#vaarion

  “What a mess...” Andwaru softly said to himself, while riding on his white steed Ladhfota. He had his belly full of mead and small snacks. His head full of the words of Vaarion’s mother, but that is nothing what he holds in his heart. The rider smiled thinking of that moment in the stables... the words that were spoken there....heard by Apple and Pear. Happily he sighed and looked to the sky.

“Tomorrow, a new life starts.” he spoke with a happy voice.

He still has the chance to practise his blacksmithing, while combine it with work on the farm. For one he knew that the horses will get premium quality horse shoes. But while he was getting closer to his small comfortable home his mind was wandering off to Vaarion’s father...Sigelbert.  Where would he be right now, is he in pain...or alive at all. His mind turned darker on those thoughts.

“Filthy creatures...what have they done to you, Sigelbert?” he wondered.

His mind was already planning ahead. He shall write a letter to his commanding officer and ask for a couple of men to ride back. This of course sadly has to be done without Vaarion, for her mother...would kill him if she rode along with his warband. Alas, what would a fierce band of warriors could do to an enemy unseen and their location unknown. He must gather intelligence about that area. But who has knowledge about that area? Then he thought back at the journey before.

“Perhaps...that elf, who helped us...she seemed skilled in geography...she might know!” he shouted enthusiastic, a fox was startled by the yelling and fled.

two days now, two days since both Vaarion and Andswaru arrived at the Rohirrim camp. In those days Andswaru spoke to some of the men. All of the men spoke to him about why there were so men absent. Slain or captured. captured by who? They all spoke of Saruman like he was an enemy of old. But was he not keeper of Isengard, protector of Fangorn? Andswaru wanted to ask so many questions, but he didn't dare to disturb those on active duty, which they all where, due the lack of numbers.

Now two days later; the commander of the camp found Andswaru working on the hooves of Apple and Pear the two shire steeds. 

"So Sergeant, I assume you have led many men into some battles right?" the commander said with clear voice.

Andswaru looked up and stopped cleaning the hoof of Pear.

"W..wel, sir. Truth be told..I was sergeant of the city guard, I only let my men into little barfight skirmishes to break it up." he said with a low voice, while letting his head hang again.

"Hmpf!" stumbled the command and he bowed his head to Andswaru. "Do you think I have not noticed that?" he whisperd to Andswaru.

Andswaru looked up again, letting his tools drop on the floor. He could believe his eyes, or understand what he just heard. He didn't lie, he spoke the truth only, well perhaps not all.

The command continued to whisper to him "Two nights ago I lost my last commanding officer while he was patrolling on the banks of the Isen. Those who left in this camp don't lack the courage, but they all lost close friends and i'm afraid they are out for vengeance"

With confused Andswaru asked why he is telling him this.

The commander kneeld next to Andwaru and looked him in the eyes. "It's simple "sergeant" Andswaru, you will lead an other patrol today. Come back as a real Sergeant of this camp. That is how I will reward you."

The command stood up again and looked down to Andswaru. The young rohirrim looked up at the commander and said:

"What if I don't want to, I have promised lady Vaarion daughter of Sigelbert to escort her ..."

With a louder voice the commander interrupted him.

"Sergeant, Theoden king is not fond of treason against the throne. Even in these dire times such acts must and shall be punished accordingly."

He looked around some of the men did looked up at the commander then they minded there own business again. 

"This wasn't a question!" he hist to the still kneeling Andswaru. Then he walked away toward his tent.

Andswaru was speechless, he thought he would be safe here. Safe between the walls of this camp. It was a mere illusion, how could he refuse this. Not the promotion drove his mind, but the idea of the treason penalty. He wanted to go to Vaarion to tell her all this, but as soon as he stood up some men came to him saying his steed was ready to go, so where the rest of the patrol. 

"But Vaarion..." he said while he was led to his horse. Before he was realizing what was happening. He found himself with a company of four other riders on the road to the river Isen.

Andswaru looked back at the camp. He saw the sun disappear behind the walls. He sighted deep and whispered.

Logdate: 11 Lotessë - After few days traveling by moonlight, we are finally in safe hands! We arrived in a small camp of a band of Rohirrim. There was no time to write in the logbooks while we were in enemy territory, no time to relax or time to sleep. Vaarion and I  traveled from ancient ruin to ancient ruin, in the hope them Hillmen of Dunland wouldn't search them, and they didn't. Alas, that is all behind us, for now we are safe. The sentries of the camp did let us in without any trouble. We left our steeds at the stablemen and made our way to the tent of the camp commander. It was a captain. I saluted him, introducing us both, sergeant Andswaru...and Vaarion. The captain saluted back and nodded to Vaarion. We where offered a safe staying, we could get food, water and a place to sleep.

Alas, it didn't end there for me. The captain did let me know, that I shouldn't make it to comfortable for myself, for he could use me well. Vaarion doesn't see it...but many tents are unoccupied, the men look exhausted and there is no music or song to be heard. No, these man have fought and lost brothers in arms. That is for sure. The captain properly has in mind that I will fight as well, when needed. Will my training save me? Will it be good enough to protect my brothers....will it be enough. Should I just say to the captain that I'm only a sergeant of the city guard? Nay, my sword arm is as good as any other, I've been in fights and came out as victor, yes I did! 

Now Vaarion and I lay in a tent, I bet two sword brothers did sleep here the night before. What would have been there last dream..home or there family? Those thoughts frighten me... If I need to fight I will, lest I hope my ancestors don't call me to there side now..nay..I can not follow Twégen..not now.

