The cold wind in the heights of the Misty Mountains swirled around Thendryt. The outpost-fort of Hrimbarg’s cold stonewalls surrounded him. The Warband cloak was restless on his back, the cloth moving violently in the wind. It felt heavier than usual.
You might not fear pain, nor death. But what of exile, I wonder?
Like Dolthafaer would know anything about his fears. Thendryt lifted his hand and touched the dark stone. He clenched his fist and hit the wall.
The damn Elf was right.
He gazed out upon the peaks. Would these mountains be the end of him? Every time he was here something happened. Damn Elves. Limiriel wasn’t even trying to hide herself at times anymore, Dolthafaer must have told her that he knew. Thendryt guessed there were more Elves shadowing him now. A reward for striking their Lord of Arrows, no doubt.
You wonder why some of my kind are loathe to trust yours? It is this.
The scar in his abdomen seemed to hurt as much as the wound in his chest. Would the very Elves he fought for be the end of him one of these days?
The wind slowed down for a bit. Thendryt stood there, in the silent falling snow. Alone. Someone who had gone through what he had doesn't easily make friends. Thendryt’s loneliness wasn’t something he usually talked about, indeed he usually tried to avoid the topic altogether. But what would anyone expect? A lone Man among the Eldar, scared in body and soul.
A warrior without Kin.
A warrior without home.
A warrior alone in the snow.
Exiled from the Warband, and Imladris, what would he do? He did not truly know himself, maybe fight until he fell in the shadow of Gram? Maybe throw himself into the Bruinen? Maybe return to Rohan and accept whatever punishment awaited him there… One Man against the world, what a romantic thought. Ridiculous.
“Thendryt.” He turned his head and let his fist slide off the wall.
“Faorie.”
“It's nice to see you standing still for once.” Faorie said. “And not roaming about the wild.”
“Well, one needs to eat from time to time.” Thendryt turned around as he spoke. The Warband cloak spun around softly, snowflakes gently falling off onto the ground.
“That’s odd”
“What?”
“No blood, no tears, no damage...” Faorie brought a hand up to her chin and examined him, with a hint of sarcasm. “That's not the Thendryt I know. Where's your bad behavior? Your complete disregard for authority and control?” Leave me be, Elf. The wound in his abdomen burned.
“Perhaps I am just good at hiding it?” Thendryt managed, and winked. It hit him that he hadn’t taken off his mask and hood for a very long time around the others.
A warm chuckle escaped Faorie.
“I am only making fun.” She said. “I know you're better now. It's funny actually...” Her arms folded slightly as she paused. “I had mentioned something about it to Khalis and Lilleduil... About my suspicions about your reaction to our return.”
“I confess, I had my doubts that you would be able to maintain control of yourself... I almost had found myself without faith in you.” Thendryt wasn’t expecting to hear anything else, but with all that had happened he felt a jolt of pain in his heart. He enjoyed pain, but not this.
“But Khalis and Lilleduil assured me of your, for lack of better words, good behavior.” Faorie smiled. “I apologize now for not having enough faith in your control. I know these circumstances are not the same.” It will take more than the taunting of a Child of Man to keep me from warning your dear Elisbeth that her dog has broken free from its leash.
“Lilleduil, I'll believe.” Thendryt folded his arms. “I'm betting you're making up Khalis.”
“Ah, I am not!”
“Believe it or not, Khalis was rather sympathetic towards you.” Thendryt’s arms fell to his side as Faorie continued. “I should have been as well. I'm rather glad to be by your side in these mountains.” She took a step towards him, a gentle smile on her face. She put a hand on his shoulder. Thendryt looked at her hand, surprised at her sudden behavior.
“I know we have not been very close, but I have considered you a friend since our last talk outside Imladris.” Thendryt met her eyes as she spoke. “I hope you know that.”
“You are no longer alone, especially not in these mountains.” Faorie let her hand glide over the shoulder pad and down the side of his hood. “I am by your side.”
Thendryt lowered his head, not wanting to show his face as his eyes started to water. Faorie’s hand left him and fell, but he caught it and embraced her.
He did not remember the last time he had embraced anyone. He hugged her tightly, and didn’t want to let go. He didn’t know if he was even aware of what he was doing, his body acted on its own.
Faorie seemed surprised and just stood there, as if she didn’t know what to do.
You will be watched. Tread carefully.
“Don't say anything you'll regret. We both know I easily get into trouble.” He whispered, and let go. He didn’t want to let go, but if the Arrows were on him and decided to take matters into their own hands he’d be damned before letting Faorie get in the middle.
“Thendryt... What are you talking about?” Faorie stared at him in disbelief, still trying to take in what just happened. “Of course I do not regret my words. You have shown that your strength has long overpowered the darkness that once filled your heart.”
“No, Thendryt.” She maintained eye contact but made a dismissive hand gesture. “I regret nothing.”
Thendryt allowed himself to smile sadly under his mask. Her smile was too wide for her own good.
He inhaled and his eyes returned to their normal, darker, selves.
“Not yet.” Faorie’s smile lessened at his words, but traces of it still remained.
“Thendryt.” Faorie shook her head slightly. “I do not fully understand all that goes on in your mind or in your heart, but I wish to someday come to know what it is that influences your actions - and much more your sadness. I do not expect you to act with dishonor any longer, I have faith in you - as do your companions. Please have faith in yourself.” She brought her hand over her heart and smiled again, widely.
Thendryt thought it looked like she did it by instinct.
“I hope you find yourself well from now on, Thendryt.”
“Wipe the smile off your face before someone sees you.”
“Or what will you do?” She replied and chuckled lightly.
“Damn Elves.” He muttered as he walked past her and made his way back towards the keep. Leaving her there, with a smile still printed on her like it was never going away.
The old wound in his abdomen had stopped hurting.
