The Pelennor Fields, Osgiliath, The Northern Fiefdoms (Free RP)

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen , @Ercassie
Carpe Diem

Cadil, making decisions

He only rolled his eyes at the promise of much sound; he did not intend to keep complaining all the way to Harlond, not if he had to yell to make his opinion be heard.

Settling down cross-legged with his pack securely between the wall of the wagon and his back for softer support against all that rattling, Cadil produced the nail that had already poked a small hole in his pocket with the sharp end. "Here, grabbed it, I did. Though now I'll need to fix the pocket," he said, offering the sharp object to his friend. "Got a good length of rope too. And a fire-starting kit. And a sheathed dagger somewhere in the depths of my bag," he named the other resources that he could remember packing.

He studied the broach and his brow furrowed in displeasure when Nal informed him that it belonged to Cali and that bad things might have happened to her.

"I do remember her, yes," he said, leaning in closer so that they could converse above all the noise and yet have it drown out what was said so that their 'guard' did not overhear. "But... how could they even get to her or her stuff?! I mean..." But supposedly Umbarians were crafty enough to come up with all sorts nasty deeds. "We should definitely investigate and see what's this all about." He paused and then added a bit reluctantly but with clear determination in his voice: "Ain't gonna let anyone or their things be stolen again, not when it depends on anything I might do. I'll jump and run if need me, so you know."

[Rillewen]

@Ercassie @Pele Alarion

Carpe Diem

Ademar Androllius (wearing uniform of Lt. of the Guard)
Pelennor - Southern Gate (With Dolûzor) - Last day of Autumn Fayre (last year)

It almost seemed like a miracle had occurred as he watched Unalmis actually.. for once.. do exactly what they wanted him to do. Mar was hard-pressed not to stare in disbelief at this sight. Instead, resisting the urge to rub his eyes and check if he was seeing right, he turned his gaze toward the other, so far nameless nuisance. When he, too, climbed into the carriage, Mar had to fight hard not to throw his arms up in celebration and cheer. He drew in a slow, deep breath and watched as the Umbarian closed and locked the carriage door. He nodded back, gripping the handle of his sword tightly to keep himself from any sort of celebratory actions. "Have a good evening, and a swift trip." He bid the other 'guard', with a slow smile. "I'm sure the captain will be glad to take those two off your hands." He added. Which captain he was referring to was entirely up for interpretation.

As he watched the wagon begin to roll away, Mar finally let a broad grin spread over his face. Soon, they would arrive at the chandlery. Soon, they would be off on a ship bound for Umbar. And soon, they would end up at the temple. He hoped that this time, there would be no escaping or rescuing. He'd have to figure out some way to cover tracks and make sure that no pesky fathers or other relatives managed to track down his whereabouts, nor that of the others.

After glancing around, Mar realized that he still had time before his relief was expected to arrive. All day, he had been very carefully writing the hourly logs, and other logs and reports out in the name of the same lieutenant whose name he had forged on the Dungeon logbook; Feirion. He wanted to make sure that anyone who looked back on this shift would believe that the other lieutenant had been on this gate, today. Initially, he hadn't been sure if it would be needed, but after breaking a prisoner out of the dungeon last night, he'd figured it could be useful to not be connected with the gate, today. As it turned out, it was very useful.

After the carriage had disappeared down the road, Mar took a few minutes to fill out the logs, reporting the troublemakers, finished up a few other things, then he just... left. His relief would arrive to find the gate abandoned, and Feirion would probably get in a lot of trouble for that. They'd begin investigating him, probably. And they'd find out that he had signed for Shamara to be released into his custody for transporting her to trial, and then they'd start finding other things. Mar smirked to himself as he mounted his horse. A big white horse, as close a match as he could find to his brother's.

He rode away from the gate and set off toward the abandoned fayre grounds, making a quick stop before he went to his destination. He had seen Cali and Iole with some costume pieces he recognized as coming from the actor's tent. Having been asked, the other day, to investigate some stolen costume pieces, he had encountered Ark in the actor's tent, helping himself to their things. He hadn't reported it... then. But having seen some of those same things on the girls, he'd had an idea.

Once he'd swiped a similar apron, bonnet, and a couple of other things that were similar to what he'd seen on his enemies, Mar rode off into the fields, heading for a remote, isolated farm far from here. He could even follow the tracks that Arkadhur's wagon had left, if it had been still light enough to see them. But he didn't need that to find his way. Some time later, he arrived at the edge of the forest that had once been his and Ric's playground. It had been burned when the orc army swept through the Pelennor, and his childhood home had been destroyed. The ruins still remained, however, and the forest had begun to grow back. He took the time to light a lantern, and left the horse behind as he set off into the young forest, toward the cave where he had left the woman.

She was distraught, naturally. He hauled her up from the pit and brought her back to the farmhouse. Her disappearance from the cellar must have alarmed Ark, he thought with smugness. He pushed the woman back down the steps, back into the chair he had liberated her from earlier, and then roughly bound her again to the chair. After he had her bound securely, Mar put the apron and bonnet and things on her, then stepped back to consider. Yes. That was definitely going to point to Ark. He double-checked that her ropes were secure enough that she wouldn't be able to get out on her own, while ignoring the annoying whining and sobbing. Then he left.

Time to see about a few other things, like making sure all the paperwork was in order the way he needed it to be, and that he hadn't overlooked any loose ends that might come back to bite him later. As much as he wanted to go to the chandlery himself and make sure that nothing went wrong, he knew there was only a short window of time left for him to cover his tracks. Ric would be back to work after the weekend, and he couldn't risk his brother discovering anything that would draw his suspicion to anything. By the time Ric returned, Mar intended to make sure that all suspicion would point toward Feirion.

And he also had to make sure that the guard who Mar had relieved, that morning, would suffer a rather unfortunate accident that would prevent him from telling anyone that 'Ric' was the one who had relieved him at the end of his shift. Mentally, Mar was making up a checklist as he rode back toward Minas Tirith for the night. When all of those little details had been sorted, only then could he go to the temple to see the results of his work today. But it would definitely be worth it.

---

@Ercassie

Carpe Diem

Dev, with some members of his crew
Inside the Chandlery
Last day of Autumn Fayre (last year)[/i]

Two crew members came along with Dev, rolling empty barrels along with them. As they approached Rurik, still guarding the two captives, Dev motioned for them to put the barrels upright.

Rurik had been keeping a close eye on Iole, watching as she put her hands into the water. He cast an occasional glance at Cali, who was still unconscious, but didn't figure she needed as much watching. The bonnet had come a bit loose from her face, he noticed, probably caused by whatever had given her a bloodied nose and bruises on her face. He tugged the fabric down to cover it again, just in case he got yelled at for it. As Captain Dev approached, he straightened up.

"Now then," Dev addressed the burly man who was 'guarding' the girls. "Tell me what happened." He motioned to the girls. "Who brought them?" He asked. He had been extremely busy, before, and had been pondering about this. It was odd that someone would leave such a gift and not make himself known, after all. Dev was just a bit suspicious, trying to think of who would have just dropped off two girls and then not come to take credit for it.

"Well, I didn't see all of it," He admitted. "By the time I got up the steps, Nik was talking with the other fellow. He had a lot of barrels, but only two had anything in them." He nodded a head toward the girls. "Nik said he recognized this'n and figured you'd wanna see her. The other was damaged when he brought 'em." He assured Dev hastily.

"This fellow," Dev narrowed his eyes, thinking. "What's he look like?" He listened as Rurik described the man, slowly nodding. He had an idea who it was. "Alright.. is he still around?"

"He was guarding upstairs, while Nik came down here." Rurik answered.

"I see." Dev folded his arms and thought. "Get them loaded. We've only got a short window left." He informed his man. "I'll be on board shortly." He gave some further instructions, then set off up the stairs. He wanted to talk to this 'fellow', and find out whether he had anywhere in particular he'd like for this 'gift' to end up. The one girl might be suitable for the temple, but the other... most likely, she'd be going straight to Keket. But then, perhaps she was someone important. If she was, say, a nobleman's daughter, then maybe there was another plan for her.


Rurik and the other crewmen loaded the two barrels into the boat that was waiting nearby, then stuffed Cali into one of the new barrels. Next, one of them lifted Iole to do the same. The boat would be loaded with as many other crates and barrels and other goods that it could carry, in addition to some crew members. Once it was ready to go, the boat's moorings were untied, and they set off rowing swiftly down the underground channel, the boat riding low in the water from the weight of all the cargo and crew aboard.

At the other end of the tunnel, the crewmen breathed a sigh of relief. There would only be time for one more boat to pass through the tunnel before the tide had risen up too high to allow passage. And if the water level rose too high before the boat made it out of the tunnel... it could be quite deadly for anyone on board that boat. They didn't have far to go now, before reaching the Wingolost that was waiting, hidden from view of the harbor. There, the crewmen who had remained on board the ship were waiting, and expecting the boat's return. They tossed down some ropes and hauled the rowboat up so that it was level with the dock. Then began the task of loading the goods onto the ship... most of which would be taken into the cargo hold, below deck.

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor & Lady Gaerlothriel Dimaethor
December 22nd, Pelennor Fields, Gondor

Outside the City, they walked along the broad highway that ran to the ruined city of Osgiliath, no doubt to turn off on a side road that would lead to the home of Erynneth and her family. The Dimaethors too had settled into a local estate here, renting it from a local family for a handsome price, so they were not far from their final destination should there be a need to return home. But with a chaperone, that could be delayed until the utmost last minute, to relish every ounce of fun and learning that might be had.

”Your Auntie is very kind. We would be delighted to stay for dinner.” Gaerlothriel said, nodding to Linny that they could, should they indeed be invited for dinner. Abrazimir shouldn’t mind, right? Food was food. She was still full from their luncheon and thought the night would conclude with her and Dulinneth having a light meal before bed, chatting together about the day’s tremendous and exciting events.

Dogs and horses and cows, it all sounded like a treat. Gaer loved animals and only amplified the atmosphere Erynneth was pitching to them. ”I love riding too, but we had to leave my horse back in Belfalas. We came here by ship.” Gaer said, wondering what it would be like to carefree roam these streets and roads here in Anorien. She barely got much freedom to explore outside her familial domains. When they were older, she and Linny should arrange an expedition and ride across all of Gondor and meet with their friends here in the City whenever they could!

Eryn told them a harrowing (to Gaer, who had been a refugee from war as well) tale of her evacuation from the City, before the Great Siege. She was quite riveted by the tale of the late birth of the calf and needing to get to safety and all, but fortunately it all worked out. With the very happy coincidence of meeting Wisteria too! She wondered vaguely if their convoy out had encountered Abrazimir’s approach in. The Prince had led a detachment of his knights, including Abrazimir and Isys, in the lead up to the battle. They may have passed on the roads and not known it!

”That is astonishing. And very fortunate, thank the Valar. I had to evacuate my home too during the War, because of the Corsairs. I was in dread the whole way up the mountains. I could not fathom being responsible for a little calf, I would simply melt under the pressure and responsibility! You are very brave, Erynneth.” Gaer said in praise to the woman, walking alongside her. She glanced across to Linny, then decided to push an invitation of her own. They had already mentioned the ballet before and Eryn did seem curious.
”Have you seen Wisteria lately? She is coming with us to the ballet in two days, at the Hall of Songs. We have tickets and booked ourselves a box too, above the audience and everything. You should come with us, Erynneth.” Gaer suggested more directly. ”It would be the least we can do to repay you for these lessons and having us over. Another thing we can do, as we went dress shopping earlier and got matching outfits, is maybe take you with us tomorrow, if possible, to bring you up to speed with all that as well.” She posited as well, hoping between the invitation to their box at the Hall of Songs, and a little monetary expenditure with a dress, they might equal the tremendous favour Eryn was showing to them, such unparalleled kindness to strangers she only met today.

[Lantaelen]

@Arnyn

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor
The Bregolalph, docked at Harlond, January

Abrazimir gave only a smile and soft shrug of his shoulders to the mention of classified. Not a topic he would broach or open up to even with her. Even with all other barriers removed. Which seemed to be the next shared thing they might hold in mind together, as she stepped towards him, eager to play. Hands and body pressed to him and Abrazimir felt a powerful shiver course through his body in anticipation. Lips found his…

Then his neck, then his ear, words whispered so enticingly into his mind. He was not even aware of where his hands had been placed. They clenched, something soft and curvy, seeking anchorage in this mighty storm she was sweeping into his thoughts and body. She kissed some more. Promises whispered in his ear. That got his attention, making him smile almost challengingly. Was she sure? Especially if she wanted to make it count. He had a lot of service he felt he ought to be paid back for. Was she going to be the instrument of compensation?

I have the evening, Dauntless. And the night.

”We best get started then.” Abrazimir answered to her, and lived up to her moniker of him by sweeping what was his up into his arms.

---

Too much wine. The empty bottle sat next to the fluttering candle on his desk, as sickness and ache drew Abrazimir from his most peaceful reprieve and slumber. Immediate pain lanced and bored into his mind from all direction, while a certain unease rumbled in his stomach, matched by a soreness of the lower abdomen. He was on the narrow cot of his cabin room. And not alone. It was a welcome sight, soothing against the discomfort of the morning, and-

By the Valar, was it…morning? But a quick sweep of his gaze towards the doorway revealed no glint or gleam of pale sunlight creeping under the threshold. Still dark. Still night. But…barely. And there was so much to be done, at the crack of dawn. They were shipping out, on that very classified job he could not speak of.

And she was still here. Looking so peaceful and suited and attractive. She could not be here. She was not supposed to be here. Slowly, Abrazimir sat up and shook her head. ”Wake up.” He urged her, before slipping out of the cot and hurriedly dressing, while picking up her garments as well, holding it out and ready for her. He was hasty. He couldn’t hear any activity outside though. Just the creaking of the vessel on the slow waters of Harlond. Maybe there was still a sliver of time to escape. But he needed her…to wake up. Immediately.

”Torniel, come on.” He urged her, though not explaining the need for haste. She might not understand. Or worse…be offended! ”My apologies for the quick departure, I forgot in my excitement…I have important duties to attend to upon daybreak. This vessel is to set sail very soon, in fact.” He explained, feeling it was already too much to elaborate on but…it would be rude otherwise. It was rude now. But had he known she wanted to make an appearance, he could have made better arrangements for them both.

When they were dressed, shrouded in their cloaks with the hoods up, he placed his hand gently on her arm and opened the cabin door with the other. The narrow corridor to the deck of the ship was…clear. And standing there, a moment, in the threshold, Abrazimir strained his ears, trying to pick up the telltale signs of human activity. No sailors on the deck, talking or doing some preliminary prep work? All was silent. The night sentries would be at the bow and stern, looking out, as well as on the pier, watching the only approach to the gangway up to the ship. Perfect time to sneak a lady out. Well, a lady shouldn’t have to be sneaked out to begin with!

He walked with Torniel, escorting and guiding her. He got to the deck and the gangway down to the pier was a dozen paces way. They were in an immediate blindspot to the elevated platform above the stern, that sat over his cabin. No one seemed to be up there. So he walked with her, four, five, six, seven paces, and-

And there they were. Four men, huddled in a circle, just absolutely silent and watchful in the dark twilight before the dawn. They all turned when Abrazimir and Torniel came into view…and stared at them. That was the Captain. And that was…

A fine looking lady. Well dressed. Shapely. Fair. Coming out of the Captain’s quarters. Wait a minute, when did she get in there?

”Hail, Lord. Good morning.” One of them called.

Abrazimir quickly resumed his step after this surprise, urging Torniel forward. He just threw up his arm in a silent greeting. Oh no, oh no, oh no… They just stood there. Staring. Watching. Abrazimir escorted Torniel with haste to the gangplank, then went down first, offering his hand, visibly to the watching men, to walk her safely down the ramp, which could be unsteady sometimes given the water. Which was calm at that moment. But he was not. Especially when…

”Good morning?” One of the sailors could be heard murmuring to his fellows. ”More like good evening, still.” He jested, and they all snickered and laughed. Because obviously the Captain’s evening was still going on from yesterday, surely.

Abrazimir audibly growled in his throat, but he could do nothing about it, bringing Torniel down to the pier of Harlond, that led towards the port of Minas Tirith. More of his men were further upon but they were mandated to keep people away. Not in. He paused though with her on the pier, looking left and right and all around. It was dark out, the moon shrouded by wisps of cloud. Faint circles of illumination were cast by distant braziers or torches. They could be seen, but not heard. Relatively isolated.

”Thank you again for the surprise drop in. It was exceptional as always.” He said with a pleasant tone to her, trying to ignore his annoyance at his men looking on. ”Send word ahead next time, I can prepare something, with more pomp and, uh, time.” He added with a smile. He lifted one of her hands and kissed it. ”Or perhaps I might send to you, if you give me somewhere I can send to…?” He then suggested, wondering if she, this mysterious woman, might allow him a chance to reciprocate with a visit.

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel @Rillewen

Lord Macardil Himhathol
Travelling to the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

Someone sprinting down the road, calling out for the help, was just about the last thing Macardil had expected. His first instinct was to aid and assist. The man was wearing House Ansellidus colours, and a guard uniform no less. If people were after him, where were his fellow guards? Had they all been waylaid - or worse? Automatically, Macardil leaned forward, his hand checking whether his axe was still where it was supposed to be, strapped to Nightshade. He kept his blue eyes on the man, or at least mostly on the man. They also flicked to Ziran, who was nearby, as his mind briefly touched the possibility that this could mean danger. For her.

She was a ranger, however, he firmly reminded herself. She was not Mellaurel. Ziranphel was a warrior. He did not need to make sure she removed herself from this situation. Quite to the contrary - they could manage it, together.

The man was closer now, and Macardil was given pause once more, by the uncannily familiar look about the man. There was something about that face that pulled at his memories, yet they seemed to be buried deep. The voice also sounded familiar, but more than anything, it was the man's face. He had seen this man before. He was sure of it. But where?

