I'm back! And here is the next chapter!
-Granted-
Aragorn silently rode atop his steed he had purchased from a Horse Lord in Rohan, thinking deeply about his new task. He was to murder a man, who was supposedly too dangerous to have alive, then return after his task was done. How was he to know if this man was truly as dangerous as his client claimed? What if the man was actually innocent? For months, Aragorn harbored suspicions regarding this mysterious client of his. But he could do nothing about it until he learned more about him. He stopped his horse when he noticed a trail of hoof prints. He dismounted his steed and crouched down to study them. There were lighter prints beside the hoof ones, telling him that a man had been here. He placed his hand on the hilt of his blade and followed the tracks, telling his horse to wait for him. Without making a sound, Aragorn ran beside the tracks, wondering if this was the dangerous man he was looking for. His client had left him a note that described the man and gave him some information that was useful, such as the man's weaknesses, and so forth. He ran through the list he had been given and decided he was ready to face this man.
-Granted-
"Halbarad!" The young Ranger turned to find his Chieftain and the Chieftain's son approaching him.
"Chieftain!" Halbarad greeted the man, bowing slightly.
"Halbarad, my boy," The Chieftain smiled and clasped his shoulder. "There is no need for formalities. You are my daughter's son, family." Halbarad gave a weak smile. He had just recently turned twenty and passed the Trials, which meant he was now an actual Ranger instead of a trainee. Of course, he had been trained by two of the best Rangers, his Uncle, Arathorn II, and his grandfather, Arador. His mother had been proud, though at the same time, she had been worried about letting him loose with the Rangers. Arathorn and Arador spent many days convincing her that he would be safe and that they would watch him, and after a while, she calmed and allowed Halbarad to join them. "Now, I have a mission for you."
"A mission, Daeradar?" Halbarad repeated, surprised. Three days in of being a Ranger and he was already being sent off on a mission.
"Yes." Arador grinned at his grandson's expression and even Arathorn cracked an amused smile. "You see," His smile faded as he grew serious. "There have been some mysterious happenings occurring near Trollshaws and the villagers nearby have asked us to look into it. They believe it is some sort of magic and dare not step foot outside of their villages. I doubt it is magic and would like for you to investigate and find out exactly what it is the villagers fear."
"Of course, Daeradar." Halbarad nodded, a little excited and a little nervous. But if his grandfather believed he could do it, he would.
"Thank-you, Halbarad. It would be wise for you to leave at nightfall." Arador suggested, looking up at the darkening sky. "Trollshaws is but a day away from where we are camped," He gestured to the campsite as he continued. "But you only have four days before you must return. Understood?"
"Yes, Daeradar." Halbarad replied and Arador nodded.
"Very well. Go and get ready, Halbarad. Come to my tent once you are packed." With that, Arador turned and left, leaving Arathorn and Halbarad behind. Halbarad allowed a small frown to grace his lips as he thought of his mission. He had very little to go on. What if the villagers were just paranoid and convinced something was happening in Trollshaws? Or if there was something happening, how was he to discover what it was? If it truly was magic, was it truly wise for him to be the one to investigate?
"Come now, Halbarad. Best not keep him waiting." Arathorn kindly said and Halbarad followed his uncle to his tent. When he entered, the two were surprised to find someone waiting for them. A beautiful woman with short, dark brown hair, sparkling blue-grey eyes, and soft features wearing black Ranger garbs and black boots. When they came in, the woman stood and faced them.
"Nana!" Halbarad exclaimed with welcome surprise and the woman smiled as she went over and embraced him.
"My son! I heard all about your mission and came to see you off." She told him, brushing some of his hair out of his eyes before turning to Arathorn.
"Muinthel-nin. When did you arrive?" Arathorn asked as they hugged one another. Even though his sister was about ten years older than him, she was a couple inches shorter and acted as though she were the youngest. But she was strong and wise at the same time. Someone everyone learned not to underestimate.
"Just now." She replied as Halbarad began to pack his bag. "Ada sent me a message saying he was going to send Halbarad on his first mission and I had to come."
"How is everyone?" Arathorn asked his sister, handing Halbarad his Ranger cloak and sword. Halbarad softly thanked him and strapped it onto his belt, rolling up his blanket and attaching it to his small pack.
