Stories of Arda Home Page
About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search
swiss replica watches replica watches uk Replica Rolex DateJust Watches

The Road to Edoras  by Dreamflower

CHAPTER 9

The group rode south for three more days, before nasty weather again threatened. Once more they made and early camp. This storm, however, wore itself out before morning, and they woke to a clear sky.

“This is going to make the streams and rivers flow swift and swollen,” said Éothain.

“True,” said Targon. “Still it should not make things impassible.”

But Fredegar noticed a doubtful note to the Gondorian captain’s voice.

He could not help but shudder at the thought of a swift and swollen river. The placid Brandywine was enough of a terror. Still, it would have to be faced. If Merry, with his fear of heights, could climb a mountain, jump over an abyss, and climb up into trees with Elves, then he could manage somehow to cross a couple of streams and a river without disgracing himself too much. He just had to keep telling himself that. Just remember, Freddy, he told himself, you are, after all half Took.

_______________________________________________

Near a rushed and risen stream, many leagues to the south and west of where the party rode on the Greenway, a rockfall had partially blocked the water, and was diverting the stream. Three Men stood near the slope from which the stone had tumbled, gazing at the sight which had been uncovered when the storms had dislodged the boulders.

Haldad, the King’s Messenger, shook his head. “I am sorry,” he said to the other two Men, who wore the cloaks and stars of Rangers, “but I cannot stay to investigate this. I have urgent dispatches to the South, for both our own King and the King of Rohan. I will, of course take word of the finding to King Elessar.”

Mellor sighed. He had been afraid of that. But Haldad was the first authority of the King who had come in their direction since the rain had revealed what lay buried there.

Eradan shook his head. “There are only the two of us for all this area. And I am certain that this is important.”

“I’ve an idea,” said Haldad. “There is a party coming this way--they should arrive in Tharbad in only two or three days. There is a group of Guards of the Citadel among them. Perhaps their captain could be of assistance to you.”

“Are they escorting the embassy of hobbits?” asked Mellor. For he had heard about the King’s edicts being ratified in the Shire, and knew that hobbits would be journeying to the South.

“Yes, they are.”

“In that case, it is a very good idea indeed. For I think that this is something of which the hobbits also need to be made aware.”

“I agree.” Mellor shook his head sadly. “We need to let them know as soon as possible. Eradan, would you ride forth and meet them. Perhaps news of this finding might cause them to hurry along a bit.”

“I shall do that.” He turned to mount up. “Will you remain here until I return?”

“I think that is best, do you not?”

Eradan nodded.

Haldad mounted as well. “I shall ride with Eradan as far as the Greenway, and then continue on. Farewell, Mellor son of Meneldil.”

“Farewell, Haldad. Eradan, return as swiftly and safely as you may.”

Both of them nodded and rode off.

Mellor looked once more at what they had found, and gave a shudder.

_________________________________________________

For a couple of days, Berilac had ridden beside Viola and her Mistress. Mistress Poppy often rode next to one of the Men, so that she could interrogate them about life in their homelands. She had discovered that one of Artamir’s and Adrahil’s uncles was a healer, and so they had come in for more of their share of her attention.

Beri and Viola rode quietly alongside, Viola listening sometimes to the conversation, and Beri watching Viola. Occasionally the two of them talked for a while, Viola’s Mistress oblivious in her eagerness to soak up knowledge.

______________________________________

Rolly, Denny and Jolly had gradually begun to make the acquaintance of the Dwarf and the Elf. Gimli did not intimidate them in the least--he was a Dwarf, and something of a known quantity. However, it was very hard *not* to be in awe of one of the Fair Folk.

Yet Legolas was merry and cheerful as they rode, and told them stories of his childhood in the Great Wood far to the East, that had at one time been called Mirkwood. He soon had them laughing at the mischief he had done as a child.

They did not entirely lose their awe of him, but they began to be a bit more easy in his presence.

______________________________________

Mosco liked to ride next to Bergil. The lad was a font of information about Gondor, though he knew little of Rohan or other lands they would pass through. And he loved to talk about Pippin. Mosco was learning more about Pippin, and also Merry, than he had known of them while still dwelling in the Shire. Bergil even knew stories of their childhood that they had told him, that Mosco had never heard before.

Bergil had less to say about Frodo and Sam. He was obviously in awe of them, and he referred to Sam as Master Samwise, and to Frodo at all times reverently as the Ringbearer. That more than anything else, gave Mosco pause.

He had of course heard some of the story, but he had discounted a good deal of what he had heard as improbable. He had *seen* what Merry and Pippin had done to dispel the Ruffians, but what part Frodo had played he could not tell.

Yet it was clear that all these Men held Frodo Baggins in the utmost esteem. He had not been at the great Ball that Spring when honor had been shown to Frodo and Samwise, but he was beginning to have at least the glimmering of an idea of how important their parts had been. Hopefully, he would eventually hear the whole story. He was sure that Freddy and Beri already had.

______________________________________________

The prisoners were riding with Leodwald, Anwynd and Borondir. Cado, who was the one riding with Borondir, was hoping to get a glimpse of the tattoo that Dago had mentioned. He was not really in a position to do so; yet when Danulf rode up alongside for a moment, he suddenly realized that what he had taken for a bracelet on the Rider from Rohan was actually also a tattoo, although it looked like a braided chain of knots.

Another tattoo. Dago was right. This was very interesting indeed.

______________________________________________

They were still about a day out from Tharbad, when they heard the sound of hooves coming up the road in their direction. Targon signaled for the group to halt, and Legolas rode forward, having the sharpest eyes.

He quickly trotted back. “It appears to be one of the Dúnadain, a Ranger from his dress, and the star upon his breast.”

“We will wait for him to approach us,” said Targon.

The party halted, the hobbits feeling a bit tense, unsure what to expect. Yet they knew they should be safe if this was indeed a Ranger, and even if it were not--unlikely given the Elf’s sharp eyes--they were surrounded by *their* Men.

The lone rider rapidly approached them. “I am seeking Targon, the captain of the company of Guardsmen here.”

Targon rode forward.

“I am Eradan son of Erellont, a Ranger. My partner and I patrol the area between Sarn Ford and Tharbad. After the last rain, we made a discovery some leagues to the west of here, one which will need to be reported.”

“And what sort of discovery might that be?” asked Targon, thoroughly perplexed, and beginning to feel a sense of foreboding.

“We found a body. It has been dead for some time, apparently of violence.”

Targon nodded. “And?” for he was sure from the Ranger’s attitude that there was more to be said.

“I am very sorry to say that it appears to be the body of one of the pheriannath, a hobbit.”

There was a stunned silence.





<< Back

Next >>

Leave Review
Home     Search     Chapter List