Gwin has an eventful day and makes an unpleasant discovery. Enjoy!

Chapter 32

We slept for a few hours. As exhausted as I was, I could not stop worrying for the Dunlending girl Nona. We had never met, but as a female, I already found myself relating to her. The desire to overcome the prejudice of others was a challenge I had also faced.

It is not uncommon for Elleths to fight, but I had still found I was treated differently than the male Guard members. Given less dangerous posts, being in a group when I was capable of defending myself without aid. Even during my travels, when I proved to those I fought with and protected that I was just as good as them (or better), I noted their prejudice, however subtle. Even the rangers were extra protective of me; although I knew they respected me and knew I was capable, they felt the need to take care of me and make sure I was safe.

I hoped if she had been captured, that Nona found a way to use this supposed weakness to her advantage and escape.

My rest was fitful, and when I was awoken by Elrohir, I felt just as tired as when I lied down. He looked concerned but did not comment.

We were perplexed when Wadu did not arrive, but decided we would make our way to Lhanuch anyway. Hopefully we would meet him on the road. After breaking camp, Dagoras left a few rangers behind to guard the post while he was away, and we set off. We had considered taking the main road but quickly decided against it; the path was very exposed, with little coverage should we be spotted by unfriendly eyes. Saeradan and Amlan decided to ride ahead and establish a small camp on a hill overlooking our route; if anything looked to be approaching our group, we would be warned by Amlan riding to alert us. Personally, I felt Saeradan was attempting to keep his distance from me, but I did not confront him about it. Perhaps distance and time would help him come to terms with what happened with the treasure.

Halbarad took me aside, "I have heard tell of a blockade to the northwest, possibly by Saruman's forces. I would ask you to investigate it for me, and see if you can gather any sense of his plans." I nodded in agreement; it would do well to discover if trouble would be heading our way from that direction.

Wandering over to Candaith I briefly told him what I would be doing, "It is just a simple scouting and listening task, one that I have done many times. If the blockade is very large with many enemies, I will not approach."

Candaith took my hands in his for a brief moment. "I will not ask you to stay, so I will just say be careful." He gave me a small smile and rubbed my knuckles with his thumbs; it was comforting.

"Namarie," I said softly, squeezing his hands before releasing them and getting onto my horse. Halbarad then briefly told the group where I would be going, and I headed toward the likely blockade.

I approached it cautiously, getting off of my horse and telling her to wait in a nearby copse of trees. I knew she would not run off. There was only a handful of orcs and Uruks, and I was able to kill most of them with arrows from a distance, only leaving a few to cut down with my knives. Quickly I headed into the blockade and found a chest with what looked like a set of orders, as well as a beautiful sword. Scanning for any sign of captives and finding none, I quickly moved on and headed to Saeradan's camp, as I was unsure where the rest of our party currently was.

As I rode up the embankment, Saeradan spotted me but did not greet me, or meet my eyes. I raised an eyebrow but instead said hello to Amlan. "Have you been tracking where the rest of our group is?"

He nodded, "They are still somewhat north of here, but I am surprised you did not encounter them on the road as they were not far from your location."

I shrugged, "Perhaps we just missed each other. Doubtless they will be stopping here?"

"I find that likely; they may assume you would come here after your task was complete." He eyed my saddlebags, "Did you find out anything useful?"

Before I could answer, Saeradan said quietly, "I am glad you returned unharmed, but I sense there was some fighting?"

Pleased he was addressing me, I answered, "Yes, but there were only a handful of orcs and Uruks and I dispatched them quickly. The interesting thing that I found are what look like some plans or orders, but they are in the Black Speech and I cannot read them well."

"I am learned in it," Saeradan replied, and I raised an eyebrow. "I thought it would be a useful language to know during these dark times."

I gave him an encouraging smile and handed over the somewhat wrinkled papers. Saeradan read them carefully, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Gwinthilnel, could you find some parchment and a quill in my pack?"

Surprised he carried such things along but not commenting, I found what he asked and, taking them, sat down on the ground. It took him some time, but he slowly translated the message into Westron. Once he was finished, he took a close look at what he'd written and frowned. "This message is concerning. Would you like to read it?"

