Glorfindel and Caledorn took over leading the group that went to the south. The path they took led them right into the South Downs, a dreary, vegetation forsaken series of hills that most travelers just avoided. Fortunately, it also kept the small party well concealed from watchful eyes. Caledorn knew the land well, and had chosen this route with that intention in mind.

Taliel rode at the rear of the group, occasionally glancing behind them to make sure they weren't being followed. Although she saw nothing, there seemed to be a constant presence watching them...

The ranger Flicker seemed to notice as well, and he too would cast a wary eye to the hills surrounding them now and then, frowning when he saw nothing. His men were restless, for their watchful Ranger senses had them on edge as well.

Edhael was trying to boost their mood, singing songs that, though normally soothing, sounded forlorn and sorrowful in the lonely expanse of the Downs:

Fanuilos heryn aglar

Rîn athar annún-aearath,

Calad ammen i reniar

Mi 'aladhremmin ennorath!

Glorfindel joined in, his clear voice harmonizing with the bard's:

A Elbereth Gilthoniel

I chîn a thûl lin míriel

Fanuilos le linnathon

Ne ndor haer thar i aearon.

Finally Caledorn's deep, resonating voice completed the harmony, the sound of the three elves' voices unnaturally beautiful to hear:

A elin na gaim eglerib

Ned în ben-anor trerennin

Si silivrin ne pherth 'waewib

Cenim lyth thílyn thuiennin.

A Elbereth Gilthoniel

Men echenim sí derthiel

Ne chaered hen nu 'aladhath

Ngilith or annún-aearath.

When they had finished, their voices echoed through the dark hills until they trailed off into eerie silence. Caledorn watchfully glanced around as the uncomfortable feeling of being watched came over him. He didn't see anything, but his suspicion wasn't quelled.

"Does anyone else feel like we're being watched?" He asked aloud.

Taliel looked uncomfortably around before responding. "Yes. Perhaps it is just this place though. It has an unpleasant feel to it."

Just then a figure appeared over a nearby hill. He was running and seemed to be in distress.

"An elf!" Glorfindel exclaimed as he saw the figure. "I wonder what he's doing in such a forlorn place as this!"

The company went into motion, galloping towards the lone figure. He didn't slow his pace until he was nearly upon them, and by then they were close enough to see his panicked expression.

"Sauron has struck!" He cried in fear. "Doom comes upon us all!"

Glorfindel dismounted and approached the frightened elf. "What do you mean? What has happened?"

The elf took a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure. "Mithlond. Sauron has launched an attack on the Grey Havens."

All present were shocked at this news, even Caledorn, whose eyes widened in surprise. "Where did they attack from?"

"The sea. Corsairs with their black sailed ships sailed into the bay under cover of darkness and blockaded the city. Goblins have attacked from the land side and they're fighting to secure part of the beach for the corsairs." The elf fell to his knees and covered his face in despair. "My family is still there... I should have brought them with me, but Lord Cirdan sent me to get help, not to flee."

"Well you have found help, though we are few in number," Glorfindel said as he extended a hand to the man. "Continue on to Rivendell. We shall hasten to Mithlond and lend what assistance we can."

"Bless you, my lord," the elf said as he took Glorfindel's hand and stood. "If you hurry, Lord Cirdan may be able to open the gates for you. When I left the goblins had not yet reached them."

Caledorn's coal black horse reared up as he looked ahead. "We'll have to make haste, I fear that we have little time."

"We'll need someone to tell Gerithor that we won't be meeting up with him," Glorfindel said. "Edhael, will you go?"

Edhael straightened up with pride, a gallant smile forming on his face. "Of course! I shall go at once!"

"Tell him that if all goes well, we shall meet him at Nordinbad," Glorfindel replied solemnly.

Edhael nodded, and with a cry he spurred his horse onward and galloped away until he disappeared over the crest of a nearby hill.

