After departing Calidis’ Haven, the small company leisurely reached the gates of Imladris, where the pathway headed down towards the Ford through a series of hidden and dangerous switchbacks. Waiting for them were two stately elven women, each appearing young as springtime but in reality far older then the ages of the rest of the company combined.
Xanderian brought her horse forward and bowed gently in the saddle to her liege, the Lady Arahen of the House of Orodreth, looking regal and serene on horseback. Arahen smiled and leaned forward to kiss her squire on both cheeks. “There, there Xanderian, no need for such formality. Go and see to what Nethrida’s kinfolk may require with all due haste and caution. I will remain here for a time and consider how best to save Ahmo from her mirrored prison and discuss the recent…unpleasantness….at more length with the Lord Elrond. When I know more, or have a clear plan of action, I will contact you. Until then, may the stars light your path, as always.”
Arahen rode back towards Rivendell slowly, passing each member of the company and bidding them farewell. A short embrace she reserved for Addiela and Nethrida, both of whom she thought of as more daughters than friends. When she reached Xandilif riding at the rear of the group, they exchanged only the most perfunctory of nods, and then she descended once more into the Valley. “…Old bat…” murmured the Champion at her back, after which the bird Galvra left Finchley’s shoulder to perch awkwardly on Xandilif’s head.
“OLD BATTTT…OLD FECKIN BAT……” squawked Galvra as Finchley broke up laughing, attempting to quiet the raven.
At the front of the company, the Lady Calidis drew her horse beside Xanderian’s as they began to move again. Noting the huntresses look of concern, Cal leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “All is well, my love…this visit, even beyond the mysteries we face, made clear to me all the more, my home is no longer here. My estate here is a place of refuge, perhaps, when needed or desired, but this is no longer my place.”
Xanderian nodded as they rode in silence for a bit, before asking while gazing away at the treeline “And where then do you think is your place, Calidis Nighteye?”
The sable-eyed woman looked a bit impish for the moment. “Wherever the Monk of Osgiliath is, of course. Wherever she is, whatever dangers she may be facing…that is my place.”
Xanderian smiled back at her...and then focused on the descent to the Ford.
---
The company made good time into Gondor, travelling with some urgency though still enjoying the trip. A sense of narrowly averted disaster still lingered amongst the friends and so they were taking more then usual pleasure in one another’s company. The possibly dire purpose of the mission, the cryptic announcement of a death by Nethrida’s sister Anendyl, always lurked in the back of Nethrida’s mind however, much to Ryn’s dismay. Each of her friends would seem to take turns trying to distract and cheer Neth, with the accolades going to Eduwiges for an impressive display of riding while standing up in the saddle, as well as of standing on her head and singing filthy limericks along narrow cliffsides.
Coming into Western Gondor, Xanderian and Calidis turned their horses towards Belfalas, while the others rode on into Lebinnin. Rian wished to see that all was well at the group’s home of Tol Lochul, as well as seeing if perhaps Hawke awaited them there, or at least have sent word as to what he discovered in Bree and what his condition may be. Calidis accompanied her out of desire as well as the insistence of Eduwiges. “Didn’t you say Lethy we should never go anywhere alone anymore?” the Horsemistress insisted. “Besides, it is only proper that Calidis have a fresh look around the place, being lady of the house now, eh? She’s gotta keep the servants in line after all…”
Calidis looked a bit teary eyed at the sentiment, and she and Eduwiges embraced. Xanderian then came and hugged them both, pausing to whisper a few words in Eduwiges ear which caused the woman of Rohan to blush scarlet. As the two road off, Xanderian called back “We will rejoin you in Linhir soon…be wary in the meantime…and by Elbereth, keep Finchley fed!”
---
As the remainder of the company approached Linhir, they noted a certain amount of tension in the outlying farms...few people were wandering and many of the fields now had sentries stationed outside, watching the road warily. Many paranoid stares come their way..though when Nethrida was recognised there was always a thawing and usually a waved greeting or cry of welcome.
Carneryn stuck close to Neth, less tense than she would have been weeks ago, and seeming to glow with pride each time the woman was hailed by a former neighbor.
However, a surprising number would point and whisper at the elves amongst the group and at least on one occasion a rock was thrown...."GO BACK WHERE YA BELONG' was shouted at their back as the stone bounced harmlessly off Xandilif’s armor.
The Champion shrugged, shocking many in the company by not responding in kind. 'Great..” she muttered. “As always, seems I make friends wherever I go'
Finchley stayed near Lif's side and frowned back at the farmers. "... They shouldn't be throwin' rocks. They ain't children."
Xandilif laughed softly. “Throw a lot of rocks when you was a child, Babygirl?”
Surprisingly Addiela also rode close to Lif as if to help shield her from any more rocks, secure in the knowledge that the people of Linhir might not recognize her from the last time since she had been dressed in somber tones of black then. "You might want to keep your words to a minimum, Xandilif." She advised.
