Chapter Five - Where Does Your Duty Lie?
Dídauar was more lucid come dawn but the shock that her body was in after her unscheduled vision was enough to make her a little unsteady on her feet. Her reaction only bolstered Tarcil opinion that they were to head back to the Stronghold.
"Tarcil, we are in the middle of a patrol. If we leave before relief arrives then we are putting others at risk!" protested Dídauar.
"I am sure Father will forgive us when he finds out the reason for our premature return," replied Tarcil. "Besides, we will pass others of our unit before we reach the Stronghold so this area is not completely unprotected."
"Tarcil," warned Dídauar.
"You have done it for others. Why is it so difficult for you to accept that you need support as well?" asked Arahael.
"Because my life is not in danger!" stated Dídauar.
"Shadow, you are barely able to walk without support. Your life is in danger should we need to engage in combat," said Tarcil.
"All I need is a couple of hours to recover and I will be fine!" exclaimed Dídauar.
"No," said Tarcil firmly. "You know the agreement that was made when you took command of the Stronghold." Dídauar muttered a few choice remarks under her breath only causing Tarcil to chuckle as he heard each of them.
"I'm not sure many would agree with you," he smiled. "Come, all I am asking is that you take a day of rest within the Stronghold. After that you can do whatever you please." Dídauar sighed.
"Alright. One day. After that I am returning to patrol," she conceded.
Halbarad had been sitting writing a report on the activity on the western border of The Shire when one of the youths that were not yet mature enough to see battle arrived to tell him that his sons and Dídauar were approaching the Stronghold, two and a half weeks earlier than expected. Report immediately forgotten, Halbarad was out to meet them, concerned that they had encountered trouble and that one or other of them become injured. Naturally when he saw that all three were walking, mostly unaided – Dídauar's body was still fighting to regain its equilibrium – he was a little confused.
"Aren't you three supposed to be on patrol for another two weeks?" he asked.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," muttered Dídauar to the twins. Halbarad noticed that she was leaning on Tarcil more than her pride would normally allow and cocked his head in concern.
"What happened?" asked Halbarad turning to his sons.
"She had an unexpected turn during the night," said Tarcil. He hated keeping secrets from Arahael but this one simply wasn't his to tell. He himself only knew because he was Dídauar's patrol partner and she had felt it safer to inform him about her ability rather than scare him witless by unexpectedly collapsing in front of him. Arahael, not being in the same regular one-to-one situation, had never been told. Halbarad inhaled sharply.
"I'll take it from here. Thank you Tarcil. Arahael," said Halbarad and took Dídauar's arm, pulling her towards his hut.
"Tarcil?" said Dídauar before they were completely out of earshot. Tarcil turned on his heel, his head canted to one side in question. "Tell him." Tarcil's eyes widened momentarily before he nodded and led his brother away to where they would not be overheard.
"What happened?" asked Halbarad as he persuaded Dídauar to sit. Dídauar gratefully complied, her legs ready to give way.
"I had a vision," replied Dídauar. Halbarad nodded.
"Yes I gathered that, but was your next one not due for at least another month?"
"You will have to ask Lord Lórien," muttered Dídauar. "Normally when I receive a vision, it means that I am supposed to change something but there seems little that I can do on this occasion."
"Why don't you tell me what you saw then we can decided what you are supposed to do," suggested Halbarad. Dídauar repeated the vision she had been sent and Halbarad's response was virtually identical to Tarcil's as far as being unable to decipher what it was supposed to mean.
"Is there anything about the two men that seemed familiar?" asked Halbarad. "Anything that made them stand out?"
"Other than the fact that they were the only men amongst dozens of Orcs?" asked Dídauar sarcastically. "Both were in well worn clothing, practical for both travel and battle. What movement I saw was practiced, not the clumsy movements of a child. Both fought with swords. One had dark hair, the other muddy-blond."
"But no faces?"
Dídauar shook her head just as a knock sounded at the door. "Enter!" called Halbarad. A nervous looking teenager poked her head around the door.
"My Lord, my Lady, the Lord Elrond's sons have just arrived," reported the maiden. Both Dídauar and Halbarad stood to go and greet the pair but Halbarad put a hand on her shoulder.
"Get some rest Kalya," he ordered. "I will return after I have spoken to the twins. Mayhap they will be able to shed some light on what you vision means." Dídauar smiled at the name she had not heard pass her cousin's lips in well over sixty years.
"Call me before they leave," she said. Halbarad nodded and followed the messenger girl out of the door, pulling it tight behind him.
Dídauar was chasing two young boys down one of the many streets and alleyways of the sixth level. King Théoden was visiting Minas Tirith, partly to deliver the annual tribute of thirty horses and partly to visit Denethor and his family who were celebrating the birth of a second son; Faramir. Théodred had been delighted to find his Father's old Captain in the southern city though was slightly disgruntled that she was now officially a guard of Gondor and would not be leaving when he did. Upon the ending of the formalities, Dídauar had quickly found herself in charge of the two youngsters while Théoden and Denethor reminisced about their earlier years and Finduilas spent some time relaxing with Faramir.
"Boys don't go too far ahead!" called Dídauar as both tore around a corner. Théodred turned, stuck out his tongue and grabbed Boromir's hand before disappearing around the corner. Accepting the challenge, Dídauar stalked after them, the sweet smell of baked apple and cinnamon lingering in the winter air.
