Eliad shifted his body as he groaned but blinked as his eyesight was covered by the bag. Iriul put his heel on one of the rocks around the fire, tilting it inward – looking over to the groan from the tent.
“It must be wearing off,” said a woman’s voice, turning her attention towards the tent.
Eliad shook his head slowly to get rid of remaining drowsiness.
W-Where…are we…?
“Mgh,” came a man’s voice. “This is…problematic.”
“Well, he’s been out since Chetwood,” groaned Iriul, Eliad remembering that voice. “Was about time perhaps.”
“What do you mean to do?” asked the man’s voice.
“I think feeding him would do well…,” replied the woman’s voice. “He must be starved.”
“Knock him back out?” replied Iriul.
Ulfey peered into her bowl and then turned her attention towards the bag, looking through it for some rations to add into the meal.
“Would be cruel to simply have him sleep again…,” said the woman’s voice.
Eliad tried to move his hands but could not.
“To feed him more of the stuff now may prove ill for his health,” said the man’s voice. “We should not risk it.”
“Well, we’ll need to do something before we drag him through the city,” said Iriul, grinding his jaw. “Can’t have him screaming out to his friends then.”
W-What…do you want from me...?
“We are not by the city yet…,” said the woman’s voice. “Bring him out to warm by the fire and eat.”
“We should not call them his friends too hastily,” said the man’s voice after a while. “Indeed, let us…untie him. He must be hungry.”
Eliad heard as someone go into the tent before grabbing Eliad by his shoulders.
“Come on then,” said Iriul.
Eliad winced at the sudden grab before making his way outside. Iriul went to press his shoulders down to sit on the log.
“Go on,” said Iriul. “Sit.”
Even though his head was covered, Eliad could smell what seemed to be food. He jolted from the push as he was forced to sit down, keeping his head down.
“Gently now, Iriul,” said the man’s voice. “Calm, friend. You may eat with us.”
“What is your name?” asked the woman’s voice.
Eliad felt someone carefully removing the sack from his head and untied him from the rope that bound him. He winced at the sudden flash of light from the sun, squinted his grey-colored eyes.
“E-Eliad…,” answered Eliad.
Iriul leaned down to his gear, picking his spear up to bring with him, as he went to lean against the barrels. The woman that Eliad heard carefully stirred the soup and looked back to Eliad, keeping the simple smile on her lips. She had worn all brown with brown-colored hair, paint on her face.
“I am Ulfey,” said the woman.
The man that Eliad heard set aside the rope and walked back over toward where he was at, shooting Iriul a brief look. He waved toward the spear dismissively and took a seat across from Eliad.
“I am Thillweed,” introduced the man.
Eliad cast his gaze down, falling silent. He was rather wary due to the recent events.
“Forgive us this treatment, Eliad,” said Thillweed. “But my friend has questions for you. First, however…please, eat. We have soup.”
Iriul pulled back his hood, lowering his scarf with an impatient frown on him.
“Or shall soon,” said Ulfey. “I shall need to reheat this for you.”
She pulled back the pot and set it down on the ground to then pull up the small pouch from the sack with the caramel coloured, dried broth flakes. She choose to add into the mixture and then hovered the pot over the fire once more to let the broth melt into the water.
“Charitable friends I’ve made…,” said Iriul. “Indeed count yourself lucky, Eliad.”
“And what does Mister Gamber need from me?” asked Eliad, casting his gaze over towards Iriul. “Of what answers could I possibly give?”
“I’m very well acquainted with your kinsmen,” said Iriul. “We’re going to talk, you and I – until I’ve exhausted all my options.”
“”Then you may ask them now, over the fireside, and a good meal,” said Thillweed.
“I’m…not afraid to answer anything,” said Eliad.
“One thing at a time,” said Iriul, shaking his head. “We’ve got a lady to see first, then Tinnudir.”
Ulfey stirred the soup and watched as the leaves soften in the water and the broth started to mix with the water fully to give a bit of a meaty taste to the soup. Iriul moved to sit down beside the tent. Eliad cast his gaze down to the ground. He suddenly remembered before moving to his pouch, as if trying to see if something important was still there.”
“Do you suggest we bring him with us?” asked Thillweed.
“It’s a dilemma now that I can’t leave any of you alone with my conscience clear except you, Thillweed,” answered Iriul, chewing his lip.
Ulfey lifted her gaze from the pot to look between the three then glanced back down at the pot, carefully pulling it out of the fire and grabbing her bowl. She poured the newly made soup into the bowl and filled it a bit more than halfway. Setting the pot down, she rose up and stepped over to Eliad to offer the bowl over.
“Here,” said Ulfey. “You must be starved.”
“Pfffh…,” said Iriul, rubbing his chin. “The route has to change, unless we gag the man.”
