First day of duty.
Riding down from the sixth level of Minas Tirith felt different this time than all the other times she had done it. Not only were the streets crowded with people giving them flowers and good wishes. But now she was a Captain. Sure she knew it was only because of her father being steward that it was even possible and now she had the lives of men in her hands. If she did mistakes they could die and that was not something she would allow if she could help it.
With her lost in thoughts Boromir rode up to her side and helped her out of them.
"Why are you so grim little sister? Is this not what you wanted all these years?" Boromir said to her teasingly.
"It is my Lord" She returned snappy with a teasing tone of herself "But the seriousness of the situation just came over me," She said looking back at the men marching. "If I mess up and do mistakes I can get them killed or worse get you killed." Boromir shook his head "To you, I will forever be just Boromir, little sister, and yes you can get them killed as you can get me killed. That is the fact of war and the danger of what we choose to become. But look at the people. The City. Is this not worth dying for? To hopefully have the glory of our forbearers restored and the city returned to its former glory?"
The pride in Boromir's words could not be mistaken. He believed in what they were fighting for and so did she. Still, her first battle could not come soon enough or be far enough away for her liking. The sooner the better became her conclusion.
"It is brother. It is why I was so stubborn with father to let me do this and wear the heraldry of the city and people I love. Still, it doesn't make my fear any less and I can only hope I will triumph the day I am tested in battle."
He could do nothing else but smile and laugh at her for himself. She was ever the fighter he and Faramir is. But her faith in her own skill was still very much lacking.
"Smile sister. The people need to see it. You being grim is like saying you have no faith that we will win. That is not the message we want to send them now is it?"
Boromir's words stung somewhat as they were so true. Their people had to keep their faith. This was far from over and hopefully, one-day Gondor would again be at peace and the evil of Mordor removed from this world.
The further down they came the more people came to the street. Flowers came from everywhere and shouts of Victory filled the air. The people were passionate and seeing two of the children of the steward in full plate armor riding out in their defense clearly boosted morale among the people.
She took her brother's advice and started to wave and smile, just as he did. Guards bowed their heads to them and before she truly knew it they were at the main gate. The large fortified doors opened for them as they ride past the main gate and followed the path east toward the former capital of Gondor.
It truly was different, this was real. Not like the training missions in south Gondor, or south Ithilien if they felt like taking their chances. Osgiliath had been a contested land for many generations of Gondorians, but always they had retaken it. For now, the banners of the white tree flowed in the wind over it and so it would remain.
A horn blast blew from Osgiliath as the force from Minas Tirith passed the wall of Rammas Echor. Clearly, the men were happy about the coming of their replacement force. Many of the men serving in the ruined city were due for a trip back to the city. To see their family and friends and have a well-earned rest. The 20-mile ride from the city took about 5 hours from the morning. They had not ridden hard as most of the men were infantry and could not keep up with them.
Entering the ruined city was an eye-opening moment. Most of the men were in full armor, some were in Ranger clothes and others had removed their main plate. Clearly, it was not an outpost on alert, but as Boromir had explained on the trip over. Most of the fighting was not yet in Osgiliath, but in the contested lands of North and south Ithilien and the crossroads. The haradrim was marching forces north to aid their dark master in the wars to follow. Of this Boromir was sure. But it was not like they could stop every detachment from the south.
"Here we are, sister. Our main encampment in Osgiliath." It was a few houses, mainly intact, what was broken had been fixed up as best they could. "I see you live in grand accommodations brother. While the men suffer under the sky" The men laughed some and looked at the Captain General for his response. "No sister you are mistaken. This is for you and your comfort. Men do not need such fine housing when in the field. But a lady like yourself might want the luxury?" She looked over at one of the armored Soldiers that made up the circle around them.