Glorfindel looked back at the elven messenger. "We will provide you with a horse. Make haste for Rivendell mellon nin. Go as if the enemy chases behind you."

A ranger handed the reigns of one of their pack horses to the elf, who gratefully nodded and mounted the beast.

"Thank you again," He said as he turned the horse westward. "May the winds carry you swiftly to Mithlond!"

With that he rode off into the west, his steed kicking up clumps of dirt in its haste.

"Matters grow more desperate," Caledorn said, narrowing his eyes.

"Indeed they do. Before long our forces will be spread too thin," Taliel agreed.

Glorfindel gave a thin smile. "We can only hope nobody else falls under attack within the next few days."

====================================

The elves rode for over a day, their ranger companions struggling to keep up. The sun set into the west, but still they continued in haste. The withered hills of the South Downs gave way to green fields, and soon they came upon the shallow waters of Sarn Ford. Several of the rangers murmured in sorrow and fear among themselves as they looked upon the tall grass on the far shore.

"We'll stop here so the horses can drink," Glorfindel said as he dismounted his white steed.

"This place is cursed," Flicker said quietly, shaking his head.

"Aye, 'tis. The ghosts of our brethren wander here," Another ranger replied, his horse whinnying nervously.

"T'would be an ill omen to stop here m'lords," Flicker said fearfully. "The blood of orcs and rangers alike taints this water."

"I didn't know rangers were so superstitious," Taliel said skeptically.

"We're not superstitious," The second ranger replied defensively. "It's a fact that the wraiths of those who died in battle will roam free until the dead are buried."

Suddenly a cry from a short distance down the river jarred the company from their discussion, and they quickly rode towards the cry. When they arrived they saw one of their rangers standing transfixed, staring into the underbrush.

"What is it, Arlond?" Flicker asked concernedly.

"It's..." The ranger choked as he pointed with a shaky hand. "It's Aradui!"

Caledorn and Glorfindel dismounted and strode to the ranger's side. "What are you talking about?" Caledorn asked.

But no sooner had he asked then he saw it himself: Among the reeds was the rotted body of a ranger. He wore a stained brown cloak and one skeletal arm was partially over his face, as if hiding his eyes from some evil sight.

"Eru save us," one of the other rangers muttered as he put his hands over his face. Another ranger took a fearful step backwards, only to stumble upon another corpse that had mostly sunken into the muddy ground. It was holding the arm of yet another corpse, whose other arm was extended into the air, as if reaching for help.

"I told you, this place is cursed!" Flicker repeated, his voice shaky yet adamant.

"Not cursed..." Glorfindel murmured.

"But a grave nonetheless," Caledorn replied, his eyes tired as he surveyed the area. "It would be foolish to stay."

"We're in agreement there," Taliel nodded. "I don't like this place... It reminds me of war."

"Soon everywhere will look like this," Caledorn said grimly as he pulled his mask over his face. "Get used to it."

He mounted his coal black steed and reigned his horse away, riding ahead of the group across the ford. Glorfindel watched after him, his jaw set and his eyes narrowed.

"That elf holds dark thoughts in his mind," Glorfindel said, turning to Taliel. "I've never seen one of our kin filled with such anger."

"It's not anger... It's fear." Taliel replied. Glorfindel looked at her in surprise, but nodded after a moment in understanding. "Perhaps you're right... In times like this it's only natural to be fearful."

Taliel bit her lip, restraining herself from speaking further. She still remembered her encounter with Caledorn in the forest earlier in their quest... Something was wrong with him. But until she knew what it was, she'd keep it to herself. Better to know for sure than to speak out of haste and be wrong.

The rangers, though shaken, were disciplined enough to mount their horses and follow in single file behind Glorfindel. Taliel took the rear, watching the rangers as they fearfully looked from side to side at the riverbank.

As the company rode away from the ford, Taliel thought on Caledorn's dark words. Whether she liked to admit it or not, he was right. If Sauron would have his way all of Middle Earth would be a graveyard of Men, Elves, and Dwarves.