Ziran positioned herself in such a way any pursuers would spot her before they might spot the man pleading for their help. She asked the man who was after him, too. Macardil searched the man's face. Who? Where... Minas Tirith? Belfalas? Macardil dismounted, on the side the man was - which, of course, was the wrong side to retrieve his axe. He did hope such a thing would not be necessary. "Breathe," Macardil told the man, giving him a quick look-over. He did not look hurt. Ruffled, yes. Not hurt. "Breathe, first. Then answer the lady's question and tell us whom you need protection from."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

On the road leading to castle Ansellidus
Late Dec

As a second rider, whom he had not noticed until they moved, urged their horse forward, the young man glanced at the other rider, briefly fearing they were about to attack him. He was slightly surprised to notice that it was a woman. Guards for those riding in the carriage? He didn't take the time to question it further, but looked back to the man as he dismounted from his horse. He really hoped they weren't in league with those who were against him, because if so, this could turn out badly for him. But he was desperate by now, and therefore, willing to take a chance. He'd gotten this far, so maybe luck was with him today.

He was about to attempt an answer to the lady's question, when the man spoke up. Breathe? He started to protest, but of course, he couldn't deny that he was out of breath. Still, he needed to talk quickly, to convince them of his story before they were convinced otherwise. He shook his head slightly even while struggling to get his breathing to calm. Glancing toward the lady, he saw, beyond her, the first of his pursuers as they rounded the bend in the road and came into view. "Them," He pointed, eyes widening a little at the sight of them. Not quite with fear, but perhaps worry would be a closer description. There were two men in uniforms just like the one he wore, hastening down the road. He hadn't managed to delay them as much as he'd hoped. A third man with a heavier stomach was puffing along after them. His steps paused as he caught sight of the carriage.

"Please, you can't let them take me back there," The young man began urgently to appeal to the travelers, turning to glance at the lady, then to the man. "I have to get away from here.. please.. they've been keeping me a prisoner here for months, for no reason. I've only just barely managed to escape. I have to get a message to someone... it's urgent. A man's life may depend on it!" He struggled not to panic at the thought that they might turn him over to those guards, and he had no idea what sort of story the castle guards might give them. What if they believed them, instead of him?

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn @Rillewen

Karis Ziranphel, Lady Himhathol
Travelling to the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

The man had come pelting down from their destination, apparently pursued by his own comrades. Yet his words, when they finally emerged, told a different tale. Prisoner? For months? Lives dependent on his message? Ziran looked him over a bit more closely as a spike of worry for Alyssa touched her heart. What kind of place was this that held prisoners? The others did seem to be in active pursuit. If his words were true they needed to do something, and if false it would be easy enough to clear up, although he still had not been specific about who at the castle had held him captive. They needed more information before his pursuers caught up, and he needed to get out of sight.


She addressed the stranger with another quick glance before turning her gaze back up the road. “I am a Ranger, and my husband is a veteran. We will help as best we may. Who are you, and who is your message for?” Her words were calm but briskly spoken. “Speak quickly, and then I advise you to get in the carriage and cover yourself. There are blankets to cover your clothing.” Macardil might have a better idea of who this was and how to help, but she was at a loss. Casually, her right hand dropped to the hilt of her sword, and she unlaced the binding tie, slipping it free so that it could be drawn quickly at need. If they didn’t want to seem confrontational, she couldn’t bend her bow or draw the blade before the men reached them.

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel @Rillewen

Lord Macardil Himhathol
Travelling to the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

Macardil was still trying to figure out why this man looked so familiar, when Ziran once more proved her level-headedness and simply asked who he was. He might laugh about it, later. Of course. He could have simply asked. Macardil tried to match her smarts, and mentally laid out the options.
Either this man was telling the truth and he could use their help. However, that would also mean that Alyssa not in the kind of place he would not want her to be within 10 miles of.
The other option was that this man was being held captive with good reason, and he was now feeding them lies. In which case Macardil would have to be careful for any unexpected moves on the man's part.

In either case, he needed more information from the man, for whatever situation was true, both parties were likely to spin a different story. "Come. Tell me your name. The lady will speak to the others, first," Macardil told the man, glancing up at Ziran who was still mounted, wordlessly asking her if she was alright with that course of action. Macardil started walking the man back to the carriage, for the latter seemed ruffled and he might not move quickly enough all on his own. "Who do you wish to contact? What do you mean, a man's life depends on it?"

And then it hit him. This man. He looked a bit different. The clothes, obviously. The hair, somewhat, as well - but most noticeably the facial hair. He looked like - no, he was - Lord Ansellidus. Macardil's expression changed minutely as his gut tightened. Was he mistaken? For there was not so much as a smidgen of sense in the idea that this man was Amardir Ansellidus. Unless... the man was playing a game with him. Unless the man was testing him, for some reason, or wanted to make a fool of him. A response perhaps, to Macardil not waiting for a reply to the message concerning his visit.
Macardil's shoulders stiffened. He would play along a bit longer, while he tried to ascertain the best path forward.

[Rillewen]

@Lantaelen

Dulinneth & Erynneth
Dec 22 - Pelennor/Dairy Farm
New friends

Though it was dusk, there was still plenty to be seen along the way. Linn happily skipped along, glad to get a chance to see some of the more rural areas, while on the way to a farm! "I had to leave my horse, too." She added her own comment in with Gaer's. "I wish I could've brought him, though." She looked at Gaer. "Maybe some other time, we can try to come back and bring them?" She suggested with an excited, hopeful grin.

Listening to the tale of how Eryn had met Wist, Linn was listening, wide-eyed. "That must have been rather frightening!" She mentioned, trying to imagine such a thing. She had heard of Gaer's account of having to be evacuated, sent off to live with her sister up in the mountains, but Linn and her mother had stayed in their estate throughout the whole thing, while her brothers kept watch on the property borders to ensure that no enemies troubled them. "Was it scary, having to leave home?"

Eryn smiled a little sheepishly. "Well, I was scared for my dad," She admitted. "He was serving with the Ithilien rangers, in the company with Captain Faramir, at the time. So, I knew he'd be in the thickest of the fighting, and.. I was afraid I might never see him again." She wrapped her arms around herself, frowning slightly at the recollection of that unpleasantness. "But for me, I really wasn't scared." She shrugged, then smiled slightly. "Actually, there was this ranger who was in charge of our wagon group, all the way to Lossarnach," She explained. "And he became a very good friend of mine. In fact, he's now one of my best friends. But anyway.. he was in charge of keeping us all safe, and making sure we got there alright, and when my father left me in his care, I had brought my bow and arrows." She grinned. "I was about your age, Linn," She added. "Anyway, I told him that I was going to help him guard the wagons, and so he declared that I would be his helper." She grinned slightly at that memory.

Eryn shrugged a little awkwardly at Gaer's words, calling her 'very brave'. "Well, I try to be." She paused. "But you sort of have to be brave, to join the rangers. The people in that group with me, they weren't any braver than anyone else." She frowned. "It was mostly a lot of elderly people, and some kids, and people who hadn't managed to leave with the first wains, for one reason or another." She explained. "That was.. not really about being brave. I was only a kid, obeying my father's orders to get to safety. Those who stayed behind in the city, to fight the enemy, or heal the wounded, or do whatever they could to help... they were the ones who were truly brave. They, and those who came to Minas Tirith, to help." She glanced back toward Gaer's brother, tagging along somewhere behind them, having a suspicion he was one of that latter group. But she didn't comment, and turned back to Gaer. "Here's my road." She smiled and led the way down the lane.

The invitation to come to the ballet thing with them was again put forth. Eryn had been giving it a little thought, while they walked. If the girl was Wist, as she thought, then it would be nice to see her again. "I'll see if I can," Eryn answered. "When is it?"

"Three days from now," Linn answered eagerly, and also mentioned what time it would be starting, and what time they hoped to gather.

"Three days." Eryn considered. "I might," She agreed. "But, I can't go dress shopping tomorrow," She added apologetically. "I already have other plans for tomorrow." She thought for a moment. Three days didn't leave a lot of time. And was it really necessary to get all matching dresses? She wasn't quite so sure about that, and she wasn't sure if they meant some fancy dresses that Eryn might not be able to afford.

"Oh, I have an idea! What if we just ask the shop to set one of the dresses aside, in the color you want?" Linn suggested. "Then, if it turns out that you can't go, they can just put it back out for sale. But if you do, then it's already reserved for you."

Eryn tilted her head thoughtfully, then smiled faintly. "Alright, yeah. Sure, that sounds like a reasonable plan. If you tell me what shop it is, I can stop in on my way home from healer training, tomorrow?" She suggested. It wasn't quiet the same as going shopping with others, but it would be far more efficient, anyway.

Meanwhile, she had been leading them down the lane, past a sign that declared the property to be "Daisy Dairy Farm" with a little daisy painted on one corner of the sign. It didn't take long before excited barking forewarned them of Hattie's approach. The small black dog came racing down the lane from the house to greet them, thoroughly sniffing each of the newcomers before jumping up at their knees, begging for attention. Eryn grinned. "This is Hattie," She introduced her new friends to the canine.

Linn grinned as she happily obliged with Hattie's request for petting. "Awww, she's adorable." She scratched around her ears and giggled as Hattie eventually rolled over onto her back, asking for belly rubs.

---

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

On the road leading to castle Ansellidus
Late Dec

Hearing that the lady was a ranger, he was both surprised, and also not. He hadn't expected for any rangers to be around here, much less traveling as an escort to a fancy carriage, but looking at her, it was easy to believe that she would be a ranger. She had weapons, after all, and she did carry herself as he had seen others do. But he was not very familiar with the rangers, personally.

"I'm.." He hesitated at the request for a name, glancing distractedly back toward the approaching guards. The heavier man had paused but briefly, and he was only a little way behind the other two. They were nearly upon them. Even as the blue-eyed man spoke to suggest he come speak to him in the carriage, the nearest guard called out to greet the group as they approached.

"Good day to you!" he called in a cordial tone. "Have you seen anyone else upon the road, in the last few minutes? It's rather urgent.."

The escapee backed away, unsure how well the lady ranger could block their view of him with her horse, since there were three of them and it wouldn't take much for them to guess that he was the cause for the carriage pausing its progress. Still, he didn't protest the thought of moving into shelter. He was growing a bit cold now that he'd stopped running and the adrenaline was fading. "Call me.. Andy," He answered quietly as he allowed himself to be led away. Even so, he felt it was rather pointless to try and hide him, now. They must have seen him here. They must know he was here. They'd search the carriage and then find him. But maybe, if he could convince these travelers to help him, things would turn to his favor. But they did not have time to get very far.

"There he is, Sergeant!" The other guard who had not spoken, spotted 'Andy' as he and Macardil started for the carriage.

The heavier man was huffing and out of breath as he caught up to the other two, stopping near the lady on horseback. "Thank goodness, you've found him," He took a moment to catch his breath, while taking a look at whatever he could see of them, that might identify who they were, but he did not see anything that made it clear. Since the lady was blocking their way to Andy, he did not try to pass her. But rather, he addressed both of the two visitors with an urgent warning, "Ma'am, sir, please, for your own sakes, keep your distance from that man, he's very contagious!" He pointed past her toward Andy, while the two guards behind him nodded their agreement.

Turning, Andy stared at him in puzzlement. "Contagious?" He repeated under his breath, incredulous. He glanced at Macardil and back to the other man, trying to make sense of this claim.

"I apologize if he's caused any trouble for you folks," The Sergeant continued. "I'm Sergeant Bays, of the Ansellidus castle guard. I don't know how he managed to get past us," He explained, in between puffing for breath. He was not quite in the best shape for running around after people. "But, it's very important that we get this man back under the care of a healer, immediately." he explained. "He shouldn't be out of bed, let alone running around in the cold..."

"What? I'm not sick!" Andy protested in an astonished tone.

Bays went on as if ignoring him, "He's been delirious for several weeks.. he doesn't even know what's really going on, you see. So, if you'll just let me and my men by..." He appealed to the lady, hoping to convince her to let him get to Andy. "Poor fellow is suffering from severe hallucinations and-"

"I am not hallucinating!" Andy insisted, growing more desperate to convince the couple. He turned pleadingly to Macardil. "Please, listen to me.. there's a man locked up in the dungeon-"

"Ah, see?" Bays shook his head. "Hallucinating, again.. although that's a new one." He sighed. "He's been coming off with the most absurd things ever since the hallucinations began. A man in the dungeon? That's absurd! I can assure you, no one is being held in any dungeon." He said with a slightly nervous laugh. "He's clearly caught up in some wild fantasy concocted by his delirious mind.." He looked past the lady to where Andy stood, a step or two behind Macardil, as if hoping he would protect him. "Come, sir, please? We must get you back to the healer, before you risk spreading your illness to these good folks." He tried to step nearer. "No one wants to harm you, we just want to help you get better again."

Shaking his head warily, Andy backed up another step, even though the lady ranger's position was blocking Bays from getting to him, as long as she didn't decide to move and let him through. "I'm not going back there with you," He insisted, narrowing his eyes. "And I'm not delirious, or delusional, or even sick," He looked at the lady, then the man, wondering if they were believing any of what he said, or if they were leaning more toward believing Bays' story.

"My lord, please," Bays sighed in exasperation, addressing 'Andy' from where he stood. "You're very ill, and you need help.. Just come back with me, and everything will be alright. I promise."

Andy frowned, and turned to Macardil, speaking swiftly with urgency, "Please, sir, if you don't believe anything else I say, at least believe this; there's a man in the dungeon who desperately needs help. I saw and spoke to him, about a month ago, and he asked me to find a man at some place he called the Himhathol estate, by the name of Amarthon, and said he could help him..." He paused, then his shoulders drooped slightly. "But.. I don't know how to find this place."

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor & Lady Gaerlothriel Dimaethor
December 22nd, Pelennor Fields, Gondor

”Linny’s horse is a race horse. Champion race horse!” Gaer added praise on her friend’s steed as well. And she agreed about coming back. Hopefully. If Gaer really was to marry Linny’s brother, he wouldn’t object to the two of them going off on horse rides to the White City, right? He could trust his wife and sister together, no chaperone or guards required. Then the girls could be free to do as they wished, for as long as they wished, whenever they wished! One could dream.

”Your father is also very brave.” Gaer had to add on to her compliments on Eryn, even as the other girl tried to be modest about it. She and Linny could only speculate on what they would do in the face of such danger. Eryn had actually done it. Quantifiably. She is brave. There was no argument in Gaer’s mind against it. And she wanted to become a Ranger too? Such opportunities there were in the City! If only she could live here somehow. Life would be so different.

They walked down the final laneway to Eryn’s house, as they walked about the ballet, and the dresses and all. Matching dresses, while stylish, wouldn’t make or break their experience. ”I’d rather have you there than us all in matching outfits, so don’t fret too much. I do hope you’ll join us regardless, even if you’re fresh in from a snowstorm, dripping wet with melted ice.” Gaer assured Eryn with a laugh. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that and Eryn could join them safely and on time! At least there would be compliment gloves and all that as part of the barter. She gave Eryn the address and location of the dress shop within the City, as they entered a pleasant little estate dubbed Daisy Dairy Farm.

Excited and eager barking greeted them, Eryn being greeted first and Gaer grinning from ear to ear at the sight of the little dog. ”Hello! Hi! Hello, Hattie!” Gaer greeted the dog as it sniffed at her, offering her hands as well for it to nose at and even lick. She almost squealed with delight. This was a cute dog! Not like those big, rude hunting hounds her father had around her own familial estate.

”She is just precious.” She agreed with Linny, crouching down to pet Hattie across her back and alternatively offer the back of her palm for Hattie to sniff and lick, if she wished. ”Abrazimir, look at the cute dog!”

”Good dog.” Abrazimir agreed with a solemn nod, like there could be no other counter-point to that claim. ”But you all should get started on why you’re here, while there’s some good light to shoot by.” He reminded them, from their immense attentions on the cute dog.

”Yes, shall we?” Gaer asked the other two girls. ”Can we meet your family now? If it’s not too much trouble. I’d like to express our gratitude and thanks to you all for putting up with us, for the next few hours. And then you can show us where you make the magic happen!” She said, referencing Eryn’s archery range and equipment. A proper greeting to her Uncle and Aunt, then the cows, then the fun. She hoped the invite to the ballet show would more than make up for this lesson and stay.

”The City looks nice from here, huh?” Gaer pointed out, glancing back towards Minas Tirith a short distance away, it’s first outer wall of solid black material, before leading up to a city of white stone and marble, all the way up the mountain, where the Tower of Ecthelion stood out like a tall obelisk, crowned with pearls and silver. ”You are blessed for getting to see that every morning and day!” She praised Eryn, starting to feel like she was in a tale, so close to such an ancient and grandiose place of her kin.

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn @Rillewen

Karis Ziranphel, Lady Himhathol
Travelling to the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

She could understand having some distress if the man had just escaped, but it seemed to freeze him now that he was afforded some protection, as he dithered his time away looking at the approaching guards instead of answering immediately. Ziran nodded curtly in response to Macardil’s look, but the foremost guards were already calling out in their approach, and she swiftly shifted her attention to staring them down while half listening to watch she might be able to catch of the conversation behind her.

She did not bother responding with words to the ridiculous greeting by the guard, especially as the next one quickly called out to say he had spotted the man, merely arching a brow and looking both stern and unconcerned by their words. Her gaze dared them to try anything. She sighed internally at their lack of creativity in accusing the man of contagion. Why weren’t they swathed and masked to keep away bad breath if that were so? It did pull a call of outrage from the man, however, and her expression shifted to reflect her disbelief in their back and forth as it morphed to hallucinations and dungeons, concluding with the Sergeant calling the man “sir.” Ziran tightened the reins slightly when one of them pushed forward, causing her mount to shift restively in place. It didn’t seem to deter the discussion, as more words about illness and hallucination were forthcoming, including Bays addressing him as “my Lord.” Ziran frowned at that. Their words did not add up with the man’s actions and their speed in pursuit of him. He hadn’t been dressed as lord of the castle but as a guard, and he had been sprinting down the road. His words of not being ill rang more true. “He shows no signs of illness beyond your word, and he obviously doesn’t want to go with you. Kindly stay back and keep your distance until you are invited forward.”

