After fleeing Fornost, King Arvedui and his family found refuge behind the walls of Minas Vrûn. Thorneth and Dínendír arrived a short while after them with the soldiers who had come from the city to the King’s aid. The Guardsman took her into a House of Healing so her wounds could be treated. Fortunately, Amarthiel’s blade had no fell sorceries upon it unlike the Witch-king’s Morgul-knives, and one of the healers told her she would recover fully with some rest.
It was then that the King himself strode into the house. Thorneth rose from her bed, despite the insistence of the healer beside her, and knelt before him saying, “I await your judgement, my lord.”
“My judgement?” King Arvedui asked. “I came to offer my thanks. If you had not called the cavalry of Minas Vrûn to Fornost so quickly, I may not be here to speak with you.”
“It was the least I could do,” Thorneth answered. “The House of Rochanar has failed you and all the kingdom. Were it not for my brother’s betrayal, the enemy’s forces would not have passed through Ost Nuaran, and you would not have had cause to flee the city to begin with.”
“I had suspected that something must have occurred when the Witch-king appeared so quickly before our gates,” said Arvedui. “Alas, I thought Bregur a loyal knight! This error lies as much upon my shoulders as it does on yours.”
“We both trusted him where we should not have, but he acted as the head of my house. Now that he walks no more among living men, leadership of the house falls to me, and so I must take responsibility for our failure.”
“Perhaps the reputation of your house is sullied by the treachery of Bregur, but I cannot judge you for your brother’s actions,” Arvedui stated. “You have been a loyal servant to me and to all Arthedain, as you have proven by riding to my aid. Rise and rest, Ranger-Captain.”
Thorneth returned to her bed as instructed. Her heart was lightened slightly at the King’s words, for he had no intention of making her answer for Bregur’s crimes. Yet still it was her brother, head of the House of Rochanar, who betrayed the kingdom, leading to the fall of its capital. That shame weighed heavily upon her, and she feared it would do so for as long as she drew breath.
The King moved on to speak with Dínendír, thanking the Guardsman for his role in the safe escape of the royal family. Dínendír was promoted to one of the King’s Guard and would continue to protect the King at his side. Arvedui then spent several hours aiding the wounded, for it is said that the hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and even in the dwindling days of his kingdom, the Last King had considerable talent in this still.
In the House of Healing, Thorneth rested for two days. On the third day, she was summoned by the King. She made her way through the city towards the Hall of Minas Vrûn. There, Dínendír stood watch in his new hauberk of the King’s Guard.
The Ranger-Captain made her way to the Guardsman, saying, “Dínendír, was it? I was too preoccupied with the shame of my family’s failure to thank you for coming to my rescue. You have my apologies, and my thanks.”
Dínendír shook his head, “It is the steed you should thank. She refused to go further when she saw you. All I did was give in to her wishes.”
“Horses don’t have hands,” Thorneth replied. “You were still the one who pulled me onto Caranhelf’s back.”
“Only to make sure the horse would bear me away from certain death!” the Guard laughed.
“You deserve some credit at least. Just accept the thanks and do not overthink it.”
“I could say the same of you,” Dínendír said. “I see that you are a good woman, Thorneth. You are not your brother.”
Thorneth gave a nod and did not press the matter further. She continued on into the chamber where the King had summoned her to. Within were a great number of people seated by a round table. Arvedui and his family were there, and beside him were those of his military counsellors who still lived, among whom counted the head of the King’s Guard, the Lord of Minas Vrûn, and a number of other captains and knights of Arthedain.
Three in particular stood out above the rest gathered in the chamber. They were Elves and Thorneth recognised them from Lin Giliath. Long ago at the start of the age was that enclave founded, in honour of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men which had vanquished the Dark Lord Sauron. As many of the Eldar chose to stay within secluded settlements in the years following the Alliance, the Elves of Lin Giliath acted as emissaries of their people to the Dúnedain of Arnor, whom they had long considered friends.
Being located within the North Downs, Thorneth had visited Lin Giliath and was familiar with all three of the Elves. Lachenn was their leader, the Keeper of the Glade, and accompanying him was the warrior Londrandir and the scout Imrathien. The Ranger-Captain had fought alongside both of them, the latter far more frequently since her role as the Glade’s scout meant she crossed paths more often with her and her Rangers.
