At War in Love. The Shadow over Rhudaur Part IV

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Near the Palace Stables and on the plateau outside the gates of Cameth Brin. November 2, 1347
Written by Serenoli, Elfhild, and Rian
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Amantir and Tarniel exchanged bemused glances. They were not the only ones. Odare's bodyguards had stared openly; Sarador, passing by, had given a double-take; the entire hunting party were either staring or laughing quietly. Odare ignored them all, and concentrated on stroking her horse.

In an act of defiance that even she could not explain, she had not worn a single jewel. She had dug through her closet, and flung out numerous velvet and silken dresses, before finding a simple blue dress embroidered in black. She suspected one of her maid's dresses had been accidentally misplaced in her closet - she wore it anyway. Her hair was in a tight bun. Without her customary ornaments, she looked almost indecently naked - one felt she should put on at least a ring on her hand; but she had been thorough - she had even stripped off the ribbons on her shoes.

If her objective had been to get Daurendil's attention, she certainly got it. The prince was escorting Caelen out of the palace, being very attentive to her, right up to the moment he reached them. He did not recognize her at first.

"Amantir, where's Odare? I don't want us to delay too long," he asked, slightly impatient. "It's only a hunting trip, she needn't spend so much time fussing over jewels..." he muttered.

"You're the one who delayed," she glared at him, and mounted her horse. Others followed suit. Daurendil gaped.

"What have you done to your face?" he asked, awed.

She ignored him, and turned instead to Amantir and Tarniel, saying "Race you to the old fort! Whoever reaches last is an orc!"

With a cry of encouragement to her horse, she was off. Her two friends did not delay either - and seeing them set off, the rest followed. Shaking his head and muttering, Daurendil mounted his horse as well. He took a moment to look for his fair Caelen, but she had not waited for him.

In fact, she was near the front, fast catching up to the trio at the front. After all her impatience to ride, it was hard to resist the invitation to race. They broke through the crowd near the market - Odare upset a wheelbarrow of apples on her flight - it was enough to catch Amantir off-guard and his horse skidded to the side; Tarniel slowed her horse down and picked her way safely through but Caelen took her horse on a graceful leap that cleared the wheelbarrow, its annoyed owner and the apples all in one. Odare spared one look behind her, grinning, and Caelen smiled back, urging her horse on. A horrified look replaced the grin; suddenly she really wanted to win the race.

The fort was coming in view now, and she had the lead, but they were almost neck to neck. In a sudden burst of speed, Caelen crossed her, her beautiful hair fanning out behind her. A strand smacked Odare right across the eyes. Blinded, and in sudden pain, she lost control for a few precious moments; enough for Caelen to gallop the last few yards and reach the fort. She drew her horse in, flushing with success, and Odare, reaching her a split-second later, was already devising ways to have Caelen's hair chopped off strand by strand. It was just not fair that hair alone should determine one's success in life - or in a race. Or that Caelen should turn out to be a horsewoman. She fought the desire to pout.

"That was a good race," said Caelen, still slightly out of breath.

Odare grudgingly conceded the point, and then the two of them in silence waited for the others. The real race was over, though; and it was clear that, whatever the outcome, Daurendil would be the one who ended up as the orc.

Laughing, Tarniel caught up with Odaragariel and Caelen, Amantir and Daurendil following close behind. "Congratulations, Caelen!" Tarniel exclaimed, looking up into the flushed face of the young woman. Then, considering Odaragariel, who felt perpetually inferior, she added tactfully, "It was a close match!"

The sight of Odaragariel dressed so austerely and without any jewelry at all was quite disconcerting, and Tarniel tried not to gawk. She had not even dressed so plainly at Nauremir's funeral! Tarniel wondered about the cause of this strange transformation. There was something going on, brooding under the surface. Whatever it was would surely come out soon. She noticed the way that Odaragariel glowered at Caelen and the way she ignored Daurendil, as though he were some lowly peasant. Before the hunt, Odare had told her about the mysterious newcomer to Cameth Brin, although Odare knew relatively little about the woman except that she caught her kneeling before the prince and kissing his hand. Since then, Odare's mood had been quite...mercurial.

