Elendor
After Asht's Death
Keldean speaks with Giliath on justice, Henleg informs Rhifaroth of his crime.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: At the Angle
IC Time: Late Afternoon
Weather: Hot and Muggy
Description: [Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Giliath's soothing, gentle flute music rises up through the camp, up through the trees to the heavens above. It is a strange counter point to the scene of bloodshed that just occured.
But if the strange elvish music has any calming effect on anyone, it perhaps sooths one troubled soul. The man called 'Seeker' quiets his breathing. If the Rangers ignore him for now, sleep perhaps claims the man. And for a change, a more restful sleep free of choking nightmares.
[Cordelia(#1394)] Through this, Cordelia has remained impassive and motionless, though horror is on her face and in her eyes. Slowly, as Asht dies and Rhifaroth is tied up, she sinks to her knees, still staring. It's not until Giliath begins his music that her hands move to cover her face and her shoulders shake as she cries silently.
Keldean is off alone for a while, or at least, seemingly alone. There's always rangers lurking about. Unseen, shadowy, sneaksy. When he walks back into the camp, his eyes involuntarily go to the place where Asht fell dead upon the ground, the dark stain still there. The teen suppresses a shudder and looks away quickly. He moves to sit against a tree that's well away from Seeker or the cooking fire.
[Giliath(#9838)] The music, soft, insidious, winds through the air and Giliath's face softens as he plays, his eyes half-shut. The hardness, the stone, recedes and even as Rhifaroth falls into sleep, the elf seems to find peace.
Cordelia has removed herself to the edge of the camp, face pale and streaked with tears. She keeps to herself, and seems to be crying every now and then.
Keldean watches Giliath, trying to understand the elf, not sure how he can play music at a time like this. The teen has a faint pallor from his recent sickness, but otherwise seems to be recovering from the event.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath continues playing, unconcerned for Keldean's approval or disapproval - or lack of understanding. The music changes a little though instead of being a simple melody, peaceful and calm, it begins to dance. There is joy, and light. The peace is yet there the slaying of Asht has not been forgotten or ignored, but joy is greater and will prevail. So says the flute.
Keldean is too wrapped up in repeated images of the sword going into the man to be completely swayed by the song. "Why are you doing that?" The teen asks finally after moving closer to Giliath.
[Giliath(#9838)] There is no pause. Perhaps Giliath is ignoring the boy. The music soars high above the forest, into the blue sky overhead, where the distant unseen stars hang - uncaring of anything happening on the sordid earth below. Finally, though, the elf lowers his flute and looks at Keldean. "Doing what?" he asks.
"It's a happy song.. but the rangers tied up Seeker, so they can't be happy about what he just did.." Keldean sounds uncertain of this, but the entire situation is confusing. "Why would they be upset by it? Asht hurt Seeker more than anyone."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath was holding his flute, in preparation to lifting it to his lips again, but at the boy's question, he lowers it to his lap and considers. "I was playing," he says at last, "To remind myself that all in the world is not death and pain." He pauses, his gaze on the trees beyond them. "I cannot speak for the motives of humans. Perhaps they do not know why he wished to kill that one, or who else he might desire to give death to." Silence and then a glance at Keldean's final words. "Did he?" The elf's eyes are intent now, more so than before.
Keldean keeps gravitating towards the elf because he seems to be the only one willing to be patient and give the teen a chance to speak. "Asht tortured him. He kept a rope around his neck and strangled him, and he hit him a lot. So did Addie." He looks away from that intent gaze, troubled. "They starved him and barely gave him any water. Cordelia was the only one that checked on him and took care of his wounds and Asht kept threatening her for that.."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath is silent as he listens, his eyes darkening with sorrow at the recital. He is quiet now, waiting to see if Keldean wishes to say anything more.
"What would the elves do..? About all of this?" Keldean asks, looking up at Giliath again, finally. His brown eyes are searching, hopeful for some more of the honesty that the elven man has shown before.
[Giliath(#9838)] Before he answers, Giliath asks his own question. "Asht ... tortured Rhifaroth. Cordelia attempted to care for him." His dark grave eyes turn to the youth. "What did you do?"
Keldean puts his head down again, sorting through all the lies and truths for the right answer. What did he do? The memories are all beginning to blur as the days pass. "I.. did what they told me to. Asht only kept me alive because I was useful.. so .. I stayed out of his way and did what he said. He said if I tried anything he wouldn't just kill me, but my family too."
The youth drags his fingers along the ground, tearing up a bit of earth. "I'm a coward. That's what everyone says, here. But, my sister is in Bree and I didn't want her to get hurt if Asht found out. So I did what he wanted."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath listens, neither condemnation nor approval in his face. "There are many different kinds of bravery," he says finally, when the boy is finished. "You must look inside yourself for your courage."