Shifting in the saddle to move the horse in an elegant sidestep, she forced them back a few steps with the threat of running them over with the bay if they didn’t move their persons. She couldn’t hear whatever the man was telling Macardil quietly, but she could see the guards’ focus remained on him more than her despite her proximity. It would only take a touch of her heel and a shift of the reins to whirl her horse in place and knock them flying if they encroached too far. Her blade remained sheathed while they kept their hands free of their weapons, but it was easy at hand, and would take a moment to draw it and began laying about her with its keen edge if they drew their weapons. As a ranger she had jurisdiction to act anywhere in Gondor, but shouldn’t need to announce herself. If they were being truthful no violence would be needed, and if they weren’t, her status wasn’t likely to be a sufficient deterrence.

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel @Rillewen

Lord Macardil Himhathol
Near the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

Andy? Macardil did not fail to note that the man did not exactly say that 'Andy' was his name. 'Call me Andy.' His eyes narrowed as he tried his best to ignore the guards' approach, trusting Ziran to handle them for now. But of course, Macardil was not by any means deaf. Besides, 'Andy' was not ignoring them either, and in fact engaged verbally with the guards, clearly unable from protesting when they claimed he was contagious.

Given that 'Andy' looked an awful lot like Amardir Ansellidus, and given that Macardil was at present more inclined to believe that they were all of them playing the game together, rather than that the guards were on opposite sides from Lord Ansellidus, he was not very impressed by the exchange. The guards claimed that 'Andy' was ill and contagious, and delirious. How convenient. And 'Andy' claimed he was no such thing. Of course.

Macardil was about to say, somewhat sarcastically, that he was probably to assume that Lord Ansellidus was not at his estate at present, when the Sergeant laughed a bit nervously at 'Andy's claim someone was in the dungeons. That felt like a red flag. Was it supposed to, however? Was this another little play within their larger game? And then the Sergeant surprised Macardil by calling 'Andy' "My Lord". Macardil frowned. If they were being open about 'Andy' being their Lord... Macardil had already recognized him, so he knew that part was true... Were the guards right, then? Had their Lord fallen ill and had he forgotten who he was?
The more he heard, the less sense he could make of it, really.

At least it was clear that the guards meant 'Andy', or rather Amardir, no harm. So either there was truth to what they were saying, or they were still playing some sort of game with him. He could not really see another option. 'Andy's' next words to him, made Macardil's frown deepen. "How convenient," he replied levelly. "For Amarthon Himhathol happens to be my cousin, who manages the Himhathol estate when I am not present." He pulled back his cloak partly, to reveal the small family crest embroidered upon his overcoat. If it would supposedly mean anything to 'Andy'. "Who is this man who is supposedly being held in the castle dungeon?" Macardil demanded, deciding he would ask that much before making up his mind about what to do next.

[Arnyn]

@Lantaelen

Torniel
Harlond, The Bregolalph - January

'Wake up.'

Torniel half-heard the words, smiling to herself as she travelled from her dreamless slumber to the land of the awoken. She slowly turned toward him, and bit her lip with a little grin as she watched him getting dressed. He moved quickly, however, very quickly, and the show came to a premature end when he held up her own things for her. When he urged her on, she let out a little sigh and sat up on the edge of the cot,taking some of her things from him and proceeding to put them on, hiding her own self onepiece of clothing at a time. Apparently he had been working hard to set sail today. To set sail... this morning?

"How risky, Dauntless," she told him, "to enjoy such a warm night before setting sail in the cold of winter." As she brushed her fingers through her long dark hair, she smirked at him. "I'll hurry," she promised, and indeed put on the rest of her clothes more quickly than he might have expected. She did not want to make any trouble for him. Sure, he was rushing her out in a way that fit more with the men she usually dealt with, rather than what she was used to from him... and sure, that did sting a little. But stress could do such things to the best of them, couldn't it?

Couldn't it?

He walked with her, at least. No one seemed to be out here. Her steps were perfectly silent, next to his. But then something happened that momentarily made her fear for Dauntless' response. They were seen. And Dauntless was greeted. Would he become upset with being seen? Would he become angry with her for showing up in his cabin, now things had not turned out fully the way he would have wished? Would all of this end, now? This little sliver of life she was trying to cut out and keep for herself, untainted by the Hand?

He rushed her onward. Her gaze dropped to the floorboards of the deck. When they reached the gangplank, however, he preceeded her. And offered her his hand. Torniel looked back, over her shoulder. The men were still watching. Staring, even. She fixed her attention back upon Dauntless, still concerned with how he would react now they had been spotted. Now that the secret would not last much longer among the men aboard his ship. Not that any of them knew whom she was. But they would know their Captain was involved in... well, something.

She caught the words from one of the sailors, as well as the snickers from his fellows and the growl from Dauntless. Despite that - despite all of that - Torniel maintained her good posture and she held her chin high with a kind of pride she perhaps should not possess. On the pier, the knight from Belfalas paused to look all around them. Torniel mentally prepared - for the anger, or at the very least, the annoyance. The blame that would be put upon her, now they had been seen. Discovered.

'Thank you again for the surprise drop in. It was exceptional as always.'

Torniel blinked, both at his words and at the amiable tone they were spoken in. What?

'Send word ahead next time, I can prepare something, with more pomp and, uh, time.' And then he smiled at her. And he kissed her hand. What...? 'Or perhaps I might send to you, if you give me somewhere I can send to…?' What????

Her dark eyes were wide as she assessed his expression. "You... are not angry with me?" she asked, clearly in disbelief, nodding her head toward the men who had seen them, and had... commented.

[Lantaelen]

@Arnyn

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor
The Bregolalph, docked at Harlond, January

You… are not angry with me? The query made Abrazimir do a double take. Had he misheard that? Too tired maybe and certainly sleep deprived, but no, she was asking him, if he was not angry with her, perhaps the reasoning for such a hasty departure and so abrupt and sudden. If anything, he thought Torniel would be angry with him for such apparent rudeness! It was nothing of the kind though. He would have enjoyed nothing more than to spend more time with her but the timing was just off. She could not have known…

”Never.” He said assuredly and placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. ”It is just…I have other obligations at dawn. Before, even. Had it been any other time, I would have happily entertain you more. We did not get to properly enjoy our drinks, for one.” Abrazimir said with a dry chuckle. He gave her shoulder another shake, then removed his hand, clasping them before him and resting back on one foot. He regarded her with a light smile. If only there was more time. But his friends might be coming down those piers right now.

It was still dark out. The sun would begin rising within the hour, maybe less. It was cold out here on the docks in early January. ”Would you be safe and well getting back to your lodgings? I can escort you, if you like.” He offered, even thinking he might offer her his cloak again. She had her own cloak of course but one could always use more in this weather. For him, they were just standard issued, nothing special or personalized about them. A dark blue, the primary colour and hue of the fiefdom of Belfalas and those subordinate to Dol Amroth.

[Rillewen]

@Lantaelen

Dulinneth & Erynneth
Dec 22 - Pelennor/Dairy Farm
New friends

"A champion racehorse?" Eryn was surprised. "You mentioned your horse had raced, but you didn't mention that." She said to Linn.

"Oh, it was one race," Linn blushed faintly. And she couldn't exactly declare that she had been the one racing him, either. "He did very well, though. There was a lady from Minas Tirith who raced against m-Traelioin, the young man who was racing for me." She explained, with only a nearly imperceptible near slip-up. "They were so close, it was really hard to tell who had won, but in the end, they declared that it was mine." She shrugged.

"From Minas Tirith?" Eryn tilted her head, thinking. "Not that I know everyone who lives there, but I do know a good number of folks." She mentioned. "Who was it? Maybe I've at least heard of her?"

Linn had to think back for a second, as it had been a few months ago by now. "She said her name was Pele, something..."

"Pele?" Eryn grinned. "Alarion?"

"Yes! You do know her, then?"

"She's captain of the rangers, as well as master healer," Eryn informed her. "So, yes. I know her." She smiled. "Good that she did so well. And good for you, for managing to win. I've heard that Temper is a pretty fast horse."

Linn grinned. "So is Rhovan."

The topic shifted back to the ballet, and Eryn couldn't help but laugh at Gaer's words. "Well, there aren't many snowstorms around Minas Tirith, but I'll try to at least make sure I don't have any mud on me," She joked, and left out the fact that she quite often did have mud on her, on an average day. Today she had come straight from the houses of healing, so she was in a clean dress, but ordinarily, she would change before starting on chores or training, and so forth.

She nodded when the other girl told her where the shop was. "Ah, that shop. I've passed by there plenty of times, so yeah, I know where that is." She wasn't sure if she had ever been inside, though. "I can check in there tomorrow to see about it," She said, without making any promises. It wasn't like she was opposed to a new dress, but if it was outrageously expensive, then she would have to pass, especially if there wasn't much need for a dress like that on any other occasion.

The other two girls seemed delighted with Hattie, who was eating up the attention. Eryn grinned, waiting for a moment to let them get acquainted. Gaer's brother did not seem as enthusiastic about the small dog, but Eryn did smile at his labeling Hattie a good dog. "She really is." She agreed, though she didn't get into the ways that Hattie had been a hero. 

Abrazimir brought their attention back to their reason for coming, and Eryn nodded. "Yes, come on." She smiled, leading the way. Along the lane leading to the house, lined with fences and pastures, she pointed out an old grey horse that was grazing out in the field further away. "Over there is Smoke," She told them. "He pulls the dairy cart and stuff." Her grin brightened as her own beautiful, blond and white horse came trotting over and stretched her head toward them over the fence. "And this is Buttercup." She took a moment to introduce them to Buttercup while she stroked her neck, and glanced back toward the city. "Yeah, it is pretty," She agreed with Gaer. "And it's not too far to walk on a daily basis, so that's nice."

After that, Eryn continued onward, not to the house, but to the barn. "Aunt Aggie will be doing the milking, about now, and she'll probably have the kids with her." She explained. "Uncle Cailon, I think, is out mending fences, so he might not be back for a little bit." Aggie paused from milking, and was quite happy to meet Eryn's new friends, and as predicted, asked if they'd like to stay for supper. Being a very cheerful and friendly woman, it might be slightly surprising that her children, Berion and Della, were somewhat wary of strangers. Della was about four, and hid shyly behind Aggie's skirts, while Berian, a couple of years older than his sister, greeted them politely but remained watchful of them and kept close to his sister and Aggie.

After introducing her friends to Aggie, and to her two young cousins, Eryn took them down the row of stalls to 'meet' each of the cows. After that, she led them back out of the barn. "My father will be out this way," She informed them, heading toward a small patch of trees just a short walk from the house and barn. "It's also where the archery stuff is," She added with a little grin, eager to show it off.


(Hope it's alright that i skimmed through introductions, I wanted to get on with other stuff lol. )

---

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

On the road leading to castle Ansellidus
Late Dec

At Karis' words, Bays and his two men reluctantly took several steps back to avoid being trampled, but clearly did not plan to give up. "Not all illnesses have symptoms that can be seen with the eyes, my lady," Bays pointed out, frowning. "But he does need to be under the care of his healer, and the longer he stays out here.." He made a sort of frustrated motion in the air. "He'll get worse, don't you realize? He shouldn't be out here!"

As the guards were pushed further away, 'Andy' was somewhat relieved, yet also wondered what they might say now. He wanted to say something to protest against the accusation of himself being ill, but Macardil's words stopped him. 'How convenient.' He looked at him, confused. Convenient? He wasn't sure what that was supposed to mean, but a moment later, his eyes widened slightly as Macardil declared who he was, and revealed a crest that meant nothing to 'Andy' except to assume it was the Himhathol crest. Macardil? A couple of things began to click together, as that name matched up with another, as well as something that had been said to him. "You're..." He stopped, astonished to realize that this was the very same 'Macardil' that Hal had spoken of, and also.. must be the same Macardil who had been a prisoner in the dungeons of Minas Tirith for a time. "I had no idea.. I could've told him.." He spoke more as if to himself, than to Macardil.

He snapped out of his surprise after a second, when Macardil - or should he refer to him as Lord Himhathol? - asked who this man in the dungeon was. "I don't know his first name," He admitted regretfully. "But his last name is Veranis," He declared, trying to ignore Sergeant Bays as he let out a scoff. "It's Lord Veranis.. Alyssa's father. He said he would've asked for you, but he believed you were still in the dungeon, yourself," He explained swiftly. "I didn't realize it was the same Macardil, or I could have told him you'd been released," He said regretfully, wishing he could have offered the man some small comfort like that.

"My lady, the lord is raving mad. He's ranting about impossible things, imagining himself as some captive, and so forth." Bays declared insistently. "We must get him back inside, immediately." He didn't try to move closer, but he was growing more impatient. "Please, ma'am," he appealed to Karis, speaking more quietly. "Lord Ansellidus is clearly not well. He probably doesn't even know what he's saying, he's just caught up in some.. wild, fantasy hallucination. He really is quite ill, and he needs his medicine as soon as possible."

Guessing that the guards were still trying to convince the lady ranger of his illness, Andy took hold of Macardil's arm in desperation, determined not to give up. "Please, you must believe me, sir," He pleaded quietly, and urgently. "I know it probably sounds crazy, but it's true, and he needs help. He's been held captive in there for years, and I came upon him during my last attempt at escaping. I did what I could to help him, but regrettably, it wasn't much. He asked me to bring help. I promised I would do my best, but.. it's been nearly impossible to get out since... But that was nearly a month ago, as well as I can tell, and I only hope it isn't too late."

[Arnyn]

@Lantaelen

Torniel
Harlond, The Bregolalph - January

She smiled, a bit uncertainly, as he assured her he was not angry. Other obligations, yes... But was he truly not upset with her for dropping in unannounced, when the timing could have clearly been improved upon? Torniel watched his light smile. He did not seem to be putting up a front.

What was clear, was that this was no time to hug or kiss him for it. They stood at arm's length, just close enough for him to be able to put a hand on her shoulder, but no nearer than that. A woman with less wit might not have realized. Torniel did, however. She smiled at him, in that way which usually broadened his own smile. "Such a busy knight," she praised quietly, even if she did not step close nor reached out to him. "I am glad you are not upset."

"I will be safe," she reassured him. "I have a hidden knife in my cloak," she revealed to him, in words alone. No one would expect a lady dressed as she was, to put up much of a defense. She would not solely have the knife on her side, but the element of surprise as well. As a soldier, he would know that, too.

Torniel resisted the urge to reach out and put her hand on his chest. Instead, she kept her arms warmly beneath her cloak. She asked how long he would be fulfilling his obligations - and whether he would return to Harlond, even if briefly, upon their completion. Within the month, he told her. And so she considered that, and promised him to leave an address with the harbour master. "I shall leave it for the Captain of the Bregolalph," she told him with an amused smile, indicating there was no need for him to reveal his name, not even for this. "Surely, that will tell the man enough. Then... you can feel free to send word. Or yourself." She held his eyes with hers, sultry and full of promises of good times. Her teeth briefly caught at her bottom lip. "Thank you. For the wine. And for..." She couldn't help but smile, before turning around and walking down the pier.

It was clear it would be a long time, now, before they would meet again. But perhaps that was a good thing. She did not need the Hand worrying about where she was or who she was with. And she would need some time to set up a front, and deliver the address to Harlond's Harbour Master.

[Ercassie]

@Pele Alarion @Rillewen

’ In Gondor, the chief currency was the [golden] Castar’

- The Peoples of Middle Earth (HOME), JRR Tolkien




Lord Heledir Estennin
in Harlond Harbour, with a problem
Five years ago.

The child’s rounded features all had fallen slack, as though he but idled in a state in calm repose. As the carriage rollicked over the hard cobbles, Heledir could imagine he saw the boy’s chest rise and fall, as though he were still breathing. It was difficult though to watch too carefully, or for too long a time. So far as his journey carried the Lord and his burden down to Harlond, he could stave off a decision over what he ought to do. For a while longer.

“We are nearly there now.”

The claim, shouldered back from the front seat driver, did not cheer the heart of the man from Dol Amroth. Heledir was running short on time. Once they arrived at the harbour, his way home would beckon. With hope, the vessel was already nestled amongst all those ships stationed for ventures beyond Pelargir. He would take the ferry down the Anduin, and then find his ship. Well, .. not his ship. But he had certainly paid enough to be assured it would be there for him. The Lord’s fingers ran the length of the object in his hands. He glanced from his trophy to the means of his having obtained it.

---

**Flashback**

Haldrim pranced along at the back of the merry line. All the children without exception were bustling and chattering, like many birds high up in the treetops; the thrill of their being outside of the classroom had already set this school outing as though a festival. Teacher was making arrangements at the door, with the warden. Haldrim peered around the line in front of him to better see, and could not. He rose onto tip toes and it did not help one piece. With a sigh, he sank through the depths of childish impatience. Was there anything to hand which he could stand on ? So that he could see the door ? They would be starting their tour in minutes only, but never had minutes felt so long !

Glancing behind him, he caught a glimpse of a strange tall man, in the alley. The man’s face was cast in shadow, but in his hand, something twirled. Something golden ! The mysterious figure beckoned with a silent finger. Haldrim, having never seen gold in his short, short life, was drawn, as though by a siren’s song. He tottered over to see what might be this wonder, while the rest of his classmates were still falling over themselves to push forward in their queue.


“You like this ?” Heledir already knew the answer. “Would you like to hold it ?”

A small hand was thrust out, without hesitation. Haldrim’s eyes were wide. The small coin sat in his palm as though made to do so. It shone, as he moved his little hand. The sunlight caught up the gold and it seemed to smile. The small boy did, both shine and smile, as he turned the tiny coin over in his hand.

“Would you like to keep it ?” the Lord indulged in the joy that he bred through the small boy’s face. Evading the truth of consequences. He needed to focus first on what came first. Haldrim struggled over the concept of such a gift, for he was a decent little soul, having been raised up correct. Slowly, and begrudgingly, he offered the coin back to the stranger.

“My mother says I ought not take anything I have not earned,” he recited, mournfully.

“Well,” Heledir pressed, “what if you did something for me, to earn it ?”



