Scars- Chapter 2- Harbinger To the Future and Past
Disclaimer: This story is being written for enjoyment only. I do not own any of Tolkien's characters.
Author's note: Thank you all for your kind words regarding Chapter One. They are greatly appreciated and I'm glad that you are looking forward to more of this story. Well here is chapter 2. I hope you enjoy what follows:)
Scars- Chapter 2- Harbinger To the Future and Past
Quite some time later, after Aragorn had led his brothers and Legolas into what seemed the innermost sanctum of the surrounding Chetwood , a transitory campsite finally came into view. If a rider was not familiar with the flanking environs that they were now traveling through, then one would have most likely felt stymied by the roundabout route that their guide had set out upon, but the visiting trio felt naught. For each of the Elves was well aware of the utmost secrecy that the Rangers of the North were compelled to operate under. Not only was it pertinent for remaining Dunedain to keep concealed their activities from the ever relentless Eye and minions of Mordor, but also from those, whom they sought to protect as well. Unbeknownst to the Bree-dwellers and the Hobbits of the Shire, these Free Folk of Middle-earth had no clue concerning the veiled, but ever watchful guardianship kept over them by these rugged and grim-faced Rangers. Rarely was the opportunity taken by these wary Dunedain to reveal themselves to the population at large, but when such an occasion occurred, the local populace usually viewed these weatherbeaten wayfarers with little more than contempt and apprehension, ever suspicious of their motives and the felonious activities they were presumed to carry out.
Time and circumstance seldom proved to be allies to these transient Dunedain and more likely than not, necessity dictated that they could not remain in any set location for more than a few days at best lest their covert intentions might become compromised. So a reliable base of operations could not be established to work from and this brotherhood of Men found itself forced to function on the fly. These trying conditions, however, did little toward thwarting the success and efficiency of the campaign they carried out, at least until present.
Now as this group of sojourning Elves entered into the Dunedain encampment, accompanied by the group's now acting Chieftain, a pensive air seemed to cling to the forthcoming surroundings. It resulted not from any distrust toward these Firstborn visitors approaching. For frequently over the years since the Ranger, Strider, had joined their ranks, Eldar from Rivendell and most expressly the Sons of Elrond, had ridden among their numbers, and through correspondences carried out with the Lord of Imaldris, himself, the Elves were kept apprized to the secret aspirations that this brotherhood of Men hoped to fulfill as their duty. Indeed the rare sight of the fair-haired brethren riding with them into the campground this day, brought a few brief and fascinated stares among the camp's inhabitants, but the reassuring presence of their leader and the familiar faces of both Elrohir and Elladan along with him, quickly quieted any qualms that may have resulted from this unknown presence. And so, Legolas' convening attendance into the now stirring ranks of the Dunedain was regarded with little more than a veiled but fleeting inquisitiveness.
Legolas was acutely aware of the close attention now being paid toward him, but the Elf did not allow this additional scrutiny to disturb him as he followed suit and dismounted along with the others. A small group of Rangers assembled now to meet with them, although others, occupying the surrounding area, seemed to place little import upon their arrival and continued on as they did before at their various activities. One in particular, among the converging group, seemed to be its spokesman. This Ranger was as rugged as the rest, though his stature did not quite equal that of Aragorn's, nor were his features as careworn or beset with the worries that the Silvan Elf could easily attribute to his troubled friend. Words of initial acknowledgment were spoken upon first meeting, but no further words of greeting were offered up to their arriving guests as if their presence, though anticipated, was not necessarily anything out of the ordinary. The leader with them, however, held out more words for Aragorn, though their intended meaning remained ambiguous to the Elves.
"No further word, Strider," was all he conveyed, while Aragorn eyed him intently for a moment as if expecting some further pronouncement, though receiving none. He then let the meaning of these few brief tidings sink in, while the other Dunedain finished up with, "But I will keep you abreast as soon as any news breaks."
"Thank you, Eadred ," Aragorn answered tightly as the previous hooded grimness returned momentarily to his grey eyes. Yet quickly pushing it aside again and replacing it with what Legolas could discern as a forced cheerfulness, the Ranger continued to move forward hesitating only briefly to secure his horse as did the others with him. Turning to once again to address his guests, he did his best to smile as he spoke up. "Come, your journey has been long. Let us find something to refresh us."
