Xanderian of Belfalas slipped into the small cottage as the daylight was fading from the wintry sky. She had found what to occupy herself through the long night and chilly day, outside this place of safety.
She had met with her sister and briefed her on the current situation and what she had surmised about the Spike. She had endured Xandilif's rage over what they both perceived as their failure to save Cilyniton and avoid this entire perilous moment. She had met Xandilif's new prisoner and attempted to make sense of Nik's babbling memories with little positive progress. She had checked the wards and traps about the cottage. She had met with Cyndwin near the Last Bridge and consulted and comforted with her love about the racing by of days. She had hunted a party of orcs through the North Downs that had waylaid a merchant's wagon. She had gathered more supplies for the inevitable assault upon Kheledul.
In fact she had done all that she could to avoid this moment, returning to the tiny cottage. She had felt that Nethrida had spent most of the day sleeping and healing, and had taken the time to walk her dreams, comforting and caressing her tensions as she slept. Addie however, she had not even allowed herself to think of. The pain of her cruel words and sudden anger were still far too harsh, as were her own self-recriminations over somehow further wounding the already wounded woman...though for the life of her she could not think how.
Finally, she could avoid her promised duty no longer, and slipped into the cottage, surprised to see a familiar figure sitting by the parlor fire, the fading embers casting her features in sharp relief. Xanderian was shocked to see Addie's eyes puffy and cheeks drawn, having clearly been weeping for some time.
The elleth stepped forward, and their eyes met, and the woman of Rohan held out one hand. In it she held a small, clever carving, crafted of pale ash wood. Small enough to fit in the palm of her hand, the carving depicted two hearts entwined. One heart was intricately carved into a twisted branch with details of leaves and flowers, while the other heart was smooth, pristine and plain but perfect in it's beauty.
Xandaerian simply stared at this small treasure, and Addie spoke, her voice soft and tentative as if she feared rejection. "An apology.. though my heart does not love like yours, I do greatly value your friendship and am honored that you have chosen us to be your friends as well.."
Xanderian tilted her head softly....and touched the carving resting in her palm. One tear ran down her cheek.
Addie struggled with herself, and finally reached out one hand to touch the cool tear on alabaster skin. "I am sorry for my harsh words the other night.. I did not mean to hurt you."
Xanderian met her gaze again, both hopeful, both frightened. "Dear Addie, I was wrong and spoke out of turn to you...I still fear you underestimate your heart, but as you rightly have said, it is for you to choose your own path, and I honor that. You are dear to me...it pained me to think that you felt I would cruelly impose my own views and ways upon you, or seek for you that which you did not yourself desire."
The elleth made an almost superhuman effort, but succeeded in not hugging the woman before her. "And I am sorry if my words or ways cause you unease..we shall never speak of such matters again.'
Addiela shook her head, "Nay.. there is no reason for you to apologize.. I realize that I am the one that is unusual. I have lost friends over it and I do not wish to lose any others."
Xandarian went silent for a few moments, and when she spoke her voice was filled with love and emotion. "Friend Addie...there is no way that you might lose my companionship...we are sisters and we shall forever be now."
The blonde woman nodded at her words as a relieved smile came on her face. "I am glad to hear that. When do you think we will leave for Ered Luin?"
Xanderian perched on the edge of the bench, careful not to sit too closely to Addie, and slipped the tiny carving into her belt pouch. "A few days yet...there are a few more preparations to be made, a few more allies to discuss matters with. For one, I need to speak with Lore and see what aid her people might give us so far from Bree."
Addiela thought for a moment, "Hmm.. Are you sure this Lore can help us? From what I have been told she was injured recently."
The elleth nodded. "That is what I wish to confirm...but her people are many and if they might aid us it will be helpful...I am hoping as well the Lady Ahmo may persuade the Lord of Lindon to send forth a party as a distraction to harass the Dourhand'
Addiela watched her closely, "Do you think he would do such? You said he does not think much of you or your sister, and would not extend himself too far to help those who are not elves.'
"The Lady Ahmo is held in great esteem there...and our efforts to suppress the Dourhand will benefit Lindon as well, so I think it quite likely he will aid us for her sake." Xanderian watched the fire, remembering with sorrow the last time she had paused beside the sea in Lindon. "And in doing so, he could drive another wedge into this temporary unity our foes enjoy."
"Temporary unity? You mean between the Dourhands, men of Angmar and the bat people?" Addie looked hopeful, she had not thought that there might be ways to use the eveil of their foes against them."
Xanderian nodded to Addie...."The Morrovale are no friends of the Dourhand, and the dwarves to a man fear the Daughters of Caverns in turn. We can use that."
At that moment the door was pushed open brashly. In strode the broad, pale haired figure of Eduwiges of Faldham.
Xanderian looked up from her whispered conference with Addie, having felt the woman's approach...and smiled broadly..."Hail, daughter of the noble Riddermark. It pleases me to see you."
