Taryn was lying in the grass, the ring forever engraved on her heart, a horrible reminder of evil in the world. Frodo had been completely distraught and horrified when he had seen what he had done, but Taryn convinced him that it was not his fault.
"It was all my fault. I shouldn't have been so impatient," she laughed.
Frodo laughed too. Other than the mark, Taryn showed no sign of being hurt, and had even refused when Frodo had leapt up to get Aragorn. "I just hope it doesn't burn when we get nearer to Mordor," she said seriously. Somehow, Frodo knew that it would.
In return for this guilty thought, he kissed her.
Frodo, knowing that he had conquered Taryn's trust and friendship, was now much more open to her about things. The next morning he told her how he had heard the king and his conversation with Strider. He told how worried Strider had seemed to have been and when he told her how Strider had mentioned his brother, Frodo looked at Taryn expectantly, hoping she would give him an explanation. Taryn knew what he was getting at though, and decided to keep silent, until Frodo mentioned how hurt he had been.
"You were hurt?" Taryn asked quite disbelieving.
"Well...yes," said Frodo, almost smacking his own forehead for admitting it.
"I suppose then, I can tell you a bit about who I'm marrying, if you were HURT," she was teasing him, but he found he didn't mind.
"A long time ago," Taryn started, her face getting grave again, "When I was very young, my mother was murdered. By whom, no one ever found out because her body was left by the side of the castle and no footprints or signs of spells were to be seen. Many suspected my father, but I know that no matter how horrible he is, he didn't do it. I know because..." she stopped here and Frodo had a sudden urge to take her in his arms, but he held back.
"Because, I saw who did it."
Frodo was silent. He didn't want to press her, and he was pretty sure she'd tell him in her own time.
"It was...
Sir Aryorn of Shroud."