The Dare

Chapter 2

The pale sun sent streaks of light across the sky. The light was warm but it was cool enough to see the horses’ breath. Elred brought my horse Halan. He was a small for a warhorse, not much to look at really. What he didn’t have in looks, he made up for in heart. He could hold his own against many a larger warhorse. I had trained Halan from the time he was a foal and we understood each other. He nuzzled me in anticipation of the adventure ahead. Elred looked at me as if to say, “Do you still want to do this?” Once we passed the outer gate there was no going back. I nodded and smiled. My hair was dyed with vegetable dye to a pale golden brown. The hood of my grey-brown wool cloak was pulled up over my face. I made an effort to stay in the background. I recognized a few of Elred’s friends, Penedir, Artamir, Arasuil and Dior. I had to be extra cautious. I could not risk any of them recognizing me.

A mummer went through the men as the captain rode up. He dismounted and spoke to each man in turn. He finally came to Eored and myself. “And who is this, Elred? I’ve not seen him before.” I looked up into a familiar face. It was the man from the library! Captain Faramir. My heart dropped. My adventure would be over before it began. “He is my mother’s sister’s son, sir. His name is Reyes.” He looked at me carefully. His eyes full of interest and concern. “Are we so pressed that we must take mere boys on our forays?”

“Oh Reyes only looks young. He is a fine archer and he also has some training in leechcraft.” Elred spoke earnestly glancing at me sideways. Faramir looked from me to Elred and laughed. “Well, since you come so highly recommended Reyes, I would be remiss if I left you behind.” He looked searchingly at me one last time and then he turned around. “Mount up! We have a long ride ahead us.” My breath whooshed from my body. I hadn’t realized I was holding it.

We rode all day, stopping only briefly for a bite of food and a swallow of water. We left the civilized areas of Minas Tirith quickly and Cair Andros came into sight. We crossed the fords of the Anduin at twilight and made camp. Riding is always a pleasure but the binder across my chest became uncomfortable as the day wore on. I was looking forward to taking it off. “Be on your guard , sister.” Elred whispered. I preformed my ablutions under the cover of the gathering darkness. The stars appeared. I lay on my roll seeing them. They were in slightly different places than where I would see them at home in the Southfold. A wave of homesickness came over me. A voice interrupted my reverie and I sat up quickly.

“And how is our new recruit?” asked Captain Faramir. Elred glanced up from the fire with fear in his eyes. My mouth was dry and my throat tried to close up. I managed to utter something. “Well, I enjoy riding, sir.” He smiled, his grey eyes scrutinizing me. “Enjoy it while you can, son. There will be rough going later.” He patted me on the shoulder. His hand seemed to burn through my clothes and a tingle went down my spine. Needing to calm myself, I went for a short walk. I glimpsed the Captain sitting on a boulder, watching the night sky. He looked so alone. I went back to my roll, lay down and dreamed of grey eyes.

Chapter 3

I felt his arms around me, his lips on mine, my heart sang and the world was bright and lovely. I heard a low bird call and felt a sharp poke in my ribs. I grunted and Elred whispered in my ear,” Get up slugabed, the sun will be up shortly and you must be ready.” I willed myself awake, got my things and stumbled into the woods. As I put on my binder, memories of the dream flitted through my head. I blushed at the memory, my face flushed in the cool dawn. Then my heart sank. I knew that he would never look at me twice if we met in the City. He was a great captain, son of the Steward, and I, and an unladylike woman of mixed blood. “No bloody chance!” I sighed and returned to camp.

The day was fair and bright. The sun shone warmly as we rode south shadowing the Harad Road. Ithilien was the garden of Gondor. Though the Enemy had driven the people from the land, the land was not defeated. Trees, bushes and plants grew in silent defiance. Spring was coming. I marveled at the landscape. Such sights were new for one used to the broad plains of Rohan. The healer in me awoke. I began searching for medicinal plants I knew must be here. I had to be careful though. If I stopped to long, I would get caught or worse left behind. I came up next to Elred.

“I want to gather herbs if I see them. Can you watch for me?” I asked quietly. Elred frowned but shook his head in agreement. He knew my skill and that what I gathered, might be needed later. I spotted some athelas, a prize to be sure. As I was kneeling down to harvest the plant, I heard hooves and Halan whickered. I didn’t look up assuming it was Elred. “I’ll only be a moment, Elred. I have found some athelas that I must have.”

“What is athelas, Reyes? Is this why you keep falling behind?” I looked up, startled. Faramir looked down from his horse, a curious look on his face. Elred rode up and saw the scene.

