"Right here will do."
Levi drew a circle on the map with confident strokes, the charcoal scratching against the parchment in the quiet study.
Since their next discussion wasn't suitable for the tavern's curious ears, the three had relocated to Ecthelion's private study after finishing their meal. The room smelled of aged leather and ink, with maps and documents scattered across oak shelves that stretched to the vaulted ceiling.
Ecthelion leaned over the table, his brow furrowing as he examined the location Levi had marked. The candlelight flickered across his concerned features, casting dancing shadows on the wall.
The circled area lay north of Osgiliath, on the east side of the Anduin River, positioned directly between the looming threat of Mordor and the relative safety of Gondor.
Cain peered over Ecthelion's shoulder, his weathered face showing immediate recognition.
"Wait a moment," he said, tapping the map with his finger. "Isn't this near Henneth Annûn?"
"That's one of our strike team's outpost bases."
Seeing Levi's questioning expression, Cain traced his finger along the river's edge. "There's a waterfall here that cascades from the clifftop into what we call the Forbidden Pool. Our base lies concealed there."
"Behind the waterfall, in the cave."
"Ah, a water curtain cave," Levi mused, the term rolling naturally off his tongue.
"Water curtain cave..." Cain repeated thoughtfully. "A cave hidden by a water curtain. That's quite fitting. You're welcome to call it that if you prefer. Since it faces west, the sunset's dying light always manages to penetrate the water curtain and cast its glow into the cave. We usually call it the Window of the Sunset, or Window on the West."
The strike team captain's voice carried a note of pride as he continued his explanation. "Originally, no waterfall concealed this cave entrance. Our craftsmen diverted part of the river channel to create this natural camouflage."
"After all, who would suspect a military base hidden behind a waterfall?"
"Ingenious," Levi agreed with genuine appreciation.
Through Cain's detailed description, recognition dawned in Levi's mind. This was the very place where Frodo, Sam, and Gollum would eventually be captured by Gondorian forces during their passage through Ithilien. Of course, that lay decades in the future, assuming nothing altered the course of events.
"Don't worry," Levi said, gesturing dismissively. "My pickaxe work is quite precise. I won't accidentally tunnel into your base."
He pointed again to his circled location. "Besides, look at the distance involved. The spot I've chosen puts Osgiliath to the left and the crossroads leading toward Mordor to the right. Past those crossroads lies Minas Morgul itself. My presence there won't interfere with anyone's operations."
Truthfully, the location offered excellent strategic advantages. If trouble arose, he could head left to Gondor's White City for assistance. When boredom struck during peaceful periods, he could turn right for an entertaining visit with the Witch-king at Minas Morgul.
"Hmm..." Cain studied the map again, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "If we could establish a new hidden base at this position, it would indeed prove valuable for our operations."
However, he'd clearly overlooked something crucial.
Ecthelion straightened from the map, fixing both men with a serious stare that suggested they'd missed an obvious problem.
"Aren't you both overlooking the fundamental issue here?"
"What's wrong? Is this location unsuitable for my purposes?" Levi asked, genuinely puzzled.
"It's suitable enough, but..." Ecthelion paused, choosing his words carefully. "Are you absolutely certain about this choice?"
The future Steward's voice carried the weight of hard-earned military experience. "I must remind you that batches of orcs and Uruk-hai pass through that area daily. Wargs prowl everywhere, more numerous than rabbits in a meadow. Osgiliath's garrison and our strike team members engage them in combat almost nightly."
He leaned forward, emphasizing his point. "You want to build a 'home' in the middle of an active war zone?"
The unspoken question hung in the air: Have you completely lost your mind?
"Our craftsmen can barely reach such a location safely," Ecthelion continued. "There are simply too many hostile forces in the vicinity. If you insist on constructing something there, you'd need not just craftsmen but an army of thousands maintaining constant vigilance for protection."
"No need," Levi replied with casual confidence, waving away the concern. "I'll handle the construction myself."
"Just tell me whether you'll grant me this territory or not."
"Grant or refuse..." Ecthelion muttered under his breath, weighing the political implications.
