The years till my twenty-fifth birthday were basically a long wait until I could switch the court for the Gondorian army. No matter how I tried I never could feel completely at home there. A lot of the nobles turned by over the years but some did not. Dealing daily with their remarks was tiresome and I could never quite adapt to the formal ways of the Gondorian Court.
The day I left for my post I did so with a light heart. I would miss my family and the few friends I had of course but I would now go back to what I did best: fighting. I only shot one backward glance when I shut the door of my room. It was reserved for the Green Man I had painted above my bed the week after I had first arrived. The Housekeeper would surely erase it, now that I had vacated the room. She nearly had a fit when she discovered me nine years ago, green paint on my cheek and that huge Green Man freshly painted on the wall. I smiled and let the door slid shut. I did not plan to return often enough to see it.
I was sent off with all the pomp usual of the Gondorian Court but my parents chose to spoil it in the most Northman manner possible. When I bowed to them they suddenly drew me in a family hug much to the dismay of the Ceremony Master and the rest of the court.' Be safe,' my mother whispered to me in the Northman language.
-You know I can fight.
-Yes but I also know how.
'Recklessly and wildly, just like a Northman,' my father added still in the Northman language. I smiled. We seldom spoke it now. Even with my mother I would speak westron in public. She even had gained a Gondorian name over the years, Galadwen, which was a direct translation of her Northman name. For a moment however we were Swartwulf, Vidumavi and Vinitharya again. Then suddenly my grandfather joined in.
-Father?
-Ceremony is overrated.
We all agreed, laughing. The best way to say farewell is still with a hug.
My new post was in Calenardhon. I was to captain the Rangers there. I had smiled when I heard it. Were Faramir and his friends still patrolling there? I would find out soon enough I figured.
The journey to Cair Andros, where I would meet with my unit, was uneventful. The arrival however was ... fun. Like last time they appeared out of nothing, surprising everyone. Well everyone, except me. I had learned my lesson last time. I was surprised though when the front ranger took off the cloth covering his lower face. It was Faramir. He was just as surprised as me.
-Vinitharya?!
I nodded.
-That's a surprise! Boy you have grown! I didn't fancy seeing you here!
I laughed.
-Neither did I.
He laughed too.'Fair! I suppose you are here to escort the prince?'he asked still smiling.
I nodded again with an amused smile.
His gaze went to the escort behind me, going from one face to another. Then he turned back to me.
'Could you tell which of them is the right one?'he whispered. 'I don't know what that princeling is supposed to look like.'
-Take a good look at my face then.
He frowned at first not understanding what I meant. Then the realization dawned on him and he looked at me with wide eyes.
-What! But you told me your name was Vinitharya son of Vidumavi and Swartwulf!
I laughed again.
-It was and is. Vinitharya is the name I was given at birth. I only took the name Eldacar after we met. Galadwen is a translation of Vidumavi and my father was called Swartwulf in Rhovanion. I still am Vinitharya son of Vidumavi and Swartwulf but for the court I am now Eldacar son of Galadwen and Valacar.
-I-I am sorry to have insulted you your Highness.
-Oh stop that, I already got enough of that at the court. No offence taken.
I jumped of Wintersky's back.
-Now what about you show this princeling where he's going to sleep. I could sleep untill next week.
Faramir's face crinkled into a smile. I was going to like with the Rangers.
My escort left the next day and as soon as they were gone the Rangers broke up to go back to their main and only camp at Dunharrow. To my surprise they left me relatively in peace during the journey. I had expected the hazing to begin as soon as the escort was out of sight. I may have been their prince but I also was their very new and very green captain. I was with my twenty-five years the youngest of them all, and though I already had some battle-experience unlike most nobles of my age, I knew next to nothing about strategy except from what I had learned from books. On top of that I was clearly a cavalryman, while the rangers where mostly secretive hunters. In short they had every reason to haze me a bit. But they didn't. Oh they teased me alright but they seemed mostly to be very curious who their new captain was. I wasn't one to complain.
We arrived at Dunharrow a forthnight later. I was awed when I saw it. It was probably one of the best situated bases I had ever seen. The only acces to it was a long, steep and winding path that could have been held by ten determined warriors if need be. The path gave way to a plateau surrounded by steep mountains were the camp itself was situated. Behind the camp I could faintly see a small wood which probably provided the rangers with food. The place was a natural fortress.
