Chapter 9

 "Amrothos?"

 The prince turned as he was about to leave Ohtar's tent and saw him staring at him. He quickly went to him and took his hand. He was surprised to see him awake when just a moment ago Lindil had told him he would not wake for a long time.

 "Yes, I'm here."

 "I must tell you… what happened," gasped Ohtar, "The maiden was not killed by dwarves."

 "What?"

 "'Twas the maiden… who attacked me."

 "Without cause?"

 "She's a fell creature, a sorceress," declared Ohtar, taking his hand from the prince's hold and attempting to push himself up, "Who knows for what foul reason she does anything." 

 "Does?" repeated Amrothos, "She lives?"

 Ohtar fell suddenly face down and spoke weakly into his pillow.

 "She must be dead by now."

 "Curse you, Ohtar! Why do you speak in circles. Is she alive or dead? What has occurred?"

 Amrothos turned Ohtar onto his back and held him by the shoulders. Ohtar's face contorted in pain before he opened his eyes and finally spoke.

 "I defended myself."

 Amrothos was silent. He let the man go and stepped back. Eyeing Ohtar suspiciously he spoke in a dangerously quiet tone, containing whatever emotions were rising within him.

 "I sent you to find her and bring her safely home, Ohtar. What did you do to her?"

 "She was evil..."

 "What did you do?" he said louder.

 "I fought her."

 "Where is she hurt?"

 "I stabbed her arm and her leg. Her hands..."

 Amrothos looked at his own hands, shaking with anger, the ring glowing on his little finger. The ring stained with blood from when Ohtar had cut Mithlach's hand to get it.

 "Is she alive?" he asked gritting his teeth.

 "It has been three days. She could not have survived her wounds so long. She was close to death when I left her."

 "I do now know what to do with you," said Amrothos, looking at the pitiful pale form of Ohtar as he lay trembling under a blanket.

 Amrothos drew his sword.

 "How I desire to run you through right now as you lie. How I would love to choke the life out of your foul self. You've killed her Ohtar. How could you kill her?"

 "She's..."

 "I know what you think she is. How many years has my father told you all to stop this foolish cruelty. She is no more a sorcerer than you are and she is by far less fell. Is it not time she was home where she belongs? She is..." he paused and closed his eyes, "She was as good a friend to me as her brother. Now she is just another friend I have lost. One you have taken away from me."

 Amrothos opened his eyes and glared at Ohtar. His sword glinted threateningly.

 "Forgive me, my lord. What will you do to me?"

 "You shall go the way of all murderers. You will return to Dol Amroth to be judged by my father as soon as you are well enough to travel."

 Only his sense of honour and respect of mortal life stayed the prince's hand. He could not kill a man who was not well enough to defend himself. He cursed the fates for bringing Ohtar to him in such a condition then called for Belegore and Nevsoron.

 "Keep guard over this man. Do not let him out of your sight."

 So saying Amrothos left the tent and called the men to gather around him.

 "You all must know that Ohtar is no longer your captain. Henceforth he is your prisoner. As soon as he is able I want him brought to Dol Amroth to be judged for his crime."

 "What crime do you speak of, my lord?"

 "A crime most heinous, dear Himathrad. The crime of taking the life of another. I know not how many of you are of like mind with Ohtar concerning the maiden you were sent to find. Let me assure you that she was neither a sorcerer nor a fell spirit. She was noble, brave and spirited. But for Ohtar she would also be happy and safe but that was not to be. For it is her life he took, nay, stole."

 There was a brief shocked silence. Many of the knights bowed their heads in respect, removing their helms while others looked at each other in disbelief.

 "Those of you who wish to return to Dol Amroth now with me may do so," continued Amrothos, "Those of you who have decided to stay must keep a strict guard over the prisoner. If he does not return to Dol Amroth my father shall not be pleased," his voice grew quieter as if he was speaking his thoughts to himself, "Alas how am I to tell him. He will take it very badly indeed. May Himthol forgive me for failing at this one thing he has ever asked of me. That one of our own men...'Tis of no consequence. Melfalas, I'm afraid you cannot come with me for I need you here to act as captain after Ohtar."

 "Yes, my lord," replied Melfalas.

 "Gather your things quickly men. We leave immediately."

 Lindil wandered through the forest looking in trees, hoping to see Mithlach perched among the branches. It was not long before he saw her walking towards him with sword in hand. She seemed strangely pleased, her eyes sparkled and the weariness had left her face.

