Anger, Pride, Loyalty, Valour

South Ithilien Road(#9610Rnto)

The deserted grasslands of Southern Ithilien stretch to the west and south. To the east a spur of the Ephal Duath (Mountains of Shadow) juts towards the road and peters out into a line of low hills that end next to the road. To the north the tall grasses give way to scattered forests. To the direct south, you can see that the road is approaching the broad plain of a river valley.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

As the sun begins to dip down into the west, a long haze skirts over the grasslands. Here, between the Ephal Duath and the Poros, this deserted patch of road seems more of a callous joke than a utilitarian purpose.

Here alone, awaits Indilzar. He sits on the grass at ease, but his gaze carefully wanders south down the road.

From the south a figure walks steadily up the road, greens and browns marking his garb. His purpose, it seems, is to meet Inidilzar, for as he draws near it is clear that behind the mask he wears, the man\'s eyes are steadily on the Knight.

A nod, then, is given as the distance is closed further, and a young man\'s voice--Ceredir\'s--breaks the silence. \"Sir.\"

Indilzar rises to his feet and looks coldly at the man, \"You have asked for this meeting and I have granted it. Shall it be with words or swords? The choice is yours.\"

\"Words.\" Ceredir glances to his hands, the gauntlets there, and then to the Knight again. \"I have many things I wish to say and ask. But first, I have come to apologize for my insolence.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)] The Black Knight does not stir. He simply says, \"Your apology is accepted. What else would you have to say to me?\"

Ceredir nods slowly. \"Tell me about the Bragollachs. They interest me. You spoke of them the other day and proudly so, but I would like to know more of who and what they are and what values they cherish.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"I am not here to tell tales of my folk. You have apologized and that is enough. There is no need to try to get on my good side by asking me about my kindred,\" says Indilzar. He turns and begins to walk back to the encampment.

\"I am not asking to get on your good side!\" Ceredir protests. \"I have a personal interest in them. But I cannot say any more on it or explain my reasons.\"

Indilzar turns on his heals, \"If you cannot explain your interest to me, then I will say nothing to you.\"

\"I..\" Ceredir struggles, kicking in frustration at the dirt. Then, quickly as the Knight is leaving, \"I am half brother to Thingalad Carmayar, by our mother, Silivrenwen of Anorien. I am sworn to never reveal my father\'s name, though, as I am bastard-born.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)] \"Then I think you should be speaking to the Lord of the Carmayar, instead of a Bragollach lord,\" replies Indilzar

\"No.\" Ceredir shakes his head emphatically. \"I am not a Carmayar. My mother was of a minor noble house of Anorien.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"And what is that to me?\" says Indilzar. \"Are you saying that your father is Bragollach? There are many bastards in this world, and some grow to be great men.\"

\"I make no such claims, sir. Your pardon. I didn\'t mean to waste your time.\" Ceredir looks once to Indilzar, then turns to head south, taking a few steps that will lead him off the road and into the surrounding woods of Ithilien, where the ban holds.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Halt kinsman,\" says Indilzar. \"Turn to me.\"

\"Sir.\" Still a few steps from the woods, Ceredir stops, turning.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Indilzar Bragollach looks closely at Ceredir and says, \"Yes. I see.\"

\"There is a shadow about you Ceredir that not even the flames of the Bragollach may banish. Yet the curse you bring is self-inflicted. There is yet time for you to heal your wounds if you would just let go the torment that rests in the deepest recesses of your mind. Perhaps you do not know of it. Not yet.\"

\"Compassion,\" he continues, \"is not a trait well known by the Bragollach, but you have mine. Return to the camp and may the light banish the shadows of your heart.\"

\"I...\" Again Ceredir struggles to answer, his eyes dropping away from the Knight as shame comes to his expression. \"Lord Faramir has told me so, as well, and I thought I had done much for it. My temper. It gets the better of me, anger consumes me and I act on it. Captain Gurtir was helping me for a long time. But now...not so much. He has changed since he returned from the enemy.\"

He pauses, looks up. \"Thank you. That alone means much to me.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Go with the grace of the fathers of the Bragollach,\" says Indilzar. \"For our house is not just about anger and pride. It is about loyalty, and valour.\"

\"Our house.\" Ceredir\'s eyes close as he exhales and quietly repeats those words.

\"I will not forget.\" He turns and slips into the woods.