@Arnyn
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Gwestion |
Gladhron
At some point before the War of the Ring
At the Campsite with the Millsons
"Exactly," Gwestion nodded as Celume pointed out the same thought that he had already considered, and looked pointedly at Gladhron. Honestly, he was annoyed that he had brought up the orc incident. The same incident which he was still recovering from. Which had nearly left him permanently crippled, and which had come close to killing him. Gladhron had come through it with only a bad blow to the head, but Gwestion.. had not been so fortunate. Sure, they'd both survived, but that was hardly the same as 'handling it' as if it had been nothing, as Gladhron made it sound. He slowly inhaled, and let it out as Celume stood, and made a comment about that they might turn out to be more forthcoming than himself. Gwestion glanced up at her, and returned the hint of smile that he caught there.
"That wouldn't be difficult," Gladhron snorted softly in amusement. "Anyway, I guess you're right." He agreed with a little sigh, though a bit disappointed to have to pass up a chance to wipe out a threat to innocent folks. He nodded as she mentioned that the Millsons would probably feel most comfortable with him, and was pleasantly surprised when she complimented him for having thought of taking the first watch. "Thank you," He smiled. As Gwestion never said anything of the sort, he wasn't quite expecting that, but it was nice. Even if he hadn't actually been thinking of that when he decided to take the first watch. Actually, he had only been thinking of making sure his brother got to get some rest... hoping to make up for having pushed him to walk through the woods instead of riding. "Good night, Celume."
Shaking his head slightly to himself, Gwestion stood up and took a moment to carefully stretch his calf muscles, then flexed his foot and turned it a few different ways to try and prepare his foot before he went across the campsite. Once he felt it would be alright, he set off to follow Celume with his own empty plate. "Thank you for the meal," He spoke softly to Mrs Millson, with a polite nod of his head to her. "It has been agreed between my companions and I that I will be guarding the camp when morning comes, so I thought I might make breakfast for us all. Would that be acceptable?" He asked. When the lady had agreed, albeit slightly surprised by the offer, he nodded and bid the family good night and went to check on Mael, as well as gather his bedroll and other things, before preparing for bed.
"Sleep well." He answered Celume softly, having placed his bedroll on the other side of the fire from where she had chosen. Close enough to be warmed by the fire, yet far enough to have a respectful amount of space between them. Despite being exhausted, Gwestion lay awake for a little while, deep in thought. He had his bow and arrows close at hand, as always. His borrowed sword lay nearby as well, though covered by the edge of his blanket. He was being extra careful with that, unwilling to risk losing it, as he had vowed to return it unharmed. As he thought about the sword, his thoughts then drifted to the one who had loaned it to him. Some things Bel had said to him returned to his mind now, and he played through her words in his mind, thinking about her, and what had happened today, and then thinking back to some of the things she'd said to him. Almost without realizing it, a little smile had come to his lips, somewhat amused at the way that girl had spoken to him so bluntly.
"Hey.. you asleep yet?" Gladhron's very quiet whisper broke through his thoughts, as he crouched near Gwestion and lightly poked his shoulder.
Gwestion opened his eyes, resisting a sigh. "What is it?" He asked. Surely, there wasn't trouble already? He was sure he had only been lying there about five to ten minutes.
"Sorry... where's the coffee?" Gladhron explained apologetically.
Typical Gladhron. Gwestion nearly rolled his eyes, but instead just closed them and let out a soft sigh. "Right pommel bag. In the bottom." He answered tiredly. "Anything else, before I actually get to sleep?"
"No, sorry. Thanks. Sleep well." Gladhron answered quietly before moving as quietly as he could toward where he'd left the saddles.
Gwestion rolled onto his side, determined to ignore any further sounds from his brother, and soon dozed off.
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Gladhron in the first watch
joined by.. a mysterious young woman
Gladhron was not planning on making any coffee just yet, but he had thought that if he began to get tired later, it would be nice to have some. And, maybe Celume would like some when he woke her later for her shift. He set the small package of grounds near the pot so it would be ready when he did want it. After bidding everyone goodnight, it felt a bit strange to be the only one awake. It was different than normal, when it was only himself and Gwestion. He paced around the edges of the campsite, trying not to disturb anyone who was sleeping, and yet at the same time, trying to keep himself amused so not to get bored. Boredom led to sleepiness.
