It was a simple contract. An investigation into missing pies. A way for the Company to gain the Shire’s good graces, another potential alliance.
Why then, did it end in so much bloodshed?
The mayor was worried – pies were going missing and the Harvestmath Festival was nearing ever closer. He had contacted the Company, and on behalf of the kin, Mervedis accepted the task and asked for aid. Bethrelfin, along with her cat Dumpling, and Lonoric gladly offered their help, along with others of their kin.
The small group travelled around Hobbiton, asking about anything that was deemed strange to the hobbits. Apart from the missing pies, everything seemed to be fine, except for a white-haired woman who had offered her help to the mayor in ensuring the festival was a success. Bethrelfin had spoken to the others. “This is not right. Why would anyone offer to help with something many would deem so mundane?”
They later found who the mysterious woman was – a lady called Firebryn. She was arguing with some dwarven merchants when the party happened upon her. She had scoffed at their intrusion, though her interest peaked the moment she laid eyes on Mervedis. Her tone had softened, her serpent tongue stating she had nothing to hide and would gladly show them that she meant no harm.
Deception and betrayal are uncommon in a land full of simplicity, love and gentility. So, they chose to believe her and followed her closely. At the edge of Waymeet, Firebryn had turned and smiled at them, a predator realising she had her prey exactly where she wanted them. She entrapped Mervedis in rope, entangling her like a spider would to its dinner. She then threw a fire bomb towards the other two. Bethrelfin took the brunt of it, fire licking and singeing her arms, causing her to step back and fall over. She had screamed in pain, managing to throw Dumpling out of the fire. Lonoric had just about dodge the flames, his eyes wide in panic and fright as he clutched onto his lantern.
“You have a choice. Leave me with who I was tasked in killing, or be killed alongside her.” Bethrelfin had struggled to stand up, the wind slowly extinguishing the flames around her. Wincing, she had grabbed her bow and knocked an arrow before aiming it right at Firebryn. Calm, steady, she murmured, “We do not leave our kin behind.” A short whistle sent Dumpling barrelling into Firebryn, who dropped her dagger in shock. Quickly, Dumpling took the dagger in her mouth and rushed away with it. One less weapon to worry about.
Firebryn had hesitated for a mere moment before uttering, “Very well.” She unsheathed her sword, cutting the ropes which entangled Mervedis before plunging the sword deep into her stomach. Far too quick, she slid her sword out and pointed it back at Bethrelfin and Lonoric, who were frozen in place.
Mervedis fell to the ground, crimson staining her dress, blood soaking the soil around her. Bethrelfin quickly composed herself before letting her arrow fly. It whistled in the wind, lodging itself into Firebryn’s sword arm. A scream tore out of her throat as she dropped her sword, cussing and cursing the two. Before she could do anything, Lonoric let out a yell and threw his lantern with all of his might, shattering it at her feet. Oil and flame danced at her legs as she tried to turn the tide once more. But a low whistle was her downfall. Dumpling charged at her once more, the scruffy feline treading on fire as if it were nothing before clawing her way up Firebryn’s body. Her claws quickly found easy purchase on her leathers as she clambered up to her face. Her claws went deep, swiping at her face and gouging deep cuts, leaving blood in her wake. She pounced back off, the damage she left now clear as day – she had been blinded by the attack. Wounded, bloodied, now blind, she fell to the ground. Though as she let out her last breath, she continued to smile, demented, wicked, hateful.
Lonoric and Bethrelfin rushed to Mervedis’ side, but any efforts to heal her were useless. Firebryn had known exactly where to strike, the wound too deep. She had mumbled to Lonoric to continue her legacy, to tell the mayor that they were successful in finding the pie thief, to make sure the contract is signed and the alliance is cemented.
Bethrelfin burned Firebryn’s body. Whoever had sent her would not find any trace of her here. She had kneeled before Lonoric, wrapping an arm around his shoulder as Dumpling had limped towards him and rested her head on his knees. “We’ll find whoever did this,” murmured Bethrelfin. “Yes, we will,” Lonoric whispered. “And they will pay.”
They stayed a moment longer in each other’s arms, the cold breeze kissing their burns and cleaning their lungs as they took deep breaths, trying to clear the smoke out of their mouth. They buried Mervedis’ body under the tree where she would be surrounded by flowers come spring. Lonoric shakily agreed that he would inform the mayor that the contract was complete. Bethrelfin gathered Dumpling in her arms and the parted ways with heavy hearts and blood on their hands.
