Chapter Three: Of Mirth and Silence
Sellevorn began to mount Faerloss, to ride across the plains away from this strange new place she had found. But as she passed a stand of rocks about fifty paces from the entrance to Henneth Annûn, an arrow was trained on her face and a low voice growled at her to state her business. She pulled Faerloss to a quick halt, dust rising from the dry grass about his hooves, and looked down at the sentry.
State yer business in Henneth Annûn, and yer business leavin' it, the man growled, in the accent of a native of Bree.
I was just going for a ride... Sellevorn trailed off, a bit taken aback.
A likely story! Takin' news to the enemy, are ya? he nocked his arrow and squinted up at her, aiming.
No! I truly was just going for a ride. I came here to help with the fighting- on the side of Gondor, she added hastily.
Ah, yer of Rohan, then, the man spat, looking even more suspicious. And a maiden no less! Somethin' about this just rings wrong.
Sellevorn raised her weaponless hands helplessly, wondering how she could get out of this.
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Aylus was riding around the border of Henneth Annûn, restless. Off in the distance he saw Garonur, an old Ranger who had remained mostly in Bree for his long years, aiming his weapon at a mounted figure. The horse looked familiar... ah, yes. It was the horse of that maiden. Shaking his head, he turned around to ride back the other way. Whatever questioning she got was deserved, and it would be funny to see her interrogated by the garrulous old ranger. Thinking again, he turned about to move closer, wishing for a better view of the action.
Slipping off the horse, he snuck closer to the pair who stood in a standoff, relying on his ranger training to slip through the long grass and stands of bushes unnoticed. He saw Garonur's eyes flick in his direction and gave an audible groan. Of course the old ranger could see him, and now Sellevorn was looking curiously and fearfully at the bushes in which he was hidden. Sighing, he stepped out and moved closer, running a hand through his hair in annoyance. He saw Sellevorn stifle a giggle as he came closer, scowling.
What's she so happy about? he wondered.
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Sellevorn tried not to laugh at the sight of a very disheveled Aylus, thinking he probably wouldn't take it well, from what she had seen of the young ranger. But he looked so ridiculous! The knees and seat of his pants were covered in dried grass and dust, and his hair was sticking up wildly in every direction. He looked like a naughty young boy who had been playing in the dirt.
One look at the fierce expression on his face dispelled that notion, however. As always since they had met, he was frowning deeply. Sellevorn wondered why he was always so grim; she herself found life to be a generally nice experience, with heroes and happy endings and days of riding with her friends at home. Even her quest to aid Gondor was just an effort to create another happy ending to a heroic tale of her own.
She paused, startled at her own thoughts. Was that really how she saw it? The notion flitted through her mind and was gone almost as quickly as it had appeared. She turned back to Garonur and Aylus.
... and she's from Rohan, and I caught her tryin' to sneak off... the older man was saying to Aylus.
Aylus got a calculating light in his eye. Not looking at Sellevorn (but then, he rarely made eye contact with anyone, she had noticed), he proclaimed loudly,
Yes, indeed, you may have been right to be suspicious. She is quite vicious! He pointed to a long scratch on his arm which she had given him the night before.
Garonur chuckled.
Ah, so it's that maiden, is it? he said. Ah, Ionedhûr said she was harmless, Aylus. He looked at the younger man with a slightly smug grin, and Aylus' frown deepened still further. Sellevorn shared a tentative smile with Garonur, and Aylus spun on his heel and walked off.
Not so fast! proclaimed Garonur. Ionedhûr's been to see me, told me you had to report to him immediately. Somethin' about being unfit for combat. He looked at Aylus levelly. You'd best see him now, lad.
With a short gasp, Aylus turned and walked to his horse, stance rigid. He kept his face turned away from Sellevorn and Garonur, but he could feel their derisive, pitying glances following him. No one appreciated him.
Sellevorn looked at Aylus' back in surprise. He was so very odd, and a little sad. She wondered again why he hated her so, then shrugged and turned to Garonur with a smile.
she asked him, Is it all right if I go for a ride?
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Aylus stormed back to the caves in high dudgeon. Ionedhûr was a presumptuous old fool! How could he bar an able warrior from fighting?
At the back of his mind he felt a twinge. The words he had just spoken reminded him of Sellevorn's earlier words to Toldion... that was ridiculous of course. They were nothing alike. He ran his hand through his hair again and walked into the caves, where Ionedhûr waited.
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Ionedhûr sat watching the sunrise from inside the cave. It had taken unusually long for the red rays to clear the mountaintop this morning, and the sun still was not fully in sight, though a good hour-and-a-half had passed since breakfast. He sang to himself again, ashamed at resorting to bits of bad doggerel to express his feelings.
Dawn breaks o'er the mountain
the sun an orb, blood-red
My love is like a fountain
which is stopped up at its head.
Ionedhûr sighed. That was his life; a bad minstrel tune. He shook himself firmly, trying not to become mired in self-pity. The boy had come too close to the truth for comfort with his accusations, and he could be coming to the caves any moment now. Ionedhûr had told the new shift of border guards to pass on his message, and surely one would have stumbled on Aylus by now.
Indeed, footsteps approached, and a glance showed him an exceedingly disheveled Aylus, walking up to the caves, trying not to look at him. Despite himself, Ionedhûr felt a pang; the boy looked so very young and hurt.
he called out, trying to soften his usual bark used in commanding the rangers. Come here, I wish to speak with you.
The boy came closer, dragging his feet a bit. He stood at attention before Ionedhûr, eyes downcast.
Yes, Commander? he said softly.
Aylus, this time you must hear me out. I will not speak of the recent skirmish or your behavior towards our guest. I want to speak of you.
Aylus started to say something, but Ionedhûr held up a hand.
No, let me finish. You seem so angry and sad, Aylus. Why is this?
We are at war, Commander. The world is a dark place. Aylus squeezed his eyes shut at a sudden wave of mental pain, which came for no reason at all.
Nay, Aylus. We are fighting so that the world does not become a dark place. That is why it is so important that we keep our own mirth, even through war. It is invaluable in rebuilding a life, Ionedhûr said gently, adding, It is invaluable to living a life.
I have lost my own mirth and joy, he thought, but I have a reason. Why does Aylus feel thusly with no great cause?
Aylus cleared his throat uncomfortably, then gave in to tears and rushed into Ionedhûr's arms. Ionedhûr clasped the boy close to him, breathing in the dust from his dirty and tousled hair like the scent from a flower. Tears soaked the back of his jerkin, but he did not let go for a long time. Neither did Aylus.
Finally they pulled back, and Aylus wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, smudging his face with dirt. Ionedhûr offered a handkerchief, which he took gladly.
So, my commander, he said, more friendly, Am I fit to fight? I wish to aid the city where my family lives, he added softly.
Ionedhûr nodded slowly. Some doubts still plagued his mind, but he pushed them aside.
We hold a practice tomorrow, he said after an uncomfortable moment. for all the rangers who will fight at Osgiliath if it comes down to it. You may join us.
Aylus nodded but did not smile.
Thank you, Ionedhûr, he said, and walked off to his fire, where he sat for a time sharpening his sword.
Disclaimer: I think I've disclaimed enough for now, don't you? But just to be safe, I don't own anything Tolkien ever wrote about. Not that I included much in this part of the story. I'm sorry it's so short, by the way. More is coming soon!
