Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Caranwyn's Tale: In Defence of Middle Earth	By : NiaraAfforegate Category: +G through L > Lord of the Rings Online, The Views: 2260 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is set in the universe created by Turbine, with permission from Tolkien Enterprises. I have no affiliation with either, and no such permissions. No money is made, and no ownership of LotRO, its universe, or related media is claimed.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
====================

Deeds Before Words

As much as their initial departure had been one of excitement, Boromir quickly slowed their pace to a more sensible speed. They had a long way to go, and a great many days of travel ahead of them, and urgent as his own quest was, it would only be slowed if they didn't keep to a pace that their horses could maintain for all that time. They turned northward along the rough road, mountains on their left, and settled in for the first of what would be many long days.

Caranwyn rode at the front, alongside Boromir. A part of her wanted to hang back amongst the others, but it felt proper, at least for the first day, that she truly act like the leader she was supposed to be. Even so, it didn't take long for the movement of the horse beneath her to begin feeling slightly uncomfortable and strained. The horse felt far too broad beneath her, despite being one of the slightest beasts amongst them, and the muscles of her thighs began to gripe before long. She chose not to let any sign of it show, keeping her face smooth and calm as they rode. Instead she glanced across to Boromir, wondering how best to strike conversation. It still felt intimidating to her, to simply talk with him as she might any other soldier; it didn't seem right, and yet, he had insisted. As she looked across at him, the man rode with an easy comfort, far more experienced in the saddle than any of them, and seemed to be simply enjoying to sharp morning weather, staring our far ahead of them, head up and a small smile on his lips. She was just deciding how to begin when his gaze flicked across to her. There was a momentary dart of his eyes up and down her profile, almost imperceptible, before his eyes locked on hers properly and his smile grew more full.

“Something on your mind, young Captain? Speak, if you wish. We've many days ahead of us, so there's no sense fretting over formalities. We'll have naught but each others' company for a while yet, no matter how much haste we manage.” He watched her while he spoke, a wry expression gracing his features, but then looked back to the road ahead once he finished, as relaxed as ever. They weren't riding slowly, by any means, but he managed to make it look like it was a leisurely pace for him. Caranwyn shook her head.

“Sorry my Lor—, Boromir. Actually, I was wondering about that. I know I oughtn't ask about the details of your own mission, of course, but our path takes us up to Eriador, though I've been given little guidance beyond that. How far do you intend for us to travel together?” Following his example, she let her gaze turn forward again, but immediately realised the problem with that as she felt his eyes turn back to her, the man taking his time to study her more casually. A sense of stubbornness made her continue, eyes forward as she tried to emulate his seemingly relaxed riding. The extra moment he took before responding made if difficult to ignore the sense of his eyes but she persisted. Eventually he answered with a light chuckle.

“I see no reason to keep my errand a secret from you, now that we're away. In truth, I'd be happy to share the tale of it with you, though it be something better told over a warm drink and in more comfort. We can speak more of it once we camp for the night, perhaps, but for now, I seek the elven dale of Imladris, hidden in the north somewhere. Our paths will remain together across the plains of Rohan a least, but who may say from there.” There was a pause and she flicked her eyes across to the man, but only found him looking forward again. His gaze seemed more distant, and his face bore an expression of pensive thought. He shook it off a moment later and looked back, smiling once more. “But let us save such thoughts for later. Your own task interests me, though I wonder at it. Men whom I trust have spoken highly of your abilities as a tactician, even untried, and that is a strength that would be best used here, at the door of our enemy, than sent away on a mission to the lands that, by our blood, enjoy peace and safety.” After a moment he shook his head. “Forgive me. I do not doubt my father's wisdom, and trust that he knows how best to direct our strength.”

Silence fell for a few moments before Caranwyn decided how to respond, and she took time to glance behind her to her men, riding in loose formation behind. Russellwen, closest to her, offered her a grin and a wave and she couldn't help but return the smile at least.

“I've been told I'll come to understand what is needful as I go, and I mean to. I think I understand some of it, at least.” Boromir only nodded.

“That is well, then. I'm sure my father's trust was well placed.” He nodded again, his face sinking back into thoughtfulness, and Caranwyn let the silence reign again.

