[Saurreg]

Belegorn

Belegorn raised an eyebrow and rubbed his stubble covered chin absentmindedly with his ungloved left hand,

Ered Luin. So that’s the king’s plan!

A burly man in front of Belegorn turned around cursing and brushed passed the First Lieutenant rudely much to the latter’s irritation. Jolted out from his thoughts, Belegorn looked around and saw that his men were still standing among the civilians near to him, their filthy faces betraying anxiety, nervousness and unease. Many a few were straining their heads and scanning the crowd, with the look of those trying to identify familiar faces. It was all too understandable to Belegorn, for the guardsmen had not seen their folks since the day they took up positions behind the secondary battlements and then there here they were, mingled with the survivors of Fornost. The urge to go off and find their families and loved ones were overwhelming, but as they were still on duty, their discipline and honor forbade them to leave their post without permission.

The occupants of the seemingly endless hall of curved stone was now in an uproar as the king’s foreboding announce sank in and realization of its significance struck the cold and tired Dúnedain refugees like a merciless invisible hammer. A mob of agitated men folk standing nearest to the dais were gesturing threateningly and yelling their displeasure in the direction of the King’s entourage. The nervous bodyguards of the king were quick to note that and quickly formed a line separating their charge and his glittering staff from the rest of his royal subjects, their black leather clad hands grasping the gilded hilts of their swords tensely. Belegorn sneered at the rowdy men.


The First Lieutenant looked for and found Hirvegil. His captain was looking in another direction and standing very still, facial expression undecipherable. Belegorn made his way over slowly and tapped him gently on one of the broad shoulders,

“Sir, the men have not rested since the day the retreat begun and are exhausted. Would you have them gathered and addressed before dismissing them from their stations? I’m sure a kind word and praise or two from their lord captain would be most appreciated.”