Suddenly the scene around her changed with the buildings becoming trees, the chatter of the market crowds giving way to the cries of battle. The five-year-olds she had been chasing vanished to be replaced by warriors. Dídauar cried out as they were struck down. She was still not permitted to see their faces but fear gripped her heart as her mind filled in the details.
"Théodred!" she screamed as a mighty horse was felled. She tried to catch the jewel that fell but it slid through her fingers like water. "Boromir!"
Dídauar jerked awake to find Tarcil sitting beside her, combing his fingers through her hair and panic flashing through his eyes. Dídauar lay gasping for breath, the remnants of the dream lingering around her mind,
"They'll fall," she murmured, still sounding disorientated, just as Elrohir came crashing ungracefully through the door.
"What has happened?" demanded the Elf. Tarcil waved at his to be quiet.
"Who will fall, Shadow?" asked Tarcil.
"Théo. Boromir," replied Dídauar. Elrohir looked at Tarcil in alarm.
"Your Father said she didn't know who she saw!"
"And at the time she didn't," replied Halbarad, leaning in the doorjamb.
"What did you see?" asked Tarcil, his attention on Dídauar. "Tell me everything you remember."
Dídauar retold her dream followed by the replay of her vision. By the time she was finished, Elrohir was smiling at her.
"You are jumping to conclusions," he said as Tarcil helped her to sit up. Tarcil made a noise of assent.
"You have yet to see the faces of the men you see fall. Dreaming of the past has led you to make a connection which might not be there," the Elf continued.
"But nor has she ever had two visions within twelve hours," said Halbarad moving into the room, allowing the door to swing shut behind him.
"She did as a child," said Elrohir. "Each time connected with a dream."
"And each time they proved true," murmured Dídauar. "Things go ill east of the mountain."
"You cannot be sure of that," said Tarcil. "You are worried about Strider and about your people, it is understandable that you are seeing battle in your sleep."
"Then why is it not Estel that I see fall? Why am I seeing the death of a man I have not seen since he was thirteen-years-old?"
"I think that you should speak to the Lord Elrond," said Halbarad. Dídauar's head shot up.
"I haven't needed his help in explaining what I See for at least ten years!" she exclaimed.
"But none of us have ever experienced times as dark as these," said Elrohir. "If what you have said is true, the Quest may be in danger. As may the company." The three Dúnedain glared at the Elf.
"Emotional blackmail does not become you," snapped Dídauar.
"I am merely telling things the way I see them," said Elrohir. "We will leave in the morning." Standing and giving a brief nod, he left the three Dúnedain together.
"Tarcil I want you to go with her," said Halbarad immediately. "I will keep Arahael occupied here."
"I would prefer to take Arahael," said Dídauar. "How did he take your explanation?"
"As far as you being a Seer is concerned, he took it relatively calmly. But he was less than impressed that I had kept your secret for seven years without confiding in him," replied Tarcil. "Elladan was with him when I left."
"I need to talk to him," said Dídauar, standing up.
Arahael was to be found sitting slumped against the wall of the hut he shared with his brother and father, idly twisting a couple of wildflowers around his fingers. While he was not as wild a spirit as Tarcil, he was always on the go so it was a little disconcerting to see him simply sit.
"Arahael?" Dídauar said as she crouched beside him. Arahael turned dazed hazel-brown eyes to her.
"Seven years?" he asked. Dídauar nodded.
"He had to know. I am sorry Arahael, but you didn't," she said. Arahael's eyes turned chestnut in temper.
"Why not? Am I not trustworthy enough?" he hissed.
"Arahael I would trust you with my life, you know that. But the fewer people who know about my 'gift' the safer I am. Can you imagine what Sauron would do if he knew?" replied Dídauar, refusing to rise to the bait. "Tarcil only knows because we are patrol partners. If your situation were changed, it would be him that I am talking to now."
"Who else knows?" asked Arahael.
"Your Father, Estel and some members of Elrond's household. Thengel and Théoden of Rohan were also told but only because I was in Rohan for twenty-three years," replied Dídauar. Arahael nodded, still looking a little dazed.
"He promised me," he murmured. "After Mamma died he swore that there would be no secrets between us. What else has he kept from me?"
"Nothing," said Tarcil as he appeared. "I have kept to my promise Arahael, except in this."
"But why?" asked Arahael.
"It was not my secret to tell, little one," said Tarcil. Arahael blinked at the name that Tarcil had not used since they had lost their mother. "I would have told you had it been so."
Sitting beside Arahael, Tarcil pulled him into a loose embrace, allowing Arahael every opportunity to pull away if he wanted. Arahael was not so inclined but rested back against Tarcil.
"Can you forgive me?" asked Tarcil taking the risk of tightening his grip. Arahael bit his lip, looking more like a young child rather than a twenty-nine-year-old. After a couple of minutes silent deliberation, during which Tarcil was looking increasingly nervous, Arahael nodded.
"I forgive you," he said, resting his head on Tarcil's shoulder. Both Tarcil and Dídauar exhaled, causing Arahael to look at her.
"I do not ask for your forgiveness," said Dídauar, reading the distress that shone from the hazel eyes. Reaching forward she tucking a strand of hair behind Arahael's ear saying; "I have to earn that. But I do ask that you accompany me to Imladris in the morning."
Arahael canted his head. "Imladris?"
"I need Elrond's counsel," said Dídauar. "And your Father is insisting that my brothers are not enough of a guard."
Arahael considered her for a minute and nodded. "I will go."
"Thank you. We leave an hour after dawn."