Hopefully you weren't waiting too anxiously for the next chapter, after the cliff-hanger. Luckily for you, here it is! Enjoy!
Chapter 107My stomach dropped. "B-betrayed?" I whispered in shock. I managed to tear my eyes away from the Emissary, and I watched with alarm as Candaith and Lothrandir grappled with Léolin and the other Dunlending guard. No weapons had yet been drawn, but things were looking dire. The rangers were strong, but the Dunlendings were stronger, and as I stumbled in their direction, it was too late for me to aid them. Not that I had much strength of my own at the moment. Gwilhum was laughing behind me, but I tried to ignore it.
"What…what are you doing?" I asked, swaying unsteadily as I leaned against the wall by the doorway. "Why do you restrain them?"
Léolin glared at me, but I could see the Brenin's expression was one of sorrow and guilt. "I am sorry, Elichthi, but we must do this."
"Do what?" I replied incredulously, annoyed at how my words slurred. "Lock us up? After all we have done for you?"
"I have no choice," he said softly.
"There is always a choice!" Candaith said bitingly, wincing as Léolin pulled his bindings a little tighter. "Explain yourself!"
"He doesn't have to explain anything to you, duvodiad!" Léolin growled.
"Peace, Léolin," Lheu Brenin rebuked, looking pained. "They deserve to know why I do this."
"What of the others?" I asked, still trying to recover from Gwilhum's trance. "Are they also being detained?" I listened closely, but could hear nothing but our harsh breathing and the dripping of water in the caves.
The Brenin nodded. "I hope they will come peacefully, for I do not wish for violence and bloodshed."
"I am not certain they will," I replied haltingly. "Some of them are young, or quick to respond with anger." My thoughts drifted to Radanir and Golodir. I hoped the others would keep them from doing something foolish, although Elladan and Elrohir were no less impulsive, if someone they loved was threatened. "I hope for the best. But please, I must know why." I carefully moved a little closer to the Brenin, and the guilt was rolling off of him in waves. "Has Saruman threatened you?"
He took a shaky breath, and the vulnerability was something I had never expected to see as he said, "They have taken Mair."
My eyes widened, "Who has?" Was it Uruks and orcs, or had other Dunlendings participated?
"When we arrived outside Galtrev's gates, we met up with several other clans. As we greeted them, suddenly we were surrounded by Uruk-hai and other creatures of darkness. There was a brief battle where the Dunlendings of Galtrev rained arrows down upon them, but the force was so large that it made little difference. The Avanc-luth of Dunbog and some of the Turch-luth of Carreglynn attempted to fight, but were cut down without mercy. After this short skirmish, I, along with the leaders of the other tribes, called on us to hold. "Why do you come?" I had asked. "To tell you your dissent is fruitless," one of their cursed Uruk-hai generals answered. "We are strong, and do not bow down to dictators," I replied, but before I could say another word, he had grabbed Mair and held her at knife-point." The Brenin was shaking with rage as he spoke, and my heart went out to him, in spite of the current situation.
"He is using her as ransom, so you do his bidding?" I asked. "Did they take any others?"
The Brenin nodded, "Others were taken as prisoners, and it was as if Saruman knew who the most important people of each clan were, and who would make the best bargaining chips." He sighed. "We had no choice but to comply."
"So there are none who will stand against Saruman, should he call for your people to take up arms?" Lothrandir asked, his voice soft but full of anger. "You will all bow down to his rule?"
"We will not!" the Brenin replied hotly. "Once I get Mair back, he will have no sway over us, and we will fight against him with all our strength." His eyes found mine once more. "That is where you come in."
My energy was nearly spent, but I kept my blurry gaze on the Brenin's face as best as I could. "What can I do?"
"I was…asked…to arrest you and deliver you to Saruman," he admitted. "Along with a ranger who could be used as collateral, to force you to answer his questions."
"We will not give in to torture or pain!" Candaith said furiously.
