She had gone to Cardolan to seek out an old friend who’s wise words might help her but instead she found a host of her friends gathered with many others for what reason she could not fathom. Amlarad, Oldgrove, Adunzil, Noruien. Had she missed some summons? Was she no longer party to the rangers of the North? No she could not believe that and the greeting she received as she neared them melted away those thoughts. But who were these others? The faces were clearly of her kinfolk yet none of them she recognised. One of them spoke out as if he were a leader and the rest fell in behind. She instead followed meekly behind Amlarad curious as to why so many were in this forsaken land and concerned also that such a large group should travel together. She saw in the eyes of her mentor the same troubled thoughts as he cast his gaze about them, looking always for some signs of danger or notice that they had been seen. The slumping of his shoulders gave note of his dislike to being here; something must have swayed him though. The others seemed to share the same concern but followed loyally despite their misgivings. He was not their leader and complained when spoken of as one, yet they each gave him the respect as if he were. All except the old man Halbar, where was he? She wondered, this was his watch after all, his absence troubled her. Has he now seen all his years and passed without our knowing? The group had stopped amidst some of the ruins, speaking in soft tones so as not to wake the dead. Filrean turned and looked back about the way they had come, and then skywards. The dark clouds above gave warning of rain approaching, she did not wish to be in this place when rain fell for often great swathes of mist and fog formed amongst the mounds that gave way to terrible images that could strike fear into the hearts of any grown man. Sounds would become muffled and the wind would sound like the wailing of the dead. But the dead did indeed walk here and it was that they all feared.
Finally the group had finished what they had come here to do, and they began their journey back out of this place, rain had now fallen heavily upon them and the dread of the place gave way to madness amongst a few younger men of the other group. Filrean had looked upon them in pity at first, their resolve had proved weak, but soon she spoke up against their deeds and scolded them as mother would her own child. The walk back to their steeds seemed longer for the falling rain and the limited field of vision, they were guided along by those who knew this land and kept a steady pace till at last the way was cleared as they neared dead man’s perch. From there some departed to find their own ways and the rest made their way down the hill to find make camp below under a tree for what shelter it could give against the constant torrent of rain.
The next morning she woke to find only a few of them remained, Amlarad, Adunzil and Oldgrove. Noruien had gone hunting to find them something to break their fast and the two remaining of the other group had gone their separate ways. Filrean knew she could not put it off any longer but she still could not bring herself to hand him the letter, perhaps later when they were alone? Yes that would probably be best.
The day drew on and Noruien had returned with her catch a brace of conies that she set about skinning and preparing for the fire. The mood about the campsite was quiet due to the closeness of yesterday’s events but generally amicable as befitting a gathering of old friends. The rain had begun to fall again so Filrean opened her bag to pull out a spare cloak, as she pulled at it the rest of her belongings fell out and scattered about her. Moving quickly she tried to gather her items before they were soaked and someone saw the letter but she was too late, Adunzil had moved across to aid her and found it amongst some of her books. Handing it over he looked at her in concern, having seen the seal on the letter he knew what its contents might contain. Filrean said nothing but found herself casting her eyes in Amlarad’s direction. Adunzil pressed on with the matter though, until finally she gave in and handed it to Amlarad. It concerned him anyway and she had been too long deliberating over whether or not to tell him. He read the letter quickly and passed it back to her with nothing so much as a shrug of his shoulders, she took this to mean they would talk about it later or at least she hoped that is what was meant. Placing the letter back into her pack she thought no more of it and took some of the food that had now been prepared.
Approaching hoof steps had them all looking up at once and peering through the pouring rain, a weary traveller was heading towards them, cloaked with their hood down. Before approaching the camp the person dismounted and carried on foot. Amlarad was the first of them to rise and had a smile upon his face as if he recognised the person from their stance alone. As the traveller drew nearer a gloved hand reached up to move their hood further back from a face, worn with creases and showing it's age. Amlarad called and reached the man in two strides, placing his hand to his chest and bowing his head in greeting before reaching out with his arm to clasp the other’s. The traveller proved to be Halbar now returned to his watch from travelling beyond the last bridge in the east. He took a seat near the fire and told of his news from aboard, after which each in turn began the telling from others of their news before then deciding in which direction each would next turn. Oldgrove was headed towards the shire with Noruien, Halbar back to Cardolan, Adunzil to Bree and then towards Esteldin. Amlarad was going east. East? Filrean looked up when Amlarad began talking of where he would be heading and looked at him with astonishment. When he returned her gaze she knew there was no arguing, he was not going to answer the summons and would leave her to face it alone. His words hit her hard and she felt herself falling, putting her head down she pulled her cloak about herself, she did not notice the look on Adunzil’s face as he too did not understand why he was leaving her to face whatever it was alone?
The rest of the evening drifted on in near silence, the stars appeared in the sky and Amlarad rose to look at them. Adunzil had taken himself away from the group, unable to speak his mind. Something in the stars troubled Amlarad as he commented on the Warrior, Filrean kept her silence, it was not stars she wished to talk about only why he meant to abandon her in her hour of need. It was Oldgrove who finally broke the silence between them, noting the unusual quietness between them and the looks exchanged which said more than words. Gone was the smile from her eyes and the usual adoring look she had whenever she was in his presence, instead her stance spoke only of rejection. Noting that Amlarad was not going to comment much she handed Oldgrove the letter, maybe he could convince otherwise. Whilst he looked over the letter Adunzil rejoined them, giving Filrean a sympathetic look he sat down again beside the fire. Oldgrove made comment on the letter, realising that Amlarad meant not to go, before he was able to reply much Adunzil began to argue that he was being unreasonable. Surely as her mentor and friend he should go with her, was that not what they were? She had hoped that herself but had been proven wrong, maybe friendship did not carry to such as this. It was then Amlarad finally gave his reasons; that in which he was not to be commanded by someone outside of the realms of their watches. He argued that they were in Halbarad’s watch and it was to him that they should pay heed to. Maybe he was right, for himself at least, but she had become a part of the Wardens, not solely through her own choice but by blood-ties at least. There would be little or no consequence for him if he did not go, they could hardly try to find him and drag him back, but in that sense the same went for her. Did she have to answer to them? If not then why has she for all this time? Filrean lifted her head as she began to listen to his explanation. He was right of course, how could she ever have doubted his friendship? He was doing this out of respect, showing her the way and the path she must take. If she wanted the privilege of being her own lady as ranger and the responsibility that came with it then she could not always follow him or come running when something was amiss. Instead she must face her summoners alone. Upon his words her resolve hardened, lifting her face a determined look now replaced her sullenness. She would go to Annuminas and speak with the Captain-General, she would take back her bow and sword and then return to their homelands and be the eyes on the eastern border.
