4. In the hour of nations
Summary: Selling the dream.
The camp grew daily. Celbaran tried forgetting the man and woman – their offer.
'Twas hard, when smaller bribes showed mean in their light.
'Twas worse when riders appeared: the Khan's scouts loved not refugees.
"They'll return with us," the chief scout declared.
"Harad doesn't rule Harondor," Captain Ránion replied.
"She'll rule Hurrhabi's traitors, if Gondor desires peace!"
"Harad's justice be done," Ránion answered. "When your captain and company arrive."
"We're selling them downriver!" Celbaran fretted later, gesturing to Gondor's guardsmen ringing the camp.
"Someone's to pay for Hurrhabi." Gilion reasoned. "Thorongil's gone, Harad's reach is shortened: good for us."
Death for them.
Notes: Thank you, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Time-Nations-Emmanuel-Levinas/dp/0253332958">Emmanuel Levinas, for the title</a>.
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
