Athrana (Wandering Shadow)
Chapter 45- Distrust
TA3019, March 4th
Athriel hadn't slept all night. The Dunedain had finally arrived the night before, and after a short introduction they had appeared to except her as just another warrior. That was until the looks had started. They were as subtle as they could be about it, but they were mortals, she had seen it. At first she had assumed it was just her paranoia, but throughout the night it had just gotten worse. They were avoiding her and they didn't trust her. It was so different from the last time she had travelled with them. Then she had been accepted immediately. She was an Elven warrior and a close friend of the Legendary Elladan and Elrohir. Now it seemed that wasn't enough.
Now she was a twisted thing, something they had never seen before. So different to what they knew of their kind. After hours of living with their looks Athriel had finally given up and curled up to sleep. She had seen the concerned looks the twins had given her as she pulled the blanket over herself but she ignored it. It didn't work she could still feel the gazes of the men on her. She wasn't sure how she was supposed to live like this.
Now she was sitting by the fire waiting for the others to wake up. The sooner everyone was awake the sooner they could get moving. Maybe she would feel better once they caught up with Estel. Well at least while she was here she could do something useful. Pulling the pack towards her she set about making breakfast. They would all need their strength today.
When Elladan woke he looked towards where Athriel had slept. "She's awake already" Turning towards his brother instead they shared a worried look. They had noticed how she had been treated the night before, how could they not. They just didn't know how to fix it. As one they turned to the fire where Athriel was stirring what looked like porridge. Here and there the men were stirring, but they still looked with distrust at their friend. "How is she supposed to heal like this?" Elladan asked. Elrohir shook his head. "We have to do something" As one they stood and moved to sit either side of her by the fire. "That looks good" Elrohir said helping himself to a bowl. "Could have fooled me" she muttered. The twins shared a look over her head. The men must be hungry, but they were avoiding the fireside like the plague.
While Elrohir tucked into the food Elladan watched Athriel. He could see her becoming more agitated by the second. When she became so self conscious that she pulled her hood over her face he lost his temper. "Enough!" he yelled. "Dan, stay calm" Lowering his voice slightly he turned to his brother. "No Elrohir. I've had enough." Then he turned back towards the men, men he had fought beside countless times, men he thought he knew. "It is hard for me to believe that you are kin to our brother, and kin to ourselves. For 400 hundred years we have fought alongside you and your ancestors, and for most of that time Athriel fought with us. And now you avoid her, why?"
Athriel sat in shock. She turned to the younger twin. "Roh, do something" she said but he shook his head. "It needs said" Receiving no answer Elladan continued. "I know why, and I'm ashamed. Ashamed that you could think as much. Athriel is an Elven warrior and she gave up everything for your people. Those marks that you are so afraid of, she gained them protecting your leader. She gained them so that we could get the future king back to safety when he was only a child. You will treat her with respect!"
Shocked into compliance the men gathered around the fire, but Athriel would not remove her hood. Instead she placed her head on Elrohir's shoulder while Elladan sat on her other side. It would take more than their word for them to trust her. But she could get through this. She could prove herself. When the time came she would do all that she could to keep control.
Soon they were on the way and the journey went swiftly. While they rode Athriel could ignore the men. She kept her horse between those of the twins and kept her concentration on the path ahead. She was starting to think that she could cope with this, when she felt something in the back of her mind. Of course it would be too much to expect. She couldn't avoid them out here in the wild, especially when she was riding out to war. As they day wore on she felt them closer and closer, the orc. As soon as it was ark they would attack.
"They're coming" she said loud enough for the brothers to hear but to quiet for the men. "Who's coming?" She tried to keep herself calm. "Yrch" She felt rather than saw them tense beside her. "How far?" She concentrated on the feel of them. "They will be upon us when it gets dark." Already she could feel the anger burning in her blood but she had to hold on. She had to. "We should stop here" Elrohir whispered "Make ready for their attack." Elladan nodded before signalling a halt. "We stop here."
They stopped but they looked at him in confusion. "Why, should we not continue?" Halbarad asked. They still had a long way to go if they were going to be of any use to Aragorn. "There are orcs in these woods, not far from here. If we stay here we will be ready for them. If we continue we may be caught in an ambush." Elrohir explained as he dismounted. "How do you know?" The man asked them, but he was looking at Athriel. Losing his composure once again Elladan grabbed his foster brother's second in command. "I like you Halbarad, but don't push your luck."