Dryn Umaarah leaned against the Boar Fountain, his arms crossed. He had worn his usual red robe and cloak. He watched as Agreis walk towards him. He had adorned his black robe.
“Thanks again for doing this,” smiled Dryn.
“You’re quite welcome, young master,” replied Agreis.
Agreis was tall and well-built, the stature of a swordsman, his clothes of rich quality and make, his sword equally so. Dryn’s smile faltered.
“Listen, when I tell him my decision, he might…punch me or something,” said Dryn. “Let him do so please.”
“Not making any promises,” said Agreis.
“I know…,” muttered Dryn, sighing softly. “But please be careful. He’s a Watcher and I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
“I understand,” said Agreis.
Dryn moved to where he could kiss Agreis on the lips softly. Agreis smiled and kissed him back despite the faint color in his cheeks. Dryn blushed before looking down.
“S-Sorry…,” muttered Dryn.
“It’s alright,” said Agreis. “Shall we go?”
Dryn nodded before walking toward the Pony, Agreis following him. His hand moved to his locket that he had of his parents, silently praying that he would make sure he would give the right decision confidently. They had stopped in front at the Pony. After a while, a familiar man to Dryn was in sight.
The man seemed to have looked like a Bree official. His features seemed to be the same as Dryn’s, but more well-built. Dryn glanced over to the man, keeping a steady gaze. The man patrolled the road towards the Pony, watching the people go about their business until he spotted some of what seemed to be foreigners and slowed his pace, eyeing them as he made an approach.
“I’m here to give my decision, Corrben,” said Dryn. “This is Agreis.”
Corrben nodded to Dryn.
“Hey,” greeted Corrben, looking around, narrowing his gaze and then back at his second cousin. “Doing well?”
Dryn gave him a nod back.
“Let’s go talk somewhere else,” said Dryn.
Agreis casted his gaze between the two. He kept quiet, watching Dryn’s relative from behind his dark, keen eyes.
“I’m on duty,” said Corrben, gesturing to his uniform. “Make it quick.”
Dryn nodded before leading the two off. As they had walked, Corrben shot a glare at the fancy man.
“Any reason this one is coming along?” asked Corrben.
His shoulders tensed as he walked and put his hand on the pommel of his sword.
“Cool your words, boy…,” said Agreis calmly. “I’ve done nothing wrong…”
“Because I trust him and I asked him, too,” answered Dryn, glancing over at Corrben.
“Yeah?” asked Corrben, looking at the back of Dryn’s head. “Well, I don’t know him and I don’t like the look of him. I don’t trust him and I hardly trust you, and you’re blood.” He looked back over at the man in black, “Stay far enough away from me.”
“Understandable,” said Dryn.
Agreis smirked and shook his head, “Shut your mouth and stay your threats and we will be fine, lad.”
They had reached close by the ruins above the Pony when Corrben froze and turned on him.
“Shut your mouth and stay your threats or you’ll be in a cell,” said Corrben.
“Corrben…,” muttered Dryn.
“No,” said Corrben. “Fuck this guy. I’m a Watcher, and I’m being lead to some out of the way place with a cousin who has turned to the Southrons and some asshole in fancy robes who thinks his shit doesn’t stink.”
“Tempting…,” said Agreis, arching his brow and looked slightly amused. “Truly.”
“Try something, fancy, and see what happens,” said Corrben, gripping his sword.
“Enough,” said Dryn. “We’re going to talk of family business and that’s all. And we’re above the Pony.”
“You say family business but you bring this cunt along?” asked Corrben, staring at Agreis but was addressing to Dryn. “Whose family, Dryn?”
“Now, lad…,” said Agreis. “No need to go grabbing your little blades because you don’t like a ‘foreigner…’ Is this what the Watch as come to? Now, behave… I know your superiors well enough and will make a formal complaint.”
“Corrben, let’s just hurry up and get this over with,” said Dryn, feeling as if he could lose it.
“Get fucked,” said Corrben. “I have a right to be wary when someone threatens me. Foreigner or not. This asshole doesn’t move from here, we’ll go speak.”
“I threatened no one…,” said Agreis, waving a hand slightly and stepping around Corrben.
“You just did, you stupid cunt,” said Corrben.
“Corrben,” said Dryn. “Enough. Now.”
Agreis gave a Dryn a look that said, “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Are you serious, Dryn?” asked Corrben, looking at both of them. “Calling me up and bringing this dick along to piss me off?” His look became hard. “Did you think you needed protection from me? I’m your cousin for fuck’s sake.”
