Free Elfhunter by C. S. Marks Page A

ground.
     
    The next day they crossed the river. It was deadly
cold, and the current was treacherous, but the water was not as
deep as they had feared. They made it with the help of the horses,
leaving all that they could spare behind. The horses did have to
swim, but not for long, and they got to the other side with most of
the gear dry. Rogond had slept well indeed once he had been
reunited with the Elves, as there were now many watchful eyes and
he could do so without worry.
    The four of them rode south as the river began her
slow turning and meandering, and the grassy, shrubby banks backed
by forest began to turn to open land with only scattered trees.
They chose to stop for the night, sheltering under a bank where
they could rest together. As Rogond began to drift off, he asked
Gaelen to sing.
    "No, Tuathan. I cannot sing tonight. A great evil has
been done near here. Nelwyn and I both sensed it, and tomorrow I
fear we will find the proof. Instead, I would hear your tale.
Galador has told me that you know something of this enemy already.
Will you not share with us?"
    Rogond told all that he knew of the vile creature,
and when he had finished, the Elves agreed that indeed it was, if
not the same evil, at least of similar ilk. Galador wondered
whether some of the stories he had heard told of mysterious
disappearances in and around the Verdant Mountains had been related
to the experiences of Rogond’s people. There were reports of Elves
who journeyed to the Twilight Shores, but did not reach them. Some
had been found dead by their companions, and some had never been
found at all. Those who were found had not died easily. In truth,
Gorgon was not responsible for all of those lost ones, but he had a
hand in many an unpleasant ending. These incidents, and the
inevitable tales that resulted, had been going on for a long, long
time.
    Hearing of this again had unsettled Galador so that
he could not rest. He rose and climbed up onto the bank where he
could see and hear all around him. There he sat, alone and
watchful, as Nelwyn regarded him, settling back against the bank
next to Gaelen and Rogond, who was soon fast asleep.
    When the wind shifted so that it blew from the south,
the Elves’ worst suspicions were confirmed. Galador caught it first
as he stood watch. Nelwyn felt Gaelen tremble as she lifted her
head, scenting the air. Then Nelwyn also detected it—the smell of
blood and corruption, of suffering and death. As Nelwyn spoke
comforting words to Gaelen to stop her trembling, she lifted her
eyes up to Galador’s. She was truly glad of his company, but she
hoped that she had not led him into a situation from which none
would escape.
    The Elves could not rest after that, as each was lost
in his or her own thoughts. Gaelen’s dreams had unnerved her, and
she dreaded the dawn. Nelwyn was afraid also, for all of them.
Galador, who alone among the Elves had yet to actually experience
the violence of this enemy, was nonetheless disquieted. His
thoughts turned more and more often to Nelwyn and how he longed to
tell her that he would defend her unto death, though he hoped it
would not come to that.
     
    They first caught sight of what remained of Gelmyr in
the late morning. He was still hanging from the tall tree, swaying
slightly in the wind. They debated as to whether it would be safe
to approach him, but Gaelen could tell by the faintness of the
enemy’s scent that he was long gone. In fact, Gorgon had been gone
for more than two full days. They were wary nonetheless as they
approached Gelmyr, for his body had been left hanging for someone
to find, and perhaps there were traps and snares. But they found
none, and as they drew near to him Galador started back in
dismay.
    "But, he is of the Èolar!" he said, amazed.
    "I remember him. He came as emissary to the Greatwood
long ago, along with his friend Magra. His name is…Gelmyr, as I
recall," said Gaelen.
    "It was Gelmyr," said Nelwyn sadly. She, too,
remembered Gelmyr