Before the war had broken out, Garrett had just passed through Midway Station and reached the western side of the Misty Mountains.
The forest had grown restless. Many trolls seemed to have been driven out by something, wandering about outside the woods.
Since he had seen them, it wouldn't do to ignore the threat. At the Sky Road entrance near the Last Bridge, he led his men off the main route in advance to launch a purge against the trolls.
In the midst of battle, Glorfindel appeared with several riders of Rivendell.
Brilliant golden radiance blazed forth as an ancient elven blade, forged in the Elder Days, cut through the trolls' rock-hard hide as though slicing parchment.
With a single powerful swing, the troll was nearly cleaved in half.
Thud!
When the troll collapsed, Glorfindel stepped into view.
---
Garrett kicked at the fallen troll's corpse, but it didn't budge.
So he simply walked around it.
"Border scouts reported strange movements in the Trollshaws. Lord Elrond sent me to investigate the situation, and to assist our allies," Glorfindel explained as they stood in the land between the Trollshaws and the Last Bridge.
"But it seems you have little need of aid."
"Lord Elrond worries too much."
Glorfindel shook his head.
With someone like Garrett here, this band of trolls could hardly cause much trouble. He trusted Garrett could handle it, just as he trusted himself to do the same.
"I appreciate Rivendell's concern. You can return and report back to Elrond."
"From here on, just watch our work."
As he spoke, a clamor rose behind them.
"One, two, pull harder!"
"Heave!"
Not far away, a host of heavily armored elite soldiers were besieging the remaining trolls. They used ropes and other means to bind the creatures so they couldn't strike effectively, but even so, the fight was grueling.
The trolls were simply too tough.
"Pathetic worms!"
A troll roared angrily, giving such a mighty tug that it nearly flung the rope-handlers into the air.
Clang!
Standard fortress-forged swords hacked against troll hide, but it was like striking stone with steel, ringing out with sharp metallic clinks. Some blades were even turned aside by the impact.
Few could actually wound trolls with ordinary weapons. Some managed it through sheer physical strength, others through special techniques.
For creatures like these, a pickaxe might actually deal more damage than a sword in a normal man's hands.
Garrett sighed.
"Let's talk later, I'll clear out the rest of these trolls first."
"I'll join you."
The two of them rushed toward the embattled trolls. The soldiers, seeing this, quickly loosened the ropes and scattered to make room.
Freed from its bonds, one troll roared in triumph and turned to charge at the soldiers, only to notice two figures rushing straight at it.
With a furious swing, it smashed downward.
Thud!
Garrett raised his hand to block. He didn't even bother with his shield, yet he stopped the blow as if catching a falling boulder, without his stance shifting an inch.
Amber-hued light shimmered over him, unlike Glorfindel's radiance. A runic shield absorbed the force, warding him completely.
Shhk.
A golden flash followed. Glorfindel's blade bit deep, driving the troll to one knee.
Garrett drew his own sword, and in the next instant, two arcs of steel swept from either side. Each completed a half-circle, and together they sliced the troll cleanly in two.
Thud.
The troll fell, split into two pieces.
The other trolls, seeing the gruesome fate of their companion, all backed away several steps.
One of them stared at Garrett for a long while, then suddenly froze, pointed at him, and shouted:
"It's the Treasure-Stalker! The Treasure-Stalker!"
"Ahhh!"
It bolted toward the forest, but as though thinking of something at the last moment, it veered north before reaching the trees, trying to flee back to the Ettenmoors, the trolls' homeland.
But no matter how fast it ran, how could it possibly escape the two pursuers behind?
With a mighty leap, Glorfindel sprang onto the troll's back. Raising his sword, he drove it down hard, slaying the fleeing troll on the spot.
He landed lightly, his armor making only the faintest sound. When he looked up again, not even a strand of his hair was out of place. At the sight of such effortless grace, the nearby soldiers began whispering among themselves.
"Who do you think is stronger, our lord... or him?"
"An ally..."
Glorfindel turned his head and saw Garrett simultaneously fighting two trolls at once.
"What's wrong? Something to say? I just dealt with twice as many enemies as you."
Crunch.
Finishing off the trolls, Garrett turned back, answering with his usual matter-of-fact expression.
Glorfindel gave a courteous smile, a little helpless, and said, "Nothing... I only meant that we need to make haste. Some of the trolls are escaping north."
"Fine, then let's see who takes down more!"
Leaving those words behind, Garrett mounted his horse and charged straight into the troll horde.
Moments later, Glorfindel glanced at Garrett and announced a number: "Nine."
Garrett's expression stiffened. Then, with a flick of his elytra, he soared north.
It wasn't long before he flew back.
"Bad luck for you, I killed one more than you."
"You win." Glorfindel smiled and said nothing further.
"Yeah!"
The soldiers behind them erupted in cheers at the decided contest.
The Elves, however, remained silent.
Strictly speaking, both of their tallies should have an extra half, counting the first troll they had bisected together.
But such details no longer mattered. For now, this skirmish was settled.
Under Garrett's command, the army immediately changed course. They did not take the Sky Road, but instead marched toward the fortress on the southern riverbank.
The way was not difficult anyway, just plains and open fields.
As for Glorfindel and his company of elven riders, after tidying the battlefield, they prepared to head east, back toward Rivendell.
But just as they finished their work and were about to mount up, a sudden cry from the sky drew everyone's attention.
A great eagle was circling down.
Glorfindel stepped forward and waved to it.
"Messenger of the Lord of Eagles, what tidings do you bring?"
Whoosh.
The great eagle descended slowly, stirring up dust.
It spoke of news from east of the Misty Mountains.
A chain of intent and consequence formed in Glorfindel's mind.
"There's still time. I'll ride after Garrett at once."
Realizing the severity of the eagle's message, Glorfindel mounted and sped south.
Yet, as he had said himself, not all horses could match the speed of those from Wayfort.
Those steeds were each the equal of a king among horses.
In Valinor, such things were common, but in Middle-earth, it was extraordinary.
Glorfindel felt a little embarrassed.
After a moment's thought, the great eagle followed as well, soaring above to accompany him on the way south.
---
---
Completed at Chapter 405!
Visit my profile page for more information.