The group beside him did not hesitate to join their host as the other Rangers, who had previously milled about them, scattered and went back to their various duties to afford this arriving group some privacy in which to dine and converse. None, within the Firstborn company now following Aragorn as he made his way toward a distant stance of trees, failed to notice the troubled thoughts plaguing the Ranger, though all three Elves, at present, decided to remain quiet with their assumptions until the one before them felt comfortable enough to speak with them about it. An uneasiness stirred within the group, though they like their Human counterpart, did their utmost to quell any outward reflection of it.
As they neared the copse of trees that Aragorn now steered them toward, the Man turned back to them, the briefest of smiles crossing his countenance, as he reached toward the traveling bundle he had slung over his shoulder after dismounting his horse. "I'm afraid," he began, "that what I have to offer you isn't quite as palatable or on par with the feasts that have been afforded to you within the Hall of Fire, but it is nourishing none the less, if not filling." Then opening his pack, he withdrew some dried meats, which he divided among them before reaching in once again to extract what appeared to be hard tack. It was clearly evident to those now surrounding him that the life, lived among the Rangers, was anything but glamorous, but none refused the rations he now doled out to them, and accepted them graciously as the foursome sought further comfort from the earth now beneath them as they made to sit down.
After but a few, quick bites, the clinging remoteness, which had acted as a companion during their roundabout journey, began to dissipate as four sets of friendly eyes gazed back upon one another. But as Elladan made to speak up to rid the group surrounding him of this self-imposed retirement, another of the Dunedain suddenly approached to offer the assemblage some libation in the form of a brewed beverage. Within his hands he held two leather mugs, each steaming from the contents within them.
"Thought this might warm you up," He spoke out, more amiably than his kind were predisposed to be, as he handed the first to Elladan then the second to Legolas before he went on in conversation. "Though cumbersome this mist around us, it does afford us the opportunity to build a fire, and have warm drink."
"What is this?" Elladan inquired without a second thought toward the aromatic beverage now within his grasp.
"Willow tea," The young Dunedain responded. "We steep the bark. It goes a long way toward warding off the chill of these brisk, autumn mornings. Works well medicinally, too," He went on to elaborate. " It's been a help to many among us toward combating against the ill effects of the night sweats, a lingering effect of the Marsh malaise, which has afflicted a growing number of our group," he gestured briefly toward many within the distant group surrounding them and then at last to Aragorn before finishing up with. "I can have two more mugs of it ready in but a few minutes."
"Nay, friend," Elladan immediately spoke up, doing his best not to crinkle his nose in distaste to the pungent aroma now wafting up to meet him. "Do not trouble yourself. We will gladly share among us these two mugs that you have so kindly bestowed upon us."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Halfdan," Aragorn asserted, "Though we thank you for your attentions."
"As you wish, Strider," The young Dunedain acquiesced before heading back toward the others.
When the Man was out of earshot, Elladan muttered quietly to those present about him. "Smells like one of Father's concoctions!"
"I was about to remark the same," chuckled Legolas as he watched the elder twin unload the unwanted drink into the possession of his younger twin.
"Really, Estel," Elladan spoke his brother's Elvish name in hushed tones, "you must come back to Imaldris with us. If not for a much deserved rest, then to at least partake in refreshment more appealing than this!" He needled.
Those around him including his Human brother joined in resounding laughter to his humorous disclosure, though Elrohir maintained a lingering hold upon his present reserve. At outward glance, his countenance remained as jovial as the rest surrounding him, but still the younger twin considered the timely revelation Halfdan had unwittingly made to their group concerning Aragorn. 'Aye,' Elrohir observed silently. 'There is more behind Estel's drawn and pallid features than long hours of labor without rest.' And moving his hands toward his younger brother, he quietly transferred the brew yet again, though his covert intentions were not so readily obvious to the one, who now claimed possession of the drink.
Elrohir's actions had only preceded those of the Silvan Elf beside him by mere seconds, as Legolas sought to relinquish his bid upon the willow tea as well. The import of the young Dunedain's interruption not lost to him. 'Could this be what was troubling, Aragorn?' He pondered momentarily and casting yet another furtive glance toward his dear friend, he felt such a supposition was unlikely. 'There is more to what he presently holds back from us than the lasting effects of some illness. I have seen him sick before. Though loathe to admit the weakness that such infirmities have upon his race, he would be indisposed to allow its repercussions to stall him in any way. No, there is something else . . . Why does he feel that he cannot share this burden with us? Surely he knows that we would offer him our support? But alas, perhaps it is thus, which holds him back? Has he lived too long among the Wilds, dependent solely upon himself and these Men, whom he now calls his brothers? Does an awkwardness lie between us, the race he first associated with though was never truly a member of? Surely he must realize that though he may not be our brother by blood, he most assuredly is by heart?' Legolas cast yet another veiled look toward Aragorn, but did not speak. It was Elladan, who broke into discourse once more to express his thoughts to those surrounding him.
