Part Twenty-two
Dale found Beryl's house late in the afternoon while the sun was still in the sky. He recognized the house by the directions and description given him; the amount of flowers made it stand out against the neighboring structures. Dale bowed and smelled the roses growing beneath the balcony and saw the horses through the open window and door of the first story. Dale adjusted the bundle slung from his shoulder, picked an apple from the nearby tree with thanks sung, and then and then entered the stable below the house. He saw Nightmare was well and sang to his horse to say it was a happy meeting. Dale fed Nightmare the apple.
He went through a gate in the rear of the stable into the yard behind Beryl's house. Dale saw the garden, the cistern, outhouse, and ditch. The ladder to the front balcony had been drawn up, but the ladder leading to the second floor from the yard leaned against one of the many balconies and Dale climbed up.
He was dressed entirely in new clothing, white linen shirt, grey velvet doublet and leggings, darker grey canvas belt across his hips, and even canvas boots with pointed toes. Dale climbed the ladder and called out. "Hullo? Beryl?"
Beryl left his kitchen to open the rear shutters and Dale saw him for the first time. "We have been expecting you," Beryl said. He was presently dressed in clothing similar to Dales, though black in color.
"I'm Dale Maple."
Beryl smiled. "Yes. The Vale Elf. You are most welcome in my house. Your friends are all here."
Dale knew that Gib would not be with them, but he thought to himself that Gib had been one with whom Tsuki and Gwindor associated, and not specifically Dale's friend. As Beryl ducked back inside, Dale climbed in though the window and put down his bundle. Tsuki and Kato peered around the lattice and vines from the kitchen where they had been testing Fei's pan and boiling water for tea respectively, as well as listening to Beryl's lesson on how to prepare and bake cakes and breads that were filling and able to travel well. Laurel was sweeping. Fei was seated at the table writing with brush, ink and paper. The three other Elves were also seated at the table; Gwindor was looking at a map, Galadhiel was making arrows, and Lenaduiniel was doing some mending.
They were all known to Dale, except for Galadhiel and Beryl. They at least had been told of Dale.
"Dale!" Gwindor called, "It is good to see you looking well."
"A hot bath does wonders," Dale said.
"We were just going to have some tea," Kato said.
"Do you have your sword and whip?" Tsuki asked. "I found your bow and we do have Nightmare and your pack...though we may have lost your waterskin."
Dale stood gazing at Tsuki without speaking. He thought he might want to speak to Tsuki alone. He felt awkward meeting all these people again at one time. And Gwindor...he wanted to ask Gwindor a few things. "I had wondered if you found the bow. I made that bow. I did find some of my things and the rest is probably not very difficult to replace."
"We had some of your clothing, your cloak for example. It has been sent out to be laundered."
Dale nodded slowly and then made a bow to the group. "Hello. I am sorry that I did not tell you where I was going or find you sooner." Dale walked to the table and took a seat there, near Fei. "Beryl has welcomed me, so there is just one I have not been introduced to."
"Galadhiel, a Ranger lately out of river Forge."
"They spread rumors that I was a female Elf in disguise."
"We have been informed that thou are a Ranger, Dale," Fei said slowly.
"For the best I suppose," Dale said quietly.
"We have had some chance to rest and exchange stories," Gwindor said, "but I think there are things we must discuss in more detail and better sooner than later, though there is time for a light meal and some rest if you need it."
Kato and Tsuki brought tea, cups, spoons, milk, honey, and some of the small breads and cakes Beryl had made. Beryl made himself busy in his kitchen while the others took tea and exchanged news with Dale. After those lately arrived had washed and found treatment for their wounds, the rest of the day had been spent taking inventory of their things and then replacing what had been lost and repairing what was broken. Fei and Laurel had already purchased some new clothing and Tsuki said that he would also need to buy some clothing before they left Newhaven; for the meanwhile, he had bought a pair of wooden shoes to walk in. When Dale had arrived, they had been helping Beryl with chores and continuing with repair of their gear.
