A little bit on the shorter-side, but the chapters will be getting longer coming up, as the next arc of the story kicks off. Halbarad tries to figure out what to do next, and the Brenin is called to an important meeting. Enjoy!
Chapter 105I spent the morning helping my fellow rangers in their various tasks, trying to stay busy. Leona's words had gotten to me, as much as I tried to push them aside. The forces of the enemy were moving, and gaining strength. All we could do was prepare for whatever eventuality. I prayed the Hebog-Luth would have no more cause to protect their village, but I had hope that they would band together with the clans on the same side and engage the enemy in open battle, should it come to it. Would the friendly clans in Enedwaith come, if the call was put out for their aid? Who would lead them? I sighed, knowing it was not up to me or the Dunedain to decide such things. All we could do is what we were already doing, by helping them prepare as best as they could.
I greeted Penrod with a smile as he hailed me from the road. I was currently peeling apples with Radanir, although the young ranger was spending more time chatting up Mair than paying attention to his job. She was readying the apples to be dried, for they wished to preserve as much as they could, if times became hard once more. Radanir was regaling her with stories of our travels, throwing in the more-than-occasional embellishment. I found myself secretly rolling my eyes multiple times, but didn't have the heart to correct anything he said, for Mair was fascinated. Radanir was a charmer, and he enjoyed making her blush and smile. Perhaps there was something to Halbarad's concerns after all.
"Mae Govannen, Penrod," I said lightly.
He furrowed his brow, before grinning and replying with perfect pronunciation, "Mae Govannen, Gwinthilnel." Unfortunately, his smile faded, and I knew he had something serious to tell me.
After a lengthy pause, I asked, "What is on your mind?"
"Oh, it's nothing really," he said, which was clearly not true.
"Nothing?" I asked doubtfully.
He sighed, "Well, Lheu Brenin is taking a small delegation of Brehures to a meeting of the other tribes in the area. They will be holding a summit to discuss the current state of things, and…"
"Saruman?" I finished for him. He nodded; his face grim. "The Brenin left you in charge?" I looked over at Mair. "Not his daughter?"
"She is too young, or so the Brenin says," Penrod replied.
I raised an eyebrow, "You do not agree?"
"She is stronger and wiser than he thinks. I was, at the very least, able to convince him of that. He will be taking her with him on this venture. She is his Heir, should something happen to him."
"Your people would allow a woman to lead?" I asked, pleasantly surprised.
Penrod nodded, and pride shone in his eyes, "Our women are just as strong as our men, perhaps even stronger, and wiser. She will make a good leader, when her time comes." He furrowed his brow as he observed Mair and Radanir conversing and flirting. "However, I am not sure what Lheu Brenin would make of this." He motioned with his head to the two young people.
"I do not think it is very serious," I assured him, but part of me wondered if that was true.
The large Dunlending just shrugged, and turned his attention back to me. "I have come to collect her, so she can meet with her father and get ready for the journey."
"They go today?" I asked, surprised they pulled such an important gathering together so quickly.
"Making an alliance against Saruman is an urgent matter," Penrod replied grimly. "If we do not succeed in banding together, we will fall."
I put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "If it means anything to you, I believe you will succeed." He smiled at me and nodded, clasping my shoulder and moving towards Mair.
"Sorry to interrupt your work," Penrod said, looking amused and unapologetic. Mair blushed bright red, realizing he was teasing her. "Your father asks for you."
"Do you know what he wants?" Mair asked quizzically.
Penrod nodded, but did not elaborate. "I know he wants you to meet him at home as soon as you can."
The young woman sighed and stood, brushing some apple skins off of her lap. Radanir boldly took her hand and brushed a kiss against it. "Until next time, my lady." I didn't think it was possible for her to blush any deeper, and her stuttered "Farewell, Radanir," was evidence of how flustered she was.
As Penrod led her away, I got a quick glimpse of Radanir's unguarded expression, and my heart sank a little to see the true feelings he had for Mair. Love was already blossoming, however tender it still was. It would be a sad parting, when we left. A moment later, and the familiar, sparkling grin was back in place.
"She's very beautiful, don't you think?" I asked with a smirk.
"She certainly is, although not quite as beautiful as you," he replied with a wink and a teasing smile. I shoved him lightly and he laughed. "Never fear, hiril nin, as charming and handsome as I am, I know Candaith has you swooning every time he looks at you." My eyes narrowed, and he dodged as I tried to shove him again. "You will have to be faster than that!" This led to a short chase around the small orchard, and a well-aimed apple took Radanir down in an exaggerated fall. "Aye, slain by an apple! What a terrible fate! Gwin, make sure the lays they write about me tell of my valiant deeds!" I laughed as he played dead, and my heart felt lighter.
