental power. When Kaen poured his radiance into it, the Arkenstone drew strength from the elements of the world, and from then an unending light would shine forth.
Though the brightness was but a tenth of Kaen's own outburst, yet it was unceasing, enduring as long as the stone was not destroyed.
Kaen did not intend to carry it with him to Eowenríel in the West. Better it should remain in Tusgar, as a symbol and beacon. For the Arkenstone was not only the token of his friendship with Thorin Oakenshield, but also of the bond between Eowenríel and the House of Durin.
Rather than lying hidden in some vault, it should blaze above Tusgar, a spirit-symbol of Kaen's presence in Eastern Eowenría.
On a night of storm and driving snow, Kaen ascended alone to the summit of the tower upon the Central Hill.
There he carved many runes at its crown, and in a hollow socket set the Arkenstone.
When all was prepared, he drew a long breath, and a radiance of silver and gold twined about him. His will drew upon the elements of the world, summoning them to the tower's peak.
Light and spirit, both, he poured into the gem.
The runes kindled.
In an instant, the Arkenstone blazed forth with dazzling brilliance.
Its radiance covered Tusgar and the land for many leagues.
Visions stirred within Kaen's mind. Wherever the light fell, if he was willing, he could behold it.
And all who were true to him would be sheltered beneath that light.
At that same moment, all the dwellers of Tusgar felt it. On that frozen winter's night, warmth descended upon them.
"Look! Upon the King's Dwelling—a star shines!"
"It is the Mountain King!"
"It is the King himself! I remember that light—it is the same that shone from his body in battle!"
"Praise be to Eowenríel! In the heart of winter, he has driven back the cold!"
"No—listen! My sickness is gone!"
"I feel my spirit renewed!"
"What are you saying? Why do I feel nothing?"
"Ah—perhaps because you are not of his people. You are but a wandering merchant."
In the Royal Hall, the five thousand Caladhîn Elves came forth, for the light was strongest there beneath the tower. Every corner was bathed in radiance. They lifted their hands, standing beneath the brilliance, their faces full of wonder and peace.
For the first time in centuries their hearts were wholly eased, the long shadows of sorrow swept away.
"Praise to the High King!" Tauriel cried aloud.
And all the Elves lifted their voices, singing songs of Kaen:
Kaen Eowenríel—
The young and comely King,
Wise and brave,
Bathed in the light,
Sheltering his people,
His holy sword shining,
Darkness fleeing before him,
The great High King of the Caladhîn!
The song was simple, yet the beauty of Elven voices made it fair beyond telling.
Soon the folk on both banks of the river also raised their voices in song, joining the Elves in praise of their lord.
Throughout Tusgar, Kaen's loyal followers, and even the women dearest to him, gazed up solemnly at his figure upon the tower, their hearts filled with pride and reverence.
The Elves from Rivendell and Lothlórien too looked upward, in awe of the light. Unlike Men who were not of his people, they also felt healing pour into them, for Kaen had not withheld his gift from the good-hearted.
Elladan, Elrohir, and Thaliondir each bowed with quiet respect.
Saruman and Gandalf smiled together, and as one they said: "May this blessing endure forever!"
But in the South of Mirkwood, within Dol Guldur, a scarlet shadow stirred. A rasping voice echoed through its halls:
"Kaen Eowenríel, he is but a mortal, doomed to die. Darkness shall yet rule the world, and the age of Orcs will come at last!"
From the blackness came a thousand growls, as the hosts of Orcs stirred, restless and fierce.
- - - - - - - -
T/N:
I have started another fanfic Middle-Earth: Ranger of the North. This fanfic and the new one, both are from the same author. So, if you like this one, you will surely like the new one. Check it out!