It was clear to see that the prospect bore some appeal. Little Haldrim fought to find a reason why the idea might be wrong. Taking things from strangers was wrong, he knew that. But earning a pretty thing .. he knew that his mother loved all pretty things. She would be so happy, so proud of her son …

“What would I have to do ?” he wondered aloud. The stranger took his turn then to smile .




Nobody saw Haldrim reach up on his tip toes. Nobody saw the small hand that plucked the arrow from it’s plush cushion. Nobody could keep a watch on so many children at once.

The boy stowed the secret up his sleeve and tugged on a guard’s long arm, muttered something about needing the toilet. The guard pointed him out of the room. Not a single eye watched him depart. The rain had begun to thrash the streets now, dawn’s gold rise forgotten. The door was studded and heavy set, it was no mean feat for the naïve little thief to push it open. Observing the rain, he halted, and frowned at the thought of getting wet. The plan was recounted in his tiny mind, either to bolster his courage, or recall details ..



“Why do you not simply walk in and look at the arrow yourself ?” ignorance had threatened to talk his own way out of a shimmering reward. “Then you would not need somebody to bring it outside for you to see.”

“I would have to pay the guard in order to enter and see the arrow,” the Lord had then reasoned. “The guards are paid well enough by the steward already. I would rather give my gold to you. But I still would like to see the arrow. I have come a long long way ...”


The door shuffled open on it’s hinges, and the small boy stood there, blinking in the face of the rainstorm. Heledir stood vigil through a veil of hard rain. It dashed against his face like a wave across a cliff, numbing all of the noble that was soaked by the contact. He had always despised such unfriendly weather, preferring to sit inside, drawn up on his window seat. His daughter, when she had yet been young as the boy stood, used to clamber into his lap there, and cast her long hair to tickle his throat as she cuddled in ..

He motioned the child to come find him in the alley. Behind him now stood the carriage which he had procured at no small price either. The driver was an driver whom Arkadhur had sent him to liaise with at Pelargir. This one raised the heckles all about the Noble’s skin. He was young, but did not even play at the charade of decency as his blackmailer had done. So far though, the gruffer young aide had kept up his end of the bargain. Heledir was beginning to know unease nonetheless, as he mentally counted the growing number of people who were involved. The sorts of people who he was now involved with. He was sorry to admit, the carriage driver wasn’t the worst of them. Not by half. The Lord himself had managed some of the worst things he could imagine doing, all in the last matter of months. Did the reason why he had resorted to such deeds make any difference in the grand scheme of things ?



The injury done to Haldrim had been an accident, and the Lord clung to that understanding of events. When the child had come over all excited and his whoops of joy at having accomplished the deed, .. threatened to bring all manner of attention upon them .. When he had crushed the arrow to his young chest, startled by the Lord’s hiss of displeasure, for him to be quiet ! When tears had begun to water those round cheeks and small feet had begun to backtrack away from the angry noble …

Heledir had thrown out a determined hand and seized the boy’s arm. In seeking to turn and run, Haldrim had slipped on the slick of wet cobblestones, and crashed his brow into the hard alley wall … The small boy had dropped like a pile of bricks and the Lord of Dol Amroth had hastened the bedraggled lump swift into his waiting carriage.

---

Harlond Harbour
Some hours later

The boy lay along the seat across from his abductor. His length was not even enough to reach the arm rests at either end. As the carriage bounced over a pothole, the small figure shifted, one short, chubby arm dropped down to hang from his perch. Like a pendulum. It swung harmlessly, striking nothing but against the nobleman’s conscience. In his new position, a small scab of dried blood could be observed matting the feather dark hair of the boy.

Heledir turned away, sick from the sight of that stain. He had never meant to hurt the child, had never properly thought through what he ought to do, once he held what was needed. Loose ends. He had foolishly imagined that the boy would run off home with his gold coin ? Maybe drop such a prize upon his family table, that would raise them all up out of poverty ! Such were the dreams of the Lord from Dol Amroth. That he was doing a decent thing …

If only things had not gone awry


“Do you wish me to take ‘care’ of that ?”

The carriage driver by now had a face as grim as his reputation. And there was no doubt that he used the word ‘care’, here in a rather altered context than that Heledir might like. Which fitted with everything else that had happened so far. The nobleman was neither practiced or proficient in the sorts of things he was being forced to accomplish. So he managed the mere indication of a nod, and the child was dragged out without hesitation or ceremony, out .. out into the water. The boy was already mostly dead, most likely ... At the very least, rendered from consciousness. If he were now ‘taken care of’, at least the child would know nothing of it. He would suffer not. Heledir could not watch, nor properly convince himself that he was not responsible. As the rain tore down all around the horrific scene, the Lord felt it not at all but imagined that his own grief wet his whole entire.

"We don’t have to do this you know ?," the driver paused his wading, waist deep in the water now, and gave up a last sliver of hope for poor half-conscious Haldrim. And for Heledir as well. "We could have him to Devedir and your little loose end here will never tell on you about any of this. Not to anyone who would do a thing about it anyway …."


The boy had barely held on this long at pretending to be asleep ! Fear came then though far too close to seeing his ruse discovered ! Happily for him, an unhappy Heledir shook his head, wet from the storm.

"No," the oblivious lord from Dol Amroth decided, thinking of some other parent being sent parts of their child, if that child ended up in Umbar. As his had ... "This is kinder, and the only thing now we can do."


"We ?" the driver laughed. It was no sound of normal laughter, it was not shaped out of merriment. It was a cruel, hoarse bark of a laugh, brandished against the brief flash of thunder from the leaden sky. "There is no ‘we’, Lord." Never had such appellation sounded so mocking. "This is your work. And I shall expect extra coin for being your hands in this ! Had you the rocks to sell him, forever far from his home and a chance to speak of this, you might at least make back some of all you owe ..."



The sentence did not end in conclusion but in shock, as the man received a kick in the groin from a boy he had assumed done. Half drowned and extremely desperate, Haldrim scrambled and struggled with one maybe fractured arm that the lord had grabbed him by. He ducked under the water, and kicked feet for the docks.

The lord and the driver searched, for as long as they felt there was some small chance of locating the child. Then fear began to set in. Not only for the shivering infant, who cowered beneath the wooden pier and held out hope that the strange men would go away, soon ! But also the hapless father from Dol Amroth, whose daughter would pay if he could not deliver the red arrow ! He turned back, to ensure that the arrow would not be discovered, nor retrieved, from the carriage where Heledir had left it, upon his seat. There was reason also that, since they could not find the lost boy, they ought leave with all haste, before any aid was given and a pursuit of their misdemeanours made. The carriage and both men met their ride upon the ferry which bore them to Pelargir. With a replica in hand, of the infamous Red Arrow. There was no way that Heledir could have known of course, and certainly no way that Haldrim could have guessed. That the real Red Arrow of legend would never be set on display even in a museum. This was but a replica. And all the damage done to see it from it’s seat would prove more than trouble than the insignificant understudy was worth.

The boy, .. held on for his life, terrified, freezing, and sobbing his tiny heart out. When he was found by a kindly fisherman, he screamed and struggled in fright. Finally the pain in his arm and all the water he had swallowed caused his exhausted collapse. His head wound no doubt played it's part also. But upon this scene at least, the curtain fell. The next face that little Haldrim would see, was the kind features of the city’s Masterhealer. For where else would a half drowned child be took, by those who had saved him, but to the Houses of Healing.

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel @Rillewen

Lord Macardil Himhathol
Near the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

Veranis. Veranis?! Lord Veranis? Alyssa's father... Macardil could not believe his ears. If this was a joke, he did not find it entertaining. But if it was true... Why would Amardir keep Halberion here? For... years? Why would he keep his wife's father here - in the dungeon? If they had been betrothed?

A shiver ran down his spine as he remembered his own disbelief at the claim of Hal agreeing on an engagement for Alyssa, years ago, at her young age, without Hal even telling him about it. Perhaps the claim was an outright lie.
Even if that would fit - it was still not an avenue he really wished to be true. Not even if it would confirm the bad feeling he had had about everything he had heard from Brenior, Dinalogassel and Meressil.

Macardil's eyes flicked to Ziran, still upon her bay, as the Sergeant beyond could be heard saying that 'the Lord' was raving mad. The guard officer then spoke more quietly to Ziranphel, which is when 'Andy' took his arm and made his own pleas.

It all made so little sense. It sounded ludicrous. It was confusing.

Was this man, who looked like the spitting image of Amardir Ansellidus, indeed the Lord Ansellidus, and were they all taking a run with him - taunting him with the possibility that a dear friend, long believed lost, was being held here? Perhaps Ansellidus believed Macardil still belonged in a dungeon, himself. Perhaps the Lord wished to provoke him into certain crimes and misdeeds, so he may be locked away once more?

Was Lord Ansellidus truly hallucinating, and was it all some strange delusion? If so, then why would he think to conjure up the image of a Lord Veranis, however? Because of Alyssa?

Or was this man, who looked like the spitting image of Amardir Ansellidus, not him after all? And might he... might he... be speaking the truth?

The first option seemed most likely. The third option was the one his heart yearned for.

"If you speak true," Macardil told 'Andy' quietly, "then the both of you must have realized the story seems too wild to believe. I called Lord Veranis my closest friend for a very long time. Knowing him, he would have told you something to prove that you had in fact spoken to him." Macardil's words were hurried. Whether this was a game or the unbelievable truth, he had to know now. "Something his daughter would not know." Since she could have told Ansellidus. "But something only Lord Veranis would know. Speak quickly!" At least... he was almost certain that Hal would have realized such a thing, and would have prepared for it. The Hal he had known, would have. However, that had been years ago. On the off chance it was all true, then Hal would have been kept a prisoner here,or elsewhere and here, for over five years. That might change a man. Macardil had only faced a bit over half a year in a cell, and he had already felt the effects, then.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

On the road leading to castle Ansellidus
Late Dec

It seemed that his words had some effect on the lord before him. Andy watched, anxiously hoping he would believe his story. He'd never had much luck getting anyone to believe him, though. What if he didn't? He had to, though! 'Please, please, just this once, let someone believe me.' He thought desperately. If this could be the one time in his life that someone believed something he told them, then at least he might have helped in saving someone. He had no idea what else to do. This might be his only chance to try and get help for Lord Veranis, and if this failed...

Even as Macardil began to ask him for some sort of proof, Andy recalled the very thing he had asked the lord to give him. Something that he could tell, which he could only have learned from Lord Veranis himself. His expression of desperation and despair cleared slightly as he recalled. He had made sure to commit the information to memory, in case he needed to supply it without being able to check his notes. "Yes! He did, indeed!" He said eagerly, though still careful to keep his tone down. Realizing, by now, that Sergeant Bays would claim everything he said was a hallucination or worse, he didn't think the guard ought to hear what he had to say.

Drawing a breath to try and calm down, Andy nodded when Lord Himhathol went on to add that it must be something that only Lord Veranis would know. He spoke quietly. "Alyssa wears her mother's bracelet," He informed him. "Lord Veranis said that it was a gift from you, to his wife, when Alyssa was born. And there are four heart charms on it, which bear the initials of each child born to them. Alyssa, and her siblings." He said, first. "The initials read R, A, M, and B." He added, making sure to get the order the same as what the lord had told him. "He also told me that it was the first trip you took without your mother coming along," He smiled faintly. "And that you used it as an excuse to come back and visit later, along with her." He paused. "He also told me the names of the two men who accompanied you." He said, then leaned closer to whisper the names so that they could only be heard by Lord Himhathol. After telling him this, he looked at the man anxiously, wondering whether he would believe it, before taking a glance toward the others as he noticed a slight commotion in their direction.


Meanwhile, Sergeant Bays and his two men were growing impatient, finding little success in convincing the lady to let them take the young lord back to the castle. "Ma'am, we're only trying to do our jobs," He sighed in exasperation. "The entire place is supposed to be in quarantine.. no one is supposed to get in or out. Do you want the village below to become ill, too?"

After exchanging a brief glance with the sergeant, one of the men suddenly attempted to duck around the horse blocking their way, in hopes that he could slip past her and apprehend their escaped prisoner while the other two kept her busy.

At the same time, the other man tried to move to the other side, hoping she would not be able to deal with them all at once if they separated.

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn @Rillewen

Karis Ziranphel, Lady Himhathol
On the road to the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

Hearing the impatience in the sergeant’s voice, Ziran was alert for movement while shaking her head to dismiss his tacit request for her to give way. She didn’t believe a word about quarantine, as those needing that much care were rarely able to move with such ease and clarity as the man who had begged for their help. She would treat any movement towards her as hostile, given that there should be no urgency to the matter if they were just standing there and not actively leaving. To her mind, urgency among the guards meant that something was untoward. It was tempting to spare a glance behind her at the murmur of voices that she couldn’t make out, but didn’t want to shift her attention with three facing her.

The brief exchange of glances wasn’t much warning as first one man broke to attempt running behind her and the other angled himself to pass in front. A brief firm pull on the reins had her bay stamping backwards quickly, likely knocking into the man. Drawing her sword, she slashed behind her horses rump with the flat of the blade, sparing only a glance before a squeeze of her legs and touch of her heels sent the bay surging forward as she lay the reins slightly to the side to turn the mare’s head, lending force to her next swing and bringing her quickly upon the second guard. Aiming for his head and upper back, the flat of her blade descended once more, hoping to knock him out or knock him flat, and then continuing her tight turn to address the first guard once more. Were they subdued, or going to require a second round of fending them off? Ziran’s glance assessed the men quickly as she now faced the sergeant at a slight angle, glancing between the two runners. Her hope had been to batter them without killing first, even if she deemed it was likely warranted, as they hadn’t set their weapons against her. The advantage of height and mobility was with her, the strength and weight of her horse outstripping her opponents, and she was confident in her aim falling true. Her sword was up and ready as her gaze moved over the guards and she addressed them all. “What’s your hurry?”

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel @Rillewen

Lord Macardil Himhathol
Near the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

'Yes! He did, indeed!'

Macardil maintained an outwardly calm expression, even if his heart leapt involuntarily at the words. While he had not wished for this to be true because Macardil did not want Alyssa to be some sort of prisoner, because he did not want Hal being held in any dungeon, and because he did not want a fellow Lord to stoop to such despicable lows... He could not deny that the mere possibility of his long-lost friend actually being alive was... more than he could have ever hoped for.

Therefore, he listened and watched carefully, as 'Andy' proceeded to tell him about Alyssa's bracelet. While it was true that Macardil had gifted the bracelet to Amelina, Alyssa's mother, when Alyssa had been born, that would not be something only Hal would know. All the children had been told - or so Macardil imagined. He was definitely sure of it that Reilly and Alyssa had been told, at least. So Alyssa could have mentioned it to Lord Ansellidus.

What followed, however... Macardil stared at the likeness of Lord Ansellidus. For a moment, he wondered if this was Ansellidus anyway, and he'd really had Hal imprisoned, and Hal had told him this under pressure... but Macardil discarded that thought as quickly as it had invaded his mind. No. Hal would not have broken. He was sure of that much.
The only ones who could have told anyone about this, were Hal himself, Amelina, or Mae Wen. And Macardil would go to great lengths for any of them.

"I believe you," Macardil told the man quietly, but he was given no time to wrap his mind around the matter as two of the guards tried to move around Ziran. Alarmed, Macardil turned partially away from 'Andy', toward his wife. She had things well in hand, it seemed, but he would not leave her to deal with the situation alone any longer, now that he had decided on trusting this... Andy.

"This man will not be returning with you if it displeases him," Macardil stated calmly, albeit loud enough for all three of the guards to hear him. "However, you may rest assured that no harm will come to him and that we will make sure he will not infect anyone." The latter was an easy claim, now, since Macardil no longer believed a word of the contagion to be true. "Duath!" he ordered, and the mare turned and moved for him, prompted by his tone. He stepped up along the side of his mare that held his axe. "Surely, if 'your Lord' does not wish to go, you will not order him. Delerious or not, the Lord orders you. Or would you disagree?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

On the road leading to castle Ansellidus
Late Dec

"I believe you,"

The words left him slightly stunned. He believed him? Someone actually believed him, perhaps for the first time in his life, someone besides his friend, actually believed him. The relief was clear on his face, but didn't last long. When the two guards tried to move past the lady, he turned toward the scene with as much alarm as the other man, but thankfully she did not seem to need any help in handling them, much to his surprise.

Sergeant Bays watched with disbelief as the woman so easily stopped both of his men, one knocked onto his back while the other was knocked out completely. He had remained where he was, mainly because he hadn't had a chance to make any move and had still been trying to decide the best option. But now, he raised his hands slightly when she turned back to ask him what his hurry was. "We have our orders, ma'am." He mentioned, frowning. "If I don't get him back inside to his healer.."

He was interrupted then, when Macardil spoke to inform him that the young man would not be going back with them. The Sergeant stared at him as if he didn't believe what he had just heard. "But sir.."

Beside Macardil, 'Andy' drew a slow breath in, feeling less anxious now that he had the lord's support and belief. He let it out slowly, as well. But he wasn't really sure what to do about the 'lord' thing, as he heard Macardil's words to Bays. Glancing at Macardil, Andy hesitated. Was that a hint, to put on an act? He wasn't quite sure what to do.

Sergeant Bays cleared his throat at Macardil's words. "Uh, yes, ordinarily, sir," he answered uncomfortably, "But we are only acting on.. his orders, sir. From before he fell ill," He added hastily. "I.. we.. I mean, he isn't supposed to be out here," He glanced from one to the other, rather at a loss for what to do or say. "Lord Ansellidus doesn't even seem to realize his own identity, and.."

"And, if I am lord Ansellidus, then," Andy spoke up to interrupt the man's excuses, trying to think hastily. "Then, I order you and your men to leave Lady Himhathol alone, for one thing." He stared at Bays, attempting a challenging sort of look. He did not feel like he was very good at it, but he tried. And yet, nothing else came to mind, and he glanced toward Macardil in hopes that Lord Himhathol might have some sort of idea of what to do in this situation.

