A New Age, A New Threat [private]

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    Duilin made his cautious way into the Prancing Pony, glancing around with wide eyes. Although he had come of age several years previous, the young man had never left Ithilien on his own to so long, nor had he made such a journey as this by himself. But he had been sent to carry a message to some of the Dúnedain in the northern regions of Arnor, for he had in his possession a swift horse, and in addition was swift of foot, as his namesake, the elf Duilin of the lost city of Gondolin, had been before him. Added to this was his nearly-complete training as a Ranger of Ithilien, which would hopefully help to keep the correspondence between only the sender and the intended recipient.


    Nevertheless, he was still rather young, and still very far from home, when he stopped at the Prancing Pony, hoping to be able to confirm that he was still on the proper paths, as well as to perhaps rest for the night. The inn itself did not seem extraordinarily large, which was good, for hopefully if there was someone searching for him, they would not be so likely to search there. Not that there was anyone, of course, but with the news he brought one could never be too careful.


    So he paid for a room, then sat down amongst those drinking and reveling, quietly sipping his ale and trying to at least seem like a perfectly innocent traveler. Despite his travel-stained cloak, this was not an enormously daunting task, for he did not seem particularly dangerous. His hair, long and dark, was tied back neatly, and although his blue-grey eyes were intense and serious, there was an air of innocent wonder about him, that of someone who was new to the place and still somewhat caught up in seeing things for the very first time. As such, he was able to mostly go unnoticed, which suited him for the moment. But it could not always be so. Sooner or later, he was going to have to ask someone whether he was traveling along the proper path. He simply needed to find someone who seemed to know what they were talking about, as well as one who seemed trustworthy.



    Farrah looked up from her sewing, staring outside of the window to see a tall and pale shape pass by. It was much taller than most men, and thinner, prompting the girl to carefully stand and move to follow them. Wait, no. She shouldn't go out, not in her skirts. The figure was going to the inn, no place for a girl... Sneaking into her sleeping brother's room, Farrah carefully opened his wardrobe and pulled out a tunic and some pants. A cloak soon followed her withdraws and she slipped of to change.


    By the time she was dressed in the men's attire and had her hair piled up to look like a boy, Farrah had managed to pull on her boots and then strap a rather thin blade to her belt. Rumor had it that it was elf made, as was the dagger, but she didn't believe it. They were probably made by a smith in the nearby town if anything. The small blonde, now a rather short looking man, left the house and tailed the tall stranger to the Prancing Pony. It was there that she saw him sitting at a table, serious grey eyes staring down at the wood underhand.


    He was an elf.


    Farrah's eyes widened a little under her cloak but she said nothing, instead moving to a shadowed seat and watching the male. How interesting... What was an elf doing so far this direction? Her eyes narrowed a little and she waved the server off, not wanting food or drink from her gesture. Maybe she should follow him... Yes, that's what she'd do. She would follow him and talk to him. He might be able to put rumors to rest about happenings anyway.


    As soon as the elf stood, Farrah waited for him to start up the stairs before she began to follow him. She hadn't taken into account that he was probably trained to fight, and that he'd be suspicious of someone following him.


    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥

    Duilin had finished every drop of the ale, even though he disliked the drink. To do otherwise would be an insult, in his opinion, to the innkeeper. He had no reason to insult anyone. So regardless of his personal opinions on the drink, he had finished it, and had decided that enough time had been spent in the inn to establish his presence, so he was not so much a stranger and more of a quasi-familiar presence. That was more than enough for him. As such, he reached up and made sure that his hair covered the tips of his ears, then stood and started toward the stairs, up toward his room.


    He was well aware that he had been watched during his time downstairs, and he was certain that whoever had been watching was following him as he ascended. Feeling just a little unnerved, he let one hand drop to the dagger hidden beneath his cloak—his bow had been left in his room, and would be of no use anyway in this more confined environment. The young elf took a deep breath, steadying himself. If the person following him was hostile, he would hopefully be prepared for the encounter, even if his training was not yet complete.


    Pausing in the doorway to his room, Duilin waited a few moments for the stranger to come closer, within earshot. When he assumed that such a thing had happened, he said without turning around, "Whoever it is that has been following me, there is no need for such secrecy. Please, come into my room, and we shall fight or talk as the situation demands." This said, and hoping that he hadn't just made a fool of himself in front of some innocent man going to his room to sleep, he opened the door and entered the room, perching gingerly on the edge of the bed provided and waiting for someone else to come inside.



