A meeting takes place that may shape the course of the War. What will be decided? Read on to find out!

Chapter 36

As I had expected, Halbarad was not pleased to be left out. "This could have a direct effect on our ability to stay here and even to travel safely onward. As our leader I feel I should be there," he complained stubbornly.

I shrugged helplessly, "There was nothing I could do to sway him; he was very firm that only I could attend, and I am only going because he has some skewed belief I can magically tell if someone is lying. It puts a lot of responsibility on my shoulders."

Halbarad looked grim, "It does indeed. I ask you to be cautious; if you feel like things are getting out of hand and are becoming dangerous, I would advise you to retreat to our group. As you know, our tents are not far from the gathering hall, and we will move closer in case you should need our aid."

"Candaith said much the same," I replied, and I noted a tiny smirk on Halbarad's face. "Hey now, he is just being a friend to me." Even as the words left my mouth, I could tell they were not very convincing.

Halbarad looked skeptical, "A friend hmm?" I blushed slightly. "It is none of my business, but if things are as I suspect, I am happy for you."

I gave him a small smile but did not confirm his suspicions. "The sun is setting, so I will head over to the meeting place," I said, changing the subject.

Halbarad nodded and said "Good luck."

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The Emissary, Gwilhum, had been speaking for a while, and I was getting more and more annoyed. Clearly his flowery words were meant to sway the council, and the way he spoke was possibly persuasive enough to convince them.

"We shall thwart any aggressor, though they ride from the South under the banner of the Horse-lords or infiltrate from the North through the devices of the Dúnedain and their allies, who have long harbored the will to conquer and rule all the West," he said, and I felt my face flush as the council eyed me with suspicion. From the moment I was introduced, the council had treated me with open hostility. I doubt they would have allowed my presence had it not been for the Brenin's assurances that I was needed.

The Brenin looked conflicted, "We are beset with many evils of late, Gwilhum, against which we are hard-pressed to defend. What would you offer us in exchange for this protection?"

"Saruman asks in return only that the Brenin of Lhanuch accept the sovereignty of Isengard over this realm, extending in the main to matters of trade beyond its borders, to control of the Great North Road, and the levy of troops and materials for the common defense of all Dunland," Gwilhum the Emissary replied silkily, and his voice held a persuasive tone. Even I could feel a strange pull which made me want to believe him, but I shook it off. It reminded me eerily of the voice of Sauron in my dream back in Ost Guruth.

Would the council be able to do the same?

"All other matters shall remain the province of the Brenin and his council, so long as they do not conflict with the greater good of our people." Gwilhum finished, and he looked a little smug. I could tell he assumed this would be enough to seal the deal, but I noticed some of the council looking unsure.

"This matter of a levy, however, is no small thing," replied Neirin Brehur, one of the council members.

"We do not ask for much, but war is stirring and the forces of Rohan will move against you in due time. Saruman wishes to protect you and your people, in exchange for your goods and the arms of your finest warriors," said Gwilhum.

The Brenin looked thoughtful, "We are no great empire to spend our sons on far battlefields and count not their loss, nor are our cattle cheaply given to feed soldiers who march in distant kingdoms."

"Should an attack from Rohan come to pass, we will need all our strength to halt them, lest we lose these lands even as you once lost the flowing plains of Rohan to their brutal aggression," replied Gwilhum firmly, again sounding persuasive.

This made me nervous; any mention of Rohan's 'stealing their lands' was almost a surefire way to get the Ox Clan to join any force that would oppose the Rohirrim. Their hatred of the horse-lords was well-known, and perhaps not unfounded if what I had heard was true.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to note the skepticism in the faces of many of the Dunlendings. Perhaps they did not need my aid to discern the truth. I had yet to be asked to help in any way since this meeting started, and I hoped it would stay that way. Getting any more involved than I already was could prove ill-advised.

Unfortunately, this was not to be. "Duvodiad," the Brenin said, addressing me directly, "What do you think of this man's words?"

I gathered my thoughts; it would not do to say something that would sway the council in favor of Saruman's offer. "Gwilhum's words sound fair, but feel foul," I answered carefully. "I think there is something he is not saying."

The Emissary turned towards me, and although his face had a smile in place, his eyes glittered dangerously, "Feel foul, you say? On the contrary, they are the opposite. I only speak the truth." He spread his arms out, facing the council once more. "The forces of Isengard are loyal to Saruman, and he to them. Should you choose to side with him, you would do well."

One of the council members stepped forward, "I have some thoughts on this matter."

Gwilhum replied "By all means, share them."

"I believe these enemies we have been facing are no forces of Rohan or simple brigands or wolves." She spoke softly, but I could sense a strange undercurrent in her tone.

