Elendor
A Ranger's Fate Discussed
The rangers of the North have accused Rhifaroth of murder for his slaying of Asht.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Along the Hoarwell
Game Date: Sterday, 2nd Lithe
IC Time: Evening
Weather: Clear
Description: (The song, from the RP immediately prior to this one: Giliath's face is filled with grief, but as he has spoken, so he does. Silently getting to his feet, he moves towards the trees, and disappears into them. And after a minute, a man can be heard singing. The words cannot be understood, they are not Sindarin - if there are any words at all. And the song tells of great pain and of sorrow. A grief that cannot be spoken. Giliath might be singing for Rhifaroth but the feelings that come through the song are too immediate and personal to be only meant for another person. The elf's voice soars towards the heavens, full of power, and of tears, and finally, of acceptance.)
[Giliath(#9838)] The sun has set a little while ago, sliding down the edge of the blazing sky and falling into darkness. There are stars directly overhead, in a blue-ish purple sky, but to the west, over and through the trees, there is still light.
There is no one in the small camp who has not been able to hear Giliath's song he was not trying in any way to be quiet - but now the singing has stopped, and the night seems quiet. A few crickets chirp, a frog croaks somewhere. The elf stands, still as the night itself, between two trees on the edge of the camp.
Not far from the edge of the camp where Giliath now stands, Cordelia sits--and has been sitting for most of the day since Asht's death. She's on the ground, her knees pulled up, arms around her knees. And when Giliath's song began, she had dropped her head to her knees, not looking up. The song stops, though, and after a while she looks up--and then turns to look into the woods, looking right past the elf and not seeing him.
[Giliath(#9838)] Time passes. The sky darkens imperceptibly, and finally Giliath moves, taking a few steps towards Cordelia - though he doesn't look at her - and sitting down, with his back against a treetrunk. He tips his head back and looks up at the stars.
It might be hard to see an elf in the woods. But an elf walking toward you and then sitting down near you? Hard to miss. Cordelia's eyes follow Giliath, the girl staying silent a long time as the elf studies the stars. She looks up, too, once or twice. Then, "Why did you sing that song? It was...terribly sad."
[Giliath(#9838)] Perhaps the elf doesn't hear her question, though that might be hard to believe. Perhaps he simply will not answer. Either way, there is no response, Giliath remains unmoving and unblinking, looking up into the sky.
A small sigh, and Cordelia's gaze returns to the night sky again. But not for long, as she is human. And young. And nervous--it's in her voice. "What will they do to him?" she whispers, unable to take the silence. "Asht tried to kill him. He was itching to kill Rhifaroth," she continues, using the ranger's real name without pause. "Rhifaroth had every right to do what he did."
[Giliath(#9838)] The silence stretches on. It doesn't seem to bother Giliath at all, for he continues right on not speaking. Stars wheel overhead, years drift by...
"I have seen too many slain by greed and by fear," a quiet voice comes at last. "Too many who listened to the voice of one in the night..." Another lengthy silence. "It grieves me to see friend turned against friend even more than to see friends turn aside from the light. I sang to comfort my grief." Her last question and comment are let pass.
This time, Cordelia holds her silence, only shifting to settle back against a log so that she can lean against it. She lets Giliath take his time and then lets the night's silence linger on a long while after that.
When she speaks, her voice can barely be heard, some of the words lost, perhaps, except to the keenest of ears and then only those nearby. "There came a point when...they had us. When they knew I wouldn't torture Rhifaroth...I wanted to die. I had a knife. I almost did it....but...I'd promised...said I would get him out, even if I died. I couldn't..."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath lets the woman speak. After her last sentence dies away unfinished, he sits in silence for a while longer yet. Perhaps she wishes to continue the quiet may draw forth words that fester inside.
After a time, he gives her something in return. "When the flame and shadow came, I had not born a sword. I could do nothing to aid my people, save watch them die."
There's silence for a while--the young woman's breathing evens out, slowing to match the quiet of this place by the river at night. Then she breathes a sigh, frustrated. "I don't understand," Cordelia continues in that same barest hint of a whispered voice she used before. "He had something to live for. I offered--my knife, quick, ending it for him so that I could end it for me afterwards. But he said no. So I went on, hoping somehow for the nightmare to end. And then...now...this? Why? I'm...confused by it."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath glances over at her. "I do not know what you are asking," he says finally. "I am sorry."
But Cordelia shakes her head and stares out into the night, toward the fires of the camp. 'Why did you not have a sword? How did your people die? If...' Her brows crease...'forgive me, I shouldn't ask you that. Not after today and maybe not ever,' she corrects herself quietly.
Again, she lets the silence fall between them, until she whispers once more. "The rangers. Why do they treat Rhifaroth like a criminal? Perhaps ...it's something else I shouldn't ask you, but...your songs bring me peace or tears and..." She apologizes with a small shrug of one shoulder. "I...when we were both captive, I wanted to die. But I wouldn't use my knife to open my veins because Rhifaroth didn't want to die. He kept me alive by doing that...and here, his own kind...I don't understand why they have made him a criminal."
[Giliath(#9838)] "I tended grapes," Giliath says. He smiles a little, wryly. "Vintners do not generally need to go to war." Then he falls silent again before giving her the same answer he gave Keldean earlier. "I cannot speak to the motives of humans," he says quietly. "You must ask them..."
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
Speaking of Man, there is one who had walked silently along the Hoarwell before appearing inside the camp. Drawing his hood back, Nauthcel's visage becomes received in the starlight with his grey eyes appearing to shine as they scan the small area. Thus, do they come upon Giliath and Cordelia as they speak in quiet tones. As he walks towards them, he asks softly, "Has everything been quiet?"
"Wine." Cordelia giggles briefly, then deliberately cuts it off, swallowing hard. It might be more nerves than giggles. She takes a few breaths, eyes closed, then continues, but no longer whispering. "My sister is...."
The thought is cut off, Cordelia's eyes opening at Nauthcel's question. She doesn't answer at first--there's a long silence. "Asht is dead. The other ranger--not Strider, but the other man--has accused Seeker of murder." Switching back to Rhifaroth's nickname.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath merely nods. Quiet - yes. No orcs, no trolls. Quiet. Then his dark eyes turn back to Cordelia. "Your sister?" he asks.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
Nauthcel tilts his head slightly at the news with little expression showing on his face. His eyes then once again scan the area before returning to the woman. For the moment he does not ask another question seeming to have interrupted something.
"It's of no matter," Cordelia frowns. "I was going to apologize for her behavior. She is frightened of elves and I can't cure her of it, it seems. Our mother was suspicious of elves and put horrible stories into Liuni's head." She sighs, though. "I won't be able to keep my promise to her, though--I chose not to take us home. But...." she looks toward Nauthcel now, "why do your folk name Rhifaroth a criminal now?" Slipping into using the man's real name again.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Still seated with his legs drawn up, his bound hands and forarms laying over his knees, and his head down against his right upper arm, Rhifaroth has been still and quiet for the past few hours. Eventually he fell into a restless sleep. No one bothered him, not even for the evening meal.
Now the man stirs faintly, muscles in his arms tightening and his head shifting, but then he is still again, breathing a little rougher. Dreaming, most likely.
Not a very comfortable resting position, against the tree, but only his hands are bound.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
Nauthcel listens to the words of the woman before he says, "We do not take to murder lightly, especially when no cause is known." There is a pause in the speech of the Ranger and, as if guessing the next remark, he says, "For us, there is a different between defense and protection and needless violence. From where you are from, what would your people title him?" This question does not seem to be made in harsh tones but curiosity and intrigue.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath listens and at Nauthcel's comment, his question, the elf's eyes turn towards Cordelia. What will she say to this - the overt question and the implied one. There is no judgment in his eyes but perhaps he waits to weigh her by her choice.
