A raging underground river was roaring below them. It felt like they had had been walking forever through dark tunnels and soaring caverns, over natural rock bridges, dodging stalagtites and stalagmites. Hellrien had lost her sense of direction a long time ago, and she could only hope their guide knew where they were going.
A man had joined their small group on the path between Thorin's Hall and this cavern labyrinth outside. He had a military appearance about him, and from the short exchange of words between him and their guide Hellrien had understood that he was here for the same purpose, seeking to join this mysterious brotherhood. He had called himself Burwod.
Finally a monumental construction emerged from the darkness before them. The majestic stronghold was embedded into the walls of the huge cavern structure. It was surrounded by barricades, stables, forges, depots and tool sheds. Everything was organized in military fashion.
Hellrien was almost expecting to hear drums and Gondorian marching music when she followed the others to the courtyard. It was a strangely familiar and nostalgic sight to behold for someone who had been raised in a household of a Gondorian military commander.
Theawynn took them for a tour around the courtyard before asking them to wait outside. The main door opened and a banner-bearing female herald appeared on the doorway. Theawynn followed the other woman inside and the door was closed behind them. Hellrien and Burwod stood in silence for a moment before the door opened again and the herald beckoned them to follow.
”Welcome to the stronghold”, she said, as Hellrien stepped on the cracked marbled stone stairs. The massive door was cracked and dented as well. The hinges creaked. They entered into a spacious entrance room with a dwarven-made grey diamond stone floor. Hellrien took note of the many shelves, braziers, weapon and shield racks and the bear rug on the floor.
”If you would please leave your weapons over there. You will not need swords, bows or quivers here”, Theawynn pointed at one of the shelves. Hellrien put away her bow, quiver and a large bundle of cloth, where she had wrapped her handaxe and steel-spiked mace. Unarmed, they followed Theawynn into a massive grand hall with a stage and a fireplace. There were more shelves, bookshelves, tables and chairs there. Walls were full of maps from all over Middle-earth. Hellrien noticed a woman sitting on a cushioned chair far to the other side of the hall, back turned on them. Theawynn lead Hellrien and Burwod to her direction.
”Lady Haschrigael”, Theawynn said in a respectful voice. ”Meet Mr. Burwod and Miss Nen Hilith, the new prospective initiates.”
Hellrien bowed lightly. Suddenly she was feeling miserable standing there in her worn dirty tunic and thoroughly faded dirty trousers. Haschrigael was a dark-haired elven beauty who radiated mystery and ageless elegance. She was dressed in a blue gown unlike anything Hellrien had ever seen before. The woman smiled, revealing her shining white teeth.
”It's out honor to have you as our guests, Mr. Burwod and Miss Nen... what was it again?”
”Hilith”, Hellrien answered dryly.
”A peculiar name”, she said. Hellrien felt like Haschrigael's penetrating gaze drilled straight through her soul.
”Is Sir Dorvairse around?”, Theawynn asked.
”He should be. I'll go check.” Haschrigael left the room. Theawynn beckoned Hellrien and Burwod to follow her in a spacious kitchen. There was a large keg, a spit, a fireplace and shelves filled with mugs, plates and other kitchen utensils. Haschrigael disappeared behind another doorway, and the herald stepped in front of the door to guard it.
”That door over there”, Theawynn pointed, ”you may never pass.”
Their tour continued. Theawynn showed them around the scullery and again the grand hall. Burwod seemed especially interested in the forge. When the tour was over, she asked for Burwod and Hellrien to wait in the grand hall.
”Make yourselves at home. Sir Dorvairse will be here shortly.”
Burwod stood examining the forge, while Hellrien found herself a comfortable chair to sit on. She could hear voices from another room, too far for her to make out what was said, but she did recognize some of the voices - Theawynn, Haschrigael and a third voice - a deep, rumbling man's voice.