 "What devilry have you been planning?" asked Lindil when she reached him.

 "It is not me planning the devilry. Let me explain later. First I wish to hear why it took you so long to return."

 "The knights asked me to heal Ohtar. I took the opportunity to get back your things but your ring is in possession of the prince."

 "Prince?"

 "Amrothos."

 "He was there? Is he there still?"

 "No, he has left for Dol Amroth."

 "Alas, had I but known he would be there I would have gone with you. Perhaps even now I could have been on my way home. Tell me what Ohtar said to him."

 "Ohtar did not speak to him but he told the others that you were set upon by dwarves who slew you. I assured the prince that it could not have occurred thus."

 "You told him I was alive?"

 "Nay."

 "Why not?"

 "How was I to know that he knew you and that he would not think you evil as Ohtar did."

 "Did I never tell you he is my brother's dearest friend?"

 "Never," replied Lindil, "See the trouble that occurs from keeping secrets."

 "Himthol must have asked him to send the knights. Now I understand why the knights were searching for me yet were not led by Himthol himself. Perhaps he is hurt and could not come himself. All the more reason for me to return home swiftly. But first, how many men are at the camp?"

 "As I left I saw men packing things away. I deem some may have gone with the Prince. One moment."

 Lindil quickly sprung up into a tree and climbed onto its topmost branches to see into the distance. He saw the camp and its men and further than that were many riders led by Amrothos heading south.

 "I deem there to be two dozen men still camped," said Lindil dropping gracefully from the tree, "Why is it you ask?"

 "Now it is my turn to explain. Some time after you left me at the boat I saw my sword flying through the trees and land close by. As I untied my bag from the hilt of my sword I heard voices in the distance. So I made my way to the ruins of Dol Goldur and saw there many strange creatures huddled together speaking in harsh voices. I climbed a tree to get a better view and hear more clearly what was said.

 "'Why are we still here? We cannot survive on squirrels and vermin.' said one.

 "'I agree with Gorwúrz,' said another, 'I want the taste of man's-flesh in my mouth again.'

 "'Saruman has been defeated. Soon we shall be too.'

 "'Be silent Gorwúrz, Skaitakh. Do I sense a mutiny among the ranks?' asked the leader of these foul creatures, 'Púshtakh does not stand for disobedience. You'll have your man's-flesh. Can you not smell it in the air? Men are nigh. A tasty treat for us all if we plan carefully. Gutklâsh, go and find out how many of them there are. We'll surround them later tonight when many of them are at rest. They will be quite unprepared when we move in for the kill.'

 "With that a rotten sneer spread across his face and the others set up a chant for Púshtakh the Strongclaw for that is his name.

 "Now I must go and warn the men."

 "Ohtar is still there," said Lindil.

 "But is he not dying?"

 "No," he replied looking away from her.

 "You said the knights asked you to heal him," she said and her eyes narrowed, "Did you?"

 "How could I not?"

 "How could you after what he has done?"

 "He was in much pain."

 "So was I after what he did to me!"

 "This is beside the point. You cannot go to the camp. What will the knights think when they see you alive after Ohtar has told them you are dead?"

 "They will know he lied."

 "Nay, Mithlach. They will more likely think you an evil spirit."

 "Then they shan't recognise me. I'll wear a mask."

 "Your sword will be easily recognised by Ohtar and Melfalas. I shall go to warn them. You must stay here."

 "Have you been with me so long and yet not realised I am not the weak maiden I may appear to be?"

 "I do not doubt your strength."

 "Then do not doubt my sense. I am going to the camp whether you agree with me or not."

 "No, for I doubt your sense very strongly. Why take the risk when you do not need to?"

 "They are few, Lindil. They need my help. I am a ranger, this is what I do. You cannot expect me to sit here in hiding while you and the men fight off the Uruk-hai. I have been idle for too long."

 "How many times must I see you get hurt and have to heal you?"

 "I never asked you to heal me. I never asked you to come with me at all."

 "And what would have happened had I not come with you? You would not be here to quarrel with me now."

 "I'm sure you would be quite happy. Now I must leave. I do not have time for this nonsense. No one tells me what I can and cannot do!"

 With that, Mithlach made for the boat to get her bag and ran into the shadows towards the camp. Lindil did not follow.