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The Brenin was gone all day, as well as the next. I could tell Halbarad was getting antsy, but I tried to remind him that these types of negotiations take time. "If it takes a few days to convince everyone to join forces against Saruman, it will be worth the wait," I said firmly, reaching out to grasp his shoulder, halting a pacing Halbarad in his tracks. "You will wear a permanent track into the dirt." His lips quirked up in a rueful smile, but he did not comment.
"Gwin is right," Candaith added. "Perhaps we should gather together and go over the next steps of our journey?"
Halbarad nodded, and eventually all of the Dunedain, along with the twins and I, gathered in the Brenin's hall, offered to us by Penrod as a place to meet. We all settled ourselves on the ground, while Halbarad pulled up a wooden stool after unrolling Ergothorn's detailed map of Dunland, holding it up so we could all see. "Currently we are up here, in Tal Methedras." He then pointed to the center of Dunland. "There is Galtrev. I would like to stop there to both restock our supplies and gather more information…" he paused, seeming conflicted.
I asked the question he was likely considering, "Do we have time for such a detour?"
"We could go straight to Gravenwood," Candaith suggested. "It is said that Prince Theodred has a camp there. It would be useful to speak with him, as he might have a better sense on the movements of the enemy in the area."
Halbarad nodded. "It would help us plan our route to and through the Gap of Rohan. The Prince might have some ideas on how best to skirt around Isengard. We can also replenish some of our provisions when the market here is open again, before leaving."
"Although, if we instead choose to go to Galtrev, we might be able to discern which clans have chosen to side with Saruman, and where they are located," Lothrandir said. "It would help us avoid those areas, as well as give the Prince information he may be seeking."
I frowned, "Lheu Brenin is meeting with many tribes as we speak; I think he would be willing to give us this information as well." At least, I hoped he would.
"Are we to be responsible for turning all of Dunland against Saruman?" Golodir asked gruffly. When we all turned to look at him, his eyes blazed with a fiery purpose. "Aragorn has need of us, and we must go to him swiftly. No more dallying here, in a land of few friends and many foes. We have troubles of our own to overcome, and we can no longer turn aside from our course." There was a beat of silence as we all absorbed his words, as well as their vehemence. Halbarad opened his mouth to speak, but Golodir beat him to it. "I know you would have me trust those who call themselves allies, but I have faced enough pain and betrayal in my life to rely on such flimsy bonds." He looked around at all of us. "You are who I can truly call friends, and whom I put my faith and trust in. We cannot depend on any others to help us."
I hesitantly put my hand on his shoulder, for we were sitting next to one another, and gave it a light squeeze, "What about those who have proven their trust and loyalty? I was not born into the Dunedain, yet here I am beside you, as friend and ally."
"You are family," Golodir replied gruffly, and my heart warmed at the affection hidden underneath.
"But I was not always," I said softly, giving him a gentle smile. "You did not shun my friendship and love, and we should therefore give others the chance to earn such trust as well, Elf or Man." Golodir simply huffed, and I gave him one last squeeze before settling my hands back in my lap, and turned my eyes back to Halbarad, who was staring intently at the map.
"What say you, mellon nin?" Corunir asked Halbarad. "Shall we go to Galtrev, or make straight for Gravenwood?"
Halbarad opened his mouth to answer, but Penrod burst into the room and said, "The Brenin has returned!" before running back out without another word. Halbarad raised an eyebrow before saying, "Let us depart this building and give the Brenin a chance to settle in. He will call for us when he is ready for a meeting, I would assume."
Rising in agreement to this plan, we shuffled out, and Candaith slid his hand into mine. "Your words were wise, meleth nin," he murmured. "Golodir took them to heart, I am sure of it."
I shrugged, "It was the truth, that's all."
"You know what is also the truth?" Candaith asked softly, and he tugged me a bit to face him. "You are one of us, truly." He tucked some hair behind my ear. "You are my family."
His words made me feel emotional, and I blinked back tears of happiness. I knew this, of course, but hearing him say it made it even more poignant. "You are my family too, Candaith," I whispered, kissing him gently and letting him briefly pull me into his arms. I always felt safe here, encircled by the strength of his embrace. He gave me a bright smile, which always made my heart flutter, before wrapping an arm around my waist as we made our way back to our shelter.
Gwin is reminded how much she is treasured by the Dunedain, and is curious about what the Brenin learned at the critical meeting with the other clans. Tune in next time to see what happens next! Leave a review if you have a moment!