Calonimir stood before the hearth in the Hall of Fire, staring into the flames. Though a hot bath, a warm meal, and soft sheets had eased the aches of his body, his spirit was still in turmoil, and not even the clear voices of the Elves singing in the Hall could calm him. As he watched the fire dance upon the hearth, he thought yet again upon his meeting with Elrond and his sons and the charge that had been placed upon him. It was not the distance which daunted him, for he had ridden the length and breadth of Eriador many times in his life; rather, it was worry for leaving the North without the defence of the Rangers and concern for his beloved Chieftain which troubled his mind.
Though Angmar was once again subdued and the Hillmen of Rhudaur quiet, he yet feared for the safety of the Bree-land and the Shire. Though the winter had stilled their raids, there were still many bandits holed up in caves and camps throughout the empty lands of the North, and yet more seemed to press up the Kingsroad with each passing month. He could only hope that the folk of Bree and the Shire-folk would be spared the worst of it. His thoughts turned to his Chieftain. He shared the concerns of Elrond; what would drive his royal cousin to go to the Riddermark? The messages which Aragorn had sent to the Rangers during Hithui and Girithon spoke of his intent to bear the Sword south to defend Gondor. Even with Gandalf's troubling news of Saruman's betrayal, the Rohirrim should have been strong enough to defend themselves. However, his worries had no bearing on his duty. That was clear: they had all of them sworn oaths to Arnor and her Chieftain; if he had need of them, they would answer, no matter the cost.
He sighed softly and set aside his worries and doubts. Come what may, all he and his kin could do was meet it with strength of purpose and firmness of will.He opened his pouch and pulled out a map of the lands between Rivendell and Bree that he had asked one of the scribes of the House to make for him. He looked at his destinations and attempted to plot his course. Would it be better to speak with Halbarad before or after going to Saeradan and his kin in Bree?
Noticing a slight movement out of the corner of his eye, he looked up from the map.During his reverie, two women of the Dúnedain had come into the Hall. One sat on a bench near the fire, a half-empty stew bowl and full glass next to her, her darkened skin and travelworn garments speaking of her origin in the South. The other stood near him,leaning against a pillar and listening to the singers, her garb marking her as a fellow Ranger, though he could not make out her face in the shifting shadows cast by the fires. He carefully folded the map and replaced it in his bag. Turning away from the hearth, he forced a smile onto his face. 'Suilad, gwenyr,' he said companionably to them. 'It is rare indeed to see more than one or two of my kin in the Valley at a time. Suilad a mae lovannen.' He gave them both a courteous bow. As the one seated on the bench gave him a curious look, the standing figure turned and smiled at him. 'I might say the same to you, cousin. I have been away on duties, yet I spend much of my time in Rivendell.'
Calonimir's smile grew warmer as he recognised the voice and caught sight of the face under the hood. 'Ah, Galoniel!' he exclaimed. 'It has been some time, indeed. Well met, friend!' He turned to the stranger, who sat looking at the two of them in polite bewilderment. 'I am Calonimir, son of Amfaron,' he said. 'Who may you be? You have the look of the Dúnedain about you, but I have never seen you before.' The woman bowed her head in a polite greeting to the Rangers. 'Well met indeed, Calonimir, Galoniel. I am Tariwen of Ithilien. You would never have seen me before, lest you have set foot in the lands I guard, for this is my first time leaving Gondor.'
Calonimir smiled again and matched her bow. 'Then welcome and well met to Imladris and to the House of Elrond Halfelven, Tariwen. I must confess surprise at seeing one from the South-kingdom so far from home. More surprising, though, is that rumour says you are not the first of your folk to come north in this past year.' As he said the last, he watched her face closely, catching a flash of surprise at the name of the Valley and of Elrond, which she quickly hid behind a furrowed brow. 'If I recall,' she said slowly, 'there were others who came north, though I know not what drove them thither, nor have I seen them since their departure. I deem they may have perished on their journey, as happens far too oft to many who dwell beneath the Shadow.' She turned her attention to her meal, refusing to meet the eyes of the Northmen.
