11. Going
The two weeks passed slowly especially for Cadoc, who realized how inconvenient having one good arm was. Gondor had shaken off the corsairs and had ridden to Rohan, helping them drive the Dunlendings back. Tomorrow was the coronation; it was sad to leave so soon but he must. After placing a note on his former bedroll space in Edoras he went to wake Quirna.
Hair tumbled in a mess of knots, she slowly awoke. "Cadoc, what's going on? I'm still tired."
"I'm leaving tonight, he answered. "My time here is over."
"Oh, ok. Let me pack my things, not that I have much, and I will join you. Wait, why do you want to leave tonight? Fréaláf will be officially crowned king tomorrow, a spectacular event I would love to see!" She was a bit confused but glad he'd informed her of his plans.
"He plans to also honor the men who held the gates. I wish not for any. I have left my blessings. Besides the war is over."
"Cadoc, sweetheart, you deserve the honor! Not only are you my hero, but you are also Rohan's hero. However, I understand if you don't want a big deal made out of it. I will do whatever you want." She got up, blanket wrapped around her, and hugged him.
"Come with me to the clear waters of the Evendim. Why, perhaps I can show you the people that my race protects."
"That sounds so wonderful! But first, don't forget about Havens! He must be worried about us. We've left him for so long! I hope he's still at the Hornburg waiting for us. We can take him with us, right?"
"No, don't worry, we will stop by the Hornburg."
He helped her carry her belongings to the stables.
As she walked beside him, a realization dawned on Quirna. "Cadoc!" she exclaimed. "We have spoken of our marriage, but we have never decided when or where! You know I have no family left so I leave that choice entirely up to you."
"Well, if you don't mind I would like my mentor to wed us." Cadoc said, buckling the saddle straps.
"I'm honored that you want that! He must be a special man to help you become the wonderful man that you are," she replied, swinging into the saddle after making sure Cadoc could make it by himself with his broken arm- not that he would let her help anyway!
"Yes he is." Cadoc vaulted, rather clumsily, onto Silver's back. They snuck past the gate guards by telling them that they were going for a ride. Once outside the gates they set off for the Hornburg.
As she felt the wind rush through her hair while they rode along, Quirna felt so carefree and happy but with a touch of remorse. "Cadoc, I feel bad about leaving without telling anyone, yet at the same time it is so wonderful to finally be free, to not have anyone waiting for us, not battles to fight, just the two of us out here in the wilderness."
"Yes." Cadoc smiled, "nothing but the stars to talk to."
They rode on unceasingly through the night then rested at dawn.
The rest of their trip was rather uneventful and spent in mostly companionable silence. They finally reached the Hornburg, where they were let in by two guards. Quirna rode Silky into the city, then dismounted, looking about for a certain little grey cat. "Havens!" she called. Almost immediately, a whizzing ball of gray fur catapulted itself towards her, and she bent down to have him jump on her lap. She eased the cat into her arms, crooning softly to him. "Havens, honey, did you miss us? We are taking you with us to Evendim! I have never been there, but Cadoc tells me it's a lovely place. I am sure we will both love it there." She kissed the kitty on the top of its head, glad to have her pet back.
Cadoc watched as Havens and Quirna reunited, smiling at the reunion.
"Here place him in your saddle bag." he said when they returned, rubbing the cat's gray head. Once out of the Hornburg they cantered towards the Isen.
"So, how long will it take to get to Evendim?" Quirna asked as she looked at the scenery in the daylight for once.
"Two weeks if all goes well."
O-O
Back at Edoras, Dreawine knelt where Cadoc's bedroll once lay and picked up a small crumpled piece of paper. It read:
Do not trust in those who bear gifts and profess loyalty. Do not listen to the lisping snake, for its words are poison.
Eolred
Below the signature was a drawing of a star.
"A Dúnedain," Dreawine breathed. He took the note to King then kept it to himself and passed it down to his posterity. And his descendants became great marshals and even later at the end of the Third Age, Éomer Eadig became king and a new set of mounds was raised at his death. But none forgot Eolred's words.
