Glimonasse had been training with Atharan for a week. Her skill with the staff had improved, and though there was pressure to train her in the blade, she resisted. The only blade she carried was the skinner's knife gifted to her by Ceregadan during a scouting lesson into the Greenway and Nan Wathren. However, Atharan was often gone so it was left to the girl to continue her training on her own. She would stay in the area of Kingsfell, patrolling between Esteldin and Meluinen, clearing the land of dark creatures such as the occasional orc or warg that made its way into the area. These fights were of little import, often finished nearly as quickly as begun for Glimonasse had many allies within North Downs, especially around Esteldin, and they would come often to aid her cleanse the land of such scourges.
However, today was different. She had been informed that Atharan wanted to speak with her at the bridge between Greenway and Nan Wathren. Without preamble, nor the gathering of supplies, the young woman quickly made her way to the required place. She slipped by the goblins unobtrusively, managing to keep from the scent of the wargs, and quietly kept to the shadows of the crags and valleys before meeting with Atharan.
After several moments, with the impatience of youth, she spoke. "You wished to speak with me, Sir?"
Atharan spoke slowly. None seemed to talk as slowly as he did, and fewer would say that the Master Ranger spoke slowly, but to Glimonasse, it was like an Age between words when he spoke. She often thought it was his training her to retain focus on a task that prompted him to speak with such deliberation. "I have a mission for you. One to which I think you are the most suited to perform."
A mission, she thought to herself. I'm still untrained. "Sir?"
"The animals are behaving strangely. I want you to go to Meluinen to discover what is causing this."
Glimonasse brought her hand to her chin, rubbing it between thumb and forefinger. Indeed, she had noticed this. Usually there was something bothering them from the east. But recently, they had been too busy to give more than snippets of information nearby, which was unusual. "I have noticed this."
"Ride to Meluinen and send word that you have arrived safely. Then find out what is going on."
The girl thought a moment more, then nodded. "I shall do so." She turned to leave, believing the conversation done. She was nearly across the bridge when she heard Atharan speak again.
"Stay off the roads. There is trouble on them."
"You taught me that lesson already. I don't use the roads unless absolutely necessary."
It was well after sunset when she finally arrived back in Esteldin. She was ordered to ride. That was unusual. Though the stallion had chosen her, she still felt uncomfortable riding him. But he was always quite adamant about wanting her to ride him when she needed to go somewhere with haste. He was proud of his speed and endurance, and he wore with joy the name she had given him: Glanind.
Securing her steed's saddle on him, she lifted herself onto his back. She did not use bit or bridle, there was no need. And the saddle was more for preparation in case she was wounded. Glanind swiftly carried her to Meluinen. The journey was uneventful, which pleased Glimonasse. She was more interested in finding out what was going on in the area. Together, they arrived in Lin Giliath with time enough for a nap of a few hours.
--- @ --- @ ---
When she awoke, she went to greet Ingoweth, an Elven boy of a mere score in age and one of the few boys whose company she actually enjoyed.
"Galu, mellon," she said as she embraced the child, an act she would never consider with anyone else, not even other Dunedain. Yet with Ingoweth, there was never any doubt that such contact was acceptable. "I am here for a purpose. Have you noticed anything new in the area?"
Ingoweth smiled and pulled back. His dark hair flowed down his shoulders and back, catching the sun like a raven's feathers. He shook his head ever so slightly, "No, nothing. But we are busy rebuilding."
"I thought so, but I thought to begin by asking you first. I will be speaking to the others."
Her answer did not surprise him. She often would be found speaking to the beasts of the land like Celegorn. "Will you be back for in time for a meal?"
Smiling she gave a slight, fluid bow, "Of course." Then embracing again, she would leave the boy to his own work.
--- @ --- @ ---
At first, there was nothing save insects which only ever spoke of food and mating. They were of little consequence Glimonasse. The toads, however, were much more talkative.
Kneeling to one of the toads, she spoke in Sindarin as she did to all the creatures. "Greetings, Lord of the Bog. I have come seeking your council so that I might uncover the answer to a riddle that surely you have already answered but one I must work out for myself." Toads were always so much easier to speak with when properly greeted.
"It is fortunate for you, that I have time now that I have eaten my fill of flies," answered the toad. "What troubles you so that you seek out my counsel?"
"It has come to the attention of my kind that the creatures of your domain might be troubled by something nearby. It is a difficult thing for us to understand, but should we be concerned if it comes our way?"
The toad croaked derisively. "There are things to the West, up the hills and in the hills. Flies come from there, as do shrews and foxes. Dirty things that look like elf and man but care nothing of the proper order of things now live there. Beyond that, I do not care so long as they keep from my bog."
"Thank you, noble Lord of the Bog," said Glimonasse as she bowed respectfully to the toad. "Your words have aided me much. I will spread word of your wisdom to my people."
So, the orcs were strengthening their power in Nan Wathren. Perhaps it would be best to have other eyes seek out more detail. She would have to return to Kingsfell to find a far-sighted bird to fly over Nan Wathren. With her decision made, she returned to Lin Giliath to gather Glanind.
As she rode the walking Glanind, she touched the only bird with whom she felt the greatest connection. She reached out, feeling for the golden eagle Gamplagor. There was often little need to speak to Gamplagor as she did to other beasts. Instead, it was as though the two were of single purpose. Though she could not see through Gamplagor's eyes, she was certain she could feel through Gamplagor's heart.
It would be until the morrow before Gamplagor would come, though Glimonasse knew that the eagle was on her way.
