The soothing sound of the Bruinen filled the evening air as Thendryt and Lilleduil continued to make their way back to Imladris. They slowed down as they reached the river.
Bovad eagerly reached down to drink, as did Braigsul. Thendryt’s face was facing the opposite way though, he kept his eyes on the looming mountains in front of them. He was uneasy, not knowing what awaited him when they’d return to the Vale.
“Shall we camp for the night, Thendryt?” Lilleduil asked.
Thendryt looked up towards the sky, it was getting dark.
“Maybe we ought to.”
“We’ve water here, let’s find a good spot.” Lilleduil said, as she turned her steed around.
They searched for a bit along the river until Lill stopped.
“How’s this?”
“It’ll do.” Thendryt replied and dismounted. He turned to Bovad to remove the bridle.
“I’ll go get some wood.” He heard Lilleduil say. “If you want to go bathe?”
Thendryt raised an eyebrow at the notion, as he removed the saddle.
“Might not be a bad idea.”
“Well I would, if I’d been imprisoned for a week.”
Thendryt looked at Bovad.
“I cleaned him up as best I could.” Lilleduil said, gesturing towards the black horse. Bovad, on the other hand, stared back at Thendryt. After a moment the horse decided to join the conversation and give his own input, pushing Thendryt towards the river with his head.
“I’m going, I’m going.” Thendryt snorted. “Damn horse.” Bovad made a sound, but didn’t look too bothered. Thendryt looked back towards Lilleduil, only to find the Elf with a wide grin on her face.
“Thank you for that.” Thendryt said, with a low voice.
“He doesn't want you out of his sight, and you're very welcome.” She replied.
“Need help with looking for that wood, first?”
“I’ve got it, you go wash up.” Lilleduil turned around but decided to look back. “Shall I leave Tinnu with you to stand guard?” The giant cat was eying him.
“I think I can manage.” Thendryt replied. He was going to soak himself in water, not Angmarim blood.
“Alright then.”
It was dark when Thendryt finally made his way out of the river. Soaked and cold to the bone, he made his way towards the fire.
As he came up to Lill she gestured for him to stand still. Her staff moved towards the fire and Thendryt felt the warm air flowing towards him. It didn’t take long for him to get dry.
“There. Better?” Lill asked.
“Slightly.” He responded, walking over towards Bovad’s equipment. He opened a bag and pulled out the Warband cloak. Wrapping himself up in it, he sat down beside the fire.
Lilleduil sat down and passed him some bread, cheese and wine. Thendryt didn’t hesitate to take the wine first. It burned his throat, but warmed his body up.
“That should help warm you.” Lill said, smiling.
Thendryt nodded, but said nothing. His gaze lost itself in the flames. Bovad walked over and laid down beside him.
The smile on Lilleduil’s face seemed to grow wider.
“I need to find Faorie when we get back.” Lill said.
“Maybe she’ll have some answers.” Thendryt replied. “But I doubt it.”
“I’m worried about her. The Warband was her life. She will have taken this hard.” Lill threw him a glance. “And I don't know who to go to for answers, unless it's Lord Elrond himself.”
“Guess I know who I must ask then.”
Lill chuckled, as her large cat walked over and settled beside her.
“You will, no doubt. But whether you will get any satisfaction…” She shook her head, doubtfully. “He keeps some things very close.”
Thendryt lowered the cloak from his shoulders and held it in his hands, firmly.
“He’ll answer me.” Thendryt’s eyes seemed to mimic the flame’s intensity. “If he doesn’t, Elis or Khalis will.
“If you can find them.” Lill said, with a serious tone. “Is that what you’re going to do? Next, I mean.”
Thendryt lifted his gaze and looked at her. The Elf looked concerned.
“Yeah. Though I’m not sure what comes after that.” Thendryt replied. “What about you? After finding Faorie, what then?”
“I don't know either. Lord Elrohir said he had plans for me, but that could have changed. Find a way to continue the fight against the Enemy, I suppose. There is no dearth of things to do in that line.”
Lilleduil looked across the flames and met his gaze.
“You’re still my sword-brother. You know that, don’t you?” Thendryt chuckled, suddenly. “And what’s so funny?”
Thendryt took his eyes off her and looked back into the fire.
“I used to say that life is like a string.” Thendryt managed a small smile. “And sometimes you had to cut a bit off to move on. Change things, move on with your life. That you can't have old strings attached.”
“Sounds like a sound philosophy.” Lill said, and gave him a smile.
“Maybe. Thing is though; Every time you cut a piece off, the string gets shorter. Once you've cut enough out of your life, there's little more to cut before it's all over, all gone.”
Lilleduil held her hand out to him, and Thendryt passed her the wineskin.
“I cut most of my string. Most of my past.” Lill took a large swig and passed the wineskin back.
“Perhaps you can spin new string onto the other end.” She said.
Thendryt turned the wineskin a little, to see how much was left, before he took another gulp.
“I reckoned that I couldn't cut much more off, or I'd end up at the end of my string. End of the line.” Thendryt paused for a moment.
“The Warband seemed like the last piece of the string.”
Thendryt got on his feet.
“Thought it would be the last, final, maybe fatal, cut.”
He slowly moved the cloak over the fire. The flames slowly took hold, as black smoke emerged from the cloth. Thendryt dropped the cloak and watched as the fire raced over it.
“You're stronger than that. There's more to you than that.” Lilleduil said, standing up. Together they watched the burning cloak.
“You have friends. Brothers and sisters.” She said, reaching out her hand towards him, over the fire. Thendryt ignored her hand, unable to take his eyes off the flames.
“Still…” Lilleduil’s voice died out as she lowered her hand and watched him. She let out a sigh. Thendryt said nothing more, simply sat down beside Bovad and fell asleep.
“Sun’s coming up.” Thendryt said, with a emotionless voice.
“Let’s go home.” Lill replied, as Thendryt went over to prepare Bovad. She watched him saddle the large steed, and smiled at him.
“A new day.” She said, and went over to Braigsul to saddle her own horse.
Lilleduil started to ride out. Thendryt threw one last glance at the fire. It was almost out, it would die out in mere minutes. Thendryt tore the clasp from his chest and threw it into the dying flames, before turning Bovad around. With a stern look, he followed Lilleduil over the Bruinen, towards Imladris.