Calonimir glanced quickly at Galoniel, an unspoken communication passing between them. The woman gave a slight nod, and the man turned back to Tariwen. 'Well, whatever your reason for journeying so far, you have come to a safe refuge at last; indeed, one of the few such places left in the North in these days. You need fear no evil in the Vale of Imladris. 'The Southron did not look up, though she nodded at his words. She quickly finished her meal and took a deep draught of wine before speaking. Looking closely at the pair, she said in a soft voice, 'I am come on an errand from the Steward himself. He has sent me to seek news of his son and heir, Boromir, our Captain-General, who left our land seeking Imladris some months ago.' Calonimir nodded slowly. 'The folk of the Valley say that Boromir came safe to this House ere the waning of autumn; but they also say that he set out to return to Minas Tirith ere Mettarë. He went in the company of others, including Mithrandir. I would not be surprised if he is even now drawing near the borders of Gondor, though the company set out on foot. I did not see him, however, for I was many days' journey to the west and north until but two weeks ago.'
At those words, Tariwen smiled. Setting her bowl aside, she stood and drew near the other two, speaking in a low voice. 'Those are gladsome tidings. It has been many months, and the Steward grows anxious for word of his son.' Calonimir looked her in the eye for a moment, debating how much he should reveal. Finally, he said softly, 'I have just spoken with Lord Elrond this morning. The only news of the Steward's son I have heard is come from the Lady of Lórien. She sent word to Lord Elrond that the company has left her land and is now passing down Anduin by boat.' Tariwen started and stared at the news while Calonimir glanced at Galoniel. 'The Lady Galadriel also sent word to our folk. Our Chieftain has need of us. We must gather as many of our kin as we can in haste, and ride to his aid in Rohan.' The Southron glanced between the two of them, clearly confused as Galoniel nodded in answer. 'Very well,' she said simply. 'I will speak with the folk of the Valley and our people in the Angle to gather supplies. The road is long to the land of the Horselords, even if we ride it with all haste.'
'Do what you must, cousin, but do not tarry over-long,' Calonimir replied. 'We must be gathered and stocked within a fortnight, ready to leave with as many swords as we may. While you prepare our provisions, Lord Elrond has tasked me with bearing word to as many Rangers as I may. My heart tells me this war draws at long last to a close, for good or ill, and our Chieftain will have need of all of us at his side.' As he spoke, Tariwen bowed her head. When he finished, she looked up, her face hard. 'I know well how the Shadow grows,' she said. 'I have lived all my life beneath its darkness.' She looked him in the face, her eyes glinting. 'If I can in any way aid you while I am in this place, say the word. 'Calonimir met her gaze calmly, relief plain to see upon his stern face. 'I know that my Chieftain and his Steward would welcome any aid they could find,' he replied. 'As your Steward's son has already returned to your land, I deem the best service you could offer would be to come with us, both for your sword and for your guidance through the lands between Bruinen and Isen.'
The Gondorian nodded, a smile playing at her lips. 'I deem that the wisest course. I must needs return home and it would be best to journey along with my distant kin. I will lend what aid I can to you and your people. As I have served as a scout and guide for my people in Ithilien for some years, that experience shall be of service to you on our way south.' Calonimir returned her smile. 'You have my thanks and that of the Dúnedain of the North. As only few of us can gather in time, every sword will be needed. Perhaps, though, your greatest service will be your recent knowledge of the lands to the east of the Mountains. It has been some years since any of our folk traveled south.' Galoniel nodded in agreement. 'Indeed. I can say that I have only rarely traveled those lands. It will be good to have a guide.' Tariwen smiled slightly. 'Of a certainty, it is a dangerous road, but we shall manage well enough.' She gave Calonimir an enquiring glance. 'Are there any maps of the lands between here and the Gap? I wish to begin plotting our travels.' The Ranger nodded, a smile on his face. 'Lord Elrond is the greatest loremaster yet living. He has maps both ancient and new of all of the lands of the West in his library.'
