(Archive) - At the gates — The Red Book of Westmarch

August 29, 2000

Logfile from Elendor

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Weather: Sunny

Time: Twilight

Season: Spring

Date: Highday - March 8, 3021

Real Time: Tue Aug 29 18:34:15 2000

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

*Note - logged by Kadareth*

As the evening falls upon the seven-walled city of stone, a tall man moves through the waning crowds. Returning the smiles and well-wishes of those he passes, Captain Rorgan comes upon the men Guarding the gates, and nods toward the Sergeant in charge of the guard, exchanging a few quiet words, finally raising his voice to ask all the Guardsmen at the gates, \"Has anyone seen Lieutenant Argamir?\" (repose for Kad and Cira)

The guardsmen all respond with the negative, a few \'Nay m\'Lord,\' or \'No Captain Rorgan,\' a shake of the head or just simply getting back to work. The duty sergeant quickly sends a private to search for the Lieutenant, and the young man runs off in a fast trot.

He shouldn\'t have bothered, for in an instant of leaving the gates, the man the private was sent to look for arrives from the opposite direction. Argamir, tailed by a corporal and a private, walks up to the gates in at brisk pace, noticing Rorgan he moves towards the Captain and salutes in the tradition Gondorian manner, his fist across his heart and bowing his head. \"Good Evening m\'Lord Captain.\" (repose for whoever wants it)

The nearby door of the guard house opens and out steps Tamran. Barelly a few steps out of the house has he taken that he sees the tall Captain standing out of the crowd. Glancing at the guards around the gates first, the young Sergeant makes his way to the Officer and upon arriving there, quickly slaps on a salute, \"Good evening Captain!\" he says, his voice clear and even.

Comming down the streets is a man cloaked in a deep blue. The look on his face shows questioning on the men before him. all guards like he is, but he doesn\'t know many, he hesitates and watches in hope that he might be helped

\"Good evening,\" replies Rorgan to the Lieutenant and the Sergeant at once, smiling slightly. \"I was under the impression that the Lieutenant here,\" he indicates Argamir, \"has business of some import to have summoned me from the barracks.\"

Private Kadareth, supper in his mind after a full day\'s work, approaches the gates from the bowels of Minas Tirith. He whistles softly, thumbs hooked on his belt as he leisurely walks down the cobbled street.

\"Good evening, Captain Rorgan, Lieutenant,\" he immediately stands at ease and knocks his fist across the chest with a resonant thump. \"And milady,\" he adds, bowing courteously.

Argamir looks at Rorgan blankly for an instant, before a smille errupts over his face. \"Ahh... Yes! Most important...,\" he fires a quick glance at his corporal, who is standing a few steps away but is avoiding eye contact at all costs. \"The stables my company is to use m\'Lord, where are they to be built. I have spent many days outside the gates, looking for the location that gives us best strategic placing, and I think I have found it.\" Again he fires a look back at his corporal, who is standing to full attention and looking straight ahead past Argamir and Rorgan.

\"Ah, the matter of the stables,\" Rorgan nods. \"Indeed it is most important, but did I not charge it unto you to find a location and have the men in your company build what is needed?\" He glances toward the two men-at-arms, nodding to Kadareth, with whom he is familiar. The other man gets a long look from the Captain, but he speaks not in his direction at present, returning his attention instead to the Lieutenant, \"And where have you found to put it, Lieutenant?\"

Noticing Argamir, the Sergeant quickly salutes once more, although not standing as straight as his previous salute, respectfull it is. \"Good evening Lieutenant...\" he says, but leaves it at that as the two officer talk. Tamran turns his gaze at the newly arrived guardsman, \"Ah Kadarath, where you own your way to the barracks?\"

recognising the Leiutenant from before. \" Lieutenant!\" he calls out making his way to the goup of men, throwing a salute \" Sir, I am Cirandil, do you know where I might find a Captian Rorgan?\"

\"Seargent Tamran, sir,\" Kadareth salutes briskly. \"In fact, I was on my way to the inn. For supper,\" he explains, then smiles brightly at the party assembled. \"Would you care to join, if you\'re not occupied.\"

