Eliad, offered to bring Tahandil’s armor with him, stepped into the Pony and made his way to where he had talked to him before leaving despite of being soaked by the rain. However, he only saw Aranglin, a friend of his, as well as two women, one being the one he had disliked of her being around Aranglin. One of the woman in the green dress glanced at Eliad, frowning at the sight of his soaked attire.
“She insisted she was fine…,” said Aranglin. “Would not even let me fetch a healer or pay for her drinks or food.” He blinked at Eliad, coughing. “You look terrible…”
“Rain is nothing compared to getting stabbed by your own weapon…,” replied Eliad. “Unfortunately, I don’t have spare clothes with me.”
“Oh…,” said the other woman, Indacith. “Wait, you mean last night? When she came into the inn?” She looked back at Eliad for a moment. “Or… The other night, I suppose.”
“Pardon, lad,” said a voice behind Eliad.
Eliad jolted, having the box of armor in his hand, before stepping out of the way for an older gentleman. The older gentleman looked to be more of a warrior than Eliad ever looked.
“O-Oh…,” said Eliad. “Sorry, sir.”
Aranglin cannot help but grin at Eliad, glancing at Indacith.
“Indeed,” answered Aranglin. “Tough little lady, she is!”
He stepped away from the hearth before his cape caught on fire. The older gentleman flicked up a brow at the lad in red, folding his arms under his Gondor tree pin.
“Need to learn to not stand in the hall,” said the man. “You’ll become a boy shaped rug.”
“Yes!” smiled Indacith, nodding her head. “We have gotten to know each other rather well last night after you left.”
“Ah, that is well!” said Aranglin.
Eliad glanced at the Gondor tree pin before looking back at the man in the eyes.
“Sorry,” said Eliad. “I’ll try not to. I’m just trying to find someone… I got his armor.”
Eliad held up the old box that contained armor in his hands.
“Who are you looking for, my dear?” asked Indacith, looking at Eliad.
Do not call me that…, Eliad thought.
“Who are you looking for, boy?” asked Litdell.
“If you ladies will excuse me for a moment, I need to help Eliad,” smiled Aranglin. “Again.” He then chuckled. “Actually, I owe him.”
“My friend, Tahandil,” answered Eliad. “He’s little younger than you, wearing brown clothes…”
“Be safe, Aran,” said the woman in the green dress.
Aranglin thanked the woman in the green dress. Indacith nodded and looked to Aranglin, blushing as her eyes hit him for just a moment. The older gentleman shifted his weight, slowly eyeing up Indacith, before glancing back.
“I’m unaware of that name, I’m afraid,” said Litdell.
“O-Oh,” said Eliad. “Erm… Thanks…” He then sighed. “I hope he’s not doing anything stupid…”
“Getting a bit crowded back here, I think,” said the woman in the green dress.
She casted a final smile at Aranglin, somewhat teasing, before slipping past. She then eyed the gentleman before her.
“Beg your pardon, sir,” said the woman.
The man emitted a soft scoff, then bowed deeply, stepping aside with a wink.
“Milady…,” said the man.
“I know where they went, Eliad,” said Aranglin. “I shall help you find them.”
Indacith walked over to Aranglin, frowning lightly.
“You will be leaving again?” asked Indacith.
She poked him in the arm a few times. Eliad refrained from looking at the man in the eyes for too long, being careful. He then looked to his friend.
“T-That sounds good,” said Eliad. “Thanks. And miss, this is an important business. More important than meetings…”
The man paused, deciding to linger and watch in amusement.
“You best not to boss around ladies, boy…,” said the man.
“I will return soon, my lady, but this man we seek has recently been injured,” said Aranglin. “I do not like the thought of him being without armor… And this rain seems unkind for you to be in.”
Eliad shifted his feet, still holding the box of armor. Indacith looked around, chewing on her lip for a moment.
“I am alright…,” said Indacith. “I will come with, if you do not mind.”
She looked to Eliad. Eliad glanced at the older man.
“Oh, trust me,” said Eliad. “I’m not that phased of ladies… Except for my sister.”
“Is this boy a squire?” asked the man, looking at Aranglin. “The one in red? If so, you need to teach him how to properly address such a fine, Gondorian beauty…”
“M-Me?” asked Eliad.
In his mind, even though he had left his home, being from a family such as his, he would not be considered as a squire. Indacith sneered a glare at the man by the doorway, shaking her head slowly.
“I’m no squire, sir,” said Eliad. “Just a friend helping out friends.”
“He is not my squire…though that is an intriguing thought…,” replied Aranglin. “He is an ally.”
The man winked at Indacith before looking back at Aranglin.
“He seems like it, hardly a warrior…,” said the man.
“He is a boon companion in conflict, sir,” said Aranglin. “I would trust him with my life.”
“I’m training to be one, good sir!” laughed Eliad. “In order to fulfill a personal dream of mine.”
“I wouldn’t trust him with a sword…,” said the man.
“I can fight as well as one could be currently,” said Eliad.
Indacith looked up at Aranglin, nudging him lightly.
“Can I come?” asked Indacith in a childish voice, a smirk on her lips.
“No, miss, you can’t come,” said Eliad, rather annoyed by the woman now.
“Come now,” said the gentleman, flicking up a disbelieving brow. “I don’t think a lad like that could make any lady…come…”
“My lady, after what happened with the man in the alley harming Abbi—what?” asked Aranglin, looking at the man in confusion.
“I made ladies like me even without trying,” smirked Eliad, glancing at the man before looking at Aranglin. “Aranglin, we need to go.”
Indacith shot her eyes to the man by the doorway, glaring.
“Please leave, my dear sir,” said Indacith. “That was slightly perverted…”
Maybe you should be the one to leave the town since you’re a hassle, Eliad thought.
“Oh, you poor innocent souls!” exclaimed the man. “With all due respect, milady… I don’t take orders from women.”
“I will return, my lady,” said Aranglin. “Please, stay out of this rain. It is the chilling type, not the refreshing one.” He then stepped up to Eliad. “Do you need me to carry that?”
The woman who Eliad thought of as annoying left finally.
“It’s fien but we should find Tahandil and fast,” said Eliad, glancing at Aranglin.
“I suggest you dash, lads, afore she notices,” said the man.
The two friends made their way out of the inn as quickly as they could. As soon as they got outside, Aranglin looked toward Eliad.
“I shall get Lome!” said Aranglin.
Eliad watched as Aranglin go to the Pony’s stables before whistling sharply, waiting for his steed to get there before mounting, being careful of the box. Aranglin mounted his ebony stallion, moving over to Eliad. Eliad used his horse to follow Aranglin.
“A squire he called me!” laughed Eliad. “Oh, if only he knew the truth.”
“Indeed!” agreed Aranglin. “Honestly, it is aggravating!”
“Where did they go?” asked Eliad.
“The ruins,” answered Aranglin.
“…Oh, right,” said Eliad.
“Have you ever been?” asked Aranglin.
“Only once,” answered Eliad.
They made their way towards the ruin above the Pony before stopping their horses once they saw Chrissy, a hobbit companion of Tahandil’s.
“Miss!” exclaimed Eliad. “Where’s Tahandil?”
“Is all well?” asked Aranglin.
Chrissy stopped out of breath in front of the horses.
“I-It’s…,” said Chrissy, panting. “Tah… He…tore…his…stitches.”
“SHIT!” yelled Eliad.
The two men used their horses to make their way up the hill fast now. Eliad would not admit it, but he was scared to lose another person he cared about.
