[800 powerstones Bonus Chapter]
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Kaen could not be sure if his reading of Sauron's designs was wholly true. Yet in the matter of kingdoms, wisdom lies in caution: better to believe in danger than to be undone by doubt.
So he and Gandalf sat long in counsel within the Hall of the Throne. All through the night they weighed their choices, and at last they laid forth a plan of war.
Against Dol Guldur, Kaen's thought was to wage a battle of encirclement and ambush. If Dol Guldur sent its hosts to strike at Tusgar, then Lothlórien must march. With their power they would surround the fortress while it lay weakened—that was the encirclement. And if Sauron, unwilling to lose his stronghold, sent armies in relief, then Thranduil of the Woodland Realm should lie in wait upon the road, spring forth, and cut the reinforcements to pieces—that was the ambush.
This was why Gandalf must reach Lothlórien in half a month's time: the Elven hosts must be forewarned, so that they would hold the initiative.
Against Angmar, Kaen's answer was swifter still: the lightning stroke. He would hold Sauron's eye for half a month while Gandalf rode, and then he himself would lead horsemen north across the Ettendales, striking Gundabad without warning, whether or not the Witch-king had sent forth an army. The purpose was plain: to cripple Angmar so that it could not march south in strength.
Against the High Pass, now held in shadow, he devised a pincer assault. From the east Yenagath should lead two thousand Caladhîn warriors. From the west Kaen would send a host of Men. Together they would storm the pass from both sides, take it swiftly, and reopen the road between East and West.
Thus the strategy was set.
The next morning Kaen himself rode with Gandalf to the Obsidian Gate.
"Eowenría's secret will not be hidden forever," he said gravely. "In half a month, whether the warg-riders and the bats glimpse the light upon the towers or not, they will believe beyond doubt that some great power is concealed here. Time is short, and war is upon us. Old friend, I entrust Tusgar to you."
Gandalf drew a deep breath, and bowed from the saddle. "I will not fail you, noble King." With that he spurred away, for he must hasten to the Eagles and beg them to bear him over the leagues of the Misty Mountains, to far-off Lothlórien.Even though Kaen had Artemis,her strength was needed here,to guard the heart of Eowenría.
When Gandalf had departed, Kaen declared a state of war.
Six bow-rider regiments and two of heavy cavalry—eight thousand strong—he stationed at Thalorien, under Sigilion and Caden, ready to ride against Gundabad.
Four foot-archer regiments and one heavy infantry regiment—five thousand infantry—he placed at Aurienel under Zakri and Reger, ready to march upon the High Pass.
So mighty a movement did not go unseen. Soon tidings came: Lord Elrond himself had ridden to Elarothiel.
Kaen left all and hastened to meet him. In the Hall of the Throne he bowed low. "Master, welcome to Elarothiel!"
"Thanks indeed," said Elrond, though sternly, "yet I would rather come in fairer hour: to greet my pupil in joy, and behold the kingdom he has made." His gentle courtesy was veiled, his countenance dark, and Kaen saw his anger.
"I am your teacher," said Elrond. "I do not pry into your doings. But when my pupil stands in peril, I claim the right to know, and to lend what aid I may."
Warmth stirred in Kaen's heart. He bowed again. "Forgive me. The danger came so swiftly, I had no time to seek counsel."
"Then tell me," said Elrond more softly. "I know little from Gandalf—save when he comes begging pipe-weed. He hurried away with but the words that darkness gathers, and rode off like the wind."
"Here is the truth…"
So Kaen laid out all that had happened: the raids, the Arkenstone, the stratagems he had woven.
Elrond listened long, then spoke: "So your design is this: to hold the Shadow for half a month, giving Gandalf time to summon Lothlórien and the Woodland Realm, that they may pin Dol Guldur. Meanwhile you divide your hosts: riders to smite Angmar, footmen to seize the Pass, thus preserving Tusgar. Is it so?"
"It is so," Kaen replied.
"It is a bold plan," said Elrond, "both in strategy and in craft. In this I see the hand of a commander."
Kaen inclined his head.
"But Kaen," Elrond went on, "you do not yet know your foe. Sauron's might is not his army, but his mind: subtle, devious, everywhere at once. If I guess aright, his hosts of Dol Guldur and Angmar are even now already marching upon Tusgar."
Kaen started. "Why say you so?"
"Because Sauron learned from his defeat at Erebor," Elrond said. "He sees you are a king of talent, a commander most cunning. He will not grant you time to strike first. You think to flash upon Angmar? He thinks the same: to flash upon Tusgar.
"He sent warg-riders not to learn but to bind you, even as you planned to bind Dol Guldur's armies. Both your designs are alike, each against the other's weakness. If both are played, the end is ruin for both: Tusgar destroyed, Angmar and Dol Guldur crippled, yet no victor crowned."
At this Kaen bowed his head. Truly, he thought, Sauron is a master of guile.
After long thought he rose and said, "I thank you, teacher, for your counsel."
Elrond smiled faintly. "You have done well, Kaen. In craft you may match the Dark Lord himself—but you know him not so well. Even so,I deem you are capable of shaping a new design."
Kaen nodded. "Verily"