A bittersweet Reunion
"So it have come to this. The night before starting our journey back home..."
Irwthryth sat in the rented room of the Prancing Pony. The map rolled out in front of him and only lighted up by the stump of a candle. The path he had chosen for his kinsmen to travel upon was not one without danger, neither did he believe that many of them were as prepared as he would have wished them to be. Nevertheless the decision had been made, and they were departing at the break of dawn.
It had not been more than a year since Irwthryth arrived to Bree-land. Those of who he had travelled with before the ambush near the Isen had been there for much longer, some had split off from the group, following their own ambitions, others had even settled down and found loved ones to marry. It all seemed as people were accepting their current situation in Bree-land in Irwthryths eyes. Who could blame them for it? The peace around the homesteads were more than ensnaring.
Some of the Rohir had a burning desire to return to their homeland though. Irwthryth was one of them. Countless were the nightmares of the terrors that roamed Riddermark. The more time passed, the more anxious he got on the matter. The anxiousness forced him to become very driving in the work to see the kin move onwards from Bree-land. During this work he managed to gain the respect of those around him. As some of the Rohir in charge started to leave the group to pursue other interests, Irwthryth stepped up in order to keep the group gathered. In a joint leadership with Ferawyn and Lillika they continued to work towards the goal of a return to their homeland.
Irwthryth looked out the window, soon enough dawn would break, but he had too much on his mind in order to manage to get some rest.
Suddenly he could hear a voice coming from the hallway, thundering like a storm, yet a voice he recognised.
"Irwthryth!? Where are you?! Face me like a man!" the voice shouted while the heavy steps were echoing through the walls, approaching Irwthryths door.
He quickly reached for his weapon, holding it in both hands as the door slammed open, with a tall and wide silhouette appearing in the doorway. As the large man stepped into the light, Irwthryths weapon lowered.
"You've become fatter Faeder!" he said with great joy.
"And you've become cheekier, son." Irwinn replied sternly, showing no joy to begin with, then breaking up into a laughter holding his arms out. They both embraced one and another.
"Your mother and siblings are all well Irwthryth. Aldburg have not been affected as badly as the settlements in the Eastemnet and Westfold. I came as soon as I received your letter for aid here in Breeland. We all rejoiced hearing from you, we feared the worst after the news of Westfolds fall reached us." Irwinn spoke with sincerity yet had a questioned expression.
"Why is it you need me here, son?" he asked.
"There are a constant stream of fellow Eorlings coming to Bree-land, for various personal reasons or mishaps. Many of the Eorlings I have encountered have a desire to return to Rohan and aid against the invaders. But are not prepared enough to make the return. I need you to find these people and prepare them for the journey that lies ahead. But also to keep the relations we have made with the people of Eriador intact. Make sure that the people you chose have the mindset of an Eorling. We have no need of people who will bring shame to us." Irwthryth responded.
"So, you're dumping your father in this cesspit of a town? Is that how you thank me for the years I've raised you? You ungrateful brat!" he said, Irwthryth ending up smiling at this, Irwinn still trying to hold his face from laughter, but failing miserably at it, broke into laughter once again.
"If you believe it is best for Rohan to entitle me such a responsibility, I will do it my son. But know that once the King calls for our aid, I will be gathering the people I do have with me and ride back to Rohan with them too heed the call. No matter if the Eorlings are prepared or not." Irwinn said determent.
"I wouldn't want you to do anything different faeder. If anything, we shall have our people join up on the battlefield, led by our king. The honour I would feel fighting besides you and the king is beyond words." Irwthryth smiled and grabbed the shoulder of his father, squeezing it firmly, unaware of when they would meet again.
"Let us use these last hours before the morning to speak more about what I have missed at home during these years we've been apart."
They both sat down at the table in the room, smiling as the conversation continued about the family and distant memories. Once the sun arose they agreed to try and keep contact with each other through letters.
They took a bittersweet farewell of each other at the back garden of the Prancing Pony while preparing Irwthryths horse and gear. Irwthryth swung himself up on his trusted steed, and nodded to his father before turning the steed about, to meet those who had gathered in front of the Prancing Pony.
Irwinn mumbeled to himself as he watched his son depart.
"There is the horse and the rider..."