As the day wore on, the cold of the morning burning off into warm sunlight, Caranwyn found it increasingly difficult to ignore the discomfort riding for so long was causing. She dropped back to speak with the others, and though Boromir continued to set a quick pace, it was not so bad that they couldn't still talk amongst themselves. It was reassuring to discover that she was not the only one feeling how unused to prolonged riding they were, though she didn't speak of her own discomfort. Instead she offered a rueful grin, telling them that, if nothing else, they would all be far more comfortable in the saddle by the end of things.

They broke shortly after midday to rest the horses and share a light meal and some water themselves. Most of her men were clearly covering winces as they stretched and moved, and Carnawyn herself wanted little more than to sooth her thighs with something cold, but knew there'd be no real chance to do so until they stopped finally for the night. Boromir sat a little ways apart from them, eating only little but not wasting the chance to stretch and rest, however short the break was.

As she put the stop back in the canteen that her sister had passed her and handed it back, Gathstan came to sit beside her. He seemed to be fairing better than the others, at least, and murmured quietly, with his eyes on Boromir the whole time.

“They were there at Osgiliath, when the terror came, and threw us back. They fought to hold the very last bridge, right to the last man. At the last, when it could be held no longer, they tore it down, and swam. It was only they two, the steward's sons, and two other soldiers, who made it back alive, in the end, to rouse and muster us for the reclamation. Even in the face of that terror, they two stood strong and unfaltering, the others said, and I believe it. I saw them both fighting, the night we took back some small foothold, and it was inspiring. It feels like quite an honour to ride with him now, in such intimate company.” As much as there was a quiet reverence in his voice, it was still calm and matter of fact. When Carnawyn glanced to him, he turned his face to her, and she was graced with that warm, open grin that was a rarity from her friend these days. “But Captain, even so... I'm still more glad to be riding behind you instead.” She ducked her head, turning her eyes down as she smiled, and Gathstan laughed, quickly shifting his focus. Russellwen caught his eye, and he nodded slightly in her direction. After putting the canteen away, the other girl had moved towards Celegeth, and seemed to be bending over him, lying out on the ground. He was talking and she giggled, though they were too far away to hear the words.

“I'll wager the lovebirds feel like they're running away together, in all this. Between your mother and his, I'll bet they're both glad to be out of the city now.” Caranwyn grinned at them both, and had to swiftly will the colour out of her cheeks as other thoughts returned. Instead she turned smooth, serious features to Garthstan, closing her eyes as she answered.

“Now Garthstan, really. I'm quite sure soldier Celegeth and soldier Russellwen have nothing but our current mission on their minds at all. They have my highest confidence!” An edge of good-humoured primness hemmed her voice, and she broke into a grin that threatened to become a giggle a few moments later. Her eyes flicked to Boromir and she stopped the giggle at least. To her surprise though, Garthstan raised one eyebrow looking at her. It infuriated her the way he could do that so effortlessly. His smirk didn't leave but there was something more piercing in his eyes.

“Captain... There's something you're not telling me, isn't there? I know you too well for that.” Much to her chagrin, Caranwyn found her cheeks colouring brightly for a few moments until she could get her surprise under control, but by then it was far too late. Garthstan sat back and prodded her in the shoulder.

“There really is something interesting you're not saying. I bet I can guess, but what could it be to make you blush so, I wonder... Rare is the thing that will fluster you, my captain.” He waited, expectantly watching her, but Caranwyn only shook her head and kept her mouth closed. Celegeth had a right to know, perhaps, but as dear as her other friends were, none of them needed to know that. Garthstan gave a short chuckle then sighed, lying back with his hands behind his head.

“Keep your secret then. It'll have me thinking for ages... But if it continues to gnaw at me, well, it just doesn't do to have a man on the field distracted, especially not when his captain could relieve the distraction herself.” again that raised eyebrow, looking up at here, but she stayed firm. “Ah, fine. Maybe I'll ask Celegeth himself. Even if he doesn't know about whatever made you light up like a rose just then, at least he's better at figuring these sorts of things out than I am. Hah! But I'm guessing from that flinch that he knows full well.” As much as she tried to hide her stricken reaction, Garthstan was watching her too closely now, and though she'd barely tensed at all, he caught it. She hung her head, but just before she was about to plead with him not to press it, she felt his hand clap her shoulder gently, reaching up to reassure from where he lay.

