Eliad was sitting down by the lake. He was thankful that he was able to walk around, even if he could not leave Tinnudir. Though, beside the lake had reminded him back at his camp.
“A little bigger lake than last you looked at, eh?” came Iriul’s voice.
Eliad glanced over towards Iriul before looking at the lake.
“Yes…,” answered Eliad, nodding.
Iriul nodded sternly, beckoning him with little more regard than he would a dog.
“Come,” said Iriul. “We’ll talk to you inside.”
Eliad glanced towards Iriul again and nodded, standing up on his feet. He had followed him inside of Tinnudir Keep and up several stairs to see Ulfey sitting down at the table. Iriul kicked out the chair at the end of the table somewhat, gesturing to it for him. Eliad moved to sit down at the table, staying silent. Ulfey looked up as she heard the approaching footsteps. She offered the two a smile while holding a hand by her chest to keep the tightly fitting coat from opening up at the front.
“Greetings, Eliad,” said Ulfey. “You are well, I hope?”
“Could be better,” answered Eliad, glancing towards Ulfey.
“What is on your mind?” asked Ulfey.
Iriul leaned well back in his chair as soon as he sat down, glancing at each of them in turn as they speak.
“Just…feel strange with people looking at me,” answered Eliad.
Ulfey sighed softly and offered him a reassuring smile.
“Do not worry about it, Eliad,” said Ulfey. “Eyes shall find us whenever we are with people.”
Iriul kept a close eye on Eliad, especially to see that his gaze does not wander.
“If you say so…,” said Eliad.
Iriul drew a deep breath before talking, his voice carried well in the large, quiet hall.
“You offered to enter the city, find their intention,” said Iriul.
Ulfey leaned back in her seat and looked between the two, sighing softly. Her eyes fell to Iriul, a small smile appearing at his words.
“That’s correct,” said Eliad, nodding as he cast his gaze over toward Iriul.
“Ever since I’ve come back and reached for the spear, I’ve been counselled no small amount of mercy to those I would on my own deal with entirely different,” said Iriul, drumming the armrest of the chair with his fingers.
Eliad leaned against the chair slightly, looking at him. Iriul peered at Ulfey shortly and shifted a bit in his seat before looking back.
“There is equal risk in it whatever your nature is,” said Ulfey. “If they’ve heard of you, they’ll surely execute you upon your return. If they do not, they might recognize the trick anyway and you’ll end all the same.”
“Do you propose of something else to figure out what they want?” interrupted Eliad.
“-And if you are of mind to join them, I would make it a goal to drown you on the shallow beach myself…,” finished Iriul.
“Again, not my intention,” said Eliad.
Iriul shook his head and pointed Ulfey out to him.
“It’s this woman you’ve got to thank for the choice,” said Iriul. “When she is satisfied with your intent, I will ignore my gut and free you and watch you closely, to see if you will seek out the reason they’re here to redeem yourself. But I will not shackle you for a mark and force you to risk your death… I think both Thillweed and her will approve.”
He glanced over at Ulfey, rubbing his finger along his lips, attentive of her response. Ulfey listened carefully and a soft smile sat over her lips as she heard Iriul’s words, nodding slowly in approval.
“I only wish for a few things from him, should he allow me,” said Ulfey, turning her gaze to Eliad afterward. “I wish to see your home and family.”
“You mean Angmar and...them…,” said Eliad, raising a brow as he looked at Ulfey, tilting his head to the side.
Ulfey nodded slowly. To Eliad, he had thought that she was talking of going there literally.
“You are aware of how dangerous it could be, right?” asked Eliad.
“I will be in no danger, worry not,” said Ulfey.
Iriul idly scratched the scar across his lip, peering between them both.
“Very well…,” said Eliad, sighing softly. “I suppose you won’t take no for an answer.”
“I must understand those lands and what plans are,” said Ulfey. “I shall need your help to reach them and you must lead me through them, to find all those who may be worth hearing… It is all that I ask. You will not be harmed. They will not even know that you are there.”
Eliad hesitated at this before looking down. Iriul sat up a bit tense at possibly realizing her meaning.
“You mean to…,” began Iriul. “As before? On him?”
Ulfey looked at Iriul and nodded.
“That cannot possibly be safe…,” said Iriul, shaking his head pleadingly. “Not so close to Carn Dûm.”
“It is my only chance to pry into their works,” said Ulfey.
“But I cannot ward you there,” argued Iriul.
“You needn’t worry,” smiled Ulfey.
Iriul silenced himself and sunk back in the chair.
“You are…Mister Gamber’s friend though,” said Eliad, closing his eyes. “It would’ve just been better if I did take the equal risk.”
Ulfey shook her head and slowly rose up, keeping a hand clutching at the opening of the coat to make certain it stayed closed.
“You have work to do back in Bree…,” said Ulfey. “To rid the town and land of your sister.”
“Angmar is hell,” argued Eliad. “And you’d make Mister Gamber worry.”
“It is why I must see it…,” said Ulfey. “See who rules it, understand their plans.”
Eliad glanced back over towards Iriul, waiting to see what else he could say. Iriul peered back at Eliad, his expression turned from worried to stern.
