Early morning dew beaded the grasses and leaves as the three started on the ride to Bree. The last thing Cutch did before joining his son, Ardanion, and their Elven escort, Teahesto, was to read again the note he was leaving his wife Seregrian and their daughter, Bainiel.
Mell Bereth ah Sell,
Teahesto, Ardanion, and I are heading out to Estledin. Attached is a copy of the note I have recently received from Caredgram, the Guildmaster. We will be traveling across the Shires to Bree, where we will stop to confer with Claywick and visit his family at the orphanage. From there, we will ride to Trestlebridge and then across the Downs to Esteldin.
The note from Caredgram says very little, and I have my reservations about the reasons for the Dunedain’s call. The Captain advised that for the sake of the children I should at least ask, and I realize that you would agree.
Please send Windwalker as you determine necessary. I hope that you and Bainiel are successful in your studies in Duillond.
Pân Nín Uiveleth,
Cutch
On the road, Teahesto took the lead, a custom he’d adopted during the trio’s last journey to Dol Amroth and back. Cutch and Ardanion were quite content to trust their horses to follow the Captain’s steed. Father and son spoke of the mission they were starting.
“Well, it’s not yet really a mission, so to speak”, Cutch explained. “We seek no artifacts as we did in Cardolan. Instead, we are in search of what the Guildmaster would not say in his letter. He implies there is more to my family history than the Rangers had previously revealed.”
“Why would they not have already told you all they know?”, the Ardanion asked.
Cutch snorted through a wry, humorless grin. “Many reasons, some in conflict with each other. First, not all the Rangers know of my existence even though my birth father was known to the Dunedain. Second, those who wished to keep me secret for my own safety did so in honor of my parents, who must have died trying to convince my grandmother to give up her warring ambitions. Third, there are some who distrust me, and mine, because they fear we may prove as tainted as Gilmorwen. That last I find most offensive.” He quietly stared ahead, his silence locked behind his clenched jaw.
Danny rode quietly beside his father for several minutes before asking. “How do they feel about Naneth?”
Cutch shrugged. “Hard to say. They seemed to know about Her and our betrothal when they asked for my help last time. Frankly, son, I don’t care a whit what their opinions are of me, or Her, or you children. Their secretiveness may have some worth to the Dunedain of the North, but I have yet to see it myself. With your Mother and you children, I am a content man. But, I suppose I should see what their interest in us is now, if for no other reason than to be forewarned.”
The boy frowned thoughtfully. “Forewarned about what?”
Cutch shrugged again, and rode silently.
The trip across the Shires was uneventful. They followed the same path as they had with Berry when they’d gone ahead to scout for the House’s expedition to Cardolan, except from Michel Delving they continued directly along the East West Road into the Bree-lands and, after the several days of their journey’s first leg, to the gate pf Bree.
“How long will you need to be here before we press on to Trestlebridge?” Teahesto asked as they paused at the bridge.
“Maybe two days?”, Cutch guessed. “Enough time to catch up with Claywick and his family, and to pick up any rumors he may have heard about the Rangers that may have something to do with their letter to me.”
“Huzzah!”, Danny chirped in. “I wonder what Calvin is up to? It’s been too long since I’ve seen him, you know!” He urged his horse ahead while he gazed at Cutch’s face. When his father silently nodded and smiled, the boy heeled his horse to a full gallop into the town.
Teahesto tilted his head as he calmly observed Danny’s enthusiasm. “He is much like his father, isn’t he?”
Cutch nodded, worry and pride on his face.
Previous--> House of Macarion
Next-->Reluctant Ranger
