A/N – Wow, I hadn't realized where I had gotten with this story
A/N – Wow, I hadn't realized where I had gotten with this story. I re-read all the chapters and I like this story very much, no if only could update this a bit more. Since the original plot has been lost, for I have no clue where I have put my notes. This will probably last for three to four more chapters. I hope you all like it.
My Brother, My Son
Part 7
Abyssus abysum invocat – hell calls hell; on misstep leads to another.
"So, what are we to call you anyway? Estel is a bit…girly for a man," Mîrwen said with a bit of a giggle. Estel gave her a look as if she was crazy and then he sighed.
"You can also call me Strider," he said.
"Rangers, you always do come up with the most creative names," Tauré said. Strider and the Triplets were walking through the small town of Utivar intent on visiting the market place. The town was mostly built out of lime stone, even the main thoroughfare of the town was paved with bricks, some had writing on them, dedicating the brick to one person or another.
"I'm glad you decided to stay, Strider," Lótelas said, the gates of the market place came into view and they passed between four guards. This was a precaution against any thievery that might take place, of course, the Magistrate couldn't control all of the theft that took place behind these gates but, it did help against the bolder person of theft. Strider and the Triplets passed the gate without being stopped and Strider had to dodge before he got run over with a cart.
"Oi! You better watch where you are going ye old idiot!" Mîrwen yelled at the driver who returned a rather rude gesture. Strider was shocked, never in his life had he seen a man give that particular sign to a lady. But the girls didn't seem bothered by it as they just laughed.
"Come, my friends, let us get Strider some clothing," Lótelas said. The rest of that morning was spent getting shirts and leggings made for the young man. Whenever someone asked about Strider they said he was their long lost cousin of a sort and just left it at that. Though many balked at the boy's name, but he seemed used to it.
"We still have to find a better name, one that is only slightly more normal," Tauré said with a sigh. In her arms she held the finished shirts and leggings; they were waiting for some dresses the sisters had ordered the day before. Meanwhile, Strider came back with roasted chestnuts, which was a common sight it Utivar.
"I like my name," Strider said, but mirth was beholden in his eyes and so Tauré hadn't taken any offense to it.
"From ancestors come our names, but from virtues, our honors," Mîrwen said. Strider felt unshed tears in his eyes, he calmly ran a hand over his face, and everything he had been denying up till now had just come to mind. Sure, Eadfrid had said he would send a messenger as soon as possible; however, he hadn't given thought to his own ancestry ever since Lord Elrond of Rivendell had told him. It had many a year at most, he thought, it had been a very busy year and he had forgotten all about it.
"That was very interesting, who told you that one?" Lótelas asked.
"Gandalf, we always like to try and come up with clever sayings," Mîrwen shrugged her shoulders.
"You have met Mithrandir?" Strider asked.
"If your talking about Gandalf, then yes, we do," Tauré said. It was then that the apprentice to the seamstress came out with three packages. The dresses were done and they would now head on home so that Strider could help Eadfrid with his afternoon patients.
Glorion was very tired when he finally came upon the small village. Utivar was quiet and peaceful – not to mention that the tracks led this way. Malikki must be near, he growled at the thought of his young brother running off like that, the boy had a cold! It was very stupid, Glorion thought as he entered the town.
He would have to scour it up and down, sideways and lengthways. Malikki would not get away from him this time. He would drag the boy home faster than one would say "Dwarfs are the legal heights of midgets!"
Arwen, Elrohir and Elledan rode into town as the morning grew into afternoon. They had combed their hair over their ears so that some of their Elvish-ness was hidden, they had also changed into worn clothing – even if they were practically royalty, they had learned what Edain could do when greed took their hearts.
The Inn was made out of lime stone and had huge windows; the curtains were a light blue that was allowed to glow with the wind that also entered the Inn. As the Elves entered, they noticed that the place was very well kept. A young boy was sweeping the floor in the main room while a woman was bent on making bread, the kitchen was open fro all to see and as the bell above the door rang (which reminded Arwen of a faeries voice) she turned and smiled at them.
"Ah, travelers, I hope the sun shone upon your path," the woman said.
"A star shines on the hour of our meeting," Arwen replied with a slight curtsey.
"Come, I have two rooms just cleaned this morning," the woman said, "My name is Audrey Bower and that is my son Arandur," the woman slightly pointed at the boy who was sweeping, he waved at the strangers.
"We are Arwen, Elledan and Elrohir of Rivendell," Arwen replied. Audrey seemed very surprised as she curtsied.
"My Lords and Lady! It is an honor of you to visit my humble establishment!" Audrey said.