"The gesture was probably innocent," Tarniel assured herself. After all, Caelen was a married woman. Royalty was always to be treated with respect, and that was what the hand kissing incident was all about. But why did Daurendil keep staring at Caelen, a peculiar emotion in his eyes - was it desire? Somehow Tarniel knew that ere the day was over, the tongues of the gossipmongers would be wagging.

The second hunt (the race was the first) was nothing special - it was "been there, done that" for most of them, but to Caelen, it was wonderful. It was so intoxicating to be out on a horse again, free and safe. Her mare had rested a long time in the stables and was "feeling her oats," but Caelen, having grown up with horses, was more than up to the challenge. More than one eye followed her with admiration as she rode the spirited mare around the grounds, laughing with delight.

But all things come to an end, and soon enough, the party had to turn for home. Daurendil had been very attentive to Caelen, but Caelen had been too wrapped up in her own enjoyment of riding to notice. But eventually, Daurendil's attentions got through even to her, and she sobered up as they got closer to home. She even became aware of the other people in her party as things other than riding companions, and noticed a marked lack of gaiety. What was wrong? What were the looks for? Daurendil seemed to be the only one having a good time. She wondered if she had been wise, after all, to confide in this young man.

Daurendil leaned in a little closer than Caelen liked and made a comment about her beautiful mare and what a pair they made. Caelen, a little late in the day ("but better than never!" she thought), remembered Arinya's advice to act as a modest married lady, and decided that now would be a good time to bring her "husband" into the conversation.

"Yes, she's lovely, isn't she?" she said in what she thought was a modest married woman's voice. "This is my husband's favorite mare!"

More than one jaw dropped at the mention of Caelen's "husband", and Caelen, looking furtively around the group, felt ashamed at her selfish lack of consideration towards her brother and his efforts to protect her.

She had hoped to cool off Daurendil's manner towards her, and it did in a way, but it also had the opposite effect - Daurendil looked upon it as a shared secret that increased their intimacy. In a manner that he hoped was convincing, but was actually a bit theatrical, he replied, "Your husband has excellent taste!"

And Odare caught the wink that was meant for Caelen's eyes only.


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Near the Palace Stables, November 2, 1347
Written by Valandil
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Eryndil was waiting for them when they got back - just out of sight, and he waited a little more while they dismounted and turned over their horses to the stable hands, amid tittering laughter and witty remarks.

Then, when she was just enough apart from the rest to not draw attention, and near enough to hear him, he said her name in a voice that was low but strong.

"Caelen."

She halted in mid-laugh and turned toward his voice, her face suddenly serious, wondering. But then her countenance turned joyful once again, but with a different kind of joy - no longer the exultation from a high moment, but the joy that comes from the warmth of a steady friendship.

"Eryndil!" she replied, smiling at him happily.

"Come here, please... Caelen," he said, calling her aside. She came and they stood just a bit beyond her friends, so that it was plain to see that they only spoke with one another, and yet a clear view, or any sound, were obscured by stables, posts, barrels and whatnot.

Eryndil swung Caelen past him and turned his back on her friends to face her, that they wouldn't hear his words.

"Caelen - I saw what you did today. And that was rather thoughtless and callous of you."

"Huh? What do you mean?" replied Caelen, looking perplexed.

"Oh - your idea of a race through town. I saw it! I was watching from the walls - over there!" he gestured. Her look was still blank.

"Caelen, look... that man, the one with the cart of apples. You could have KILLED him!"

A look of shock - or dread came over Caelen's face, and she lowered her head.

"Now," he continued, "maybe your new friends make you too good to care about the commoners, but in a Thane's house, we watch out for them."

"I'm... I'm sorry."

"Caelen - did you know that man is a widower? He brings his wares up the King's Road from Tanoth Brin - pushing that cart up those steep hills, every day - to try to sell for a little bit more, and take care of his four children, his ailing mother-in-law, and a sister besides!"

"I... I didn't know. And it all happened... so fast. It just seemed like, the best thing to do... didn't it?"

"No Caelen! Turning off would have been the best thing to do - like even those new friends of yours had good sense to do. But you wanted to win that race, didn't you? No matter what?"

"Well I..." she tried.

"No matter," continued Eryndil. "I made it up to him. I gave him your brooch."

"My brooch!" she gasped, wide-eyed.

"Yes... and it was awful troublesome to have to buy it right back. Now THAT'S what cost me," he added with a triumphant smile, as he pulled it forth, displayed it to her, then returned it to his pouch.

