On the Road Again

The trip back to Minas Tirith is short and the host of men moving westward this early evening is, in fact, small, yet still, the journey is slow. Wains carrying the many wounded move carefully, slowly, and the darkness creeps in. At the back of this procession, Menelglir rides a dappled grey mare, the Squire\'s forehead sporting a small bandage beneath his helm.

Riding at the front of the Company is the Lieutenant Aearon, moving off to the side he lets the company pass him slowly, as the rear of the company nears his side he spurs his horse and comes up alongside his cousin. Surveying the company and looking to those who are wounded he shakes his head slightly. Looking back to his cousin he says \"How is your head cousin?\"

\"Better, though the smell of the linament is worse than the bite of the wound ever was,\" Menelglir makes a face. \"Why is it that medicine ever smells so terrible? And...I need a new cap under my helm. I was thinking....\" he cringes, \"of knitting one.\"

Laughing a bit the Lieutenant says \"I think the healers make it foul smelling on purpose cousin, as a way of reprimanding us for getting injured in the first place.\" Looking at the squire a moment he says \"Request on from the quartermaster in Minas Tirith, they will have some there\" Adjusting in his saddle the Lieutenant scans the Company and says \"The men need a good rest, between the Faire and the goings on of Osgiliath, it will be a well deserved rest.\"

\"Easier and faster, certainly,\" Menelglir grins in agreement, then sobers, \"but Sir Gwendion ordered Tathar to teach me to knit and I\'ve no wish at the moment, to tell him my true feelings on the matter. Not now.\"

Leaning back in his saddle the Lieutenant says \"That is wise cousin, this is surely not the best time to voice such things, give it some time before you voice such a thing. Perhaps once we have returned to Minas Tirith you can bring up such a thing, once he has settled into his new position.\"

\"Voice such whats, Squire?\" comes the Knight\'s voice as he trots up behind the pair, maneuvering to their side, \"Is something heavy on your mind?\"

Hearing the voice of the Knight the Lieutenant grins at the squire and then looks to the Knight saying \"Sir Gwendion, how fare you? \" the Lieutenants tone is friendly for the most part.

In a quick sideways glance to Aearon, Menelglir winces at the sound of Gwendion\'s voice. By the time the Knight has come to their side, though, the expression is cleared.

\"I was saying that I have not taken well to knitting, sir,\" he sighs. \"I know that you wished me to take it up. I\'m all thumbs with it. Turlach now...he had the knack.\"

\"I fare better now that I have warm food and a warmer bed ahead of me, this is certain,\" Gwendion replies with a wide smile, \"The Eastern front is a far cry from the duties I am used to. I am eager to be around a place not so heavy with sorrows. And as for your own sorrows, Menelglir,\" he chuckles lightly, \"If I expected you to be good at it, I would not have given the task to you. You are all muscle and bone, Squire. No finesse.\"

Nodding to the Knight the Lieutenant says \"Yes, though I am afraid I will not be staying long in the white city.\" adjusting in his saddle once again he continues \"I am returning to Pelargir to board the Vintner.\" thinking a moment he says \"Unfortunately I must have dealings once again with the Haradrim, though for good reason. I am delivering a ransom for the return of on of our (looking to menelglir) cousin.\"

Looking back to the Knight the Lieutenant says \"You think that knitting will help Menelglir gain finesse Sir Gwendion?\"

\"Finesse? With all respect sir, please tell me how that can help me. For I surely do not understand,\" Menelglir replies to the Knight, trying hard to keep his tone curious as opposed to angry.

