Two Blades for Hire

[Envin]

Aragorn and Ash rode into Pelargir as the sun was peaking on the fouth day of their ride from Lorien. The city was a'bustle with the day's activity: merchants hawked their wares from stalls, barmaids grinned at young men as they served plates of fish, and ships were loaded at the docks. It was to these that the twin blades went, after first giving their steeds into the care of an honourable stabler of whom Aragorn knew. On the way to the docks, they stopped at a grimy clothing shop, dirty and smelling of eggs. There they walked out each bearing his old clothing and wearing now shirts of black leather over blackened steel mail, with hunter green doublets beneath, and stout breeches of black studded leather. They each had their weapons belted to their sides as they cast their old bundles into the river and made their way to the docks.

[Megloren Istdale]

On command to find the Lord of Gondor at all costs, a Raven bearing a note from Megloren had listened in the Citadel, hearing word from the guards that Aragorn had indeed gone to Lothlorien. So the bird flew with stealth and speed, on to Lorien Forest. There, the poor creature had heard that the two Lord set out back to Gondor. It was days later that the Raven had caught up with the two. In a small sea-fairing village on the coast of Gondor. Locating their position near the harbour, it flew down, dropping the letter into Aragorn's hands, and then perching itself upon a post.

The letter read-

Lord Aragorn,
Middle-Earth is at war. Ered Luin is being seiged, Arnor and Khand is now in the hands of Morsereg, and Lord Gimli and I are camped on the west side of the Misty Mountains. Just now has word reached us of another attack on the realm-mountain of Erebor. We are strongly outnumbered, and are in dire need of your leadership during these dreadful times. My scouts are my sources, my most reliable tell me of these things occuring from east to the west of this fair continent. But it is clear, now, that Morsereg is indeed part of this seige. His betrayal was long expected in my eyes. Lord Gimli and the survivors of Rivendell along with my own host are most likely going to strike the realm of Angmar. Reinforcements would be greatly appreciated. Remember those in Erebor as well m'lord."
Megloren Istdale
Mistress of Angrenost

[Faron]

Ashuron laughed. "Even when you go away, you still get letters from... the village you saved on your last job," Ash said when he saw the letter given to Aragorn, adding the last bit on as strangers walked by, more than one looking like they would like to pick up any rumors to spread amongst their friends.

[Envin]

"Indeed 'twould seem so," Aragorn shook his head. He sent the bird on to the Citadel in Minas Tirith, that action might be taken to preserve the rule of Gimli, and turned to Ash again. "I suggest that, rather than hire a special ship - sure to be conspicuous, we simply buy passage on one of the traders outbound for Umbar."

[Faron]

"Indeed, although with the pirates around the Bay of Belfalas, we may be able to secure spots on a ship as hired protectors rather than paying for the right to pass to Umbar." Ashuron ajusted his cloak, making more of an effort to hide his Elven ears, for they were not normally seen in this part of the country.

[Envin]

"A better device, I must say," Aragorn said, chuckling as Ash struggled with an impertinent hood. "Then come, we shall try this ship, a trader of grain as the scent portends."

They walked across one of the docks and up to a man who appeared official with the crew. He listened as Aragorn offered their services, and responded that he was not the captain, but took them below decks to speak with the man they wanted. Aragorn repeated his offer, and the captain tugged at his beard while listening. He informed them that this plan was agreeable to him, but that they would not be paid until the ship reached Umbar. Aragorn and Ash, who in truth had more gold than ten score of that which this ship would hold, smiled and agreed. The three shook hands, and they placed themselves at the captain's disposal; he ordered them to assist in the loading of the boat. Aragorn looked at Ash and shrugged, and the twain went to help toss sacks of grain.

[Faron]

Ash muttered something about "Menial labor," and "Better suited for dwarves," under his breath, but grabbed a sack of grain and loaded it onto the boat anyway. Often had he considered leaving Lothlorien behind and traveling the world just as he was now, a Blade for hire, but suddenly the thought lost its glamour in his current situation.

[Idrial]

The maiden pulled her brown hair back over her shoulders as she glanced this way and that, making sure the coast was clear. If only she had enough wealth to trade, then such actions as she was taking would not be neccessary at all. Though, she supposed, even if she did have wealth, she would be doing the same thing for fear of wasting it all. She ducked behind a large crate as a group of men passed her by, talking intently amongst themselves. Why did docks always have to be so busy?

