Chapter 5
Kareswan rode at the front of the company, Legolas beside her and Gandalf and Strider in front. Behind her followed no more than two-dozen elves, they were dressed in a similar fasion to Legolas. Most of then were archers for the elves keen eyesight made then the best in middle earth, but they all carried more than one type of weapon, some carried ginsu knives such as Legolas where others preferred light handed swords.
The ride was slow but still faster than Kareswans arrival as Gandalf knew the way and had ridden the path many times before. It seemed that she had ridden to far West when she should have beared due north as she emerged from the Gap of Rohan.
The grass over which Lightford stepped swayed from side to side as the breeze that flowed through it rose above the quiet land and watched the host of men and elves ride south. From some unseen force the wind was pushed south much faster than the riders. It flowed across the many dells and valleys of Western Middle Earth, over the Misty Mountains and the mysterious Fangorn, nearing the White Mountains and the city of Edoras.
Outside the city the land was ravaged. Trenches and huts of al shapes and sizes were set up and the earth, which was once green and beautiful to look upon, was now burrowed and soiled. And as the Sun vanished beneath the ends of the Earth the first signs of life in that dreadful place emerged. The orcs had awoken.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lightford stepped gently over the much trodden earth, obediently following Gandalf's steed. As they rode on the scenery was unchanging. The land was filled with the same grassy texture with trees that stood together in groups as if preparing themselves for an ambush. The breeze continues to blow as the atmosphere became distinct.
There was a change in atmosphere on this journey to that of Kareswans flight from Edoras. Then, she did not know what she would face but now that the realization of what was ahead of her had set in she felt that the future was withholding grim tidings.
It seemed that the elves had felt it too, the foreboding presence that increased with every step. Even Legolas was quiet, subdued, like the day that Kareswan had meet him, for as she pondered over what was to become of them, Legolas sensed the distress in his surroundings.
Away in the distance many miles away the orcs had begun their daily barrage of the city of Rohan. Not attacking but taunting, sending messages of ill tidings and catapults of rocks and waste, aimed to miss. And so they had been for all the time they were there, only wishing to torture their enemy, waiting for their time to come.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gandalf and his company had been riding for many days under the harsh midsummer sun. They seldom stopped for rest as they rode deep into the night resting for only a few hours and then setting out early, just as the sun began its daily rise and fall over Middle Earth.
Kareswan seemed to be the only one to feel drained. If Strider and Gandalf were tired, they did not show it. Kareswan was hard spent to follow the traditions of the wandering men of Middle Earth such as eating little to conserve supplies and leaving no sign of stopping so any enemy could not decide when they were there or how far ahead they were. But if she was to prove to Strider that she was no mere girl and if she was to see the freedom of Rohan ensured then follow she must.
While stopping one night, only fives nights away from their destination, Kareswan noticed that Strider was nowhere to be found. She wondered where he could be but knowing that he was capable of managing on his own she thought no more of it. Only when they had begun to pack up camp did Strider return looking considerably lighter and with two other men that she did not recognize, both dressed in a similar fashion to him.
They themselves were Rangers like Strider, all knowing the skills that would most certainly be an advantage to Gandalf and company. They both had the same types of weapons as Strider possessed, the unsheathed sword at their side and the bow and quiver full of arrows slung over their back. The taller of the two wore the darker cloak and was the same stature as Strider. Where the other had younger more alert eyes that didn't seem to be satisfied with looking at one thing for too long. His eyes met Kareswans but she couldn't look at him long without feeling uncomfortable.
They departed camp later than usual as Gandalf and Strider conversed wit h the taller man who preferred to do most of the talking. The Sun had already risen when they finally set off. But the conversation between Gandalf, Strider and the taller man continued. As they rode before Kareswan they talked quietly. With Legolas still beside her, she listened intently for any news that would be of interest to her.