“Don't worry Caranwyn. If something is dire enough to make you react like that, then I'll leave it where it lies. I won't dig.” there was a pause for a few moments, then he continued in a musing voice. “Though I must say, oh captain, I honestly thought that the east wind would come bearing flowers and songs, before I ever saw you blush over anything to do with a boy.” As casual as his musing was, it drew her eyes to him again, rather than helping her relax. She sighed, exasperated.

“Light... does everyone know?” A part of her wanted the words back immediately, but only a small part. Garthstan sat up again, looking at her more seriously.

“If that means what I think it means, Caranwyn, then no, but I know that you could tell any one of us such a thing, and find no surprised faces. I don't think any of us have ever asked because it's never been important, but I think we all understand at least, that asking to court you would be a doomed effort before it started. Even if some of them could not answer why right away.” He winked at her then stood, moving back towards his horse while she watched him go, biting her lip. It seemed strange, in a way, that something that had been a revelation for her might simply be nothing at all for her companions; she hadn't thought of that. Ever since she had understood herself, it had felt like something of a secret, but perhaps that was the wrong way to look at things after all. She nodded softly to herself, then stood. As she rose it felt like she had shrugged off a burden she hadn't known she carried and she looked about her men. Her men; her brothers; her friends. That was what mattered.

All too soon, they were riding again, and the day wore on towards dusk. Light conversation drifted between them, on a great many topics, and Boromir soon began to join in with snippets here and there. Caranwyn watched him when she could, though, and it was clear to her eye that whatever drove him to set a fast pace worried ever at his mind. Eventually he called a halt for the night and they quickly set about tending the horses as they'd been taught and bedding them down along a picket, before beginning to arrange their own shelter. Amongst their supplies, they'd taken three small shelters, simple and fast to set up, but enough to keep the elements off two or three bodies each. Boromir had brought his own small shelter, just as mercenary as theirs, but marked with formal standards that would leave few guesses as to whom rested within.

They had halted within sight of a large wood that ran all the way up to the mountains. Caranwyn knew it as the Firien wood, if only from maps. In the mountains to which it clung, the Halifirien signal fire was nestled, high above, the last of the signal fires in Gondorian lands. Crossing the wood would see them leaving Anorien, and passing our of Gondor, into the lands of Rohan. A part of her was glad they had stopped here, giving them all one last night in Gondor before they truly set foot into foreign lands.

Caranwyn climbed gingerly down from her horse, the aching soreness from the long ride bad enough that she wasn't entirely sure she could perform the various evening duties needed for making camp without going very slowly. Fortunately, she was not the only one suffering from the day's travel, and her eyes caught signs of each of the others wincing, stretching and trying to move carefully, though in each case she could tell they were trying to hide it. No-one complained or noticed they they took their time setting up, each as grateful to the other for it, but Caranwyn found herself musing about how much faster it might have been if they hadn't actually brought proper shelters with them.

Normally, a small expedition like this would simple sleep in their cloaks and bedrolls, with the sky for cover, and normally it would not have been so bad. The exception had been made at first because they were travelling very far away, and the conditions would be more uncertain far from home. Two shelters for their seven would have been the allotment, but it had only taken some carefully hinted words to suggest that, there being two women in the party, three would be acceptable. It meant that they'd all rest with more comfort and space, certainly, even if it was a little bit more load on the pack horses and this evening, Caranwyn did her best to suppress another wince, this evening they would all appreciate a little room. It also gave them some more practical options later. As improper as it was, she was quite sure that if Russellwen and Celegeth wanted a night alone there would be no objections from any of the others, and the rest of the time would see her sharing one shelter with her sister instead. Her cheeks coloured slightly and she hid her face in the process of tending her horse and taking it to picket with the others.

By the time a small cook fire had been made, the last of the light had faded, and they had each eased themselves down to sit about the flames to share sheepish grins and the occasional self-depreciating chuckle, Boromir came to join them. He had long since set up his own shelter and taken care of his horse, at ease and no worse the wear from the ride, and had spent the last of the light looking out towards the north. When he looked to each of them now, though, he smiled.

