[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Rauthain

Traveling swiftly through the lone lands, Rauthain was immersed in the hunt, solely intent on the trail and the unraveling of it. This was his longing, his chosen work, and he was much relieved that Kaldir had opted to see the others to Imladris, though he would not be completely at ease until he saw Dúlrain well again. Strangely enough, he found he trusted Kaldir had been speaking the truth and would deliver the ranger to Imladris in safety, holding no known bond of fealty to the Ravennor. Though he still did not trust how Kaldir might react once she was before him, flesh and bone, no longer a specter of dark memories, but a more immediate, tangible presence.

But Kaldir had been acting strangely in the eyes of the old ranger. He did not bear the stamp of a bounty hunter so easily now, his disposition noticeably more agreeable since he had last seen him, and the willingness to leave the trail for Imladris was unexpected. Perhaps he recalled his former self when seeing Dúlrain in need, his affection for his “brother” pulling him up from the isolation he had chosen for himself. For while the bounty hunter in truth waned, the ranger of the past could occasionally be seen flickering disjointedly behind his stare. The pale and steady stare that had not changed, though in the intervening years many detestable things it had beheld.

Surely it was not the woman, Miss Nightshade, engaging though she was, who incited this departure. Rauthain had but lately observed his friend’s attention to her soft form as it moved, reflecting the fire’s light. Had he now allowed himself to consider such a bittersweet pleasure when he had been adamantly opposed to such indulgence in his youth? Then he had allowed the matter to bring a lamentable parting between father and son. And now that his father was no longer alive to witness this change of heart and Kaldir himself had little to offer but a life of pain, mourning what might have been, now would he choose to pursue his affections? For though his aspect grew lighter, the grave nature of his experience no doubt left their imprint deeply upon him.

The old ranger smiled, shaking his head. Truly, Kaldir more than any, would benefit from such a tender alliance. And it was sore overdue him, though he would do well to hurry, for it appeared that the desert woman’s charms were not wholly lost on Dúlrain either.

But even given this turn of events, it remained a puzzle that Kaldir had entrusted him with this task he now was set upon, for it needs must be of great significance to him, finding Naiore. And Rauthain was now singlely upon her path, mindful that he should not stumble upon her company while lacking more strength than his own arms could provide.

These thoughts were the only distraction he allowed himself, for he went quickly while he might, and did not rest while the sun watched his course. The trail was old. It had been long since these regions had seen rain, and the dry grass held a confusion of paths from many weeks. But still traces could be seen to distinguish among those animal inhabitants of the wilderness that crisscrossed his path, and that of those he was seeking.

At long last he reached the Hoarwell and trudged heavily through the cold water, leading Juta across its shallows, to enter the Trollshaws from the south. Once again coming to the East Road he crossed over, following the trail as it disappeared into the maze of ravines leading north.

Rough and tangled as the sloping landscape became, his progress slowed so that he began to regret good Juta's company, for the horse frequently faltered, and had to search for good footing, lest he become injured. And just as Rauthain began to wonder if Naiore had indeed not been headed for Imladris, but rather for some other place and he would be left alone to note her bearings while his fellow rangers waited in vain for a sign of her arrival, the trail turned east once more. Upon which time he also noted to his dismay, indications that a sizable band of orcs had of late filed though the ravines, no doubt to escape the eyes of those who watch the mountains, and they too where headed east. It did not bode well, and Rauthain was perplexed fearing now for the safety of the fair mountain outpost and that of his friends.