Addiela smiled upon seeing the newcomer as well. "Well met, Eduwiges."
Eduwiges replied with a grin, "I am pleased to see you both well, was the water cold Rian?" Addiela looked to Xanderian, a brow raised in question at hearing that but the elf seemed just as confused.
Xanderian tilts her head, had the horsemistress happened upon she and Nethrida bathing in the stream nearby in the past, or perhaps she and Cyndwin swimming earlier that day in the River Mitheithel . ..."Which water do you speak of, dear one?
Eduwiges laughed, the sound warm and robust as was the woman. "The water you dove into to make your escape at the docks.. I was scouting the area and I heard a ruckus and a splash! I have never seen a dive so clean before."
Xanderian laughed softly..."I thank you...I did not wish to linger lest the Blood-witch read more of my intentions...
Addie's eyes widened, "Bloodwitch?"
Eduwiges nodded, "Bloodwitch! That makes sense then, I cannot see the Mighty Xandarian, Longtracker of the Endless Night, running from some poxy Dourhands."
It had been some time since Xan had heard anyone use the name she had once been given in the Mead Hall of Stanhope, but before she could comment, she felt a glowing presence in the yard outside the cottage. She rose and rested a hand on Lovelorn's hilt and gestured with her head to Eduwiges.
Eduwiges placed her own hand on her blade and stood silently behind Xanderian, already moving seamlessly with the Huntress she had allied herself with.
Once she knew her Eduwige was behind her, further securing the door, Xanderian slipped out.
Just beyond the light of the yard, the woman called Lore stood still, her arms folded as she watched the two exit the house.
Xanderian approached and smiled as Lore spoke, "Uncle Hadh asked me to look in on you all from time to time."
Nodding, Xan greeted her. "Hail to you, Daughter of the Crossroads...I have heard you have been injured?' Behind her, Eduwige's kept a close eye on this woman she had not met.
Lore nodded, aware of the Eorl woman's watchfulness, but not reacting to it. Rian half turned to her pale shadow, "Be at ease dear one, Lore is a friend...Lore, Voice of the Ancient Crossroads, this is Eduwiges, daughter of the vast Riddermark and a stalwart friend against shadow. Trust her as you trust me for her sword is bound to our cause and my will."
Lore shifted slightly to study the blonde's face as if memorizing it. She nodded politely. "Well met." Eduwiges noticeably relaxed and dropped her hand from her sword, already taking Rian's reassurance as absolute.
Xan looked at the newcomer with concern. "'How did you come to be wounded, dear one..and how might I aid you?'
Lore sighed, sounding annoyed. "I misjudged my slide and the bandit was faster than I expected...
"Come within by the fire...we have much to discuss" Xanderian led her through the clever traps and wards of the yard, bringing to the door and leading her into the warm room, with Eduwiges watchfully bringing up the rear. Smiling to Addie, her voice brightened. "Clearly we are blessed by Elbereth..as we discuss friend Lore, she appears"
Lore lifted her hood. "Hello, Addiela. I presume Nethrida is resting?'
Xan answered without thinking, 'She sleeps still, does my sweetest warrior'
Addiela looked up confused, noting that the newcomer seemed to know her proper name. "Oh.. hello there." She also seems confused as Xanderian answered regarding Nethrida when she had been away all day, but let the matter slip. "...I have heard of our new friend, but have never been introduced.." she told the elf.
It was Xan's turn to be surprised. "Have you not met, that is not good...Lore, Voice of the Ancient Crossroads, this is Addiela of Breeland, my sister."
Addie held out her hand for a proper greeting, sparing Xanderian a smile for saying she was from Bree as well as calling her sister. "It is nice to meet you."
Debellora stepped over and tookher hand carefully. "Lore, Hadhranel is my uncle."
Addiela smiled, 'Aye, I have heard you spoken of with great respect.. you were injured were you not?'
Lore sighed, she was not proud of this story but clearly polite company was ever invasive. Yes, but not much to say about it. We were attacking bandits who'd taken over a blind girl's farm and killed her parents. I misjudged an attack and the bandit recovered faster than I gave the drunken fool credit for."'
Addie's eyes widened slightly. "A blind girl? Miss Lucey?"
Lore smiled. "That is the one. So you do know some of the Bree-folk."
Addie seemed deeply concerned. 'Miss Lucey is well?'
Lore shrugged."More or less. She was scratched a bit and manhandled by one of the bandits during the fight. Her friend was knocked unconscious. We killed all eleven of the bandits."
"Which friend of hers do you speak of?' Addie was searching her memory.
"A lass called Ema, I believe" responded Lore, growing a bit impatient with the questions.
Addie thought for a moment, "Ema.. Ema.. " She did not seem to recall anyone by the particular name. "Rian, did you ask her your question?"
