Elfhunter (60 page)

Rogond went in search of Fima, but he was not in his
chamber, and his whereabouts were unknown to anyone Rogond found to
ask. In fact, he would not find Fima until the morning of the
following day, as the dwarf was at that moment engaged in serious
conspiracy with Nelwyn, laying plans to trap Gorgon into revealing
the truth of the mirror.

"I know this will work, Fima," Nelwyn insisted.
"Gorgon wanted to kill me in Cós-domhain. Galador had foreseen
it…that’s why he would not go under the mountains. He wanted to
take me straight to Tal-sithian so that I would be protected. We
must tempt Gorgon into revealing himself. If I must serve as the
bait, then so be it. I will not jeopardize Gaelen until I am
absolutely certain that this horrible mirror exists and that she is
bound by it. If we are wrong, then I have little to fear."

"And if we’re right, you have everything to fear!"
said Fima. "Besides that, I’m not comfortable with using Gaelen for
this...this manipulation of her enemy without her knowledge."

"I know...and I’ve thought quite long and hard about
it," said Nelwyn. "But there’s no way we can let her in on our plan
without telling her everything. I can’t do that until I’m
absolutely certain that the mirror exists. Gaelen isn’t ready to
hear about it, Fima, and I’m not certain I should even be the one
to tell her. For now, she cannot know what we’re planning."

Fima shook his head. He was decidedly uneasy at the
thought of confronting the same creature that had so easily slain
the mighty Belegund, and he felt guilty hiding the plan from
Gaelen, but Nelwyn’s words made sense. It was the only way to be
sure.

Tomorrow they would find Gaelen and watch her
carefully. Nelwyn suspected that the cold chills Gaelen seemed to
feel at inappropriate times might indicate Gorgon’s presence, and
if so, they could lay their bait.

Nelwyn intended to make herself available and
vulnerable to attack, and therefore irresistible to Gorgon. Then
she and Fima would lie in wait for him. If he appeared, they would
know they were right about the mirror. Nelwyn had the feeling that
Gorgon would not be far away, though she suspected that he would
not enter the borders of the Elven-king’s realm. She would need to
travel far from the Elven-hold to lure him, as his cowardice would
prevent him from taking much risk.

She and Fima talked until dawn, crafting their plan.
When they had finished, Fima shook his head. "Nelwyn, are you
certain there is no other way? The chance you are taking…if Galador
knew…."

"And so he must
not
, Fima! I most certainly
will not tell him. Remember, this plan is of our design, not
Gorgon’s. I know the forest, and he does not. We have the upper
hand."

"He has an army," said Fima quietly. "You and I will
be no match for an army of Ulcas."

"He will not bring his army to kill one Elf, Fima. I
don’t know how I know it, but I do. It would ruin the sport,
somehow. And I sense he does not wish to reveal the presence of his
army until he can do a great deal of damage."

"For some reason, I can’t imagine Gorgon as the
sporting type," said Fima, shaking his head again, his long, white
beard waving to and fro.

"You know what I meant. This is too important for
jesting, my friend. Gaelen’s very life, and the lives of many
others, may hang in the balance. We must be certain of this matter
before we consider what to do next."

"If you thought I was jesting, then you know less of
me than I thought," said Fima. He paused as he considered his next
question. "Have you thought about what our course of action will be
should this prove true? Suppose your plan works and we lure Gorgon
in, and our fears are confirmed. What, then, will you do?"

"I am hopeful that he may be taken unaware, and
perhaps I can pierce his armor with this," she said, indicating her
powerful longbow. "If not, I will at least frighten him into
retreating. He knows the forest is thick with deadly archers; he
will probably withdraw if I chase him with a shaft or two."

"That’s not what I meant, and you know it," said
Fima, his voice deadly serious.

"I know," said Nelwyn. But she could not answer
further, as she had no idea what she would do. They would have to
tell Gaelen, and that simple fact caused such dread in Nelwyn that
she shook the thought from her mind. She could not imagine the
impact of such knowledge upon her dearest friend and cousin; it
would surely devastate her. She turned back to Fima.

"One difficulty at a time. Let’s first confirm our
fears, and then I will consider our next course."

"Someone will have to tell her, you know," said the
Dwarf.