    Farrah was silent as she followed Duilin up the stairs, quietly walking behind him. The male seemed to know she was there, the blonde pausing from time time to time. It was then when Duilin paused in his doorway, speaking lightly. He did know she was following him. Biting her lip, Farrah allowed Duilin to go in first before following behind quickly. She had moved her cloak up so no one could see her eyes, a scarf covering her mouth and nose to hide her feminine features. Would he want to fight her? The blonde narrowed her eyes a little in thought and closed the door, leaning against the wall opposite Duilin.


    Seeing an elf perched on a bed like a bird was rather amusing to see in any situation, this being one of them. Speaking, her voice deep with the scarf, Farrah began, "You're an elf?" This probably wasn't going to go too well for them.... Her pale hand was resting on her dagger in case he felt threatened, the girl not wanting to eb thrown into a fight but would do her best to defend herself in that case. Light blue eyes stared up at the elf, gleaming faintly in the lamp light as she watched him.


    He was going to attack, wasn't he? If he did, how would he react to finding out that he wasn't fighting a man but a woman? A woman, at that fact, who wasn't extremely well trained and could only fend basic attacks off. With her luck, the elf would end up shooting her....


    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥

    Duilin moved a little further back, sitting normally with his back to the wall. He quirked a single eyebrow. "If that is all you wished to know, it could easily have been asked without following me up here...m'lady." For to the elf's keen ears, her voice did indeed sound deeper, but it also sounded disguised. That, added to the way this intruder had arranged their garments to keep facial features from being seen, had been enough to make him certain that this was someone who did now want their true identity known. There could only have been a few reasons for such a thing, especially now that they were in a more private place, and the most obvious explanation which presented itself was that this person was not, in fact, a man.


    The young elf crossed his legs, setting his bow across his lap. It was unstrung, and wouldn't be much use in a fight, but he found it comforting to have nearby. "M'lady, I am Duilin, Ranger of Ithilien in training. My family was formerly of Mirkwood, but we have been in Ithilien since the crowning of King Elessar of Gondor, and it has been my home. Now, m'lady, as I have introduced myself, I would ask that you do the same, as well as perhaps stating what business brings you here."



    He could tell that she was a woman.... Farrah slowly lowered her hood and then got rid of her scarf. Her bright blue eyes stared at Duilin as she remained silent, listening to the elf continuing. Duilin... Duilian of Ithilien. Farrah tilted her head a little bit, taking her time to speak, "I am Farrah." She murmured, her voice gentle and low, "I saw you pass by my window; we don't have elves visiting often, nor do they stay in this inn." She murmured before presenting her sword and dagger, "I have come to ask of your knowledge in several fields, one being the origins of these blades. They are my grandfather's father, and are rumored to be of Elvish make."


    She carefully set them before Duilin, looking down at the male, "We've lost the knowledge of their origins after my grandfather died; we were too late in seeing him and only received the steel after his funeral. As for my other business... There's rumors going around that a new evil has risen, one far greater than the happenings that have recently been ended. Is there any word from your travels to put a rest to the gossip?" What if there wasn't anything to stop the rumors; what if they were true? Farrah shuddered at the thoughts but held her ground.


    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥

    Duilin took the sword when it was presented to him, turning it over in his hands. "If I am honest with you," he said, "I have little experience in the forging of swords. I am...young, for one of my kind, and less experienced in such arts. As nearly as I can tell, this is indeed of Elvish make, or if not, the work of an excellent imitator—perhaps a Numenorian or Gondorian craftsman who sought to imitate the work of my kind. However..." He sighed, shaking his head. "I regret to say that I cannot tell for certain. That would require an elf older and wiser than I."


    He looked up, eyes widening, at her talk of rumors. Listening intently, he watched her eyes, watching for any trace of a lie. He found none. Distracted from the sword he held, he stopped turning it over and let it lay still beside his bow. "I would not feed the gossip of an idle town," he said, a slightly sharper note to his voice. "I am passing through to deliver a message to those of the Dúnedain that still dwell in the north, and my message is for them alone."


    Despite the secrecy of his errand, Duilin did not truly wish to leave her empty-handed, so he sought some piece of news which he could give, something that might answer some of her questions. "Lady Farrah, I...I ask that this news does not travel further than the room in which you stand. But there are whispers of a shadow growing in the south, in lands we know little of. There is little doubt that it is a servant of the great Enemy, he whom Fëanor named Morgoth, but we do not yet know if there is a greater darkness and greater power in this new foe than in Sauron."



