Chapter 2: Off to Training
In the morning Erumeldir checked his satchel one last time before heading to the table for breakfast.
Dírhael dragged his pack to the door. He saddled Lightning, loaded his baggage, and returned for breakfast. After eating, Dírhael said farewell to Hopeful while his twin carried his things to the barn.
Astiwen sneaked away to her friend's home and found Erumeldir in the stables. She placed a hand on his shoulder.
He turned from saddling his stallion, Blaze. "Astiwen, sweetheart, what are you doing here?"
"To give you something to remember me by," she replied. She unclasped a golden chain from around her neck. Swinging from its end, the Dúnedain star hung and glimmered as it caught the sunlight.
A mist formed in his eyes. "Thank you, my love. You know I could never forget you!" He noticed her eyes were downcast with sadness and she could not look at him for fear of crying again. "Astiwen, look at me," he turned her to face him, a serious expression on his handsome face. "You have to quit worrying about me so much if you want to marry me. You know what being a Ranger is like and you will have to deal with my having to leave you from time to time, just like you do for your father. You know I will come back to you! Be strong for me, sweetheart." His features softened as he looked at her, smiling. "Come, put the necklace on me, will you?"
"I know," Astiwen sighed, "It just seems different." She smiled and swung the chain onto Erumeldir's neck. Suddenly a loud slam and tramping sounded as Dírhael came into the stables. Astiwen's eyes widened and she ran towards an empty stall to hide.
"Are you all packed and ready? I still need to tell everyone goodbye," Erumeldir stated nonchalantly. He hoped Astiwen would be safe hidden in the stall; how embarrassing it would be for his twin to find them alone! Tucking the necklace safely inside his shirt, he turned to face his brother.
"Yes. We are to meet Landon soon," Dírhael stated. "Where is the comb? Lightning's mane is ratty. I think…" Dírhael moved closer to the stall where Astiwen crouched.
"I'll get it! Hold on!" Erumeldir hoped his voice didn't sound too panicked as he moved to get the comb.
"It is alright. I am closer…" Dírhael started to push the door open when Astiwen jumped out.
"Surprise!" she shouted. "Here are some sweet road cakes for my two childhood friends." She laughed at the startled expression on both Dírhael's and Erumeldir's faces. She handed them each a packet of road cake and granted them kiss on the cheek. "I wish I could go with you!" she bemoaned.
Erumeldir smiled. "We shall be back before you know it! Besides, you would not get any work done! You would be too busy exploring the Shire and meeting its people. Not to mention that you can hardly hurt a fly." Despite his twin's presence, he gave her a quick hug.
"Well, you two had better be on your way. Bye!" Astiwen waved goodbye and ran back to her chores.
Dírhael led Lightning out of the barn and to the house, where tearful farewells were said.
Erumeldir followed his brother out of the barn. After hugging both his parents, he turned to Hopeful, making sure his back was to his twin. Pulling out the necklace, he quickly explained about Astiwen, a huge grin on his face. Then he hugged his sister and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Once in the saddle, he kept turning and waving to his family until the twosome could no longer make out their forms.
"Well, we are going to be late…Unless…Race you to the lake!" Dírhael spurred Lightning forward, laughing and taunting his brother. They sped into the village where seventeen or eighteen men were gathered.
Blaze needed no further instruction to gallop off after Lightning and soon the horses paralleled each other, finally stopping in front of Landon. "We're here!" Erumeldir shouted.
"Yes, I see," Landon drawled. He glanced up at the sun. "You were almost late. Mount up! We will camp in site of the Old Forest tonight!"
The twins rode after their leader and companions. The night passed on uneventful and they were off to the Shire the next day. Erumeldir rode up to Landon. "So, how does this gig work?"
Landon raised his eyebrows. "We stay out of site, search for orcs, demolish them if they are in small bodies, send a message to the nearest village if they are in large droves. On no occasion are you to show yourself to the locals. We camp at night and set sentries, with the scouts riding ahead. You and your brother are new to this so I will be watching your activities and see what you are best at. I see you are an archer." He glanced at Erumeldir's bow.
"Yes, sir! We would be happy to demonstrate for you if you want. But first, why are we not allowed to let the halflings see us?"
"It is our duty to remain unseen and to only show ourselves in times of great need," Landon answered shortly. "About your archery expertise, we will see when the time comes."
Dírhael was riding with an older Ranger who remained silent during the trip. His brother was off with the leader and he didn't want to interrupt. Sighing, he urged Lightning a bit closer to Erumeldir.
The young man looked a bit disappointed. He finished the conversation and then it was time to set up camp. His stomach turned over as he laid out his bedroll, anticipating a brutal battle between orcs they had yet to see signs of. As exciting action sounded from the safety of his own home, now that he could possibly face it, he senses the danger he and his brother could truly face.