"But would you give into his demands, should I be the one to receive it?" I asked softly. The anguish in his eyes broke my heart. "He is counting on this."
"I will come as well," Lothrandir said firmly.
"Mellon nin, I do not wish to put anyone else in danger, if I can prevent it," I insisted, but I could tell Lothrandir would not be swayed. I sighed, and turned my attention back to Lheu Brenin. "How will our deliverance to Saruman help you?"
The Brenin leaned in close, and whispered, "I wish for you to rescue Mair, and escape with her." My eyebrows rose in surprise. "Saruman says he will release Mair, once you are delivered to him, but I find it doubtful. Rather, I think he will keep her and use her to force us to fight for him, and only return her once his aims are achieved…if he even keeps her alive." His fear was palpable, and I would have squeezed his shoulder in comfort, if I wasn't so angered by what was happening. "I am sorry for this, truly. You do not deserve to be treated in such a way, after all you have done to help us."
"Is there no other way?" Lothrandir asked angrily, still glaring at Lheu Brenin.
"Not that I can think of," the Brenin replied sadly. "Please, you will be richly rewarded if you can accomplish this. Anything you ask, it will be yours. Just bring my daughter back to me." His voice broke, and he cleared his throat in embarrassment. "We must continue on, or Saruman's forces will get suspicious at the delay."
"They are here, in Tur Morva?" I asked in surprise, although perhaps I shouldn't have been. It would be prudent of Saruman to send his own people to take us to Isengard, not fully trusting the Falcon Clan to keep their word.
The Brenin nodded, "They are just outside the prison, waiting for us to emerge."
"Will you please explain to the others what has happened, and why?" I asked hopefully. "They will not understand, and will assume you are allied against us."
"I will," he promised. "Although they may not like what they hear."
"There is wisdom among the Dunedain," I replied fervently. "Those who have more of it will help the others keep their tempers in check." I hoped I was right in this; Halbarad certainly had it, but the twins, as old as they were, had fiery spirits. I worried they would try and use their powers to bust down the doors and revolt, which could lead to tragedy. "Hmm…perhaps I should have a quick word with them, if only just a moment. Are they far from us?"
Lheu Brenin looked uneasy with the delay, but must have realized the logic in it. "No they are not, just down one level. I will show you. Léolin, Durvarg, if you could escort these two towards the entrance."
"We will not be parted from her," Candaith growled, but I held up a hand.
"Candaith, it will only be for a moment," I murmured, trying to sound confident. "I must reassure them, or all may be lost."
He was shaking with fury and fear, but nodded tightly, before glaring at the Brenin, "If any harm comes to her, you will regret it."
The Brenin nodded gravely, "You have my word, she will be returned to you shortly."
"Your word means nothing," Candaith spat.
"I know, but it is all I have to offer," the Brenin murmured sadly, before facing me. "We must hurry."
"Very well," I whispered. I placed a shaking hand on Candaith's stubbled cheek. "See you soon, meleth nin." He turned slightly to kiss my palm, before nodding tightly. I looked to Lothrandir, who quirked a tiny smile at me, but it did not reach his eyes.
The Brenin held a rope in his hands, "I will bind yours when we leave." I nodded in understanding, feeling relieved. The less time my hands were tightly restricted, the better. It was a surprisingly short walk down some stone steps before I could hear a clamor of voices, both Dunlending and Dunedain, with a couple of Elves thrown in.
"Gwin!" someone shouted, and I looked forward to see Radanir's wide, fearful eyes gaze upon me. The others turned swiftly, and more shouting began as they saw my current state. Most of them were a little worse for wear, some more than others. They certainly had not gone quietly, and Calenglad and Corunir clearly had been treating various cuts and bruises.
