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Keleth was surprised by Tolly`s reaction at first. He changed the subject so quickly, but then he asked another question. Is he dangerous?
Keleth sat back down at the table and took a drink of his tea. "Dangerous? Yes." he said, and a fiery look came to his usually soft brown eyes.
"In Gondor I had a very good friend. One of my few friends. He worked with me in the stables. Damon, was his name. A good man. He had a young wife too. I had known him all my life. One night, about 5 months ago, we were in an inn. It was a cold night, and it was raining hard outside. The door flew open and stranger, wearing a long dark cloak came in. His hair was black and his eyes as dark as coal. Immediately he went to the bar. Damon and I turned back to each other and continued our conversation. Suddenly, we heard a lot of clatter behind us. Apparently, the stranger had started a quarrel with a local man. The man was one of Damon`s neighbors and jumped into help him. He pulled the stranger away from him and held his arms back. By then the Innkeeper had come out, and ordered the man to leave." Keleth`s hand went to the sword that hung about his waist under his cloak, and ran it around the sheath. "I`ll never forget the way the stranger looked at my friend as he turned to leave. A cold, dark look. Very early the next morning Damon did not come to work. I took my leave of the owner of the stable and went to his small, 2 room house. Upon arriving I was shocked to see the door hanging on its hinges. I dashed in, and found the room cluttered. I went to the other room of the house. The bedroom." The fire in Keleth`s eyes went out, leaving them looking very sad, and his voice lowered. "Damon and his wife had been murdered. I stumbled to the door and went for help. I quickly found a gaurd, and told him about Damon and his wife. I then went to my empty home and wept. Who would do such a thing to such a kind man as Damon? Then I remembered the stranger and the way he looked at my friend." The fire returned to Keleth`s eyes. "A flame blazed alive in my heart. I went to the small shop where Taryn worked. I told her what had happened, and that I was going to follow the man and avenge my friend and his wife`s death. I know she did not want me to leave, but understood. Damon`s wife had been one of her closer friends. I then went to the stable owner, and told him the same. He warned me not to go, but I ignored it. I left the city within the same hour. I had learned from the gaurds at the gate that a stranger had left on foot very quickly earlier that morning. And so, I followed him. For weeks I pursued him, all the way to the Misty Mountains. Very seldom did he stop for more than one day. I knew not where he was going, nor what I would do if ever I had the courage to go to him. Not until we reached the Mountains did he discover me. I had been hiding in some rocks very close to him while he slept, debating on whether to attack him or not. I guess I fell asleep for I looked up to see him standing over me. He drew his sword, and told me to stand up. Then he held it to my chest. He recognized from the inn, and laughed at me coldly. He had guessed my reason for pursuing him. He tied me to a tree and left me alone to die. There I sat for the rest of the day, unable to escape. It was nearly sunset when a traveling man discovered me. He kindly untied me, and gave me some of his own food. He asked me to come with him, atleast until he knew I would be alright. I said no, thanked him, and he left. I retrieved my sword and pack from the small hole in the rock where I had hid them. Luckily the murderer did not discover them. Where the man went, I do not know. I do not think he came this way, but I wandered here anyway. Now, I know not what I will do. I have grown to like traveling in the wild, though before I was driven by hate. Should I go on searching for he man? Perhaps I should find the man who rescued me and thank him more appropriately. Should I go back to Taryn? Or should I take up a life like that of a Ranger?"
Keleth took a drink of his tea and sat quietly for a moment. Then he looked up at Tolly, and smiled sadly. "Now you have heard my long tale. I hope you do not think less of me. It has been nice to have someone to talk to. You are the first to hear my full tale."
"As for helping with the party tomorrow, I would gladly lend a hand."
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