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
The evening air is only a little cooler but at least the sun's intensity is now bedding down for the coming night. Humidity this close to the river is high, promising likely a mist to rise over the land in the low places, and little air movement. Still, evening insect sounds have begun and frogs can be heard singing in the river.
An beautiful white egret wings overhead low, searching for a place along the river to bed down for the night.
Beside Giliath, left undisturbed since the bloody incident earlier, Rhifaroth lays still resting after the day's exertions - and the elf's soothing flute music earlier. Low voices now take the place of music.
The bound man's eyes have slitted barely open but Rhifaroth hasn't moved or noticiable shifted his restful breathing.
Keldean frowns, seeking guidance of a more concrete nature than the elf is giving him. "You didn't answer my question.." The teen points out, not noticing that the ranger next to them is waking. "What would the elves do?"
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath's eyes drop to Rhifaroth where he lies, then lift to the boy. "I have not answered because I do not know if I can give you an answer," he says slowly. "If I were in your position, I would not have done as you did, but I am not you." The hot afternoon sun beats down, and the shadows beneath the trees shift slowly.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Slowly, Rhifaroth's eyes open slightly more and his breathing shifts. The man though is barely awake. Moving a little, he dimly realizes that his hands are bound again, for his movement is aborted and he lays still.
Slowly, he is becoming aware of voices, the heat, the ground beneath him.
Keldean presses the dislodged dirt back into place. "You would have just let him kill you?" He looks up at the elf, brown eyes on Giliath's smooth visage.
[Henleg(#20696)] One of the Rangers of the North comes towards the camp, a grey cloak covering his body, a grey cowl hiding his features. Yet this Rangers is known to almost all present, be it Breefolk or Firstborn: this is Henleg, to those of the Fair People, or Grey to the people of Bree. His long legs carry him swiftly, as is usually his wont, and soon his throws back his cowl as he nears the small gathering. "A good eve", he says, even if his tone is a bit grim, while he nods to Giliath and Keldean. His eyes move then to Rhifaroth, and his face hardens, even if no other words are uttered by the tall Ranger, at least for the time being.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath shakes his head, and a small smile curves his lips. "I would not," he says. "But you must see that I could much more easily defend myself than you could. You cannot judge yourself by my actions, for you have not my skill or experience." Or age, he does not say. "But neither would I have let myself be in such a position - of aiding one with such ... unsavory desires." The elf glances up in time to catch the change of Henleg's face as he looks at Rhifaroth, and he lifts an eyebrow.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
It is so easy to be sleepy in the heat of the day. Especially if one has healing wounds and still recovering from a bout of near starvation and dehydration. So for a few minutes, Rhifaroth lays still, dimly listening to sort out whose voices he hears. His eyes for the moment have drifted closed again.
But then, as though a habbit developed over past weeks, the prone man begins to shift his hands very slightly, edging them against the bindings. Scabs around his wrists and upon his hands indicate the possibility of past ecapes from rope bonds in the past weeks.
It's easier for him to talk with Giliath. The elf doesn't seem to be judging him, or offering anything more than an objective few of it. "It w-.. " Keldean starts to speak, then cuts off when he realizes what he almost said. Henleg approaches, providing a good distraction from his near slip and he looks up at the man with the same wary expression he has around Strider. The youth doesn't trust the rangers.
[Henleg(#20696)] Henleg moves towards Rhifaroth, and kneels before the man. "Are you awake?", he asks, as he looks straight at his face, yet at a respectable distance, so that Rhifaroth may not use his head to butt him... if such a thing was to be expected. Clearly, a life in the Wild has shown this Ranger not to be too trusty of people.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Is that a voice he knows? Someone is close to him. Rhifaroth does open his eyes and focuses upon the man hunched near to him. Almost the bound man looks surprised at whom he sees, and frowns a little, "Grey?" Rhifaroth's voice is rough, his throat damaged.
The man swallows and then licks his lips, looking as though he would ask a question. But he does not. Instead, Rhifaroth studies Grey's face.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath watches the rangers for a minute, then returns his attention to the boy. "Yes?" he says, curiously.
Keldean shakes his head, "It's nothing.." He murmurs, and pushes himself to his feet, his gaze constantly flicking towards the rangers. It's obvious that the boy had more to say, but whatever it was is something he doesn't want to share with his involuntary guardians. "I should move.." And already the teen is easing back away from Seeker.