“You’ll do as she asks,” said Iriul. “That’s what you owe her.”
“Alright…,” said Eliad, sighing in defeat.
Ulfey stepped around Iriul, setting a hand against his shoulder to give it a reassuring squeeze, before continuing and standing up behind Eliad’s chair. Iriul watched her closely with some concern. Eliad glanced up at Ulfey, raising a brow.
“I shall need you to relax your body and mind, Eliad,” said Ulfey. “Find the place that you feel at ease…. At peace.”
Eliad still felt wary before nodding. He closed his eyes before inhaling and then exhaling slowly, thinking of Bree and those he knew there.
Ulfey waited for a while to give him time to relax before extending her hands and resting them on either side of his head, hovering slightly away as to avoid disturbing him by touching his head. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and relaxed her own body where she stood. Eliad began to feel an odd sensation of heat against his head where her hands hovered but it was not something alarming if anything. It was even soothing. He began to relax even more, sitting still.
Iriul stood up in his chair as quiet as he can, crossing his arms over his chest as he paced around the end of the table, keeping a wary eye on them. Ulfey steadied her breathing and her head began to droop a little. Her right hand reached above his hand to rest while her left moved to his back and over where his heart would align with her hand, both hovering slightly away from his body.
Eliad felt the shift in warmth and a strange flow of some kind began to move through his body. …Energy? It circled within him with the head and heart being two main points of meeting.
“We must prepare our journey,” murmured Ulfey softly, smiling warmly and keeping her eyes closed. “I wish to see your home.”
As her words were spoken, he sensed the energy within him extending outwards and forming some kind of bubble around him and her as well. Another strange warming sensation joined in, though it felt safe. Perhaps like one may describe a mother's embrace. Eliad winced as his body tensed, a tear streaming down his face.
“You needn’t be fearful, Eliad,” said Ulfey. “They will not see you. They will not harm you… This I can promise you.”
Eliad moved his hand over his brand on the right collarbone.
“When you are ready, take your mind to where you were born…,” said Ulfey. “Guide me through this place. I wish to see it.”
Eliad reluctantly gave in and does what he could to show.
In his mind, there was a large house, reinforced with large iron gates and fences. Not too far from the house, the gates to Carn Dûm could easily be seen.
“Is this your home?” asked Ulfey quietly, keeping the warm tone in her voice.
Eliad slowly nodded at her words.
“Proceed when you are ready, Eliad,” said Ulfey. “There is nothing to fear.”
Eliad hesitated once again before concentrating harder.
Inside the house was a stone interior with large steps leading to the next floor in the middle. There had been several Angmarim here and there that were guarding. The scene then shifted into a dark place, as if hidden.
“Do not close your eyes to what is here…,” said Ulfey, pushing the hand above his head a bit further and then slightly to the left. “I must be allowed to see it, Eliad.”
“N-Not that memory…,” muttered Eliad, more to himself than her.
“I am not in your memory, Eliad,” said Ulfey. “We shall not venture into the past.”
There was a large door at the top of the stairs, as if containing an office. The large door opens to reveal a man taller than Eliad that had the similar hair color yet older.
“Let us venture outside this house…,” said Ulfey. “Show me the land itself, those who are here… Those who are in charge.”
Eliad nodded slowly before focusing once again.
Back outside of the house, past the gates, there were both Angmarim and hillmen sworn to the Enemy. Though there were lesser hillmen. Her hand found his grasp and give a gentle squeeze as to reassure him he was safe. With him, she'd explore the land and the ongoings around, guided by his memory of the place. After a good while, however, she suddenly came to a freezing halt.
Eliad could feel that Ulfey’s body tensed up. He tensed as well before shaking his head quickly, looking ahead.
“We must go…,” said Ulfey, keeping a surprisingly calm voice.
Odd figures began to surround the two, darkness creeping in and, for a while, there was something that stared deep with their soul. The feeling and sight did not linger for long, however, as he had suddenly be pulled back and a strange sensation came over him as he had felt like he just fell back into his body.
Eliad gasped sharply and arched forward, eyes opening. Ulfey dropped her hands and stepped back, eyes opening wide. Her face remained pale and her breathing seemed to be abnormal. Quickly, she placed a hand on the coat to close the front before stepping aside, working on steadying her breathing. Iriul jolted forward, reaching his arms out to hold her shoulder and support her lower back, his face frowned with worry.
“Haetîra?” asked Iriul.
Ulfey jumped as she was startled by the approach, her head turning to look at Iriul with fear in her eyes but calmed quickly upon seeing him.
“I am fine…,” said Ulfey, forcing a smile to try and ease him.
Tilting her head, she glanced to Eliad as to see if he was alright. Eliad clenched his left arm with his right hand, trembling.
“They did not see you, Eliad…,” said Ulfey. “Do not worry.”
Iriul held an arm at her back, turning to Eliad to grab his chair, tugging it to him forcefully.
“Get up!” ordered Iriul.
Eliad winced at the sudden tug, causing him to stand up. Iriul gently led Ulfey towards the chair, turning it to her and beckoning her down.
“You’re pale as death…,” said Iriul. “Sit, please.”