Eliad jolted at the sudden movement before looking up at Ulfey. He then moved his hands slowly but cautiously to take the bowl into his hands.
“T-Thank you…,” said Eliad.
Thillweed watched the exchange, leaning forward, elbows on his knees.
“Or we garner trust and keep on as we planned,” said Thillweed.
Ulfey smiled and took a step back. Instead of returning to her seat, however, the woman slowly squatted down to Eliad’s eye-level, putting herself in a rather vulnerable position as she had still be in arm’s reach. The smile lingered as she studied the man thoughtfully.
“I am to understand that you are one aligned with dark forces…,” said Ulfey. “Or used to be, is that correct?”
“Trust?” repeated Iriul, breaking out. He stood up, leaning over to Eliad and went to pull the man’s collar aside to expose his brand. “Would you capture a goblin and trusted him to stay quiet through a sleeping camp of his kin?”
Eliad opened his mouth to speak but winced as he was grabbed, shutting his eyes quickly, keeping his breathing maintained.
“Calm yourself, Gamber,” said Ulfey. “Please… He has done no harm thus far.”
Thillweed perked his head up, his stance tensing, but he leveled his voice and set his eyes on the brand.
“A goblin has never come in peace and admitted his will to defect,” said Thillweed. “But goblings are not capable of doing anything but their nature, Eliad. This is no goblin. Let him go. And allow Tira to do her part.”
Iriul let go of his hold, peering at Ulfey while he calmed himself. Eliad opened his eyes slowly before looking down, not helping but to tremble. Ulfey watched Iriul and offered a reassuring smile before turning back to Eliad, waiting to see if her question would be answered. Iriul crossed his arms and treaded back and forth in front of the tent.
“No,” said Iriul, lowering his voice. “It’s settled…. We stick to our path through the city, but if he as much smiles at a single piece of rubble, I will run him through.”
“I-In a way, yes and no…,” answered Eliad. “I was born there but didn’t like it. However, I had to be trained in combat because I was the only son. Even after my mother passed. I hated it there so I ran away with the help of an only friend…”
“Why did you come to Bree-land?” asked Ulfey.
“At first, it was only to stop for a few days,” replied Eliad. “Then I met people so I stayed… I wanted to live a life that would deem normal.”
Ulfey looked over at the other two for a moment then back to Eliad, nodding slowly.
“Are you hunted by your kin?” asked Ulfey.
“You do not care for your former home?” asked Thillweed. “You’ve no ties to them anymore?”
“I’m hunted down by my sister,” said Eliad, glancing at his stew. “She was more obedient to our father, even walking down his footsteps. She has made a contract to a man to kill my friend and capture me.” He glanced toward the man that spoke, “I don’t care as much but I’m making it my dream to overthrow my former home. My former family.”
“Your father…,” said Ulfey. “Who is he?”
“And what would you think an agent of the Enemy would tell you differently..?” asked Iriul, tightening his gauntlets and slung his back to his back. “Don’t be too quick to put trust in him just because he’s calm and doesn’t wear a hood and a mask.”
“His name…is Anghondir,” answered Eliad. “Our family was known to be one of the elites…”
“An agent of the Enemy would not reveal his origins, Gamber,” said Thillweed. “He would feel no need to tell you he is defecting from them unless he had been identified already. I believe he is sincere.”
Ulfey looked over to Iriul and simply smiled before returning her attention to Eliad again.
“Tell us more of your family and these elites, please,” said Ulfey.
“And a sad story about running away will make you ignore the mark?” asked Iriul, arcing a brow. “Would it not be a great day for the Enemy…”
Eliad began to eat his food, having forgotten it during the ordeal.
“The family was the four of us,” replied Eliad. “My father, mother, sister, and me. We were stationed at a village. The Elites are stronger, more fit for combat than any Angmarim. Ten years ago, my mother was murdered.” He glanced towards Iriul, “My father was the one who killed my mother and blamed it upon a group of Dunedain instead, namely one.”
“I know our Enemy to be cunning and deceitful,” said Thillweed. “I cannot believe such a clumsy lie would be a true agent would use.” He peered toward Eliad curiously, interjecting lovely. “Whom?”
Iriul stared at the fire, shaking his head. His hands clenched into fists, and released again, over and over.
“Can’t believe my ears,” said Iriul.
“Someone who I know,” answered Eliad, glancing towards Thillweed.
“What is there name?” asked Thillweed.
“I don’t think he would be happy if I said…,” replied Eliad, shaking his head. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not optional, is it?” asked Iriul, snapping his voice at Eliad.
“Gamber…,” said Ulfey. “Please calm yourself.”
“To say the true name of the Ranger would most likely have risks, wouldn’t it?” asked Eliad, glancing away.
Thillweed raised his hand, pausing for another sip from his wineskin.