"What then are they?" The Brenin asked, looking curious.

Seeming to gather her courage, the councilwoman said, "I would call them raiders, sent from the Mountains north of Isengard to force our hand in this very council, and I say that they come at the behest of Saruman himself!"

A gasp ran through the group, and Gwilhum looked furious, "How could you make such claim against he who leads the order of the Wizards? He who has watched over these lands for years beyond ken like a father might his children?"

The Brenin looked concerned, "Indeed, your words are disturbing, Guladus, and most grave; have you some proof of your claim?"

"I do Brenin," she replied, and she set a helmet that had the clear marking of the White Hand and a banner with the same symbol on the ground. Angry murmurs moved through the room, and I was pleased to see that the Emissary's face had turned white. "These were found upon the half-orcs who lead the raiders nearby, just a short while ago."

"And you claim these are from Isengard? That Saruman the Wise has set forces against his own people?" Gwilhum ground out, "This is madness, Brenin! Saruman offers peace to all of his subjects!"

"We are not his subjects yet, Emissary!" Guladus said angrily.

The Brenin held his hands out and almost shouted, "Peace my brethren." He now addressed Gwilhum, "I do not wish to offend the Emissary of Isengard, but this is no small charge the Brehures levies against your claim of good will." The Brenin turned towards me again, and I almost winced. "What say you Duvodiad?"

Hating that I was there but forced to answer, I replied, "From my experience, Saruman does not ask, he takes. This entire ploy is of his imagining; he will use you for his own purposes and cast you aside when he has gotten what he needs from you." I became more confident now, knowing how critical this was. "He cares for nothing and no one but himself. I have seen his forces burn and pillage the dwellings of the innocent, and I myself nearly died at their hands when I was captured and tortured." I was shaking now in anger, and the Brenin looked surprised, but was listening closely. "I am not a member of this council, it is true, but I urge you to carefully consider allying yourself with one who values only his own aims, no matter the cost."

It looked as if Gwilhum was about to move to physically strike me, but he must have had enormous willpower because he collected himself with great effort. "This she-elf would say anything to keep you on her side. She is a part of the group of Northmen, is she not? She lies." I thought I noticed a shadow of movement behind him, but I did not have the time to look closer.

I snapped and yelled, "I speak the truth! Would you like to see the claw marks on my body from your master's Uruk-hai when he tried to rape me?" There was a collective gasp by the others. I couldn't believe what I was saying. I had not even spoken of such things to some of my closest friends, and yet I believed so strongly in the Ox Clan turning against Saruman that I knew I needed to do whatever I could to stop an alliance between them. Even sharing my darkest secret and moment of shame.

The Brenin moved closer to me, and I was surprised to see a measure of compassion on his face. He was looking into my eyes, and apparently found what he sought. "I see no deceit in her. Although your offer is tempting, Emissary, I will have to decline. Does the council agree?"

The men looked disgusted, but not at me; rather they seemed to find the actions of a creature of Saruman to be repulsive and inexcusable as they eyed Gwilhum with anger. They looked at each other and nodded. "We do, Brenin," answered Guladus. She looked my way and inclined her head in what looked like a sign of respect, or at least comradery as another woman.

Gwilhum's teeth were clenched in anger, "The Duvodiad has poisoned your ears against the wisdom of Saruman. You are foolish to listen to one such as her!"

"This council has deemed your words false. I cannot gainsay them, and nor would I," The Brenin said firmly. "Perhaps our countrymen of Dunland were beguiled, but I see that Saruman moves too surely now, believing none will dare to deny him. We will not be so easily swayed."

"You are a fool Brenin!" the Emissary shouted. "The power of Isengard is greater than you imagine, and there are other powers that rise in alliance with it of which you know nothing!" His eyes gleamed with anger and…madness? "Let me show you one last thing…" He stepped aside and a massive Uruk stepped out of the shadows, clearly having been hiding. "Observe the fate of those who would betray the will of Isengard!"

The Uruk turned its yellow gaze my way and charged me without warning, shouting, "You have roused the anger of Isengard, little one. You shall pay for your insolence in blood!" Luckily, I had been allowed my weapons. The council seemed too shocked to aid me, so I knew I had no choice but to fight him alone.

My anger had been simmering under the surface, and emerged full-force as our swords clashed. I was full of rage; mentioning the torture in my past seemed to give me the strength I needed. This Uruk was the biggest I had ever seen, but I was not about to let that scare me. I couldn't afford to freeze in terror now.