Argamir opens his mouth to say something to Rorgan, but being interupted by Cirandil, he turns slowly, a smile on his face. \"Private Cirandil, good to see you again. Yes I should be able to point you in the general direction of the famous Captain Rorgan. He is a silent man, Captain Rorgan. He doesn\'t show himself that often, so you might have to look a while. Of course, his presense would be felt if you were in the same room as him, let alone standing next to him. You\'d know it straight away I\'d say, such is the respect he demands. But where was I... ahh yes, you wanted to know where he is. Well... that is a tough one.\" The lieutenant looks over to the man standing next to him, \"Do you where Captain Rorgan is sir?\"

\"I might know where the Captain you seek would be, lad,\" Rorgan replies to the Man-at-Arms who inquired as to his location. \"He\'s, of course, a close personal friend of mine,\" he continues, shifting his merry sapphire eyes toward the Lieutenant, \"this Famous and Silent Captain Rorgan.\"

Before Kadarath has any time to respond, Tamran turns his attention to Cirandil, \"Cirandil, good to see you again...\", then turning to Kadareth he says, \"Maybe later Private, the Silver Ship is still on duty and I have to stay here until the last squad is replaced...by the Ravens if I\'m not mistaken.\" he glances at Rorgan.

Looking once more at Cirandil, he continues, \"I have heard that you had join and glad I am to see that...\" he words trails off and a grin crosses his face as he glances at Argamir and Rorgan.

\"I\'ve heard all types of rumors about that Captain Rorgan,\" says the tall, greying-blonde Captain standing next to Lieutenant Argamir. \"But certainly, if such a one as he were standing here before you, he\'d have hair the color of an Autumn wheatfield on a cloudy day and eyes of the brightest blue. And he\'d certainly not tell you who he was if you couldn\'t figure it out on your own.\"

Kadareth nods in silent agreement at Tamran. Then, he turns to Cirandil, and speaks, \"Good Captain Rorgan has many stories told about him and his silence, Cirandil. It is said that only few men are able to draw word from Rorgan\'s lips. No one knows why, but some claim he has some manner of speech impediment.\"

Cirandil nods to Agramir and sends his grey eyes to the Captian before him. \" Captian Rorgan I pressume?\" asks the Dunedan as a single black eyebrow perks up, a smirk on his face. \" I have news to give to you sir about a transfer to your company. A new recriut.\"

Tamran stands silently now, watching this little \'game\' going back and forth. A look of surprise appears on his face as he hears the words of Kadareth, a chuckle escapes him, that turns into a caugh as he tries to hide it.

Argamir steps back slightly as the private guesses correctly, not wanting to be in the way. He looks back at Kadareth and grins, and nods to Tamran as well. The two men that accompanied him to the gates, a corporal and a private, both stand to full attention, neither moving a muscle nor their gaze from whats directly in-front of them.

\"So you do make use of the head upon your shoulders, after all,\" smiles the Captain to Cirandil. \"Pay you no mind to the stories that the old veterans here would spin about their Captain, Cirandil. They have proven themselves worthy of the jest.\"

\"Now, lad, whyfore do you seek me?\"

The sun sinks slowly beneath the horizon line as the assembled group of Minas Tirith guards, chatting by the deepening shadow of the city gate. The pleasant night air of the Spring allows for a pleasant conversation outside.

Among them is Private Kadareth, smiling defiantly between Captain Rorgan and Private Cirandil. He coughs lightly, \"Sirs, as much as it is agreeable to stay here all night and talk till dawn, I would rather do it with my stomach full. Night falls and the day shift is over. Would anyone care to join me at the inn?\"

\" I seek you for I have been assigned to your Company. Lord Boromir told me I would get my equipment from you.\" he coughs slightly and watches his Captian then salutes.

\" I seek you for I have been assigned to your Company. Lord Boromir told me I would get my equipment from you.\" he coughs slightly and watches his Captian then salutes. Waiting orders and what not

Argamir\'s voice rises, \"How are you with a horse, Sir Cirandil?,\" he asks, making sure he doesn\'t interupt his captain.