Would Vaarion understand my troubled mind? I think now, she is glad we reached some of our kin, she should be however. The sleep within safe walls will do her good. Sweet girl.

Vaarion...what ever happens to me...you must get back home safe. And as long as I draw breath, I will be there for you.

After Andswaru have given to Vaarion what he made for her at Rivendel he laid back a bit. His hand rubs over his leg. While Vaarion was collecting more firewood he tended the combat wound.

“You really hinder me in my journey stupid leg, you will delay everything” Andswaru sighted while looking at his leg.

On that moment he heard a crack and Andswaru looked around.

Speaking with a loud voice he said: “Who go’s ! Who dares to set foot on this hill!”

No reply came, the rohirrim grabbed his sword by the hilt. Before he could ask again an unfamilair voice replied to him in westron.

“Hail Rider, I come in peace” the heavy voice spoke. At that moment a man came from behind the fallen statue and walked towards Andswaru.

Andswaru looked up at the man, he didn’t know this man but he laid down his sword again.

With some confusion he welcomed the man:”W..welcome I suppose.”

The man stood still and asked if he could use the fire to warm himself up.

“Ehm.I suppose you may, sir...” Andswaru asked hoping he would catch the name of the man.

The man did sit down, his face well visible in the campfire.

He had a weary look on his face “Thank you kind and..I am no sir, but most call me Losian these days.” he replied to him while he was holding his hands near the fire.

Andswaru came up and offered his waterskin to Losian, the man didn’t let a moment pass before he took the skin from Andswaru. Before he began to drink he said to Andswaru that he did pass some woman before he came to here.

Andswaru raised his brow “That must be Vaarion, my companion, did she just let you pass?”

“She didn’t even see me, again not many hear me around here.” replied Losian

Andswaru looked up at the man “The hillmen of these lands you mean?” the rohirrim asked in wonder. The traveler only nodded on that and did drank almost all the water from the skin in one go.

“Are you a traveler, Losian” Andswaru asked while the man was still drinking. He stopped drinking and looked to Andswaru.

He said with tired voice “Aye, very long...too long.” he sighed and continued talking, just looking into the fire.

“I’m heading home, to my family. I miss their faces” he now looked towards Andswaru and asked the where his journey will lead him.

“Aldburg, in Rohan, aye that’s are heading now.” Now speaking more confortable to the man. “we have a long road to go still.”

The man stared to Andswaru a bit, perhaps waiting for more to come.

“So, it’s only you, and that girl...and four horses?” The man asked with a saddening tone in his voice.  Andswaru nodded only hoping the man wouldn’t do anything what that information.

Losian then said then out of nowhere:”Keep your eyes on that girl, she is a treasure to see, and dear to her family..”

In confusion Andswaru shook his head, and looked close to the man.

“What are you up to, what do you know of us!” He said with confused yet raised voice

The man said nothing and he offered the waterskin back to Andswaru. Andswaru saw the man’s hand and on his index finger he had a familiar ring. The rohirrims eyes grew bigger and he looked back to the mans face.

“Sigelbert!” he shouted with great confusion, fear and joy at the same time.

The man gave no sign on his face and replied without taking heed of Andswaru’s statement

“Look after that girl, don’t forsake her, like my family did forsake me, Andswaru.”

“Andswaru, Andwaru wake up!” A woman’s voice yelled.

“You are having a bad dream, wake up silly!” he opened his eyes and looked into the eyes of Vaarion.

Andswaru looked up “The man? where is he? He was just here!” He looked around with sweat on his head and breathing heavy.

Vaarion pushed him down again to the ground “there is no one hear...at least not for hours while you were asleep.”

Logdate: 18 Víressë - Today we officialy started our journey home. Vaarion is feeling a bit better now. Her arm is healing well, still she needs to get her rest. I can force her to rest, since she released me out of her families service. This will give me some freedom to help us get home. Alas, for our current location. We are somewhere near the borders of Enedwaith and I feel unconfortable about those lands. It's the front stop of Dunland, home of our enemies, the Dunlendings. For many years we are in conflict with them, I suspect when we get caught we won't get the chance to see our Rohan again.

Logdate: 11 Víressë - We covered all the mountain side now, looking for possible alternative entrances. Yet till now we have discovered none. The path parallel to the mountain surface ended in a big unclean pool. There Vaarion collapsed to the ground and busted out into tears. I tried to soothe her there as good as I could. There was no alternative way inside, nothing. Vaarion asked me to bring her home, I think she is tired, tired of searching, tired of missing her father, tired of managing everything on her own. All I can do is bring her home, I think Sigelbert wish would be the same for her.

Logdate: 9 Víressë - Ony a week ago we left Rivendel on a hunt for the warband who took Vaarion's father. It seems like a month already. All we have is a map and some trails in the wilderness to follow. That same trail led us to some old elvish building. It was filled with orcs and evil men and we sacked it. We hoped to find Sigelbert there, but we did not. We found a map of some kind of cave. I can't exactly how big it is. We had some other small skirmishes across these lands as well. By the Valar, Eregion is a nest full of orcs now.

My hand is bound now I got a minor cut in it. Vaarion on the other hand has a nasty wound on her upper arm now, I should look closely how it evolves or heals. The girl is getting everything thrown to her at a short time, poor Vaarion. She had some tough moments today, I'm glad she finally sleeps again. I know she gets annoyed a bit about me slowing her down in her conquest, alas she wracks herself is she continues like this. Vaarion has sweat on her brow and she has nightmares. It could be the cut on her arm that is making her feverish, I don't know.

I promised Vaarion to find back Sigelbert, I hope tho he is alive. Nonetherless he must be found, much depends on this.