Kareswan began to realize that more people knew of Rohans plight than she had thought. From what they were saying the younger Ranger had heard rumours of betrayal and uprising, sharing this with his fellow people they had gotten together and ridden to Rohan. There they found the land different from what it once was. Orcs were crawling the entire place at least one league around Edoras. The Ragers had stationed themselves out of sight for many nights as they watched. The Minas Tirith army had arrived a few nights before, spreading themselves along the border of the Orcs. There were at least thirty-six Rangers still waiting at Edoras with the eight thousand men of Minas Tirith, who were watching over the Orcs with hateful remorse that they had been ordered to stay their swords. The Ranger continued to explain that they had not come into contact with the Minas Tirith army and would continue to keep their distance until they had fully assessed the situation.
'And what have you found?' Gandalf enquired.
'Not as much as we had hoped,' he answered, 'all that is known to us is that the orc army have long been prepared. They have thought of most things. They know the land well it would seem as they hare confident about where they have set up camp.'
'That is, no doubt, because of the inside help given by Tenigar.' Strider said.
The Ranger nodded, fingering the reins of his horse and continued.
'The camps are very peculiar but almost perfect. They are built either underground or a hut of utter gloom so as to shelter from the sun while it is up. And while they shelter they set loose their trusted friends, the wolves of the north, to guard their stronghold. No man has been successful in passing the foes or slaying them.'
'There is no chance of attack during the day then, the wolves are extremely trustworthy and the orcs are aware of this. Wolves thirst blood and power and despise humans as much as the orcs themselves.' Gandalf explained, almost to himself.
'We shall have to see what is in store when we reach Rohan. It is not far. A few nights shall pass and we should arrive at our destination unless something should arise that is an immediate danger' and as Gandalf said this Kareswan couldn't help but notice that his eyes had flickered in her direction.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
At midday Gandalf slowed his horse to a stop signalling that the time for a meal had come. They had stopped in a thicket of trees much to the liking of the elves. The hot Sun shone down on the tired horses but although it was sometimes unbearable it was a comfort to have its great circle of light looking over the company.
Kareswan sat down under the shade of a tee and watched contentedly as the elves and men began with their duties of checking the horses and emptying the food packs. Kareswan opened her own and withdrew a single piece of bread which she bit into with satisfaction. Legolas was talking to the smaller of the two Rangers and glanced at her once or twice but she gave little thought to it as she returned to her bread.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The wanderers of the Grey had set out one more under the Sun of the world. Kareswan had noticed that the Ranger that Legolas had been talking to before was riding beside Legolas and not at the front of the company like the taller Ranger, who was busy talking to Strider.
After a long silence in which Kareswan hoped would last forever the Ranger spoke. He had a slightly higher voice than most men, as if it had stopped developing at the wrong time.
'Not much has changed, I see. You are still as quiet as you always were. Tell me, Kareswan, how are you mother and father?'
Kareswan didn't know how to respond, she hadn't known that he was talking to her until he said her name. It seemed too many people strangers knew her name for her liking. After she did not say anything in answer to his question the young Ranger laughed.
'You do not remember who I am? Forgive me! My name is Eruamer, however, most call me Quickfoot. The last time I saw you was ten summers ago, you were only seven and I almost nineteen years of age.'
Kareswan turned to look at the face of the man as she tried to remember.
'As I said,' he continued, 'I came to your fathers house ten summers ago, after he found me on the road. My horse had fallen and there was nothing I could do. You're father was very kind to me. He helped my horse and I back to his stables where we laid Myeryn, my horse, to rest. Myeryn was with me only a short time biy I miss him greatly.'
At this point the horse that he was riding snorted in protest.
'Of course' Quickfoot laughed as he patted his horse, 'I would miss Arant as much as Myeryn if I was to loose her.'
The Sun was riding low in the sky and the company was nearing another patch of trees but they all knew that they would not stop for hours to come.
'I was horseless and I had left my food supply by the side of the road to lighten Myeryns load.' Quickfoot explained quietly. 'You mother and father asked me to stay at their home until I got everything I needed together for my journey. They were the ones that gave me Arant. Do you remember? You told me she was your favourite and that I was to take good care of her.'
'All I can remember,' Kareswan laughed, 'is that one night you had been ill as you were allergic to what my mother was cooking, you swore me to secrecy and still refused to say anything even thought my mother puts it in everything she cooks.'
'I did not was to offend her' Eruamer protested, 'after all, they had taken me in. I did not want to create anymore inconvenience for them.'