'Very well,' replied Tariwen. 'I shall study them whilst I wait for our departure. Greater knowledge of the lands through which we must travel can only be a boon to us.' The Rangers smiled in response and then Galoniel said, 'If we must journey swiftly and far, lembas will be a great help.' Calonimir stood in silence for a moment and then nodded. 'Indeed. We should ask Lady Arwen for any lembas she would be willing to give us ere we leave. Galoniel, I leave this matter in your hands.' Galoniel bowed her head slightly in acceptance. 'As you will, cousin,' she said simply. 'The hour grows late and there is much I must do on the morrow, so I bid the both of you good night. Tariwen, it was a pleasure meeting you.' After the others bid her good night and she had walked softly down the Hall, Tariwen turned to Calonimir with a furrowed brow.' Will your Chieftain accept my traveling with your people?' she asked quietly. 'Many a commander is reluctant to accept aid from strangers, if my experience and old stories speak true.'
The Ranger turned to her, a knowing smile playing on his lips. 'No,' he said, 'our Chieftain is not so close-minded as that. Indeed, he bears a great love and respect for the people and land of Gondor. He walked there once in his youth.' Tariwen returned his smile with a faint one of her own. 'Good. It eases my heart to know that he can be understanding. For the moment, though, is there anything I can do to help your folk prepare?' Calonimir stood a moment before answering. 'To my mind, the best aid you can render for now is to rest and look over the maps of the southern lands.' She nodded. 'That seems good to me,' she said. 'I only came to this valley this evening. I would welcome a day of rest, for it was a long and weary road.' She pauses for a moment. 'Would you introduce me to the Lord Elrond? I wish to speak with him, if I may, and hear news of Lord Denethor's son from his lips which I can bear back to the Citadel.'
Calonimir smiles slightly. 'I must speak with the scouts of the Vale and Lord Glorfindel soon, but ere I leave, I can announce you to Lord Elrond. Follow me.' He turned away from the fire and walked down the length of the Hall, hearing Tariwen's soft footsteps behind him. He paused a moment at the door of the Hall and then walked beside her, guiding her through the halls and ways of the Last Homely House. He noted the way her eyes widened and took in the decorations and ancient artefacts which lined the corridors and smiled to himself. Eventually, they came to the door of Elrond's study, which stood open.
Calonimir walked through the open door, knocking on the doorpost as he did so. Tariwen paused a moment in the hall, straightening her travel-worn garb and taking a deep breath, as if steeling herself for a sore trial. The Ranger noted her hesitance, chuckling softly to himself, but said nothing as she came in and stood next to him before the Lord of Imladris. The Elf-lord looked at the both of them with wisdom and expectation, but said nothing. Bowing low, he said, 'My Lord Elrond, may I present Tariwen of Gondor. She has traveled far at the command of Lord Denethor seeking news of his son, and is new-come to your House.' Tariwen bowed her head to Elrond and said, 'At your leisure, my lord, I would appreciate a word, if you will.'
The Peredhel nodded sagely to her, a light like stars glinting in his eyes. 'Welcome and well-met to Rivendell, Mistress Tariwen,' he said simply. 'Please take your ease in this house, and be at peace. If you have need of aught, speak to Erestor, my steward, and he or one of his aides will assist you. Be at your liberty in this valley.' He smiles warmly before continuing. 'We will speak of the son of Denethor in due time. There is no hurry. You must be weary from your journey. Rest and be refreshed, and we may speak of matters concerning the Captain of the White Tower after.' Tariwen nodded slightly and cleared her throat. 'Thank you, Lord Elrond,' she said. 'I have no wish to waste time, so I would appreciate speaking at your earliest convenience. Also, as I will be traveling with Calonimir and his kin on their journey south, I wish to study your maps of the lands between this house and the Isen, if you would.' The Elf-lord smiled kindly at her. 'All in due time. For now, child, be at ease. The last word I have of the Steward's son tells of his safety. But we may speak more on this anon. As for your desire for maps, my library stands open to all.'
Elrond turned to Calonimir, fixing him with an enquiring look. The Ranger nodded slightly, and Elrond said, 'Would you see my guest to Erestor, Calonimir? I imagine that he has already prepared her a room.' With that dismissal, the two Dúnedain bowed low to the Lord of Imladris and turned to go. Elrond watched them for a time before shaking his head and settling himself behind his desk.