Clearly, Cordelia is uncomfortable under this sudden attention, and she is slow to form a reply. "Asht...beat Rhifaroth. Mercilessly. Brutally. Daily, even, or so it seemed. Took delight in brutalizing the man. Waited for...gloated over..Rhifaroth's anticipated death." A shudder runs through her--she isn't able to stop it. "In our lands...even among my family...Rhifaroth would be justified in killing Asht. Justice...is a personal thing where I grew up," she answers softly.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
It is not a pleasant dream, what ever it is... the man they call Seeker makes a small noise, then jerks against the tree, raising his hands as though to protext his face. Then he blinks, disoriented for a breath. He is not blind folded, his hands are tied before him and not behind... and shifting his feet, he finds his boots are on and his legs unbound. There is no choking rope around his throat.
Slow, calm the rapid breath. Then a wary glance around but it's dark now. Rhifaroth shifts position to lay himself out on the ground and look up at the stars he can see up through the tree's leaves. He can hear Cordelia's voice off somewhere, not very close.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
"For us, the torturing of one does not justify the killing of another. In such a manner, vengence tends to rule to which there is only darkness. At times, it is mercy through justice that can be the greatest teacher," says Nauthcel in a calm tone. As he speaks, his eyes remain focused on Cordelia and, within their depths, there appears a flame of wisdom that burns from the passing of many years.
[Giliath(#9838)] The elf says nothing still, content to listen it seems but there is a shift in the tone of his attention. Cordelia has done something he approves of.
There is a rustle of leaves not far away, and a scrape of cloth against bark and ground. Giliath looks towards it, towards Rhifaroth, and quietly, so that only Cordelia and Nauthcel can hear, he asks the ranger, "Must he needs be bound? He will not run, nor quarrel with your judgments."
Nauthcel's words draw a look of bewilderment. "Mercy through justice?" she asks, still quiet. Again, she seems uncomfortable--unable to meet anyone's eyes for more than a brief glance before her own fall to the ground. "I...don't understand. What sort of mercy for Seeker, then? Or justice?" The question is asked in confusion and quiet, not as a challenge.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
He has tuned out the voices - they are just some abstract sounds in the background. Like the insects and summer frogs in the muggy night. The stars seem ... to dim and far away. The night is too hazy to see them well.
Rhifaroth has closed his eyes, so tired.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
As the question is quietly asked of him, Nauthcel turns towards Giliath and responds, "That is not a decision I can make nor should he be given any freer movement than that of others whom have done the same." Facing Cordelia, he answers his inquiry by saying, "For those who are honorable Men, such as I believe Rhifaroth is, the fact that he has killed another out of vengence shall stay with him for many years to come."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath's eyes meet the Ranger's. "Those who are honorable, and who swear of their own volition to be bound by honor as strong as by chain, may be set at liberty in the company of those who go with them," he points out. "I shall stand surety, he will not flee, if my word has value to you." His eyes flicker towards where Rhifaroth lies, eyes closed. "It is - cruel to leave him thus bound I have watched him. It takes his mind into his captivity again." And thus an elf pleads for one he has named friend no pleading in his voice or words, but an appeal to the same justice Nauthcel has named.
"Is that not enough, then?" COrdelia answers Nauthcel, her words also a plea. "If you say that he is honorable, if you believe this deed will haunt him...?" Her eyes close again, and she lowers her head to finish quietly once more. "You didn't live it...you don't know..he can't be himself...not now..not after that."
The sun appears over the mountains and throws some light on the dreary countryside.
[Caelwen(#24844)]
There is a slender, darker shadow knifed high above a hillock suddenly. The silhouette against the sky lowers again, descending the hill, approaching the camp through the bramble in quiet, but not absolute silence.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
The Ranger passes his gaze from one person to the other seeming to measure the validity of the words before making his own declaration. In thought-out words, he says, "An honorable man would wish to be given no exception to the rule. I believe Rhifaroth to be understanding of our ways for he has been among us for some time." He then goes silent though his eyes wander between Giliath and Cordelia.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
The voices keep intruding. The night insects are thankfully loud and there are a lot of frogs singing this close to the river, but every time the voices start up again after a lull, he hears them again. Must tune them out.
Rhifaroth hands are bound before him rather than behind this time, so he raises his arms to cover his face in the darkness, trying to rest, but restless.
[Aragorn(#19187)]
The approaching shadow is not alone, for a second figure likewise steals through the night. Troubled indeed is the brow of Strider as he steps into the light and his arrival is known, sea-grey eyes lit with flame as the firelight catches them. Aragorn offers Giliath and Nauthcel a nod of greeting as he approaches further, eye his gaze then strays to the bound figure of Rhifaroth.
There it lingers, though it does not seem best pleased.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath doesn't argue with Nauthcel. Instead, he stands, and turns away - only to find Aragorn approaching. And this time, he speaks in Sindarin to the Ranger coming near. "I have asked if the man need remain bound. He has bound himself in honor not to flee and I also will speak for him. Nauthcel says he cannot make this decision, so I ask it of you. He - " But he turns now to beckon to Cordelia. "Will you tell again what you have just said?" he asks. "Of Asht and.. your time together?"
(Question to Cordelia was said in Westron)
[Caelwen(#24844)]
A flash of white in the shadows, followed by a flare of bright copper. Caelwen's cloak has parted and her hair is near enough to reflect the firelight. She is quite near now to Rhifaroth, making as if to crouch down, but her face suddenly lifts as if startled. Sharp green eyes focus on Giliath.
Cordelia has said her part to try to plead for Rhifaroth--and now she draws her knees up, resting her head on her knees and not looking up even while Nauthcel speaks or at the sound of footsteps or at Giliath's voice. Asht, though--that name brings her head up, eyes toward Giliath, blinking as she slowly realizes the question is asked of her. She nods, her eyes on Giliath as she answers him very quietly, voice choking a little.
"He...beat Rhifaroth mercilessly. I would say daily but the days ran into each other and I can't remember. It was brutal, but he delighted in it, gloated in it. Wished for his death, wanted to bring it on one twisted torture at a time...."
Keldean was leaning against a tree, brooding over his own thoughts when a nap took him unexpectedly. The growing voices adding to the conversation is enough to rouse the youth from his sleep, and he covers a yawn, blinking sleepily in confusion. Something is going on and he struggles to shake the fuzziness from his head so that he can concentrate.
[Aragorn(#19187)]
"And who among us does not sympathise with such treatment?" says Aragorn then in reply to Cordelia, and if he understands Giliath's elven speech he shows not a trace of it indeed, his brow furrows in apparent confusion. But as the Dunadan looks over to Rhifaroth once more, nodding gently to the crouched figure of Caelwen, he sniffs and turns back to add:
"None deny the brutal, savage nature of Asht either. But if this talk is to discuss the fate of Seeker, then his torments at the hands of Asht are not all that is to be weighed."
He looks to Nauthcel, and asks: "What was done with the body?"
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
The midsummer night's sawing rhythm of cicada song mingled with other sounds has finally lulled the resting man to relax a little. Unaware of the others still speaking, Rhifaroth has tuned them out. But he still does not sleep though his breathing has eased.
Laying a small distance away from the others, at the edge of the camp, the bound man does not know that Caelwen lurks near by.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath looks at Aragorn, his grey eyes level, and as the man refuses his words, his face goes still. He watches the man for a moment longer, then turns away, moving silent as a shadow towards his wife - his path taking him past Rhifaroth, though he does not pause. He stops beside Caelwen, and puts out his hand to touch her shoulder.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
As Strider enters the camp, Nauthcel offers a nod of greeting. As Cordelia tells her story, he says, "All this I already know for I had followed your party since it departed from Bree. One could have only hoped that Orcs were the only ones to torture in such a way." It is then that he answers Aragorns question replying, "That I do not know for it was Grey who had witnessed that act." The Ranger then goes silent awaiting any other inquiries.