Bays blinked in surprise at hearing this name. "Lady Himhathol?" The Sergeant looked at her, then at Macardil, then swallowed, suddenly looking even more uneasy. "Forgive me for not greeting you more appropriately, my lord and lady, I.. we only received word of your coming but a few hours ago. A reply has already been sent, to tell you that the castle is unable to receive visitors at this time," He explained. "We had no idea you would arrive so quickly."

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel @Rillewen

Lord Macardil Himhathol
Near the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

He had no clue of what the best approach would be. He had no idea at all of how to handle this. Should they leave? Come back with more people, somehow? Should they insist on being allowed into the castle?

Macardil did not know much of the Ansellidus estate or its castle. What he did know, was that it had excellent defenses, by the way the castle had been positioned and built.

"You are forgiven, as long as you agree not to thwart not simply one lord - not simply your own lord - but two lords, in fact," Macardil stated sternly. If these guards would continue to sell the lie, then he might as well use it himself. If it really was a lie, for it was one thing to believe the man that Halberion was being kept there, but it was another entirely to disbelieve his own eyes. It still did not make much sense to him. All he knew was that he now believed, and hoped, that his friend was alive, and that he could be freed. Manwë willing.

"You say you are acting upon the orders of Lord Ansellidus," Macardil continued. "But either this man is not your Lord and your Lord is away - which makes me the only Lord here at present - or this man is in fact your Lord and I deem him quite capable of revising his own, previous orders. Is there any reason you can truthfully provide for us not to enter the castle, besides your Lord supposedly being ill? For I have not yet known memory loss to be contagious, but if it is, I am willing to risk it regardless. Will you still deny us entry, then?"

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor & Lady Gaerlothriel Dimaethor
December 22nd, Pelennor Fields, Gondor

Gaer could only laugh as she put Linny teasingly on the spot with her secret racer identity and victory at her family’s tournament a while back. She had such a lovely hue to her blush and Gaer just grinned unapologetically. She really did believe it was a huge point of pride and triumph for Linny having done what she did, beating out other veteran and experienced racers like that. But of course, it was up to Linny if she wanted that story out there or not. Gaer was just proud of her friend. Maybe a little too much. It was certainly something Gaer would never be able to do.

Though, it did surprise Abrazimir to hear that Eryn knew of Captain Alarion. Ah, but that made sense, if Eryn worked at the Houses of Healing, where Pele had a very reputable rank and position as a master healer. Did Eryn learn or receiving guidance from the Captain? That would be something he and their hostess both had in common. Though, Eryn probably had considerably less bruises and sores from her training with Pele than he did…

Eryn mentioning being covered in mud drew another strange memory to Gaer’s mind, of a certain silly boy, but she pushed those thoughts aside. After the enthusiastic greetings given to Hattie, the goodest girl, Eryn took them around to make some other introductions and greeting. ”Hi, Smoke. Hi, Buttercup.” Gaer greeted the horses in turn, as if they were real people and entities and not just beasts of burdens. They had emotions and lives and thoughts too, right? Smoke was big and strong, while Buttercup was pretty and gorgeous.

Next they met Eryn’s Aunt, Aggie, to whom Gaer performed a polite curtsey for and Abrazimir gave a courteous incline of his head in greeting, as they had been taught. The younger children, despite Gaer’s cheery disposition, stayed aloof but that was fine. Gaer used to be the same way at that age. She expressed gratitude to Aunt Aggie and said they would be delighted to stay, the three of them, for a meal. Then they were taken to meet the cows. Gaer again greeting each with a wave and a smile, and one even moo’d at her to her great delight, and then Eryn’s father at the range.

”Your cousins are adorable. We used to be like that, as children. Remember?” Gaer pointed out to Eryn, while referencing her and Linny who had been friends from a very young age, on account of the closeness between their mothers.

”Still are.” Abrazimir teased from the rear and Gaer rolled her eyes and let it slide.

There was still a bit of light as they came to the range and met Eryn’s father. Gaer again performed a polite curtsey and greeted and thanked him for letting them come over and spend time on the range and with his family. Abrazimir gave a more proper hail and offered to shake the man’s hand. Just a little bit of archery practice and lessons. Abrazimir took up a seat in the rear, petting and playing with Hattie quietly (and occasionally speaking in a silly tone as he loosened up), while the girls could be directed by Eryn into what they needed to know and do.

”I’m so excited. We’ve waited so long for this. You’re a miracle worker, Erynneth.” She praised her new friend, waiting with Linny by the first target. It looked to be ten paces or so. Not a great distance, but good for amateurs like them. ”I’ve handled bows maybe once or twice before this. Just…shot towards an open field, with no real aiming or anything. Some men at my home can hit a target out to like…two hundred paces, or something. I want to be like them.” Or better, even.

They were still young and had a lifetime of practice ahead of them. Her father didn’t really approve though. He was one of those traditionalists that thought war and its arts were for men only and women had no place on a battlefield, despite all the success examples out there. But you don’t really hear of the failures, unless one visited a graveyard often. That could be a potential fate for them too, if they pursued this too deeply and recklessly.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

On the road leading to castle Ansellidus
Late Dec

Sergeant Bays stared at Lord Himhathol, upon hearing his words. He swallowed nervously, then glanced from the lady on the horse, to 'Andy' and back to Macardil, eyeing the ax in his hand. One of his men still lay on the ground, knocked out by the lady's sword, and the other was getting to his feet slowly, but keeping a wary eye on her as he now knew that she was dangerous with the weapon.

He seemed to consider the situation, weighing his options, then his gaze settled on Andy. "If your orders are changed, my lord, then what choice have I, but to agree?" He bowed and stepped aside so that he did not block the road, then turned to the other guard, "Go on ahead and ensure that Hankins is informed of the change in the lord's orders." He instructed. "We must ensure that Lord Ansellidus' guests are made welcome, and that there are no more misunderstandings." The sergeant then turned to the Himhathols and Andy with a respectful bow to the group in general. "I apologize once again for all of this trouble and confusion. Please, allow me to guide you past the gates?"


Andy watched the man, feeling suspicious and uneasy by his shift in attitude. He glanced at Macardil, wondering if he ought to speak up. Then decided, maybe he ought to. Just in case. "Careful," he murmured, just loud enough for Macardil to hear him. He hesitated and moved a little closer to him before adding, still quietly, "Don't trust him.. he is following orders, but not mine." He had a bad feeling that the man was up to something. "He has orders are to keep me prisoner. If we go with him, we may never get back out again," He shared his fear with Macardil, hoping the other would have some sort of idea or plan. "We are only three, and there are many more of them, waiting at the gates," He explained, keeping his tone hushed so that Bays could not hear what he was telling the other man.

"I... don't know what to do, though." He looked at the lord with a hopeless and almost lost sort of look in his sea-green eyes. He certainly didn't want to go back in there, but he also couldn't just abandon the others, just because he'd passed on his message to them. He did want to help in some way, but he was pretty much out of ideas by this point.

---

@Lantaelen

Dulinneth, with Erynneth & Duinion
Dec 22 - Pelennor/Dairy Farm
New friends

Hattie followed after the group as they set off toward the little patch of woods. Soon, they would be able to see a point of firelight ahead, and Eryn headed for that. Before approaching, she paused and whistled in such a way that it sounded like some sort of bird.

Another 'bird' answered, and Eryn smiled at her new friends. "That means it's alright to approach," She explained, before doing just that. Hattie, of course, had not waited and had instead rushed on ahead to greet Duinion at his small campfire.

"Dad, these are my friends I mentioned I'd be bringing over," Eryn said as she stepped into the small campsite. "This is Gaerlothriel, and her brother Abrazimir," Eryn introduced them, "And Dulinneth."

"Well met." Duinion had stood up from his seat at the campfire, having set his bow aside once he heard Eryn's signal; a caution they had implemented ever since the incident in September. "Ladies," He inclined his head politely to them, smiling as Gaer and Linn both offered curtsies, then turned curiously to Abrazimir as he held out a hand to shake. "Abrazimir... that name sounds familiar." He mentioned, trying to think where he might have heard it before.

Eryn shrugged slightly as the two men greeted each other. "We're going to shoot some arrows," She informed her father. She took a branch from the fire and set off toward the nearby archery range, lighting lanterns that were hung from the branches so that the place was lit up well enough to see.

"We did have a little practice, during the joust," Linn mentioned. "But we didn't get to do that very much." She added.

"I practice every day, if I can." Eryn mentioned. "But, I'm planning to become a ranger, and I'll probably focus on archery for my main weapon, when I do. So, I want to be really good at it." She explained, showing them around the little homemade range, and pointing out a few of the more creative targets.

"Oooh, that's interesting!" Linn exclaimed as she caught sight of one of the targets, made to look like a dragon. "Look, Gaer!" She laughed.

Eryn grinned. "That was Berion's idea," She added, proud of her little cousin for that thought. "He didn't know how to make it happen, but he said he wanted a dragon. So, Dad and I made it happen, using the legs from some old trousers, and some hay." She explained. There were small, tricky targets to try and hit, strung along the branches, made to look like some sort of flying things, rings of various sizes to try and shoot through and hit a target situated somewhere behind them, and of course, the old scarecrow-like target that Eryn had dubbed 'Mr. Orc'. They had even managed to rig up some targets that were operated by a rope and would pop out from behind trees.

"I would suggest we stick with Mr. Orc here," She mentioned, with a little pat to the straw-filled sack, painted with an ugly face; Eryn's childhood attempt at painting it to look like the orcs her father had described. "The other ones are for a bit more advanced shooters, but if you really want to, maybe we could try some of the others, after you've had a little practice? I'll just go grab the bows and arrows." She added, setting off back toward the campfire, where they had left the men. They were still easily within sight of one another, so there was no concern about Abrazimir losing sight of his charges.


Meanwhile, while his daughter went off to show her friends around the archery range, Duinion had taken a moment to think before the name clicked. "Oh, aren't you one of those who aided Addhor in bringing Unalmis home, many years ago?" He asked, pretty certain that was where he had heard that name before... in that tale. "Would you like to sit?" He asked, motioning to the seat-sized logs situated around the campfire, for just that purpose.

---

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn
Continued from here

"With the distances, we can't exactly go all around the Rammas, that would take too much time," Arnyn said. "But we could go to the two southern gates. The large gate leading off to the rode south to Pelargir, and the smaller gate to Harlond. What do you think?" she asked, smiling. "We can add in a race between the two gates?" she suggested, her smile growing into a bit of a grin. "We never did get to do that, years ago."

Gladhron grinned at the suggestion of a race. "Sounds like fun! And Gaeroch's clearly anxious for a race," He added with amusement. "Might have trouble holding her back." He nodded thoughtfully when she mentioned they never did that, years ago. "You're right, we never did manage that." He agreed, allowing Celume to lead the way further from the city. "Too much trouble from those bandits, I guess, to have any proper fun like that." He frowned slightly. "At least around here, we shouldn't have to worry about them showing up." He added absently while patting Gaeroch lightly, then glanced at her. "You haven't had any trouble from them, have you?" He added with mild concern. "I only ask because we've had a few more encounters with them, and we suspect they might have ventured even as far as Rohan, now." He explained with a little sigh.

He looked around as they went along, somewhat marveling at the changes brought about to this place, since the last time he had been here. "Things certainly look much better now." He commented with a little smile. "I'm glad. The last time I saw this place.." he trailed off. She would probably remember, too. "I mean, other than when we passed through here to get to the city, that is." He added. "It definitely looks much better, now."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

"We had some fun," she countered. Or at least... she'd thought so. "Even if we had always had some sort of mission - from escorting the Millsons, to finding out more about the inn owner and the supplies, to hunting the bandits - we still managed to find good moments, didn't we?" Arnyn gave Gladhron a sidelong glance. "Just difficult to race horses in the woods," she said with a little shrug. "The Pelennor is much more suited for something like that. Not that I am in doubt of who will win," she added with a genuine smile. From what she knew about Narsule and Gaeroch, it was rather obvious Gaeroch and Gladhron would leave her own stallion and her in the dust. That didn't mean the race could not be fun, however. Besides, she was really curious to see just how fast they were!

She nodded when Gladhron commented that the Pelennor looked much better, now. Thinking back to what he had told her at the masquerade, she smiled faintly. "Yes, it does look much better. King Elessar has invested a lot of resources, time and effort into restoring both the city as well as these lands. For which... we are all very grateful. And Prince Faramir has been doing the same in Ithilien." She did not like to think back on the destruction. The smoke, the rubble, the bodies. The...endless... bodies...

Arnyn cleared her throat, to then focus on something else he'd said. "Wait - the bandits have been giving you more trouble? I thought you hadn't heard from them anymore?" she asked, frowning.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

"I said 'fun like that'," Gladhron emphasized, trying to make sure she didn't think he hadn't thought any of their time together was fun. Quite the contrary! "I enjoyed all the time we spent together, and we did have a lot of fun." He added with a sincere smile. "Especially playing Never Nervous," He added with a bigger smile. "Just, racing horses is a different kind of fun, that's all I meant."

He smiled to hear her speak of the king, and how much he'd done to help the Pelennor and the city. It certainly showed, at least. He was debating whether to comment further on that, when she asked about the bandit situation with surprise. Gladhron glanced at her, also a bit surprised, wondering who had given her that idea, since he knew it wouldn't have been Gwestion. He hadn't given her that impression, had he? He didn't thik he had.

He shook his head, sighing. "No, alas. They laid low for a while, shortly after you had gone. And we moved on, thinking we must have dealt with the last of them. But they came back after a while," He frowned. "Ever since then, it's been like that. They pop up every now and then, but when we start trying to track them down at the source again, they disappear. Lately, we've noticed that they seem to have spread out, which makes it even more difficult for us to do much." He frowned. "We even heard about some activity from a group that sounds a lot like them, making trouble in some areas of Rohan." He shook his head. "About a year back, we heard about their latest trick. I think, from the description, that it was the same two who attacked our camp that night," He added.

"Anyway, my cousin got a message to us, to ask that we come and help with investigating. She's in training for the cavalry," He added with a slightly proud smile, "so she can't really do much herself yet. But she said she learned about this village with mostly only a few elderly folks and some young children there, and a few women. Everyone, according to those left, went off with a couple who claimed to be sent by the king, asking for donations and volunteers, to help in rebuilding the King's road." He explained with a frown. "According to those left.. a lot of able-bodied men and women eagerly volunteered. Many gave donations to help with the cost.. These two were extremely persuasive, and not shy about claiming to have been sent by the King, I'm told. Anyway.. they went off to help work it, and haven't been seen since."

He drew a breath and let it out in a frustrated sigh. "Gwestion and I were able to track them pretty far.. they'd used a wagon, apparently. To transport all those people." He frowned. "Apparently, they aren't simply killing their victims, anymore, but going out of their way to take captives. But where they took them.. I couldn't say." He paused. "I.. I could tell it was distressing Gwestion quite a bit. Losing the trail.." He explained. "After having no luck for a long while, we eventually came back to tell my cousin what we'd found. Eventually, when it became clear we couldn't really do much more, we moved on. And that same group popped up in another area, months later. This time, near Enedwaith." He glanced at Arnyn. "We have a theory.. not a very likeable one, but we're wondering if they're sending these people off on a ship. We just can't really prove it, and they always seem to lay low whenever we get anywhere near to catching them."


(Edit: correcting information)

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

While she was glad to hear Gladhron confirm they had had fun while travelling together, Arnyn thought it was a shame that the Copperheads had still resurfaced in the area. Arnyn had known for months now, of course, about part of what the bandit group had been up to in the past years - thanks to Trevadir's information. Only, she had hoped that the brothers, or the Bree area at least, had no longer been pestered by them after the way the three of them had decimated the bandits' numbers in the area. Even if that was years ago, now.

If she had known the bandits would resume their activities shortly, she likely would not have returned to Gondor again so swiftly. Vaguely, she wondered where such a different path might have taken her - but in the end she did not let herself speculate for long. She had advised Gladhron and Gwestion not to continue the bandit hunt with just the two of them. Could she have really managed much, on her own?

"Spread out?" she muttered under her breath while hearing out what Gladhron could tell her about them. Arnyn frowned. Once again it became all too clear that they had not only returned, but that they had swelled their numbers again. They would have had to, to be able to spread out, wouldn't they? What Gladhron was saying was giving her a different kind of chill than the winter weather. Using cons like that to capture people... "They are taking people and they are selling them to pirates," Arnyn said. She could tell him that much. Her knowing about such things did not equal the Rangers of Gondor planning any sort of mission. Let alone that they were planning a secret mission to Umbar. She could tell him about that one element, without violating any orders.

The mention of the lost trail, made Arnyn shift in the saddle momentarily. It would make sense that Gwestion losing the trail would have brought back some memories and feelings he would have probably preferred to repress, rather than relive. "How... how is Gwestion doing, with all of that?" Arnyn asked a bit tentatively. "It has been several years since we met," she explained her reasoning. "I have not forgotten what you told me, then, or what I observed. But with the added years, I mean... How is he taking it?" She looked at Gladhron now, instead of the road. She remembered that one conversation about Gwilithiel rather well, in fact. "And how are you taking it?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

"They are taking people and they are selling them to pirates,"

Gladhron let out a sigh upon hearing that. "That's about what we figure, yes." He admitted, frowning, then glanced at her curiously. "But you speak as if you know it for a fact," He realized. The way she'd said it did not sound like someone making a guess, but rather stating a known fact. But how could she know that? Unless... unless the bandits had come this far? Perhaps they were also troubling Gondorian lands? He frowned to consider that possibility, but it did seem like they were venturing further and further, growing bolder the longer they got away with their crimes.

He left off from pondering further about that when Celume asked him about Gwestion. Gladhron looked down at Gaeroch's neck for a moment as he thought, letting the horse simply follow Narsule's lead. "Well," He cleared his throat quietly. "I had hoped that as time went on, he would heal and begin to get over.. everything," He began. "But, it actually seems almost like.. the opposite." He revealed. "He won't talk to me about it, so I don't know exactly what's going on in that head, but my guess is.. the longer time passes without finding any sort of clues, the more grieved he becomes, thinking about her."