[Henleg(#20696)] Henleg nods to the bound man, and then goes to check Rhifaroth's hands, to make sure they're still bound. No word is uttered by the Dunadan, and his face is grave, even grim as he goes about this task.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath moves his gaze from the boy to the rangers, and there is sadness in his face as he watches them. But as Keldean backs away, the elf's eyes return to the boy. And after a minute's pause, he rises and walks with the youth. Or at least - walks towards an area of the camp that is far enough from anyone who might listen and if he wishes, Keldean might continue there with him.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
As Grey's hands move to check his bindings, Rhifaroth shifts an elbow and his legs as though to get himself levered to sit up. He looks around then turns his attention to his own hands as he realizes that Henleg is not untying him. Rhifaroth frowns, eyes flicking back to the other man's face.
"Why -" but even as he finally tries to speak, the bound man closes his mouth. Anger maybe makes his own face harden a little but he does not resist Grey's effor to make sure his bindings are secure.
Keldean realizes Giliath is following him and wipes some sweat from his brow, starting to worry that he may have talked himself into a corner. He lowers his voice.. "Can I trust you?.. Strider said not to associate with elves, but wouldn't say why." So many conflicting messages, it's no wonder the teen is so confused. There's an elf freely in the camp, after all, and that directly contradicts with what the ranger said.
[Henleg(#20696)] "I have no sympathy for murderers', is Henleg's reply to Rhifaroth's unfinished question. Even if his face is grim, he tries his best not to put much more discomfort to the bound man. The boy's reaction seems not be seen by the Ranger, and even his words seem not to get to his ears, as with stony mien he finishes to check Rhifaroth's bindings.
[Giliath(#9838)] The elf turns so that he is facing Henleg and Rhifaroth and can watch them, and the same sadness darkens his eyes as he looks at them. To Keldean, he says, "I cannot tell you that, either." There is compassion in his voice now. "You must choose for yourself. I can tell you that I will not lie to you." Now his eyes glance to the boy, then return to the rangers.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Shock shows upon Rhifaroth's face, "Murder?!" He blurts in surprise. His breathing jumps up, "You have no ..." the bound Dunadan stops, swallows against the constriction in his damaged throat, trying to clear it to speak less roughly, "Idea. -That- was a murder, and worse." Anger is now clear in his words but Rhifaroth keeps his voice down, gaze locked upon Grey.
[Henleg(#20696)] "You killed a man, and do not deny it", comes Henleg's reply, his tone calm. "He was going to be tried before the very people that have more urgent claims that you might have had on him... dead husbands, borthers... yet you denied them of such thing. And", he adds, his voice turning now sterner, "you were told all this, and still decided to kill that man. You decided to take whatever rights you had upon that man's life, and deny all the others who had a claim on his life to see justice done in front of their very eyes".
"I just.. It isn't like how you think. I didn't know what I was getting into, Cor-.." Keldean cuts off when he hears the exclamation of murder. He looks up sharply, staring at Henleg. He asks in a soft voice, "They saying Seeker is a murderer? After everything that Asht did to him? That's.. horrible."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath's eyes become intent again as they look at Keldean. "You could not do anything before to help Rhifaroth. What will you do about this, then?" the elf asks. But still there is no pressure in his tone Keldean must choose, and the elf will accept his choice, whatever it is.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
At least he has a voice now, even if he is angry. Maybe it's better than just staring at nothing for days on end. And Greys's words hurt. Rhifaroth draws back from the other a little, watching him, "That -thing- was no man except by accident of birth, Grey. No better than an orc."
Breathing still up, Rhifaroth adds in a slightly lower if still roughened voice, "I was told nothing -" but, he hesistates, possibly not certain. So much of what has gone on around him the past week simply wasn't absorbed, or he resting.
His gaze slipping from Grey, Rhifaroth says much more quietly, "Everyone that thing has touched had a claim on it. Cordy, Kel... myself." But, he does not deny the Shepherding Village folk having a claim too. He saw that murder.
Keldean doesn't move as Giliath's soft suggestion throws him into a battle with his own conscience. Why he's afraid to step in is anyone's guess, but finally the youth does speak up. "That's wrong! Asht threatened him and tortured him for days! He told him that his family was dead and starved him and now you're going to treat him the same as .. -they- did??" Keldean has heavy scorn and disgust in his voice when he refers to Asht and Addie. "What gives you the right?!"
[Giliath(#9838)] There is approval in the elf's face as Keldean speaks up. He nods once, meeting the boy's eyes if the lad looks at him, and then turns his attention back to Henleg, waiting.
[Henleg(#20696)] Henleg now stands, and his gaze is drawn to the Bree boy. "Is he famished? Is he not fed? Is he getting hurt over and over again? nay!", the tall Ranger says, a note of disapproval in his tone. "But this man has denied justice to those who wanted it", he adds. "I see you care about Rhifaroth, young man, and it's worthy of you to show that feeling. Yet this man must stand trial himself, for he has murdered a man... even if the man had done hideous things to him... and others. He has robbed them, as a thief in the night that comes into a house to get people's valuables, he has robbed them of justice". The tall Ranger looks straight at keldean as he adds, "And for such thing, he himself must pay".