“Well, my fellows. I'll not pretend you are old campaigners, or veterans of many long journeys.” He laughed, still smiling, and clapped one arm briefly around the shoulder of the man next to him, Belemir. “You are all young yet, and I know I set a pace that was hard for ones unused to long riding. Take heart, at least, that it will grow easier on you all swiftly.” Again he chuckled, and Caranwyn was pleased to see her men growing at least somewhat less concerned.

They didn't speak much as they prepared and ate a light meal, but it wasn't an awkward quiet, just tired. At length, Carnawyn nodded to each of her men and bade them sleep well while they still had the chance. Boromir took the opportunity to raise his gaze from the flames to her, eyebrows raised in an open expression.

“Caranwyn, perhaps you'd join me for a short while before retiring? We have matters to discuss.” As much as she had been expecting the polite request, she found she still had to fight off a brief sense of defensiveness. She saw no reason to keep anything they might say from her men, but even so, that wasn't how things were done and she knew it. She inclined her head to him.

“Of course, I'll join you in just a moment.” She let him go first, stretching and holding her hands out towards the small fire for a few moments longer, then stood. Caranwyn felt the eyes of her men follow her as she nodded to them and fell back from the fire, towards Boromir's shelter. Their attention turned away again almost immediately, of course, but her mind continued to play the sensation regardless and it wasn't until she straightened her shoulders at the flap of the marked tent that she managed to shake it off. It may only have been a few moments in reality, but even so, she paused and cleared her throat.

“Captain Boromir, if I may enter?”

“Come,” the sound of his voice in response was only slightly muffled and rather more relaxed sounding that hers had been. Taking a breath, she ducked through the flap.

The interior was more or less as she had expected to find; a bedroll and a small bundle that no doubt contained clothing, covered by Boromir's riding cloak and a few of his other small effects removed now for comfort. The man himself was seated cross-legged on the one bedroll, holding a plain but well crafted cup in one hand with a small bottle and a second cup beside him. She noticed, too, that of all the possessions he had set aside now, his horn still rested in its proper place. She wondered briefly if he even slept with it on. At his gesture, she inclined her head and took a seat opposite him, but hesitated a moment as he offered her the second cup. Until now she'd never had true occasion to drink wine, and her contact with it was very minimal. Her normal reaction would have been to shake her head, but, she was an adult now; there was no harm in it. She accepted the cup with a small smile and lowered her eyes as he filled it from the bottle, then took a small sip as he replaced the stop and took a drink himself. The taste was sweet and sharp, and even a small sip filled her mouth with the unfamiliar flavour, leaving her blinking as she swallowed. The feel of it in her throat lingered as she breathed and she had to fight down a blush a she noticed him watching her. Just that, just watching, with that casual, disarming smile. It only lasted a second more before he spoke.

“So, young Captain. You put a brave face to it, but I am sure you, too, are weary and sore from the ride. Be comfortable, we may talk a while.” He took another sip from his cup then resettled himself slightly, visibly relaxing a bit more. “Tell me, I knew much of what my father intended when we discussed the duties you were to be assigned upon your oaths, and the company you have chosen comes as no surprise to me; I wonder though, in choosing these few men, those who know you best, even though they be as raw and fresh as you yourself, is it perhaps because you expect trouble in commanding proper respect and loyalty from other soldiers who do not know you so well? Did you choose them, too, because they are as fresh as you, and will not look down upon your small experience?”

The way he asked the question would have made her bristle, but as she disguised her first reaction behind another drink from her wine she guessed that it was probably meant so. She took a moment to let the taste pass around her mouth as she considered her answer. It really was quite drinkable.

“I don't suspect that I will have trouble being recognised, or accepted, sir; I know with certainty that I will. Even today, before we departed, a soldier troubled me in a most vulgar way, because all he could see was a woman, not a soldier, or a captain.” Her eyes dropped as she noticed a hint of something angry and defensive in Boromir's eye, but she continued the thought as it occurred to her. “For his disrespect and disregard of rank, for his assault, he is now marked and punished, but what I am left thinking is that, had I been a man, that man would still be a well respected and loyal soldier in the fight against our enemy. Many of our most respected captains and generals will never accept me, for this body, no matter my deeds. What of you, my lord?” She knew he had asked her to call him by name, but something about that still didn't feel right. “When you look at me, which do you see first; a woman, or a soldier?” She found herself taking another sip and watched him over the rim of her cup. Boromir had opened his mouth right away, but then stopped, closing it to think again. His gaze cast over her once more, then lingered on his own drink instead, eyes troubled. At last he seemed to reach a conclusion and drew a breath.