Idrial peered up over the crate a couple of times before she finally found a break in traffic in which she could slip ever nearer to the ship. As she made her way closer, a few voices came from behind. She whirled about, walking backward...which is not an especially smart thing to do when you are about to round a corner. Unfortunately, this was something she did not realize at the moment, and she tripped over one of the large sacks of grain. What luck.

Idrial landed on her back with a thud between the two men whom where helping load the ship. She groaned as she looked up at them, and rubbed her head. Why did this sort of thing always happen to her? "Excuse me." She finally said, a bright blush rising on her cheeks.

[Envin]

"Not at all," said one of the two, much taller than the other folk in Pelargir. "Always keep the first eye upon thy path, and the second over all the others." He helped her to her feet and smiled, and she saw beneath his hood that his eyes were grey. "But what make thee in this place, for maidens such as thyself are seldom seen in such a rough place."

[Idrial]

Idrial quickly pulled her hood back up over her head, adjusting it as best she could. "What am I doing here?" She repeated the question with a bit different wording. "I...well, you see..." as she fumbled for her own words, her eyes scanned about before returned to the two men, "I'm...helping you load these onto the ship!" She finally said, smiling to herself. It wasn't exactly a lie. Maybe if she was seen helping these two, the ship's crew would assume she was with them. Then she could board much more easily.

Idrial brushed herself off and bit her lip as she scanned about once more. One could never be too careful with so many guards roaming about this blasted place.

[Envin]

The tall, hooded man nudged his partner, who was grumbling something about speaking in grunts and about dwarves, with his foot, and said

"Well, then! We have yet to meet thee, but thy aid is much appreciated! Take these, then!"

With apparent ease he hefted four of the forty-pound sacks and deposited them into Idrial's arms, and casually returned to his lifting and throwing.

[Idrial]

In surprise of the sudden load hoisted into her arms, she dropped all four of the sacks to the ground, cringing at the loud noise of the thud. "You could have warned me." She said to hooded man, defending her actions to the two strangers. Idrial placed one hand on her hip and pulled her hood off with the other gloved hand. If someone was on the lookout for her, it certainly would not prove difficult for them to find her now. Especially if these two continued to make such a fool out of her. "Just for that, I am only carrying one at a time." She hoisted one sack and carried it on board. After returning, she lifted another sack, glancing back over her shoulder at the two. "My name is Idrial...by the way." Well, if she was going to try to use them for passage, they might as well know her name.

[Envin]

"Thorongil," the one cried after her, the second too distracted by mumbling about short people underground to pay her any mind. She glanced at him in surprise, wondering why he was talking about eagles and stars, but when she returned he said, "My name. Thorongil, that is. And thou'rt hired on this ship as a hand? Thin and frail for this sort of venture thou look," he added, throwing three sacks at once over the side and kicking her two remaining at her.

[Idrial]

Idrial raised a brow at the second companion whom had not yet spoken, but she said nothing about him. She glanced to the one who'd introduced himself and gave a slight nod. "Pleasure to meet you, I'm sure." She said...the tiniest twinge of sarcasm seeping into her voice.

The maiden bristled slightly at his last statement, however. "Thin and frail? I've fought my way out of many a situation," many of them illegal she thought to herself with a smile, "and survived. I would hardly call myself frail, love." She added, though still only hoisting one bag into her grip and carrying it on board.

When Thorongil turned his back, Idrial looked down at the other two sacks he'd kicked toward her. With a quick movement, she struck them with her foot. They moved! About an inch. Idrial cringed and shook her foot, quickly recovering before the men's attention was turned back toward her.

[Vaire]

A bird was send from Gondor and searched desperately for the King. He circulated in the air and spotted the small group of people on the ground, dealing with sacks. He settled down and chilped aloud to get attention, than he started off and left a piece of paper. Thorongil throw a glance at him, spotted the white paper and the seal of Gondor and went quick to the place where the bird had sat to take the message with him. He would read later that it was written by Vaire and these was the letter content:

"Dear Lord Aragorn, King of Gondor,
ill tidings does I bring to thee. Arwen got badly wounded by the traitor Murazor Bauglir.
She doesn't awake and we fear the worst, so I ask you to make hast to come.
Your healing hands are legendary, perhaps you can bring her back from the doorstep of Mandos, since the healer of Minas Tirith and I am not beeing able too.

Vaire"