“Not among us, Eliad,” answered Thillweed.
Eliad cast his gaze down at the ground, saying nothing.
“It is important, Eliad…,” said Ulfey.
Iriul peered back and forth between everyone, rather impatient as he rubbed the scar across his mouth with his thumb.
“His name…is Aeru,” answered Eliad finally. “He was there. He was there when he was blamed for my mother’s death while I hid.”
“Blamed…,” repeated Thillweed. “He did not do it?”
Ulfey nodded slowly as her smile softened for a moment then looked over to the other two as to see if there was any reaction to the name given. Thillweed shook his head a little toward Ulfey though he wore a thoughtful expression.
“Not long after I have arrived, my friend from inside the house sent me a letter,” explained Eliad, shaking his head. “He reminded me my sister was my sister since I chose to forget. And he also told me that my father was the one who killed my mother. She wasn’t…like us.”
“What made her different?” asked Thillweed.
“She was the same as Aeru,” answered Eliad, casting his gaze over towards Thillweed once again.
“And yet…she married your father?” asked Thillweed, furrowing his brow in wonder. “How could this be?”
“May I remind you, my friends – that now we’ve established that this unknown Ranger is innocent of the murder of an elite Angmarim woman, we should untangle ourselves…,” said Iriul, crossing his arms.
“She was captured, held by my father,” answered Eliad, shaking his head. “She wasonly there to bear us until the time was right. Aeru was there to save her ten years ago. Father didn’t care about her at all after us.”
“What are you suggesting, Gamber?” asked Thillweed.
“I did not capture the man so I could be told fairytales at the foothills of the invasion his people is responsible for,” said Iriul. “I suggest we gag the ma, and move out of the Shire and onward.”
“Tell me,” said Eliad, glancing towards Iriul as he sat back casually. “Will I be a filth to you, too, then?”
“It was a reckless to do so initially, Gamber…and we make do with that now,” said Thillweed. “We press on, but we allow him to walk with us unfettered. You are not eager to rejoin your kinsmen, are you, Eliad?”
“I left that term behind also,” replied Eliad, casting his gaze over towards Thillweed once again. “I am only me. I am my own people.”
Iriul nodded and picked up the cloth sack, rope, and leather bindings Eliad had been tied with.
“Then take him, if you’ll risk him running loose in the Shire,” said Iriul. He held it out to Thillweed, along with Eliad’s confiscated greatsword. “Outside of Evendim, not my burden.”
“And for now, I ask that you travel with us for a time,” said Thillweed. “If you wish to strike a blow against the doings of your former home, you may see a chance now.”
Ulfey slowly rose to her feet and dusted off her robe. Eliad kept his gaze on Thillweed before nodding. He moved to stand up before looking towards Ulfey.
“Thank you, though…,” said Eliad.
Ulfey smiled and held a hand out for the bowl, should he be finished.
“You are welcome,” replied Ulfey.
Thillweed rose up to his feet, his gray eyes hardening for a moment as he retrieved the things from Iriul.
“Yet you took it upon yourself to capture him from Bree-town,” said Thillweed. “By all means, the man is under my protection, but it is your responsibility he is here now.” He took a deep breath and turned, calling to his dark horse to secure his new-found goods. “Now we make good of it.”
Eliad moved to give the bowl to her while standing up, giving her a small smile.
“As a prisoner, yet you see fit to cut him free and feed him in the Shire as a friend,” said Iriul, nodding. “Assume him from me and you’ll have him.”
Ulfey took the bowl from him before turning and making her way back to the log to start putting the things away.
“Please keep close to Thillweed, Eliad,” said Ulfey.
Eliad nodded before moving to go towards Thillweed. Iriul whistled loudly and met his horse halfway, throwing himself in the saddle. Eliad blinked and moved his hand to his pouch again to pull out a small wooden bird. He let out a relieved sigh. Ulfey looked over her shoulder at Iriul and watched him for a moment with a hint of concern. Once the things are packed, she slung the sack carefully over her shoulder and then turned to put out the fire before finally making her way towards the remaining horse. Thillweed watched Iriul go for a moment then threw the saddlebags over his steed, turning for the road.
“We’ve business in the hills ahead of us, and we have more questions for you,” smiled Thillweed grimly. “I must kept your sword from you for now, Eliad.” He then added, much more quietly, “Lest there comes to be dire need of it.”
Eliad glanced up at Thillweed before nodding.
“It is only fair that you would keep it,” said Eliad, moving to slip the wooden bird in his pouch.
Thillweed retrieved his own sword from its hidden place in his saddle and latched it to his belt, his buckler kept near. He nodded toward Iriul that he was prepared to move on. Iriul heeled his horse gently, setting off. It was time for Eliad to wonder of what would happen next to him as he followed Thillweed, his thoughts going to Bree.
