“So-did you know? Is that why you pulled me out of the Warband?” Lilleduil was at Thorenhad, having been summoned there by Elrohir. They were finishing dinner.
The son of Elrond didn’t smile exactly, though the corner of his mouth twitched upwards for a moment.
“Let us just say that sometimes I have a sense for the way the wind is blowing, and that I made an oath over my dead friend‘s body to look after his daughter. But it also suited my purposes to do so. There aren’t many of us that can ride through Rohan without challenge. And I was hoping to send you further south than that.”
Gondor? The idea was tantalizing. She had always been curious about the last realm of the Men of the West.
“I had thought that we might discuss my ideas this evening-” Elrohir was continuing, when suddenly he was interrupted by the cry of an Eagle close by. He looked at Lilleduil, who had cocked her head and was listening intently. “One of yours?”
“Yes. Lithrovail.” But what he was doing here, instead of his usual haunts? She stood and moved away from the fire, throwing a gauntleted hand up.
The ash-colored Eagle stooped and landed with an audible smack. Lilleduil’s arm bent beneath the weight of the bird for a moment before she braced it.
“What news do you bring, my friend?” she asked the bird, who seemed somewhat agitated.
“The Sour Man, the one you bade me watch? When he returned to the fortress he was set upon by those who stay there. They overpowered him and carried him within. I have not seen him emerge and it has been three days.”
Thendryt arrested? Three days ago? News of the Warband disbandment had probably reached Ost Ringdyr just about then… And apparently as soon as they knew Elisbeth and Khalis no longer had his back, they had arrested him. For what? She’d forgotten in the wake of recent events that she’d asked the Eagle to keep an eye on Thendryt, but apparently it had been a good thing to do.
What have you been doing up there, Thendryt, so far away from the rest of us? Lilleduil set speculation firmly aside to thank her friend.
“Thank you, Lithrovail. If you are so inclined, could you keep a watchful eye out and inform me if the situation changes? I would very much appreciate it.” She inclined her head to the Eagle, who inclined his to her in turn.
“I would be happy to do so, Storm-caller. Good hunting to you!”
“Fair air and good hunting to you as well, my friend!” Courteously, she tossed the Eagle back into the air and he winged off into gloaming. She looked back to the campfire to find Elrohir watching her, his hands curled about a mug of tea.
“What did your friend want?”
“Thendryt rode into Ost Ringdyr three days ago and was promptly arrested. He’s not been seen since.”
Elrohir’s mouth quirked again. “And what could Thendryt Morson, who collects enemies as easily as a Trollshaws boar draws flies, have possibly done to get himself arrested, I wonder?”
“I thought the timing…interesting.”
Elrond’s son considered this for a moment. “Indeed.” His keen glance met hers over the campfire. “I suppose you’d like to look into this?” Lilleduil nodded. “You can ride out in the morning.”
“I’d like to ride out tonight. With your permission, of course, hir.”
Elrohir waved a hand airily. “Of course, of course. If that is your wish. Help yourself to whatever provisions you need. Let me go write something for you so that they’ll listen.” He moved off to where the scribing supplies were kept, and Lilleduil went to see about acquiring food for the journey. They both finished their respective tasks at about the same time. Elrohir came over to where Lilleduil was saddling Braigsul, who, having had a good supper, seemed amenable enough to the prospect of more travel.
“Here. Take a look at this before I seal it so that you’ll know what I said.” He waited until after she had finished tightening the girth and handed her the parchment. Lilleduil scanned it swiftly, then bit back a gasp.
The bearer of this, Lilleduil of Imladris, will determine the disposition of Thendryt Morson as she deems best. She acts as my hand and voice in this matter. Thwart her and you thwart me.
Elrohir of Imladris
Swallowing, she looked up at her mentor.
“You know him far better than I,” Elrohir said softly. “You will know if he has stepped too far into Darkness. Judge carefully, Lilleduil. Do not bring a danger back to Imladris. The responsibility is yours.”
Lilleduil went to one knee for a moment, “Yes, my lord.”
Elrohir’s hand pulled her back to her feet immediately. “Enough of that. Ride swiftly and carefully. Send word, if you will, by your friend as to what transpired.”
“Yes, my lord,” she said again. Elrohir sealed the letter while her saddlebags and water skin were being brought to her by one of the other elves. Strapping them and her bedroll into place, she vaulted into the saddle and cantered out of Thorenhad without a backward glance, though she felt Elrohir slap Braigsul‘s hip gently as she went by way of farewell.
