The next day found Finchley sitting upon the edge of the bridge, feet dangling above the brown waters of the Brandywine below her and the clothes she wore yesterday laid out to dry right next to her. Though the sun was shining, a stark contrast to the previous rainy day, there were still a few clouds in the sky accompanied by a chilly spring wind blowing up towards Forochel, trying to take the clouds with it, no doubt to bring the mountains a last dusting of snow before the season really set in.
The clothes Agorindel had given her were indeed too big for her. But, somehow the draping fit of the robe, coat, and hood she now wore made them feel somewhat cozy, which was a relief after all the sogginess of the previous day, and gave her much protection from the cold. The healer had laughed a little at her and said that, if it wasn't for her eye color, build, and stature, she'd make a right good ranger lass, to which Finchley took much amusement.
"So, Miss Finchley," came a voice from behind her, interrupting her thoughts. She turned her upper body so that she might see behind her and smiled when she saw Sardan standing there, hands loosely clasped behind his back. She noticed that though there was a smile on his face, he still had that same careworn look about him just like the other rangers. Just like Amarion. "Care to tell me what exactly it is your doing in this part of the world? From what Amarion has said of you, I know you seem to like ruins and traveling. But, surely you must know that this place is dangerous and the Wardens keep a strict watch over these lands... You wouldn't be in the business of treasure hunting or anything like that, would you?"
"Oh, no, not at all!" she replied, shaking her head as she turned about, nimbly pulling her legs back over the side so that she might face him properly. "At least about the treasure huntin'. I don't need such things. But I heard Adleithian say there was some problem with tomb robbers..." She shook her head, knowing she was getting off track. "But, I've come for several reasons. Firstly, I came to find my friend and mentor; a Mister Dewitt. Perhaps you've seen him? He's tall, has a horse named Floid, and a white mustache."
Sardan raised his brows and sighed again, causing Finchley's stomach to do a little flip-flop. "Yes, I believe I've seen your Mister Dewitt. He came this past autumn to cross the bridge to head towards Tinnudir and then the lake. Apparently he's-... Well, I'm not sure 'friend' is the correct term when describing his relationship with our leader, Calenglad. More like--" The ranger paused and then shook his head. "Well, never mind. Suffice it to say, Calenglad learned long ago that there was no stopping the man every time he came to visit the lake. So, we ceased trying to stop him as well, since he seemed to be able to take care of himself alright and wasn't here to rob us or desecrate the tombs... But he hasn't come back this way for the entire winter. More likely he hunkered down somewhere across the lake to wait out the storms and the cold. Still, we thought he'd come back this way by now."
A frown appeared on Finchley's face as her brows furrowed in concern. Upon seeing this sort of expression, Sardan waved a hand in front of him and shook his head again. "Cheer up, Miss Finchley," he reassured her. "If you've come to find him then there's no doubt in my mind that you will. He's a bit of a mystery to us, your Mister Dewitt, but we know him to be a hardy fellow for his age."
Finchley nodded and allowed a smile to appear on her lips once more. "Aye, I know he is. Still, can't help but to worry about a friend. I haven't had any letters from him either."
Seeing that the woman was cheered up a little, Sardan, ever practical, questioned her further. "What were the other reasons for your coming here?"
"Oh, well aside from seein' the lake an' all, I also came lookin' for a friend's father. Well, he's not her actual father but he's as good as. He went off from Bree to chase down her sweetheart who had gone off to... take care of somethin' for her. But now she hasn't heard from him, even after said business was taken care of and all she knows is that folks here might know his whereabouts. His goes by Dom."
To that, Sardan shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't help you with that person. But, I would try asking the Wardens about Tinnudir. They might have seen him even if we haven't." Finchley nodded. It wasn't the answer she was hoping for but it wasn't a completely hopeless one either. Oh, but then she perked up a bit and grinned at the ranger before her.
"Ah, so I take it I have leave to go to Tinnudir from you, eh?"
Sardan returned the smile, finding that he couldn't help it when speaking to one such as her. "I still don't recommend it. But, I am starting to see that you are just as determined to do as you will as your mentor... Yes, I will give you leave to go tomorrow along with one of my men who's going to make his report to Calenglad and Orchalwë."
"Ah, a babysitter?" she asked with a light laugh.
Sardan shook his head and chucked. "More like a guarantee of safe passage. I'll be sending him with a letter so that your presence won't be questioned further once you arrive. The roads are still not safe with tomb robbers walking around, bold as anything. You'll be safer with yet another companion. I did say we owed you a debt for what you did in the North Downs after all."
"Consider the debt repaid in full then," replied Finchley with a grin as she stood and began to gather up her now-dry clothes, folding them neatly.
"Not quite," said Sardan, his smile growing wider as the boyish-looking woman turned around and raised a brow at him. "You are a lover of ruins and fine views, are you not?" To this, Finchley nodded enthusiastically. "Then, I have something that you'll want to see. Come with me." He stepped towards the camp under the Colossus again, beckoning for her to follow with one hand.
The ranger led her to a thick, dangling rope that stretched up and up, towards the top of the Colossus; farther up than Finchley's eyes could even see from down here.
"You can climb up a rope right? You seem to climb trees like a squirrel easily enough."
Finchley snorted a little and nodded. "Aye, I can."
"Good. You go first and I'll follow you up. Once you get up there, take care not to walk right off the edge. I think you'll like what you see."
Thus, she began the long ascent up the rope, inching her way upwards with careful but practiced ease, the ranger following right after her. Once she pulled herself up onto the head of the Colossus she helped him up until they both could stand up straight. He led her close to one edge and gestured for her to look.
Finchley gasped aloud and smiled as brightly as the sun overhead.
The view over Lake Evendim took her breath away...
(to be continued)