\"I have not a company any longer, Cirandil, but rather four or five of them,\" chuckles Rorgan, glancing toward Argamir, \"Nay, Argamir, the numbers of the Silver Horse Brigade are set for now. I was thinking that the Raven still looked to be a few men down at the last review.\" Then answering a question from what would seem to be long ago, Rorgan says, \"It is the Company of the White Tree that has the first watch this eve, Kadarith.\"

Tamran turns his gaze to Kadareth, \"Enjoy your meal Private. And I want to see you tomorrow at the officer\'s quarter right after your shift.\" he says in a lower voice as to not disturb the Captain. Then turning towards Rorgan, he answers back with a small smile, \"Thanks you sir. They should be coming soon.\"

Suddenly from the gates there is a stiff click of the heels. Passing under them, is the proud elder son of Denethor, Boromir.

He nods a brief greeting to his men before passing under. Espying one of the chief Captains of the city, he approaches, \"Hail and well met Captain.\"

Kadareth narrows his eyes, \"As you wish, Captain Rorgan, sir.\" He salutes briskly. \"Thank you sergeant, but it appears my meal will have to wait,\" he whispers to his side, to avoid interrupting other strands of conversation. \"I will be there, sir.\"

Then Kadareth stands to attention as he captures the sight of Lord Boromir, \"The Captain-General!\" he knocks a salute that nearly beats the breath from his lungs. \"Good evening, milord!\"

\"Greetings, my Captain-General!\" says Rorgan with a sharp salute followed by a smile and nod, his body now instinctively rigid after such relaxation among the men. \"We were just discussing the doom of Private Cirandil. It seems his destiny lies with that of the Company of the Raven.\"

As the voice of Boromir echoes into the square, Tamran straigthens and salutes the Captain-General. \"Good evening my lord.\" he says, bowing.

\" I am well with a horse sir.\" he says to the leiutenant Then turns and looks at Boromir \" Lord Boromir.\" he sharply salutes, though he is not in uniform yet

The Lieutenant steps back from Rorgan and to the side, facing Boromir and performing a text-book salute and more, bowing his head low and his fist thumping against his armor. \"Evening, m\'Lord Captain-General.\"

Boromir turns and sets his grim eyes upon Cirandil, \"Yes, the new Man-of-Arms.\" He then says, \"Do what you think is best with this one. Who has the duty tonight?\"

\"Company of the White Tree, m\'lord,\" replies the Captain with a nod.

One would not expect many to be up at this hour perhaps that is why the woman emerging from up the stret stops here, just outside the circle of guardsmen. Or perhaps she recognizes one of them, for the linger lasts a moment longer, until the words of the prvate reach herears, bringing her cloak hood back to reveal a golden cascade of hair, blue eyes piercing the man questioningly.

Boromir nods and smiles, \"Would you mind if I inspected the Men on duty?\"

\"They will meet your standards, m\'lord, though indeed if they do not, I would care to hear of it,\" Rorgan makes an expansive gesture toward where the guards who are going about the duties of watching from the paraphet as well as the men who are in the process of closing the gates for the evening.

Cirandil nods to Boromir and stands still till one calls out for him \" I Care not whom I serve under for it tis for me to serve Gondor and the steward..\" He says and watches the inspection. smioling somewhat.

\"That will change with time, Cirandil,\" says Rorgan with a smile. \"You will learn to care deeply for the officers with whom you serve the Steward and his sons.\"

Argamir\'s gaze follows Rorgan\'s arm as it sweeps across the gates, pride filling his eyes as he looks over the men of Minas Tirith protecting the city and watching as the evils creep towards the last defense. Looking back to Cirandil, he nods his head, \"Aye, what Captain Rorgan says is true.\"

Boromir glances toward the Men and says, \"It is my belief that a good guard will always be on duty.\" He then glances over at Kadareth, \"Is that not right, soldier?\"

Cirandil nods to Rorgan \" Yes Sir, I am a hopeful learner. and i am willing to do as taught.\"

Glancing at the guard house, Tamran\'s voice rises once more above the sounds of the square, \"If you will excuse me, my Lord...Captain, I must give my report to Sergeant Menegil. Nothing serious, just some things his men should watch out for.\" He then stands still, waiting to be dismissed.

