RP 🎲 RP 36: Redemption

The first ranger called out over the company. "So then, Barahir, this is the man we have been after. I wondered why he retreated to the shadows.... And, elven maiden, your protection may be misplaced. From what I hear these are murderers, villans of the highest degree. And, not even by your protection, will I let them murder any more of our people." He drew his blade and made a line in the dirt path. "Any one of you who tries to cross this line before we are done questioning you, will die on the spot. Be he elven man or not!... Now, Barahir, tell them more about their newly found companions, so that they can make a wise decision. I judge that even common elves can do so."

"Do you question our wisdom?" Caimarë said. His voice was quiet and calm, yet both Rangers started despite themselves. "We have dwelt in the Blessed Lands, in sight of Manwë himself!" He blinked, and seemed to calm himself with a visible effort." Yet despite your arrogance I will not cross that line. I sense the blood of Elros is yet strong in your veins and I would not quarrel with you. Perhaps there is something useful you could tell us about these Atani. But never forget who you are talking to".

Barahir sheathed his sword reluctantly, "For now I will spare his life, brigand though he is. I have myself seen the wicked deeds this man, Turig, has committed, and pursued him from the scene of his crimes. So far I have spared his life, hoping for his cure; but I will have pity no longer. If these men turn traitor and leave your company and protection, I swear they will not live to continue their evil ways. I warn you the road to Imladris is not clear. My sister, returning there from the camp of my father, was murdered in cold blood by Henrick, Turig, and their outlaw band. The only loot they gained by this slaying was the food she carried; this is how they value life!"

Barahir pushed Turig away in disgust and took a step toward Maedhros. "I pray forgiveness, lord, from you and your company if our speech seems arrogant. I see you are an elf-lord newly come from the Blessed Realm, and as such your wisdom and that of most in your company in many matters far exceeds my own. Be that as it may, you do not seem to know these parts. I warn you against trusting these men. They may hate the Dark; but they hate also the Light. They have turned on their kin, killing and looting orc, Man and Elf alike. Perhaps you have the power to turn them to good; they are beyond my help. By your leave, lord, my companion Alfirin and I would replace these men as your guides. Barahir Glingal Galaddur am I, and few know these lands as well as I."

"My name and duty I have told you. Will you tell us more of yourselves?"

"My friend here may be so assuming in beleiving that you have 'come back from the blessed realm', but I am not. Why you? Why now? Why has there never been another to come back? I am not so sure you are more than elven traitors from Rivendale, come to join with these outlaw bands to destroy our people." Suddenly, however, his eyes grew unfocused- the look of a man lost in thought. He smiled slightly, as though it all made sense. He shook his head and focused on the tall elf in the back of the company, the one who hadn't spoken much. "You! A son of Feanor no doubt... what do you think of these men, these men who have turned and shed the blood of their own kind?"

A son of Fëanor you say. Ha. Your insight is better than i thought. I have perceived the evil in these men when I saw them. One is capable of turning to good, the other I'm not so sure.
I seek redemption, hinder me at your own discretion. Know that I'm one that has come back from the dead to redress an evil that should have not been.
My journey is long and perilious, yet I gave my word to these men and they are under my protection. If they betray me, I will see that they will pay for the crimes they have commited. Your companion has offered his help to us, yet he doesn't understand the evil that is to come.
I seek a dragon. That dragon took something away from me, and I have come to take it back.
Stand aside ranger, I will not tolerate any more delays.

Herugurth moved to Maedhros' side and looked long at the Ranger who confronted him so boldly. "I have known many of you Edain who dwell in this land and to the South. We have no quarrel with you and these..." he said gesturing at the Men, "are hardly worth your notice. If you wish to travel with us to see the truth of our words, so be it. Otherwise, I suggest you stand aside."

It looked as the elves were not going to turn them over after all - it made the brigand feel braver somehow. He felt as if he was part of something once more, like it was with Henrick's crew - a sense of belonging, a sense, almost, of kinship. That was all Turig ever wanted. He shot the Dunadan, Barahir, a look of pure hatred and spat on the ground at his feet. Then drawing himself up tall, went to stand amongst the elves.

Eäritila spoke softly to Maedhros saying: 'If Turig and Henrick slew this man's sister, this is a matter which cannot easily be put aside. There is no wisdom without justice. And I fear to have both wronged and wrongdoer in our company. My heart tells me we must choose between them.'

"I do not wish to hinder you, lord, and have offered my help. I cannot foresee all the dangers we will encounter, but I am not afraid. I have said I will spare these men's lives while they are in your company, and I will hold to my word; they need not fear me as long as they remain loyal to you."
Barahir knelt on one knee and extended his sword hilt to Maedhros.
"I would enter your service, lord. I will not betray you."