"You there, what is your name?" The man was put back that the captain spoke directly at him like this. Never had it happened before. "Turon, Son of Tulen, my lady Captain" He stumbled to say in the end. "So Turon son of Tulen. Can you show me where you sleep? I won't risk taking my fancy brother's bed. After all, he is aging and needs a soft pillow. "The men let out a laugh and the man was proud to show the new captain to his bed and that of his troop. Boromir looked at her moving off, still taken off guard by his sister's witty tongue. He could not remember it was that sharp in its replay. "Here my captain, well lady… May I ask what the Captain lady is preferring to be called?" He stuttered as he looked at her. "Just Captain. Turon. I can't see any other ladies here now can you?" The man looked at her and nodded. "No captain. Only soldiers" He said and bowed his head to her and waited for her to put her things down on the empty bed. There Dinenthel would sleep the first night with the men. If nothing else, it was a way of bonding with them.
When she returned to the main area of the camp Boromir introduced her to the men, many of them were worried a woman had become captain, but she was the daughter of the steward, so they did not dare to say anything and her big brother was the Captain General after all.
"Here we have Beregond son of Baranor," Boromir said proudly and grabbed the man's shoulder. "Hear me when I say, sister. This man will make the citadel guard of the white city one and I will be sad to lose him."
"Well met Beregond son of Baranor," said Dinenthel and reached out her arm to the man who took it. "Such high praise I have never before heard from my brother. It must be well earned." The man beamed with pride and bowed his head to her. "I bid you thanks, My captain. I am sure the Captain General exaggerates my skill and worth." Boromir huffed at the man's comment and made sure to inform him his sister was right, he only praised those he felt worthy of it and at this moment, he had gotten far more praise than either his sister or brother had combined.
The line of officers grew short and the last man was called Beleg son of Beor. "Captain the man greeted her and bowed his head slightly. "It is great to meet you, son of Beor," She said to him and bowed her head in return. "My Captain, if I may say so. It is a great boost of morale to have two of the children of the steward to stand with us" Dinenthel smiled back at the man as he spoke. "To me Beleg, there is a great boost of morale to be among such warriors as I see here and I am honored to be among you" The men smiled and chatter developed down the line. As the men got dismissed Dinenthel walked up into a ruined tower looking both east and west at the tower of the guard. The day had passed quickly and she could barely remember much, but over the coming days and months, she was sure it would stick.
"You look worried, sister. What is it?" Boromir said as he came up behind her. "I worry for Faramir. He and father have not been on good terms for many years." She sighed. "When you left I was the barrier between them. Now there is none. I fear it will only get worse for our little brother."
"Yes, father seems unable to give him a moment of peace. But our duty takes us elsewhere for the time being and I would greatly wish to have Faramir with us he is still not finished with his training." Boromir said sadly. "Hopefully he will join us in three years' time when he turns 20 years of age."
Dinenthel stood there listening and nodded. "I hope so brother I hope so." Boromir grabbed her shoulder and looked at her. "Come, you need rest. Tomorrow will be a long day. First, we need to get you a second in command and the scouts say that a convoy of Haradrim is marching north. We are to ensure they will not reach Mordor. A fitting way to get your sword bloodied."
As she looked at him he could clearly see the fear in her eyes, but she was well-trained and he knew that she would succeed.
"Right into the fire" She mumbled to Boromir's laughter. "Right you are sister. Now get some sleep, tomorrow get on your Ranger uniform and we will get you some experience of real battle"
Right. Better it happens sooner rather than later she thought to herself. The men stood in attention as soon as she entered the quarters of Turon and his troop. "At ease, men. She said simply and got aid taking her full plate armor off. Just leaving her tunic and pants. The men showed her they had set up some cover for her bed in the corner to respect that she was a lady and in need of some privacy and she thanked them for it, but she did not want any more special treatment than that. She had much to learn and just because she held the rank of a Captain she knew It was because of her family's role as the steward. She would have to prove herself tomorrow, for better or for worse.
She slept poorly that night, thinking of what tomorrow would bring and the snoring of the men did not help so she got dressed in her brown ranger uniform and cloak. Sword at her left hip, and a few knives on her right hip. A large quiver on her back and face covering to hide her in the woods. On her chest was a large white tree with seven stars above it. On her vambraces too was the white tree. She grabbed some dried meat, berries, and bread with butter and walked over to the main tactic tent of the outpost. She looked over maps as she ate and wondered where they would go.