[<#24844>]
Caelwen straightens from near Rhifaroth, watching Giliath as he approaches, her eyes bright green and luminous even in the shadows. Her fingertips lift briefly to lie atop his on her shoulder. "(Sindarin) I don't understand," she whispers fluidly. "(Sindarin) I thought that you meant for us to save this man."
"You..." Cordelia turns, staring at Nauthcel, a look on her face as if she is putting a few events together. Her gaze just stays on the man.
Keldean has been listening quietly, staying out of things.. but suddenly Nauthcel says something that draws his attention. The boy looks over, stunned. "Why didn't you -do- anything..?" It's not accusing, or angry, or rude.. it's a nothing more than a quiet question of surprise.. his face looking hurt.
[Aragorn(#19187)]
Nauthcel's words seem to satify Aragorn, for he nods gravely and looses a soft sigh. "Grey will have taken care of the body, well enough--" he begins, but is cut off as Keldean speaks out. The Chieftain turns to face the younger man, and his manner turns even more grim than before. "When a man holds another man's life at the point of a dagger, it is best not to provoke him, Keldean. My friend Neal here has dealt with many an evil man in his time I trust his judgement more than most."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath takes her hand, "Wait," he says softly, then comes back towards Aragorn. And in westron this time, he says to the chieftain. "I do not ask that justice be ignored. Only that he not be left bound when he is a man of honor who will not seek to flee and when those bonds are a torment to him." His voice is quiet, undemanding. But perhaps it is a measure of his regard for Rhifaroth that he takes such time and effort on his behalf, when it hasn't been asked for.
Somewhere in the camp, closer to the fire, a young girl's voice calls Cordelia's name. As noone is questioning Cordelia any longer, she stands up and leaves the group to attend to her sister.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
Nauthcel attempts to respond to the remark of Keldean but can only give a silent nod of thanks to Aragorn to sufficiently follow his words. He then waits quietly for the Chieftain's response to the plea of the Eldar having already heard it in regards to his judgement.
[<#24844>]
Caelwen follows Giliath, her hand still linked to his, but her eyes trail behind, upon Rhifaroth. "(Sindarin) Why don't we take him away?" the Silvan maid asks the ancient elf next. "(Sindarin) We could move him well enough ourselves and then take him to his wife and children if they are still there. These other Secondborn can continue their arguments just as well with him gone I am sure."
Keldean looks away, crossing his arms and burying his chin in them.
[<#19187>]
As the elves speak behind the Edain, Aragorn turns to regard them, and with a gentle tilt of his head he makes to join the pair. He bows his head low as he arrives, and when he speaks it is for their ears alone:
"(Sindarin) Mellryn, I am afraid I cannot let you take this man from us. He is ours to deal with, even as he chose to make his home in our lands and live under our watch. It is a great shame that this has befallen him and his family, but I am told that this entire matter began when he was seen to have the friendship of the Eldar I am told some even went to visit his very house! Let us hope that the damage done has been fully revealed, and no further surprises lurk in the shadows of this brazen and careless folly."
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
With his arms throw up over his face, Rhifaroth is finally resting. As best he might, breathing a little roughly but oblivious to the voices now. He does not stir.
[Giliath(#9838)] Aragorn addresses his wife, and Giliath is silent - the man has answered her, so he does not need to. But his own question, put now three times, yet awaits reply - and so does he, waiting for the Ranger's leader to put thoughts to words.
[<#24844>]
Giliath's hand is clasped in both of Caelwen's suddenly as Aragorn nears and then speaks to her. Her chin ducks shyly toward her chest and she glances uncertainly toward her tall husband. "(Sindarin) I do not know these matters of which you speak," she answers hesitantly. "(Sindarin) But I know of his wife and I think that, considering how short their lives are, it is a shame for them to be apart. His babies..." these last two words are trailed off in a whisper as if, abashed, her voice has begun to be stolen away.
Another hesitant moment, and then she gathers herself to lift her head a bit and add, "(Sindarin) My husband is wiser than I. I think that he would speak to you." Eyes of new green lift again to Giliath.
[Keldean(#23332)] The conversation switches to elven and Keldean is lost. He lays back against the tree again, turning a bleak expression towards no one in particular. After a time his gaze finds Seeker and his brows narrow in anger.
[Aragorn(#19187)]
Aragorn looks to Caelwen then, and his brows arch in surprise. "Lady, if you ken the Common tongue, then I ask you please to use it.. the music of your speech eludes my understanding." Turning to Giliath, the Dunadan then sighs and nods. "He shall remain bound, friend, for he has proven that his hands can be little trusted. Either his wits are addled as yet by his torments, in which case he may be a danger to us all, or he chose to defy the will of the very Rangers who rescued him -- he likewise may not be allowed to do so again."
Aragorn looks at last down upon Rhifartoth, and while he sighs there is strength in his breath and he adds: "He suffered greatly, but less than those poor folk in the Village who lost their fellow? I think not, and Seeker's actions robbed them of the justice we owed them. Let us not speak of honour, noble Eldar, when so little of it has been found in recent days."
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
Nauthcel keeps his eyes on Strider as he speaks to the elves but, after a moment, turns to face Keldean. After a moment of thought, he asks the boy, "So why was it that you journeyed with this company? You would not choose to follow them if there was no purpose." The question is posted innocently but with curiosity.
Keldean turns his brown eyes to Nauthcel, the anger leaving his expression with some mental effort. "Asht was going to kill my family.. if I did anything." The teen answers quietly, giving the same answer he has several times before.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath bows his head, he will not ask again. But he does say yet one thing more, and this also, he has said before. "I would say, rather, that justice was given them. If any was robbed of justice, it was the man Asht." The name comes from his tongue as if it taste badly, and he moves one shoulder in what might be a shrug. "The ... deserving of life or death among the second born do not concern me but he was slain in haste with no one to speak for him." Not that anyone here has had anything to speak on the dead man's behalf.
A brief glance to Caelwen, and Giliath says, "She does not speak it, nor understand. If it displease you that she speaks thus, we will take our leave." And in swift Sindarin, he says to his wife, "He wishes that you would speak the common tongue of men I have told him you understand it not. There is little further we can do here, shall we go on to the festival, or wait yet a little while?"
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Stirring now, Rhifaroth turns onto his side, breathing rougher, dreams unpleasant again. But the man does not wake or speak. His hands work absently against his bonds for a moment, then give up, quieting. His face is partly burried in the leaf mold.
[<#24844>]
Caelwen seems to pull back a little, away from Aragorn as he speaks to her now. Now and again her eyes still to to Giliath as the Chieftan addresses her. "(Sindarin) I... what...?" she murmurs, then falls silent as Giliath begins to speak instead.
She spends a while looking up at her husband, eyes measuring something. "(Sindarin) I could speak the tongue of the Silvan elves instead, but no one would understand it, not even my wise husband who took the time to learn the common tongue." There is something of a jest in her voice, and then the slight smile fades. "(Sindarin) I do not mind if we miss the festival, as long as we are safe, Belegil-nin. I have seen many ********* and will see many more."
[Aragorn(#19187)]
Seemingly happy with the words between himself and Giliath, Aragorn nods in parting, though his smile is yet grim, and he returns to Nauthcel and Keldean. "When dawn comes, let us move anew. And when night falls once more after that, we shall decide the fate of Seeker. Until then, rest I pray you, and I shall scout ahead."
This said the Dunadan slips away to rejoin the starlit night.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath is silent, listening - or thinking. His head is yet bowed, and it seems he looks at the ground. But after Aragorn is gone into the night, he gives his wife a small smile, and moves with her back towards where Rhifaroth lays in uneasy slumber. There - near, yet not near - he finds a place where they two can sit in comfort, and he pulls his flute out one more time. There is little he can do: Rhifaroth wishes no aid, the rangers do not accept his word. But he can ease the man's rest, if nothing else, and softly, very softly, the silver music spills into the night. It can barely be heard beyond themselves, but perhaps it finds its way into the man's sleeping mind and soothes his dreams.