    "Do you really think I'm going to tell others of what I say?" Farrah asked indignantly, "I only wish to calm my own heart, not the hearts or words of others." She reached out and took her sword, saying nothing about the possible make as she pulled away, "There can't be anymore Dunedain in these lands; they're men of myths and legends, nothing more than just that." She turned to leave when he began to speak again, resting her hand on the knob of his door before she closed her eyes, "As I said before, Master Duilin, I don't intend to repeat anything to the town. It is for my own knowledge that I ask, nothing more."


    She looked down as Duilin spoke about darkness in the south, a servant of the Enemy. Bit her lip, she spoke softly, "It must be, unless there's a new evil rather than Sauron.... Or his servant." She turned to stare at the elf, watching him silently, "I'd invite you to dine at my home, but it is late and I'm sure you'd rather your presence be known as little as possible while you stay." She was silent for a few minutes, finally speaking after gathering her thoughts, "If, however, you are in need of supplies to finish your journey I would be glad in helping you collect them."


    The blonde turned to go once more before she paused in her steps, having not opened the door just yet, "Master Duilin... If there is new evil... There is nothing we can do to destroy it, is there?" She swallowed hard and waited for an answer before getting ready to leave.
    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥

    He recoiled at her first words, looking hurt for a moment—he had not yet learned enough to hide all his reactions from others and maintain a more stoic exterior. "M- m'lady, it was simply a reasonable assumption. You spoke of having heard this through rumors, and asked whether there was anything to put a rest to the rumors. It- it was simple to make the assumption that you would spread whatever I told you to others. Forgive me for my words, but I...I was replying to what I heard." Duilin bowed his head, listening as she continued to speak. A few strands of hair worked their way loose from the rest and fell against his cheek, brushing his jaw.


    When at last he spoke again, it was without meeting her gaze. "There are ways to fight all evils, my lady. But I do not see why you wish to help me when you do not believe the truth of my errand. For you believe that there are no Dúnedain in the north. Unless they have been killed very recently and no word has reached Ithilien, there must yet be Dúnedain. King Elessar of Gondor was a Dúnedain—Strider, you might have called him in these lands—and I do not think that they could have disappeared so quickly after he was crowned."


    Duilin shook his head, glancing up for a moment. "Thank you for your offer, but I need nothing. I have both water and lembas bread for my travels, and enough coin to provide for myself and my horse where it is necessary, such as stabling him and paying for a room for myself. I lack nothing essential...only company. But that is a necessary consequence of this task."



    Farrah's eyes widened at Duilin's words, opening her mouth as she turned to stare at him before she closed it and then tried again, "Forgive me. I spoke to hastily, Master Duilin." She whispered, "I did say that... I should have held my tongue. As for the Dunedain.... Strider hasn't been here for several years. We presumed that he died; he has never been gone this long... To hear that he is King Elessar of Gondor brings joy to this town as he is familiar to us. He was a Dunedain? I had no idea that he was...."


    She trailed off, obviously feeling like an idiot for all that she had said, "No one knew that he was a Dunedain, nor did we know that there still are. Forgive me again for my assumption." She sank down to sit, not looking at Duilin, "I... If you so wish for company, I will come. It will be good to get away from this town and to learn of what is really happening outside of this inn.... All I ever hear are stories from my brother and gossip from my mother, nothing more."


    The girl looked up at Duillin and then swallowed, searching his face, "May I come with you, Master Duilin? I may not be much help with a sword, but I am a quick learner and I am hardy when I have little."
    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥

    He took a deep breath, watching her with wide, blue-grey eyes. "You knew nothing of his involvement in the downfall of Sauron? Of his part in the Fellowship sent out from Rivendell? It is astonishing that this much time has passed without some news having reached this place...but if this is so, then I apologize as well, for my own assumptions." Her words about company rather astonished him, though, and for a little while he was quiet, hands running over the smooth wood of his bow.


    "Please do not think that I mentioned my wish for company out of a desire to find a companion. I was simply sharing my thoughts on this errand, that was all. I- I would not wish to make you feel as though you must accompany me. This is an errand I was sent out on alone, and I...I do not know yet if I will be returning through Bree." The young elf slipped his long, dark braid over his shoulder and began to undo it, long fingers nimbly unweaving the strands he had so carefully bound together that morning.