Kadareth straightens up and toughens his features when Lord Boromir addresses him. \"Yes, milord! As true as the sun coming up every morning!\"

Boromir nods and then says to Kadareth, \"What is the first duty of a sentry?\"

The Captain and theKnight General each in turn now receive the woma\'s regard, and a brief nod of her head each as she makes to move further down the street.

Not unaware of the glance from his brother\'s betrothed, Rorgan nods to the passing of the lady, \"Lady Kerowyn! If you\'ve need of an escort, I can assign one of the men...\"

Then turning toward the Captain-General, Rorgan says, \"If you\'ll excuse me a moment, m\'lord.\"

\"To watch, in loyalty and in readiness, Lord Boromir,\" Kadareth answers the Captain-General quickly.

Boromir nods to Rorgan, \"Of course Captain.\" He then glares back at Kadareth, \"Wrong.\"

A figure comes running in through the gates, without word or glance towards the guardsman standing about. His feet seem to be lagging behind him, though, as before he gets not twenty feet inside the gates, he falls straight forward with a loud THUMP as his body comes to a grinding stop along the dirt. He continues to lay down, shiverring uncontrollably.

\"Ah, have I? I,\" THe THUMP behind her is enough to stop speech, and the sight of a fallen person enough to bring feet in motion, as Kerowyn turns from Rorgan, and the rest of the party, to scurry in a quite uladylike manner to the falle man\'s side.

Taking the silence of the two lords and their concentration on other task, as an answered response that he can leave, Tamran bows to Boromir and Rorgan, although probably not being noticed, and makes his way towards the guard house.

Argamir spins around in a flash and moves towards the fallen figure, his hand straying to his sword hilt as he rushes to the man\'s side and looks to Kerowyn and her orders.

Cirandil turns and looks to his Captian for an order, though heis unarmed he can do something. His grey eyes narrowing abit at the figure now

Kadareth looks puzzled for a while, but quickly regains his wits. \"Yes mil--\" he begins, but the falling figure distracts him from his speech. He quickly turns his head around, hand on the hilt of his sword.

Whatching, the figure trembling and shuddering on the floor, Kadareth appraches swiftly and kneels by its side.

Boromir glances at the fallen man for a moment and then says to Kadareth, \"Go see what\'s wrong with him.\"

Following at the side of Lady Kerowyn comes Captain Rorgan, not willing to let the conversation he had struck be ended so easily.

Only a few steps does Tamran takes before he notices the stranger falling upon the ground, guards rushing towards him, together with some of the other folks. Turning about he walks towards the assembled crowd around Ormus

The young lad has crunched himself into as tight of a ball as he could, whiel blood from a deep gash upon his head bleeds slowly on the ground beside him. He lets out a curtling, sharp shrill as people start approaching, and he backs away on his hands, apparently not caring for the wounds he has already incurred.

Kadareth looks up from the fallen man and is greeted by the sight of Lady Kerowyn, \"Milady Kerowyn!\" he speaks urgently. \"This man is wounded!\"

Heedless of dust, of sharp cobbles, Kerowyn kneels as well, glancing up at the running guards. \"Water. Swiftly do I look daft?\" Her sharp eyes rest only a moment on Kadeareth, before cetnering on the stricken lad again, \"Now, hushhush,\" slender hands reach out to steady.

Quickly the Captain\'s voice raises, issuing forth in tones of command, \"Get back to your posts!\" and when not enough men have moved away for his taste, \"If you don\'t have a post, I\'ll find one for you!\"

\"Speak to me,\" Kadareth attempts to put a soothing tone to his deep voice. \"You are now safe within the walls of Minas Tirith. What is your name? What happened?\"

Ormus looks warily to Kerowyn, his face paler than snow as fear-stricken eyes dart from person to person. His mouth stammers, but no discernible words can be heard.

Argamir looks back at Kadareth, his voice hurried, \"Get him some water, now!\" The lieuteant stands up quickly and scans the area for some reason, his supisious nature forcing him to make sure this is not an ambush.

Cirandil looks at Rorgan\" Sir how may I be of service now/\" he asks standing now by the man, watching the going ons

Kadareth nods at Lieutenant Argamir and reaches from his belt for a small tin bottle half-full of water. He puts it to the man\'s lips and helps Kerowyn prop his head up, allowing him to drink from it.