[Caelwen(#24844)]
Caelwen is seated not far from Giliath. Her hands are pressed to the ground as she leans back, eyes wide and reflecting the skies as his music quietly continues.
Keldean turns his attention to watch the elves when Neal has no response for him. He watches the two sitting together so peacefully and then glances towards Cordelia, a distinct expression of longing on his face. The youth is clearly miserable, but his unhappiness is nothing compared to what Rhifaroth likely suffers. Keldean returns his gaze to the bound man and that expression of anger returns, his feelings about how they're handling the death of Asht quite strong, even hours later.
Keldean waits until things seem to settle and the camp grows quiet, then he stands and steals over to sit down near the elves. He doesn't say anything at first, but after a time, asks, "What do you think Strider will decide? Tomorrow?"
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath lets his music die away, somehow making the interruption into a closing phrase - or at least a pausing phrase. And as courteously as if the young man were fully adult and a long friend and not interrupting at all, he says, "I do not know." He hesitates, then perhaps aware from previous conversations of some of the boy's frustration, says slowly, "From what they have spoken in my hearing, I think the gravest charge against him is that he killed out of vengeance, uncontrolled. But I do not know, and I cannot guess." A faint half-smile, apologetic. "The motives of the - of your kindreds are hard for me to grasp. Your lives are so short."
Keldean grows more at ease when Giliath takes the time to not only speak with him, but treat him with considerable patience and respect. The teen pushes some curls back from his face. "I still don't understand why his own people would treat him like that... " The teen gives up on speculating and asks on a new line of thought, "Are our people that different? How much longer do elves live?"
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath regards the boy for a long moment, then asks him a question. "Consider," he says, "If you found a beast, a great cat, perhaps, in the wild and brought it to live in your home. Would you not wish to know that it would not attack you or yours, even if ill or injured or provoked?"
The crooked smile grows a little greater, but he doesn't hesitate. "We do not die," he says quietly. "Unless we are slain... death is the gift of Eru to the children of Men. The second-born."
"That's not the same. Seeker is a person, and they're treating him like a criminal. They didn't say it was for safety, they said he's a murderer.." Keldean's innocent pretense fades when he firmly speaks his mind. "Seeker spoke sanely. I don't think he would try to hurt anyone else, and they took his sword." Keldean shakes his head, not agreeing.
It's a moment later that he realizes what Giliath said about age. ".. Wait.. not at -all-?" He stares at the elf, distracted that easily from his anger. "How old are you?"
[Giliath(#9838)] Patiently, Giliath tries again. "No, it is not the same. But it is similar... and it is a valid concern for them. They do not know him, perhaps, so well - and not understanding fully why he chose to kill, choose the safer course. It is well not to judge, without full knowledge." He waits a moment, then adds, "I also feel he would not harm another, but it is not my decision, nor can I say that they have acted wrongly. And," he points out, "He himself submits to their judgment - who are we to take that right from him?" But perhaps it is still too much for the youth. He lets the lesson pass for now, and meets Keldean's eyes. "In this body," he says, "I have lived only 768 of your 'years'."
"Seven hundred??" Keldean can't even begin to fathom that length of time, with only fourteen years of his own life to compare it against. Instead he mulls over Giliath's analysis of Seeker's new custody. "If.. they were worried that he isn't right in his head, they couldn't judge him for what he did to Asht. But.. if he's willingly submitting to their accusations.."
Keldean pauses, sorting his reasoning out, "Then, they have to see that he -is- thinking clearly, and should listen to what he says about Asht. I don't think they're really worried that he'll do anything. They're just angry at what he did."
[Giliath(#9838)] "Perhaps," Giliath says, unconcerned. "That is a great many 'ifs'. But have you thought of why they might be angry? And why does he submit?" He waits, nimble slender fingers holding the silver flute, while beside him his wife sits quiet, her green eyes flitting from Rhifaroth's sleeping figure, to Keldean's face, to her husband and back again.
"Strider thinks that the family and friends of the man that Asht killed should have gotten to judge him instead of Seeker. I understand -that-.. But I don't think it's fair that they treat him like a criminal. Even if Seeker did it out of anger, Asht deserved it." Keldean is quiet, considering the next question carefully, trying to give it an honest study. "Maybe he submits because he wants to prove that he knew what he was doing? He's taking responsibility for it. He's very serious about that.. " The teen trails off, thinking about talks Seeker has given him about owning up to his mistakes, and all the recent events.
[Giliath(#9838)] "Do they treat him as a criminal?" Giliath questions now, tilting his head. "His hands are bound, but he is not tied as Asht was." Whether the man deserved to be slain or not, he doesn't give an opinion on, though there is a memory of pain that shadows his dark eyes briefly.
He listens quietly as Keldean works his way through possible reasons for Rhifaroth's actions. "Then," he interjects, "should we not respect his desires? Accept the judgment of those he has chosen to submit himself to. To do otherwise is to deny his choices, and that is a bondage worse than a rope about the wrists."
Keldean realizes he's caught himself in a trap on that one, frowning deeply as his brows furrow. "What if he only agreed to keep some respect for himself? .. Rhi-.. Seeker gave his word that he wouldn't leave and that man he called Grey still refused to untie him. It's cruel to treat him like that after everything that's happened. They know that he won't try to escape." Keldean hesitates, then admits, "They don't even treat me or Cordelia that badly."
[Giliath(#9838)] "And if he has agreed in order to keep respect for himself," Giliath says gently, "Would you take it from him by saying he does not deserve the right to choose that?" A slight movement of his mouth might be another smile, but it is gone when he points out, "He is, perhaps, a little more - dangerous than you or Cordelia." The name takes on a strange flavor on his tongue. "You have not the skill nor experience with a blade."
Keldean makes a faint, sour expression at the elf's assessment of his skill, or lack thereof with weapons. "No.. I don't." The teen shakes his head, "He should have the right to choose, but they aren't giving him much of a choice. They're very quick to judge without hearing the whole story. I hit Asht... I was angry and he was taunting me, so I punched him. Just once. Then one of the rangers said I was -torturing- him."
[Giliath(#9838)] "Yes," Giliath points out, "But the choice /is/ his it is not ours. And if they error on the side of caution, who are we to say they are not wise in this?" A long steady look. "They will not find themselves captives, unknowing how they have arrived there, unable to leave... forced to do things they would not desire, from fear. Their families will not be threatened." The words are kind, but uncompromising. If Keldean had erred a little more in caution, he would not be here now and neither would Rhifaroth.
Keldean's posture immediately grows tighter when Giliath turns the logic onto him, the teen picking up on the comparison rather quickly. He tries to find a way to defend himself without bringing harm to Cordelia. "You can't always stand back and be cautious.. sometimes you need to decide who your friends are, and support them." He looks up, resolve in his expression.
[Giliath(#9838)] The elf nods. "Yes," he says, almost sadly. "You chose your friends and let them sweep you away, as a river sweeps a leaf. If you do not like where the river has led you, perhaps you might learn to be a rock. The waters part around it, yet are always there..." Can the child understand this? There is doubt in Giliath's eyes, doubt and sorrow, and he looks a Keldean with pity in his face, before lifting the flute to his lips once more. The murmur of flute-song drifts into the night again.
Keldean sits quietly, not responding. Giliath's music fills the air once more and the teen remains sitting nearby. After a great length of time he speaks, "If you're the rock.. your friends will all flow on and leave you behind.. alone." He gaze flicks towards Cordelia again, desire and his own doubts both showing in his expression. Then Keldean is climbing to his feet to find somewhere to sleep not so near to Rhifaroth. For all he said, he's away that the man could probably choke the life out of him even with his wrists bound.
