Chapter sixteen: Spear and Tears
Bovad carried Thendryt downhill at a slow pace. They entered the northern gates of Imladris around midday and headed towards Thendryt’s home.
He left Bovad outside, the horse never wandered off too far, and set down his armour. He changed into a lighter robe, to keep pressure off his wound.
After he was done it was time to find the Warband. He had to let them know he was back and, when his wound would heal, ready to resume with his regular duties. He stepped outside and started to slowly make his way down towards the last homely house.
As he rounded a corner he bumped into an Elf. It was Thenrandir, one of the newer recruits of the Warband.
“And where are you going in such a hurry that you don’t even see who you’re running into?” Thendryt said.
Thenrandir stared at him.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, what’s the matter?” Thendryt continued. “And have you seen others from the Warband around? I need to talk to them.”
Thenrandir finally found his words.
“When did you get back?”
“This morning, I just had to change clothes so I went home.”
Thenrandir smiled, putting his hands on his hips.
“You know everyone thinks you’re dead?”
“Dead?” Thendryt raised an eyebrow. “I doubt they found a body.”
Thenrandir chuckled and shook his head.
“Not that I know.”
Thendryt looked at the tall Elf.
“Where were you going in such a hurry?” Thendryt asked.
“Oh.” Thenrandir shrouded casually. “I was going to attend your memorial. Would you like to come?”
Thendryt was silent for a moment.
“Are you serious?”
“Very.” Thenrandir replied, smiling widely.
“Of course I’m coming!”
The pair set foot in Imlad Gelair shortly after. They walked down the path until they could hear faint voices in the distance. When they were close enough to hear and see what was going on, they sat down in the grass and observed. Thendryt noticed Khalis and Elisbeth, the leaders of the Warband, but also Osilivren and Virthalion. And, of course, Faorie. She looked paler than usual, he noted.
Khalis was putting down a spear on the centre of the platform they were standing on, placing down cantles around it and lighting them. Thendryt watched as they lit the candles and recalled what they knew of his life. Their words moved him in ways he didn’t think they would. They were only words spoken by people that knew him. But he couldn’t help it. It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him and more he thought he deserved. He thought about his life so far, his childhood in the Organization, his training, his first time in Rivendell, his Oathtaking. No one had ever appreciated him to the extent of having such a ceremony to honour his passing. Or so he had thought. He glanced over at Thenrandir, the Elf was looking at him and smiling slyly. Thendryt realized that he had gotten emotional, and that the Elf had been looking at him for quite some time.
Thendryt stood up, knocking over Thenrandir in the progress.
“Enough of this nonsense.” He said and started walking towards the platform.
Once he got fairly close he raised his voice.
“If you wanted to create a bonfire, at least do it away from the trees!”