'Impressive huh?' Faramir said.
I nodded.
-You've got to be crazy to assiege that.
-Oh there are enough who are. They never try again though.
-And who is they?
-Orcs from the mountains mostly and bandits. This part of Gondor is relatively empty which makes it exellent breeding ground for them. Our duty is to hunt and deal with the small groups and form a first defense against the bigger ones untill the regular army arrives.
-In short guerilla duty.
Faramir nodded.
-Now let's go, I'm sure you are thrilled to meet to rest of us.
'You bet,' I said sourly. He laughed.
-Hey relax. You've been doing great till now. You may still be a bit green but at least you admit it. And unlike the others you don't complain.
-The others?
-Yeah, we have a few nobles' sons who bought their way in as lieutenants. At first they were permanently complaining about the condictions. After that we either kicked them out or they learned to shut up.
-I'm surprised they even bothered.
-Yeah me too but suddenly about two years ago they started coming in. We still don't know why.
I groaned. I knew why. Oromë's beard, how I hated politics.
-What?
-About two years ago it was decided that I would come here when I turned twenty-five.
Faramir spat
-When will those nobles learn that the army is not a place for politics.
-Don't ask me. I was more than happy to leave it behind.
Faramir gave a snort of amusement.
The next day I went to the practice fields with my bow. I had my first meeting with the lieutenants that afternoon but right now I had some time and I wanted to get a bit better acquitained with the men I was about to command. I choose a target and was about to aim when an somewhat greying Ranger hailed me,
-Hey that's a strange bow you have there newbie. Would you mind if I threw a look at it?
I lowered my bow and gave it to him.
-Sure
He remained silent for a moment, while he observed and tested my bow. Then he gave it back to me.
-Thanks for allowing me to observe your bow young one. I am the Rangers' bow-maker and let's say I'm always interested in seeing new models. I find it rather interesting to see how they managed to make your bow shorter while keeping it as powerful as conventional bow. Could you explain this to me?
-It's made of different materials.
I showed him the inside of my bow.
-See, they used horn for the belly , and sinew on the back. Only the core is from wood.
-Ah I see. It must have been rather time consuming to make it then.
-That's true, but it's worth it.
-What's a shorter bow worth if takes so much more time to make it?
I smiled impishly.
-I'll show you if you want.
The old Ranger knew a challenge when he heard one. He smiled back
-Please do.
To his surprise I gave a sharp whistle in response.
-What.....
His question was soon answered when Wintersky suddenly stormed on the practice field. He stopped with a snort, kicking up the dust and I vaulted on his back with practiced ease. Wintersky's arrival had caused quite some ruckus and I was now facing an empty practice field while curious Rangers were trickling in from all sides. I hefted my bow in a salute.
-Aaya Wintersky! Let's show them what it means to be a Northman archer!
With those words I nudged him back to a full-speed gallop. I nocked my first arrow, aimed and let fly. It hit the first target dead center. My second shot wasn't as good and was off by two or three inches. My third was better, less than one inch from the center. My fourth was bit closer still and my fifth was again dead center. Then I surprised them by completely twisting around untill I was looking backwards. I then showed the true worth of a shorter bow. I gave them a dead-center Parthian shot.
A little smile was playing around the older ranger's mouth when I trotted back.
'Convinced?'I asked with an equally impish smile.
-That I am, young one, that I am. Norhtman huh?
-Half to be precise.
-Aaaah. We have a few other of those walking around, though they usually aren't as fair-haired as you. Mightily handy lads to have around. They usually know of the country better than we do. We pure-blooded Gondorians are still mainly a sea-fearing people. But I'm rambling. I am Baran. Who are you young one?
I took the hand he presented.
-Officially it's Eldacar, but call me Vinitharya. I like that name better.
-Pleased to... Wait a second. Eldacar? You are our new Captain aren't you?
-Seems so
-Why did you allow me to call you newbie?
-There is no sense in denying that I am one isn't it? And insisting on titles doesn't seem the best way to get to know your men to me.
Baran laughed
-Alright Captain, I like you. You 'll make a good Ranger yet.
'I hope so,' I answered with a smile. I was definitely going to like it with the Rangers.