[Giliath(#9838)] Around the music, or between it, or perhaps the pause is so minimal it barely registers - words follow Keldean quietly. "Or the water might circle around and form a pool. And the rock will stand in the center." That is all - and Giliath doesn't even look up to watch the boy leave.
[Giliath(#9838)] The sun has set a little while ago, sliding down the edge of the blazing sky and falling into darkness. There are stars directly overhead, in a blue-ish purple sky, but to the west, over and through the trees, there is still light.
There is no one in the small camp who has not been able to hear Giliath's song he was not trying in any way to be quiet - but now the singing has stopped, and the night seems quiet. A few crickets chirp, a frog croaks somewhere. The elf stands, still as the night itself, between two trees on the edge of the camp.
Not far from the edge of the camp where Giliath now stands, Cordelia sits--and has been sitting for most of the day since Asht's death. She's on the ground, her knees pulled up, arms around her knees. And when Giliath's song began, she had dropped her head to her knees, not looking up. The song stops, though, and after a while she looks up--and then turns to look into the woods, looking right past the elf and not seeing him.
[Giliath(#9838)] Time passes. The sky darkens imperceptibly, and finally Giliath moves, taking a few steps towards Cordelia - though he doesn't look at her - and sitting down, with his back against a treetrunk. He tips his head back and looks up at the stars.
It might be hard to see an elf in the woods. But an elf walking toward you and then sitting down near you? Hard to miss. Cordelia's eyes follow Giliath, the girl staying silent a long time as the elf studies the stars. She looks up, too, once or twice. Then, "Why did you sing that song? It was...terribly sad."
[Giliath(#9838)] Perhaps the elf doesn't hear her question, though that might be hard to believe. Perhaps he simply will not answer. Either way, there is no response, Giliath remains unmoving and unblinking, looking up into the sky.
A small sigh, and Cordelia's gaze returns to the night sky again. But not for long, as she is human. And young. And nervous--it's in her voice. "What will they do to him?" she whispers, unable to take the silence. "Asht tried to kill him. He was itching to kill Rhifaroth," she continues, using the ranger's real name without pause. "Rhifaroth had every right to do what he did."
[Giliath(#9838)] The silence stretches on. It doesn't seem to bother Giliath at all, for he continues right on not speaking. Stars wheel overhead, years drift by...
"I have seen too many slain by greed and by fear," a quiet voice comes at last. "Too many who listened to the voice of one in the night..." Another lengthy silence. "It grieves me to see friend turned against friend even more than to see friends turn aside from the light. I sang to comfort my grief." Her last question and comment are let pass.
This time, Cordelia holds her silence, only shifting to settle back against a log so that she can lean against it. She lets Giliath take his time and then lets the night's silence linger on a long while after that.
When she speaks, her voice can barely be heard, some of the words lost, perhaps, except to the keenest of ears and then only those nearby. "There came a point when...they had us. When they knew I wouldn't torture Rhifaroth...I wanted to die. I had a knife. I almost did it....but...I'd promised...said I would get him out, even if I died. I couldn't..."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath lets the woman speak. After her last sentence dies away unfinished, he sits in silence for a while longer yet. Perhaps she wishes to continue the quiet may draw forth words that fester inside.
After a time, he gives her something in return. "When the flame and shadow came, I had not born a sword. I could do nothing to aid my people, save watch them die."
There's silence for a while--the young woman's breathing evens out, slowing to match the quiet of this place by the river at night. Then she breathes a sigh, frustrated. "I don't understand," Cordelia continues in that same barest hint of a whispered voice she used before. "He had something to live for. I offered--my knife, quick, ending it for him so that I could end it for me afterwards. But he said no. So I went on, hoping somehow for the nightmare to end. And then...now...this? Why? I'm...confused by it."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath glances over at her. "I do not know what you are asking," he says finally. "I am sorry."
But Cordelia shakes her head and stares out into the night, toward the fires of the camp. 'Why did you not have a sword? How did your people die? If...' Her brows crease...'forgive me, I shouldn't ask you that. Not after today and maybe not ever,' she corrects herself quietly.
Again, she lets the silence fall between them, until she whispers once more. "The rangers. Why do they treat Rhifaroth like a criminal? Perhaps ...it's something else I shouldn't ask you, but...your songs bring me peace or tears and..." She apologizes with a small shrug of one shoulder. "I...when we were both captive, I wanted to die. But I wouldn't use my knife to open my veins because Rhifaroth didn't want to die. He kept me alive by doing that...and here, his own kind...I don't understand why they have made him a criminal."
[Giliath(#9838)] "I tended grapes," Giliath says. He smiles a little, wryly. "Vintners do not generally need to go to war." Then he falls silent again before giving her the same answer he gave Keldean earlier. "I cannot speak to the motives of humans," he says quietly. "You must ask them..."
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
Speaking of Man, there is one who had walked silently along the Hoarwell before appearing inside the camp. Drawing his hood back, Nauthcel's visage becomes received in the starlight with his grey eyes appearing to shine as they scan the small area. Thus, do they come upon Giliath and Cordelia as they speak in quiet tones. As he walks towards them, he asks softly, "Has everything been quiet?"
"Wine." Cordelia giggles briefly, then deliberately cuts it off, swallowing hard. It might be more nerves than giggles. She takes a few breaths, eyes closed, then continues, but no longer whispering. "My sister is...."
The thought is cut off, Cordelia's eyes opening at Nauthcel's question. She doesn't answer at first--there's a long silence. "Asht is dead. The other ranger--not Strider, but the other man--has accused Seeker of murder." Switching back to Rhifaroth's nickname.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath merely nods. Quiet - yes. No orcs, no trolls. Quiet. Then his dark eyes turn back to Cordelia. "Your sister?" he asks.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
Nauthcel tilts his head slightly at the news with little expression showing on his face. His eyes then once again scan the area before returning to the woman. For the moment he does not ask another question seeming to have interrupted something.
"It's of no matter," Cordelia frowns. "I was going to apologize for her behavior. She is frightened of elves and I can't cure her of it, it seems. Our mother was suspicious of elves and put horrible stories into Liuni's head." She sighs, though. "I won't be able to keep my promise to her, though--I chose not to take us home. But...." she looks toward Nauthcel now, "why do your folk name Rhifaroth a criminal now?" Slipping into using the man's real name again.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Still seated with his legs drawn up, his bound hands and forarms laying over his knees, and his head down against his right upper arm, Rhifaroth has been still and quiet for the past few hours. Eventually he fell into a restless sleep. No one bothered him, not even for the evening meal.
Now the man stirs faintly, muscles in his arms tightening and his head shifting, but then he is still again, breathing a little rougher. Dreaming, most likely.
Not a very comfortable resting position, against the tree, but only his hands are bound.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
Nauthcel listens to the words of the woman before he says, "We do not take to murder lightly, especially when no cause is known." There is a pause in the speech of the Ranger and, as if guessing the next remark, he says, "For us, there is a different between defense and protection and needless violence. From where you are from, what would your people title him?" This question does not seem to be made in harsh tones but curiosity and intrigue.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath listens and at Nauthcel's comment, his question, the elf's eyes turn towards Cordelia. What will she say to this - the overt question and the implied one. There is no judgment in his eyes but perhaps he waits to weigh her by her choice.
Clearly, Cordelia is uncomfortable under this sudden attention, and she is slow to form a reply. "Asht...beat Rhifaroth. Mercilessly. Brutally. Daily, even, or so it seemed. Took delight in brutalizing the man. Waited for...gloated over..Rhifaroth's anticipated death." A shudder runs through her--she isn't able to stop it. "In our lands...even among my family...Rhifaroth would be justified in killing Asht. Justice...is a personal thing where I grew up," she answers softly.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
It is not a pleasant dream, what ever it is... the man they call Seeker makes a small noise, then jerks against the tree, raising his hands as though to protext his face. Then he blinks, disoriented for a breath. He is not blind folded, his hands are tied before him and not behind... and shifting his feet, he finds his boots are on and his legs unbound. There is no choking rope around his throat.