"Everyone is doing well. We still have not heard from Aspyn. Thalion and Ariya miss him greatly." She chuckled a little, shaking her head. Halbarad perked up and looked at his mother.
"Thalion and Ariya?"
"Yes, those insufferable children." The woman sighed. "They wanted me to tell you that they missed you, Halbarad, and Ariya says you had better not get into any trouble or she will come after you herself."
Halbarad shook his head with a smile, eyes twinkling as he listened to his mother tell him about his siblings.
"Thalion is now ten and Ariya recently turned sixteen. Have you any idea how much trouble she has been getting into?"
"She takes after you, Aramina." Arathorn smirked when the woman glared at him.
"I did not get into trouble!" The two shot her looks of disbelief. "...That much." She corrected. "Anyways, are you ready, Halbarad?"
"Yes, Nana." Halbarad nodded, standing and flinging his pack over his shoulder. Aramina gazed at him for a moment, a distant look in her eyes before turning and opening the tent flap.
"Well, let us go then."
Arathorn and Halbarad walked beside her, heading for Arador's tent.
"Ada, we are here." Arathorn and Aramina chimed once they entered with Halbarad. Arador glanced up from his cot where he had several parchments spread out over the sheets
"Ah, Arathorn, Halbarad, and Aramina." He greeted, looking back down at the papers before jerking his head up again to see the three smirking at him. "Aramina?!"
"Ada!" Aramina mimicked his tone as Arador abruptly stood and crossed the distance between them, pulling his daughter into his arms.
"When did you arrive?" He asked once he pulled away, hands on her shoulders.
"A few moments ago. I came to see Halbarad off." She answered and Arador looked to the young man.
"You are ready, Halbarad?"
"Yes, Daeradar." He shifted his pack as he spoke.
"Good. I had Rendeth prepare your horse and take this," Arador handed him an Elvish dagger and at Halbarad's inquisitive glance, explained, "For emergencies."
"Hannon le." Halbarad thanked him as the four left and walked to where the horses were being kept. Rendeth, a Ranger only two years older than Halbarad, saw them coming and immediately led a black stallion over to them.
"Here you are, Halbarad!" Rendeth brightly said as he passed the reins over to the young man. "A good horse you have. Did not give me any trouble!"
"Thank you for preparing him, Rendeth." Halbarad thanked the man.
"Lady Aramina!" Rendeth greeted the woman, who smiled.
"Young Rendeth. I remember when you were just a child!" Aramina laughed as Rendeth reddened. "Quite the imagination you had! But you always brightened everyone's day. I see you have not changed at all."
"Nay." Arador agreed with his daughter. "Rendeth is still an energetic young man. But he is one of the best we have."
"I shall take my leave then, Chieftain." Rendeth bowed and left, leaving the four alone. Halbarad patted his steed's neck then attached his pack to the saddle.
"This cannot be the horse I think it is." Aramina frowned while Arathorn and Arador cast amused glances at the woman. Halbarad looked up in confusion, his horse neighing as though saying, 'Oh, I am definitely who you think I am,' in reply. "You never got rid of this beast!?"
"Beast?" Halbarad glanced up at his horse, who proudly raised her head and stomped the ground.
"We tried, Aramina. Believe me, we tried, but she refused to leave us be." Arador told her and Aramina glared at the horse.
"That horse...is evil."
"Everyone knows that to be true, dear sister, but then Halbarad came along." Arathorn said, recalling the day clearly in his mind.
"That horse took a liking to him and refused to let Halbarad out of her sights." Arador laughed as Halbarad smiled. "She followed him everywhere he went after that one day."
"What happened?" Aramina wanted to know.
"Halbarad went out riding with her one day."
"You let him ride her?!" Aramina turned suddenly at Arathorn and Arador, who raised their hands in defense.
"He asked to! Halbarad took her from the stables and we found him in the field after she had bucked him off." Arador's eyes twinkled. "Halbarad gave her a good lecture, refusing to give her any treats unless she did as he asked. Ever since then, the two have been inseparable."