As Turig listened to the kneeling ranger, his heart softened briefly, touched by the man's nobility. But forgiveness was a luxury, one the brigand had never been able to afford. He didn't remember the Ranger's sister - just one face amongst many. But he remembered the Rangers words.
'The only loot they gained by this slaying was the food she carried...' In the harsh lands in which the brigands made there their home, food was greatest prize.

The ranger stood, watching the strange things that were happening. He looked off through the trees, looking at nothing, and everything at the same time. He turned back, a new look of fire in his eyes. "Wherever your journey takes you I shall come to. There is much I wish to learn, and much you need to know. I have oft traveled away from this place, into the lands of the south and the north. But hear these words. If those two step out of line I shall end their trechery once and for all, mark my words.

Very well, if you two wish to come despite what i have said, then be our guides. But remember, I gave my word to these two and they are under my protection in this quest. If however, they step out of line and betray us, I will hunt them down or maybe I will give the pleasure to you.
Our journey is long, lead the way Ranger.

A smile showed on his face, happy to have something to do that took him from this desolate and destroyed land, which sadly was his home. He whistled and two horses came running from the distance. He mounted one and Barahir the other. He called over his shoulder, "First we must go to my village. It is as nice a place as can exist in these times. On to Bree."

Nildadari and Caimare both looked at Maedhros. Would he agree to further delay? Both of them were eager to continue on and going to this Ranger's village would only slow them further. Herugurth listened to them whispering to each other, shook his head and walked away from the party, looking out ahead of them. Suddenly he froze. "Dragon!" he gasped.

From a distance Magnus spotted the party on he edge of a patch of forest. The wound he had taken earlier from the Elf-wench still irritated his pride. He had thought merely fly over he mountains in search of way-ward cattle or sheep this day, but the sight of the Elves inflamed him.

"Injury for injury" he thought as he flew higher, up into a bank of clouds. "One of them will pay dearly for this..."

The Company had sprung into action the instant the first shocks of Dragon-Fear had left them. The Elves reacted quickly, readying their weapons and preparing for the coming onslaught; it was evident to Turig that some of the company had had a run in with this beast before. Turig was awestruck by the sight, he had only ever half-believed the stories of Dragons and Sorcerers told to him long ago, in a happier world. He watched the creature soaring swiftly upwards, it was both beautiful and terrible. There was a flash of silver in the sunlight and then the dragon was gone. Passing through the clouds with a battle-roar. It was just biding its time, preparing to swoop, Turig was sure of it. What chance did they have against a creature like that?

Turig readied his spear and made a stand beside Henrick. The two brigands had fought many times side by side, and were a fearsome pair. He hoped that this stand would not be their last.

Eäritila had a arrow notched immediately, and said to Maedhros: 'You must get away from this place for I know in my heart his chief malice is directed at you....'

'Gilthoniel A Elbereth!' she sighed as a shadow passed in her heart though the gloomy clouds gave her no mark to aim at. But she left fly her arrow anyway, high into the sky it leapt... 'Go now, Maedhros!' she cried.

And Magnus descending in wrath, saw the arrow right at the last as it sped straight at him as he dived from the clouds...

I know that the Dragon seeks to hurt me. We have been enemies for a long time. Yet i will not leave you or anyone in this party. You're all under my protection.
Maedhros drew his sword and yelled at the dragon: 'Magnus, come foward, I Maedhros, eldest son of Feanor, challenge you.'

The great Dragon hung in the air, his anger dissipated by Maedhros' challenge. How tempting! How VERY tempting it would be to descend in fire upon this son of his ancient foe....however, he had a much more fitting end for him in mind!

"Again we meet Elf-lord, and I see that you have now among your rag-tag company the offal of Mankind, how desperate you must be, Maedhros to put your trust in them! There is one among you with whom I have a quarrel...bring her forth and I shall let the rest pass, for now. Otherwise there are those among you who will never see another moment."

Upon hearing Magnus' threat, Turig, torn between anger and terror, hurled his spear at the Dragon's head. Magnus roared deafeningly and belching fire, he swooped low over them engulfing Henrick and Eve's horse in flames so hot there was no chance of rescue. He then breathed smoke and a foul stench overcame them.

"On your head Maedhros, is this Man's death, a thing I know which will weigh upon your heart! Know that I await your coming into the East with great anticipation, for the day comes when your blood will taste sweet and your companions will die in great pain! Until then, Elf-lord..."

So saying he laughed as he flew away, a hideous sound that filled their hearts with despair ...

At once I went to Henrick's side, but it was too late. As i see the dragon flee, i kneel by the remains of Henrick, and I sad beyond words. Is this they way it's supposed to be for those who follow me, in the last war we were so close and yet we lost everything. I can still feel the influence of the Black enemy in Arda.
I begin singing to myself the a small piece of the Noldolantë. At least, this man, at the last moment, gave his life for someone else. In the end he earned redemption.
We must bury his remains and go east again. I have a matter to settle with a dragon. Saying that I took my sword and said that it will not end like this. He will be avenged.