Twisted Travelers

Anorien: East Road - Just before Osgiliath

The road runs a short way between Osgiliath and the Rammas Echor a fleet horse would need but three-quarters of an hour to ride it. The gate of Osgiliath itself is yet tall, though rusted and half-raised where it last came to rest when Osgiliath fell.

Anduin sings loudly beyond the ruined gate, in the midst of the fallen city of tumbled stone and rebuilt wall. The smoke of cookfires rise from the not-distant Fortification, mingling with the smells of men and stone and the weight of a thousand lost souls who are said to wail and walk in the ruins of once-lovely City of the Stars.

[Gilherion(#31287)]

The night is dark and cold, as winter\'s icy grip shows no remorse upon the open fields of Anorien. As such, the east road is free of any travellers that might be seen during the day, or more than likely during another season altogether. In the distance, the sounds of the garrison at Osgiliath can be heard, and they remain the only real sounds of life in what seems to be as far as one can see or hear.

�

There is, however, a very faint bit of noise that might be heard were one paying close attention, and the source seems to be a single lantern that floats above the road. Indeed, not all have taken shelter from the harsh night, as there is at least one who makes his way from Osgiliath to Minas Tirith, his figure hidden beneath a thick black robe. Only his eyes can be seen, as the light from the lantern flickers across his face, and of those only one remains. He moves with a great limp, hardly able to cover more than a few feet before struggling to regain his balance. A broken figure is this, and it is a wonder he has made it this far from Osgiliath, given the severe conditions.

The road isn\'t completely empty--one scout of Ithilien is here, cloak up against the cold, hurrying back towards Osgiliath, in fact. Ceredir pauses as he makes his way along the road, the sight of the bobbing lighht and lone traveler giving him pause. he then hurries forward. \"Are you injured?\" he calls as he approaches.

[Gilherion(#31287)]

The voice that replies is gruff, and a good bit of malice can be sensed in its tone, were one listening closely enough.

\"No thanks to the bastards back at the garrison.\"

Waving a free hand toward the scout, no doubt a dismissive gesture, the cloakced figure continues hobbling about his way, \"Get on... I don\'t need more mockery from your types.\"

\"Mockery?\" Ceredir half pushes back his hood as he peers closer to the man. \"What\'d those sons of dogs do now?\" he growls--his voice is young, but full of bitterness already.

[Gilherion(#31287)] \"Same things they always do,\" the man replies, \"Prance around on their working legs and act as if I didn\'t used to be the Captain of the Silber Ship. I remember those days well... I did it, too.\"

With a shrug, the man continues on, \"Then one day, you fight a battle, lose most of your arm, get left for dead... by the same people who are there to save you... and you end up a mockery of what you once were. Now I am nothing... gave everything to Gondor... and here I am. Cold and seeking death on a barren road.\"

Ceredir shifts uncomfortably, face darkening at this story. \"You were Captain...? and they left you for dead?\" He peers again at the man. \"Why would they do that after you nearly lost your life in battle to Gondor?\"

[Gilherion(#31287)]

\"Because they\'re cowards... backstabbing cowards. It was my fault they were out there getting killed, anyway... if I was dead, they could all go home. No sense of honor, no sense of service. Cowards... selfish little cowards. They will do it to you, too. Mark my words.\"

Despite the ongoing conversation, the man continues on his way, his pace slowing as he struggles to keep his balance.

The scout reaches a hand to Gilherion\'s shoulder to try to steady the man, adding, \"Easy there...where are you heading to, sir? Surely the loss can\'t be your fault...and backstabbing.\" Ceredir frowns again. \"I just don\'t understand. Certainly that\'s not the tale they tell..\"

[Gilherion(#31287)]

\"Of course not... they tell the story you would expect them to tell-- after all, you are one of them,\" the man barks, pulling away from the scout\'s touch and nearly falling as he does so, \"The Captain, they would say, fell valiantly in battle to one of the most fearsome foes the Enemy had to offer. They fled, because they feared without the leadership of their Captain, all hope was lost. That is what they would say...\"

Spitting upon the ground, he growls, \"But that is not what happened... else I would not be here. Does it not strike you as odd, hmm? Left for dead, abandoned by my own men... and now left to be a mocked as if I was never more than a mere beggar? Explain that one, boy.\"

A slow shake of his head, Ceredir\'s eyes widening just slightly and he steps back a pace from the man. \"They ran? They thought you dead and left your body for the vultures...or worse? But then, how did you survive? And why and how did the garrison mock you now? Or even let you through?\"

[Gilherion(#31287)]

\"Because now I\'m a harmless old man... worthy of mockery when I tell my \"fake\" war stories, but nothing else,\" the wanderer replies, still continuing on his path towards Minas Tirith.

\"I am alive now because the very force I spent my whole life killing showed me mercy and gave me new life-- that is why I am alive today. That is right, boy... that garrison is full of young men waiting to make gain fame by slaying an Enemy that showed me compassion when my beloved Gondor would not. I lived a life of lies, just as you are living... perhaps one day you will see.\"

For a moment Ceredir hesitates, watching the old man walk by. Then he hurries after him, falling in step with him toward Minas Tirith now. \"They didn\'t kill you? Or torture you? Or...feed you to the orcs, well obviously.\" He shakes his head. \"If this is true, then what are we risking our lives for?\"

[Gilherion(#31287)]

\"Oh, it is true... else I\'d not be walking today. Why do we fight them? Easy. Arrogance, pride... all things that truly make men evil. Regardless, to speak such things in Gondor can get you put to death faster than combat itself. Move along, I tire of this discussion.\"

The man then tries to quick his pace, but succeeds only a little, and he is still far too easy to catch.

\"No--wait!\" Ceredir calls after, hurrying to catch up again. \"Yes, it can get you put to death...but do you see me drawing steel?\" he says, voice dropped to a whisper. \"It\'s a lie then? I\'ve...well, been having doubts, but I can speak to noone of it.\"

[Gilherion(#31287)]

\"Yes, it\'s all a lie-- I already told you that, and I won\'t say it again. Your doubts are well founded... you\'d be wise to find a new path in life, before the one you\'re on puts you in my position-- or worse. You\'ll know those you can speak to of such things when you meet them, just keep your eyes open.\"

The man does not wait, as requested, and seems more than happy to continue on his course.

\"I..?\" Ceredir pauses, confused. \"I will?\" he asks...but doesn\'t pursue the man further, instead watching him move on toward the city. Another frown, then the scout turns back to his original path to Osgiliath.