“The way you speak and act, I’m starting to think he does…,” said Agreis. “Watch your language, lad.”
“Agreis,” said Dryn, looking to Agreis. “Please.”
“I’m not talking to you nor are any of my threats directed toward my cousin,” said Corrben. “Now fuck off.” He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, “My patience is wearing thin, not to mention I’m on duty. Get rid of this guy and we’ll talk.”
“I am not to leave the young master’s side, sir…,” said Agreis, folding his hands behind his back.
“Agreis,” said Dryn, feeling grateful but glanced over to Corrben. “Look. He’s not going anywhere. But now I want to speak my mind. And I can’t do that when you guys are going back and forth.
“Fine,” said Corrben, rolling his eyes. “Whatever but if he opens his mouth again, I’m out.”
“First of all, where were YOU when things started to happen?” asked Dryn, turning around to face Corrben. “Where were you when I was kidnapped and have twelve lashes on my back? I mean, come on. We didn’t talk ever since my parents died.”
“And hardly before that because of the shit between our fathers,” added Corrben, crossing his arms across his chest. “We had no idea what happened. It was never reported. I’m sorry for what happened to you. I am and if I could change it, I would.”
“Corrben, you know I love Bree,” said Dryn. “And I would always be around to help you or Piperel. True. We’re still blood. However, these ‘Southerners…’ These… ‘foreigners…’ I made friends of them. Not all of them are bad. I had to deal with a few that were and it made me run away. But some of them are good once you get to know them.”
“Dryn, you’re family,” said Corrben, shaking his head. “You’re blood and you know you always have a place in our home. What happened can’t be changed, and fi they helped you, that’s very nice but they’ve come to our town to look to change things, to push their way of life down Bree’s throat. Look at them, with their ‘masters’ and ‘lords.’ We don’t have that here. We’re free people.” He moved closer to him, his temper starting to cool and sighed. “I feel terribly that you had to turn to them for help.”
Dryn shook his head, giving a small but kind smile to Corrben, “Don’t be. Of course, I had to grow up fast after Mom and Dad’s deaths but… It’s because of everyone I met and care about that I have a family and courage to fight to protect. You and Piperel included.”
Corrben rubbed the bridge of his nose and looked at him for a long moment, his eyes going over the rich red robes and then he met Dryn’s gaze, “What you could have learned with us? I look at you… I hardly know what to say. If you wanted to protect Bree, you could have joined the Watch. Father would have helped you get in but now…no way they’d allow it. Look at you.”
He shook his head.
Dryn walked over in attempt to place his hand on Corrben’s shoulder, “I have made my choice. But at the end, I’m still that goofball Bree-lander. So… Hate me. Punch me if you like. But… If you need help, let me know. Same goes with Pip.” He gives more of a smile, “After all, not like I can shun you guys or anything. That’s not exactly me.”
“I’d never hit you, Dryn,” said Corrben, rubbing his hand over his mouth. “Yeah, you piss me off and I kinda want to slap some sense into you but I wouldn’t. Not because I’m afraid of your new skills or your guard dog there but because you’re my family. Blood is thicker than water; and it’s thicker than whatever sand-hole those guys crawled out of. I don’t hate you, cuz. I hate the choices you’ve been forced to make.” He looked out over the town, “I spent months outside the hedge, fighting and watching the growing numbers of southerners. Whether they’re in rags or rich robes, bearing swords or gold, they are going to force us to fight for our way of life, Dryn. That I can never forgive.”
“That’s the past,” said Dryn. “This is the present. And no one forced m. the man who took me in as his son is nice. No one forced me. But I’m not gonna leave the family that cared about me. Isn’t the choice of Man to be whether evil or good?”
“This is not the past,” said Corrben, turning back and shook his head. “It is our future and it is becoming darker as the days pass. You’re allying yourself with strangers who just want to take, to change our town to fit their desires. Don’t you see it? Or are you so blinded by their trappings. And by the kindness they showed you, I can understand your desire for loyalty and I’d admire if it were not with those people.” He rolled his head, the tendons popping with tension, “You’re in a hard spot, Dryn. I can respect that but you’re making the wrong choice. You are not a Bree-lander if you carry that name and serve that /House/ that is corrupting Bree…then I can’t call you cousin.” His mouth pressed into a firm line and he swallowed hard. “That’s it.”