"You are up already? I would never have believed it if I did not see it myself" Boromir said and gave her a hug from behind. "Did you sleep well?" She chewed the rest of her food and swallowed hard. "Not really brother. Been thinking all night of what today will bring." She said in a dark tone. "it will be fine sister. Just stay close to me and the men." With that several men dressed like they were in brown and green entered the room. Plans were let out and they all grabbed their bows and set out east. Talking was kept to a minimum as they marched, every sound she heard was scary, and she worried it would be the enemy to the men's amusement. She was clearly fresh out of training as they all knew.
Hours passed until they arrived at the ambush point. On each side of the road, there were hills with great cover from bushes and trees. The further down they looked the less cover it was, but as one of the rangers said. More than enough for them to hide in. Positions were given out and the signal to attack was a simple ranger sound everyone knew. "Halond. You and your men attack from here mid hill eastern top. Agenrond you and your men take the top same side. Elgandir, the western hill on the top. Dinenthel western hill mid ways up. Myself and Beregond will lead the men on the ground. Good luck and remember the signal and where our fallback positions are." She looked at Boromir with fear in her eyes. "Brother was I not to stay by your side?" You are by my side on the field of battle sister. Keep your men safe and they will do the same to you" He smirked with a very high hint of tough love behind it.
Very well. She thought to herself. She waved for the men to follow her, a group of 30 rangers behind each of the commanders. The size of Haradrim was said to be small. But they did not want to take any chance so 180 rangers would meet them from the shadows in total.
Small whisper talk was between her and the men, some were experienced rangers and others were newly out of training as she was. She opted for a loose formation to make it hard for the Haradrim to pinpoint where the arrows came from. If it came to hand-to-hand they would cover each other with a bow for as long as possible and switch to the sword if need be.
The waiting was the worst that day. The sun was up at midday now and still no Haradrim. Maybe they had taken another route? No, they couldn't, Ithilien is only so wide between the mountain of the east and the Anduin. The only decent road was the one before her that once had led to south Gondor in the glory days of the kingdom.
Madril who had been a ranger for a few years came up to Dinenthel and gave her something to drink "It will be fine Captain, just let the arrows fly as in the training yard. Do not overthink it and we will have your back" She smiled at him and took a sip of the drink. It warmed her throat and insides and she cough as she swallowed it to the men's amusement. "Thank you, Madril, it doesn't help my nerves, but I will do my best." He was about to speak when footsteps were heard.
"Ready yourself, men," Dinenthel said. As she drew an arrow out of her quiver and got ready. A convoy of Haradrim mounted and on foot marched on the road. Slow but organized. A horn is blown every now and then to announce their presence. So bold were the servants of evil that they painted a target on their own backs.
Moments passed and they felt long as a year, only waiting for the signal to attack. Her heartbeat was wild, and her breath unstable. To believe she had wanted this so bad over women's parties in Minas Tirith. She asked for it and she got it. It was not forced upon her. Then the sound of a bird came, but they all knew it was their call to attack. The men drew their bows and let the arrows fly. So did Dinenthel and she aimed high and in front of a marching Haradrim. Her arrow flew true and she saw the Haradrim take it in the neck. She readied another arrow and let it go against one of the horsemen. By now it was all chaos. She could not track her arrow among the other arrows fired by her fellow Gondorians. As quickly as it had started as quick it was over. The Haradrim force was cut down without mercy and as the rangers moved down to inspect the dead she drew her sword just in case. Some were still alive even with several arrows in them and they were put out of the agony they were in. A few Haradrim had hidden in the bush and was easy to spot in their red cloth tunic. Some tried to attack Dinenthel and her rangers, but they were cut down by arrows. Except one. Madril came up to her and whispered. "He is your's captain" Ohh great well. Time to test herself. Rangers came around her and the Haradrim while others posted security in case of a second group of them came up the road.