A long time passed, and eventually, he deemed it time to brew some coffee. He was getting tired, and figured there was still some time left before he should wake Celume. He hoped the smell wouldn't waken anyone prematurely, but he couldn't do much about the aroma. He did, however, make sure to be as quiet as possible while doing it, and worked from the part of the campfire furthest from either of their heads. Once he had a cup of coffee, he moved away from the fire so not to disturb anyone.
His cup was nearly empty when he heard a sound. He turned, his free hand automatically moving toward the sword at his side as he scanned the tree line, which was as far as the firelight would allow him to see.
"Please.. don't attack." A young woman spoke up quietly as she stepped out from the darkness. She looked about the same age as him, and was rather pretty. "I just.. I saw your fire, and smelled the coffee.. and..." She smiled slightly and tucked a curtain of dark hair behind her ear. There was the slightest tint of reddish hue as the firelight gleamed on her dark hair. "I hoped you might be friendly." She explained in a shy tone.
Gladhron blinked in surprise and stared. He cast a quick look toward those asleep by the fire, checking that they hadn't been disturbed, then smiled toward her. "No, no one here would attack you, miss." He assured her. "But what are you doing out here, so late at night? Are you alone?"
"Oh, yes. And I'm so relieved. I've been so frightened.." She stepped closer. "All alone out in the woods, for hours..
days even..." She wrapped her arms around herself and sniffled. "I got lost, I suppose. I was traveling with some others, and we were attacked by these bandits, and.. I barely escaped with my life.." She looked up at him with big brown eyes brimming with tears.
He frowned, glancing quickly toward the bandits who were bound nearby, and noticed that a couple of them had awakened, and were watching with interest, though he couldn't make out much from their expressions. He turned back to her. "I'm terribly sorry to hear that, miss. You'll be safe with us." He promised with a smile, keeping his voice hushed. "Would you like some coffee? It's nice and hot, and still pretty fresh."
"Oh, I'd love some," She smiled at him, also speaking softly. "I suppose it's lucky for me that you were awake." She commented, clasping her hands behind her back. "Could you not sleep, sir? Is that why you're awake when everyone else sleeps?" She tilted her head as if curious.
"Ah, no. I'm on guard duty," he explained as he started toward the coffee pot, then remembered he only had one cup out - the one he was using - so he altered his course and instead went to the saddles to get the other cup from Gwestion's gear.
"You're guarding everyone here, all by yourself?" She sounded a bit surprised and even a little impressed, unless that was his imagination. "You must be quite a warrior."
Gladhron couldn't help a little grin at that. "Well, the others have to get some sleep," He shrugged. "We're taking it in turns." He paused as he recalled that she'd said something about wandering in the forest for days. "If you're hungry, we have a few things here to munch on, and in a few hours my brother will be making breakfast," he informed her, having overheard Gwestion's words to Mrs Millson. "Don't tell him I said this," He dropped his tone to a whisper, smiling slightly. "But he's actually a
very good cook."
She smiled. "Oh, breakfast sounds wonderful. I'm starved," She declared, moving closer so he could hear her whispered tones. "What have you got to eat, in the meanwhile? Is it here in these bags?"
"Yes, indeed." He smiled. "Let me see what we've got.." Gladhron set both cups down on a nearby stone, and dug around in the saddlebags. "There's some dried fruit in here somewhere.. and jerky.. some traveling biscuits. Nothing much I'm afraid, and the biscuits are hard, but it should help ease the hunger pains until breakfast..."
"Oh, that's just fine." Ruby declared, looking past him with a little nod toward her boyfriend, who had crept out of the tree line opposite her. While Gladhron was busy searching in the saddlebags, with his back to the bandits, he was stealthily approaching their comrades who had been captured earlier, a knife in hand. If he could free them, then that would be best; they could help in the next phase of their plan, but if they failed in that, then he would at least make sure they couldn't talk if they were interrogated...