Two people marched into the room, Haschrigael and a tall, broad-shouldered man with a well-groomed dark brown beard. The first thing that caught Hellrien's attention was his demeanor that exulted such strength and willpower Hellrien had no choice but to respect it. She understood that those exact qualities were responsible of creating that team spirit and loyalty between members of the brotherhood Hellrien had already seen proof of. This could be none other than Sir Dorvairse, the founder and leader of the brotherhood.
Yet somehow there was also a strange familiarity about him, as if Hellrien had met or seen him somewhere before, a long time ago. Where could she have seen those steely blue, penetrating eyes before?
Hellrien stood up and bowed politely, confronted by a long exploratory gaze, the gaze and the short sentences she would soon find so typical for Captain Dorvairse.
”Welcome”, the Captain started dryly. ”Come, let's gather around the strategy table and get started.”
What followed was a lecture of the Sworn Brotherhood's origins, history and purpose. Dorvairse told Burwod and Hellrien about the key personnel of the Brotherhood, or 'Vanguards', as he called them. He told them they would, in case they stayed, be trained in the ways of Elite Arts of Gondorian Combat, involving stances, offensive, defensive, bow and crossbow, shield and one-handed sword, two-handed sword, axe, hammer, mace, club, shield and spear, and javelin. They would also be trained in survival skills, knowledge about all manners of creatures in Middle-earth, wild animals, orcs, goblins and trolls, herb lore, history, politics, geography and much much more.
Eventually he turned his piercing gaze at Hellrien. ”I have seen you before, in Captain Geoffray's household in Pelargir many years ago, haven't I?” he queried bluntly.
Hellrien was surprised, then scared. ”You are mistaken. I've never heard of this Geoffray before”, she attempted. Now she remembered Dorvairse, the Gondorian commander who had worked with and above her father all those years ago. She couldn't have been more than five years old at the time, yet she knew it was no use trying to deny it. Her similarity of appearance with her father had been striking even back then, and it was even more evident now.
”Tell me the truth”, Dorvairse pressed on. ”Think long before you answer. I don't tolerate dishonesty.”
Hellrien's shoulders slumped. She had been caught. Had Dorvairse been doing Geoffray's bidding all along? Had everything been an elaborate trap to catch her? ”Yes, you got me”, she said resignedly. ”I'm her. Hellrien, the handmaiden's daughter. You never intended to recruit me to begin with, did you?”
”Of course I did”, Dorvairse countered. ”It was no accident Theawynn approached you here. We have spotted you in Celondim weeks ago. We have kept an eye on you ever since. But I am curious, what are you doing so far from home?”
”Master Geoffray saw fit to send me to Archet a few years ago, to become a servant in Captain Brackenbrock's household. I escaped when the brigands attacked Archet. I've been living on my own ever since.”
”I remember the attack in Archet. But tell me, was there some kind of threat in Pelargir? Why did your father send you away?”
”Only his good name was threatened”, Hellrien said bitterly. ”He never admitted I was his. I was a servan't daughter, born out of wedlock, a produce of a short but intimate encounter with him and my mother. But it became more and more of an embarrassment for him trying to deny it, as I looked so much like him, more and more every year. So he dealt with the problem by sending me away.”
”I left Captain Geoffray in charge of the Pelargir Garrison”, Dorvairse said. ”A decision I am now starting to regret.”
”Does this mean you will still have me? In the Brotherhood, teach me the Elite Arts of Gondorian Combat and all that?”
”Yes. We have recently lost a number of our kin and are always on the lookout for new, strong and brave souls with the right qualities to join our ranks. You can collect your uniform on your way out. Now all you have to do is get adjusted to the routine of the stronghold. Your training will start tomorrow. Do you have any questions?”
”Only one. Where are my quarters?”
Dorvairse seemed to ponder the question for a moment. ”There are none. Yet, anyways. Our barracks are under construction. You may reside in Thorin's Hall Inn, free of charge. Just say 'Brotherhood', and 'under Dorvairse' - you will have a room at your disposal.”
The audience was over. Hellrien bowed and left the room. To collect her new uniform.