“I cannot pretend it is not a difficult question, Caranwyn. You ask which I see first, and it would be a lie for me to deny seeing a beautiful young lady before me, before anything else, no matter the clothing she wears.” Again his eyes flicked up and crossed over her form. “But, I can say that, if my heart be at odds, at least my mind is clearer. You are a Captain of Gondor, granted so by my father and by strength of your own merits, and though you are yet untried, I know that I must give you my trust in this, as I would any other new captain, until such time as you must show your true measure and be proven.” He took another drink, a longer one this time, and sighed. “It is no easy thing for me to do, and I admit, I do not know whether to feel shamed of that, or glad. All my life I have fought to the defence and protection of those smaller and weaker, who must be protected, for they cannot fight themselves, and always, this has meant our women, and our children. Scant few years ago, you were both; now to my eyes you are very much a young woman grown, but still a woman nonetheless. Is it not natural for my first will to be to protect you, and to keep you from the horrors that we must face in fighting?” He shook his head, then looked at her, this time meeting her eyes with a gaze that seemed more uncertain than she had expected. “Am I to be ashamed for wanting to do so? My mind tells me what I know to be truth; yet my heart will always speak otherwise.” He sighed and set his drink down beside him. “And you are wise, Caranwyn, to see that every true son of Gondor who wishes most to defend the land and people dearest to him, will feel no different. More?” At his raised eyebrow, Caranwyn realised she had finished her cup while he spoke, and nodded to him. He grinned again and continued as he refilled it and passed it back to her. “And what of my other question? You have not told me your thoughts behind choosing the men you have.” There was a wry edge to the question, but she suspected he was just as pleased to move on from the more difficult of the two, to the one that more directly concerned her rank, rather than her form. She sipped slowly form her refilled cup.

“To that I would say that I did not choose these soldiers because of how well they already know me, but rather because of how well I know each of them. I know that the mission we have been tasked with is uncertain, and much is unknown about what we will see, so, I made my choice to have men that I know the strengths and weaknesses of at my command; men whose talents I'm familiar with, so that we can all be as flexible and responsive as possible to whatever we end up having to deal with.” She caught herself looking at him with her head tilted slightly, a hint of challenge in her eye and made herself relax again. Across from her, Boromir nodded.

“A wise choice then, young captain.” She wondered whether he'd reverted to calling her that because they were talking about her more formal duty, or because he felt more comfortable with it after the last question. Her thought stopped as he continued. “In truth, I'm glad that you took these men as your choice; as much as several of them show very great potential, they are young and inexperienced, and loathe as I am to say it, we truly cannot spare any experienced hands from our forces when the Enemy comes against us. The threat grows ever darker, ever more fierce, while our own strength... well, our own strength grows no greater to answer it.” As he drank again, Caranwyn found herself wondering if he had really called her in so that he might simply have someone to muse to, but she watched him and listened carefully. “I truly am pained to leave our City at such a time as this, with the shadow growing ever longer, but there is naught for it.” As his eyes wandered over her again, he chuckled and reached out for her cup. It was empty again. Rather than refilling it though, he finished his own and set both aside.

“No more for now, I think, Caranwyn. I would not have your wits addled when we still have much to talk of, and unless I miss my guess, you are not well accustomed to such drinks yet.” His smile was knowing and Caranwyn felt herself blush bright. She put one hand to her mouth in embarrassment, and became quickly aware of just how hot her cheeks felt, even without her blushing. She cast her eyes down, trying to hide her features. She certainly hadn't dulled her wits yet, but Boromir was probably right in stopping her; the wine was far too easy to drink. She shook her head and apologised to him, but the man waved it away, still grinning.