The council began not long after Thorneth arrived. As the presence of the Elves drew the most curiosity, Lachenn explained their situation first, confirming Thorneth’s fears. The forces of Angmar were too strong and the Elves had abandoned Lin Giliath to retreat towards Fornost. With the news that the capital was lost, they too found refuge in Minas Vrûn.
Next, Arvedui asked the Ranger-Captain to recount the events leading up to the Witch-king’s attack on Fornost Erain. With great unease, Thorneth detailed Bregur’s betrayal and fell silent as the Guard-Captain continued the tale from when the enemy reached the Gates of Fornost, listening while he spoke of how they had escaped the city.
Then Arvedui said that he had contacted the kingdom of Gondor using the Seeing Stone of Amon Sûl. Their southern kin had already been informed that Angmar was mustering for invasion a year prior and Prince Eärnur had rallied an army of his own to come to Arthedain’s aid. Now hearing that Fornost was taken, Eärnur immediately prepared to set sail with his men. Still, it would be some months before they would reach Eriador and be able to assist in the war.
Much discussion was had, though for the purposes of brevity, only that which is relevant to this tale shall be recounted here. It was decided that all those taking shelter within Minas Vrûn would flee across the River Lune to seek refuge with the Elves of Lindon. The Elves of Lin Giliath would lead this exodus, and with them would go the sons of the King. Arvedui bestowed the Sceptre of Annúminas upon Aranarth, his eldest son, so that his heir would possess one of the symbols of rulership should the worst come to pass.
King Arvedui and Queen Fíriel would stay in Minas Vrûn with what remained of Arthedain’s army to hold back Angmar’s advances until Prince Eärnur arrived with reinforcements. If they could not hold the North Downs, the roads towards the Lune would no doubt be overrun and the King would go north to await help there instead.
Hearing this, Thorneth said, “Give me leave to reform the Rangers of Arthedain. I will take some hunters whose families can spare them and train them into soldiers. They will weaken the enemy with raids as Angmar has done to us. And if we are forced to travel north, these lands are harsh and cold. My Rangers will be invaluable there.”
But Arvedui shook his head, “No, Lady Thorneth. The time we have will not be enough to train these men adequately, and you will all go to your deaths. I have a different task for you.”
“Speak, and I shall perform it,” she pledged, yet a part of her actually wished to go to her death in the name of the King, thinking it would bring redemption to her tarnished family.
“You must send word to our other allies, the Elves of Rivendell. I fear that Eärnur and his army may come too late. Lord Elrond of Rivendell could bring his forces sooner, even considering the time he would require to muster them.”
“I can dispatch a falcon for this task and remain to fight at your side,” Thorneth proposed.
“We have tried that already,” the Lord of Minas Vrûn stated. “Fire-drakes have come down from Angmar and taken up residence on the mountains east of the Núrsir. They answer to the enemy and devour any birds we send in that direction, but a small group could sneak by on foot.”
“Especially if they are familiar with the lay of the land,” added Arvedui. “As you are, Thorneth.”
“I understand. Keep Faolan with you then, my King. He is the only Ranger remaining aside from myself. He knows these lands as well as I do and will be of assistance on a journey northwards.”
“It is good advice,” the King agreed, “but I will be taking the last man under your command from you. I must insist that you take one of mine in return.”
“Then I will take the Guardsman Dínendír. Secrecy will be key on my mission, and he has proven himself skilled at stealth.”
“You shall have him,” Arvedui promised before looking to the Elves. “Lachenn, may I trouble you to borrow one of your own to show them the way into Rivendell?”
“Of course,” answered the Keeper of the Glade. “Imrathien is well-suited to this mission. As our scout she is accustomed to moving through the wilds quietly, and she has travelled to and from Imladris many times.”
“It is settled then,” King Arvedui announced. “In the house of Lord Elrond lies our final hope for salvation, should the Men of Gondor fail us. Those of you who spearhead this effort shall be known as the Fellowship of Last Hope.”
