Tales, Truth and Tracking
LOTRO FanFiction Episode #26

With no reason to doubt the words Caethir had just uttered, both Faeladar and Reggie were shocked into a stunned silence. Hoping for dear life he had thought clearly for once, the Elf continued to explain.

“I know green eyes are certainly not unique, but equally they are rarer than other colours. On a different note, as far as I am aware, only those of Dúnedain descent became those most people know as Rangers, or if there are non-Dúnedain in your number, I have yet to meet any.”

Reggie coughed and cleared his throat.

“I had one Dúnedan parent and one parent from the race of Man, but yes, I still fit your description.”

Caethir nodded.

“That being the case, I can make things clearer. I saw something of a resemblance of my Dúnedan friend to Hanawen – both in her expressions and humour. And my friend has lost her sister – though I do not know enough about her parents, I admit. But I believe that a woman called Nyahwyn to most people is your daughter. If you rearrange Hanywyn, you arrive at her given name.”

As if straining against his own emotions, Faeladar laid back on his bed, obscuring his face from the Elf. But when he spoke, his voice was quavering.

“Does this… Nyahwyn of yours… prefer using a sword with a shield in battle?” he managed, with some difficulty.

“Yes,” the Elf confirmed, “though I’ve since taught her to use a bow, much as she has improved my sword arm.”

Reggie glanced from Faeladar to Caethir and nodded slightly.

“That fits Hanawyn’s skills, even down to the trying to teach others. As a kid, she wanted others of her own age to protect themselves,” Reggie explained, “she also hated using a bow as a child.”

“It would require a special kind of friend to get her to take up the bow, though,” Faeladar mused, “but my next question is this: when talking to different people groups, does she provide an alternative name to…Nyahwyn?” Faeladar asked.

“She does and you’ll have surmised that it is not ‘Hanawyn’. I don’t know how much of my language you understand, but the name she actually prefers to go by has a meaning. A ray of light on the Warrior,” Caethir translated.

Faeladar sighed.

“We called both of our daughters ‘rays of light’. We did not impose the title of ‘warrior’ on either girl though, because each had to choose their own path. But if memory serves me, that would be Maethorglin, Glinmaethor or something similar?”

Caethir nodded, knowing however that it would only have been seen by Reggie.

“Glinmaethor,” he affirmed, “but before you ask, I only know where I last saw her. I don’t know where she is now, or where she is going. However, whether by design or happenstance, we cross paths regularly. Never for long enough, truth be told.”

I won’t say any more than that, the Elf resolved, he’s only just realising he still has two daughters. Let’s not complicate things further.

Dawn broke bright the next morning, but the small fellowship felt anything but rested, save for the small tundra bear, who seemed quite happy. Herynglas had sent her lesser Eagle to hunt for herself and the bear, so he was content. Hanawen had spent most of the night bringing the Lore-Master up to speed on the nature of her family’s division those years ago, while the Elf herself was still trying to unravel a mystery in her son. Though Reggie had given in to sleep first, Faeladar had only managed a few hours, conflicted about the news Caethir had delivered.

I don’t want to get my hopes up, he reasoned, I abandoned hope long ago. Maybe I should not have been so hasty. I’m starting to sound like an Ent!

As the group reunited in the common room for breakfast, Hanawen gave her father a troubled look.

“What’s the matter, Da?” she asked in concern.

“I didn’t realise how hungry I was,” Faeladar admitted, “do you mind if I answer your question after breakfast?” he asked Hanawen.

Suddenly, the door of the Prancing Pony was thrown open. All around the table were reaching for their weapons when a cheeky voice called:

“Did somebody say ‘breakfast’? I ‘ope it’s only the first’un, as I wouldn’t want ta miss both!”

“I know that voice,” smiled Caethir and turned his head around, “that would be one Rubybella, cousin to Lamuna.”

The Hobbit chuckled. “At yer service, misser Elf, Caethir, sir! But jus’ call me Ruby, aye?” she grinned with a mock bow, before hopping onto the seat next to Caethir. “I’m jus’ glad I found you before you left Bree. I thought you’d’ve been long gone, but I can’t walk that fast.”

The name not being known to anyone other than Caethir, the others tried to continue their own conversations in low voices. Faeladar and Hanawen moved to a different table, where he, in hushed tones, revealed Caethir’s thoughts about her missing sister. Reggie and Herynglas exchanged impressions of the state of things in the town.

“Did they now?” Caethir smiled, “I don’t know how long ago Myrlas told me he was going to ask her. He’s fought off all kinds of things but the one foe he never conquered was his own nerves. Glad to hear he finally did!”