“You need not apologise; I expected as much. You are fortunate in the timing of this mission, in fact. You know of the tradition amongst the generals and captains, perhaps? It is not much mentioned, but I imagine most people in the City know it occurs. Whenever a new soldier is raised to such a rank, there is a small celebration the evening of the first time he has cause to meet with all the captains and generals assembled. It is something of a quiet gathering, or begins so, but it is tradition that he be very thoroughly fed his cups until his wits be so sotted he spends the night doing many things he should not, and remembering even less of it come morning, and the younger the new captain, the more... vigorous the celebrations often are. Whether it be my place to be defensive or not, let us say that I am relieved for you to be spared that particular initiation.” Caranwyn couldn't help the small spike of apprehension that passed through her as he reminded her of the thing she had deliberately forgotten about. It was the sort of thing that she'd heard stories about, quietly, and passed tales always grew in the telling, but even so. There were quite a few women in the City who were much less concerned about what others thought of their personal virtue, and she knew that they certainly knew more about those initiations than others. It had worried her deeply what might be expected of her, and she'd put it from her mind in the hope that the other captains would be just as uncertain. The timing of her being sent away really was quite a blessing in that sense. Across from her, Boromir shook his head and his mirth slipped away as his face grew serious again.

“But I think we've skirted about what you really sought to ask me for long enough. Why I am leaving our City on such a far-reaching errand, when the shadows are long and times are darker than ever before. When Osgiliath was lost to us, taken by the terror of their dark captain, and only barely reclaimed... Why now, when the White City can least afford my absence, I must yet go.” He sat quiet for a moment, and Caranwyn waited him out. His eyes were looking down at the fabric of the bedroll between them and he seemed to be deciding on where to begin with care.

“A dream has come both to my brother Faramir, and myself, the same dream, and we both agree that it is prophetic in nature, and upon the urgency of it. Unfortunately, neither of us, nor even our father, have been able to puzzle out its meaning. Not well enough, at least. It was made no secret that I seek Imladris, as stories tell that the master there is an elf of surpassing wisdom and learning, who may be able to draw meaning from riddles, and perhaps offer counsel and greater hope to us in these times. It was known amongst the captains at our leaving, and will be known through the City in a matter of days, if it is not already. That it is a hidden vale in the north is all I know, but I must find it all the same. I can only hope that whatever fortune sent this dream with its riddles to me, also sees fit to guide my steps in the search.” As she watched him, Caranwyn could tell that his thoughts dwelt still on whatever the riddles of his dreams were, and she guessed further that he wasn't about to tell her any more. As much as she no longer felt as though she was blushing, her cheeks still felt uncomfortably hot, and she was glad that Boromir was no longer watching her so closely.

“I can understand now why you travel with such haste. Whatever counsel or answers the master of Imladris might give you, it seems difficult to see how it might be of help against the Enemy's attacks, if he does not also lend a force of arms along with his advice.” As she relaxed, she rested her elbows on her knees, propping her chin up with her hands. Increasingly, she was aware of the discomfort of her riding clothes and the soreness of her limbs. Especially her thighs, the strain there was almost painful. Boromir glanced up again and nodded to her.

“And yet, it is not force of arms I seek from Lord Elrond, for that is not where his strength lies, so I am told. This errand is one my heart tells me is of utmost importance, yet, all the while I am away, I know I will fear for my home, and my people.” He paused for a moment, then let slip a small smile. “Still, it serves the heart well, to give air to one's worries at times; perhaps we shall at least be good company for one another on the road, for as far as our paths continue together?” His grin for her was casual and warm, and she nodded, grinning back before she could stop herself. With another nod, he made move to rise, one hand reaching up to the first fastening at his neck, then stopped there, and cleared his throat quietly.

“As it is, I should not occupy you any further. We begin early again in the morning, and I imagine you need rest.” Caranwyn blinked as she noticed the action he'd paused in and she felt her blush return suddenly, jumping to her feet and saluting to him.

“Yes, sir. A good evening to you, I'll take my leave.” It didn't help her composure that her words came out rushed. She ducked out of the tent quickly and walked away with steps quicker than she had intended. She was halfway towards her own shelter for the night before she stopped to settle herself.

====================
- 14
- 15
- 16
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Caranwyn's Tale: In Defence of Middle Earth