The man of Harad was not hard to ask for single combat against a Gondorian, tall as the rest of them, but not as wide-shouldered The white tree on the Ranger's chest clearly indicated someone of rank and high standing. He knew he would die either way, but if could slay someone of importance it would be worth it. He swung his blade and it was deflected easily. Again he struck and again it was deflected, but now a swing was made at him. The grunting of the warrior against him put him off. It sounded almost womanly. He deflected the blow that came against him again and pulled a hidden knife that struck the ranger's side. Blood started to stain the brown clothing as the gasps and screams came from his enemy. Now it was clear it had to be a woman by the scream. Was Gondor so desperate they sent women to war? The other rangers started to grip their weapons as the one he was fighting got injured, but a tall man seemed to stop them.
His enemy was breathing heavily. Wounded and ready to be taken down. He lunched forward, striking quickly with his curved blade, managing to hurt the ranger one more time in the tight, but this time he felt pain himself. As his enemy had blocked him and he had fallen for his own trick. The hidden blade he had not seen getting pulled and stabbed into his own gut. The pain was overwhelming he tried to strike at her again, but this time his blade was knocked out of his hand. The rangers cheered and shouted her name "Dinenthel, Dinenthel, Dinenthel" As he fell to his knees the ranger lifted the sword and it came down on him in a quick and decisive movement.
As she killed the Haradrim the pain in her side and tight pumped harder. Even with all the adrenaline flowing through her system, she could still not believe she had taken him down in single combat. The men shouted her name and Boromir with several other rangers came over to aid her. She was bandaged up by Madril as Boromir could not stop hugging her. "See I told you could do it!" She smiled and breathed hard. "If I had not been struck twice by him I would agree." As she spoke Madril looked up after inspecting her wounds "Nothing vital has been hit, my Captains. She did well." Boromir grinned again hugging her. Slowly he whispered to her as the men chanted her name. "For Gondor, rise your sword and shout it so the men can hear it" She nodded to him as he let her go and stood by herself even if Madril tried to support her while he was not finished bandaging her tight. She took a deep breath, rising her sword as high as she could. And cried as loud as she could "FOR GONDOR" The men stopped shouting her name, drew their own swords, and joined in. "FOR GONDOR. FOR GONDOR: FOR GONDOOOR" The men kept cheering as Boromir ordered them to take what arrows they could that were undamaged and see to the wounded. Thankfully none had died, but the Haradrim.
The trip to Osgiliath was painful and felt twice as long as it was. But they got back to the ruined city before darkness fell. Men that had stayed behind cheered at their return and men had been sent ahead to prepare for the wounded to get treatment. Everyone knew the outcome of the battle and Dinenthel's single combat with a chieftain of Harad. Greatly exaggerated she believed. But it was what it was. She heard her name and the name of her brother shouted in the street. Ale was provided, but she did not get any before healers had seen to her. It was deep wounds, but none were life-threatening. But she was told to stay off the ale until it had healed. An order Boromir broke and came to her with a small mug of Ale as the healer was busy with the others.
"You did very well sister. I am so proud of you" He said going back to the big brother she knew and not the captain he had been in Ithilien. "She sipped the ale and looked at him "Well lucky for you I took down the Haradrim. Had he killed me you would have had to answer to father and Faramir for not looking after me!" She said firmly. "You were never in real danger, if he had overwhelmed you we would have stepped in, but I'm happy to say we did not need to. Even as he was a good fighter" Right she thought to herself. "So I am a formidable warrior then," She said teasingly. "You are a good warrior that can be a great one," Boromir smirked as she responded. "But I am proud of you and so are the men. That is what matters that they believe in their leaders and that you are willing to fight for them and with them. Today was you starting to prove that they can depend on you. No matter how small a step it was"
She waved for him to give her a hug "Thank you for believing in me brother. I will not fail you." He smiled and hugged her hard. "I know. Because I won't let you fail me, sister."