"Hmph." Aramina crossed her arms, giving the horse a look before pointing her finger at it. "You had better take care of my son, beast. If anything happens to him, you will be the first to go." The horse snorted as Halbarad mounted.
"I had better leave now." Halbarad spoke aloud as Anor started to disappear behind the mountains. "The sooner I leave, the sooner I can reach Trollshaws."
"A good idea but remember to rest sometime tonight." Arador said.
"And do be careful, Halbarad." Aramina looked up at him, worried. Halbarad reached down and clasped her hand with his, giving her a comforting smile. He was happy to have been able to see her once again after three years and it was difficult having to leave her after just spending a couple moments together.
"I will be safe, Nana. Spirit will watch over me." He promised her. Aramina reluctantly let go and stepped back.
"When you return, the three of you are coming to the village." She firmly stated, not allowing them to object, giving Arador a look that clearly told him that they had no choice. "Halbarad has been away from home for three years, and many of the Rangers have not seen their families for a long time either. It would do them some good to come down and spend some time with them. Just a couple of days."
Arathorn went over to Halbarad while Arador and Aramina conversed with one another.
"I suggest you check on the villagers first and gather information from them before you go to Trollshaws, that way you know exactly what you are looking for." He whispered to his nephew. Halbarad grinned, thankful for the tip his uncle had given him. He frowned, nervous of letting them down. He did not want to fail this mission, his first one.
"I will."
"No need to be nervous. Best of luck, Halbarad." Arathorn backed away then whispered something in Spirit's ears. Spirit abruptly reared, forcing Halbarad to lean forward and grip the reins as she bolted in the direction of the forest.
"Arathorn!" Halbarad shouted, musical laughter filling the air as he vanished into the darkness.
"Arathorn!" Aramina smacked his arm but Arathorn smiled widely at his sister. Arador shook his head. "Why in Arda's name did you do that for?"
"He was nervous, Aramina. I was trying to get him to lighten up."
"By scaring him half to death, you half-wit!"
-Granted-
Halbarad sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time as he rode atop Spirit. He had visited one of the villages as Arathorn had suggested but received no answer to any of his questions. The villagers had been frightened and refused to tell him anything. Which was very unhelpful. How was he to find out exactly what was going on if the cursed villagers wouldn't give him any information? How was he to know what he was looking for? Luckily, it was mid-morning of the first day, which meant he had about three days before he had to return back to the encampment. Three days before he, Arador, and Arathorn as well as the Rangers would be able to return home and visit their families. He would see little Thalion and Ariya and possibly his father, Aspyn. He looked up to find another village in the distance and rode through the gates. The village was performing its daily routine of the people rushing to and fro to the markets, the children playing in the streets, but there was fear in their eyes. He could see it. They were afraid.
"Hail, traveler!" A man nearest him called out as Halbarad dismounted, handing his horse over to a stable-boy and paying him to watch Spirit. "What brings you to our humble village?"
"I come for answers." Halbarad directly answered, and the man tilted his head in question.
"I am the Head Elder of this village. I will try to answer your questions as best I can," He said to the young Ranger. "Come." Turning, the man walked away, Halbarad following close behind. They reached a rather large home and entered, the Elder lead him into a room with a desk inside. Books lined all of the shelves scattered about the room, windows with their curtains drawn, and a few rugs here and there. Halbarad took a seat while the Elder sat himself behind the desk. "Now, what answers do you seek?"
"I am a Ranger of the North." Halbarad introduced himself first and the Elder looked surprised. "We were informed of...strange happenings taking place within Trollshaws."
"Ah, yes." The Elder nodded, realization dawning over his aged features. "But, are you not rather...young to be sent on this...this," The Elder waved his hand about the air, trying to find the right word to use. Halbarad suppressed a sigh. He should have expected to be asked such a question. It irked him when people did.
"I am one of the Dunedain. I could be older or even younger than you think." He replied and the Elder silently accepted the answer.
"I suppose so. I do apologize if I offended you."
"No, no." Halbarad shook his head. "Now, I would like to ask what it is the villagers have seen or even heard in Trollshaws." The Elder frowned, clasping his hands together in a way that reminded Halbarad of Lord Elrond, only the Elf Lord was more intimidating than this man.
