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Old 03-23-2004, 06:10 AM   #228
Nerindel
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Toby Longholes

Toby’s eyes widened with horror as the Bounty hunter regained consciousness, pulling away from Rauthain and drawing his dagger on them. Stepping back, he saw that the ranger restrained the hobbit woman as she tried to reach her… friend. This Toby just could not figure out, how was it that a hobbit of the Shire would befriend herself to a bounty hunter. Bill Ferney and Old Sharky had told him that he would never be accepted by the Shire hobbits, that they would always look down their nose at the Breelander hobbit as they would any outlander. But here was a hobbit from the Shire not only befriending an outlander but being genuinely concerned for his well being, no wait, she had even saved his life. Toby’s head reeled, at how easily he had been manipulated, and that that same manipulation had remained with him for so long. Even as he looked at the hobbit woman and the bounty hunter, he wondered if he could ever repent his scoundrel ways and return to the Shire. Just then, the bounty hunter’s unfocused gaze fell upon him making him shiver uncomfortably, forcing him to lower his head and stare at his hairy feet.

However, as Gilly pulled free of Rauthain’s restraining grasp and stepped determinedly forward to speak to the bounty hunter, he found himself moving to place himself behind her, in case the Bounty hunter should forget the woman’s friendship. Only relaxing when Kaldir finally lowered his dagger, but as he watched the hobbit woman grasp the Bounty hunters hand, her face etched with concern and sadness, he remembered why she had seemed so familiar on their first meeting. The image of the burning building and the young hobbit woman standing outside crying as she watched comforted by her husband as their lively hood burned to the ground came to his mind. It had been his fault that the house had been torched; he had reported to Bill that the shopkeeper had been keeping food from the sheriffs and distributing it to the rebels. Turning away to ashamed to look at the woman further, he wondered if the woman too could place him, how could he repay such a debt.

He gulped hard as he looked up to see Avanill walking towards them, frowning in confusion as he realised the he and the ranger, Rauthain were already acquainted. All the same, his grip tightened around the hilt of the dagger the southern woman had given him. His eyes narrowed with suspicion as Avanill addressed him. “A small world indeed!” he muttered contemptuously, placing himself between the hobbit woman and the young rogue. But as Kaldir and the hobbit woman moved towards the stairs Avanill placed a firm hand on his shoulder, “If you know what’s good for you Master Longholes you will hold your tongue!” he warned in a low threatening whisper, giving Toby reason to wonder what lies the rogue had spun Rauthain . Toby shrugged the young mans hand aside, and then hurried to put some distance between them.

He continued beside Rauthain in silence, watching the two unlikely friends as they walked together ahead of him. Their sudden laughter brought a confused frown to his brow. Toby would never have called any of his associate’s friends; in fact, he could not remember the last time he had a true friend or if he even had experienced the kind of friendship he was now seeing before him. Surely, she would remember one that had so wronged her, he thought. Still she had shown him kindness and even comforted him after the harrowing crossing of the river. Toby pulled his free hand down his tired face; there must be some way I can repay my debt to this woman. The Realisation that most of his life had been wasted pained him as deeply as though the dagger in his hand had been plunged in to his heart, perhaps if I help this, woman the pain will ease, he thought desperately trying not to give in to the despair that was filling his mind.

“How comes it that a respectable woman of the Shire should fine herself in the company of a Bounty Hunter?” He sighed, turning to Rauthain hoping the ranger held the answer he sought.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Amandur

As Amandur and Fintar pressed towards the stairs, they found their way hampered by fleeing orcs, many of which just ran straight passed them, intent on leaving with their life’s, But several seeing the wounded ranger as an easy target made the mistake of raising their weapons against him. However, with the elven Captain covering his vulnerable right flank and his sword now starting to feel comfortable in his left hand, they soon made short work of their attackers. The remainder of Fintar’s patrol soon rejoined them finishing off those that were fleeing.

As the elven captain spoke with his patrol, Amandur looked around. Bodies of both orc’s and elves littered the once green banks of the river staining it in a deathly mixture of black and red. His eyes scanned the surreal scene before him, searching for his companions. Only the elves remained searching for survivors among the dead, several elves began the foul task of piling orc bodies for burning and others attended their own dead. Turning back to Fintar, he saw that the elf was in deep conversation with another elven captain, “Rinmar!” He exclaimed. The elf turned with a grinned and the two clasped arms in friendly greeting.

“It is good to see you well my friend,” The elf said pulling back as Amandur winced with pain, “Well alive at least!” he laughed

“And you my friend,” Amandur answered returning his friends grin. “Per chance have you seen any of my company?” Amandur asked, hopefully. “Three… no two Rangers!” he wavered remembering Maethor’s premature death. “Rauthain and Dúlrain?” he pressed.

“Dúlrain I have seen, he is badly injured and is at this very moment being escorted to the last house, for healing, but he was not alone. Another ranger Kaldir of Westernesse, a southern woman and two hobbits also accompanied him, but I know not this Rauthain you speak of. But my patrol did report seeing two men aiding in the battle, perhaps one of these was your friend!” Rinmar answered.

“Perhaps,” he answered distantly, looking again towards the stair. The rider he saw surrounded by elves must have been Dúlrain, but how came he to be in the company of the ex-ranger and where was Rauthain? He contemplated these thoughts for a moment before Rinmar interrupted. “Our friend will soon be in good hands, you need not worry.” Amandur shook his head, turning back to his elven friends.

“Yes the Lady Lespheria is also in Imladris,” he told them.

“Well there you go, with the lady tending him he will soon be up on his feet again.” Fintar added

“But it looks like you also could use the tender care of the healer!” Rinmar said, looking over the rangers injuries. “This arm is definitely broken, come I have to take my report to our Lords, I will accompany you to the house.” Amandur nodded his assent, then after bidding Fintar and his patrol farewell he and Rinmar made their way to the last homely house.

Last edited by Nerindel; 03-23-2004 at 08:43 AM.
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