[Eorl of Rohan]

Captain Ferethor hand-signaled to Aelimur in the manner used by Gondorian sentinels to communicate silently and confidentially amid each other, to tarry a bit and come into his speaking range without having the others notice if possible. No one here has served as a Gondorian soldier, and therefore even if someone noticed his signal one would not comprehend it.


“Aelimur, remember Lord Elessar’s especial command to us?” Ferethor asked in a low voice as Aeronir noticed his flash of signal and drew his horse closer to the Captain’s own. “He told us that it was vital that Il Galoth be capture alive on all costs, and he seemed very empathic on that point.”


“I see from Maen’s very bearings, how her eyes flash when she grounds out that name and her hands inevitably stray to her blade, that she means to slay him and no one who dares to stay her would be cut down without a moment’s delay.” Ferethor continued quietly, logically, with cool reasoning out of incidents. “And we can’t have that unless we are to fail in our trust. It is not our place to inquire for why Lord Elessar commanded thus, only our obligation to fulfill his wishes…”


“Therefore we would have no choice but to slay Maen ere the end.” His voice was low, not only because he wanted not to be heard by anyone else but also because he wanted to soften the blow of his words. “If so, Atharen would be a special hindrance to us, the greatest though all the company will be against this deed. We would have to account for this, and as it is evident that he would not agree to our plan… When the time comes, I guess we must dispose of him also, although he is a kinsman of the King and a ranger.”


Was it a trick of his eyes, or did Aelimur shudder a bit at his callous attitude towards taking lives? “Which would be close to impossible, by the way, since he happens to be a ranger. It may even cost us our lives, but it would only be an honor if we die in the service of our lord. Hopefully Maen would relent in the end, but if she doesn’t…”


Ferethor let his sentence trail off, wondering how many more he would have to slay ere this unpleasant task is over. At least he would have companions if he traveled to the Halls of Mandos! "So, Aelimur, we would have to make priminary plans to kill them both, preferably just before we find Il Garoth."