\"What has happened to you?\" he insists, nervousness tainting the edge of his voice.

Again does the woman utter soft hushing sounds, fingers brushing cheek, reaching for the cut. \"Speak later. Noon ehere will harm you. I swear upon my name.\"

Boromir shakes his head slowly, \"Ridiculous.... \"

Before the bottle ca reach the boy\'s lips, Kerowyn\'s free hand is upon it. \"NOt to drink. Never serve drink to a bleeding man. To wash with.\" Her voice remains calm and soothing, though blue eyes flash grey a moment.

Tamran steps near the Captain and witout taking his eyes of the wounded, he says, \"This man came through the Gate...Who ever did this was outside the city...Maybe we should increase patrols on the roads and send a mounted party to investigate the nearby area...\" he glances at Argamir, \"Whoever did this could not gone far...If of course someone did attack him.\"

Ormus sputters the water out of his mouth, and he strikes at it with his left hand out of surprise. He glances to Kadareth with a frightened glance, as he forms the words slowly upon his charred lips, \"Can you not feel it?\"

\"Sergeant Tamran!\" Rorgan\'s tone still carries the full weight of his office, \"Is there still an extra sword and tabbard in the gate-house?\"

Then calling out to one of the men watching from atop the wall, \"Eyes on the road, Private!\" he points toward the East, turning his head toward Cirandil whilst his arm still points, \"Aye, Cirandil,\" he says more quietly, \"stay here by my side, to be called upon in need.\"

Argamir looks down at Kadareth and rolls his eyes, \"Private Kadareth, leave the poor man alone. Get that meal you wanted, thats an order.\" He looks back at Lord Boromir, curiosity in his eyes, but he doesn\'t say anything. Taking interest in Tamran\'s words, he nods his head and looks to Rorgan for orders. \"I can get a few steeds out immediately sir.\"

\"Milady,\" Rorgan begins now to address the healess, \"is it blade or stone that drew this blood?\"

\"Yes, milady,\" Kadareth lowers his head in acknowledgement. \"Feel what, sir?\" he replies to Ormus\' apparent delirium.

He then gets up when Argamir commands him to leave. \"My meal will wait, sir.\" He speaks sternly. \"I will starve if need be, but I will not leave until I know who or what has injured this soldier so close to Minas Tirith.\"

\"Then get them, and Ardanne as well, Lieutenant,\" Rorgan answers Argamir.

Tamran shakes his head, \"A tabbard no sir. But a sword, or at least a spear can be found in the guard house.\"

\"

Cirandil nods to Rorgan and watches some more standing with ease or so it looks, but if this si a trap he is ready.

Stone.\" It is a single word, and her head jerks towards the blood slick cobbles as the water is poured from gourd to cut. \"ANd it is not overly deep, thank the Lady.\"

Ormus looks curiously to Rorgan, as he moves his hand to his head to brush off the dirt that has caked into the wound.

Argamir looks at Kadareth fiercly, but doesn\'t have time to say anything, just to look at Tamran and nod his head towards the insubordinate private. The lieutenant shouts out his orders to the two men accompanying him, and rushes for the Citadel Stables where their horses were being kept till the Military Stables were complete.

\"Stand down, then, lads,\" says Rorgan with a nod toward Lady Kerowyn, \"Thank the Lady, indeed.\"

\"Have you the time, Sergeant Tamran, to orientate the Raven\'s new Private or shall I leave that for Sergeant Faengor?\"

Ormus shivers as the water runs down his face, managed a quirk of his lips to show his thanks. His glance turns back to Kadareth, his senses begnning to return, but his face still paler than a sheet. His face lifts up to the sky, \"Why could I not see it?\"

Meeting the glance of Ormus, Rorgan holds it for a long moment, still keeping an eye upon the man.