O-O
After a while, Quirna found the North-South Road on which they traveled to be rather boring; the scenery quite drab, was made up of mainly flatlands with a few trees hither and yon. However, as dusk set in so did an unforeseen danger. Wolves had been present in Eriador, through which they journeyed on their path, for many years, although they had decreased in number and tended to stay away from humans. A large grey wolf apparently had failed to read the memo, thus he stalked his prey as the couple and their cat rode towards the Shire. Once night fell and the twosome made camp for the night, the wolf crept closer. Silently working his way towards them, his paws made no noise on the grass. Once within five feet of the prone humans, he hunkered down then jumped towards them, emitting a fierce growl. Quirna screamed and drew her cutlass; she had never seen a wolf before, much less faced one. Holding her weapon in front of her, she made sure the beast was between herself and the fire. While she had never met one in real life, she had heard some fearful tales of them and knew wolves hated fire.
Cadoc grabbed a flaming brand from the fire and flung it at the wolf buying enough time to draw his sword. The wolf snarled and leapt back its hungry yellow eyes glowing. The man had a weakness; it perceived its left foreleg was limp. Growling it rushed.
Quirna screamed again and charged towards the beast, stabbing it in the process but not fully killing the foul creature.
Cadoc sword buried itself into the wolf's side as Quirna drove her sword into its head. He turned hastily searching the darkness. "Keep close; wolves rarely travel alone."
She took him quite literally and almost glued herself to his side. "What should we do now? Do we need to move on a bit?" she asked, rather concerned.
"Stay," he said after hesitating, "the fire will be needed."
She huddled close by his side, cutlass at the ready for more wolves. However, the fearsome growls she expected in the black night never came. After a while, she asked Cadoc, "Do you think we are safe now? I have not heard anything else."
"There seem to be no more wolves," Cadoc answered. "Go sleep. I will keep watch." He sat down by the fire and lit his pipe, soon smoke curled from its bowl.
"Are you sure it's safe? And what about you? You still have your broken arm!" Worry tinted her voice, over both the wolf and her true love.
"If more wolves come I will hear them," Cadoc smiled, "You need the sleep."
She came up to him and hugged him. "You are a treasure, sweetheart. You would think after living with corsairs for two years I would not be fazed by a lone wolf, but that was one of the most frightening things I have ever seen! I am not sure I will be able to sleep for a good while yet." Her heart still pounded rapidly from their close encounter, and Havens, sensing her need, curled around the couple and purred.
"Even the bravest tremble at the wolves but I have seen Wargs so wolves aren't as frightening."
"Whatever are Wargs? I do not think I have heard of them, but they sound terrifying!" Quirna shivered and snuggled closer to him, glad to have his strong presence beside her.
Cadoc sat in silence for a minute and at last slowly answered, "I was there 11 years ago. Orcs and Wargs, larger than wolves and fiercer. The Halflings aided us, and their leader won the battle."
"Oh my! I'm glad you made it out safely! But what are Halflings? They sound funny, yet I sense from your stoic demeanor that they are much more than they sound."
"They are the Hobbits, the little folk, such a brave, noble people. They are small even when full grown, the tallest are barely four feet tall, though not many of them are tall. They love their homes, good food and drink, but they love the earth. It is an honor to protect such a simple folk."
"Cadoc, will we get to meet them? You told me you protect a people but never said anything about it until now. I would so love to see their homes!" Now Quirna became even more awake.
"Perhaps. We Rangers do not visit the Hobbits much, they call us the Big Folk. But there are a few inns in Tookland that I visit and there are many Hobbits there." Cadoc shifted, sending out a long puff of smoke.
Quirna moved to massage his shoulders and back. "If you do not think they will like us to visit I will trust your judgement. However, I truly would enjoy meeting some of these hobbits! And staying in an inn sounds lovely. I have never done that before!"
Cadoc winced as she rubbed across a tight spot in his back. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down beside him again. "You need sleep."