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath's face is unmoving as Henleg speaks, but now he himself inserts something into the conversation. "I would say," he says, "that rather, he has dispensed justice."
"What about -his- justice?!" Keldean demands as he doesn't even hear Giliath, growing more angry by Grey's logic. "He killed someone that was .. horrible.. and now you're treating him like a criminal?" The teen seems so upset he can barely put words together. "You were keeping Asht alive only so that you could kill him later.. and now you're going to make Seeker suffer for that? What's wrong with you?!"
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
There is silence from the accused. Rhifaroth swallows again, his throat still bothering after so many days. But his breathing has slowed, calming, thinking.
"I thought... it every man's duty to ... detroy evil. To fight against those who..." but he doesn't finish. Rhifaroth closes his eyes a moment and just steadies himself, quiet.
Then he looks back to Grey, voice very low, "Whatever Strider, you decide, I will accept."
[Henleg(#20696)] "If you think that I was going to kill that man, you're wrong", Grey says to Keldean. "I was going to bring him to the village up north, where many have claims against him. There justice would have been done, and if it was his lot to die because of his acts, then he would have, after a trial. But we have denied him that. And by doing so, how are we any different from those we say are evil? Is slaying without trial something that should be rewarded?", he asks, as he casts a sidelong glance at Rhifaroth and the Elf, before settling his eyes back on keldean. "What Rhifaroth's fate is is not in my hands. As for... dispensing justice, we shall see what Strider has to say. I will say no more", he adds, and then turns on his heels and walks away from the trio, putting his cowl hack on his head and pulling it low to cover his face. Soon the tall Ranger is gone... or is he not?
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Drawing his legs up, Rhifaroth sets his bare forearms and bound hands upon his knees. Then he lowers his head upon his arms, to rest, or to hide his face with shame. Hiding anguish and despair, perhaps. But he says nothing, shutting everyone out. To wait.
[Giliath(#9838)] And as Henleg leaves - or not, Giliath replies. "This was no reward," he says quietly, but loudly enough for the ranger - both of them - to hear him. "Justice has been done." And he turns also, as if to leave, then halts himself and goes towards Rhifaroth, sitting down beside him. "I am no healer," he says, "Like the elder among my people, but if you will, I would do for you what I can to bring you ease."
Keldean watches Henleg leave with a hard glare, barely containing rage that's building. He's starting to see these rangers with the same loathing that he looked upon the Mordains with. He moves to follow Giliath, and immediately kneels down and attempts to untie the bindings on Rhifaroth's wrists, clearly intent on taking matters into his own hands.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
The bound man does not raise his head. Does nothing to try his bindings. "Go away, Giliath." Says Rhifaroth, voice ruined by the strangling rope. "Let me be. Death might welcome." The man is tired, voice pained, "Please leave me, Giliath."
Someone's hands upon him makes Rhifaroth jerk his head up and look with anger. Seeing Keldean, the man pulls his hands back from the youth suddenly, "No!" A quick few breaths, trying to cool his temper and upset.
Glaring at Keldean, the tattooed man lowers his voice, "Leave me, Kel. Both of you, go. I will not run. These are my own ..." A swallow. Neither of them can understand. A tightening of his jaw and then Rhifaroth stands up using his legs alone - which are not bound.
He turns and walks carefully a short distance from Giliath and Keldean both, then sits back down. He lowers his head once more to try and rest, and to wait. But he will not run.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath does not leave. "I did not say that you should run," he points out. He puts up a hand to Keldean, to stop him. "Let him be," he says quietly. "As you must choose, so must he." He sits for a time, watching the man. "Perhaps it would be," he goes on, his voice conversational, as if he answers a question Rhifaroth has asked some time before. "I do not know where Men go after this life." Silence. The sun has set, but the sky is still bright. "But I still would give you what ease I can. Have you not said we are friends? It is what a friend does for another: not to turn him from his path, but to aid him in it."
Keldean startles back away from Seeker when that harsh expression is turned on him. The cold glare stops the teen from further attempting to free the man of his bindings. He looks down, still upset.. "But you're not like them.." He says in quiet protest. Giliath's speaks of choices again and the teen nods quietly in submission, accepting that decision from the elf.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
The focus of their attention does not move to lift his head, nor to speak. There is no elaboration he can or will give to Keldean. The man listens to Giliath, but there is no reply. There is grief, and silence.
[Giliath(#9838)] 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.
Keldean goes off to sulk alone, still railing against what he sees as a grave injustice amidst the rest of this crazy situation.