Kareswan laughed once more as she remembered the noble but stupid actions of the man sat next to her.
' I have not laughed in such a long time,' she explained, 'it does not feel right.'
'Then all the more reason to do it. Laughter is medicine for the heart.'
Kareswan smiled and looked down at the ground Lightford was stepping over.
'I mean to visit your mother and father soon. Tell me, how are they?' Eruamer asked.
Kareswans smile faded at the mention of her mother as an unknown force pulled at her heart.
'My mother.' Kareswan began, 'she passed away five years ago, from the time the new moon is born.'
'I am sorry, I did not know.' he said quietly, as he mindlessly stroked Arants mane. 'It seems that the world has much changed and I did not see how.'
'I don't think many did.' Kareswan said reassuringly, as she saw the regret in his eyes, of not seeing her mother a last time and also thinking of the unpredictable nature of mans heart when faced with a choice between power and principles.
'But your father, he is well?' asked Eruamer.
Kareswan nodded. 'As well as he ever could be, he still walks about as if he were just a child, wanting to do all himself but eager to help when others need it.' Kareswan smiled, 'He still laughs as much as he ever did.'
'Well then,' Eruamer said loudly, 'let us be happy that your father, at least, has not changed.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kareswan and Eruamer continued to laugh and reminisce about her father. Legolas had been silent throughout all, only listening. But as they reached the vast woodland area that Kareswan had seen so far away at noon but was now at their doorstep, Legolas became alert and sat up. She noticed that all the elves were reacting in this way and so indeed was Gandalf. Kareswan frowned and looked around. The place about them was as dark as could be with only little slivers of moonlight penetrating the thick boughs of the trees. The atmosphere circling the company was unnerving, as even the rustle of leaves couldn't be heard. Gandalf had now stopped them and giving the signal for all to arm themselves, unsheathed his sword.
A tingle spread throughout the entire of Kareswans body, from the tip of her spine to the toes on her feet. Eruamer shifted in his seat, as she slowly took up her bow and arrow that she had earned to so long ago and waited.
Kareswan rode at the front of the company, Legolas beside her and Gandalf and Strider in front. Behind her followed no more than two-dozen elves, they were dressed in a similar fasion to Legolas. Most of then were archers for the elves keen eyesight made then the best in middle earth, but they all carried more than one type of weapon, some carried ginsu knives such as Legolas where others preferred light handed swords.
The ride was slow but still faster than Kareswans arrival as Gandalf knew the way and had ridden the path many times before. It seemed that she had ridden to far West when she should have beared due north as she emerged from the Gap of Rohan.
The grass over which Lightford stepped swayed from side to side as the breeze that flowed through it rose above the quiet land and watched the host of men and elves ride south. From some unseen force the wind was pushed south much faster than the riders. It flowed across the many dells and valleys of Western Middle Earth, over the Misty Mountains and the mysterious Fangorn, nearing the White Mountains and the city of Edoras.
Outside the city the land was ravaged. Trenches and huts of al shapes and sizes were set up and the earth, which was once green and beautiful to look upon, was now burrowed and soiled. And as the Sun vanished beneath the ends of the Earth the first signs of life in that dreadful place emerged. The orcs had awoken.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lightford stepped gently over the much trodden earth, obediently following Gandalf's steed. As they rode on the scenery was unchanging. The land was filled with the same grassy texture with trees that stood together in groups as if preparing themselves for an ambush. The breeze continues to blow as the atmosphere became distinct.
There was a change in atmosphere on this journey to that of Kareswans flight from Edoras. Then, she did not know what she would face but now that the realization of what was ahead of her had set in she felt that the future was withholding grim tidings.
It seemed that the elves had felt it too, the foreboding presence that increased with every step. Even Legolas was quiet, subdued, like the day that Kareswan had meet him, for as she pondered over what was to become of them, Legolas sensed the distress in his surroundings.
