"She was last spotted in the North Downs! Heading north from Trestlebridge! Bring her to me alive, and you'll earn your bounty".
Furley addresses the crowd in front of him; a would-be chancer of a hobbit and his elven friend, another elf, and more than a few men who actually look prepared for the task ahead, donned in fine armour and stacked to the 9's with weapons. He gives them their heading, and they set off.
After they leave, Furley sighs outwardly. He's been dreading this day for a long time, but it's the only way. It's the only way to be sure she remains alive, and he needs to know what she knows. And she's kept him alive more times than he cares to mention; that deserves at least some form of return gratitude. The truth is, he needs her, and doesn't know if he can begin his next phase without her.
"Father, please let her forgive me for what I'm about to do".
Speeding off, he sends his companion, Ede, to the Shire, to see if she can pick up the trail they lost once more, whilst he heads to the North Downs, alone, to try and recover the search group. He isn't there long, when someone returns to retrieve him. She's been found! In Othrikar! She's been cornered!
His heart jumping between nerves, adrenaline, fear and hope, he spurs his horse on to her, looking to find her. As he rides up, sure enough, it's her. But something seems... different. She doesn't talk the same. Her voice is different. Suddenly feeling a surge of anger and frustration, he almost drags the woman off her horse, demanding that she remove her mask. She complies, and his face reddens with embarrassment, and the sudden gut-wrenching feeling that she's slipped away once again.
"God-dammit! It's not her! It's an imposter! Where is she?!" he screams, all at once, kicking the turf, flailing his arms and pulling his hair in child-like frustration. The others aren't convinced, and believe it's a ruse to wriggle out of paying the bounty. Needless to say, he let's them do with her what they will, and makes all haste to meet his companion in Stock by the Marish.
When he arrives, Miss. Ede tells him that she has found the trail, and his heart surges once more. They might actually find her! When the others arrive, having found out what they can with the imposter, they are informed of her potential location. Somewhere south in the region of Evendim...
Speeding onto Oatbarton, Furley and Miss. Ede stay behind, as the others continue onwards. After all, they're being paid to apprehend her, and Furley's not sure he'd be capable of accomplishing that alone. The night turns to dawn as they wait, and the dawn turns to morning. Each passing hour makes him worry all the more... have they missed their quarry? Has she eluded him once more? Has she killed them in their pursuit? Is she coming for him now, feeling betrayed by her old friend?
Miss. Ede comforts him the best she can, but he's still anxious. Finally, the group emerges, and they have her in tow, her hands bound behind her.
"Oh, great. More people".
Furley cannot help but smile... they've got their quarry! The utter sass and sarcastic tone could have only come from one person. They've finally managed it! Walking over to her, he smiles, and he strikes up his official, professional mannerism once more. Smiling at his contractors, he reaches out his coin purse.
"I thank you for bringing her in. As promised, the bounty of 50 gold pieces".
It is at that point, one of the men, armoured in Gondorian-esque attire, moves his horse forward, directly challenging Furley. "I do not what the bounty. I am here for Deorla. I am a ranger of the Dunedain, and she is hereby under trial for the murder of one of my kin. She is coming with me".
Furley turns around, looking at the group. His jaw drops in surprise, but they all look ready to fight him, hands twitching too close to hilts for his liking. Cursing to himself, he clenches his fist, frustration and anger simmering below his surface. Miss. Ede walks towards him, watching his back in case one decides to strike. Deorla merely laughs, her eyes beaming at this new confrontation before her eyes.
Sidling up to the rider, Furley tries to keep himself calm, but his voice rasps and hisses like a serpent.
"I think you'll find, ranger, if that's what you truly are, that she's my charge, and she's coming back to Bree with me".