"Lady Bower, it is we who must thank you for your kindness," Elledan said with a bow. Audrey shaded red briefly and led them up the stairs to a room that was connected by a stout oak door. Both rooms had a balcony to sit upon and doors that opened to the great out doors. Both were covered in light blue and there was a huge wash room.
Arandur filled the tub three times that day; one for each Lord and the Lady. Elledan and Elrohir complained of the girly smell, for Arwen used lavender, but she just laughed at them.
"I am going to see if anyone has seen Estel,"
"He might go by Strider," Elledan said.
"I'd ask around for a dirty little boy by that name," Elrohir grinned.
"And when I find said dirty little boy – shall I tell him such?" Arwen asked.
"No!" the twins yelled at her, but she just laughed as she left the room.
Strider had been put to work making up new bandages from freshly washed sheets that the family did not need any longer. Tauré was primping up, her new gown was a light pink with lace and bell sleeves like the ladies of Rivendell wore. She looked out the front window every few moments.
"Really, Tauré, must you do that?" Mîrwen asked.
"Yes, Istuion will be here any moment!" Tauré sighed, "He is so brave!"
"And he stinks, never takes a bath!" Lótelas groused.
"Rangers don't have the time," Strider put in, and then he looked up at Tauré, "Istuion, as in Galloper?" Strider asked.
"What ever are you going on about?" she asked.
"Rangers don't use their real names; we take on a different name when we are adopted into the Rangers family. This makes them our family, the Chieftain gives the newest member a new name, mine is Strider of course and I gave Istuion that of Galloper. He always wants to make his horse go so fast," Strider explained.
"Does that mean I can call him Gally?" Tauré asked.
"If you want to die…" Strider shrugged, but he was almost laughing.
"How brilliant of you!" Tauré said happily. Still, she wasn't happy with the waiting and it tool twenty minutes for Galloper to knock upon the door.
"Gally!" Tauré threw herself into the young mans hands, his eyes had gone wide and Strider couldn't help but laugh at the young man.
"Sir Chieftain! Did you have to tell her?" Galloper asked, his ice blue eyes did not hold anything but annoyance at the elder man. Istuion was only a year younger than Strider.
"Mellon nin, forgive me, it slipped," Strider said with a smirk. Galloper highly doubted that it escaped Strider. Nothing ever escaped that man, well at least nothing the younger Rangers did that is.
"Lady Tauré, I am glad to see you again," Istuion said.
"My love! I have missed you, it has been three months,"
"Indeed," Eadfrid laughed and hugged the young man, "I now have two Rangers in my home, I hope my other daughters haven't fallen in love," he said. Mîrwen and Lótelas shook their heads.
"Honestly, Daddy!" Mîrwen started, "I am after the silver smith,"
"And I am after the Magistrates son!" Lótelas said with a giggle.
"Good, because I am not yet ready to settle down," Strider said.
Galloper's eyes alighted with mischief of his own; "Oh really?" he said, closing the door and taking a seat on the bench that Strider occupied, "and what about the lovely Arwen Undomiel?" he asked. Strider glared at him but the other girls gasped and ran to sit at Strider's feet.
"Are you in love with the Lady Arwen of Lord Elrond?" Mîrwen asked.
"Tragic! I am sure she is already married to a strapping elf lord!" Tauré said.
"Oh shut up! Tauré, I am sure she would do no such thing!" Lótelas said with a slap to her sister's arm. "Ouch!" Tauré glared.
"First and foremost I am not in love with Lady Arwen of Rivendell. Secondly, technically I am the adopted son of Lord Elrond and thirdly…she has yet to decide if she wants to be married or not," Strider snorted at the lot.
"Come now, Chieftain, we all know you want her!"
"Galloper, if you do not quit it I shall assign you the southern Shire boarder patrol for a year," Strider growled. The younger man didn't think this a dire threat but he didn't laugh outright.
"Oh really? And what if I am to tell you that the Lady has come looking for you….herself?"
"What? Arwen is here?" Strider looked surprised.
"And your brothers, I saw them this afternoon," Istuion said.
"Where are they now?" Strider asked.
"They are at the Pewter Mug Inn," Galloper replied.
Strider didn't say another word as he grabbed his new cloak and ran out the door.
A/N – Okay, I do believe it will be another two chapters before this is done and over with. I thought it would be funny to have Tauré in love with a Ranger and give that Ranger a terrible name. But I like Galloper! I also decided that since Utivar is a human town that they wouldn't use Elvish when greeting each other and so I decided to have the traditional Elvish greetings just in the Westron word.
Please review!
Ta,
Dizzles
May the sun shine on your road and Valar be with you!