Slow, calm the rapid breath. Then a wary glance around but it's dark now. Rhifaroth shifts position to lay himself out on the ground and look up at the stars he can see up through the tree's leaves. He can hear Cordelia's voice off somewhere, not very close.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
"For us, the torturing of one does not justify the killing of another. In such a manner, vengence tends to rule to which there is only darkness. At times, it is mercy through justice that can be the greatest teacher," says Nauthcel in a calm tone. As he speaks, his eyes remain focused on Cordelia and, within their depths, there appears a flame of wisdom that burns from the passing of many years.
[Giliath(#9838)] The elf says nothing still, content to listen it seems but there is a shift in the tone of his attention. Cordelia has done something he approves of.
There is a rustle of leaves not far away, and a scrape of cloth against bark and ground. Giliath looks towards it, towards Rhifaroth, and quietly, so that only Cordelia and Nauthcel can hear, he asks the ranger, "Must he needs be bound? He will not run, nor quarrel with your judgments."
Nauthcel's words draw a look of bewilderment. "Mercy through justice?" she asks, still quiet. Again, she seems uncomfortable--unable to meet anyone's eyes for more than a brief glance before her own fall to the ground. "I...don't understand. What sort of mercy for Seeker, then? Or justice?" The question is asked in confusion and quiet, not as a challenge.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
He has tuned out the voices - they are just some abstract sounds in the background. Like the insects and summer frogs in the muggy night. The stars seem ... to dim and far away. The night is too hazy to see them well.
Rhifaroth has closed his eyes, so tired.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
As the question is quietly asked of him, Nauthcel turns towards Giliath and responds, "That is not a decision I can make nor should he be given any freer movement than that of others whom have done the same." Facing Cordelia, he answers his inquiry by saying, "For those who are honorable Men, such as I believe Rhifaroth is, the fact that he has killed another out of vengence shall stay with him for many years to come."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath's eyes meet the Ranger's. "Those who are honorable, and who swear of their own volition to be bound by honor as strong as by chain, may be set at liberty in the company of those who go with them," he points out. "I shall stand surety, he will not flee, if my word has value to you." His eyes flicker towards where Rhifaroth lies, eyes closed. "It is - cruel to leave him thus bound I have watched him. It takes his mind into his captivity again." And thus an elf pleads for one he has named friend no pleading in his voice or words, but an appeal to the same justice Nauthcel has named.
"Is that not enough, then?" COrdelia answers Nauthcel, her words also a plea. "If you say that he is honorable, if you believe this deed will haunt him...?" Her eyes close again, and she lowers her head to finish quietly once more. "You didn't live it...you don't know..he can't be himself...not now..not after that."
The sun appears over the mountains and throws some light on the dreary countryside.
[Caelwen(#24844)]
There is a slender, darker shadow knifed high above a hillock suddenly. The silhouette against the sky lowers again, descending the hill, approaching the camp through the bramble in quiet, but not absolute silence.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
The Ranger passes his gaze from one person to the other seeming to measure the validity of the words before making his own declaration. In thought-out words, he says, "An honorable man would wish to be given no exception to the rule. I believe Rhifaroth to be understanding of our ways for he has been among us for some time." He then goes silent though his eyes wander between Giliath and Cordelia.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
The voices keep intruding. The night insects are thankfully loud and there are a lot of frogs singing this close to the river, but every time the voices start up again after a lull, he hears them again. Must tune them out.
Rhifaroth hands are bound before him rather than behind this time, so he raises his arms to cover his face in the darkness, trying to rest, but restless.
[Aragorn(#19187)]
The approaching shadow is not alone, for a second figure likewise steals through the night. Troubled indeed is the brow of Strider as he steps into the light and his arrival is known, sea-grey eyes lit with flame as the firelight catches them. Aragorn offers Giliath and Nauthcel a nod of greeting as he approaches further, eye his gaze then strays to the bound figure of Rhifaroth.
There it lingers, though it does not seem best pleased.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath doesn't argue with Nauthcel. Instead, he stands, and turns away - only to find Aragorn approaching. And this time, he speaks in Sindarin to the Ranger coming near. "I have asked if the man need remain bound. He has bound himself in honor not to flee and I also will speak for him. Nauthcel says he cannot make this decision, so I ask it of you. He - " But he turns now to beckon to Cordelia. "Will you tell again what you have just said?" he asks. "Of Asht and.. your time together?"
(Question to Cordelia was said in Westron)
[Caelwen(#24844)]
A flash of white in the shadows, followed by a flare of bright copper. Caelwen's cloak has parted and her hair is near enough to reflect the firelight. She is quite near now to Rhifaroth, making as if to crouch down, but her face suddenly lifts as if startled. Sharp green eyes focus on Giliath.
Cordelia has said her part to try to plead for Rhifaroth--and now she draws her knees up, resting her head on her knees and not looking up even while Nauthcel speaks or at the sound of footsteps or at Giliath's voice. Asht, though--that name brings her head up, eyes toward Giliath, blinking as she slowly realizes the question is asked of her. She nods, her eyes on Giliath as she answers him very quietly, voice choking a little.
"He...beat Rhifaroth mercilessly. I would say daily but the days ran into each other and I can't remember. It was brutal, but he delighted in it, gloated in it. Wished for his death, wanted to bring it on one twisted torture at a time...."
Keldean was leaning against a tree, brooding over his own thoughts when a nap took him unexpectedly. The growing voices adding to the conversation is enough to rouse the youth from his sleep, and he covers a yawn, blinking sleepily in confusion. Something is going on and he struggles to shake the fuzziness from his head so that he can concentrate.
[Aragorn(#19187)]
"And who among us does not sympathise with such treatment?" says Aragorn then in reply to Cordelia, and if he understands Giliath's elven speech he shows not a trace of it indeed, his brow furrows in apparent confusion. But as the Dunadan looks over to Rhifaroth once more, nodding gently to the crouched figure of Caelwen, he sniffs and turns back to add:
"None deny the brutal, savage nature of Asht either. But if this talk is to discuss the fate of Seeker, then his torments at the hands of Asht are not all that is to be weighed."
He looks to Nauthcel, and asks: "What was done with the body?"
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
The midsummer night's sawing rhythm of cicada song mingled with other sounds has finally lulled the resting man to relax a little. Unaware of the others still speaking, Rhifaroth has tuned them out. But he still does not sleep though his breathing has eased.
Laying a small distance away from the others, at the edge of the camp, the bound man does not know that Caelwen lurks near by.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath looks at Aragorn, his grey eyes level, and as the man refuses his words, his face goes still. He watches the man for a moment longer, then turns away, moving silent as a shadow towards his wife - his path taking him past Rhifaroth, though he does not pause. He stops beside Caelwen, and puts out his hand to touch her shoulder.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
As Strider enters the camp, Nauthcel offers a nod of greeting. As Cordelia tells her story, he says, "All this I already know for I had followed your party since it departed from Bree. One could have only hoped that Orcs were the only ones to torture in such a way." It is then that he answers Aragorns question replying, "That I do not know for it was Grey who had witnessed that act." The Ranger then goes silent awaiting any other inquiries.
[<#24844>]
Caelwen straightens from near Rhifaroth, watching Giliath as he approaches, her eyes bright green and luminous even in the shadows. Her fingertips lift briefly to lie atop his on her shoulder. "(Sindarin) I don't understand," she whispers fluidly. "(Sindarin) I thought that you meant for us to save this man."
"You..." Cordelia turns, staring at Nauthcel, a look on her face as if she is putting a few events together. Her gaze just stays on the man.