Lore lifted a curious eyebrow as Xanderian stepped forward again. "Not as of yet, sister Addie...the matters of care and concern must ever come before talk of war...But if you are comforted as to the wellbeing of this unseeing friend...then I shall lay the matter before Lore to voice to her people"
Lore shifted slightly, head tilted as she focused on Xanderian, relieved to be getting to business.
Xanderian leaned back against the wall, Eduwiges near to her shoulder. "A plan has been arrived at, that we must linger no longer. There are new risks brought into the fray which must be prevented...Therefore within the week we intend to assault Kheledul and undo the preparations they are making. We wish to know what aid we might expect from your folk, as we will be far from Bree."
Lore nodded, feeling the shift in the huntress from concrned friend to disciplined war leader. "So you intend to focus on the Dourhand and leave the other matters in the north to the Captain in Esteldin?
Xanderian nodded. "Indeed for the threat we face is of even greater moment, for if we allow the men of Angmar and the emissaries from the East full reign, we may see Bree and indeed all of the West fall to shadow, or at least be sorely wounded. The matters in the North are important and the good Captain does our cause well by severing easy retreat and reinforcement for Kheledul, but our battle lies along a different road."
Eduwiges slammed one fist into her open hand. "Finally, we can stop skulking about and send these petty dwarves back to the rock they crawled out of! Then we can assault the carrion from Angmar!'
Ignoring the tall woman's outburst, Lore nodded. "My Uncle has already called for a full council regarding the danger brewing in the north. He invoked a cloistering of the senior Mothers and Uncles. This has not happened in a long, long time."
Xan collected her thoughts, considering how best to approach this and then continued. "The matter which your good uncle was informed of, the plans of the Gurzyul khwon to spoken legend as Sweet Lara...have come to a head in Kheledul...we have a full accounting now, of a sort, of her intentions and it is most alarming.
"What of the bones in the North, moving to Carn Dum?" Lore wished to be certain she understood the full picture.
"I believe that they were intended for transport ultimately to Seregost to constuct more of the black plague stones...that they were blocked has been a boon for it has forced our foes to act before being fully prepared. My sister's ummm..."companion" has said the Morroval had expected "One more box of dead bits from broke place" that did not come.' Xanderian grew quiet, allowing Lore to process all this information.
The entire room was still for a moment, the only movement being the slow tap of Lore's finger against her leg as she considered Xan's words. Finally she spoke. "Now please tell me that which you are avoiding..."
Xanderian smiled, having known full well Lore would sense the truth even bfore it was spoken, and so she told her the full tale of Cilyniton and The Spike, and its intended use at the Spire of Kheledul (see Xanderian's Journal - Entry 33).
When the tale was over, Lore nodded slowly, the full import settling upon her. "Please understand this. The Council's first concern are the lands we care for. That being said, if there is no danger that these stones are to be used here as well, at least not immediately...I expect the elders of the Council will give you their full support to destroy this Spire. How do you intend to do this?'
Rian nodded, "We cannot destroy the Spire itself..but we may be able to remove the Spike therefore blocking this threat...my sister's companion claims to know the word of power to unlock its bond...or as he calls it..."Sing song melty word". That is the last puzzle piece we require before preparing our forces. We will need to assault the walls of Keheldul with force, to allow a smaller group to use stealth to steal away the Spike."
Lore nodded, 'I will speak to the Council of what you have said and emphasize the stealth factor. I intend to go with you if that is allowed.'
'Your blade will be most welcome, dear friend Lore' The elleth looked much relieved.
Lore took that as a given. "It wont be mine alone. I have in mind two others who were with me when we attacked the bandits holding Lucey's farm. Two men of Harad. One I have known for some time, the other, I recently met. His skills rival the firsts. If they do not choose to come, I would not reveal their names. If they do, they will give you the name they wish to be called by."
Xan considered and nodded. 'So be it then...I shall trust your judgment...I would leave the stealth team to yourself, the Lady Ahmo and these two men of Harad, while the rest of us shall see to the assault."
Lore flipped her hood back up and stepped to the door. "Then I go to speak to the Council while you see to your battle plans. We shall meet again soon, Xanderian of Belfalas."
The elleth nodded as Lore disappeared soundlessly into the night. Turning, she looked at the two women remaining. Addie, her newly anointed sister, her eyes filled with concern and lingering trepidation but also firm resolve and confidence in the rightness of her actions, and Eduwiges, a new but already treasured friend, her face alight with warlike enthusiasm but her eyes graced with the soft realization that here she had found an unexpected home and those she could devote herself to.
Slipping a hand into her belt pouch, Xanderian felt the two carved hearts against her palm and was filled with a sense of strength and noble purpose. She sank down to the floor before the fire and with the help of Addiela and Eduwiges began drawing up an order of battle...the conclusion of this story started years ago was fast upon them.
