AGARWAEN-BOR

CHAPTER 12 – THE KEEPER OF THE FORD

Aranwë moved swiftly and yet quietly. He had volunteered to scout the area ahead. He stopped and stood at the top of a cliff that was set overlooking the River Anduin. Further South the Ethir Anduin could be seen. Glancing around he saw the old Ford. It looked quite run-down and abandoned. He no longer needed to be quiet, for the rumble of the River was much louder than Aranwë could hope to shout and have someone hear him. He approached the Ford warily.

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Celeblhing stood looking out in the direction Aranwë had gone. She could no longer see him, for he had been going very fast. Andú stood staring southward, watching the Ethir Anduin, and thinking about the many things that had recently become his concern. Celeblhing turned to him suddenly. "Aranwë is in trouble. I feared that this would happen. Keep up as best you can, Andú." She said. The two of them took off with Celeblhing in the lead by about ten feet.

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"You will die, spy of Evil!" the unfamiliar Elf cried as she grabbed Aranwë from behind. His bow fell to the floor, for it had previously been in his hand.

"I am no spy for the Darkness!" Aranwë answered back, trying to reach for Anormegil. The Elf took notice of this and a second later a knife was placed dangerously close to his neck.

"Try and slay me and you shall die ere your sword is drawn." The Elf hissed. Aranwë's hand slipped off the sword hilt.

"I am of your kin, please let me speak!"

"Why? None of my kin linger now in these lands. And Elves are never seen wandering near here anymore. For Ithilien is across the river!"

"I am not from these lands, though I wish to see Lord Elessar. I am akin to Elrond Half-elven if that helps my cause." He said. The Elf grudgingly released him. Aranwë turned to face the Elf and found she was fair and dark-haired. She was clad in green and looked like those of the Silvan Elves, yet her dark hair implied Noldorin decent. "So you are of the Noldor…."

"What does my heritage have to do with you, Elf?" she asked, her cold eyes never leaving his face.

"I am but trying to ease your bitterness against me!" Aranwë shouted back. A half-second later the she-Elf had an arrow fitted to her bow and dangerously close to Aranwë's chest. Even an Elf would have troubled surviving a shot from that range. Aranwë raised his hands. "I am sorry." Aranwë said. I must control my anger. She has long been sundered from her people… he thought as she lowered the bow slowly.

"What then do you want, for this is my territory." She asked, her suspicious glance returning.

"We wish to cross the Anduin at your bridge." He answered, making an attempt to sound as truthful as he ever had.

"Hmmm… you say we, but only one of you do I see. Is this a trap?" she asked, her voice rising.

"No. I went ahead to see what I would, but I thought that your ford was further northeast. There are two more with me, and I must seek them now, if you will allow us to cross."

"I suppose I shall allow you to cross, but you need not seek your friends, for they are coming now." She said, staring over his shoulder. He turned to see Celeblhing and Andú approaching. Nendur, the she-Elf, eyed them with the same untrusting glance that she gave Aranwë. "Two Elves and a man. Strange indeed, such a company. Are you going to Ithilien?"

"Not Ithilien. Minas Anor." Aranwë answered her.

"Things are not well in the realm of the South Kingdom. Be wary for Orcs now prowl its borders, and have even attempted attacks against me." At this Andú sighed heavily. His face looked sorrowful.

"What happened there?" He asked. Nendur turned her icy eyes on him.

"You are a Ranger out of the North?" she asked, ignoring his question. He nodded impatiently. "Your old chieftain is dying, or so I guess, for I receive little tidings, save what the Elves of fair Lothlórien bring to me. Elessar is dying."

-End Chapter 12