Thendryt was alive.
How?
For days Faorie contemplated this in solitude. Light would shine and fade across her windows and the fire that once warmed her home had faded to smoke. In the silence of a shadowy room Faorie sat at the edge of her bed with her arms perched up on her knees and her hands folded, holding up her bowed head. Her eyes were half closed, staring down at the tiles beneath her feet as she thought over the stressful days that had recently overwhelmed her mind.
Thendryt had interrupted his own memorial service held by members of the Warband. His reappearance caused a shock amongst all who attended and word had soon spread throughout the valley of the strange event. Thendryt's very presence was the reason behind Faorie's uneasiness, and how could it not?
Time had passed for Faorie to accept his supposed death and battle the guilt alongside it, and at the moment where all respect for the memories of him had come together he returns. He returns alive and apparently well.
Faorie remained silent as the sun slowly hid behind the distant mountains. A slit of orange light trailed upwards and thinned as the minutes passed. It traveled across the floor, over the bookshelf, and landed on a row of unevenly fitted books. From one end the titles would begin with texts involving locations found in Arda and moved along from maintaining health, novels inspired by the freedom of dreams, studies of herbal uses...
And at the end of the line was Thendryt's journal – untouched since Thenrandir's visit.
Then came night.
The sun was bright and high in the sky when the Warband had gathered to meet with possibly the newest recruit, Adanmiel. She came in a blue gown and her shoulders draped with an equally blue cloak hanging over her back. Her history with her involvement with another particular kin had come with slight hesitation, but her quality of a warrior and the faith set upon her loyalty to the protection of the hidden vale had no reason to be put into question – she had been welcomed into the family at arms.
Short discussion brought after recruitment began and eventually members disappeared back to their business and two small groups were left. Lady Elisbeth, Khalis, and Adanmiel spoke privately while Faorie and Thendryt were left to face each other at last.
Faorie turned towards Thendryt, her eyes steady and strong. Sharply she uttered his name. “Thendryt.”
He returned her gaze, but there was an air of positivity to him. “Faorie,” he responded.
Without hesitation Faorie raised her hand as if she was about to strike Thendryt's arm...
But in a sudden moment of reconsideration she lightly tapped it with her palm. Then she grinned.
“I'm glad to see your fall didn't end your life,” she said quietly, clearly conflicted on relief and frustration towards Thendryt's presence.
Thendryt returned her grin with one of his own. “Oh, the stab was more dangerous,” he said half-jokingly.
In that one statement Faorie's face fell back to frustration. She furrowed her brow and lowered her gaze in disapproval. “Finish healing,” she said simply, “And resume your duties.” She turned around, raising her chin but her face still expressed disapproval as she walked away.
“Faorie,” Thendryt called.
Slowly, Faorie turned around and looked at Thendryt from a distance.
Although apart, she could clearly see his grin had turned into a genuine smile of appreciation. “Thank you,” he said gently. Then he turned his back to her and walked the opposite direction.
Without any response, Faorie did the same.