Nodding, I took it from his hands and began to read out loud: "The road north has been blocked, as you ordered. Anyone travelling this way will need to pass by us, and they will have some troubles if they're not approved. Kúfthak and Sarghúd took their bands north once the blockade was in place. My clan was glad to see them go, but you are wise and must know best. Enclosed find a sword we took from an upstart on the road. He put up a fight, but was no match for one of my archers, who shot him from hiding. You will find the sword interesting."

"Hmm, I wonder who the unfortunate traveler was. I did not come across a body, but I admit I was more focused on keeping myself safe than scouring the areas off the road. It is possible I could have missed them." I worried the "upstart" they were referring to was Nona, but I was jumping to conclusions. The note had mentioned it was a "him", but if Nona was in disguise, they could have mistaken her for a man. I sighed; there was only one way to find out.

Meanwhile, Saeradan had picked up the sword and was examining it closely. "It is well-made, and the markings identify it as Rohirric in make. I find it likely a Rohir came to an untimely end…or perhaps they are still alive? The Dunlendings or Uruks may not have finished him off." I found this unlikely but waited to see what Saeradan suggested. "I would have you try and find him. Retrace your steps and perhaps you will come across this Rohirrim."

I nodded, "I hope he is alive, but I fear it is too late." I was not optimistic; I doubt they would have left before making sure he was dead, especially if the Dunlendings were the attackers. Their hatred of the Rohirrim was well-known.

Moving with caution, I made my way north to where I had just been, carefully sweeping my gaze across the road and to the areas nearby. I noted a ruin that seemed to be swarming with men, but did not get close enough to identify them. I was about halfway to the blockade when I noticed something peeking out behind a boulder. It looked like a boot, and I ran over quickly to investigate. The man I came across was sadly dead, but it was not a Rohir after all. It was Wadu, and he had an arrow right through the neck. I bowed my head and said a quick prayer; it was a sad end to a young life. Unsure of what to do with his body, I took a hand shovel out of my pack and quickly dug a shallow grave. I placed him it in gently, then made a cairn of stones over the dirt; I would tell his family where he was so they could attend to his body as their culture required.

Wiping sweat from my brow, I made my way back to Saeradan's camp with the unhappy news. It was perplexing that Wadu had a Rohirric sword; the people of Rohan had been sworn enemies of the Dunlendings for many centuries. Did he steal it? Was it a gift? Did he come across it on the road? These were all questions I would be unable to answer, as Wadu was no longer able to.

When I relayed what happened to Saeradan, he nodded grimly but looked confused, "Why did Wadu have that sword, and why was he on the road to the blockade in the first place? The orders you gave me mention that he was hiding, so perhaps he was scouting it?" He shook his head, "I fear we have more questions than answers. Gwinthilnel, would you head to Lhanuch, where Wadu's family is located?"

"This is also where the rest of our party is headed; perhaps they have already arrived," I replied. "Did they stop here while I was gone?"

Saeradan shook his head, "They must have decided to keep going and get to Lhanuch with haste."

I sighed, "This will be poor news to deliver to the clan, and even more so as we will have come into their village asking for help. I fear we will be blamed for this somehow."

Saeradan shrugged, "We will have to wait and see. Amlan and I will stay here and man this post. We are not far if you have need of us." I clasped his shoulder and turned south. Lhanuch was not far and it would take me only a few hours to reach it.

As I rode, I considered what I would say. I had never met anyone in the Uch-luth clan except for Wadu, and if they were as suspicious of "duvodiad" as he was, it would be difficult to work with them. The news I had to impart certainly would not help. I worried for my fellow rangers; had they arrived safely? Were they greeted with suspicion, or even violence? Becoming more nervous, I increased my pace.

I approached the bridge across the small river with caution, reading a small plaque that said "Araniant". I had the feeling I was being watched, but I could see no one. It was likely a scout from Lhanuch but I could not be certain. Riding carefully across, I kept one hand on my bow in case I needed to shoot quickly. I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and saw someone running quickly toward Lhanuch, confirming my theory. I wondered at the kind of reception I would get.

As expected, Wadu was unable to bring them to Lhanuch. How will his family react to the news? Will our band of rangers be turned away at the gates, or will the Uch-luth hear them out? Tune in next time to find out! Review/follow/favorite if you have a moment, I love reading them!