    "Nevertheless...I will consider it. You live with your parents, yes? If you are able to find a horse and procure their permission, you may come with me. The permission is more important than the horse, naturally...if necessary, I am able to run and you may ride on the horse I have been provided with." His hair was entirely loose now, and fell in gentle waves almost to his waist. Duilin combed his fingers through it, working out the few tangles which had developed. "What say you?"



    Farrah shook her head at each question, swallowing hard, "We don't get much news." She said softly, biting her lip, "All we know is that Sauron was destroyed and we're safe. Nothing mroe of Strider, or what happened, or even of the Fellowship." She murmured, watching the elf's wide eyes. He must think that she had been born just a few days ago since she had no idea about the things he was talking about, "I know you didn't mean your meantion in that way, Master Duilin." She said gently, "I do want to leave Bree. I don't feel like I must go, but I would like to join you...." She trailed off and looked down, "If you'd rather complete it alone, I will not hinder your travels.


    "Once I know the path, I will remember how to return home.... I suppose I should leave you, Master Duilin, to your rest." She stood up quietly before he asked if she lived with her parents, sighing softly, "You really wish to make things difficult, don't you? My parents are hardly the kind to allow me to leave home even though I am perfectly fit and old enough to do so." She sighed again but nodded, "I agree, then." Well, she had a horse that she could use... But for her parents to agree? That was much easier said than done.


    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥

    Duilin nodded, meeting her gaze and offering a slight smile. "Very well, then. I cannot protest overly much, for I must admit that I have been lonely. If you are able to persuade your parents to agree, or if you are unable to do so, then please let me know. I had been planning to leave as the sun rose, but as you are considering accompanying me...I will leave two hours after sunrise. Please get word to me before then of your plans. I do not intend to leave the inn until then, so I shall still be here. If I hear nothing from you, then I shall assume that you were unable to obtain permission from your parents or that you do not intend to accompany me, and I will leave. Do we have an understanding?"


    It was unfortunate that his plans would have to be delayed, but he supposed here was little else he could do. After all, it would be unreasonable to ask her to leave at sunrise with him when he knew nothing of her parents or her human habits. He did not truly sleep, and as such could rise from the rest he took at any time, but it was not so with her, and he was well aware of that from his time with the other Ranger of Ithilien, most of whom were human. "I will hopefully see you tomorrow morning," he said, leaning his bow against the bed and preparing to take his rest.



    Giving a tiny smile in return, Farrah gave a nod of her own, "I will be there if I can... If I do get permission, how am I to tell you that I will?" She asked teasingly, carefully opening the door before she nodded once more, "We do have an understanding. If I can go, I'll meet you in the lobby... But please, don't expect me to be wearing a dress." With that, the small blonde took her leave and carefully returned home. It was there, unfortunately, that she found her parents were anxiously waiting for her, "Farrah! Where have you been, and what have you done with your hair?"


    It was her mother speaking, her father watching silently as Farrah put up with the other woman's questioning, "I'm fine... I need to speak to you and father... it's very important and I need an answer tonight." It was then that she asked for a horse to travel North, leaving out most of the details but adding that she'd be extremely safe. Her mother opened her mouth wordlessly and looked towards her father. The man was frowning, obviously against the entire idea, "Please. I'll be safe, I promise. All I need is a horse; I've several coins saved that I can use."


    Her father stood up without a sound, shaking his head as he retired. Her mother, too, disagreed with her pleas and left Farrah in the kitchen. Oh, she couldn't go.... Without a word, the blonde hurried to her brother's room and took several different tunics and another pair of pants. She packed them tightly with her coins and then got her sword and dagger. She was going to go without their permission.... When dawn came, the blonde was already packed and had her horse waiting outside of the inn. She hurried inside and then to Duilin's room, knocking on the door.
    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥





    Text


    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥

    Duilin had already been awake for some time, and was in the process of rebraiding his hair when the knock came on the door. Immediately, he glanced up, realizing that it was rather early for Farrah to be arriving when he had told her they would leave two hours after dawn. Still, he stood and moved to the door, letting his braid fall half-finished over one shoulder. Opening the door, he raised a single eyebrow, glancing her over for a moment before stepping back. "You are early," he said quietly, retreating toward the window so she would be able to enter the room.


    "Still, you seem prepared to leave, which is good. Do you have a horse? And, so I might know, what have you brought with you?" It would be important to know if she had brought any food or drink with her, so that he would be able to ration out his own food more fairly, if need be. Sharing his lembas bread would decrease the time it would last, but if she hadn't brought anything, he wouldn't have much of a choice. Besides, he supposed hat he could always eat a bit less, giving himself the bare minimum so as to make it last.


