[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Rauthain

It was after the elves had shown them to the place where they might be quartered among those young rangers who still trained under their tutelage, Amandur and Rauthain set about trying gain word on Dúlrain's condition, insisting that Avanill come with them. Yet without pause the rangers had found Toby a companion when he showed a slight reluctance to join them, the hobbit for his part, looking visibly relieved to see the three men start off down the path toward the main body of the house without him.

But going along the winding path through the rhododendrons and great banks of ferns that rose beside the way, Rauthain suddenly taking hold of Avanill's arm pulled him off the path toward a grotto overhung with wild roses, indicating Amandur to follow. The young man sharply jerked his arm away and went to reach for his sword, but Amandur had already drawn his weapon, and with his left hand placed it at the fellow's throat. "Steady," Rauthain admonished in a whisper. "We have already had enough bloodshed for one day, and I have seen that you are both worthy opponents. No, we are not here to spill blood, but to speak of one whose blood was spent among the circle of oaks in Chetwood." Rauthain lowered his chin and looking out from under his brow gazed into Avanill impassive face. "My friend and I, think you know of whom I speak. We know in truth, Avanill, son of …Atoren, did you say? Your feet have betrayed you."

The young man drew himself up and with his chin held high, quickly assessed his position.

“Do not contend with us, it would not be to your advantage, I assure you.” Amandur advised coldly. Then turning, he addressed the old ranger. “Let us escort him now to Elrohir and Elladan, and gather their counsel on where he might be kept until we might deal with him.”

“You speak well Amandur, but how shall we deal with him, for Tallas was highly esteemed by our brethren?” Rauthain sighed.

“And was quite brutally murdered.” Amandur added.

“Sadly yes. But as I was saying, there is not a wandering ranger in this land who would not wish to have Tallas avenged, myself among them,” Rauthain admitted. “So you see your life is forfeit Avanill, the rangers on one side and Naiore on the other. For even if you did not escape her company without leave, as I suspect you did, after your stay with us in Karningul, she will no longer trust her pawn, but will doubtless seek to sacrifice it at the earliest opportunity. I can truly say that I am glad I am not in your place.”

“I do not live life haunted by fear, nor do I choose to now,” the young man said proudly.
“Yet there are times when it is hard to lay such possibilities aside.”

“It is better to leave the matter to the elves or at least leave him for safe keeping until we return from our hunt, and can transport him together with Naiore to suffer the King’s judgment.” Amandur mused. “He will be quite safe here both from rangers and from escape, though I do not know if they might have room, for many orcs of rank were captured today.”

“He will just have to live alongside them in his captivity,” Rauthain said simply. “I see no other way.”

“But there is another way,” Avanill said, his eyes narrowing. “Perhaps I can show my worth by being of service in your endeavor.”

“What help can you be, except to provide a sharp knife when dispatching us in our sleep! We have enough to mind, without you on the trail.” Amandur said sheathing his sword. “No, I do not think we have use for you, nor will we strike a bargain.”

“Truly, my freedom would be profitable for you, for you will need to subdue this ravennor once you have caught her. And though you bind her with the strongest elven rope, you cannot constrain her mind,” he paused to gauge their expressions. “I have witnessed her talents sir, and what she is capable of. You would not stand for long against her, but would come to a point where you yourself would gladly cut her bonds and free her.”

This struck a chord in the old ranger, and he knew in his heart what the young man said would prove true given time. “But if we ask it of them, the elves would provide us with the assistance we require.” He replied, knowing full well that Imladris could ill afford to spare its guards to accompany them.

“It is a long way to Gondor, and ample opportunity for her to work her damage upon us. I had in mind certain preparations and compounds, the production of I have some mastery of. These would render her quite helpless.”

“Can not the elves furnish these things also?” Amandur said, dismissing the thought, “and at less risk to us.”

“Yes, they might have something akin to what I speak of, but I have in reserve some potent ingredients, even the elves would shun. Too strong or unstable, and some others too risky but still widely used in areas the elves do not tread,” he said with a sidelong glance at Amandur. “I have come by them only by chance and by my family’s close contacts. You will find them very effective drafts, found nowhere else in the west but on my person. They would dull the Ravennor’s mind such that she would walk in a dream, not able to focus her thoughts, but still she could walk. She could travel long distances without being bound. See here are my stores,” he said opening the satchel at his side, pulling out packets and unwrapping carefully stored vials. Then turning to Amandur he explained, “I would not mislead you in this, for my own life is at stake and perhaps more than that. But do not underestimate my value to you, for strength and armaments alone will not bring Naiore to face the King.”

“You may well be right, and you have thus far been of great assistance, but we also must consider that you might misrepresent your skills and loyalties. Not to forget also your part in the murder of our friend Tallas. But were we to agree, and you play us for the fool, as I live,” the old ranger declared, “my anger would lay heavy on you! And should you turn against us on the road, it would be my great satisfaction to chase you like a fox and repay you.”