“Yep! Though I am more surprised she didn’t ask first! Anyway. they’ll be on their own path now. Bad news for you is she can’t join yer group ‘ere. Good news is, you got me instead!” Ruby grinned.

“Well, no one here has committed to being with me after Bree. It’s all accidents that have brought us together. I have a feeling my mother will not leave my side, though. Either way, I’m glad to have you, assuming the Bounders are at peace with it. I may need your humour on this trek.”

Just when it seemed they would lose the morning to chatter, Faeladar spoke up with authority, moving back to the central table.

“Regardless of what happened last night and what…news…we have heard, we must now work. Firstly to ensure Caethir – and anyone who may be joining him – leave Bree safely today. Secondly, how to deal with the locals. I’ve sent Reggie to acquire some paper. When he returns, we will plan.”

From the other side of the Prancing Pony common area, Hanawen was frowning at Caethir. She had already thought, back in the Barrow-Downs^Ref, that he would have the answers to her life-long question. And it seemed the only surefire way of confirming it was to stick with the Elf on his journey, which her father would almost certainly forbid.

As to the ‘lady friend’ reference everyone else has forgotten, she pondered, well, I suppose we’ll find out. But surely she wouldn’t have fallen for an Elf?

The more she thought about it, a twinge of shame crept to her face and she pulled her gaze away from the Caethir.

Am I jealous?, she thought, realising the creeping resentfulness in her mind, Maybe I envy the fact that my sister is out there and being free to be herself. Jealous of Caethir? I don’t know, but I do feel like the time I should have had with my sister has been taken by someone who, in the grand scheme of things, was not that far from my own daily grind.

As if sensing her thoughts, the Elf glanced back towards her and tilted his head in an enquiring manner. It was a family trait, one that his brother Ayrthir was particularly prone to – preferring to use body language over words in certain situations. Catching his eye, she gave a slight hand motion to ask him to join her, which he did. She had expected the first few moments to be in awkward silence, but it was nothing of the sort. It was comfortable, and she chided herself for nearly giving in to anger. After a few minutes, it was the Elf who spoke up first.

“Life has a way of stealing people and time from us. But that’s not the same as people being to blame. The journey through the Old Forest and Barrow-Downs suddenly brought new friends around me. I don’t want anything to take that friendship away, whether it’s with your Da, Reggie or you, alright?” he asked just looking into the room.

Hanawen sighed.

“I know. At least I think I do. I just don’t…” she took a deep breath, “I don’t want to lose any more time if I can help it.”

Of course.” Caethir affirmed, “You know, your sister has a way of dropping everything and running to see, or help people, that she cares about. Though she feels guilty about letting people down while she does so. It’s false guilt of course, but that does not make it any less real.”

“You’re saying if she learned I was still alive and where I was, she would come running?” Hana almost whispered.

“Give or take a day or two to make sure her responsibilities were being handled, yes.”

“Is your journey one that takes you to meet her?” Hanawen pressed but saw Caethir instantly shake his head, leaving her surprised, but disappointed that her guess had been off the mark.

“Not intentionally, no. I’m heading for Imladris for personal reasons. The last time I saw her, she was at Tinnudir where she took over my role in reclaiming Annúminas. But I can pretty much guarantee she isn’t there now. She tends to get flung around from crisis to crisis, going where she is needed.”

“Not much different to being a ‘Ranger’ in Bree-land that’s been torn apart by brigands, haunted by wights and tested by holding back an Orc invasion then?”

“Your hearts are the same, you see?” Caethir said, casting a glance at the emotionally tired girl, “Now I have unwittingly become the link between you three and Glinmaethor, I mean… Hany…it won’t be too long before you can see each other again.”

“Glinmaethor, eh?” Hanawen asked, intrigued, “It will be interesting to see what kind of woman my sister has become.”

Once for All, Once for Self

But first, they had to provide a way out of Bree for Caethir and Rubybella. In her mind’s eye, Hanawen began to silently plan how she could slip out at the same time. While she welcomed the peacemaking that had just taken place, if Caethir was not intentionally going to see Hany, she would need to track his journey in secret. To do that she had to put enough of a distance between her father and herself without revealing her intentions to Caethir.

I’ve spent all my life so far serving others, she thought, it’s time I served my own needs for once.

It was then that Reggie returned with parchments in hand. With no need for explanation, they all gathered aroud.

“It’s time to get started, then, but not here. There are too many eyes and ears,” Faeladar pointed out.

“Usually two o’ each per person!” Ruby giggled, not able to help herself.

“Well,” said Hanawen with a shrug, “what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

The battle was about to become very real very quickly.

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