The afternoon was calm and warm, just as Faorie knew it was to be when returning from the Misty Mountains. But this was not her return, it was a visit, for her presence was still expected with that of the Warband's ally company, Vanimar.
While exiting the Last Homely House, she noted in the distance two figures walking over a small bridge to the right, nearly escaping her view. She would have thought nothing of it had the only notable feature been something other than the cloak all warriors of the Warband wear.
She followed them to a secluded, grassy area near the top of the Fall of Imladris. Where they had stopped, she had greeted them with a gentle smile. "Reeger, Curundar - suilad."
The two turned to her, only Curundar smiling faintly in return. He was the first to speak. "Hail Faorie."
Reeger's stare was steady as he asked, "It was my impression that you were still North."
"Lilleduil and I were requested to return alongside the Ambassador of Vanimar," Faorie responded. "A funeral is later intended to be held in Imladris soon." She turned her gaze away from Reeger to distant paths. "The others will surely come soon."
"So your mission is complete then?" Reeger asked immediately with a calm expression.
"To this I am not certain. I had heard no direction from Hiril Elisbeth, who we can't seem to f-"
"Who is the one that died?" asked Curundar gently. "None from the Warband?"
"No, no. A warrior by the name of Themodir. We are all well, though I confess that some of us have been faced with dangers causing injuries." Faorie slowly raised her hand to firmly grip her shoulder. "Including myself."
Curundar and Reeger watched her.
Grining lightly, Faorie said, "I have been healing well though, thanks to the healers of Vanimar, Lilleduil, and Forostel."
Nodding, Curundar said, "'Tis a shame that they couldn't save him, even with the healers you had up there."
"It is a shame, yes," Faorie responded, "And our respects go to their company."
"Aye..." Curundar lowered his gaze momentarily.
Curiously, Faorie looked about the area they were standing in and became thoughtful. "What brings you both together at this time? I have not seen either of you in quite a while."
Turning to each other, Reeger and Curundar spoke without words. Faorie took notice of this, but did not understand. "Is something wrong?"
Reeger looked at Faorie, furrowing his brow slightly. "I cannot answer that yet."
"Why is this?" She paused as there was no response. "Is there something I should know?"
"Only something you cannot know..." Curundar said simply. "I'm sorry. It is between Reeger and myself."
Faorie did not like hearing this. "I do not understand." She placed her hands on her hips. "Should I be concerned?"
"I hope not." Reeger watched Faorie and her uncertainty.
It did not take long for Faorie to relax and return her usual smile. "Whatever it may be, I pray it is for good purpose."
"It is," Curundar replied, chuckling a little.
"Very well then. Do not get into trouble!" Faorie shifted her gaze back and forth between the two several times.
"Thendryt is the one for getting into trouble!" Curundar exclaimed.
"That he is. You have not had to extensively travel beside him as I have."
As Curundar and Faorie spoke in light tones, Reeger remained still. His eyes set on Faorie as he asked, "Tell me Faorie, do you trust the other members of the Warband?"
Suddenly turning to Reeger, her smile fading and her eyes quickly becoming fixed on him, she asked, "What do you mean by this?"
Reeger did not answer, he remained watching her.
"Of course I trust my kinsmen. Do you?" Faorie furrowed her brow slightly, not fully understanding the meaning of Reeger's question.
"For now, I cannot say that I do."
"Explain your words, Reeger - for I dare not wish to misunderstand you in this."
"Is it commonplace to keep secrets from another?"
"I have taken the oath to bestow my trust upon my kinsmen as they have with me. I fully put my faith in those who fight and travel alongside me. I would not keep secrets. I wonder if this will be the same for you." After a brief moment of silence, Faorie's expression shifted to concern.
"That is what troubles me," Reeger spoke lowly, "We have been given a task and asked to keep it secret from the rest. It does not feel right." His face seemed unsure, but serious.
"A task? From Hiril Elisbeth?"
"Yes."
Bothered by Reeger's news, she pushed for a little more clarification. "And you say that she has asked you to keep it secret from your kinsmen?" She turned her eyes to Curundar to hear more from him as well.
"Yes," Curundar said when meeting Faorie's gaze.
"I see..." She shook her head, visibly attempting to understand.
"We cannot say what our task is," Curundar said, though his tone implied his dislike of the situation.
Faorie stared at the ground for a moment. "I do not understand her methods in this, but surely there is purpose behind them." Raising her eyes back at the two, her eyes filled with stregth, she continued, "I trust in Hiril Elisbeth. I would follow her lead where ever it may lead me. Should she say that a task shall remain hidden, there must be a purpose to it, for she would not request it to be had there been no meaning or benefit. I will not ask that either of you reveal the nature of your mission, but do have faith. There is reason in Elisbeth's design."
Sighing a little, Reeger relaxed his shoulders. "I do not agree, but I will not argue."
In response, Faorie lowered her voice, as if hesitating to speak her next words. "I do not agree either... I do not like hearing of this, for it is not a common occurrence... but I have faith in Hiril Elisbeth, so I will not pursue more details." Closing her eyes, she nodded to herself and continued, "But come the completeion of your mission, I expect to hear of her intentions."
"That is for her to say," Curundar said quietly.
Faorie furrowed her brow and fixed her eyes on Curundar as she said, "It is, but it is also our place to know of it. Now... when do you intend to depart?"
"As soon as we are ready," answered Reeger.
"Do not tarry, be swift. And return with a proper report to present to us all. We expect news from both of you." Faorie's expression changed to one of light heartedness and hope. Her smile returned, directed at the two warriors.
"The news first goes to the Tur. Then maybe if you're good, to you," Curundar said with a wryly grin.
"You risk yourself in words and not battle!" Faorie exclaimed, laughing. "Remedy this, and perhaps you will be given a cloak someday." She winked playfully at Curundar. "But as for now," she began as she tapped her Warband clasp,"You represent us in this. Do not fail, neth megil."