\"So soon?\" The Squire has turned to Aearon, twisting in the saddle and seeming surprised. \"Who else goes with you? Surely you will not negotiate alone for our cousin nor trust the Haradrim to fulfill their vow or to not twist it to some dark purpose.\"

\"If I had to explain all you do not understand, Squire, you would never have time to get out into the world and learn it. Luckily, I am your Knight and you my Squire and thus, there is no burden on my shoulders to do say naught but learn it and learn it well,\" Gwendion replies, clearly amused, \"If Turlach is as skilled as a young maid knitting socks for her unborn son, then surely you can match his prowess at it. I did not expect you to be bested so easily, Squire.\"

For Aearon, his mood turns dour, a slow nod coming as his plight is explained, \"I wish you well then. The Haradrim are liars and cheats but they are cowards too and will risk little if receiving their gold is in doubt. \"

Looking to his cousin the Lieutenant says \"I will not be alone, I will have the crew of the Vintner with me, though I am the only one going of our family cousin. I will be delivering the ransom and ensuring the safe return of our young cousin.\" Looking to the Knight he says \"I thank you Sir Gwendion, and yes I do not foresee them risking the gold they are to receive over a young girl that is still too young be of any worth to them. Though I will be ready if they try anything that has not been negotiated and agreed upon.\"

Resigned, Menelglir nods to the order. \"Yes, sir.\" Though from his expression it is quite clear he is more than happy to let Turlach best him. \"Young maid, indeed,\" he sighs under his breath.

Another sigh as he turns to listen to Aearon, then shakes his head. \"Sir. May I go with my cousin on this?\"

Gwendion gives a gruff snort, \"You may if you return with a scarf for me to match the fine one wrapped \'round Turlach\'s neck the other night.\"

He quickly adds, \"A nice purple scarf.\"

Shaking his head the Lieutenant says \"So Turlach has a knack for knitting, perhaps I shall have him knit scarfs for the entire company..\" his words have a hint of humor in them, though not much it would seem.

The Squire all but puts his head in his hands. \"Purple.\" Gwendion might as well have pronounced a death sentence for all the dread in Menelglir\'s voice. \"Knit?\"

The Squire\'s concerns are at once disregarded by the Knight.

\"And what of Lady Tathar? Will she follow you two also on this expedition?\" Gwendion questions with some suspicion, \"She seems to be never far off when I am with you pair of cousins. Like a hungry cougar that one.\"

\"Are you entertaining her prospects, Aearon?\"

Patting the squire upon the shoulder the Lieutenant says \"It will be good to have you with me cousin, you can help me with our young cousin, I am sure she will have a hard time adjusting.\" shaking his head to he looks to the Knight as he speaks and then says with a chuckle \"No Sir Gwendion, I am afraid this expedition will be to dangerous for one such as Lady Tathar. As for entertaining her..\" laughing a bit more \"That I am not doing, my presence seems to flare her temper.\" still laughing he slaps Menelglir on the back and says \"Perhaps you Cousin?\" his words are full of laughter as he spits them out.

\"Lady Tathar?!\" This, finally, generates more horror from Menelglir than the prospect of knitting a purple scarf. \"By the Valar, no! She certainly is kind to me, but the affection between is no more so than between mother and son. Or nephew and aunt..\" The Squire has even turned a little green at the suggestion, and he hurries on, hardly pausing for breath.

\"Sir Gwendion, how can I help at the Chapter-house?”

\"I remember in my youth how I would tug at the braids of the girl I liked best, Aearon. Do not discount her scorn for adoration. Her life seems to have had its pitfalls and perils like any in Gondor. It could be it is too difficult for her to relate her true feelings,\" he says with a shrug.

\"As for Menelglir, she has too much fire for him. He needs a simple woman with a strong arm to keep him out of trouble.\"

At the Squire\'s question, Gwendion\'s mirth milds, \"There is little to do. Perhaps keep the dust from setting too thickly?\"

\"Yes, sir, my apologies,\" Menelglir says quickly. \"I -am- sorry.\" But then he perks up. \"Lady Tathar would make a fine match for you, sir! In fact, I think she is just what you need in your life!\" He -is- serious, but beaming at the thought.