The fight did not last long. Despite his size, he was slower than me. His sword was locked together with my crisscrossed knives, and I shoved him away from me, ducking as he meant to cut my head clean off. I rolled so I was behind him and cut his hamstrings, which brought him to his knees with a roar of pain. Wasting no time, I stabbed him in the back, and he fell forward, dead before he hit the ground. I was breathing heavily, and there was black blood staining the ground beneath my feet.

The council was staring at me, still seemingly in shock, except the Brenin. He purposefully made his way over to me and pulled me up, as I had sunk to my knees. "Although you are duvodiad, you have fought well this day, both for our people and for yourself." I looked about myself and saw that the Emissary had fled in the chaos of the battle, and was likely long gone by now. "I thank you for helping us see the truth in Saruman's lies."

I nodded; my teeth gritted. I was unsure what to say, so I remained silent.

"We will give you and your fellow Northman what they need to safely continue, but I would ask you leave our lands as soon as you may. I fear your presence may bring many enemies upon our village," he replied, and he clasped my shoulder firmly.

"I understand Brenin. Thank you for listening to my words; I hope you remain safe and wish you well." I took a shaky breath, feeling unexpectedly winded after such a short fight. "I will speak with Halbarad and tell him what happened and what you have decreed," I replied, my voice sounding weak to my ears. "Let me help clean this up-"

"It is ok Elichthi, we will take care of it. Go and rest now," the Brenin said softly.

I nodded and slowly made my way out of the tent. Staggering, I leaned into a wooden post, and it took all my willpower not to fall apart. The energy of battle and the rage I had felt was leaving me, and I felt myself starting to sink to the ground. However, before that could happen, I was caught under my arms by Candaith. After hugging me tightly, he pulled back a little to look at me, his face white. "Gwin, what has happened? Are you hurt?" I was staring at him, and all I felt was relief. If there was anyone I needed to see in that moment, it was Candaith.

"We heard a roar and knew something bad was happening, but before we could help you, it sounded like it was over," Elrohir continued after rushing to my side, looking worried. "Why did you not call for aid?"

"There was no time," I replied roughly, turning to face him. "The Uruk was there and attacking me before I could say a word."

"Why did the council not fight alongside you?" Candaith exclaimed angrily.

"They were as surprised as I was, and had he not rushed me, I perhaps would have been too shocked to move." I squeezed his shoulder tightly. "I am well, just a little tired." This was untrue of course; I felt far from well. Yes, I was uninjured physically, but my spirit felt like it was slowly seeping out of me.

I noticed Halbarad had joined the group. "I am glad you are safe, and I am sorry I could not be there to help you. What did the council decide?" He looked concerned for my well-being, and his eyebrows rose as he noted the black blood on my leggings.

"They declined Saruman's offer, which is what led to the Emissary unleashing the Uruk upon me. I may have said some things to make him angry," I replied sheepishly.

Elrohir smirked, "Good for you Gwin; I am proud of you."

I smiled but inside was feeling uncomfortable. If they knew what I had said, perhaps they would not be so proud.

Part of me knew that if the rest of them found out what had happened in the Lone Lands, they would not think less of me. However, I still struggled with feeling like a failure; I had been too careless and allowed myself to be captured like some helpless female. Candaith would be the first to tell me not to blame myself, but it was hard to put into practice.

Would I agonize over this forever? Would I ever find healing?

You would in the Undying Lands a voice whispered. It made me pause; was it true? Would it be the only place I could go to overcome this and be whole again? I knew Lady Celebrain, Elrond's wife, had needed to go there after her assault; she could not find peace and healing here, despite the great skill Elrond possessed. Her spirit was broken, and for her, going to Valinor was the only way.

It would be selfish to leave, however. At least, that was what I told myself. There was too much going on, and too many people relied on me to make things right. Perhaps it was wrong of them to put so much responsibility on my shoulders, but that was the way it was. There were also many in my life who would miss me terribly…especially Candaith. The thought of leaving him made my chest ache terribly, like someone was stabbing me.

Would this be how it would feel when he died?

I shook myself and pushed the despair and melancholy away, as I always did. I could not deal with this right now, as there was too much to do. Candaith was looking at me with concern, so I forced a smile and let him guide me to my tent, where I collapsed on the ground and crawled over to my blankets after pulling off my gear and in only in my undershirt and briefs, not particularly caring if Candaith saw me like this or not. All I wanted was to rest, and I felt him tuck the blankets around me and kiss me softly on the forehead before I let myself relax into reverie.

Despite the difficulties of the meeting, the Brenin made the right decision to stand against Saruman. Yet Gwin's spirit continues to suffer. Will she be able to continue with these burdens on her shoulders?

Much of the text is some variation of the in-game meeting, but I changed it up in some places to make it more interesting and shortened it, of course adding in Gwin's dialogue. Thanks for reading, and review/follow/favorite if you have a moment!