8. Many Meetings, Part 2
- Spring, early April 2958 -
Estel recounted his adventures in Rohan, from the point they parted company at the border between Rohan and Gondor. Then Gandalf followed up his narrative with tidings of Gondor.
Of the two Rangers, Esgaldir had been recruited as a Ranger of Ithilien. While Bregnaur had gone back to Arnor with reports on Mordor and the situation in Gondor. The Steward had everything under control for the moment and the Dark Lord seemed occupied with his own vassals. When Estel and his partner failed to turn up at the appointed time and place, Bregnaur had no choice but to bring the reports home himself. He had managed to send word to Esgaldir and Gandalf about their disappearances before leaving Gondor. Esgaldir had been anxious about Estel and had asked Gandalf to go to Rohan and try to discover what became of the both of them.
In Aldburg, Gandalf had heard news of strangers fighting alongside the Rohirrim and were slain. When Gandalf sent his bad news from Aldburg to Esgaldir in Ithillien, Esgaldir was almost frantic and had wanted to come to Rohan himself. Gandalf forestalled him with the promise to continue his search in Edoras. And since he had arrived in Edoras, he had been discreetly asking about them without much success. He had feared the worst and certainly did not expect Estel to find him there in Meduseld.
"Esgaldir must be over-reacting. He is very worried about you," Gandalf concluded. "Had both of you forgot to mention that he is your father or such?" he asked teasingly.
But Estel's demeanour remained grim. "No, he is not my father. But he has good reasons to be so anxious." Estel was silent for a moment, stirring his cup of tea distractedly. Gandalf did not press him, guessing that there was something on his mind. Something he had to decide on. Something important to him.
Finally, he looked up straight into Gandalf's eyes. "I trust you, Mithrandir. Master Elrond also put much faith in you. That means more to me than you can imagine." Gandalf was surprised by the intensity of his voice. "But still, I must swear you to secrecy. Will you promise what I am about to tell will never pass your lips without my consent? It is my life, and the life of my people, that I am about to entrust to you."
Gandalf nodded solemnly. There was long expectant silence. Then, all of a sudden, Estel sprang up. "Come! It is close in here. Let us get a breath of fresh air."
He brought Gandalf to the gardens outside. It was dark and deserted. A chill wind blew from the White Mountains. Gandalf pulled his cloak closer. Estel was walking briskly, pacing the paths. He did not have his cloak when he came to Gandalf, but he did not appear to feel the cold at all, so intent was he upon his task.
Somewhat mystified, Gandalf watched him peered around the gardens, as if the very bushes have ears. Satisfied that they were alone, he halted beside a fountain. The water splashed noisily in the stillness of the night.
"Esgaldir has good reasons to be worried," he continued as suddenly as he broke off earlier. "I am not always Estel of Rivendell. Or Strider the Ranger. I was ..." He pause a moment, amending his thoughts. "I am Aragorn, Arathorn's son, Lord of the Dunedain of the North."
"Isildur's Heir? To think Elemir had been keeping this secret for so long."
"Aye. My true name and lineage were hidden at the bidding of Master Elrond." He laid his long hand on Gandalf's arm. "Gandalf, I need your help."
"What can I do, Estel?"
"Well, first, I am known as Thorongil here. You best get use to it." He smiled wryly at Gandalf's raised eyebrow. "I have left a message at the Ranger's southernmost cache-post in January. But no patrol will come there until May, unless something unforeseen should happen. If you could go to Lord Elemir on my behalf ..."
"I can reach him before May. I will do what I can. But why do you linger here?"
"I need to remain here a little longer. Something is about to happen. I'm not sure what it is. I need you to convince Lord Elemir to allow me to remain in Rohan until I uncover it. I may have to go beyond Rohan. But do not tell him that! I will deal with it when the time comes. For now, you can reassure him I will remain in Rohan as I have promised."
"What is it that you suspect?"
"I would rather not say till I'm certain. Tell me, what do you know of Saruman and Isengard?" he said, changing the subject.
"Saruman the White?" said Gandalf. "He is the greatest of my order, learned and wise. He was given the keeping of Isengard by the Steward of Gondor. I believe he had strengthened Isengard lately to withstand the evil things that infest the mountains. He is deep in Rohan and Gondor's councils, among others. He has always been great friend and help to both. Why have you asked?"
"Nay. Idle curiosity. 'Tis not important."
"You heard he is here, in Edoras? Is that why you are interested in him?"
"Ahh ..." He felt like a boy, caught for something he did not do. He did not know Saruman was in Edoras. Perhaps he should have told Gandalf his unease. But what could he say? Childish fears and night shadows were neither evidence nor sound reasoning. He had lived in the wilds long enough to trust his intuition implicitly, but he had also learned not to let it master him. "If you please, Gandalf, should Saruman ask, you only met me by chance tonight, knew nothing more than I am called Thorongil and a rider of Rohan."
"He is wise and powerful, Es ... Thorongil. He could be of great help to you; if you open your heart to him."
"No. Too many have known my secret. Humour me, my friend. I am not yet ready to take another into my confidence so soon. Let it be for now."
"Very well. I am honoured to be so highly regarded by you. Now, if you would be so kind, do help an old man back to his bed ..." Gandalf took Thorongil's offered arm and walk beside him. "You may not feel the cold, Thorongil, but I should like warmer feet and soft pillows."
TBC ...
Footnotes:
In 2958, the canon characters are :
Age - Name
10 - Théoden, son of Thengel
27 - Aragorn, son of Arathorn
37 - Morwen of Lossarnach, mother of Théoden
54 - Thengel, son of Fengel, King of Rohan
1. Esgaldir - (Veiled watcher). OC, Ranger of the North
2. Bregnaur - (Wild fire). OC, Ranger of the North
3. (FOTR - Elrond: This is grievous news concerning Saruman, ... for we trusted him and he is deep in all our counsels.)
4. (Appendix - Thorongil often warned Ecthelion not to put trust in Saruman the White in Isengard, but to welcome rather Gandalf the Grey.)