Ulfey frowned a bit at Iriul’s actions and shook her head.
“I…am fine,” said Ulfey. “Please, do not worry.” Turning her attention, she stepped closer to Eliad, eying him over. “Are you alright?”
“It’s my fault…,” said Eliad.
“What?” asked Ulfey.
Iriul stood back, peering between the two.
“That happened to you because of me…,” said Eliad.
“No…,” said Ulfey. “No, do not be silly. There is no need to blame yourself for anything. I asked to go. Do not put blame on yourself.”
Eliad glanced down at the ground, moving to tug on his left arm once again. Ulfey rubbed her head and stepped over to the chair that was offered to her before, slumping down to sit.
“Are you done with him..?” asked Iriul, stepping forward again.
“No…,” answered Ulfey. “I cannot have the man leave if he carries blame for someone that was not his doing.”
“My home is hell,” said Eliad. “My past was hell. Therefore, it is my fault.”
“You did not create that place nor did you choose your place off birth,” said Ulfey, shaking her head as she rubbed the temple of her eye. “It is foolish to have such blame.”
Eliad walked over to sit down on the floor, back facing them as he looked down while trying not to look at the water.
“…Just let me know when you have more questions,” said Eliad.
“I have no more questions…,” said Ulfey. “I have seen what I needed. Only thing I wish now is that you pull aside the foolish notion that any of this is your fault.”
“It is my turn to stop you for once, dear,” said Iriul. “You cannot please everyone… You must rest after this.”
“It’s my fault that I am here,” said Eliad. “It was my fault for entrusting Mister Gamber of my secret.”
“I cannot have the man blame himself,” said Ulfey, addressing Iriul. “I may not be able to help at all but I can still try… Such is my purpose.” She then addressed to Eliad, “You made a choice. Your choice led you here… Your choice allowed me information that I have sought after a long time. It was not your fault but fate.”
‘Was it fate that I lost my mother..?’ Eliad thought to himself.
“Fate is cruel sometimes,” said Eliad.
“If life were not cruel at times, we would never learn…,” said Ulfey.
Eliad rubbed his eyes, falling silent. He then opened his mouth to speak.
“That…is where I will be going one way or another,” said Eliad, hearing a sigh from Ulfey afterwards. “You saw that man, didn’t you? The one in the office.”
“You have so many choices in life, Eliad,” said Ulfey, not answering his question. “Why do you choose to pity yourself and roll in the past? When you can choose to rise above, break free from the shackles of the past and become something you wish to be?”
“It’s not just my sister I need to deal with,” said Eliad. “It’s my father, too. I must defeat him and put an end to what he has.”
“And such you shall not…,” began Ulfey, stopping before continuing, “Manage while you are full of self-pity.”
“Enough, Haetîra...,” whispered Iriul, squatting down. “You must rest. I urge you to.”
“You should get some rest, Miss Ulfey…,” said Eliad. “What you did was a lot.”
“I cannot leave the man leave as he is…,” said Ulfey. “His spirit is weak and his mind tainted.”
“Miss Ulfey, please,” said Eliad. “There’s a time for everything.”
“I cannot rest till this is fixed…,” said Ulfey.
Eliad let out a soft sigh, cursing under his breath.
“You cannot allow this darkness to…hold you under its spell…,” said Ulfey. “You must stop calling for it, begging for it… For it will answer.”
Eliad moved to pull out the wooden bird before looking at it.
“It’s not like I want to,” said Eliad.
“By falling into such a dark space over and over again it is…what you are doing,” said Ulfey. “You allow it overtake and rule you.”
“Enough…,” said Iriul, sighing and shaking his head. His voice rose, filling the quiet hall but still calm, “Forgive yourself as she says before I find reason to blame you for her delayed rest.”
“Fine…,” said Eliad, sighing.
Ulfey tried to protest but hardly had any strength for it, her face earning a shade of pink at the mild embarrassment of the situation.
“Could you please get some sleep?” asked Eliad, keeping his gaze on the small wooden bird.
“Cross to the mainland, follow the river east, then south,” said Iriul. “At its first bridge, take the road east. You have a sister to deal with. I believe that was part of her request.”
“Are you…?” asked Eliad, glancing towards Iriul.
“What are you waiting for?” replied Iriul, shifting a stare over to him as he carried Ulfey.
“What of my blade?” asked Eliad, slipping the wooden small bird in his pouch as he stood up.
“Through the door on the left, at the bottom of the stairs,” answered Iriul, turning while carrying Ulfey with him as he made his way for her bed. “Do not think you can draw it in Evendim.”
“You may take my horse, Eliad,” said Ulfey, inhaling deeply and closed her eyes. “She is kind and shall help you home… Just ask that you let her room free by Far Chetwood once you are back.”
“I won’t let you down, Miss Ulfey,” said Eliad, nodding. “I’ll have my sister down.”
With that being said, he ran to grab his greatsword before going outside. He made his way toward the stable before looking at Ulfey’s horse. As soon as he mounted on her, he rode down the path that they took to Tinnudir. He did not entirely forgive himself just yet as his family was still alive but he was still determined to end things…and to get back home.