Giliath's soothing, gentle flute music rises up through the camp, up through the trees to the heavens above. It is a strange counter point to the scene of bloodshed that just occured.
But if the strange elvish music has any calming effect on anyone, it perhaps sooths one troubled soul. The man called 'Seeker' quiets his breathing. If the Rangers ignore him for now, sleep perhaps claims the man. And for a change, a more restful sleep free of choking nightmares.
[Cordelia(#1394)] Through this, Cordelia has remained impassive and motionless, though horror is on her face and in her eyes. Slowly, as Asht dies and Rhifaroth is tied up, she sinks to her knees, still staring. It's not until Giliath begins his music that her hands move to cover her face and her shoulders shake as she cries silently.
Keldean is off alone for a while, or at least, seemingly alone. There's always rangers lurking about. Unseen, shadowy, sneaksy. When he walks back into the camp, his eyes involuntarily go to the place where Asht fell dead upon the ground, the dark stain still there. The teen suppresses a shudder and looks away quickly. He moves to sit against a tree that's well away from Seeker or the cooking fire.
[Giliath(#9838)] The music, soft, insidious, winds through the air and Giliath's face softens as he plays, his eyes half-shut. The hardness, the stone, recedes and even as Rhifaroth falls into sleep, the elf seems to find peace.
Cordelia has removed herself to the edge of the camp, face pale and streaked with tears. She keeps to herself, and seems to be crying every now and then.
Keldean watches Giliath, trying to understand the elf, not sure how he can play music at a time like this. The teen has a faint pallor from his recent sickness, but otherwise seems to be recovering from the event.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath continues playing, unconcerned for Keldean's approval or disapproval - or lack of understanding. The music changes a little though instead of being a simple melody, peaceful and calm, it begins to dance. There is joy, and light. The peace is yet there the slaying of Asht has not been forgotten or ignored, but joy is greater and will prevail. So says the flute.
Keldean is too wrapped up in repeated images of the sword going into the man to be completely swayed by the song. "Why are you doing that?" The teen asks finally after moving closer to Giliath.
[Giliath(#9838)] There is no pause. Perhaps Giliath is ignoring the boy. The music soars high above the forest, into the blue sky overhead, where the distant unseen stars hang - uncaring of anything happening on the sordid earth below. Finally, though, the elf lowers his flute and looks at Keldean. "Doing what?" he asks.
"It's a happy song.. but the rangers tied up Seeker, so they can't be happy about what he just did.." Keldean sounds uncertain of this, but the entire situation is confusing. "Why would they be upset by it? Asht hurt Seeker more than anyone."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath was holding his flute, in preparation to lifting it to his lips again, but at the boy's question, he lowers it to his lap and considers. "I was playing," he says at last, "To remind myself that all in the world is not death and pain." He pauses, his gaze on the trees beyond them. "I cannot speak for the motives of humans. Perhaps they do not know why he wished to kill that one, or who else he might desire to give death to." Silence and then a glance at Keldean's final words. "Did he?" The elf's eyes are intent now, more so than before.
Keldean keeps gravitating towards the elf because he seems to be the only one willing to be patient and give the teen a chance to speak. "Asht tortured him. He kept a rope around his neck and strangled him, and he hit him a lot. So did Addie." He looks away from that intent gaze, troubled. "They starved him and barely gave him any water. Cordelia was the only one that checked on him and took care of his wounds and Asht kept threatening her for that.."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath is silent as he listens, his eyes darkening with sorrow at the recital. He is quiet now, waiting to see if Keldean wishes to say anything more.
"What would the elves do..? About all of this?" Keldean asks, looking up at Giliath again, finally. His brown eyes are searching, hopeful for some more of the honesty that the elven man has shown before.
[Giliath(#9838)] Before he answers, Giliath asks his own question. "Asht ... tortured Rhifaroth. Cordelia attempted to care for him." His dark grave eyes turn to the youth. "What did you do?"
Keldean puts his head down again, sorting through all the lies and truths for the right answer. What did he do? The memories are all beginning to blur as the days pass. "I.. did what they told me to. Asht only kept me alive because I was useful.. so .. I stayed out of his way and did what he said. He said if I tried anything he wouldn't just kill me, but my family too."
The youth drags his fingers along the ground, tearing up a bit of earth. "I'm a coward. That's what everyone says, here. But, my sister is in Bree and I didn't want her to get hurt if Asht found out. So I did what he wanted."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath listens, neither condemnation nor approval in his face. "There are many different kinds of bravery," he says finally, when the boy is finished. "You must look inside yourself for your courage."