Lif simply smirked..."Who..ME HorseImp? How will ya make do without my feckin’ wisdom?”
Despite all this, Nethrida was certainly glad to be home after such a long time away. She smiled and waved back at the farmers, greeting many by name should they be close enough.
Eduwiges rode carefully, eyeing each of the villagers as if they were orcs prepared to charge. She was thinking more and more that having Xanderian and Calidis off on their own had been a bad idea.
Coming to a crossroad, Xandilif stopped. 'Where to Trouble? Figure we should go by your place first?'
Nethrida nodded at Lif. "We should find Anendyl... She is the one who sent the letter anyway" She glanced over to Lif, and a look of deep concern came over her once again.
At the mention of Neth's sister Eduwiges got that muley look on her face and cracked her knuckles, remembering the two had promised each other a fistfight when next they met over Ane’s ill treatment of Nethrida. “She better keep a civil tongue in her head this time…”
Finchley looked from Lif to Edu and frowns a little. "Edu...you know how sisters get..look at Xan and Lif…or actually, maybe that is not a good example."
Eduwiges glanced at finch with an innocent look, wide eyed. 'I did not start anything last time. Do not worry...much.'
---
The company came up over a ridge, Addie speaking with Nethrida. 'Are you sure you wish to speak to your sister first and not your parents? They should know what... well.. too late.” Riding towards Neth's family's farm In the distance, when silhouetted against the sun they would see a familiar figure, Ane was on the hill behind the house, a cloak wrapped around herself against the chill from the sea. She was finishing arranging the stones on what was clearly a recent grave.
Addiela pressed her lips together as she saw the grave and just looked over to Neth, sympathetically.
Finchley sighed softly…”Too many tombstones lately…way too many.”
Ane wiped her eyes...looking up she saw the company and looked equal parts relieved and annoyed. Nethrida broke away from the others and galloped to her sister. Tossing the reins aside she slid down from her horse. "We... Got your letter..." She peered at the grave and a look of sorrow and fear overtook her. "W...Who is…was it...? Was it…Ma’s heart again?"
Ane glanced around a bit nervously, then came to her sister....a long moment passed as she debated what to do. She finally gave Neth a light squeeze and looked down. “What..Ma? No…OH….no. Dottie. Someone killed her.
Carneryn raised a brow and followed Neth. "Dottie?"
Nethrida let out a little sigh and hugged her sister back. "D...Dottie? But... Why? Who'd be so deranged to slay a harmless dog...?" She asked with a slightly hollow tone. She then pursed her lips.
Ane looked at Ryn..."Whos' this? a new one?....” She then looked back to the company and the scowl most of them remembered returned to her face. “I said bring help, Neth...not an army....'
Nethrida bristled. "You asked me to bring help in your letter…They are the help and this is my friend Ryn. You know when you send a letter from home asking for aid and mentioning there's been a death...One worries... And the friends one has made worry along with you..."
Ane nodded and looked uncomfortable..."I...I'm sorry...You’re right…it has just been hard. Mom and Pops will be glad to see you…and for the company at least...but Pops is usually in town these days.....'
Nethrida looked down at the grave. "What happened Ane?. We received word that Elendil’s Vanguard has been inquiring about things here..." She furrowed her brow, looking ever more concerned.
Anendyl looked at Neth...."Oh yes..the knights. Is one of your elf friends is called Zandisomething?'
Nethrida 's eyebrows seemed to shoot off to the skies, and she looked over to Lif. "You mean Xandilif? She's stood right there" and then pointed to the heavily armored Elf.
Ane nodded."Yeah, she looks right...One of those Vanguard sorts, the captain...with an eyepatch, said he knew about you from her....they were just passing by it seems when..well..when the ruckus started...Mayor Ordan asked them both to stay around...due to..well...some of the town went into a panic.'
Xandilif smirked..."So the town went into a panic..over yer dog?” Addie elbowed her in the ribs with a metallic thump.
“You promised…..” Addiela hissed.
Nethrida had just been about to comment, but Lif had beaten her to it. She nodded slowly. "The Banshee is right... Angry as I am at the wretch who took Dottie from us... There has to be more to this...No?"
"Oh...you remember Carin?” Ane frowned at herself, this was not how one reported on a situation. “She is a brainless little thing but seemed nice enough...big...well...personality? Popular with the fellows around the Inn...her mother is part of the sewing circle with Mom...'
Nethrida looked a little mortified, but nodded. "I... Wouldnt call her brainless more... Free spirited. But yes. I remember her... And I remember how she tried to get cute with Therion too..." She frowned... A lot.