Away in the distance many miles away the orcs had begun their daily barrage of the city of Rohan. Not attacking but taunting, sending messages of ill tidings and catapults of rocks and waste, aimed to miss. And so they had been for all the time they were there, only wishing to torture their enemy, waiting for their time to come.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gandalf and his company had been riding for many days under the harsh midsummer sun. They seldom stopped for rest as they rode deep into the night resting for only a few hours and then setting out early, just as the sun began its daily rise and fall over Middle Earth.
Kareswan seemed to be the only one to feel drained. If Strider and Gandalf were tired, they did not show it. Kareswan was hard spent to follow the traditions of the wandering men of Middle Earth such as eating little to conserve supplies and leaving no sign of stopping so any enemy could not decide when they were there or how far ahead they were. But if she was to prove to Strider that she was no mere girl and if she was to see the freedom of Rohan ensured then follow she must.
While stopping one night, only fives nights away from their destination, Kareswan noticed that Strider was nowhere to be found. She wondered where he could be but knowing that he was capable of managing on his own she thought no more of it. Only when they had begun to pack up camp did Strider return looking considerably lighter and with two other men that she did not recognize, both dressed in a similar fashion to him.
They themselves were Rangers like Strider, all knowing the skills that would most certainly be an advantage to Gandalf and company. They both had the same types of weapons as Strider possessed, the unsheathed sword at their side and the bow and quiver full of arrows slung over their back. The taller of the two wore the darker cloak and was the same stature as Strider. Where the other had younger more alert eyes that didn't seem to be satisfied with looking at one thing for too long. His eyes met Kareswans but she couldn't look at him long without feeling uncomfortable.
They departed camp later than usual as Gandalf and Strider conversed wit h the taller man who preferred to do most of the talking. The Sun had already risen when they finally set off. But the conversation between Gandalf, Strider and the taller man continued. As they rode before Kareswan they talked quietly. With Legolas still beside her, she listened intently for any news that would be of interest to her.
Kareswan began to realize that more people knew of Rohans plight than she had thought. From what they were saying the younger Ranger had heard rumours of betrayal and uprising, sharing this with his fellow people they had gotten together and ridden to Rohan. There they found the land different from what it once was. Orcs were crawling the entire place at least one league around Edoras. The Ragers had stationed themselves out of sight for many nights as they watched. The Minas Tirith army had arrived a few nights before, spreading themselves along the border of the Orcs. There were at least thirty-six Rangers still waiting at Edoras with the eight thousand men of Minas Tirith, who were watching over the Orcs with hateful remorse that they had been ordered to stay their swords. The Ranger continued to explain that they had not come into contact with the Minas Tirith army and would continue to keep their distance until they had fully assessed the situation.
'And what have you found?' Gandalf enquired.
'Not as much as we had hoped,' he answered, 'all that is known to us is that the orc army have long been prepared. They have thought of most things. They know the land well it would seem as they hare confident about where they have set up camp.'
'That is, no doubt, because of the inside help given by Tenigar.' Strider said.
The Ranger nodded, fingering the reins of his horse and continued.
'The camps are very peculiar but almost perfect. They are built either underground or a hut of utter gloom so as to shelter from the sun while it is up. And while they shelter they set loose their trusted friends, the wolves of the north, to guard their stronghold. No man has been successful in passing the foes or slaying them.'
'There is no chance of attack during the day then, the wolves are extremely trustworthy and the orcs are aware of this. Wolves thirst blood and power and despise humans as much as the orcs themselves.' Gandalf explained, almost to himself.
'We shall have to see what is in store when we reach Rohan. It is not far. A few nights shall pass and we should arrive at our destination unless something should arise that is an immediate danger' and as Gandalf said this Kareswan couldn't help but notice that his eyes had flickered in her direction.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
At midday Gandalf slowed his horse to a stop signalling that the time for a meal had come. They had stopped in a thicket of trees much to the liking of the elves. The hot Sun shone down on the tired horses but although it was sometimes unbearable it was a comfort to have its great circle of light looking over the company.
Kareswan sat down under the shade of a tee and watched contentedly as the elves and men began with their duties of checking the horses and emptying the food packs. Kareswan opened her own and withdrew a single piece of bread which she bit into with satisfaction. Legolas was talking to the smaller of the two Rangers and glanced at her once or twice but she gave little thought to it as she returned to her bread.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The wanderers of the Grey had set out one more under the Sun of the world. Kareswan had noticed that the Ranger that Legolas had been talking to before was riding beside Legolas and not at the front of the company like the taller Ranger, who was busy talking to Strider.
