Evendim

It was dark, starless night when Harondred rode his trusted steed, Halgalad up the hill from High King's Crossing to get to Tinnudir. He was determined to get there the very same day as he promised her he will return quickly, things however didn't go as planned and he was late. Watching the road he traveled, rising and lowering his head to tell his whereabouts and judging next step. Suddenly gust of wind managed to blow some clouds away letting the pale moonlight to brighten his surrondings. It was a brief moment but he could not be mistaken, a cloaked figure rushed across the road about 40 meters from him and disappeared in bushes at the east edge of track. It was a moment but he could swear he saw lock of red hair dangling from beneath hood.
Harondred slowly dismounted his steed, found a place to hide his steed and went to the spot he saw the figure disappearing. Getting there he saw few broken twigs and visible path of passage someone who waded his way through. He looked up that path spotting ruins atop of small hill. He was about to turn away when he saw a dark figure crouching atthe edge of those ruins, looking from behind the corner of old building. He moved slowly towards that place, preety sure it was her, but wandering what that crazy girl might seek in old ruins. Tomb-Robbers were common in that places and other creatures as well, it was not safe to be there. Harondred was half way to the point when figure disappeared behind the corner.
Suddenly short, high pitched scream was heard but vanished as quick as it appeared. His heart was pounding, thoughts flooded his head, strong urge was trying to make him rush to the place but reason told to approach at slow pace. Doing so he was able to hear the surrounding sounds and overheard man voice telling "...can you imagine, that bitch stabbed me in the leg....luckily i stumbled and she missed my back, i would be dead meat by now...mandos take her soul...or better we take her, right after boss is done...she smelled nice" second voice replied "...yes, better than sheep..", "sheep, Kal?", "I meant shepherd's daughter...i meant, Val, that was it...stop giggling", whacking sound was clearly heard "shut up".
"why you hit me Val?", "You are to loud, Kal, we are sen..try..s, centers?....sentries, yes....that's what we are...silent, vigilant...not lound and mumbling about sheeps", "Shepheard's Daughter!", "Whatever" *whack*. Facepalming himself but happy that he happen to approach maybe dumbest guards he have ever met, Harondred made his way to the corner, and lurked from behind it. In lower part of the ruins there was a pool surrounded by old broken pillars, cloaked figure was bound to one of those pillars, removed hood revealed storm of red hair surrounding pretty face, near her stood ugly looking man with unsheated sword in his hand, further away group of scruffy looking brigands were watching those two.
Few meters from the corner there were two men looking the same direction, he figured that those are Val and Kal. She was in serious trouble and death would be salvation after all those filthy men finish with her, they were already ripping her clothes in their minds, and every one of them was wishing for his turn to let his lust be fulfilled. Time was short, voice of the leader was not heard from that distance but he will finish speaking sooner or later and start forcing her to please him and his men. Spot where the two were standing was about 30 meters away from brigands leader, he spoted that three of six men had bows, rest was armed with clubs or crude swords. But he needed some element of surprise.
Reaching to his pouch he picked two gold coins and placed them on the ground behind corner, then tossed a stone into nearby bushes forcing Val and Kal to look that way. Harondred grabbed the hilt of his sword, large and long two handed weapon and rised above his head. Glance of gold on the ground worked exactly as he predicted, ignoring all possible threats brigands jumped to grab the coins at the same time, reaching them and struggling, when sword fell cutting both heads with one swift strike. Using cover he rushed down towards Leader of brigands, when he was spotted less then 10 meters were between them. He charged and with two leaps he was at Leader, slamming him with his shoulder and sending staggering backwards.
"Orome protect me" yelled Harondred and with wide arc he hit off balanced man, dealing a death blow. Rest of the brigands started recovering from shock, and reaching for weapons, he jumped toward them aiming for ones with bows, stabbing one, and hitting another one with swift elbow strike. Pulling sword from dead brigand he swinged it wide felt it bit into flesh once before making full circle. he backed up to the pillar standing between girl and outlaws.There were still 4 men standing and few more emerged from shadows, they were probably guarding another entrances. One with bow was still healthy another one, hit by elbow was recovering after the blow. There was no time to waste, plan was to provoke few so they don't strike at the same time.
Harondred changed the grip slightly tightening it, kicked shower of dust into brigands, two turned one got it right into eyes. Sword swung in wide arc again hitting and wounding badly all three of them, rest jumped back. They started spreading up and trying to move to sides, suddenly whistling sound was heard. Harondred jumped back shielding tied girl with his body when rain of arrows fell down hitting surprised brigands and killing them instantly. Out of the shadows six rangers appeared, scanning surroundings they approached Harondred. "I was right, that is that crazy Rohhirim, told you no one else would charge to rescue without checking enemy force". Harondred blinked, he knew that voice, "Orchalwë? What are you doing here?" he asked.
Rager approached body of Brigands' Leader, "Was looking for this man, looks like you found him first, This is Bill Tripper, notorius tomb-robber, there is a bounty on his head, Harondred." he answered. "And for your information i had it under control, but thanks for speeding things up" told Harondred. "Yes, of course, friend" laughed Orchalwë. Harondred turned to free red haired woman, cut her bounds swiftly and helped her up. He looked in her eyes and his heart pounded like crazy, "are...you....alright?" he managed to mumble, then inhaled quickly and calmed down, "are you hurt?" he added. He got bit angry having no answer, "what have you been thinking, girl, you have a death wish or what?". She looked at him, "I thought you left me" replied.
He gasped, watching her as further explaination came "I lost the will to live my life as it is, i was alone, thinking, tornmenting myself, and there was no one but my own reflection in the lake to hear it.", she breathed heavily. "There was a bounty on this man, i wanted to do that alone, thought i would impress you, or die trying." here eyes were drilling him awaiting reaction. "Anri, i don't know if i want more to hug you, because you are alright, or spank you for beeing so reckless. It's childish, you know?" his voice was serious, but corners of his lips where struggling to stay down instead of turning to a smile. "Let us go back to camp with them" he said, as rangers apparently prepared to come back to Tinnudir. "we will sit by the fire, and deal with all those thoughts, together", he smiled telling this.