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
The evening air is only a little cooler but at least the sun's intensity is now bedding down for the coming night. Humidity this close to the river is high, promising likely a mist to rise over the land in the low places, and little air movement. Still, evening insect sounds have begun and frogs can be heard singing in the river.
An beautiful white egret wings overhead low, searching for a place along the river to bed down for the night.
Beside Giliath, left undisturbed since the bloody incident earlier, Rhifaroth lays still resting after the day's exertions - and the elf's soothing flute music earlier. Low voices now take the place of music.
The bound man's eyes have slitted barely open but Rhifaroth hasn't moved or noticiable shifted his restful breathing.
Keldean frowns, seeking guidance of a more concrete nature than the elf is giving him. "You didn't answer my question.." The teen points out, not noticing that the ranger next to them is waking. "What would the elves do?"
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath's eyes drop to Rhifaroth where he lies, then lift to the boy. "I have not answered because I do not know if I can give you an answer," he says slowly. "If I were in your position, I would not have done as you did, but I am not you." The hot afternoon sun beats down, and the shadows beneath the trees shift slowly.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Slowly, Rhifaroth's eyes open slightly more and his breathing shifts. The man though is barely awake. Moving a little, he dimly realizes that his hands are bound again, for his movement is aborted and he lays still.
Slowly, he is becoming aware of voices, the heat, the ground beneath him.
Keldean presses the dislodged dirt back into place. "You would have just let him kill you?" He looks up at the elf, brown eyes on Giliath's smooth visage.
[Henleg(#20696)] One of the Rangers of the North comes towards the camp, a grey cloak covering his body, a grey cowl hiding his features. Yet this Rangers is known to almost all present, be it Breefolk or Firstborn: this is Henleg, to those of the Fair People, or Grey to the people of Bree. His long legs carry him swiftly, as is usually his wont, and soon his throws back his cowl as he nears the small gathering. "A good eve", he says, even if his tone is a bit grim, while he nods to Giliath and Keldean. His eyes move then to Rhifaroth, and his face hardens, even if no other words are uttered by the tall Ranger, at least for the time being.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath shakes his head, and a small smile curves his lips. "I would not," he says. "But you must see that I could much more easily defend myself than you could. You cannot judge yourself by my actions, for you have not my skill or experience." Or age, he does not say. "But neither would I have let myself be in such a position - of aiding one with such ... unsavory desires." The elf glances up in time to catch the change of Henleg's face as he looks at Rhifaroth, and he lifts an eyebrow.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
It is so easy to be sleepy in the heat of the day. Especially if one has healing wounds and still recovering from a bout of near starvation and dehydration. So for a few minutes, Rhifaroth lays still, dimly listening to sort out whose voices he hears. His eyes for the moment have drifted closed again.
But then, as though a habbit developed over past weeks, the prone man begins to shift his hands very slightly, edging them against the bindings. Scabs around his wrists and upon his hands indicate the possibility of past ecapes from rope bonds in the past weeks.
It's easier for him to talk with Giliath. The elf doesn't seem to be judging him, or offering anything more than an objective few of it. "It w-.. " Keldean starts to speak, then cuts off when he realizes what he almost said. Henleg approaches, providing a good distraction from his near slip and he looks up at the man with the same wary expression he has around Strider. The youth doesn't trust the rangers.
[Henleg(#20696)] Henleg moves towards Rhifaroth, and kneels before the man. "Are you awake?", he asks, as he looks straight at his face, yet at a respectable distance, so that Rhifaroth may not use his head to butt him... if such a thing was to be expected. Clearly, a life in the Wild has shown this Ranger not to be too trusty of people.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Is that a voice he knows? Someone is close to him. Rhifaroth does open his eyes and focuses upon the man hunched near to him. Almost the bound man looks surprised at whom he sees, and frowns a little, "Grey?" Rhifaroth's voice is rough, his throat damaged.
The man swallows and then licks his lips, looking as though he would ask a question. But he does not. Instead, Rhifaroth studies Grey's face.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath watches the rangers for a minute, then returns his attention to the boy. "Yes?" he says, curiously.
Keldean shakes his head, "It's nothing.." He murmurs, and pushes himself to his feet, his gaze constantly flicking towards the rangers. It's obvious that the boy had more to say, but whatever it was is something he doesn't want to share with his involuntary guardians. "I should move.." And already the teen is easing back away from Seeker.
[Henleg(#20696)] Henleg nods to the bound man, and then goes to check Rhifaroth's hands, to make sure they're still bound. No word is uttered by the Dunadan, and his face is grave, even grim as he goes about this task.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath moves his gaze from the boy to the rangers, and there is sadness in his face as he watches them. But as Keldean backs away, the elf's eyes return to the boy. And after a minute's pause, he rises and walks with the youth. Or at least - walks towards an area of the camp that is far enough from anyone who might listen and if he wishes, Keldean might continue there with him.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
As Grey's hands move to check his bindings, Rhifaroth shifts an elbow and his legs as though to get himself levered to sit up. He looks around then turns his attention to his own hands as he realizes that Henleg is not untying him. Rhifaroth frowns, eyes flicking back to the other man's face.
