What were they doing here? What was he doing here? He didn’t belong to the south, he belonged to the north. Towards Angmar. Thendryt didn’t understand. The real threat was to the north, not here in Dunland.
“Problem, Thendryt?” Khalis asked. They had been following the river southwards for days, yet there had been no sign of activity.
“No.” Thendryt replied. “That’s the issue. There’s no problem.”
“What do you mean?” Khalis asked.
“There’s nothing out of the ordinary.” Thendryt said. “Nothing along this river.”
“Perhaps they choose to use the roadway through this land. The road, even with its great age, is still passable with wagons.” Thendryt shrugged.
“I’m beginning to think this might be a wasted effort.”
“Have you told the Tur?” Khalis asked and gave him a questionable look.
“The Tur?” Thendryt met his gaze. “No, not yet.”
Khalis smiled at him and urged his horse forward. He moved Bovad up beside him.
“Do you fear to speak with her on the matter?” Khalis asked.
“No, no.” Thendryt shook his head. “But it feels like we’re focusing on the wrong front. There’s a larger threat to the north.”
The two reached the rest of the group and the Elves began to cover themselves up.
“This is pure Dunland territory now.” Khalis had said. Covering their ears wouldn’t do that too much good, Thendryt thought. There’s more ways of identifying Elves, but it was a start.
After some time they got out of the forest, entering the open landscape of central Dunland. Thendryt looked around, searching. He knew it would be close, he just needed to remember its location. It wasn’t long before started to remember the landscape. He’d escaped not far from here. Which means it should be…
“We’re too far south for Elves to be trustworthy.” Thendryt said to the company of Elves behind him. “Stay here, I will be back shortly.” He urged Bovad forward. They were very close. After a few minutes the village came into view. There were fires burning, as night was almost upon them. The horse walked slowly into the village, as the Dunlendings watched him carefully. Once in the center, a group or warriors raised their spears towards him. Thendryt didn’t mind them, but simply glided down from the saddle. As he landed on the ground the spears surrounded him and were aimed at his neck.
“Is this how you welcome me?” Thendryt said, as he removed his mask and hood. “Maybe I’m not welcome, Ithel?” A man in the crowd grabbed a torch and moved it next to Thendryt’s face. As his face lit up, most Dunlendings lowered their spears.
“So.” Ithel said, and pointed a sword at Thendryt’s throat. “The scarred rider returns.” He pressed the blade against Thendryt for a moment. “Why would I welcome you?”
Moments passed, until Ithel smiled and lowered his sword. Thendryt embraced him, and both started laughing.
“How’s the arm?” Thendryt asked, while smiling at the man.
“As good as it can be.” Ithel replied. He grabbed Thendryt’s face, looking at his scars. “How are the scars?”
“Still hurting.” Thendryt replied. Ithel nodded, solemnly.
“Come, we have some meat over the fire.” Ithel said.
“I really can’t stay, Ithel.” Thendryt smiled, softly. “I’ve come for information.”
“What kind of information?”
“There’s been supplies send by boat north, along the river. Do you know anything about that?” Ithel thought for a moment.
“We’ve seen a few boats, not sure what was in them.”
“I saw a few not too long ago.” Another Dunlending said.
“Any idea where they came from?” Thendryt asked. The Dunlending shook his head.
“Avardin.” Said a Man at the back.
“Avardin? Are you sure?” Thendryt met the man’s eyes as the man nodded. Thendryt nodded back. “Thank you.”
“What will you do?” Ithel asked.
“I don’t know. I need them to stop. Thendryt replied.
“You could try the pits, Mors?” The Dunlending left to his said.
“The Culling Pits?” Thendryt asked. The man nodded. Thendryt remembered the Pits. An arena, meant to test the warrior’s abilities.
“I have no doubt you could do it under normal circumstances, Mors.” Ithel said. “But I doubt they will set up fair matches for you.” Thendryt mounted Bovad. “Mors, are you listening to me?”
“I brought friends, Ithel.” Thendryt replied. “I’ll be fine.”
“If you say so.” Ithel said, with a grin. Thendryt turned Bovad around and rode out of the village. The Dunlendings watched him go and disappear into the dark.
Thendryt made it halfway back when the feeling hit him. He stopped next to a rock formation and smiled to himself.
“Still don’t trust me?” Caleniel’s face popped up behind a rock.
“It would be less fun if we did.” She said, with a large smile across her face.
“Morson?” Khalis said, emerging behind him. Thendryt met his gaze.
“I stayed here a short time before my return to the Vale. They still owed me a favor.” Thendryt looked back towards the village. “Long time ago now, though.” Thendryt looked at the Elves. “Don’t get me wrong, I still think we should finish up here and leave as soon as possible.”
Caleniel shook her head at Thendryt, but looked mildly amused.
“Did they have any news that would help us, Thendryt?” Elisbeth asked.
“They confirmed that there's been boats going north along the river.” Thendryt said. “From Avardin.”
“Avardin? Where is that from here?” Caleniel asked.
“It lies south from here.” Khalis said. Thendryt was surprised that the Elf knew of the Dunlendings.
“It’s trouble.” Thendryt added.
“Of course it is, that’s why Lord Elrond sends us.” Khalis said. “Well, at least it’s not raining.” The Elf surely meant to be sarcastic, but as he said it Thendryt felt the raindrops fall on his face. He gave the Elf an annoyed look.
“So, we make for Avardin.” Elisbeth said.
“It’s not the simple.” Thendryt said, quickly. “The Avardin doesn’t trust anyone. Especially not Elves. We might be able to intimidate them, though.”
“How?” Elisbeth asked, raising an eyebrow.
“There’s a pit.” Thendryt said. “An arena or sorts, where they test their warrior’s strength. If we were to defeat everything they can throw at us, maybe we can make them think twice about sending more supplies north, closer to our lands. This is all just speculation, though.”
“But it might just work…” Elisbeth said.
“I need someone to look over my wounds before that fight.” Thendryt said. “But after that, I will be ready.”
The group made camp and prepared, before setting off southwards the following morning.
