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Chapter 3
"Lindar?" Bragolan said softly. Lindar flinched and tried to run, but Bragolan held his arm. "Wait! It's me, your brother!"
Lindar's wild eyes seemed to change quickly to realization. "B-Bragolan?" He asked softly and slowly. As if he was testing out the words on his tongue.
Bragolan smiled and nodded. "Yes! That's me, my dear brother." He said. Then suddenly an arrow flew past him and hit Lindar in the arm. He let out a howl of pain and started to run away in fear. "Lindar!" He called. Then he looked over his shoulder and saw Eldalin standing there, holding her bow and looking with disgust at the retreating back of the one who'd harmed Herentari.
"Eldalin, why did you do that!?" Bragolan shouted.
Eldalin frowned. "That man hurt Herentari, my charge. He got what he deserved." She stated firmly.
"That man is my brother!" He cried.
"Your brother tried to kill Herentari? That's even worse!" Eldalin exclaimed.
Bragolan froze as realization struck him. His brother tried to kill that young girl. "Please…let him explain himself." He begged softly.
Eldalin frowned at him. Her eyes seemed to be looking through him. But then finally she looked away and sighed. "Fine, but hurry. We need to get Herentari some help." She said as she turned around.
"Will she be okay during the journey through the Carahdras?" He asked.
"We can't make that journey with her injured. We need to go somewhere we can rest and be safe. I was thinking Mirkwood." Eldalin explained.
Bragolan nodded, then without another word he took off after Lindar. He had to find him and help him. His brother seemed so afraid. Bragolan never thought he would come to this, but he couldn't even imagine the torture his brother had endured.
Bragolan slowed his steps as he saw Lindar on the ground. The arrow was lying next to him, it seemed he'd already torn it out of his arm. His arm was bleeding badly, though, and it seemed he had no way to staunch the flow.
Bragolan walked over, making sure that Lindar could hear him, because he didn't want to frighten him again. "Let me help you."
Lindar hugged his arm. "No…leave me be." He said.
Bragolan sighed. "I'm not leaving you here after taking such a long time to find you, brother. I want to help you, and I want to be your brother again. I want to make up for the mistake of leaving you behind." He said.
Lindar looked up at him. "But they'll come after me." He said.
"The Easterlings?" Bragolan asked. Then he shook his head. "I won't let them find you."
Lindar stood up, his legs were a little shaky. "Why would you do that for me?" He asked.
"Because, though I know what you just did was very wrong, I also know you are my brother. Somewhere deep down. I just need to find the old Lindar." He said with a kind smile.
Lindar looked at Bragolan with surprise. No one had talked to him like that for five whole years. Bragolan put his hand gently on Lindar's shoulder. "Will you come with me?" He asked.
Lindar nodded. He knew that he would be safer with Bragolan, and he hoped he would not cause them trouble. "Thank you…Bragolan." He said.
He nodded and led Lindar back to the clearing where he'd struck Herentari. She was sitting down, leaning back against a tree. Her wound was wrapped by some bandages, but she didn't look too well.
Bragolan walked over to Herentari and knelt down on one knee. "How are you feeling?" He asked softly.
Herentari sighed. "It hurts very much, Bragolan." She said softly. Then she looked up at Lindar sadly. "Why did he hurt me?"
"I'm sorry…I had to." Lindar said.
Aradiel frowned. "That doesn't explain much." She said. She sounded concerned, and looked very cautious.
"They would have beaten me again if I didn't bring him a dead Elf." He said softly.
Eldalin glared at him. "I'd rather get a beating than kill an innocent Elf. Especially one that hasn't even reached adult hood!" She snapped.
Lindar looked down. "I don't…expect you to understand." He said.
Bragolan looked up at the two maidens. "I'm sure he's been through much worse than we realize." He said.
"That doesn't change what he's done, Bragolan." Aradiel said softly.
"I know that, but we need to give him a chance." Bragolan said. He stood, feeling desperate to save his brother's life.
Eldalin approached Lindar. She could tell by the way he stood that he was uncomfortable even standing. She could see scars on his wrists, and it looked red and swollen. "Turn around." She said firmly.
Lindar hesitated, and Bragolan quickly stood and walked to his brother. "Eldalin, just leave him alone. He's just escaped from a terrible situation." He said.
Eldalin frowned at him. "He's still in a terrible situation, if you ask me, Bragolan." She said. Then she walked around, coming behind him, and lifted his shirt. Lindar hissed even with that motion.
Eldalin's eyes widened as she saw the bruises and broken skin. He had scars over scars, and his back was bright red. It looked like a bloody battle field.
Eldalin lowered his shirt again, a solemn look on her face. "I see now what you mean, Lindar. I still have not forgiven you for what you did to Herentari, but perhaps I can see there was some motivation for such an act." She said as she stepped back toward her young charge. "Now, we will make our way to Mirkwood. I expect you to keep an eye on Lindar, Bragolan."
Aradiel smiled slightly. "I'll help you, Bragolan." She said.
Bragolan nodded a thanks, then looked at Lindar. "You can ride on my horse. Mount up, everyone." He said. Then he walked toward his horse and took the reigns. He whispered softly to him, and the horse obliged to carry more than one rider. Bragolan helped Lindar onto his horse's back. Lindar winced as he sat down, and then he suddenly just slumped forward. Bragolan's eyes widened and he caught his brother before he tumbled back off the horse.
Aradiel saw this and trotted her horse toward Bragolan. "What's going on? Is he alright?" She asked. She sounded worried.
Bragolan sighed and mounted behind Lindar, holding him in place. "I think he's just exhausted and in pain. Let's hurry on our way." He said.