"Why -" but even as he finally tries to speak, the bound man closes his mouth. Anger maybe makes his own face harden a little but he does not resist Grey's effor to make sure his bindings are secure.
Keldean realizes Giliath is following him and wipes some sweat from his brow, starting to worry that he may have talked himself into a corner. He lowers his voice.. "Can I trust you?.. Strider said not to associate with elves, but wouldn't say why." So many conflicting messages, it's no wonder the teen is so confused. There's an elf freely in the camp, after all, and that directly contradicts with what the ranger said.
[Henleg(#20696)] "I have no sympathy for murderers', is Henleg's reply to Rhifaroth's unfinished question. Even if his face is grim, he tries his best not to put much more discomfort to the bound man. The boy's reaction seems not be seen by the Ranger, and even his words seem not to get to his ears, as with stony mien he finishes to check Rhifaroth's bindings.
[Giliath(#9838)] The elf turns so that he is facing Henleg and Rhifaroth and can watch them, and the same sadness darkens his eyes as he looks at them. To Keldean, he says, "I cannot tell you that, either." There is compassion in his voice now. "You must choose for yourself. I can tell you that I will not lie to you." Now his eyes glance to the boy, then return to the rangers.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Shock shows upon Rhifaroth's face, "Murder?!" He blurts in surprise. His breathing jumps up, "You have no ..." the bound Dunadan stops, swallows against the constriction in his damaged throat, trying to clear it to speak less roughly, "Idea. -That- was a murder, and worse." Anger is now clear in his words but Rhifaroth keeps his voice down, gaze locked upon Grey.
[Henleg(#20696)] "You killed a man, and do not deny it", comes Henleg's reply, his tone calm. "He was going to be tried before the very people that have more urgent claims that you might have had on him... dead husbands, borthers... yet you denied them of such thing. And", he adds, his voice turning now sterner, "you were told all this, and still decided to kill that man. You decided to take whatever rights you had upon that man's life, and deny all the others who had a claim on his life to see justice done in front of their very eyes".
"I just.. It isn't like how you think. I didn't know what I was getting into, Cor-.." Keldean cuts off when he hears the exclamation of murder. He looks up sharply, staring at Henleg. He asks in a soft voice, "They saying Seeker is a murderer? After everything that Asht did to him? That's.. horrible."
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath's eyes become intent again as they look at Keldean. "You could not do anything before to help Rhifaroth. What will you do about this, then?" the elf asks. But still there is no pressure in his tone Keldean must choose, and the elf will accept his choice, whatever it is.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
At least he has a voice now, even if he is angry. Maybe it's better than just staring at nothing for days on end. And Greys's words hurt. Rhifaroth draws back from the other a little, watching him, "That -thing- was no man except by accident of birth, Grey. No better than an orc."
Breathing still up, Rhifaroth adds in a slightly lower if still roughened voice, "I was told nothing -" but, he hesistates, possibly not certain. So much of what has gone on around him the past week simply wasn't absorbed, or he resting.
His gaze slipping from Grey, Rhifaroth says much more quietly, "Everyone that thing has touched had a claim on it. Cordy, Kel... myself." But, he does not deny the Shepherding Village folk having a claim too. He saw that murder.
Keldean doesn't move as Giliath's soft suggestion throws him into a battle with his own conscience. Why he's afraid to step in is anyone's guess, but finally the youth does speak up. "That's wrong! Asht threatened him and tortured him for days! He told him that his family was dead and starved him and now you're going to treat him the same as .. -they- did??" Keldean has heavy scorn and disgust in his voice when he refers to Asht and Addie. "What gives you the right?!"
[Giliath(#9838)] There is approval in the elf's face as Keldean speaks up. He nods once, meeting the boy's eyes if the lad looks at him, and then turns his attention back to Henleg, waiting.
[Henleg(#20696)] Henleg now stands, and his gaze is drawn to the Bree boy. "Is he famished? Is he not fed? Is he getting hurt over and over again? nay!", the tall Ranger says, a note of disapproval in his tone. "But this man has denied justice to those who wanted it", he adds. "I see you care about Rhifaroth, young man, and it's worthy of you to show that feeling. Yet this man must stand trial himself, for he has murdered a man... even if the man had done hideous things to him... and others. He has robbed them, as a thief in the night that comes into a house to get people's valuables, he has robbed them of justice". The tall Ranger looks straight at keldean as he adds, "And for such thing, he himself must pay".