After a long silence in which Kareswan hoped would last forever the Ranger spoke. He had a slightly higher voice than most men, as if it had stopped developing at the wrong time.
'Not much has changed, I see. You are still as quiet as you always were. Tell me, Kareswan, how are you mother and father?'
Kareswan didn't know how to respond, she hadn't known that he was talking to her until he said her name. It seemed too many people strangers knew her name for her liking. After she did not say anything in answer to his question the young Ranger laughed.
'You do not remember who I am? Forgive me! My name is Eruamer, however, most call me Quickfoot. The last time I saw you was ten summers ago, you were only seven and I almost nineteen years of age.'
Kareswan turned to look at the face of the man as she tried to remember.
'As I said,' he continued, 'I came to your fathers house ten summers ago, after he found me on the road. My horse had fallen and there was nothing I could do. You're father was very kind to me. He helped my horse and I back to his stables where we laid Myeryn, my horse, to rest. Myeryn was with me only a short time biy I miss him greatly.'
At this point the horse that he was riding snorted in protest.
'Of course' Quickfoot laughed as he patted his horse, 'I would miss Arant as much as Myeryn if I was to loose her.'
The Sun was riding low in the sky and the company was nearing another patch of trees but they all knew that they would not stop for hours to come.
'I was horseless and I had left my food supply by the side of the road to lighten Myeryns load.' Quickfoot explained quietly. 'You mother and father asked me to stay at their home until I got everything I needed together for my journey. They were the ones that gave me Arant. Do you remember? You told me she was your favourite and that I was to take good care of her.'
'All I can remember,' Kareswan laughed, 'is that one night you had been ill as you were allergic to what my mother was cooking, you swore me to secrecy and still refused to say anything even thought my mother puts it in everything she cooks.'
'I did not was to offend her' Eruamer protested, 'after all, they had taken me in. I did not want to create anymore inconvenience for them.'
Kareswan laughed once more as she remembered the noble but stupid actions of the man sat next to her.
' I have not laughed in such a long time,' she explained, 'it does not feel right.'
'Then all the more reason to do it. Laughter is medicine for the heart.'
Kareswan smiled and looked down at the ground Lightford was stepping over.
'I mean to visit your mother and father soon. Tell me, how are they?' Eruamer asked.
Kareswans smile faded at the mention of her mother as an unknown force pulled at her heart.
'My mother.' Kareswan began, 'she passed away five years ago, from the time the new moon is born.'
'I am sorry, I did not know.' he said quietly, as he mindlessly stroked Arants mane. 'It seems that the world has much changed and I did not see how.'
'I don't think many did.' Kareswan said reassuringly, as she saw the regret in his eyes, of not seeing her mother a last time and also thinking of the unpredictable nature of mans heart when faced with a choice between power and principles.
'But your father, he is well?' asked Eruamer.
Kareswan nodded. 'As well as he ever could be, he still walks about as if he were just a child, wanting to do all himself but eager to help when others need it.' Kareswan smiled, 'He still laughs as much as he ever did.'
'Well then,' Eruamer said loudly, 'let us be happy that your father, at least, has not changed.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kareswan and Eruamer continued to laugh and reminisce about her father. Legolas had been silent throughout all, only listening. But as they reached the vast woodland area that Kareswan had seen so far away at noon but was now at their doorstep, Legolas became alert and sat up. She noticed that all the elves were reacting in this way and so indeed was Gandalf. Kareswan frowned and looked around. The place about them was as dark as could be with only little slivers of moonlight penetrating the thick boughs of the trees. The atmosphere circling the company was unnerving, as even the rustle of leaves couldn't be heard. Gandalf had now stopped them and giving the signal for all to arm themselves, unsheathed his sword.
A tingle spread throughout the entire of Kareswans body, from the tip of her spine to the toes on her feet. Eruamer shifted in his seat, as she slowly took up her bow and arrow that she had earned to so long ago and waited.