    With a faint sigh, he resumed his braid. "As you can see, I shall be prepared to leave as soon as I am finished with this. We shall be off very soon...and not much later than my original plan, which is also good."



    Farrah glanced up at Duilin, "I apologize for being early." She answered softly, entering the room and sinking into a chair. She also had her hair down, the girl carefully braiding it and then pinning it up, "I do have a horse.... I've several skins of water, and two months worth of dried beef... It isn't very heavy, but it will keep me alive and full." She murmured lightly, gazing at the elf, "I do know how to pack, Master Duilin." She held a hint of humor in her voice and she shook her head with a smile, "I've also gotten several coins, so I can pay for my own room and board."


    She gave a faint smile before nodding, "Alright.... I thought ahead, didn't I? Coming soon enough to keep you from being late." She sighed and finished her hair, closing her eyes for a few moments, "What's the path we're going to be taking?"


    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥

    Duilin smiled a little at her words, finishing his braid and letting it fall down his back. "I did not say that you knew nothing of packing," he pointed out. "It seems as though you have done well, though. I am not certain that this dried beef will be enough to sustain you, so I shall most likely share my lembas bread with you as well, so we should have the food we need for the journey. And as we are going north, Lady Farrah, I think you will find that towns and civilized places shall become more scarce. Unless you plan to return with me to Ithilien, we shall be able to save most of your coin."


    The elf picked up his unstrung bow and the small pack which held his belongings. "Shall we depart, then? I have no path set for certain, for the Dúnedain do not often stay in one place for long. However, they shall detect us once we have been in their territory for a little while, and whilst I use my training to seek them, they will use theirs to seek us and see what news I bring from Gondor and Ithilien. We shall find one another."



    Gazing at Duilin, Farrah chuckled a little, "It should be, don't worry." She said gently, "Even if it isn't enough I can forage whenever it is we stop to rest." She knew full well that it might take a while before they tire, but Farrah knew they'd have to stop eventually, "Well, then, it just means I may have a chance of returning not a poor woman." she answered with a little smile, standing as he did the same, "we shall, I suppose. I do, however, ask that you give me grace; I'm not at all advanced in fighting, but if there is ever a time that we can stop I would be grateful if you may help me?"


    She moved to the door and gave a short nod of understanding, smiling a little. They were going! As much as her parents would be angry with them leaving, Fey honestly couldn't wait to get out of Bree. Even a few days of journey would be amazing... A few months even better! She smiled at the thought and waited for Duilin to lead them out, knowing that he'd want to get his horse first.


    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥

    (Just so you know, I'll be at a friend's house for the next three days or so, so I probably won't be on much.)


    Duilin hesitated for a moment, then started out of the room, trusting that she would close the door behind her as she left. "I will be willing to try and teach you something of fighting," he said, "although in truth you and I possess very different weapons. I have my bow and a dagger, whereas you have a sword. I am unlikely to be able to teach you more than the basics, for I have no sword of my own here, and it is not a weapon I know much of." He had been trained to be able to use a sword, but he was not nearly so good at it as he was with a bow, and as such had not brought one with him in this errand.


    "Now," he said as he left the inn, making his way to the stables, "please prepare your horse for departure. I shall be out shortly...I do not need to do much. Then we shall depart." Entering the stable, he made his way over to the horse he had been provided with. There, he did the little that needed to be done to prepare the animal to bear its burden, a slim young elf who used neither saddle nor bridle. He left the stable with the horse, mounting it quickly. "Lady Farrah, are you ready?"



    Ooc:
    Alright, thank you for letting me know :P Have fun.
    Ic:
    Farrah did close the door behind them, walking quietly behind the male, "If you teach me how to use a dagger I will be able to fight with a sword." She said lightly, walking silently behind him now as they rounded a corner. She sighed and glanced about, "My horse is quite ready, Master Duilin." She replied lightly, moving to the steed and carefully mounting. It let out a soft nicker and Farrah carefully untied it before checking her packs.


    "I'm ready." She replied, smiling a little at the elf when he came out and mounted his horse. Her eyes were already shining and she smiled again, "I think it'll be a clear day for traveling." She put her hood up, though, just to break the wind before she reined her horse in beside Duilin, "Shall we leave now, Master Duilin?"


    ~
    ♥We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer probably only wants one thing... to survive. I know that a lot of you "who think you're too cool" probably won't re-post this. Put this in your signature if you care♥