The day was spent traveling at a walking pace, so that Braelorn's injuries would not be strained. Braelorn insisted that the slower pace was not necessary, that he would be fine, but Suladân knew better. He shouldn't be up at all, one day after getting hit with two arrows, let alone riding a horse.
The companions didn't make it within the walls of Minas Tirith that day, and chose a camp site next to a ridge, to provide some protection from the wind. Braelorn insisted that they light a fire, "Not only are these lands protected by patrols, but the hot food will help my recovery!" Telk joined his insistence, and ran off to gather firewood.
Suladân couldn't say no to both of the lighthearted beings' pleas, so a fire was soon built up, and they ate from Suladân's food stores. Soon, the homely atmosphere of the camp site got to Telk, and he demanded that Braelorn tell them a story. Braelorn laughed merrily at the request, the pure volume stirring Dalamyr and Geld from their grazing position, out of the light of the campfire.
Once Braelorn had ceased his laughter, he assented to the child's demands, and began with, "I do know one good story. It's about a Great Captain of Gondor, and his closest friend..."
Once, many years ago, there lived two young lads in the majestic white city. They were inseparable, always getting into trouble, and getting punished, together. There was one problem, however, the Father of one of the lads was the Steward of Gondor. He was in charge of ruling in the king's place, until another king could be found.
It did not look good for the Steward to see his son running around and getting into so much trouble, so he gave them both something else to do. They were to be trained to be the mightiest warriors of Gondor. The two lads enjoyed the time together, and the work. They soon learned to ride, fight, and defend. It was their dream to become great captains of Gondor, and to valiantly save many innocent lives from evil.
Then, the day came when they were old enough to join the army. One of them was the son of the Steward, so he was given special treatment, and rose quickly through the ranks. The other was forced to work hard, and climb slowly. He did not hate his privileged friend, because he was still just that: his friend.
Many years later, the son of the Steward was the greatest Captain of Gondor, and his friend was a Mighty Knight. The two fought raiders and protected innocents, just like they dreamed they would. But one day, they were called to defend a great river city from another type of invader. The Orcs. Nasty, evil beings. However, something went wrong, and the friends failed. Orcs got into the city, and many men were lost. The great Captain of Gondor was almost killed in the battle, but his friend saved him.
Both friends were saddened by the loss of life. Even though they ended up holding the city, they considered losing that many men a failure. And now, the Captain of Gondor has to go North, to meet the Elves. And his friend was left behind.
Braelorn finished his tale on a sad note, and slipped into an antisocial state, bowing his head and not talking to anyone. The other three travelers watched him for a few moments, before Telk got his attention with a tap on his shoulder and asked, "Were you the Captain of Gondor, the Steward's son?"
Braelorn looked up at the child, and said with a smile, "No, I was his friend. His best friend." And he left me behind... The smile left Braelorn and he went quickly to bed. The homely atmosphere left that camp site and was replaced by one of brooding. The other three companions slipped gradually into sleep, all thinking about the son of the Steward, and his friend.
