The Golden Perch Inn

[Folwren]

The reaction of the ranger was admirable. “I will not allow you to speak thus – lease of all to one who is a protector of you and your kin in Bree.” How did he know where he was from? “For with the people in the north, you would have been harried by orcs and much else besides, I don’t doubt.” Ha! Extremely unlikely. Possibly they would deem it necessary to save the innocent people of the north from characters like him, but nobody needed to protect Ibin Grasserby. “You speak in scorn of someone you and I know not, and why do you do this? Simply because she is female? And yet I say to you that she has shown more bravery and honor by the age of five than you will show in your lifetime.” Ibin’s lip curved in a sneer, but the ranger ignored it. “The post of a Ranger is not a birthright, it must be earned and any with sense will never actively seek their anger. If your only words are those of poison, then hold your tongue, else I may see fit to remove it.”

A threat, by gum! Ibin reached under his coat and grasped his knife hilt, but then released it. No, there could be some fun here, and it wouldn’t do to kill anybody. Not when there were two of them, anyhow. He didn’t count the hobbits. He would hold his tongue and his patience for now and see if this ranger actually backed up his high and mighty words with deeds.

But instead of seeing if his challenge were answered, the ranger turned his back on Ibin and returned his attention to the woman. Ibin’s eyes stretched with disbelief. He was actually going to leave it at that? Expect Ibin to let it rest, did he?

“Now where were we?” the ranger asked the woman.

Ibin looked at her. Surely she wouldn’t answer. Surely she would know there was a fight brewing, and would seek to escape it, like most women would.

But she did. She provided them with a sad tale of mother and father wanting a boy and getting a girl instead. “I wanted to give my father the son he never had, which is why I became a ranger. There is no greater reason other than wanting to make my father, and my people, proud."

“Ha!” Ibin scoffed from behind Arandon. “I imagine he would have been prouder if his daughter had stayed in her place in the kitchen, rather than shaming him by taking the position of a man. I would have you know that most men don’t respect women who go traipsing about the countryside, endangering their honor and their reputation by pretending to be other than they really are.”

[Flame of Udûn]

Arandon listened to the tale of the young woman ever alert to the actions of the man behind him. He understood her reasons, for his sisters had wished to become Rangers they wished to .

Before he could spend do long in his memories the man once again piped up making another snide comment and Arandon turned his rage was uncontainable, but he did not draw his sword.

His tirade began calmly enough before rising to a crescendo where the full extent of his rage was sent upon the man as the waves of the see will crash upon the shore in a strorm. 'What do you know of life in the northern lands where the westernmost tendrils of Saurons forces come. None who live in the scattered settlements that are left within the once proud kingdom of Arnor are able to simply stay in the kitchen their lives become more important than honour. All must fight and many must die, as I know better than most.' His wrath cooled as the image of his sisters came back to his mind.

They had been wandering in the lands north of the Emyn Uial Arandon had been in the process of teaching them about the various herbs that they could find and make use of when a party of 15 orcs attacked them. He called his sisters to him and they fought the orcs off for a while but a wedge drove tem apart and both his sisters were killed, and the orcs joined them not long after.

He spoke again his voice a barely audible whisper 'It matters not whether they wish to become a Ranger or not the women who live in the north cannot live in the simple way you do. Does that mean they have no honour, that their reputations lie in tatters, perhaps it is so, but at least they shall be alive.'

Arandon did not turn this time, instead he stared straight into the eyes of the man with an intensity that few would have been able to withstand and he waited, ready to pull his sword should the need arise.

[xMellrynxMaidenx]

Aeron frowned deeply at the rude, outspoken man behind Arandon. Sad, her tale may have seemed to some, but it was one she was not seeking to receive any pity or sympathy from...or any unnecessary comments, for that matter. Aeron, though, was one who was not quick to anger, but she could not ignore this man any longer. She listened to Arandon, watching him while he stared at the man in behind him. She could not keep quiet though, for this time, she had something to say to the man.

"I would have you know, sir, that I could care less what men think of me and my lifestyle nor do I care if I've earned their respect." The man would have to accept and respect her for what she is before she reciprocates the same to him.


She scoffed at the man, clasping her hands in front of her once more. "I imagine he would have been prouder if his daughter had stayed in her place in the kitchen, rather than shaming him by taking the position of a man."

"A woman has just as much a right to fight and protect those she cares for as a man does. Some do not relish the fact of being caged like beasts doing cooking, sewing and other daily household duties," Aeron paused, turning fully to look at him, her head held high in defiance. "My father is not ashamed of me and what I do, he is proud of my dedication and honour to my people. I have shown the equivalent courage and valor to the Dunedain that a male Dunadan has, can you say the same for your kindred?"