“She went missing about a week and a half ago...” Ane sighed. “Mayor Ordan figured she had run off with a passing soldier or something...a few days ago...her father found her....hidden in their very own barn....” Anendyl lowered her voice."She'd been gutted just like Dottie...hip to neck...her head near cut off according to Roric....her poor Da found her like that...he's been in bed since...his heart they say'
Addiela teared up now, feeling empathy for the dog and how she was taken out and Eduwiges shook her head respectfully.
Nethrida turned a shade paler. It took a moment for her to process what she had just heard. "W...What" She asked with a slightly hollow voice. "Th...That's barbaric..."
Ane continued...voice low.."After her Da found her, he went wild..ran out to the post road..these two knights from Minas Tirith were riding past and helped him...and Ordan asked them to stay....Dad has been busy with town business....after all, since he's the father of Nethrida the Hero they put him on the council when old Pero died...' Ane managed to keep most of the annoyance out of her voice.'
Nethrida 's eyes widened a bit about the news of her father "C..council...?" She asked but quickly shook her head. "These Knights... Have... they found anything about the murder...? I assume it was murder...?"
Ane snorted dismissively at her older sister. “Of COURSE it was murder. You don’t do that sort of thing to yourself...or by accident. Nethrida, according to Roric...she wasn’t all there...poor girl...whoever killed her took...things.”
Addiela stepped forward. 'Let me get this straight, Anendyl... One person has been murdered as well as your poor dog, and though I agree that's a tragedy was it truly necessary to call all of us here for that? Can you not take care of it yourselves? Or is there more to it that would concern Neth?'
Carneryn and Edu both nodded along with Addie's question. Finchley thought for a bit and uttered quietly, "And then what's it got to do with the Vanguard?"
Ane looked embarrassed......"I...I figured someone killed Dottie because...because of Nethrida...because of history. It felt awfully personal, and I have no enemies here. I been here a year since I got hurt. Then when they found Carin's body...I figured help might be good. That was before I knew about those Knights...you're right, it is probably nothing...you likely have more important things to do....rabid trolls invading somewhere....or the West falling without you...' Her voice was taking on a tone of scorn again.
Carneryn found herself thinking back to the elf’s words before they had left Rivendell, promising some horrible surprise for Nethrida, and furrowed her brows.
Ane shrugged at Finch. "You'd have to ask them the Knights they haven’t told me. They mainly have people fawning over them in town, acting high and mighty..like typical Knights. They said they know your elf friend, have her ask them...'
Looking around at the skeptical faces around her, Ane scowled and began to gather her things."You’re right...I was a fool to send that note...'
Finchley looked to Lif and then to Ane. "... Do you mind, Miss, if I get a bouquet for Dottie?"
Ane stopped, looking between Finchley and Neth She was clearly wondering if the girl was mocking her, finally deciding from the soulful look in her eye that she wasn’t..."That...that would be nice of you...she was just a mutt but...while I’ve been laid up she was my only friend....she didn’t deserve this.”
Finchley smiled softly and nodded to Ane. "If she was your friend then she was more'n just a mutt. I'll be sure to get some pretty flowers."
Nethrida put her hand on her sister’s shoulder. "This is my home... I would see those who seek to threaten it's well being and safety put to justice. Thank you for sending the note. I...WE will help. And hey... It's good to see you again... And you know that you can always come talk to me, okay?"
Ane looked at Neth...and hugged her properly finally. "I...I'm sorry I am so prickly it's just...that is the other part…two more girls are missing they say...Arion is one of them. I did initial training with her. She was a friend...and no pushover. If someone did for her..well, I don’t know'
Eduwiges raised her brows a bit offering Ane almost a sympathetic look "We can see what we can do, we are on good terms with the knights, I think….”
Ane scowled again."Roric is supposed to be handling things for the Mayor...he says that it is likely outsiders...keeps talking about “Knife Ears” and idiots nod along with him....your elf friend may want to keep a low profile, friendly with knights or no. All of your friends should watch their steps, not be all high and mighty and fancy like they were the last time...Mayor Ordan told Dad HE thinks it must be some foreign sailor or shipwrecked Corsair...'
Nethrida let out a little gasp "I... Remember Arion... Corsair? It would be more likely they simply abduct folk as slave labor... But perhaps as a terror tactic..." She tapped her chin. "I'll speak with Roric."
Ane nodded and grimaced. "Better you than me, but you should see Ma first...As for the knights, I have no idea what they are doing here, other than having the locals stand them to rounds of ales with lots of stupid "LONG LIVE GONDOR" and "HAIL MINAS TIRITH" shouted.”
Nethrida groaned a bit and pinched the bridge of her nose "I'll... Speak with the Knights... See if I could curb their enthusiasm a little..After we visit home. Despite what has happened I am sure we're safe here.'
As the group made their way to the farmhouse following Neth and Ane, Finchley whispered to Xandilif, "You know, every time we say we should be safe somewhere, it usually ends up the other way 'round."
The Champion put an arm around Finch, and she and Eduwiges just laughed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way Babygirl.”