"Now Caelen," he said - and at last his stern visage had softened into a gentle smile of his own. "Where is your... where is Callon? I have desired to speak with him for some days now."

"Oh," she began, "he is gone as wagon-driver, to take the body of an unfortunate young nobleman back to his parents. He should be back in a few days."

"I see," said Eryndil, looking all at once reflective. "Well, for your part, please try to exhibit better judgement - and greater self-control, for the rest of his absence. And now... good day, Miss Caelen."

And he bowed stiffly to her, then walked out of the stables, bowing to the various princes and princesses who still stood waiting for Caelen at the stable entrance.


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Near the Palace Stables, afternoon of November 2, 1347
Written by Rian, Serenoli, and Elfhild.
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Caelen walked back to the group, her cheeks still hot from Eryndil's well-deserved reprimand. She had indeed cared only about winning, and the man with the apple cart had only been an obstacle to that goal, instead of a person with a life and loved ones. But she had only wanted to ride ... it wasn't fair! She bit her lower lip in frustration. Why can't a girl just have fun?

Odaragariel’s head swam. Why had Daurendil winked at the mention of Caelen's husband? Given how freely he had showered her with attentions all day - to the point where Odare had married them in her head - he ought to be feeling very shocked right about now. And here he was, treating it like a joke, like a secret joke between the two of them. Maybe... maybe Daurendil was secretly married to Caelen! Or... Caelen was married to someone else, and she and Daurendil were planning to do away with the poor bloke! Or maybe... and her mind flew off in different directions, each speculation worse and wilder than the one before.

She watched intently as a nobleman talked to Caelen - maybe he was the husband? He certainly seemed to be scolding her... maybe for the way she and the prince had carried on... and Odare could hardly blame him. Why, she herself felt an increasing desire to tell off Daurendil, or maybe just stomp on his feet and pull his ears. Caelen rejoined their group and Erindyl passed them by, giving them a nod as he went. Maybe it was the stern look that accompanied his nod, but suddenly Odare found herself feeling faint vestiges of guilt.

"Who was that?" Odare asked Caelen, who was petulantly biting her lower lip.

"Oh, that's Eryndil of Nandemar - my father's asked him to join his new council - jolly good fellow," answered Daurendil, eager to show that he was on the "inside" group now that he was a man.

Daurendil's casual reply only confirmed Odare's view that she was being rather malicious. After all, it was hardly fair for her to be obsessing so much over other people's private affairs. She had known for a long time that she and Daurendil would get married someday, to bring the lands of Imlad Mitheithel as her dowry to the Crown. She didn't mind becoming Daurendil's wife and the future Queen - but she had also known long ago that the two of them could be nothing closer than friends.

"So, Odare, trying out something new, I see." Tarniel had obviously been struggling not to comment all day.

"I lost the key to my jewellery box, that's all," Odare replied, blushing slightly at the lie. "Let's go back... I'm tired, and it's making me act strangely."

"Would you please excuse me?" asked Caelen hastily. "I'm feeling a little unwell..." Turning to Daurendil, she added, "Thank you so much for your invitation to join in the ride, your Highness - it was very kind of you to include me."

And amid the polite remarks from Daurendil and the group, Caelen headed back to her room, trying desperately to reach its sanctuary before the tears came. But tears have their own timetable, and came earlier than the room did - right as Caelen turned the corner and ran into two of the young wives that had been so kind to her since her arrival.

"Caelen! Are you well? Were you out ... riding? Is that wise right now?" they asked, concerned about "one of us".

"I was wrong about ... my condition," said Caelen, the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Oh, you poor thing," they comforted, embracing her. "Come with us and let us make you more comfortable!"

"No, please - thank you very much, you're so kind - but I just want to be alone in my room right now," answered Caelen, sincerely thankful for their kindness and hating to deceive them.

It took awhile, but she finally convinced them that being alone in her room would be the best thing for her right now, and she practically ran down the rest of the hall to her room, where she locked the door and threw herself on her bed, sobbing in her pillow.

"Oh mother, father, I miss you so much!" she cried in agony. "I need your help - I just can't master myself - I'm like a horse with the bit between its teeth - oh, I miss you ... please help me ... please help me ..."

And she fell asleep with those words on her lips ...