"Get your hands off her, you traitor!" Golodir yelled, eyes blazing, a large bruise already forming over the right side of his face. However, if I thought his eyes were flaming, it was nothing compared to the light in those of Elladan and Elrohir. It was so powerful it almost stopped me in my tracks, and I felt the Brenin hesitate. My mind abruptly flipped back through the history lessons I had learned, and I wondered if Fëanor's eyes had looked like this as he swore his oath in Tirion, all those millenia ago. Setting this disturbing thought aside with some difficulty, I shouted, "Please listen to me!" The others quieted down, but their fury and frustration were no less as I came closer to the cells in which they were locked.
"Gwin, what is the meaning of this?" Halbarad said gruffly. "Nothing has been explained to us, and here you are, held captive by the Brenin, and us locked up by his people." His words were calm, but I could sense the emotion underneath. I spotted some dried blood underneath his fingernails, and assumed he had done some damage to one of the villagers attempting to subdue him.
"I have little time to explain, but I will do my best." Briefly I relayed the Brenin's story, and what was about to happen. "I must do this, or even greater ill could befall all of Dunland, and eventually Rohan. If I can rescue Mair, and perhaps the other prisoners who were taken, we could turn the tide against Saruman, and bring him to heel."
"You would sacrifice yourself for this?" Elladan said heatedly, looking heartbroken. "You would risk your life for these people who are not your own, who have done this to us?"
"It could save the lives of countless others from death," I argued. "If Saruman is bereft of his bargaining chips, he will have no leverage to use against the Dunlendings. They will unite against him, and decrease his fighting forces significantly." At least, I hoped this would hold true. There were no guarantees, especially after this betrayal.
"Where are Candaith and Lothrandir?" Corunir interjected. "They are not here, so I assume they will go with you." I nodded, heartbroken at the flicker of despair in his eyes. "I know Candaith would never let you face this alone, and Lothrandir is too stubborn to stay behind," he added, thankfully bringing a shadow of a smile to his face.
Before I could reply, Elrohir shouted, "Why do you always risk your life with so little regard for your own?" He shoved his way forward. "What of us? Do you not care for how we feel?" His words cut me deeply, and he must have seen it on my face, for his eyes softened. "Goheno nin," he apologized, his tone a little gentler. "I know you love us, and would do anything to keep us safe. I just wish it wasn't at the cost of your own safety."
"I know," I whispered, aware that I sometimes threw myself into situations, with little regard for my own life. It was not that I wished to die in a blaze of glory to save Middle Earth from peril, for I had a wonderful life I wanted to continue living. Yet, this was bigger than just me; if Arda fell into darkness because Sauron succeeded, none of our lives would be safe. I was determined to do whatever I could to save others from such a fate, and if it meant giving my life to do so, then so be it. Shaking myself out of these maudlin thoughts, I turned to face the Brenin. "If I fail in this, and do not return…will you give me your word you will release them?"
His eyes were gazing at me with some intensity, and he nodded, "I will swear an oath on it."
I raised an eyebrow as I heard the twins gasp, "It will hold you to your word, so do not take such a thing lightly."
"I do not, I assure you," he insisted. With no hesitation, he clasped his arm with mine, said, "I swear, with the gods as my witness, that I will release all the men and Elves in this dungeon, either upon your return, or after two weeks of your absence, whichever comes first. They will go free, without injury, and with all of the supplies they need to continue on their journey, wherever that may be." I could see no lie in his eyes, but was doubting my ability to discern the truth after what had just happened.
"What if Mair does not survive, and I am forced to return without her?" I asked with trepidation.
His eyes were full of pain, but he nodded, "Then I know you will have done all you could to save her," he said quietly. "You are an honorable person, and I trust you to do your best."
"I will, and I accept your oath," I said firmly. With one last squeeze, we dropped our arms, and I turned to face my friends…who were really my family. As I soaked in the sight of those I held dear to me, I had to blink back tears. I was so lucky to have them in my life, and I would miss them greatly as I underwent what would perhaps be the most difficult trial I had ever faced…one that could very well take my life.
The twins' faces were full of anguish, "Please muinthel, do not do this," Elrohir choked, unable to hold back his own tears. "We could not bear to lose you."