Keldean has been listening quietly, staying out of things.. but suddenly Nauthcel says something that draws his attention. The boy looks over, stunned. "Why didn't you -do- anything..?" It's not accusing, or angry, or rude.. it's a nothing more than a quiet question of surprise.. his face looking hurt.
[Aragorn(#19187)]
Nauthcel's words seem to satify Aragorn, for he nods gravely and looses a soft sigh. "Grey will have taken care of the body, well enough--" he begins, but is cut off as Keldean speaks out. The Chieftain turns to face the younger man, and his manner turns even more grim than before. "When a man holds another man's life at the point of a dagger, it is best not to provoke him, Keldean. My friend Neal here has dealt with many an evil man in his time I trust his judgement more than most."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath takes her hand, "Wait," he says softly, then comes back towards Aragorn. And in westron this time, he says to the chieftain. "I do not ask that justice be ignored. Only that he not be left bound when he is a man of honor who will not seek to flee and when those bonds are a torment to him." His voice is quiet, undemanding. But perhaps it is a measure of his regard for Rhifaroth that he takes such time and effort on his behalf, when it hasn't been asked for.
Somewhere in the camp, closer to the fire, a young girl's voice calls Cordelia's name. As noone is questioning Cordelia any longer, she stands up and leaves the group to attend to her sister.
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
Nauthcel attempts to respond to the remark of Keldean but can only give a silent nod of thanks to Aragorn to sufficiently follow his words. He then waits quietly for the Chieftain's response to the plea of the Eldar having already heard it in regards to his judgement.
[<#24844>]
Caelwen follows Giliath, her hand still linked to his, but her eyes trail behind, upon Rhifaroth. "(Sindarin) Why don't we take him away?" the Silvan maid asks the ancient elf next. "(Sindarin) We could move him well enough ourselves and then take him to his wife and children if they are still there. These other Secondborn can continue their arguments just as well with him gone I am sure."
Keldean looks away, crossing his arms and burying his chin in them.
[<#19187>]
As the elves speak behind the Edain, Aragorn turns to regard them, and with a gentle tilt of his head he makes to join the pair. He bows his head low as he arrives, and when he speaks it is for their ears alone:
"(Sindarin) Mellryn, I am afraid I cannot let you take this man from us. He is ours to deal with, even as he chose to make his home in our lands and live under our watch. It is a great shame that this has befallen him and his family, but I am told that this entire matter began when he was seen to have the friendship of the Eldar I am told some even went to visit his very house! Let us hope that the damage done has been fully revealed, and no further surprises lurk in the shadows of this brazen and careless folly."
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
With his arms throw up over his face, Rhifaroth is finally resting. As best he might, breathing a little roughly but oblivious to the voices now. He does not stir.
[Giliath(#9838)] Aragorn addresses his wife, and Giliath is silent - the man has answered her, so he does not need to. But his own question, put now three times, yet awaits reply - and so does he, waiting for the Ranger's leader to put thoughts to words.
[<#24844>]
Giliath's hand is clasped in both of Caelwen's suddenly as Aragorn nears and then speaks to her. Her chin ducks shyly toward her chest and she glances uncertainly toward her tall husband. "(Sindarin) I do not know these matters of which you speak," she answers hesitantly. "(Sindarin) But I know of his wife and I think that, considering how short their lives are, it is a shame for them to be apart. His babies..." these last two words are trailed off in a whisper as if, abashed, her voice has begun to be stolen away.
Another hesitant moment, and then she gathers herself to lift her head a bit and add, "(Sindarin) My husband is wiser than I. I think that he would speak to you." Eyes of new green lift again to Giliath.
[Keldean(#23332)] The conversation switches to elven and Keldean is lost. He lays back against the tree again, turning a bleak expression towards no one in particular. After a time his gaze finds Seeker and his brows narrow in anger.
[Aragorn(#19187)]
Aragorn looks to Caelwen then, and his brows arch in surprise. "Lady, if you ken the Common tongue, then I ask you please to use it.. the music of your speech eludes my understanding." Turning to Giliath, the Dunadan then sighs and nods. "He shall remain bound, friend, for he has proven that his hands can be little trusted. Either his wits are addled as yet by his torments, in which case he may be a danger to us all, or he chose to defy the will of the very Rangers who rescued him -- he likewise may not be allowed to do so again."
Aragorn looks at last down upon Rhifartoth, and while he sighs there is strength in his breath and he adds: "He suffered greatly, but less than those poor folk in the Village who lost their fellow? I think not, and Seeker's actions robbed them of the justice we owed them. Let us not speak of honour, noble Eldar, when so little of it has been found in recent days."
[Nauthcel(#19666)]
Nauthcel keeps his eyes on Strider as he speaks to the elves but, after a moment, turns to face Keldean. After a moment of thought, he asks the boy, "So why was it that you journeyed with this company? You would not choose to follow them if there was no purpose." The question is posted innocently but with curiosity.
Keldean turns his brown eyes to Nauthcel, the anger leaving his expression with some mental effort. "Asht was going to kill my family.. if I did anything." The teen answers quietly, giving the same answer he has several times before.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath bows his head, he will not ask again. But he does say yet one thing more, and this also, he has said before. "I would say, rather, that justice was given them. If any was robbed of justice, it was the man Asht." The name comes from his tongue as if it taste badly, and he moves one shoulder in what might be a shrug. "The ... deserving of life or death among the second born do not concern me but he was slain in haste with no one to speak for him." Not that anyone here has had anything to speak on the dead man's behalf.
A brief glance to Caelwen, and Giliath says, "She does not speak it, nor understand. If it displease you that she speaks thus, we will take our leave." And in swift Sindarin, he says to his wife, "He wishes that you would speak the common tongue of men I have told him you understand it not. There is little further we can do here, shall we go on to the festival, or wait yet a little while?"
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Stirring now, Rhifaroth turns onto his side, breathing rougher, dreams unpleasant again. But the man does not wake or speak. His hands work absently against his bonds for a moment, then give up, quieting. His face is partly burried in the leaf mold.
[<#24844>]
Caelwen seems to pull back a little, away from Aragorn as he speaks to her now. Now and again her eyes still to to Giliath as the Chieftan addresses her. "(Sindarin) I... what...?" she murmurs, then falls silent as Giliath begins to speak instead.
She spends a while looking up at her husband, eyes measuring something. "(Sindarin) I could speak the tongue of the Silvan elves instead, but no one would understand it, not even my wise husband who took the time to learn the common tongue." There is something of a jest in her voice, and then the slight smile fades. "(Sindarin) I do not mind if we miss the festival, as long as we are safe, Belegil-nin. I have seen many ********* and will see many more."
[Aragorn(#19187)]
Seemingly happy with the words between himself and Giliath, Aragorn nods in parting, though his smile is yet grim, and he returns to Nauthcel and Keldean. "When dawn comes, let us move anew. And when night falls once more after that, we shall decide the fate of Seeker. Until then, rest I pray you, and I shall scout ahead."
This said the Dunadan slips away to rejoin the starlit night.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath is silent, listening - or thinking. His head is yet bowed, and it seems he looks at the ground. But after Aragorn is gone into the night, he gives his wife a small smile, and moves with her back towards where Rhifaroth lays in uneasy slumber. There - near, yet not near - he finds a place where they two can sit in comfort, and he pulls his flute out one more time. There is little he can do: Rhifaroth wishes no aid, the rangers do not accept his word. But he can ease the man's rest, if nothing else, and softly, very softly, the silver music spills into the night. It can barely be heard beyond themselves, but perhaps it finds its way into the man's sleeping mind and soothes his dreams.
[Caelwen(#24844)]
Caelwen is seated not far from Giliath. Her hands are pressed to the ground as she leans back, eyes wide and reflecting the skies as his music quietly continues.