The Lieutenants laughter dies as the Knight speaks, nodding his head he says \"I have just now become of age to marry Sir Gwendion, I am a man of war, as we all are, the feelings of ladies are foreign to me, I would not know how one feels towards me unless she were blunt\" Laughing a bit again to himself he looks to the young squire and says with a grin \"He needs a woman who will not tire of reminding him of his place.\" At the words of the squire he looks back to the Knight and says \"You know Sir Gwendion, the squire makes a point. She does think highly of you.\"

\"Indeed so?\" Gwendion considers, then shakes his head, \"Sadly, she is not a woman that nations would go to war over, and I fear, those are the only sorts of women that can steal this cold heart,\" he says, rapping his chest.

\"No, the woman she is, at least today, is not a woman for me. Not to say she is not a good woman. But each man has his preference, do they not?\"

\"Reminding me of my place?\" Menelglir says, seemingly taking offense at this. \"And what is that?\" But he does nod, thoughtfully, to Gwendion\'s explanation. \"In truth, if anyone has her heart, tis Sir Findon.\"

A big grin appears on the face of the Lieutenant at the Knights words, then nodding his head \"That we do Sir Gwendion, that we do.\" Adjusting his saddle the Lieutenant laughs and says \"Perhaps I will find a woman who can steal my heart one day, but until then I will focus on the ways of war.\" Looking to his cousin he gives him a grin and a wink, for surely that is enough to portray what the Lieutenant meant.

\"Ah, yes, Findon. I have not heard much of his condition since we left the city. No you more, Squire?\" ask the Knight.

Menelglir pages: fwooosh....completely over my head. what do you mean?

\"No, sir,\" Menelglir shakes his head to the question, only tilting his head just so, also, at Aearon\'s grin. He\'s puzzled, certainly.

\"The healers would not or could not say, though I tried. And I was there often enough, trying to learn more of their ways, as well. So if there was gossip I would have heard it. My guess is he mends, but slowly.\"

\"I miss his company.\"

Shaking his head at his cousin with a grin the Lieutenant says \"He will surely heal, though it does seem slow going. But I know little of healing and can not truly say what is slow.\" leaning back he stretches his big arms and says \"I am looking forward to once again sleeping in a bed. The bunks in Osgiliath are far too small.\"

\"They are? I did not notice,\' says the much smaller Menelglir. \"But then, most nights I was so tired I fell asleep by the cooking fire. I\'m looking forward to a bath. Clean clothing. Hot water.\"

\"I too am looking forward to your bath,\" Gwendion laughs, \"As do the maids of Gondor. You return to Minas Tirith a veteran of much, Menelglir. The pair of you both. Few in Gondor have been tested such as you have and have tales to speak of. You will be popular at the bars if you play it right.\"

Grin still upon his face the Lieutenant says \"Popular yes, perhaps Menelglir can start looking for his wife when we arrive.\" Scanning the company of men once more the Lieutenant adds \"We shall have a few days before we leave to reclaim our cousin.\"

\"I don\'t think I can knit that fast!\" Menelglir objects suddenly. Horrified at the thought...or more likely, from the way he has reddened, the discussion of finding a wife, for he adds, \"I am but 17 years and that only late last month. I think...no, I do not like to recall how I spent my birthday,\" he glances to Gwendion.

\"Oh, well,\" Gwendion actually reddens some, \"I did not mean for Menelglir to find a wife, but that many a drink would be paid for for a good story. But I suppose, there is that too. As long as he practices wisdom and propriety fitting a Knight.\"

He gazes ahead, \"I haven\'t run my horse for a bit. I think I\'ll exercise her a bit before we get to the city. Until then?\"

\"Until then, sir,\" Menelglir says, suppressing a grin as the Knight reddens. He grins more and looks to Aearon, wordlessly.

Laughing a bit the Lieutenant bows his head to the Knight, then looking to his cousin he says \"You will have time to work on your project whilst we sail to our meeting location.\" stretching once again he says \"Perhaps it will be I that looks for a wife then cousin, do not worry.\"