I stepped closer, so our foreheads touched, and whispered, "I will return." I knew I could not truly promise this, but I would do my best to make it true. "Keep the faith, muindor, and do not err from your own quest. Aragorn needs you."
"He needs you too," he replied brokenly. He put his hand on my cheek, and brushed away the tears I hadn't realized were falling. "We will miss you. Elbereth guide your steps, and keep you safe."
The Valar had certainly both kept me safe and left me floundering, so who knew what they would do, if anything. I gave him a watery smile, before moving over slightly and squeezing Elladan's hands tightly. He was angry, but the sheen of tears in his eyes made it clear it was not directed at me. "I hate this," he said in a choked whisper.
"I know," I replied, just as quietly. "Candaith and Lothrandir will keep me safe." At least, I knew they would try, but it would certainly be difficult. Elladan looked skeptical, but nodded tightly before tucking some hair behind my ear. "We will see each other again," he added roughly, a stubborn fire in his eyes.
"I will do my best," I murmured, before stepping back and casting my gaze around at the others, who all had various expressions on their faces. The younger ones, like Radanir and Culang, were afraid and unable to hide it, while the older ones (with the exception of the decidedly furious Golodir), had grizzled expressions of acceptance on their faces. The twins were both stubbornly trying not to cry, and Halbarad stepped forward. "Be safe, and return to us as soon as you may," he said, his voice echoing powerfully in the caves. "Namarie." He could not fully hide the worry in his eyes, and I wished I could tell him I changed my mind, and would stay. Yet, I knew I needed to do this, or I would never be able to forgive myself for the deaths I could have helped prevent.
"Namarie," I whispered, my throat clogged with emotion. With one last look into his wise, grey eyes, I forced myself to turn and let the Brenin escort me back up the stairs and to the entrance.
"You are much loved by them," he murmured.
"As they are by me," I whispered, taking a deep, shaky breath before standing tall. "Now, let us begin this so I can return to them, hopefully in victory with your daughter by my side." As well as Candaith and Lothrandir.
Despite my mood, I felt a flicker of amusement as I noted Candaith pacing in the very small space he was allotted, with Léolin keeping a sharp eye on his movements. Lothrandir was leaning against the stone wall, head bowed and shoulders hunched. I could sense his despair, but when he heard me coming, he forced a smile. "Hello Gwin, we were wondering when you'd show up."
I tried to smile back, but when I saw his falter, I noted I probably hadn't succeeded, "Well, I am here now." Candaith was drinking me in like I was a tall glass of water he had been begging for, and I sent him what I hoped was a wave of reassurance through our bond. "I am well, meleth nin, do not worry. Lheu Brenin has treated me kindly, and I was able to explain and say my farewells to the others."
"You will treat them with respect," Candaith growled, eyes trained on Lheu Brenin. "If any harm comes to them, you will have me to answer to."
"I have sworn an oath to protect them and release them, whether you succeed or not," The Brenin said, his voice rumbling. I nodded in attestation to it when Candaith sent me a questioning look. "They will dwell here no longer than two weeks."
"Very well," Candaith grumbled. Both rangers stood tall, before his eyes hardened in determination. "Let us do this. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can return."
If we were all alive to do so.
Gwin, Lothrandir, and Candaith are off on an adventure I'm sure they would rather avoid, but hopefully it will lead to better things. Will they be able to rescue Mair, and the other prisoners, or is it hopeless!
I know some of you are familiar with the game, so you might have been surprised with what I chose to do here. Part of me has never truly agreed with how the writers chose to characterize Lheu Brenin and his choices don't really make sense to me. I know that hearing about how dire things were could cause him to question his choices, but he seems like a stubborn, proud man, with a fair amount of wisdom. I feel like he would more likely want to stick to his original course of action, just to spite Saruman, but if he was not given a choice (like in my scenario), he would have to acquiesce in some way. Anyway, that's just my take on it; we will see if he keeps his word, or if, in the end, he is forced to comply with all of Saruman's demands.
Thanks for reading!