He glanced over at Celume. "Even though I'm convinced that those copperhead bandits weren't involved with her abduction, he's mentioned the possibility that it may have been another group, doing something like the copperheads currently are." He explained. "Capturing and selling people, I mean." He hesitated. "The.. people who took her, they went to great lengths to take her alive. Her, and our mother." He added with a frown. "Yet, our father was slain while in the middle of chopping wood." He mumbled, staring down at Gaeroch's neck. "Without even a chance to fight them."

He drew a slow breath, then sighed and glanced at her again. "So, while we still haven't found that group, the fact that there is another group doing something similar... it upsets us both." He didn't know quite what to do for his brother. "He hasn't really taken it well." he concluded with a sad little shrug. "Really, if there some way to figure out where all those people had been sent off to.. he'd want to check if she might be among them. But, after all this time.." He trailed off, unsure what else to say.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

"I do know it for a fact," she confirmed. "The Copperheads have a system to signal the pirates along the shore. I get a lot of reports," she said, which was nothing less than the truth. "Most of it deals with Gondor, of course. But sometimes the reports contain information about goings-on beyond our own borders, as well." She paused."But I've heard nothing that might specifically pertain to Gwilithiel. I'm sorry."

Listening to what Gladhron had to say about his brother, Arnyn focused on the road. With one hand, she pulled her winter cloak around herself a bit better. The opposite? Grief was supposed to become easier to bear, not harder. She bit her bottom lip, wondering why Gwestion wouldn't talk to his own brother about it. Why could that be?
Did Gwestion not think that Gladhron would be a supportive conversationalist? That his older brother might get upset in his own way, and tell him to get over it, already? Even though Arnyn knew Gladhron was hoping that Gwestion would finally accept what Gladhron saw as the reality... and which, in all fairness, what probably was the reality... somehow she could not imagine Gladhron telling Gwestion as much in a hurtful manner. Maybe Gwestion just didn't want to have more conversations about this, where they disagreed on it. No matter how gently the disagreement was offered...
It must be so difficult, for the both of them. Gwestion feeling like Gladhron did not understand him. Gladhron, in fact, not fully understanding, but wanting to. Gwestion keeping him out.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she offered quietly, but loud enough for her friend to hear her. Arnyn frowned. "If she was taken by any group that captures people in order to sell them, though..." Concern etched her face. She wasn't sure whether she should still continue. Gladhron probably would have come to the same conclusions, anyway. "She could be anywhere, in that case," she finally said. "Even if you knew she had been taken to some specific region - it would still be like looking for a needle in a haystack. And that's assuming that she's still..." Alive. But Arnyn couldn't bring herself to say the word.

She realized, too, that the mission Gladhron had offered their help with at headquarters the day before, without even knowing what it was about, would be just the sort of thing Gwestion would jump at, for this reason alone.

Arnyn bit her lip. What was she supposed to do with this? Her caring side wanted to tell Gladhron about the 'opportunity', hoping it might help Gwestion somehow, even if she didn't fully see how it would help, really. On the other hand, she did not want them to go. Not because she did not trust them, for she would not hesitate on that front. But because... Why, exactly? For the same reason she'd been relieved Trastion had chosen not to partake, she supposed. Trastion had a choice, some treacherous part of her mind whispered. It doesn't really matter what I want. They are adults. She glanced at Gladhron. And they're rangers. Even if they're not part of the unit. Her frown deepened as her professional side clamped down hard, then. The mission is a secret. I can't go around telling friends when the rangers are not even allowed to tell their spouse. At any rate - it was definitely not something she could decide on her own.

She nodded when he said that groups selling people was upsetting both him and his brother. "It upsets me, too," she said honestly. "Do you... do you know what they looked like?" she asked. "The people who took your sister... and your mother?" She was a bit confused about them also taking their mother, and tried to remember what she did or didn't know about that. "But your mother...?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

He listened with interest as she spoke of the Copperheads having a system. "Is that so?" he asked, thoughtful. "Would you happen to know what that system is?" he asked, hoping maybe she could offer some sort of insight that might enable them to put a stop to that group. Any information might be helpful, right?

He gave a little nod in response to her apology. It wasn't much of a surprise, of course, to hear that. He offered a small, grateful smile toward her at the other words, about being sorry to hear about Gwestion.

While he didn't like to think of his sister having been sold, to anyone for any reason, he had already been presented with that possibility before now, so he merely gave another nod as Celume expressed her own thoughts about it. "Yeah. I know." he answered quietly. He drew a slow breath, sighing. "It may sound awful, but.. I think I'd prefer for her to have died, than to have to endure a fate like that," he muttered. "I've heard some horror stories about that sort of thing, and.. it's not any sort of life I'd want to think my sister is having to suffer." He looked down, unsure what Celume might think of that.

His gaze remained on the road as she asked about.. that. He wasn't terribly surprised. He had been the one to bring it up, and how could she not be curious? Gladhron shook his head. "No, we weren't at home when it happened," He couldn't remember for sure what all they had told her, back in the North. He took a moment to think about whether he ought to tell her more. But, why not? He trusted her. Gwestion trusted her, too. He couldn't deny that, since he'd been the one to tell Celume their sister's name. He wouldn't have done that with just anyone, after all. And besides, Gladhron did get tired of keeping it all inside. Hadn't he just been mentioning the other day that he'd like to talk about it sometime? Hadn't Tercen suggested Arnyn for that very conversation?

He looked over at her after reaching this decision. "It might make more sense if I tell you the whole story? If you don't mind hearing it... obviously, it's not a very enjoyable tale, but rather more of a sorrowful one."

[Arnyn]

@Karis Ziranphel @Rillewen

Lord Macardil Himhathol
Near the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

Macardil's eyes narrowed when the Sergeant suddenly switched tacks. 'Andy's' warning did not surprise him, really. Macardil stepped forward just as the guardsman who had been ordered to return to the gate had fully straightened, after Ziran had put him on the ground. Macardil put a hand on the guard's shoulder and smiled good-naturedly. "I do not believe Hankins should to be thus informed," he countermanded the Sergeant's orders, with a natural ease that would make most not think twice about his right to do so. His hand remained on the man's shoulder as he turned to the Sergeant. "Your apology is well received." He glanced at Andy. "Perhaps you might help your guardsman back up?" he suggested to 'Andy'. And keep him with us, was the unspoken message.

"We seem to find ourselves in a bit of a bind," he said, looking up at Ziran, who was still mounted. Here they now were. So close to the castle. To Alyssa, hopefully - if she had not gone away with the real Lord Ansellidus. (Again, provided 'Andy' truly was not him.) And to Halberion, probably - if 'Andy' had not tricked his friend into acquiring the information years ago. As of yet, he still had little information he could truly be sure about, other than 'Andy' being truthful about Halberion having at one point trusted him.

"Is the Lady Alyssa at the castle?" Macardil asked 'Andy', whilst assessing the castle guards' uniforms, their height, and whether they had helmets with them. If so... perhaps they could enter the castle in disguise? Especially if they brought 'Andy' back with them. The trouble with that was that the sergeant and the two others made a total of three. And Ziran and Macardil only made a total of two. Macardil knew he could not, nor should, ask the coach driver to be part of the ruse. And they could definitely not trust any of the actual guards not to reveal them the very moment they were severely outnumbered.

---

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

"Vaguely," she nodded. "They have set times when they travel to shore. It's rarely the same spot, but there is a general area where the buyer sails, waiting for their signal. They use something to reflect the sun back when they are... selling. So the buyer knows when to sail closer or send people to shore in smaller boats."

When Gladhron told her he thought he'd prefer his sister to have died rather than to have been sold into slavery, Arnyn swallowed. On the one hand, there was still hope for escape or rescue, as long as you were alive... On the other hand, Arnyn wasn't sure how she would fare, herself. She might actually prefer death, as well. As long as no one else's life depended on hers, or something like that. "I sort of understand what you mean," she said with a slow nod. "I have heard stories, too. I'm a bit surprised, though, at this coming from you," she admitted. "You're generally so focused on the good. On the hope. Your sister's fate is the only thing I know of, where you have given up?" she half-stated, half-asked. She was not judging, not one way nor the other.

Surprised when he offered to tell her everything that had happened, Arnyn looked over at him. "I do not mind hearing it," she said, using his own words. "If you do not mind telling it to me," she added with a faint smile.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

The information about the bandit's system was interesting. Gladhron gave a nod, figuring maybe he and Gwestion could find that useful. "Good to know." He said quietly. He decided to ask more about that later, like whether she knew the 'general area' or if she could find out from wherever she'd learned this much.

Her words about his sister made him sigh. "That's the same sort of thing Gwestion says," he told her with a small, sad smile. "It's just.. as much as I'd love it if we could find her, alive and well and all that.. the chances of that actually happening..?" He shook his head a little. "She was just a little girl." He mumbled sadly. "And she wasn't the sort of girl to give up easily. So.. if she's alive, she wouldn't give up on trying to escape, or.. resisting whoever her captor is, and for that.. I can only imagine how she might be punished," He swallowed. "And if she was alive, then she'd surely try to give us some sort of sign to help find her. She'd know we'd be looking. And there's been nothing like that." He shrugged and let out a sigh. "So, either they've broken her spirit and she's given up.. which I believe would take a lot to break her.. or.. she isn't alive anymore." He explained gloomily. "And I'd rather not think of my baby sister suffering so much that she's as good as dead in spirit."

He paused and tried to make it make sense. "It's not that I've given up, exactly, it just... it seems like it would be.. kinder, for her to be spared from such misery and torment. And I'd rather think that maybe she.. was killed while trying to resist them, or.. I don't know." He cleared his throat as he grew a bit emotional. "I think she'd rather die fighting, than live as a broken shell of herself, you know?" He added quietly. "She'd fight them as hard as she could, as long as she had breath, or.. at least that's how I remember her."

He drew a slow breath as he took a moment to think how to even begin. "So, you remember how we mentioned our father had gotten injured, and Ms Seri helped him? That was the.. reason why we stayed in Bree for so long, while he was recovering." He mentioned, knowing she'd remember that. "Anyway, Gwestion was about.. sixteen I think. It was the first time our father let both of us come along with him. We'd gotten ambushed by the pack of wolves we were hunting, and they got ahold of his leg and messed it up really badly. He.. never really could walk very well after that," He frowned.

"So, after we spent months staying there with Seri and Emma, we made the trip home. It wasn't easy to adjust to the fact that our father couldn't really walk without a crutch. And then, we heard a few rumors of trouble happening somewhere not too far from us. But Father.. well, he couldn't really do the ranger thing anymore. And neither Gwestion nor I had gotten much of a chance to get any experience like he'd planned. He said I was too impulsive," He gave a slightly guilty smile, "and Gwestion was too 'green', to try and take on his mantle, so to speak. He didn't want us to go looking into it, because he said we weren't ready to get involved in any of that."

With the 'groundwork' being laid for setting the scene, Gladhron took a breath and then continued. "Only, I disagreed with him, and thought we could prove him wrong. After all, me, Gwestion, and Emma had gone after those wolves after they told us not to, and we managed to take them out. So, I talked Gwestion into coming along. I told our parents we were going hunting, and that we wouldn't be gone more than a few days. With our father crippled.. we figured someone had to provide food for the family, you know?" He cleared his throat. "So. We went off, looking for.. whatever we might find. But we couldn't find anything." He sighed. "We searched around for a couple of days without luck. Found nothing but tracks. And.. the more we searched around, the more we began to notice the tracks moving in the direction where our home lay. By the time we got back there.. it was too late." He let his gaze drift out across the fields as they rode.

"We don't know every detail of what happened, but near as we can figure it, there must have been a lot of them. Gwestion found our father... dead. He had been chopping wood, still had the ax in his hands." He gave a grim smile. "But there was blood on the ax blade, which told us that he must've taken some of them out before they got him." He heaved a little sigh. "The cabin had been burned, but there was enough evidence left to determine that Mother and Gwilithiel must have been holed up inside. Mother was no fighter.. she was an herbalist. But Gwil.." He smiled faintly. "You know, I was telling Tercen just the other day that I think you and her would have gotten along well." He glanced at her then. "She'd killed several of them before running out of arrows. It must've been a large group, because even after she'd spent all her arrows, there were enough of them left to keep her and Mother trapped in the cabin." He paused. "Father had built it so that it was.. very secure. I think that must be why they ended up setting fire to it.. to burn them out." He added quietly.

"There was very little left of the cabin, but we found several burned bodies inside.. human, but none that would have been Gwil or Mother.. we checked as well as we could. Seemed to us that they had taken their fallen comrades and tossed them into the fire. Whether they thought of it like a.. mass funeral pyre, or just trying to cover their tracks, I don't know. I didn't even try to count them, either. We didn't stay long, once we'd ascertained that they had our mother and sister with them. We set out after them as quick as we could." There he paused to draw a breath and glance over at Celume.

[Karis Ziranphel]

@Arnyn @Rillewen

Karis Ziranphel, Lady Himhathol
On the road to the Ansellidus estate in Lossarnach - Late December

Ziran maintained an easy but watchful bearing as the sergeant processed the change in the situation and then Macardil’s clear and clever words of authority. The corner of her mouth tilted up with the hint of a smile despite their serious situation, conveying confidence and her amusement at the bluster in Andy’s voice as he ordered the guards to leave her alone. She did grasp that if they proceeded to the estate they would no longer have the advantage that they had gained, but she also had the feeling that this was their best chance to actually ascertain the situation that Alyssa was in and whether her father Halberion was truly still alive. If they left and came back, who was to say they would still be there?

She watched closely as the first guard got to his feet and her smile turned a bit more cheerful. The appearance of that light of surprised caution never quite got old, even after this many years. She couldn’t quite hear what Andy said to Macardil, but Sergeant Bay’s change of tune to one of greeting and no further misunderstanding was welcome, even as he gave up all pretense of the whole place being under quarantine.

“Aye.” Ziran replied quietly to Macardil after he halted guard Hankin’s departure. Glancing around again briefly at the four men who had issued forth from the castle and then up at the walls, she considered their course of action. “I think our only choice is to accept their welcome, yet perhaps we could send the coachman back to the closest town with word, and he can rejoin us anon?” Her words were quiet to Macardil, but then she lifted her voice a little to address the rest as she lowered her sword to rest across her lap. “A good welcome and no more misunderstandings would please me greatly, M’lord Ansellidus, Sergeant Bay. I have heard much about Lady Alyssa from my husband and have been looking forward to the pleasure of her company. I claim guestrite on behalf of our household. I am sure the King will look favorably on your lands if you treat well with us. The Captain of the Rangers gave me leave for these travels and knows whence we were traveling, and to expect us back in a timely fashion. It will go well for us all if we are able to come to an understanding of peace, that we may share the joy of reunions rather than the hostility of more misunderstandings.”

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

'That's the same sort of thing Gwestion says.'

That told her a few things. She had already known that the brothers did not see the situation the same way - Gladhron had told her that, quite literally, back in Bree. He had also told her that it was hard for him that they had such different ideas about it. So that small sentence did not only remind her of that, but it also told her that Gladhron likely did not have a need for her perspective. Instead, he probably needed room to express his own. Without push back. Without conflict. Without judgment.

So she listened. She watched. She looked more at Gladhron than at the road, knowing Narsule would follow it if she did not indicate for him to do otherwise. The sad smile on his face after saying she'd sounded like Gwestion, the small shake of his head when he thought of the chances of finding his sister alive and well. The way he swallowed back the images that might threaten to form at the idea of his sister fighting her captors and then having to deal with the consequences. That shrug he did when he was trying to pretend like something effected him way less than it really did, right after he said there had been no sign from her.

When Gladhron said he would rather not think of his little sister suffering to such an extent that her spirit would have died, Arnyn nodded. Of course he'd rather not have that happen to her. Who would want that for someone they loved? For them to go through so much hardship, so much pain, that they'd be so more than a shell of themselves? So, she did not try and tell him that she knew that there were people who could come back from such suffering. She got the distinct feeling he was not looking for hope. He was looking for something he hadn't been able to get from Gwestion. Understanding, Arnyn figured. Acceptance. Of his feelings about it all. Of his views. His fears.

Because Gwestion... Gwestion feared Gwilithiel was dead. But Gladhron... in a way, Gladhron feared she lived. And because Arnyn was listening... truly listening... she could understand why.

"I do remember, yes," she confirmed when he asked, wanting to give some verbal encouragement now she had the chance, without taking over as the conversationalist, and without feeling like she was interrupting. Then he started explaining the situation. How he had wanted to investigate some trouble. How he had talked Gwestion into coming along. Which brought more insight, both into the relationship between Gladhron and Gwestion, and Gwestion's feelings of guilt. She already knew how strong those feelings were within Gwestion. But this... this was the first time she'd really gotten the feeling Gladhron was plagued by them, as well.

Gwestion had found their father. Gwestion had only been sixteen or seventeen, and he'd found his father, cut down, and left behind. Arnyn sighed quietly.

When Gladhron said he'd told Tercen that Gwilithiel and she would have probably gotten along, and glanced at her, she was already looking over at him. She didn't smile, though, only tilting her head slightly. His sister had put up a fight, the way she knew how. Only to be smoked out of the cabin, along with her mother...
Arnyn knew what it was like to sort through the burned remains of your family home. What she could only imagine, however, was sorting through burned bodies within the debris, trying to figure out if your mother and sibling were amongst them.

Arnyn had no words when Gladhron paused and glanced at her again. She didn't shy away from making eye contact, though, and nodded quietly.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Karis Ziranphel

On the road leading to castle Ansellidus
Late Dec

Sergeant Bays looked from one to the other. "Y-yes, my lady." He cleared his throat, clearly at a loss for any more words. After Macardil countermanded his order to the guard, he didn't know what to say. What to do now? There were multiple ways he could see this going, and not one of them seemed to end well.

After a little hesitation, considering Lord Himhathol's request, Andy gave a nod and moved to assist the fallen guard to his feet. He maintained a firm grip on his arm afterward, while his other hand relieved him of his sword belt and tossed the weapon off to one side. Andy, too, was at a loss for how to proceed. He hadn't ever thought he'd get this far, honestly. He'd certainly never expected to literally run into the very people he had wanted to give a message to. He had not made any sort of plans beyond getting out of the castle.