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath's face is unmoving as Henleg speaks, but now he himself inserts something into the conversation. "I would say," he says, "that rather, he has dispensed justice."
"What about -his- justice?!" Keldean demands as he doesn't even hear Giliath, growing more angry by Grey's logic. "He killed someone that was .. horrible.. and now you're treating him like a criminal?" The teen seems so upset he can barely put words together. "You were keeping Asht alive only so that you could kill him later.. and now you're going to make Seeker suffer for that? What's wrong with you?!"
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
There is silence from the accused. Rhifaroth swallows again, his throat still bothering after so many days. But his breathing has slowed, calming, thinking.
"I thought... it every man's duty to ... detroy evil. To fight against those who..." but he doesn't finish. Rhifaroth closes his eyes a moment and just steadies himself, quiet.
Then he looks back to Grey, voice very low, "Whatever Strider, you decide, I will accept."
[Henleg(#20696)] "If you think that I was going to kill that man, you're wrong", Grey says to Keldean. "I was going to bring him to the village up north, where many have claims against him. There justice would have been done, and if it was his lot to die because of his acts, then he would have, after a trial. But we have denied him that. And by doing so, how are we any different from those we say are evil? Is slaying without trial something that should be rewarded?", he asks, as he casts a sidelong glance at Rhifaroth and the Elf, before settling his eyes back on keldean. "What Rhifaroth's fate is is not in my hands. As for... dispensing justice, we shall see what Strider has to say. I will say no more", he adds, and then turns on his heels and walks away from the trio, putting his cowl hack on his head and pulling it low to cover his face. Soon the tall Ranger is gone... or is he not?
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
Drawing his legs up, Rhifaroth sets his bare forearms and bound hands upon his knees. Then he lowers his head upon his arms, to rest, or to hide his face with shame. Hiding anguish and despair, perhaps. But he says nothing, shutting everyone out. To wait.
[Giliath(#9838)] And as Henleg leaves - or not, Giliath replies. "This was no reward," he says quietly, but loudly enough for the ranger - both of them - to hear him. "Justice has been done." And he turns also, as if to leave, then halts himself and goes towards Rhifaroth, sitting down beside him. "I am no healer," he says, "Like the elder among my people, but if you will, I would do for you what I can to bring you ease."
Keldean watches Henleg leave with a hard glare, barely containing rage that's building. He's starting to see these rangers with the same loathing that he looked upon the Mordains with. He moves to follow Giliath, and immediately kneels down and attempts to untie the bindings on Rhifaroth's wrists, clearly intent on taking matters into his own hands.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
The bound man does not raise his head. Does nothing to try his bindings. "Go away, Giliath." Says Rhifaroth, voice ruined by the strangling rope. "Let me be. Death might welcome." The man is tired, voice pained, "Please leave me, Giliath."
Someone's hands upon him makes Rhifaroth jerk his head up and look with anger. Seeing Keldean, the man pulls his hands back from the youth suddenly, "No!" A quick few breaths, trying to cool his temper and upset.
Glaring at Keldean, the tattooed man lowers his voice, "Leave me, Kel. Both of you, go. I will not run. These are my own ..." A swallow. Neither of them can understand. A tightening of his jaw and then Rhifaroth stands up using his legs alone - which are not bound.
He turns and walks carefully a short distance from Giliath and Keldean both, then sits back down. He lowers his head once more to try and rest, and to wait. But he will not run.
[Giliath(#9838)] Giliath does not leave. "I did not say that you should run," he points out. He puts up a hand to Keldean, to stop him. "Let him be," he says quietly. "As you must choose, so must he." He sits for a time, watching the man. "Perhaps it would be," he goes on, his voice conversational, as if he answers a question Rhifaroth has asked some time before. "I do not know where Men go after this life." Silence. The sun has set, but the sky is still bright. "But I still would give you what ease I can. Have you not said we are friends? It is what a friend does for another: not to turn him from his path, but to aid him in it."
Keldean startles back away from Seeker when that harsh expression is turned on him. The cold glare stops the teen from further attempting to free the man of his bindings. He looks down, still upset.. "But you're not like them.." He says in quiet protest. Giliath's speaks of choices again and the teen nods quietly in submission, accepting that decision from the elf.
[Rhifaroth(#27282)]
The focus of their attention does not move to lift his head, nor to speak. There is no elaboration he can or will give to Keldean. The man listens to Giliath, but there is no reply. There is grief, and silence.
[Giliath(#9838)] 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.
Keldean goes off to sulk alone, still railing against what he sees as a grave injustice amidst the rest of this crazy situation.
Players: Keldean, Giliath, Rhifaroth, Seeker, Henleg
