'Twas fore dawn and the rising of the sun painted the horizon a beautiful orange colour to the east, and to the west there were still stars peacefully gazing down upon Middle-Earth. More specifically the village of Bree where our tale takes place; there was a gentle breeze of air that bore the scent of a fresh day and the chickens began to cry, awakening the people of Bree. Little yellow lights of candle fire began to shine from the windows as the residents began to rise and make ready for their day's work.
However there was one man who had already been awake ere the chickens cried, and his silhouette stood like a silent statue only but a few steps away from a door to a house nigh the Western Gate of Bree. The breeze played upon some strands of his long mane and his face was hard, yet deeply thoughtful as he gazed upon the door decisively. A candle light lit within the window of the lowers of the building and some voices were heard from within.
A guardsman who had only recently began his patrol and was walking down the hill towards the West Gate let out a yawn and when he regained his casual demeanor he had noticed the figure standing before the door. He gave his eyes a rub, lest he had been imagining it in his weariness. "Good morning there," said the guardsman as he approached, "Up and about so early, sir?" He asked. It took the figure a little while to snap out of his thoughts and regard the nearby guardsman who would have been difficult to see if the guardsman did not have a torch, and thus the silhouette of a figure was identified as Meadwine in the light. "Naught," he answered with some apathy, but only to make the guardsman all the more suspicious, "Well, all right. Don't be gettin' into any trouble now, ye hear?" Said the Guardsman and as he stepped by.
Meadwine shook his head and turned his attention to the door once more as thoughts of uncertainty came upon him. However, Meadwine was not a cowardly man and knew that he ought to face what ever troubles stood before him, more so, he knew that he had one day he would have to face this matter - the difficulty was only deciding when he would do so. He had intended to do so on that morn, but he was reluctant. Instead reconsidering his course of action. Meadwine's uncertainty is no common thing and in truth he would have stepped away from that door if it had not opened ere he could have made that decision.
A tall women stood in the candle light that lit up the inside of the home and immediately she squinted her eyes upon the figure that was difficult to identify before her. It was Meadowyn, and there was something about the man that stood there that put her at unease. Perhaps it was his height that was not common about Bree, or the broad shoulders that made him seem almost threatening. Nevertheless, she tried to remain casual, "Yes?" She simply asked, as it were a strange thing for a man to stand before the door with behaviour that almost seemed a like to one who was stalking another. She was always ready to protect herself.
Meadwine hesitated, "Greetings, sister," he said and suddenly Meadowyn was shaken by the sound of the voice that she had not heard in a very long time. Even though, her features turned to a scowl, but before she could speak Meadwine spoke out, "Forgive me, sister," He began, "I should have told you." His words did little to calm her, "Forgiveness is what you seek, aye, but I do not yet know if it is what I can give you - at least not yet." She stated firmly. Another voice came from within the house, "Who are you talking to?" A women asked. Meadowyn hushed her and gave her a dismissive gesture. She wished to deal with her brother herself. She turned to look upon him again, "Why else have you come? Save for seeking forgiveness."
"I have come to take you where you belong," He said firmly, and it seemed that he was mind on the matter was made and that it was not going to change.
Then Meadowyn frowned with thought, "I cannot simply do that, who take care of our sisters?" She questioned, "Father would be naught but displeased."
"I care little for father's wishes, Meadowyn. He does ill in putting you here. Aegaldred can take care of them, it was his task, not yours. You cannot treat him as if he were a child to the end of his days, he must take responsibility and play his part as he should. Our part is not here in Bree, but at home, in the Riddermark where soldiers like you and I are needed. I shall make my offer simple: I go to the Riddermark, and I go with or without you, the choice belongs to you, but I would be naught but disappointed if my Meadowyn had decided that she would linger here until age robs her of her strength."
Those words hit her in all the right places. She furiously stepped out of the door and approached Meadwine, slamming it shut as he went. She stood right before him, like a thug would when seeking to intimidate another. "Spit such venom again and I shall have you kiss the floor, brother," She spoke through clenched teeth. Meadwine smiled in some amusement and by then the shadows of the land had drawn long and the light shone upon their faces and their glistened within it. Meadwine laughed airily and then without further thought, he embraced his angry sister tight. It took her a short while to soften once more before she wrapped her arms about him, "I have missed you, my brother, I truly did."