"Father sends his greetings, Est . . . Strider." The elder twin quickly corrected himself, remembering the dire need to maintain proper protocol while so far away from home. It would be ruinous if news concerning Aragorn's true identity were made known even to these Men, who shared a similar heritage to his. Though they accepted the Human before him as their Chieftain, and were well aware that he claimed special ties with the race of Eldars, few if any were privy to the fact that Aragorn was indeed the heir of Isildur. If this information were to become known, or even worse commonplace, Aragorn's life would be in grave danger. For Sauron would not rest if such tidings were to reach him, nor would he allow his foul followers to do likewise.
"What news does Lord Elrond send?" Aragorn answered in tantamount to his Elven brother's disclosure.
It was Elrohir, who now spoke, however, as his elder twin acquiesced to allow the younger the opportunity to continue on within the vein that he had begun earlier. "Father has received word from Mithrandir. Increased activity has been noted in the west . . . in Gondor and Ithilien...in Rohan too . . . It appears the Dark Lord grows impatient in his quest to possess the One true power."
"Perhaps His restlessness should not be perceived as such an ill omen . . . " Aragorn contemplated aloud, "since it would appear to bear evidence that what Sauron still seeks has managed to elude his claim?"
"One might allow themselves to believe this at first . . . " Elladan inserted abruptly, "but as the span of time, the Dark Lord spends in fruitless search, multiplies, so does His savageness as well. His forces grow desperate and have unleashed more havoc onto the lands bordering His realm. The evidence of his wrath has been great among the Free peoples of the West. He will not relent until he finds either the One or the elusive creature, whom Mithrandir believes may hold the key to discovering its whereabouts."
Aragorn swallowed hard, before he allowed himself to answer his brother's assertions. "His reach is far indeed, Elladan. For we have felt its impending threat here as well . . . and of recent with more urgency and frequency . . . " Aragorn broke off as if he hesitated to reveal the few remaining details that had been troubling him, while he muttered for a moment to himself. "For what else could it be?" The Human questioned quietly before continuing on. "Deft and vicious attacks have been enacted against the peoples of Breeland. Most of them focused upon the settlements still outside the walls of its cities and towns, but the redundancy of these rash occurrences have grown in both size and consequence, and what has proven even more disconcerting is that they've taken place during all hours of the day and have not been limited to the hours after nightfall. Such phenomenons have placed a greater strain upon the Dunedain as their numbers have been spread thin in an effort to protect Bree, Archet, Staddle, and Combe. The only saving grace allowed us thus far has been that the Shire has remained untouched by similar circumstance. And to add to this increasing concern," Aragorn finally conceded, "three of our Men were due back days ago from a scouting mission to the North. We've had no word from them. A contingent including Halbarad left more than 24 hours ago in search. We have heard naught back from either group."
Legolas' eyes zeroed in on his friend as he listened intently to the last of Aragorn's words. 'Truly what his friend spoke of was cause for concern, but perhaps these Dunedain had merely met up with some unforeseen delay?.' He reasoned until a harkening cry put an end to any additional attempt at rationalization.
"Black smoke to the North!" A bleak address sounded. "Perhaps some 60 furlongs away!" The voice of another Ranger shouted.
As Legolas immediately trained his eyes toward the ever darkening billows now appearing in the haze ridden skies, he could not put a stop to the deep sense of foreboding that quickly coursed through him.
Author's Closing Notes: Well, if you've reached this point then thank you for reading chapter 2. I hope you enjoyed it. I hope to get the next one out in a week or so. Please note that I do tend to capitalize the word-Human. I know Tolkien did not use this word in his works to describe any of the races from Middle-earth. I do, however, tend to use it interchangeably with his terms Men, Man, and Race of Men, since at times those terms don't seem to fit in neatly with the text I am writing. So for that reason I like to capitalize it, even if it should not be. Please forgive me this shortcoming, though I'm sure many more visible ones will present themselves as this story unfolds. :) Well, until next time! Sue- a.k.a. Quickbeam1 :)