While Lord and Lady Himhathol spoke, both to each other, and then to Bays, he was trying to think of some sort of plan. The guard beside him tried to squirm out of his grip, but Andy folded his arm behind his back in such a way that he had to double over a little. He glanced over at Bays as the sergeant attempted a reply, looking very uncomfortable.

"My lord and lady, uh.. you are of course welcome," he fidgeted and yet made no move to actually escort them toward the castle. "I'm afraid the lady is ill, however, just as.. uh.." He cast a glance toward Andy. "The castle is uh.." He stopped, realizing that his words were now contracticting some of his earlier words, and didn't seem to know how to proceed.

Andy could fully understand why the man was so unsure what to do, knowing what he knew. Macardil's question about Alyssa distracted him from all other thoughts, however. He turned to him in surprise, a regretful look coming to his face. "Lady Alyssa..?" He cast a frown toward Bays, then continued, "I'm afraid she is not at the castle." He answered sadly. "I don't know where she is, though."

He glanced at the sergeant, who now looked even more uneasy, obviously unsure how to handle this situation. "Don't you think it's about time you drop the act, sergeant?" He asked, giving a weary little sigh. When Bays seemed to have no intention of doing so, Andy figured he would have to explain this whole matter, himself. "Fine." He stepped closer to Macardil and his lady, bringing the other guard along. "If I may, I could explain what the issue is," He said, speaking quietly to the couple as he nodded in the direction of Bays. "You see, Sergeant Bays here doesn't know what to do, and he cannot keep up with his own lies." He explained. "The man known here as Lord Ansellidus," He was careful not to give credit to the man as actually being Lord Ansellidus, "He happens to be my brother. And unfortunately, we look.. very much alike," He sighed. "Anyway.. as far as I know, he is not here, and hasn't been here in months. But regardless, he is.. very dangerous, and probably has threatened these men if they don't follow his orders." He glanced at Bays, as if for confirmation, but received none. He nodded toward the man while looking at the Himhathols. "He knows perfectly well who I am, for he has orders to keep me from escaping, in addition to having strict orders to ensure that no harm comes to me.. but I imagine he also has strict orders not to let anyone in the castle.. let alone allow anyone to learn that Lord Veranis is in the dungeon. And now, he has a dilemma.. for you now know about Lord Veranis, and yet... he cannot keep you prisoner, with what you just revealed. And he also cannot let you inside without going against his orders..."

Bays looked more and more uneasy as this information was revealed, but he didn't speak up, and Andy continued, "I've been locked up in there for months.. since July. I think it is now.. December?" He looked at Macardil questioningly. "Alas, July was the last time I saw Alyssa. She was well enough, at that time, but I cannot say how she is, now." He took a breath. "I came here looking for my brother, but she told me he wasn't here. I.. I believe she believed it, at least." He added, wanting to be clear that he did not think she'd lied. "She gave me a meal and had her maid take me to the guest chambers, for I was very tired." He frowned.

"I think my brother must have been here, though, for someone put something in my food to make me sleep very.. soundly. It was days later when I woke again, to find myself locked in those same guest chambers. I'm sure that it was not Alyssa's doing," He made sure to say. "Her maid was here for a while, after that, and brought my meals. She told me that he.. my brother.. had taken Alyssa away right after he trapped me, and she didn't know where he'd taken her. She also told me that many of the servants had died or vanished mysteriously, and she was frightened. Everyone she mentioned as having a strange death or disappearance.. were also people who knew of me. Bays' predecessor as sergeant of the guards, for instance, apparently died under mysterious circumstances. And then Merilda vanished..." He looked then at Bays, who was staring at him uneasily. "Do you still want to keep protecting him?" Andy asked, raising an eyebrow.

---

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

Gladhron drew a slow breath after taking that pause. He appreciated that Celume did not offer any interruptions, and just let him continue. And she did not give the indication that she found it too uncomfortable to listen. "We followed the trail as far as we could," He said. "For a while, it was easy. They had horses. There were a lot of them. They were heading toward Rohan, and stopped at some other settlements along the way, and left similar destruction in their wake." He frowned at the memory.

"After trailing them for a couple of days.. we came to a place where they had apparently camped for the night. All the tracks were.. confused and jumbled up. Some other group had come along, but we don't know who they were. There was a fight between them. Gwestion and I spread out, trying to find anything useful." He grimaced. "There were bodies. Some were men, but whether they were the kidnappers or the other group, we didn't know. A few others.. were some of the captives they'd taken with them." His voice grew quieter. "Among those was our mother." He said quietly. "We could only guess that the captives may have gotten killed during the fight, by accident. I would think, as much effort as the abductors went through to take the captives alive, I can't imagine them being the ones to kill them."

"Our sister was not among them, however." He continued. "We searched and searched, and didn't find her. But we also couldn't make much sense of the tracks from that point." He sighed. "We couldn't figure out where the abductors had gone from there. We tried finding their tracks, but we lost it after a while. So we doubled back, tried the other group's trail, thinking maybe the captives had gotten taken by them, but that trail also fizzled out. In the end, we took our mother's body back and buried our parents. Then we went back and tried again, but.." He shrugged. "The tracks had already become harder to read by then." He explained.

"We took a break to look into some reports of orc trouble in the mountains, but found nothing. Then we came back. Still couldn't find anything, because the tracks had faded significantly more by then. Then we'd go check into something else, and come back.. and so on. Now... we go back there about once a year, but.. each year it feels more and more useless." He gave a little sigh. Hadn't they said something about going to Rohan once a year? He wondered if she would recall that. "After you had parted ways from us, after we gave up on the bandits Gwestion and I went back there," He added quietly. "I think he was hoping, with what you'd taught us about tracking, maybe we'd find something we'd missed before. But, it was just as useless as always. The trail has gone. There's nothing left to find."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

Arnyn tried not to look over for too long stretched at once, every so often shifting her attention to the road or the fields around them. She did not want to make him uncomfortable... even though he probably already was. She had definitely not expected something like this, when they'd set out from the Sixth. Gladhron had never said much about Gwilithiel in the north - just the bare bones. And now, instead of joking around or just having a good time, he was... telling her everything about it.

As Gladhron continued, and as Arnyn listened, she slowly came to the realization that this had been part of the brothers' lives for nigh on a decade. Her lips parted as she looked over at her friend again, who was riding next to her. It had already been years between what had happened to their sister and when Arnyn had met the brothers. At which time Gladhron had told her that he thought their sister was dead, while Gwestion could not seem to let go and still insisted on continuing their search. Gladhron had already told her, back then, how hard that was for him.
Nothing had changed in the years since that moment, it seemed. Gwestion was still looking. Still keeping Bel out. And Gladhron, who did not think there was a chance of ever finding their sister anymore...

"There's nothing left to find," she repeated quietly when Gladhron fell silent. "And it has been... so many years, now. But Gwestion is still... holding on." She took a deep breath, and decided to voice her thoughts to see if her understanding of the whole situation, and Gladhron's feelings about it, was correct. "It broke your heart, losing your sister," she supposed gently, giving him room to protest, if he wished. "And every time your brother renews the search - it hurts. But you keep going with him, regardless, because..." She looked back at the road. "Because you don't want to break his heart, too." Arnyn glanced back at her friend, hoping he would not be upset in case she was off the mark. Or upset if she was on the mark, for that matter. "At the very least, not any further than it already has."

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

Gladhron nodded quietly as she mentioned that it had been so many years now. "Too many," He agreed quietly. "Sometimes, it feels almost like I've lost my brother, too. But I keep hoping he'll heal from this, someday. I keep thinking, since he doesn't like to talk about it.. about her.. that maybe if the topic doesn't come up that much, it'll fade away some of the loss. So, I try not to." He sighed. "But there's times it would be nice to talk about her, what she was like, you know.. things we used to do. To leí her memory alive." He smiled faintly. That's what he'd been saying to Tercen, just the other day.

He went quiet then, listening as Celume continued. About how it broke his heart, how it hurt every time. He nodded wordlessly, confirming that yes, it was painful to revisit that scene for him. Not just because of their sister, she would now know, but because of their mother as well. Because it wasn't just where they had lost the trail of their sister's abductors , but also where they had found their mother's dead body.

He drew a slow breath after she spoke of him not wanting to break his brother's heart any further, and nodded quietly. "Yeah... I guess he feels the need for closure, or something. As for me, I would like to find the people involved and make sure they can't destroy any other families, as they did ours." He shrugged. "I'd like to make sure they pay for their horrible deeds. And.. I don't know. Maybe find out why. But that would mostly be for his sake, I think." He glanced at her. "He's my little brother, you know? I want to do whatever I can to help him be happy again." He sighed. "I don't know.. I'm hoping this trip might be helpful to him. He seems like he's kind of enjoyed being around Seri's girls. Brooke is more like him than maybe either of them realize," He grinned slightly at that. "And Aislin.. sometimes I think she and I are a bit alike."

He looked around as they rode, wondering how far they had come by now. He looked back toward Celume. "Sorry.. by the way. I didn't mean to turn everything so gloomy, after such a nice start to the day. I guess.. maybe I needed to get that off my chest."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

She nodded, withholding her own thoughts and just letting his words stand on their own. Arnyn felt sad - both for Gladhron and Gwestion. While she had now also gained more insight into Gwestion - although she had been able to mostly figure out the younger brother's stance on the situation long before this day - she had just learned much more about how Gladhron felt about it all. Gladhron's position had been more difficult for her to understand, given her own inclinations, despite him already being willing to share some of what had happened with her when they had just met.

"I'm very sorry about your father. And your mother. I can't... losing your parents, one at a time, is bad enough. You lost both... so quickly." She shook her head when he apologized. "Don't apologize for that, Gladhron," she told him. "This is what friends are for." After falling silent for a moment, in which she seemed to be considering something, she slanted her head and looked at him with a little smile. "So, would you tell me about her?" she asked him. "Was she more like you? Or more like Gwestion? Or nothing like either of you?" She sounded genuine - even a little curious. "What were the things about her that makes you think she and I would get along well?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

Gladhron gave a sad little smile when she offered sympathy about his parents. "Thanks. I appreciate that." Hadn't she mentioned something about having lost her own parents, too? He was pretty sure he remembered that, and if he was right about it, then that meant she definitely knew what it was like. "I'm glad to have a friend like you." he added sincerely.

When she asked if he'd like to tell her about Gwilithiel, his smile changed slightly. "She wasn't really like either of us," He laughed softly. "And yet.. also a bit like both? If that makes sense." He shrugged, thinking. He couldn't remember exactly what about his and Tercen's conversation had made him say that, now. "Well, for one thing, she was the sort of girl that never let anyone tell her she couldn't do something because of being a girl," He said with a little smile.

"See.. for some reason we never have really understood, our father had some pretty strong opinions," He explained, frowning slightly. "He often said that females ought not be rangers, and he didn't want Gwil learning to fight or any of the other things he taught us. Said it wasn't a woman's place, and other things like that," He rolled his eyes. "Anyway... when Gwil was about... three or four, I let her have my old, toy wooden sword since I had a real, training one to use by then. She was.. about five years younger than me," He mentioned, for better clarification. "Anyway, she was thrilled. She'd carry it around everywhere, fighting pretend enemies and stuff," he smiled. "She was so adorable." He smiled at the reminiscence.

"Our father didn't care for it too well, though. Said she ought not be messing around with that, and it wasn't meant for her to play with, and he told me I shouldn't have let her have it. But she didn't care how many times he told her to put it away, and kept pestering me and Gwestion to teach her. So, we taught her... when Father wasn't there." He smiled a little sheepishly, yet still with a hint of pride. Not the least bit regretful. "And she got pretty good, I have to say. Good enough to be able to beat me, sometimes," He admitted.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

She smiled when Gladhron said Gwilithiel never let anyone tell her she couldn't do something because she was a girl. "Good for her," Arnyn mumbled, pleased. It both did and did not surprise her to hear about their father's 'opinions'. She made a face as the 'woman's place' thing came up. Yes, she'd heard that one before. Ridiculous as it was. She held back from saying anything, though. This was not the time for that.

Remembering how much fun she'd had with her own wooden play sword, before her own father had started training her, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face at hearing Gladhron talk of what Gwilithiel had been like with the toy sword. Arnyn was grinning by the time Gladhron said they taught her in secret, despite their father's wishes. That would have really bonded them together. That Gwilithiel sometimes beat Gladhron, was interesting. Five years his junior, and not even an adult - and she managed to beat her main teacher, sometimes? Or at least, she assumed Gladhron would have been the one to have taught her the most about swordfighting, since Gwestion had not only been younger but also less favourable toward that specific weapon than Gladhron was. "Good for her," Arnyn repeated, more cheerfully. "Too bad for you," she added, with a half smile at her friend.

"So she was a little rebel, and the two of you enabled her," she summarized. "Excellent," she decided. "What other things did you three like doing together? For instance, I remember running off with Tercen to climb trees was one of our favorite pastimes when we were in Ithilien - and pranking people at the marketplace was a longtime favoured activity when we were in the city," she admitted lightly. "What kind of shenanigans did the three of you get up to?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

Gladhron laughed lightly. "Yes, I can't say it was too great on my pride," he admitted. "at least.. not in the way one would usually think," he added, tilting his head thoughtfully. "But in another way.. I was really proud. Of her.. but also, I figured it made me look like a good teacher." He shrugged, smiling a little. "I mean, all I did was pass on the same things Father taught me and Gwestion, but... I don't know. I guess some people just.. excel at things others have to work at. Gwestion tried, but he wasn't ever quite as good as me.. but then he excelled in archery, over me." He paused, then added, "I should mention that it wasn't like she defeated me the very week after we started teaching her," He grinned amusedly. "More like, after a few years of working at it, she started getting pretty good, and then she'd start surprising me now and then, and kept surprising me more and more often."

When she asked what other things they used to do, he smiled faintly and thought back. "The three of us would have archery competitions against each other." He smiled. "She was pretty closely matched with Gwestion, in that. They had to share a bow, though. Since Father wouldn't let her have one, and mine was a bit bigger and stronger, Gwestion let her use his."

He smiled at Celume when she spoke of some of the things her and Tercen used to do, imagining her and her brother as kids, climbing trees and pranking people at the market. "That sounds like fun." he grinned, wondering what sort of pranks... "We didn't live near any other people, so the three of us were our only playmates, growing up." He explained. "Except when we made a trip to see our cousins in Rohan, anyway." Those had been fun times, but too infrequent for his liking. "So, we didn't have a marketplace to terrorize with pranks," He said teasingly, "but we did pull off a few pranks on each other, now and then." He grinned. "We didn't dare try anything like that against our parents, though."

"We climbed trees too, sometimes challenging each other, you know.. who could climb the highest.. which, to be fair, Gwilithiel usually won that because she was lightest." He laughed. "She wasn't afraid to get up to the highest branches, either. And.. and we had that.. playground sort of thing we mentioned, with ropes and things to climb on and all that." He added, remembering some of the fun times they'd had there. "We used to play all the usual games, you know, hide and seek, tag, sleeping bandit... and we'd also make up pretend adventures, like we might spend the afternoon fighting bad guys or dragons or something in the woods, and then we'd come in when it got dark. Then, after supper, we might spend the rest of the evening telling stories. Mostly, the younger two wanted me to tell stories, but when Father was home, we might get him to tell a few. Which would often then inspire new games to play, the next day." He mentioned with a little smile as he let his thoughts drift back toward those childhood memories.

"We had one game we liked to play in the winter that you might not be familiar with, because you need snow." He mentioned. "We called it 'fox and hounds'. One of us would be the fox, and they got a head start while they ran off into the woods, to leave a trail in the snow. Then the other two, the hounds, had to follow the trail to catch the fox, and then you pick a new 'fox'." He shrugged. "It gets trickier after a few rounds, because you have to figure out which trail to follow. At least, until the next snow, when you start fresh." He smiled slightly. "We got snow a lot in the winter, where we lived."

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

"Did you like teaching your brother and sister?" she asked him, having plenty of experience with training others, herself. "I know what you mean about taking pride in people learning what you are trying to teach them," she said with a smile, thinking mostly of Taras, since he was her main focus in that regard of late.

While Tercen was never really into archery competitions as a child, all the children living in Ithilien were taught some basic skills, including archery. So while she hadn't really had any playful archery competitions back then, she could more or less imagine what it would have been like for Gladhron.

"What?" she asked, surprised. "No jokes on your parents? Come on!" she protested, laughing a little. "Those were the very best ones! Just their faces, once they realize..." Arnyn grinned, shaking her head at the recollection of a particularly successful time or two. She let out an appreciative hum when Gladhron said his sister usually won with the tree climbing. "Being lighter does help," she grinned at Gladhron. She'd beat Tercen at the same, more often than not, as well.

"That sounds like a great game," she said about 'fox and hounds'. At his last comment, she deliberated. In the north, she had never asked, because she had wanted to avoid being asked in return. But now... "Where was that?" she asked. "Where you lived?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

He tilted his head, thinking. "Well.. I didn't have as much to do with teaching Gwestion," He admitted. "A bit, sure. But our father taught him, mostly. Both of us. When he was away, we worked with each other, but once Gwilithiel was old enough to beg us to teach her, we worked together to teach her whatever we could." He explained. "But... yes," He answered with a little nod. "For the most part, it was fun." He smiled. "The three of us were always pretty close, so.. working together like that.. it was a good way for us to bond further, I guess." He added quietly.

When she seemed surprised that they hadn't pranked their parents, he gave a laugh. "Alright.. well, I guess we did, some." He acknowledged, grinning. "But Father was always.. so serious," He sighed, shrugging. "And also, really.." He paused, failing to find the right word. "Well, hard to trick." He grinned. "Sometimes, the three of us would plot for weeks about how we were going to get him really good, then he'd come home from whatever mission thing he had been on, and he'd usually see right through it." he grinned, shaking his head a little in amusement. "Mother though... she wasn't too fond of that sort of thing. We may have done a few small pranks on her, but.. I can't really recall anything in particular." he admitted. "I.." He paused, swallowing. "I regret not spending as much time with her as the other two did," he added quietly. "Gwestion learned to cook from her, you know. I used to tease him about doing that. He also learned a lot about herbs and healing from her, which I have.. far less knowledge of."

