Dawn the following day found Adir pacing the entrance to the Haradrim cave, his hands clasped behind his back, his golden eyes thoughtful as he cast them now and then at the rock-bordered clearing just beyond the cavern's mouth. The area was now empty save for a few men of Harad and the Gondorian guards standing sentry at the gap that opened onto the Pelennor Fields.
Behind the chieftain stood Jadim, leaning against a nearby wall with his arms folded, the perfect picture of calm as he watched his father. Like Adir, he was clad once more in his formal clothes, the silk and gold shining in the newborn sunlight that bathed them both.
After several silent passes back and forth, Adir ceased his walking, lifted his head and sighed as he looked to the east. "It is such a risk he is taking," he said in a loud whisper, half to himself, as he faced the realm of Mordor. "Such a risk."
"It is one he has accepted, Father," remarked Jadim in a low, steady voice, not moving from his place. "He understands that Karil's madness must be ended, and for that to occur, he must first be found."
Adir glanced back at him, the pensive expression now slowly replaced with sadness. "And when they have found him?" he murmured. "What shall be done with your brother, my son?"
There was no softness in Jadim's eyes. "What must be done," was the hard reply. "It shall be his choice."
Quiet fell between them as the older man gazed at his heir, the deep eyes brimming with knowledge and sorrow. Within that silence a new sound came, distant but growing as the seconds went by, and both men directed their gaze to the source of it. A large group of riders was approaching the cave.
Adir unclasped his hands and stepped forward, as Jadim stepped to a few paces behind him, watching the clearing. Within a few moments, Aragorn and the diplomatic entourage rode into the clearing, covered in cloaks to disguise their identity from any spying eyes.
At once they were surrounded by Gondorian soldiers who assisted them in dismounting. Aragorn drew aside his cloak to reveal his kingly finery, but he seemed little concerned with his appearance or his status as he went at once to Adir.
"Good day to you, Chief Adir," he said with a respectful nod. "I received word that my messenger reached you this morning."
Adir met him and bowed. "Blessings of the day to you, King of Gondor," he said in answer as he straightened. "Yes, your word has come to me, and I am agreeable to those who shall take the seats for Lord Faramir and Lord Legolas."
"Very well," said Aragorn, pleased, as he turned to two figures who were walking up behind him. "You have met them both, as they joined us at the table yesterday. Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth shall serve as my Steward in Lord Faramir's absence, and Lord Legolas has appointed Lord Hallion of the Mirkwood Realm as his surrogate."
At these words Prince Imrahil and Lord Hallion stepped forward and nodded to Adir in greeting. Although Imrahil was a tall man, Hallion easily matched him in height, his Elven face ageless and fair, his sharp eyes as emerald green as the spring leaves that waved on the trees above their heads. His thick hair, black as ebony and shining as silk, was tightly braided about his head but flowed in free waves down his back. A kindly smile softened the hardness of his appearance as he paid his respects to Adir, capped with a bow as graceful as it was sincere.
The Haradrim greeted them in return, then went to Aragorn's side as they all walked to the negotiation table.
"During my morning devotional today to our gods, I offered some additional prayers for them to watch over the safety of Lord Faramir and his comrades as they travel into Mordor," he said softly. "I fear that land is still poisoned with the Dark Lord's evil."
Aragorn gave his guest a reassuring glance. "If there are any I trust to walk those barren places unhindered, it is my Steward and Lord Legolas. They have survived trials that would slay lesser warriors. And the soldier who goes with them is, from all accounts, a worthy companion. Between the protection of your gods and those who watch over Gondor, I believe they will prevail."
"I hope it is so," replied Adir in the same quiet tone, stopping before they reached their destination and turning to face Aragorn. "I wish them nothing but success, even if my heart trembles for the time when I must decide what to do once we have found my son and his army."
Aragorn regarded him, his green eyes warm with sympathy. "You bear love for him still," he observed with sympathy.
The other man sighed and looked away, anguish plain upon his noble face. "Karil's crimes are great," he admitted, "and our laws are clear on the punishment for them. Yet when I contemplate what must happen when he is brought to the justice of my people, I almost desire that he remains hidden forever."
No words were spoken for a few moments, until Aragorn's gentle voice broke the silence. "There is hope while there is time," he offered. "Karil may yet repent of his evil."
Adir lifted his head and faced the King of Gondor once more, his eyes dark with bitter knowledge. "That will ever be my hope, King Elessar," he said sadly, "even though I know it is in vain. I have offered him my mercy many times, and he has replied with blood and treason. I must be strong when I face him again and honor the laws of my fathers, although my heart will be breaking as I do so." He drew a heavy sigh and looked up at Aragorn with a mournful smile. "I suppose it is part of the burden we must bear, as leaders of men."
"That is so," agreed Aragorn with an experienced nod. "But still, I will offer my own prayers that Karil will turn from his madness and accept your love before it is too late."
Adir dipped his head in acknowledgement of this warm sentiment, then turned and began to make his way to the table. All of the participants were present now, taking their places amid much conversation.