"I am afraid I cannot tell you much." He admitted and Halbarad resisted the urge to groan, keeping his expression impassive. "You see, our hunters normally hunt within Trollshaws, but recently, there has been a decrease in game. At first, we believed it to be connected to the severe winter that passed last year, but then our own hunters began disappearing."
"Your hunters?"
"Aye." The Elder nodded. "My own son was one of those who vanished." A flicker of grief passed through his eyes. "The few who returned spoke of a strange magic covering the forest and of creatures that prowled the land, viciously attacking those who trespass into their territory. Many mysteriously passed a few days after returning from their hunt, which leads us to believe there is indeed something taking place within that accursed land."
"Is there anything more that you can tell me?" Halbarad inquired. The Elder thought deeply.
"There are some, I overheard, that spoke of a man who lived in the forest."
"A man?"
"Yes. They believe him to be some sort of wizard." The Elder added. "A dark wizard with powers equal to that of the Istari themselves."
-Granted-
The next night found Halbarad walking beside his steed, mulling over everything that he had learned. Apparently, there was a strange magic coating the forest, men and animals were mysteriously disappearing, the hunters who survived would die a few days later or become severely ill, and there was a rumored to be dark Wizard who ruled over the forest. To Halbarad, this was all ridiculous. A bunch of rubbish. A tale woven by some merchant and had spread throughout the land to frighten the villagers. At least, that was what Halbarad believed.
"A dark wizard with powers equal to the Istari." He scoffed beneath his breath, looking to Spirit. "Can you believe any of this, Spirit?" He rhetorically asked his loyal horse, who snorted in reply, shaking her mane. "Me neither. I have been wandering through Trollshaws for over a day and nothing has happened to me. I have heard nothing, seen nothing, nor do I sense any 'strange magic' covering this forest." Halbarad then paused, noting that something was amiss. "In fact, I sense nothing at all." This was odd for the Ranger. His Elvish senses were normally so in tune that he could sense animals at time or even nature itself. But now that he thought about it, Halbarad did not sense anything. He closed his eyes and concentrated, but there was nothing. He gripped Spirit's reins tightly, forcing himself to continue. The sooner he could leave, the better. He hated this feeling. The nagging sense that something was utterly wrong. "I have one more day." He whispered to himself. "One more day."
Later that night, Halbarad had settled down but dared not sleep. He could not bring himself to do so, which made him irritated with himself.
"They were only rumors." he continuously told himself. "There must be a logical explanation for these disappearances...A group of bandits, perhaps? Orcs, most likely." Spirit seemed to snicker at Halbarad's failed attempts to reassure himself. Halbarad scowled at her. "I do not know why I am affected by these tales, Spirit! They should not bother me but they do!"
Spirit was silent, as though she, too, were feeling unnerved by this whole thing. Halbarad sighed, running his fingers through his dark hair, grey eyes scanning their surroundings, as though expecting for something to come lunging out at him.
Still nothing.
Wait...
Halbarad snapped his head to the right. He had heard something, of that he was sure. Slowly standing, Halbarad reached for his blade. Spirit was wise enough not to make a sound, standing perfectly still as she watched him. She could sense his growing sense of nervousness and alertness. It made her feel uneasy. She wanted to break these reins and run to him, to protect him from whatever he heard coming nearer, and nearer. Halbarad released the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding and stealthily moved forward, thankful that he hadn't lit a fire. That would have attracted unwanted attention. With every step he took, the warning nagging at the back of his mind grew, informing Halbarad that there was indeed something there. Should he wait for it to come? Should he run?
Torn, Halbarad stood stock still, glancing back at Spirit then forward, waiting for whatever was approaching to make its appearance. Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention and Halbarad froze. There was a shadow, a tall shadow, right next to him. It was growing as it stepped into the moonlight behind him. His hand reached for the sword he had so foolishly forgotten to draw, but he was unable to unsheathe it when a dark, and low, menacing voice shattered the tense silence that hung over him.
"Do not move."
-Granted-
There you have it! Another chapter all done!
Oooh, so Halbarad's run into a little trouble, huh? Stay tuned for the next chapter! Which should be up tomorrow...Or later tonight.