He paused when she asked about where they had lived, back then. He wasn't really sure why she would ask, but he also had no reason not to answer. "We had our home in the Misty Mountains." He answered, curious why it mattered, but he didn't ask. "Obviously, it's gone now..." he added quietly. "We.. we go back there, now and then. Not very often, but.. occasionally." He shrugged.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

She raised an eyebrow at Gladhron when he admitted to having teased Gwestion about learning how to cook. "Why?" she challenged, half serious, half teasing. "Because cooking isn't a man's place?" she asked, curious whether some of his father's views had rubbed off on him, perhaps without Gladhron really realizing it himself. "Don't let Tercen hear you say anything like that," she added. "He is a great cook. And takes some pride in it, too."

"Do you want to learn anything about that?" Arnyn couldn't help but wonder when he mentioned Gwestion learning not only how to cook but also about healing from their mother. "Because you could," she told him. "Gwestion, Seri - you have plenty of options. You could even take a course at the Houses of Healing, if you're so inclined. They organize that kind of thing, from time to time, just for regular people looking to expand on their first aid knowledge and such. Or maybe our Captain, who also happens to be the Master Healer, will sign off on you doing some kind of crash course. To help you when you go back out, rangering. After all, why shouldn't rangers from the south and the north help each other? Especially now the Kingdom has been Reunited?"

"The Misty Mountains," she repeated thoughtfully. "More to Imladris? Or more to Khazad-Dum? I'm just curious," she added. "Now that you know where I'm from, I thought it would be nicefor me to know where you're from, too." She smiled at him.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

Gladhron focused his gaze down at his saddle, a little embarrassed as she inquired further into his teasing. "Well.. to be honest, back then, I suppose my father's opinions rubbed off on me a little, without me really thinking about it." He admitted. "I teased Gwilithiel a lot, too. Made her mad.." He paused. "But also, that much more determined to prove people wrong." He shrugged. "So.. in a way, I guess it helped, in her case." He said quietly, then glanced at her as he hurried to add, "I mean, I've learned better now, but I was just a kid, then. Repeating the sort of things I heard my father say." He thought for a moment. "Didn't take much to change my mind though," He added thoughtfully. Meeting Emma had definitely done that.

When she asked about whether he'd like to learn, he was a little surprised. "Well.. it probably wouldn't be a bad idea. I've picked up a little here and there," he shrugged. "Gwestion's knowledge has definitely been useful over the years," he admitted. "I.. didn't know what to do, that time when he was hurt." he paused. "Though, I never told anyone this, but, when that crazy woman was trying to kill me in the woods, after I had wandered off from the inn to go look for Bel? I sort of half-remember grabbing some plant and eating some of the leaves," He mentioned. "I.. remembered my mother once sending me to get some of that plant, to help her when she was feeling nauseous and stuff. At least, I hoped it was the same plant," he added with a slightly nervous laugh. "It did seem to help, anyway."

He smiled when she mentioned the Northern and Southern rangers helping one another. "Indeed." Hence, his offer to help with whatever it was she was working on. He looked a bit surprised though. "Your captain is also a master healer?" He asked, glancing at her as that tidbit registered. "Doesn't that get pretty busy, running two different organizations?" He wasn't really sure what all was involved in running the houses of healing, but he knew Seri had said there were several healers there. He wondered, in a city this size, how many patients they might have on average.

Her question about his home's location distracted him from those thoughts, and he smiled a bit in amusement. "Well.. I couldn't say whether it's close to Imladris or not," he answered with a little laugh. "We've never known where it was." He added in explanation, shrugging. "Father said it was hidden, and he never told, nor showed us even the general area where it could be found. He said he would, once we were old enough to join him for ranger work," he added. "But.." A shrug concluded his comment, figuring she would recall that he had mentioned his father's rangering days had concluded during the very first time they joined him for such a trip.

"As for where my home was," He smiled over at her. "It was at the on the eastern slopes of the mountain Methedras, a bit north of the Entwood," He explained, using the Rohirric name for Fangorn. "We weren't far from where the Limlight begins, but.. a bit further up the mountainside, where there are mostly smaller streams and creeks that later join at the bottom of the mountain, to form the river." He smiled slightly. "There was one such creek that ran close to our house, that had a nice deep spot, where we used to swim a lot."

[Lantaelen]

@Rillewen

Lord Abrazimir Dimaethor & Lady Gaerlothriel Dimaethor
December 22nd, Pelennor Fields, Gondor

Eryn made a bird whistle in advance of their approach, and received a similar signal back. Gaer glanced at Linny with some measure of astonishment. Hey, we should do something like that, secret code signals and all…

They came forward to meet Eryn’s father and introductions were made all around. Her father, Duinion, seemed to have some awareness of Abrazimir, or at least his name, before he guessed correctly that the Swan-Knight was the Abrazimir that had gone with Addhor to retrieve Unalmis, many years ago. What a mess that had been. A ship lost, along with the crew, and Abrazimir himself near enslaved and tortured to death. He saved his friends…and made some deadly enemies that day.

”You’ve heard about that, huh.” Abrazimir said with a morbid smile, but he kept his response to that vague. Unpleasant memories, but that storm had passed, as they all seemed to do. Like the one that nearly ruined Minas Tirith, that swept over this very ground not so long ago. He nodded to sitting with the man, while Hattie joined them. ”I did a brief stint in the Rangers myself, as a young man, no older than the girls there. But I returned to Dol Amroth for my knighthood. I take it you know my kinswoman, Isys? Or my mentor, Captain Alarion?” He inquired of Duinion.

And as the two men talked about potential common acquaintances, the girls could follow Eryn to the range. It was a stunning fact to hear that Eryn wanted to become a Ranger, where she would have to shoot arrows at real foes. Such a thing might have made Gaer balk a year ago and before. But after the familial joust and all that happened…she was beginning to find herself becoming more acceptable to the idea that she might be capable of shooting a foe with an arrow too one day. Fortunately though she didn’t get too deep into that spiral of darkness that so recently seeded in her heart, when Linny’s joyful voice called her attention to the targets.

”Oh wow,” Gaer said, finding her smile again. Some were the regular round targets but…was that a dragon? And an orc! Gaer had never seen one, but she had seen Corsairs, and she was content to think they were basically orcs too. And other targets were more tricky and creative, to practice shooting at irregular targets or at rings for accuracy tests. Others were timed, flipped out from behind trees or barriers. She definitely wanted to try them all, even if they were beyond her amateur skill level. How else did one learn and grow except by tackling the greater challenges?

”I can’t believe we’re doing this!” Gaer exclaimed to Linny in an excited whisper, grabbing her forearm and giving it a little shake, her enthusiasm bubbling like the lid of a kettle too long on a fire, the steam about to explode. She resumed standing patiently and still though when Eryn returned, like their new teacher might admonish them for breaking discipline. Gaer guessed she was older than their hostess but she all too happily made herself subordinate. Others she knew would have been appalled at such a suggestion, being too prideful. But not Gaer.

”Have you ever seen a dragon, by chance?” Gaer inquired of Eryn when she returned with the bow and arrows, offering to help unload some of the gear if the other woman needed help. ”I heard there were winged creatures during the battle here but my brother swears up and down they weren’t dragons. He wouldn’t say exactly what they were though… but I hear they are plentiful in the far, far north, a thousand miles or so.” She said, wondering if Eryn who lived more northwards than her and Linny might know more about that. Or if it was just another one of those fireside tales her mother used to tell her, about Ents and Wizards and Elf-Princesses in the woods.

”Care to start us off with some demonstrations?” Gaer suggested as a starting point when Eryn returned. Maybe seeing the visual performance of a trained shooter, they might be able to invoke some of that spirit themselves. She had no qualms about knowing next to nothing about archery. Sure, maybe the stance and all, but their original lesson had been brief and not very thorough. Best to get it all from the beginning again.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

Arnyn looked thoughtful when Gladhron explained how his opinion had followed his father's, without him actually reflecting on them much. It was like that for plenty of people, she supposed. She smiled faintly when Gladhron said he had learned better by now, and that it wasn't a whole process for his opinions and thoughts on that stuff to change. That did not hold true for a lot of people. In her experience, people tended to cling to their habits and opinions rather strongly, even when they were proved wrong. It even tended to show whenever Arnyn would change her own mind about something, after learning new things - just by other people's reactions to her changing her mind. As if it were strange, when she did that. As if she should defend her point of view, even after valid arguments had poked holes into it. Her faint smile grew a little, as she looked at her friend a moment longer, before turning her gaze back to the road.

"Yes, she is," she said about her captain, her smile getting amused. "It does get busy. That's why she has me," Arnyn stated matter-of-factly (also smiling because she was glad Pele had even accepted help!). It was also one of the reasons why Arnyn was so busy. If Pele hadn't also been Master Healer, then she would have more time to take care of Ranger matters. And then Arnyn would have more time to herself. But that was not their reality.

Interested to hear him talk about where his family used to live, back when they still... had a home..., Arnyn tried to picture the location on a mental map. "That is not all that far north," she vocalized her thoughts. "And there must have been good opportunities for pranking each other, there," she mused, choosing to return to that topic, to bring the conversation firmly back to the positive. It seemed to Arnyn that Gladhron would enjoy reminiscing about fun and happy memories that involved his sister, since his earlier words had made it quite clear he couldn't do that with Gwestion. Arnyn gave an example of a prank Tercen and she had pulled on their father, and then asked for one Gladhron, Gwestion and Gwilithiel had pulled - on each other or their parents. They spent some time going back and forth, each talking about a prank in turn, always trying to top the one that had come before. It did not take long before they were laughing, and Arnyn was glad to see the smiles and grins on her friend's face.

Meanwhile, the South Road was taking them to the gate in the south-west of the Rammas Echor, where the road led further south to Pelargir. Upon their arrival at the gate, one of the guards hailed Arnyn when they were still a ways removed. "Morning, Lieutenant!" he called out eagerly to her, raising a hand. Arnyn raised a hand in return, before shrugging a shoulder at Gladhron. "I pass by regularly. Most of the guards regularly stationed at the gates know me."

When they got closer, another guard greeted them. "Out on business, today, Lieutenant?" he asked, nodding at Gladhron.

Understanding his thought process, Arnyn shook her head. "No more than usual. He's not one of ours," she said with an amused smile as she glanced at Gladhron. "He's a friend, though."

"Ahhh, a friend," the second guard nodded, prodding his elbow into his comrade's side. "What d'you think about that, Fervin?"

"I, uh, I think that's great," Ferven stammered briefly, before glaring at the other guard. Then he offered Gladhron a little smile. "I'm Fervin. Pleased to meet you, sir."

The guard next to Ferven was trying to hide his amusement. "Dervorin," he spoke his own name amicably. "You two passing through? Or passing by?"

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Gladhron
Riding in the Pelennor, with Lt. Arnyn

Gladhron smiled and shook his head when she mentioned it not being that far North. "No, Father chose a location that was between the North and Rohan as well as he could," He explained. "So that Mother wouldn't be too far from her family for periodic visits, and he wouldn't be too far from the lands he usually patrolled. And, he also tended to roam pretty far anyway, which is how he met her in the first place." He explained.

He happily indulged in reminiscing about the childhood shenanigans and pranks he and his siblings used to get up to, as well as a few minor adventures while they were kids. He was grinning in amusement to hear about some of the fun times with Arnyn and Tercen, trying to imagine Tercen as a kid, but also Arnyn as a child. She was probably adorable, he decided, but kept that opinion to himself.

As they drew nearer to the gate, he had to stop himself from laughing after a particularly humorous tale which involved Gwestion and Gwilithiel teaming up to prank Gladhron, when they were all still kids. The guard's greeting alerted him to the fact that their laughter might carry across to them, so he tried to reign in his amusement a bit. By the time they'd reached the gate, he was smiling, with a hint of amusement still lingering in his eyes.

He looked from one to the other of the guards, smiling. "Hello, good to meet you!" He greeted them. "I'm Gladhron." He added his own introduction. "We're passing.. by? I think?" he glanced at Celume to check that was the correct way.

After a bit more chat with the guards, he and Celume bid them a good day and went on their way. "They seem friendly," Gladhron commented, though he couldn't help noticing the extra friendly, and stammering, way that guard Ferven had been, toward Celume. "Well, Narsule," Gladhron looked toward Celume's mount with a smile. "Ready to show us what you've got?" He grinned then at her. "Gaeroch and I are ready to race whenever you two are."

---

@Lantaelen

Dulinneth, with Erynneth & Duinion
Dec 22 - Pelennor/Dairy Farm
New friends

Duinion nodded in reply to Abrazimir. "I heard a good deal about it, yes." He confirmed, although he glanced curiously after the girls when Abrazimir said he'd served in the rangers, when he was about their ages. "Which?" He asked with a little laugh. "I assume you don't mean the youngest one," He said, since he thought she looked even younger than Duinion had been when he joined.. and he'd been technically too young to join. "Eryn is sixteen," he added, helpfully, and sighed. "And already wanting to join, herself."

As for knowing Isys, Duinion gave a little smile as the two men took a seat at the campfire. "I've met her, briefly. No, I heard about that.. adventure.. from Unalmis, mostly." He explained. "He's a close friend of the family. I grew up with his father.. and his brother." He shrugged. "Captain Alarion is my captain now, but I don't know her quite as well as I know Addhor and Unalmis." He stroked Hattie who was excitedly trying to climb into his lap. "This is Unalmis' dog, in fact." He added with an amused smile. "What brings you to Minas Tirith, anyway?" He asked curiously.


Eryn smiled at the other girl's enthusiasm, and couldn't help but recall how excited she had been when her father finally agreed to let her learn how to use knives and daggers. "Linn, you can use this one," She offered her the bow that Eryn had used when she first began learning to shoot, which ought to be just right for her. "And Gaer, will this be too strong for you?" She asked, uncertain about the draw weight of Eryn's current bow. It was about a thirty-five-pound draw weight. "If it is, then maybe you two can share that one?" She suggested, giving Gaer a chance to try it out.

"This is fun!" Linn bounced up and down eagerly. "We only got to shoot once before, but those bows were a bit bigger."

Gaer's question made Eryn smile as she shook her head. "No, no dragons, thankfully! But I heard that an archer once killed one, out in the far North, by shooting in just the right place." She mentioned, thinking of the tale of Smaug and the battle of five armies. As for those other things... "I.. didn't see those creatures," she added with a slightly uneasy expression at the mention of the more recent battle. "I was safely in Lossarnach, then. But, my father saw them." She said quietly. "He doesn't talk much about the battle, though." Eryn paused, hesitating, and glanced toward the men. They were a ways off, out of earshot unless they spoke loudly. "I did see some orcs once, though." She added in a whisper. "I even shot one, but don't tell my father, please? I didn't tell him so he wouldn't be worried."

Linn's eyes grew big and round. "That must have been scary!" She whispered back, marveling that a girl not much older than her had done that. "Don't worry," She added. "We can keep secrets." She smiled and glanced conspiratorially toward Gaer. They definitely knew how to keep secrets.

Demonstrations then! Eryn smiled and took her bow and one of her arrows. "So, you said you'd shot a few targets before, right?" She asked.

"Yes, we had someone teach us a few things, but I'm not sure how much of it I remember." Linn answered. "My brother shoots, but he won't ever let me do it," She pouted briefly.

Nodding, Eryn went over a brief refresher course of anything that might be useful for them to know, unsure what they might have learned before, or what they might have forgotten. She made sure to mention that you should never, ever fire a bowstring without having an arrow on it, as it can actually destroy the bow and harm you in return, just in case they hadn't been told that before. Then went over how to place the arrow on the string, how to draw the bow, and how to aim, release, and so forth. Then, after demonstrating a few shots, Eryn stepped back and encouraged Gaer to give it a try, using whichever bow Gaer felt best using.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen

Lieutenant Arnyn
The Pelennor - December 26th

"They are friendly," Arnyn said, after they'd said goodbye and continued on their way. Thankfully. Or her perception of the guard might have suffered much worse, given what had been going on within their ranks of late.

"We're ready," she confirmed with a grin, leaning forward to rub the side of Narsulë's neck. "Though I'm sure you could pass us by even with a head start." She wasn't being negative - it just seemed like the proper assessment. Each horse had their strengths. But Narsulë was not a horse bred for speed. "Let's have a proper race. From here, until the gate that leads to Harlond." She explained how they could ride mostly past the wall, since there was a broad enough path through the fields close to the Rammas between both gates. They were not that far removed from one another, after all. That being said,it was still a fine enough distance for a horse race.

"Readyyyyy?" she asked, drawing out the word as if she were a practiced announcer. "Seeeeeeeeet..." Her fingers curled around the reins, her legs prepared... "GO!"
Narsule sped forward, as quickly as he might. Arnyn could tell he was enjoying the opportunity to go all out, and her mount's enthusiasm carried over to the rider, and she laughed.

She was grinning even when Gladhron and Gaeroch started gaining on them. It was a gradual but steady process, and by the timethey had reached the halfway point, Gaeroch and Gladhron were a ways ahead of them. It took a bit for Arnyn and Narsule to catch up to the other two, once they had reached the gate! "Well," Arnyn stated, not looking disappointed at all, even though the guards at the gate were grinning and laughing at them for coming in as the 'losers'. "Nice job!" She leaned into Narsule, rubbing his neck again. "Not to worry," she told him quietly. "I'm sure you could trample twice as many orcs in half the time," she told her horse lovingly. Then she turned her gaze onto the guards at the gate to Harlond, and narrowed her eyes. They straightened, though one of them definitely had a harder time hiding his smirk.

Arnyn asked them if they had anything peculiar to report, but once they'd reassured her everything had been running smoothly and there had been no strange encounters, she said her goodbyes and drank some water as Narsule walked over to Gaeroch. "We should probably head back," she told Gladhron, still reverting from her more businesslike composure to a more casual one.