"Lord Faramir seems to have some understanding of my grief," remarked Adir as they resumed their journey. "In spite of my own feelings, I wish him only prosperity in his quest. He is a very brave young man, and willing to give much for his people."
"I agree," stated Aragorn firmly; they had reached the table now, and now stood facing each other, ready to depart to their designated portion of it. "Lord Legolas and Lieutenant Henvain share my confidence as well. Their task is before them, as ours is before us. May we be as courageous as they in our dealings today, and have glad tidings of our own victory for them when they return to us."
They bowed to each other in parting and went to their places, prepared to face the diplomatic challenges before them. For each man, however, a portion of his mind remained ever on Mordor, and the uncertain path of events that had yet to unfold there.
------------------
Faramir shifted his weight in his perch beneath the leafy canopy that hid him, and squinted through its emerald veil at the sky overhead. He then sighed, bowed his head, and returned his keen gaze to the road from Minas Tirith that ran past him some distance away.
A few hours until sundown, and no retreating Orcs had yet appeared to lead them to Karil's lair.
It was quite warm beneath the gray cloak he wore, but Faramir paid it little mind as he sharply watched the path before them, waiting, as they had been all day. Beside him crouched Henvain, likewise attired in gray. Legolas was concealed a short distance away; if an Orc happened up the road, Legolas could easily see him first, and give them warning to prepare to follow the creature, hopefully, to Karil's forces.
Hopefully, mused Faramir, trying not to feel frustrated as the time seem to drag slower with every passing hour. He longed to be upon the road, longed to know that this new threat to the peace he had so desired all of his life was all the closer to being dealt with. But for that to happen, they needed to trust to the kindness of the unseen, and hope an obliging Orc would head their way. The men along the river were under orders to drive any Orcs they saw to this road, but several events might thwart their efforts. They simply had to be patient.
He sighed to himself; all of this waiting made it too easy to remember Eowyn's lips upon his as they parted, her warm arms around him, her soft voice as she asked him more than once to promise to return alive. Already his heart ached with missing her; how could they have only bid farewell that morning when it felt like a lifetime ago? He tried to quell the pain of the separation, and draw strength from their love to hold him through the task ahead. Doubtless it would be needed.
He heard Henvain give an uncomfortable sigh beside him. "Steady, lieutenant," Faramir whispered without taking his eyes from the road. "It should not be long now."
"Yes, sir, I'm sorry," was the immediate reply.
A faint smile touched Faramir's lips. "No need to apologize," he assured the soldier.
There was a pause. "Thank you, sir," came the replying whisper. Another pause. "Sir?"
Faramir didn't move. "Yes, Lieutenant?"
"I...um, I just wanted to thank you again, sir, for letting me come on this mission. I'll do my best for you."
"Of that I am certain, Lieutenant," Faramir said in a kindly tone, still facing the road. "I would not have allowed you here if I did not have faith that you would do your duty."
Henvain paused again, then coughed. "Yes, sir, thank you, sir," he said at last, with a small degree of awkwardness.
A few moments of silence passed.
"Sir?"
"Yes, Lieutenant?" asked Faramir patiently.
"Did you know there are two hundred and forty-two leaves on the branches that have been hangin' in front of us all day?"
Faramir's smile grew wider, even though he still did not move. "Thank you, Henvain," he said, amused and pleased that the young soldier did not seem too frightened by his mission. "I counted two hundred and thirty-three, myself. We must note this in our report to the King when we return."
Before Henvain could reply, Legolas' lithe form appeared, moving swiftly through the brush and past them before disappearing again.
Instantly alert, Faramir and Henvain sat up beneath the leafy veil, fully aware of what Legolas' actions meant. Several minutes passed, and then three Orcs appeared, moving quickly up the road for creatures of their kind.
"The Master won't like that we're comin' back without findin' his father," one of them said.
"Then let him come out here an' get arrows shot at 'im!" the second Orc growled. "Been tryin' for two days, that's long enough fer me. Let the other patrols stay here an' get killed tryin' t'get past them bloody Elves. Karil oughta be happy enough t'get our report on how they're guardin' things here, then we can figure out how t'get past 'em."
"I've had enough of this, too!" griped the third. "Can't wait until we get back to Mordor an' away from all these cursed trees. Uggh!"
"Then shut yer fool trap an' get movin'!" the second Orc commanded, and they scampered out of sight, up the roads towards Mordor.
During this exchange, Faramir and Henvain had stayed absolutely silent, and gone undetected. Now they slowly and carefully emerged from the brush, watching and waiting once more.
Legolas appeared, gave a signal, and was gone. Faramir looked at Henvain and drew his gray hood over his long red-gold hair. The young soldier did the same, covering his short, pale blond locks.
"Now," Faramir whispered, "Legolas shall follow the Orcs, and we shall follow Legolas, and between the three of us, we may find the lair of the rogue Prince of Harad."
Silently they moved after Legolas, disappearing at once into the lengthening shadows on the road into Mordor.