"I know, Fima. Believe me, I know," Nelwyn replied,
her eyes filling with tears at the mere thought of it. She turned
and made her way back toward the King’s halls just as dawn was
breaking. The skies were on fire with the rising sun. The sight was
beautiful, but it brought little comfort to Nelwyn, and she did not
smile.

Thus it was that Gorgon Elfhunter found his journey
toward the Barrens interrupted. He now addressed two of his
underlings as they stood before him, Kharsh at his side.

"There is a She-elf, with golden hair. She and her
companion have been sent by the King on some errand to the southern
border of the Elf-realm, along the east bank of the Forest River
north of where it crosses the old northern road. Do you know it?"
The Ulcas nodded. They had been selected because they were most
familiar with the Darkmere, but they were uneasy, as they had no
desire to cross into the domain of Ri-Aruin.

Gorgon continued. "They will arrive in three days’
time, as they are mounted. We must move swiftly, as they indicated
that they would only be there for a short while. Make ready, for we
leave at once. I will accompany you as far as the border; from
there you will approach them, take them unaware, and bring the
golden-haired one to me. Kill the other if you will, but bring the
Elf alive and unharmed. I shall wish to take my time with her."
Gorgon remembered the pain he had suffered as a result of his last
encounter with Nelwyn. This would be a most pleasant diversion for
him.

The Ulcas looked knowingly at one another. Their
commander was intending to torture his victim as he had the Elves
of Tal-sithian, no doubt in similar fashion. While they did not
understand Gorgon beyond the bare minimum, they did appreciate his
hatred of the Elves and would look forward to witnessing his
terrible vengeance. It might almost make up for the danger involved
in crossing into the Elven- realm. They bowed before Gorgon and
went to gather their provisions, as they would need strength for
this chase. Gorgon left Kharsh in command of the remainder of the
Black Company, instructing him to continue toward the Barrens,
there to await Gorgon’s return.

Kharsh drew Gorgon aside before he departed. "Forgive
me, my lord, but are you certain this course is wise? It seems to
carry great risk. Why place yourself in peril just to kill one Elf,
when soon you shall hold the mastery over many?"

Gorgon smiled sardonically at Kharsh. "I was not
aware that you cared so for me; it touches my heart. This is not
just an Elf—this is an Elf upon whom I have vowed vengeance. She
once did harm to me, and I shall have her! Do not try to dissuade
me, for it will not avail you."

"But, my lord, what if you are pursued? There may be
many Elves nearby, and they may not be easily taken. I am unhappy
with the thought of your going so near to the Elves’ domain without
your army to protect you." This was true, as Kharsh knew his own
life would be forfeit should Wrothgar learn that his highly
valuable creation was lost in some reckless pursuit because Kharsh
failed to prevent it.

"If I didn’t know that it is Wrothgar you fear, I
would worry that you were becoming sentimental," Gorgon growled. "I
warn you, Kharsh, do not suggest thwarting me, as you will draw
breath once, perhaps twice, after I get wind of it." He drew
Turantil with a speed that Kharsh could not even follow with his
eyes and placed it at Kharsh’s grey-wattled throat before he could
move. Kharsh said nothing more, which was very wise.

Three days later, Nelwyn and Fima were in position,
and the stage was set. Nelwyn’s horse was tethered near the river
in a small clearing. Their gear was placed so that it would appear
as if they had gone collecting herbs by the waterside, for that was
their professed purpose. According to Nelwyn’s plan, Gorgon had
been led to believe that Ri-Aruin’s herb-master had sent Nelwyn to
gather evening-bloom, a valuable plant with various medicinal
properties. It was only known to grow in this area, and Nelwyn, who
was quite knowledgeable in herb-lore, was a logical choice to
collect it. Fima had stated that he would accompany her because he
wished to learn more of the herb- lore of the Greatwood. In truth,
Fima was not especially fascinated with herb-lore, but no one save
Rogond knew this. Galador did not discover that Nelwyn had gone
missing until late afternoon the day of her departure, though he
had been searching for her.

He did not understand why Nelwyn should go off to
gather herbs without him. And why take Fima along? He had asked
Gaelen about it, and she had seemed uncertain as well. Galador had
spoken then with Rogond, who had, in fact, been searching for Fima,
and also found the whole affair rather odd.

