White fool come to a new land
There’s a dark moon on the sand
Then nothing was ever the same again
This land is in their hands
A thousand years of a tribe land
Strong winds carry the pulse
Greed and lust it stripped the earth bare
When the white fool came to a new land

Clannad – White Fool

Where the stars are strange

“I have crossed many mountains and many rivers and trodden many plains even into the far countries of Rhûn and Harad where the stars are strange.” Aragorn

…

Preface:

It is the year 25 of the Fourth Age. The King Elessar is on the throne and his son Eldarion is twenty-three. At the end of the War of the Ring, the Southrons had been subdued and the Corsairs of Umbar had appeared to be overcome. However, the Haradrim are now re-gathering. Attacks have been made by ship along the coasts of Belfalas and Lebennin. It is also feared that Southron soldiers will march north and crossing the Poros River will try to invade Gondor by land.

The King Elessar has led his Gondorian Soldiers south into Haradwaith where they plan to assail the city of the Corsairs and the Havens of Umbar. With them are some of the swan knights of Dol Armroth, while a number of the forces of Prince Imrahil guard the coasts of Gondor against attacks and the rest plan to come to Umbar by ship, so the Haradrim stronghold will be taken from two sides.

…

Where the stars are strange

Chapter 1

Eldarion swept his dark hair from his face. The Prince was unaccustomed to the burning heat of the desert. Outside it was noon and the sun was blazing. The cracked land shimmered in the haze and everywhere there was swirling sand. Even in the shade of the tent the heat was intense.

The temperature had risen since their travelling south. From Minas Tirith, the men of Gondor had used the Harad road and journeyed south through Ithilien, and on reaching Pelargir had been joined by some of the soldiers of Dol Amroth. From there they had crossed the Poros River and moved through Harondor until they had crossed the river and reached Haradwaith.

But now, they had been travelling through Haradwaith for some days and the river had been left far behind. At the northern borders of the land, scanty grasses and plants were growing, but here, in the midst of the land, was nothing but parched desert.

Though the prince was no stranger to travelling – at the age of twelve he had travelled with his parents north into Arnor and dwelt by Lake Evendim – he had never been anywhere like this land before. However hot the days might be, the nights were bitterly cold. Bright cold stars shone in the dark sky, unfamiliar in this hostile place.

Eldarion sighed and pushed the map away from him. He could not concentrate in this heat. The tall man stood up and stretched. He decided to find his father to see if there was any news. As yet, they had made no movement, waiting for tidings of the rest of Prince Imrahil’s army. He stepped out of the tent, blinking in the glaringly bright afternoon as the wave of heat hit him.

He made his way through the Royal Quarters until he came upon a captain he knew. Bergil had some years ago moved from Ithilien where he had dwelt with his father, Beregond, and was now one of the soldiers of Elessar. The man was in his mid thirties and he greeted Eldarion – disgustingly cheerfully, the prince thought, in this unbearable heat.

“Bergil, have you seen my father?” The Prince asked.

“Yes, my lord, he is in his quarters with Prince Imrahil and the Lord Faramir.”

“Thank you Bergil,” he replied and went towards his father’s tent. He saw the silhouettes of three figures moving around, and recognised the tall form of his father.

“But given their numbers, how long will it take for them to reach the havens of Umbar?” King Elessar questioned the Prince of Dol Amroth.

“We cannot be certain,” Imrahil replied. “They are under the command of my eldest son, Elphir. However, we cannot guarantee their journey will not be hindered by the corsairs.”

The three men turned around as Eldarion entered. Faramir smiled as he saw the young man, marvelling at how much he resembled his father. Yet there was also a grace in him that came from his mother, Queen Arwen Evenstar. And the sadness that her choice had left upon her seemed to be reflected in his clear grey eyes. And perhaps descended down from the line of the Eldar: even though he looked youthful, he seemed a lot older than his years.

“Ah, Eldarion,” said the King. “I was about to send for you.”

“Then there is news?” His son asked hopefully.

Elessar nodded. “Gwaihir the windlord arrived and told us that the fleet of Dol Amroth has set off.”

“When?” He asked.

“Not two days past. Though how long their journey to Umbar will take is uncertain, as Imrahil believes that the corsairs may launch an attack.”

“It is more than likely,” said the Dúnadan of Dol Amroth.

“But if they know or guess of our purpose,” said Faramir, “surely they would rather fortify their defenses at their city and build up their numbers.”

“They have had twenty five years to build up their numbers,” said Imrahil grimly. “And their defenses. There are a great many Haradrim tribes, fighting often among each other, but now they seem to have come together. And their forces are great.”

“But-” Eldarion looked up, his bright eyes questioning. “If there are so many tribes, whom could they possibly respect or fear to allow them to take full leadership?”

Imrahil looked at Elessar and both thought the same thing.

“Black Númenoreans,” said the king.

“You have heard the tale of your forefathers?” Said the Prince of Dol Amroth. “Of those who called themselves the King’s Men and wished for immortal life and were ensnared by Sauron?”

Eldarion nodded. Elessar suppressed a smile. His son was well known for his love of books and old lore. Even as a boy, he would more often be found in the libraries of Minas Tirith than outside playing, or on the training courts.

“Their descendants served Sauron in the War of the Ring,” said Eldarion.

“Yes,” said Elessar. “And it would seem they have allied the tribes of Southrons.”

Faramir looked troubled. “Then their numbers must be very great.” He looked at Imrahil. “How many of your men are sailing from Dol Amroth?”

“About three thousand. Another two thousand are with us now, marching with the soldiers of Gondor.”

“Of which we have six thousand,” said Elessar.

“Then they must have at least double our numbers,” said Faramir quietly.

“More than that even, if Lord Imrahil’s fleet is attacked,” whispered Eldarion.

“What is the likelihood of that occurring?” the king asked Imrahil.

“They will want to lower our numbers,” he replied. “But more ships will by joining my army as they will first be travelling along the coastline. Not until they reach Lebennin will they make for open water.”

“And they will still need a great number to completely destroy the fleet,” pointed out Faramir.

“If the corsairs attack near the coastline of Belfalas, will the chances of their being defeated be greater?” asked Eldarion.

“Naturally,” said Imrahil. “There are defense fortifications running all along the coastline. And once the alarm is raised…” Then he laughed quietly to himself. “Though they cannot be so unwise as to do that.”

“I think possibly they can,” Elessar objected. “The Southrons know that an army is approaching but they do not know our numbers or how soon we will reach them. They know a fleet is sailing for Umbar. They are likely to want to destroy the fleet as soon as possible, not knowing when our forces will arrive. And you said yourself; it will be some days before the ships even make for open water. So if your fleet is going to face an attack, more likely than not, it will take place near the coastline.”

Imrahil was silent a moment, then nodded his agreement. “I believe you are right,” he said.

Then he looked at the king. “Even if the fleet is not attacked, they will still not reach Umbar until after us.”

“That is true,” said Elessar. “The soldiers have covered more ground than I anticipated. We will remain here for some days. At least until Gwaihir arrives again to bring us more news.”

“Then let us inform the men,” said Faramir.

Elessar nodded. “However, remaining here means a guard will have to be set up around the camp. Although we have not seen anyone, I do not trust that it will remain that way. Especially if we are staying in one place.”

“You fear they will attack the camp?” asked Eldarion, somewhat doubtfully.

“Not necessarily, so much as send out scouts or spies. These men will want to know our numbers and forces.” He spoke to Faramir and Imrahil. “So tell the guards to remain vigilant.”

“We will see to it,” said Faramir and he and Imrahil left the tent.