“My apologies, sir. Reyes is a trained healer. He probably couldn’t resist the urge to gather herbs.” As he spoke, Elred shot me a look of pure fury.

“I can well understand that. But you have not told me what athelas is.” He smiled gently

My throat dry from terror, I managed to growl out,”It’s known as ‘kingsfoil’, sir. It is prized among elvish healers.”

“Interesting. However, in the future, if you wish to stop for something, keep Elred or one of the others close by. We are in the wild. Who knows where the Enemy might be.”

My heart seemed to pounding so loudly I was sure he and Elred could hear it.

I finished gathering the athelas. I stored it carefully in my saddlebag. When I looked up, Faramir was still there waiting along with Elred. Elred had an odd look on his face. It was worry and amusement mixed together.

We began riding to catch up to the rest of the patrol. I tried to keep my eyes focused on the way ahead but my nerves were drawn tight as a harp string. I could hardly breath. One wrong move and my secret would be out. And yet, I comforted myself with the knowledge that as far away as we were from Minas Tirith, Faramir could hardly send me back now. Periodically, I glanced at Faramir. He was still the handsome man who had helped me that day in the library and replaced my father as my ideal man. And yet, there was an air of weariness around him. He seemed to carry a burden. I involuntarily sighed. He looked at me and asked who my parents were. I blinked and stammered out the names of some deceased relatives. Then he asked about our parents.



“I remember Telemnir. I heard he had fallen in love with a woman from Rohan. One of the breeders daughters I think.” I almost spoke and bit my tongue while Elred spoke, “Yes, sir.”

“It was quite a tale in the barracks. But having seen Hilde, I can well understand why. You have a sister do you not, Elred?” My heart skipped a beat and I held my breath.

“I do indeed Captain. Her name is Eolindė and my twin. She helps our parents with the horses. She is a shieldmaiden like the Lady Eowyn and is training to be a healer.”

“Ah yes! Now I remember. I helped her with some Numenorean in the library one afternoon several years ago. Twins! Well then, you must be very close.”

“Yes. In fact, it feels like she is here with me now. She is a very good archer and sometimes will spar with me or my friends.” I gasped at Elred’s dangerous words. Faramir turned sharply to face me.

“ Yes, Reyes?”

“Nothing Captain.”

“And what do you think of your cousin?” his eyes boring into me.

“Oh, she is quite a rider and archer. But, she is a woman and better suited for home and hearth than battle” I finished weakly.

“That may be true. But even a woman can have great strength and presence of mind.” Faramir replied. He looked at me intently and then galloped to the head of the column.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Elred! What were you thinking? You practically told him I was here!”

“Shh. I wanted to see if you could control you emotions under pressure. I loved your answer. ‘better suited for home and hearth.’ What a whisker!” He laughed.

“Well, I am not amused. And you know my thoughts on ‘home and hearth’.”

“Be careful though. I saw how you looked at him. Your heart was in your eyes and may be your undoing.” he said seriously.

“I will be careful. Let’s catch up with the others.” I said.

The rest of the day passed without incident though I would hear a chuckle from Elred periodically. All I could do was glare at him. We made camp in a glade. When it was dark, I went to the woods and took off the binder. Then I went to see Halan. I had given him a cursory rubdown earlier but now I could do it properly.

He greeted with a soft whiney. “Oh, I know. I should have been here sooner but I had to do some things.” I spoke Rohirric in a soft undertone. I began rubbing him down. “Oh Halan. Is this not amazing? We are riding in a real war party. And my Captain is leading it. He is so handsome. More than he was five years ago. I am sure I told you the story.”

“Reyes? Is that you?” asked a now familiar voice. I choked and looked up to see Faramir.

“Sir.” I said bowing my head.

“You are a true son of Rohan. You are taking care of your horse.” He said with a smile. A smile that caused my heart to skip a beat.

“Well, I take care of Halan. He takes care of me.” I said simply.

“Well said. Don’t mind me.” And he walked on toward a boulder and sat down.

My stomach did flips. Halan whickered and nudged my hand. I went back to my task.

As I left, I saw Faramir sitting on the boulder looking at the stars. He looked so forlorn and I heard him speak.

“O Boromir, my brother. Where are you? You have left home and sweetheart behind. We need you here. I need you.” I wanted to go to him, offer some comfort. But the charade would be broken and I couldn’t allow that. As I lay on my roll, I dreamed of one day being able to comfort him.