Agreis spoke up, quietly and politely, “If you think we want Bree or want to overtake it for ‘evil’ purposes, you are mistaken… Very much so…” He gestured to the ruins behind him. “Bree was founded by foreigners in this part… Refugees from Gondor and Dunland… So yes, even you are a foreigner. The Halflings have been here longer than Man. The spirit of brotherhood is thicker than blood or the water of the womb.”
“I am not mistaken,” said Corrben, holding up his hand. “I’ve seen enough with my own eyes and spilled enough blood to know better. Take your sweet talk somewhere else. You don’t know anything about our town. What it was generations ago is not the concern right now. It is this…trash and war dragged up from the south that is my concern.”
“Is it me that is blinded or is it you?” asked Dryn, keeping a steady glance to Corrben. “When I had ran away, my adoptive water wept. He /cried/ and I was there to say that. I’m not gonna run away anymore.”
“I know what I am, Dryn,” said Corrben, shrugging. “If you ever regain your senses and you want to be embraced by your real family, come by the farm. Mother would have a place for you.”
“I think he already regained his sense long ago…,” said Agreis. “And is with his real family.”
Corrben reached into his pocket, plucking a toothpick from his pocket and chewed it, his jaw muscle twitching as Agreis spoke.
“Nothing will change my mind,” said Dryn, shaking his head. “I’ve decided now… That my place is with them. As Dryn Umaarah. But know that my home will always be open for help for you and for Pip.
“I’d never come to you as long as you call yourself Umaarah,” said Corrben. “And neither will Piperel or Corrinne or any of the Fenflowers. It’s a shame. First, our father’s rift held us apart and now this.”
“It’s never a shame when you find out who you are,” said Dryn. “I’ll always love you guys even if you guys hate me.”
“Then good luck to you and yours, Corrben, and best of luck in your endeavors…,” said Agreis.
“I don’t /hate/ you, Dryn, you silly cunt,” said Corrben, rolling his eyes. “I hate your new family and everything they stand for. I have my standards. I won’t associate with them unless it’s to arrest them and I look forward to that with great relish. So, that is that.” He shot a look at Agreis, “Shut your dick sucking hole, I mean it. This isn’t about you.”
“They won’t,” said Dryn. “Because they’re not dicks.”
“Right,” smirked Corrben. “They’re very smooth and slick…like weasels.”
“Dicks are nice…,” muttered Agreis. “Perhaps you should try one…”
“Agreis…,” muttered Dryn, nearly facepalming at this.
Agreis grinned a bit cheekily.
“No, thanks,” grimaced Corrben. “I don’t go in for those Southron ways.” He looked from Agreis to Dryn, his dark eyes flickering as he realized. “Oh… Dryn. Is that why?”
“I doubt you know what areal dick is anyways, lass…,” said Agreis. “Southron ways? Ah… At least we aren’t bigoted ways.”
“You call me bigoted because I like women and don’t fuck men?” asked Corrben, shrugging. “Isn’t that my choice or must I agree and accept all ways I don’t agree with to make people feel better?”
“He’s important to me,” said Dryn, glancing at Corrben while rubbing the back of his head. “But… That’s that of my decision. I’m gonna stay with the Umaarahs.”
“I call you bigoted because you shove your opinion, a rather racist and rude one, down people’s throats and are rude to those who do not fit your perfect vision,” answered Agreis.
“That’s it then…,” chuckled Corrben bitterly. “You never had a chance. Tell you what. Keep your boyfriend on a leash and we’ll stay civil.” He looked at Agreis and rolled his eyes, “Right. I’m bigoted because I’d rather not see my town run to ruin. You don’t like it, go home.”
“I am home…,” grinned Agreis. “Home is where the heart is, no?”
Corrben spat his toothpick near Agreis’ feet, then turned to Dryn, “I’m done with this shit.”
“Alrighty,” said Dryn. “Glad we had this talk. Honestly.”
Agreis smiled and moved his foot to step on the toothpick, pressing it into the earth.
“Right,” said Corrben, nodding. “Because it makes very clear. I’ve got to get back to work.”
He stared hard at Agreis and then nodded, a dark look crossing his face. He turned to leave, keeping alert for any sounds behind him.
“Go kiss an orc, too…,” smiled Dryn innocently, saying in Sindarin.
Agreis just stuck his tongue out as Corrben turned his back…perhaps blowing a raspberry. It was after that they had gone home.