After a moment's consideration, he answered, "Strictly speaking, since both Minas Morgul and much of Ithilien have fallen under enemy control, that particular area no longer lies within Gondor's effective governance. It's become disputed wilderness territory."
"If you wish to attempt something there, you have our blessing to proceed."
"Really?"
"Really."
"No need to consult your father first?"
"I'll inform him of our discussion. He'll have no grounds for refusal."
"Go tell him now. I'm rather pressed for time."
"...Very well."
Ecthelion departed from the study, his footsteps echoing in the corridor as he made his way toward the palace's upper levels. His absence lasted roughly the time needed to drink two cups of tea and exchange pleasantries before he pushed open the study door once more.
"Father has agreed," he announced, settling back into his chair. "He said that in that region, you may do whatever you deem necessary, provided you can manage the consequences."
"We couldn't control that area anyway," had been Turgon's additional comment, which Ecthelion diplomatically chose not to repeat.
"Excellent."
With this final important matter resolved, Levi bid farewell to his companions without further delay. He departed the White City immediately, heading eastward toward his chosen destination.
His journey took him across the rolling plains beyond Minas Tirith's walls, through Gondor's abandoned city of Osgiliath, where he paused to exchange greetings with the nervous garrison, then across the ancient bridge toward the crossroads leading into that contested green wilderness.
The terrain proved rough and uneven, scarred by years of warfare. Any conventional construction project would require extensive land modification before beginning actual building work.
However, who decreed that buildings must be erected on the surface?
"Aha! Fresh human meat!"
His contemplation was rudely interrupted as a squad of Uruk-hai in blackened armor burst from roadside concealment. Without allowing him time to react, they raised crude cleavers and charged with murderous intent.
"Foolish human!" snarled their leader, spittle flying from his twisted mouth. "Even Gondor's stinking Rangers know to avoid our patrols, yet you dare expose yourself under moonlight like some lost lamb. You'll make excellent..."
The Uruk-hai's boastful threat died in his throat as Levi calmly turned and drew his sword in one fluid motion. The simple gesture sent ice through the creatures' black hearts, their predatory confidence evaporating like morning mist.
The lead Uruk-hai, already committed to his charging attack, could only watch helplessly as momentum carried him forward toward the gleaming blade.
Swoosh.
Steel flashed in the moonlight with deadly precision. The Uruk-hai's severed head hit the ground with a wet thud, followed moments later by his collapsing body.
"Ahhh!!"
The remaining Uruk-hai erupted in panicked screams, not their usual battle cries, but the meaningless shrieking of terror. After that single outburst, they clamped their mouths shut, wheeled about, and fled toward the distant darkness as fast as their legs could carry them.
Roar!
Deep, threatening sounds echoed from behind as warg packs arrived to investigate the commotion. These massive wolves used their midnight-black fur to blend seamlessly with the shadows, their presence betrayed only by pairs of glowing red eyes that gleamed like bloody stars in the night.
Upon reaching the scene, the wargs' first instinct wasn't to search for enemies but to examine the fleeing Uruk-hai with suspicion. Their sensitive noses twitched as they determined whether their supposed allies had been feasting without sharing the spoils.
Just as the pack leader prepared to issue a low growl of displeasure, demanding his rightful portion of any kill, the Uruk-hai squad rushed past them in full retreat.
The trailing Uruk-hai paused briefly beside the massive warg leader, pointing toward the pitch-black wilderness where visibility dropped to zero.
"We're already full," he panted, gesturing frantically. "There's fresh meat waiting over there. Help yourselves."
Without awaiting a response, he sprinted after his fleeing companions, driven by some primal terror that overrode all other concerns.
The warg leader harbored no suspicions about this explanation. When their Uruk-hai masters had driven them to battle in the past, they'd displayed similar behavior, suddenly seeming immune to fatigue as they raced toward some distant objective until their strength finally failed.
Today appeared to be their lucky day indeed.
The great black wolf padded forward through the darkness, his pack following in eager anticipation of an easy meal. Behind them, the moonlight illuminated a single figure standing calmly among the scattered remains of what had once been a confident Uruk-hai patrol.
Levi cleaned his blade methodically before sheathing it, already turning his attention back to the more pressing matter of selecting the perfect spot for his underground construction project.