When Gaelen went to speak with Ri-Aruin’s
herb-master, and as he had informed her (somewhat stiffly) that he
had plenty of evening-bloom among his stores, and that he most
certainly had not sent Nelwyn and Fima to gather more, the puzzle
grew deeper.

Gaelen, Rogond and Galador were disquieted, and they
left as soon as they could make ready. Nelwyn would now have to
hope that Gorgon appeared in a timely manner, as she would have
only about a day’s head start on her friends.

Gorgon lurked within sight of the path that marked
the boundary of the Elven-realm. His two companions had gone on
ahead toward the river, where they might discover the whereabouts
of Nelwyn and Fima, capture Nelwyn, and return her to the spot
where Gorgon waited. They could do whatever they wished with Fima.
Gorgon had promised them great reward if they succeeded, yet they
were uneasy, eyes turned ever to the trees in the dim twilight.
Soon it would be dark, but not soon enough for the Ulcas, who were
very uncomfortable with the thought of sharp-eyed Wood-elves
training their bows on them in the grey half-light. They muttered
to one another in harsh voices as they drew nigh the camp.

"D’you see anyone?"

The other grunted and shook his head. "That makes me
uneasy. Can’t we just go back and tell ‘His Highness’ they weren’t
here after all?"

"What, you want to try to lie to him? Besides, we’ve
been sent to catch that She-elf, and I’m betting he won’t take ‘no’
for an answer. What was it he said? Don’t bother coming back
without her?"

"Yeah. An’ I’ll wager he meant it, curse his
miserable Elf-hide. Why he hates ‘em so much is beyond me—one look
at him an’ you can see he’s practically one himself!"

"Well, don’t know about lookin’ at him, but he sure
enough ACTS like one of ‘em. He’ll turn his back once too often,
I’m thinkin’. But Kharsh says there’s big plans afoot, and he’s
right in the middle of ‘em, so we’d best get on with it."

They drew a bit closer to the encampment, listening
intently for signs of life, but all they heard was the whistling
sound made by two lethal shafts speeding toward them, and then they
knew nothing more. Neither of Gorgon’s luckless minions would have
to worry about returning empty-handed to their disappointed
commander.

Nelwyn made certain that the camp was secure before
joining Fima in the clearing. She had killed both Ulcas on his
signal, and now as she approached him, she knew that her worst
fears would be confirmed. Fima had heard every word spoken by the
unwary Ulcas, who, of course, had no idea they had been
anticipated.

Fima’s face was pale, his eyes full of despair. "So,
it’s true, then," said Nelwyn tonelessly. She had known it in her
heart, and so had Fima. Still, it was a difficult thing to face. He
recounted every word he had heard. Then he and Nelwyn sat in
despair upon the ground, after collecting and packing their gear.
Even though there would be no further need to maintain the
pretense, Nelwyn had gathered enough herbs to convince Gaelen and
Galador that she had been on an honest errand. She sat unmoving
beside Fima, trembling as she considered the implications of what
they had now learned.

How could she ever tell Gaelen? She began to weep,
and Fima, to her surprise, suddenly rose to his feet and cast his
axe into the trunk of a nearby tree, uttering a terrible,
frustrated cry. He did not try to comfort Nelwyn, as he could not,
so he sat alone in the shadows on the opposite side of the
clearing, and his thoughts were his alone.

The night drew down around Gorgon, enfolding him in
darkness, as he waited for the return of his two henchmen. Doubt
was beginning to grow in the back of his mind; surely it would not
take so long to trap one Elf and kill one dwarf. He had instructed
the Ulcas to return with all haste, bringing the She-elf to him
alive. They most certainly would not have dared defy him; Gorgon
knew that the Ulcas under his command both loathed and feared him.
He strained into the blackness of the forest, trying to hear, but
he heard no rumor of any returning minions.

He grew impatient and decided to make a few
preparations for the arrival of Nelwyn. He took the rope from his
shoulders and threw the free end over a convenient, sturdy
tree-branch, preparing to tie her and suspend her as he had the
others, so that he might torment her at his leisure. As he made
fast the rope, estimating the length he would require, a familiar
voice startled him from behind.