Kerowyn Nods once. \"It will heal on its ow, here,\" A cloth is removed from her satchel, pure and white, \"HOld that, there,\" It is pressed to the cut, \"For a goodly while until I bid you remove it.\" Eyes meet eyes, piercing blue once more, \"All right?\"

Argamir stops dead in his tracks as he hears the words of Rorgan, looking back he says, \"m\'Lord, should I sent out some men just to make sure?\"

Kadareth returns Argamir\'s angry stare until he turns to leave for the stables. Ormus\' call draws Kadareth from his short burst of ill-temper, and he turns to reply to him.

\"What have you seen, friend?\" he tries to speak soothingly again, not paying much heed to his seemingly delirious rant.

I will show him around and introduce Faengor to him. But first I must go and talk with Sergeant Menegil. Meet me at the barracks when the Captain dismisses you Private and if Sergeant Faengor is there, report to him.\" and with a salute walks towards the gate house once more, this time not stoping.

Ormus\'s face contorts as the cloth feels painful at first, but cools off as the wound begins its healing process. He nods curtly to Kerowyn, \"Yes, m\'lady and thank you.\" He shivers again as he begins to speak, the fear flooding through him again, \"I could only feel it, not see. I do not know, and wish not to guess.\"

\"You and I and the two Privates shall be enough of a patrol for now, Argamir,\" says Rorgan. \"If we find that more are needed, they are but a horn call away.\"

Again does she nod, not moving from the ground to look up at Rorgan, \"Perhaps I was amiss, and a escort would be appropriate.\"Furhter up goes her gaze, to the battlements above.

Kadareth hesitates to reply, and turns to look at Kerowyn, a puzzled expression across his face but without the heart to ask her if the man is indeed delirious.

\"Sergeant Tamran! Not so fast!\" bellows Rorgan.

Argamir nods his head, \"Yes m\'Lord Captain, I will ready the horses. I\'m sure the Inn Stables can provide horses for the two privates,\" his eyes still falling on one with annoyance over something.

\"HOlsteadlah will bear you, m\'lord, if there is a shortage. Though I trust her to no other.\" Kerowyn speaks softly, gaze wrenched from battlements back to captain.

Half way to the door, Tamran stops, the Captains voice loud enough to carry over the noisy street. Turning around, the Sergeant walks once more away from the guardhouse and towards the captain in a quick paste, \"Sir?\"

\"Sergeant, send down a man from your company to act as Lady Kerowyn\'s escort.\"

\"Ardanne is near enough at hand, milady.\"

\"You there, come down here!\"

The Captain speaks the clipped words of command, in rapid succession from one to the other, at the last calling down one of the men from atop the battlements.

Ormus moans softly as fatigue begins to swamp his body, and the adreneline has stopped pumping his body. He slumps down upon the ground, still holding the cloth to his head his head as instructed.

\"Aye sir! There still a few in the guard house.\" Tamran says. Turning to the Healess he adds, \"Lady Kerowyn, if you will wait. I will send two to men, so they can also help carry this man to the house of healing.\" and with that, he walks once more to the guard house.

Kadareth gets on his feet and walks away from Ormus. He unsheathes his sword and admires the dented -- yet shiny -- blade by the ghostly light of the moon. He puts it back into his scabbard and heaves a bitter sigh.

\"Dinner be damned,\" Kadareth mutters and eyes Captain Rorgan nervously. \"This does not bode well, sir.\"

KNees andskirts make a comfortable enough pillow for the boy\'s head, and Kerowyn can do naught but nod towards Tamran\'s call, \"Thank you, sir!\" Her soft chuckle, the, is perhaps incongruous as she looks oce more to Rorgan. \"AH, of course.\"

\"Does it now?\" asks the Captain with a slight smile toward Kadareth. \"Think you that something so terrible as to fell Captain Rorgan has gotten past Captain Ingold and his watch atop the Rammas Echor?\"

\"I do not question such, Captain, sir,\" Kadareth speaks. \"But this night of mine will not be for rest.\"

\"Such is the life of the Guardsman, Kadarith,\" says Rorgan.

\"Is he conscious yet, milady?\"

Kerowyn nods, \"Aye, it is merely exhausted sleep. He will do well after some rest. Mayhap he will be able to answer more questions then.\"

\"Kadareth, sir,\" the private chuckles ruefully. \"The name is Kadareth.\" He turns his gaze to Rorgan, a defiant grin on his lips.