Disclaimer: I don't own anything J
Disclaimer: I don't own anything J.R.R. Tolkien wrote whatsoever. Almost all the characters are my original creations, excepting Prince Eärnur and Glorfindel. This story is set in the years 1973– 1975 Third Age. The family of Ereg is featured also in my earlier fic Defenders of Gondor. Dilthwen addresses Ereg by his name, because she is his stepdaughter.
Chapter 1: Like Father, Like Son
Ereg was furious, as his son Thaundil stood before him, a defiant look on the young man's face. The father paced up and down the little study they were in, trying to control his anger.
"I told you not to join! What were you thinking?"
Thaundil answered quite calmly:
"You had better just to live with it. The contract cannot be cancelled anymore."
"You don't have to tell me that, I was myself tricked thirty years ago! You stupid boy, haven't you listened anything I have taught you?"
Now it was Thaundil's turn to get angry.
"I wasn't tricked, I signed with free will! You once had your chance to get glory, why shouldn't I have that also? And I'm not a boy, I came of age three months ago!"
"Then behave like a man and not like an impudent child!"
Thaundil would have answered, but his mother Riliel interrupted, nearly in tears:
"Oh, Thaundil, why did you do it? Is your life then so miserable, so that you risk it so easily?"
The young man calmed down a bit, but said vehemently:
"Mother, it is not miserable, but not good either. At this rate, I will never get my own workshop, and I am so tired to be Doronir's helper! And him and Dilthwen have their families, and I have not even a betrothed. Why shouldn't I don the uniform as father did?"
Ereg was further angered by this and exclaimed:
"So this is how you thank your brother? He could have given you nothing, but he allowed you to live in his house, fed you and gave you a share of his wealth!"
Thaundil answered:
"I am grateful to him for that and will pay him back all I owe some day. But it is time for me to try my own wings."
Ereg's face darkened, but before he could speak, the door opened and Doronir strode hastily in, followed by Dilthwen. The girl spoke:
"What is it, Ereg? You asked us come quickly."
Ereg answered coldly, only his flushed cheeks betraying any emotion:
"It concerns your brother. In his wisdom he has joined the army."
Doronir was aghast:
"Thaundil, are you mad? Don't you remember what father told us about the war? It was horrid! I have heard that an army will be sent to Arthedain any day now. Why do you want to get killed?"
The younger man didn't answer to the question, but addressed his father:
"Father, this is useless, the thing is already settled. I must hurry now, for I must be in the garrison before noon." He embraced Riliel, and continued:
"Mother, do not worry! Maybe I will not be sent to north. And if I am, father also came back in his time and that was graver danger than this."
Riliel could only sob at first, but then managed to answer:
"I wished that your father wouldn't have gone himself. But if this is your decision, there is nothing I can do. Go with my blessing!" She kissed Thaundil's forehead. He turned to offer his hand to Ereg, but the older man didn't take it. Thaundil shrugged and walked out, briefly embracing his siblings before that. Ereg watched him go, and sat heavily on a chair. Riliel retorted:
"Why didn't you even bade him farewell? Now he must think you withhold your blessing from him." Ereg's voice was icy:
"He has disobeyed me and had the nerve to shout back to me. He hasn't deserved my blessing. And if I decide otherwise, I can see him any day in the garrison." He rose wearily and said:
"Speaking of which, I must go too. I must see that the new recruits in my company are properly equipped." He tried to kiss Riliel for goodbye, but she turned away. He opened his mouth to say something, but changed his mind and walked out, greeting quietly the siblings as he went by.
--
The walk to the garrison lasted for an hour more than was necessary. Ereg stopped many times, staring over Anduin and thinking about his son. Ereg had tried to make clear what war was really like, but even when little, Thaundil had wanted to hear more of his father's adventures. In the age of fifteen he had actually accused Ereg of exaggerating the hardships. That time, after severe reprimand, the boy had finally seemed to take those words back. Now Ereg wondered if it had been only make-believe. He was still very angry, especially since the boy had also caused trouble between him and Riliel. He had not quarrelled often with her, but there had been a few veritable storms. It would possibly take some days and much effort, before he could appease Riliel.
He tapped his sword-hilt thoughtfully and tried to recall what had went wrong. Maybe it was the death of Corchion and Ylwen. The grandparents seemed sometimes to have greater influence upon Thaundil than his parents. What a pity, that the old man had died four years ago, soon followed by Ylwen. Corchion would have talked some sense to the boy. Thaundil resembled Corchion not in appearance only, but in temperament too. He was very stubborn, but had a kind and forgiving heart in the end. Ereg had to smile despite himself, when he remembered how Corchion had yelled at him thrty years ago. Now he understood all too well, why his father had been so upset. But Ereg's smile subsided, when he began to worry how his son would cope with the discipline; he had never been the easiest boy to bring up.
Ereg was surprised when he saw Thaundil waiting at the gate. The young man looked quite lost and bewildered in his uniform, which was slightly too large. He seemed to be only a boy again. Ereg knew that many recruits looked like that until they got used to the army, but this time it was his son. He stifled an urge to embrace Thaundil and immediately forgive him everything. Instead, he steeled himself and asked calmly:
"How are you here? You should be with your company."
Thaundil answered, his voice trembling a little:
"I have leave to speak with you. Father, forgive me my rudeness! You know how I am when I get angry. I couldn't bear to think I have lost your love and esteem." He offered his hand again to his father. This time Ereg took it.
"You haven't lost them. I was just disappointed how you did everything just opposite I have told you to. You should ask forgiviness from your mother. You don't know how devastated she was when she thought I was dead. Your decision upset her greatly, for it brought the old memories back."
Thaundil scratched his yellow hair, looking ashamed. Then he asked:
"Father, I have always wondered why did you stay in the army if you hate war so much. It doesn't make any sense."
"First it was only because I had signed a five-year contract. After that I was too old to learn my father's profession anymore. You should be thankful that you have been trained as a master carpenter. I hadn't finished my tuition thirty years ago, so I hadn't much choice."
Thaundil nodded.
"I thought that you secretly liked the soldier's life but didn't want to admit it."
Ereg smiled.
"You can get used to everything, save death. But tell me, in which company are you assigned? It was the last thing I could think of in the morning."
"The Light Cavalry Detachment. I can ride a little, so they took me in."
Now Ereg could indeed see that his son wore the wide trousers and short cloak of a horseman. He said, now even more worried:
"That wasn't wise. The ponies and old cart-horses you have ridden are not any war-horses. You must be very careful, or you'll break your neck."
"I will watch out, father. Have you any advice to give me, before I go?"
Ereg thought for a moment and answered:
"Not just now. But if you are in trouble, come to me! I can't help you much if you mess up, but I can always try to advice you." He took Thaundil's face between his hands and kissed his son's forehead.
"You have my blessing. Just take care of yourself!"
Thaundil turned to go, but when he had walked only for some ten yards, something flashed in Ereg's mind. He shouted to Thaundil, who turned. Ereg came to him and said:
"I have one advice to give now. Remember, in the army all shit flows downwards. When you remember that, it will be easier."
Thaundil's eyes widened. His father almost never cursed. Ereg patted his shoulder, laughed dryly and said:
"Welcome to the army, son."
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