After waiting in the room for an hour, the door was unlocked and in walked some guards. One, obviously, was the leader. Arlómë could tell that by his rank insignia, that he was a captain of the guard. The other three were regular footmen. Arlómë and Einen rose to their feet as the guards entered.
"So what were you doing hanging around the east gate? Helping the fugitives escape?" the captain demanded.
"We haven broken no law. We were investigating a noise when we were arrested. If you ask the guards that arrested us, they will confirm our story." Arlómë said.
The captain looked at Arlómë and then at Einen. "I've already talked to them. You gave the same story."
"So you can let us go." Einen said.
"Not so quick. Who are you guys?" asked the captain.
"I am Arlómë of the Dúnedain, known around here as Rangers."
"And I'm Einen. I live here in Bree, but I am heading out on a journey with Arlómë."
"Where are you headed, may I ask?" the captain demanded.
"We are heading south, towards Gondor. King Elessar is also the chief of the Dúnedain. We are of the same lineage." Arlómë said. He really didn't like revealing this to the captain, but if it would help get them out of Bree, than it was worth it.
The captain looked at them some more in silence. "All right." he finally said at last. "I believe you. But just to make sure your not in league with the fugitives, we'll keep you here for a while."
"What? You can't do this! We haven't done anything wrong!" Einen protested.
"I'm Captain of the Guard, and I can do anything I want!" the captain said.
"How long?" Arlómë said. He was losing his patience with this fat man.
"Until I feel like letting you go. Until then, you will stay in the jail. Men, take 'em away." the captain said as he left.
The three guards bound Arlómë and Einen's hands and led them to the jail.
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It had been 2 days since the company escaped. Arlómë and Einen sat in the jail in Bree. Arlómë knew that they had to get out soon, or it would take forever for them to catch up.
"Is that you, Einen? I can't believe your in jail." said a guard that just walked in.
Einen looked up. "Oh...hey Spurin! I didn't know you were a guard."
"Yep, just finished training yesterday. See, look here. I'm an official Guard of Bree." Spurin showed his badge to Einen. "Oh I'll be back."
"Who's that?" Arlómë asked.
"That is one of the dumbest people in Bree. I can't believe he's in the Guard." Suddenly, a light clicked in Einen's head.
"One of the dumbest people in Bree and he's in the Guard and he just happens to be guarding us. Hmmm...opportunity knocks." Einen smiled as Spurin walked back in.
"Well, as my first assignment, I get to guard the prisoners. Thats you. So I'm here guarding you." Spurin said.
"How long do you think we'll be here?" Einen said.
"The captain said for a week. I hear you was sneaking around. A conspiracy and stuff. Thats what the captain said." he said.
"Did you hear anything about the fugitives?" Einen asked.
"Well, so far, we've checked north, south, and west. Even out towards Buckland. But no sign of 'em. We're concentrating on that Rivendell place now."
"Well, you know, I was thinking since we are going to be here for a week if I could go get my favorite pillow from home." Einen asked.
"Ummm...I don't know. You see, as a guard I'm supposed to be guarding you and I can't let you out though."
"Well, this jail's just so uncomfortable and I haven't slept well the last 2 nights. I need the comforts from home, you know, to help me be a good prisoner."
"Well..."
Einen jumped on the chance. "Come on...I want to make sure my time here is fun because I have my best friend guarding me. How long have we known eachother Spurin?"
"Oh about...since we was kids. Ok, I'll let you get your bedding stuff." Spurin said as he got the keys out.
Arlómë couldn't believe his ears.
Spurin opened the door and Einen got out.
"Oh, do you know where my stuff is? My housekey is in my bag." Einen asked.
"Yeah, let me take you there to get it." Spurin said as he shut the door on Arlómë. The two men left. Arlómë only hoped that Einen knew what he was doing.
Einen returned 20 minutes later along with all their gear and weapons. Spurin did not return.
“Ok, so what did you do?” Arlómë asked. “Did you do something illegal?”
“Well, we had to get out soon, so I just knocked Spurin out when we were at my house. Don’t worry…nobody has noticed. Their all still worrying about finding the “fugitives.” Come on let’s get out of here. I know a few secret ways out.” Einen said as he handed Arlómë his gear.
Arlómë sighed, but with satisfaction. “All right, if you insist.” And with that, Arlómë and Einen were geared up and 10 minutes later, they were out of Bree and on their way.
As they walked through the fields and avoided the road, Einen said, “Too bad they have our horses. Its just going to be harder to catch up.”
“I’ve walked this land many times. We’ll head for Weathertop, and if we miss them there, then we’ll go on towards Rivendell. But first, we need to get into the forest up ahead and out of this field or we’ll be seen.”
Arlómë and Einen hurried towards the forest.
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In nomini domine saboath sui filique ite ad infernos.
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