[Nogrod]

Lord Athanar approached old Friduhelm walking steadily but easily, not looking back. He trusted Coen, but to his delight he realised he trusted this Thornden as well. That is good news indeed, he thought to himself while walking slowly forwards.

And he was in no hurry. He kept glancing towards Faramund while he walked towards the men carrying the old man towards him - and finally, just before reaching Friduhelm near the main doors of Faramund's Hall, he saw from the corner of his eye that Faramund had dismounted as well and was making to meet them.

The old man didn't look well...

"Lord Friduhelm! I'd like to say it's so good to see you after all the years, but I see there is no reason to praise the situation we meet again, or the condition of yours..." The eyes of the two met. And it took a while the two just looked at each other.

It was a crisp and fresh day, having the feeling of early winter. Looking at lord Friduhelm covered with blankets made lord Athanar sad. There is the hero... the destiny of all heroes who don't die in the battlefield is to end up like that. Do I wish that for myself? His thoughts were cut by lord Friduhelm.

"I know why you're here Athanar..." Friduhelm said with an effort. He had to cough a lot before continuing. "And I hate this situation as you understand..."

Lord Athanar felt troubled for Friduhelm needing to make the effort, but realising how bad old Friduhelm actually was, he appreciated his coming to meet him even more. And it meant that his initial idea of things being wrong here were correct.

"Lord Friduhelm, would you like to exhange a few words inside around the fireplace rather than in here where the cold wind bites? I see your son is coming and it may be we need to really talk the three of us... I mean, if you think you can do it?" He added the last one looking at the eyes of the old man.

"I see what you're after lord Athanar... and as long as you stay true to the king I will do my best to help you. But inside, the fireplace, hmm... that would be good indeed."

Faramund was closing in.

"Get me inside the hall, we'll talk there!" Friduhelm called his carriers. Stedford glanced towards Faramund who was reaching them, nodding to the old man and lifting the strecher with the other men.

Lord Athanar had been following lord Faramund's approach for a while as well, while still focusing on the old man as his main attention. But now that lord Faramund was more or less facing him and the men had started to carry old Friduhelm inside he quickly turned towards the young man.

"I hope you have nothing against saving your father from this cold breeze and join us inside?"