Keldean turns his attention to watch the elves when Neal has no response for him. He watches the two sitting together so peacefully and then glances towards Cordelia, a distinct expression of longing on his face. The youth is clearly miserable, but his unhappiness is nothing compared to what Rhifaroth likely suffers. Keldean returns his gaze to the bound man and that expression of anger returns, his feelings about how they're handling the death of Asht quite strong, even hours later.
Keldean waits until things seem to settle and the camp grows quiet, then he stands and steals over to sit down near the elves. He doesn't say anything at first, but after a time, asks, "What do you think Strider will decide? Tomorrow?"
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath lets his music die away, somehow making the interruption into a closing phrase - or at least a pausing phrase. And as courteously as if the young man were fully adult and a long friend and not interrupting at all, he says, "I do not know." He hesitates, then perhaps aware from previous conversations of some of the boy's frustration, says slowly, "From what they have spoken in my hearing, I think the gravest charge against him is that he killed out of vengeance, uncontrolled. But I do not know, and I cannot guess." A faint half-smile, apologetic. "The motives of the - of your kindreds are hard for me to grasp. Your lives are so short."
Keldean grows more at ease when Giliath takes the time to not only speak with him, but treat him with considerable patience and respect. The teen pushes some curls back from his face. "I still don't understand why his own people would treat him like that... " The teen gives up on speculating and asks on a new line of thought, "Are our people that different? How much longer do elves live?"
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath regards the boy for a long moment, then asks him a question. "Consider," he says, "If you found a beast, a great cat, perhaps, in the wild and brought it to live in your home. Would you not wish to know that it would not attack you or yours, even if ill or injured or provoked?"
The crooked smile grows a little greater, but he doesn't hesitate. "We do not die," he says quietly. "Unless we are slain... death is the gift of Eru to the children of Men. The second-born."
"That's not the same. Seeker is a person, and they're treating him like a criminal. They didn't say it was for safety, they said he's a murderer.." Keldean's innocent pretense fades when he firmly speaks his mind. "Seeker spoke sanely. I don't think he would try to hurt anyone else, and they took his sword." Keldean shakes his head, not agreeing.
It's a moment later that he realizes what Giliath said about age. ".. Wait.. not at -all-?" He stares at the elf, distracted that easily from his anger. "How old are you?"
[Giliath(#9838)] Patiently, Giliath tries again. "No, it is not the same. But it is similar... and it is a valid concern for them. They do not know him, perhaps, so well - and not understanding fully why he chose to kill, choose the safer course. It is well not to judge, without full knowledge." He waits a moment, then adds, "I also feel he would not harm another, but it is not my decision, nor can I say that they have acted wrongly. And," he points out, "He himself submits to their judgment - who are we to take that right from him?" But perhaps it is still too much for the youth. He lets the lesson pass for now, and meets Keldean's eyes. "In this body," he says, "I have lived only 768 of your 'years'."
"Seven hundred??" Keldean can't even begin to fathom that length of time, with only fourteen years of his own life to compare it against. Instead he mulls over Giliath's analysis of Seeker's new custody. "If.. they were worried that he isn't right in his head, they couldn't judge him for what he did to Asht. But.. if he's willingly submitting to their accusations.."
Keldean pauses, sorting his reasoning out, "Then, they have to see that he -is- thinking clearly, and should listen to what he says about Asht. I don't think they're really worried that he'll do anything. They're just angry at what he did."
[Giliath(#9838)] "Perhaps," Giliath says, unconcerned. "That is a great many 'ifs'. But have you thought of why they might be angry? And why does he submit?" He waits, nimble slender fingers holding the silver flute, while beside him his wife sits quiet, her green eyes flitting from Rhifaroth's sleeping figure, to Keldean's face, to her husband and back again.
"Strider thinks that the family and friends of the man that Asht killed should have gotten to judge him instead of Seeker. I understand -that-.. But I don't think it's fair that they treat him like a criminal. Even if Seeker did it out of anger, Asht deserved it." Keldean is quiet, considering the next question carefully, trying to give it an honest study. "Maybe he submits because he wants to prove that he knew what he was doing? He's taking responsibility for it. He's very serious about that.. " The teen trails off, thinking about talks Seeker has given him about owning up to his mistakes, and all the recent events.
[Giliath(#9838)] "Do they treat him as a criminal?" Giliath questions now, tilting his head. "His hands are bound, but he is not tied as Asht was." Whether the man deserved to be slain or not, he doesn't give an opinion on, though there is a memory of pain that shadows his dark eyes briefly.
He listens quietly as Keldean works his way through possible reasons for Rhifaroth's actions. "Then," he interjects, "should we not respect his desires? Accept the judgment of those he has chosen to submit himself to. To do otherwise is to deny his choices, and that is a bondage worse than a rope about the wrists."
Keldean realizes he's caught himself in a trap on that one, frowning deeply as his brows furrow. "What if he only agreed to keep some respect for himself? .. Rhi-.. Seeker gave his word that he wouldn't leave and that man he called Grey still refused to untie him. It's cruel to treat him like that after everything that's happened. They know that he won't try to escape." Keldean hesitates, then admits, "They don't even treat me or Cordelia that badly."
[Giliath(#9838)] "And if he has agreed in order to keep respect for himself," Giliath says gently, "Would you take it from him by saying he does not deserve the right to choose that?" A slight movement of his mouth might be another smile, but it is gone when he points out, "He is, perhaps, a little more - dangerous than you or Cordelia." The name takes on a strange flavor on his tongue. "You have not the skill nor experience with a blade."
Keldean makes a faint, sour expression at the elf's assessment of his skill, or lack thereof with weapons. "No.. I don't." The teen shakes his head, "He should have the right to choose, but they aren't giving him much of a choice. They're very quick to judge without hearing the whole story. I hit Asht... I was angry and he was taunting me, so I punched him. Just once. Then one of the rangers said I was -torturing- him."
[Giliath(#9838)] "Yes," Giliath points out, "But the choice /is/ his it is not ours. And if they error on the side of caution, who are we to say they are not wise in this?" A long steady look. "They will not find themselves captives, unknowing how they have arrived there, unable to leave... forced to do things they would not desire, from fear. Their families will not be threatened." The words are kind, but uncompromising. If Keldean had erred a little more in caution, he would not be here now and neither would Rhifaroth.
Keldean's posture immediately grows tighter when Giliath turns the logic onto him, the teen picking up on the comparison rather quickly. He tries to find a way to defend himself without bringing harm to Cordelia. "You can't always stand back and be cautious.. sometimes you need to decide who your friends are, and support them." He looks up, resolve in his expression.
[Giliath(#9838)] The elf nods. "Yes," he says, almost sadly. "You chose your friends and let them sweep you away, as a river sweeps a leaf. If you do not like where the river has led you, perhaps you might learn to be a rock. The waters part around it, yet are always there..." Can the child understand this? There is doubt in Giliath's eyes, doubt and sorrow, and he looks a Keldean with pity in his face, before lifting the flute to his lips once more. The murmur of flute-song drifts into the night again.
Keldean sits quietly, not responding. Giliath's music fills the air once more and the teen remains sitting nearby. After a great length of time he speaks, "If you're the rock.. your friends will all flow on and leave you behind.. alone." He gaze flicks towards Cordelia again, desire and his own doubts both showing in his expression. Then Keldean is climbing to his feet to find somewhere to sleep not so near to Rhifaroth. For all he said, he's away that the man could probably choke the life out of him even with his wrists bound.
[Giliath(#9838)] Around the music, or between it, or perhaps the pause is so minimal it barely registers - words follow Keldean quietly. "Or the water might circle around and form a pool. And the rock will stand in the center." That is all - and Giliath doesn't even look up to watch the boy leave.
Players: Giliath, Cordelia, Nauthcel, Rhifaroth, Aragorn, Caelwen, Keldean