"I met the sons of the Lord that sheltered me during my recovery. I do not know them intimately, but we had been introduced. They gave me news of their house and father and we exchanged stories of what each had done during the war and afterward. They insisted on the new clothing. I was able to learn where you had gone from some Rangers and I have already gone to visit some of those that fought with us. Willow will be well I think. The Lady and North were both seriously injured, but Captain Anto says they will receive the best care and will likely recover. Some others died. Rowan...she was...I saw her body." Dale shook his head. "I found some swords. Some seemed scavenged by the Orcs to begin with and of decent Mannish quality. I thought we might have need of them, or be able to sell them."
"Anything that can be stolen, scavenged or skimmed from supply lines has been or is sold in Newhaven," Beryl said as he joined them. "I dare say we even keep grave robbers in business."
"I should not desire to sell my finger," Kato said. He lifted his cup to drink, but somehow ended up pouring tea onto his shirt. "That is the second time I have done that today. I do not know what is wrong with me." Kato shrugged and then tried drinking again and no one answered to say why his hand did not hold the cup steady, though Dale stared at the bandage on his hand and twitched slightly.
"Well...perhaps they do sell body parts for some fell purpose, but I was referring to looted treasures," Beryl said.
"Oh."
"We stayed in a barrow recently, but saw no treasures," Tsuki confessed.
"Did I show my finger, Dale?" Kato asked. "Would you like to see? I have it wrapped and packed in salt at the moment, to preserve it as a memento."
"No, that's fine. Keep it to yourself," Dale rasped.
There was a period of awkward silence and then Dale said, "I like this house very much I think. I have never been in an Elf house, except when I lived with my caretakers in the house of the Elf-Lord, but nobles do not live as others. My people did not make houses."
"Dale," Fei said, "You will tell me what you know of Elves and of Orcs for my accounts?"
"I...suppose, at some point. I do not mind telling stories. Perhaps the general information and no personal details."
"Personal details would be...acceptable."
"Perhaps. Do you record one's account now?"
"It is a report of the battle on the hill."
"Do you really not make houses?" Kato asked, "I suppose I never thought about it. Do Elves truly live in the wild then?"
"There are different sorts of Elves. My people were not considered the most noble. We built no cities and crafted no enchanted swords or jewelry. We did mostly live outdoors, but we planted groves and wove branches and tamed trees to the shapes we desired. And I recall we made a sort of fabric that was beaten from wood fiber. If there was a storm and the canopy of leaves was not enough to shelter us, we pitched canopies and tents within the trees or on the ground."
"I thought Beryl was telling us that you were not a Wood Elf," Laurel said.
Dale shook his head. "We planted groves, but did not live in a great forest. Our time was spent on the river or in the meadows near it. We mainly went up into the trees for shelter, though there is only so much shelter in firing arrows from the branches. Eventually Orcs will shoot up into the trees and bring their axes to the trunks...but as I said, I like this house. It is like having the outside on the inside. And yet it seems more defensible than a tree."
"I will will it to you when I depart to the west," Beryl said.
"You will?"
Kato laughed as Beryl was smiling. "Beryl has told us he never intends to sail to the west."
"My current post is much farther north and so I do not think it would be practical to cut more holes in our cabin." Dale looked to Fei's papers again. "What part do you write now?"
Fei read the section in his own language and then attempted to translate by saying, "this is the part in which the scholar who has, through series of mishaps, become a cook enters the battle, after the girl has been taken, and defends himself with a wok."
"Is there witty dialogue or description of the heroes?" Dale asked. "People enjoy songs and stories with such things. Perhaps you could have the cook say, 'Test your steel against quality cookware of the east, fiends!' or something like that."
"It is a scholarly..."
"Perhaps, 'I will have you between a wok and a hard place!'" Beryl suggested, though most of the group did not know what a wok was to understand his joke. He stood from the table then. "I will have to leave soon," Beryl told them, "I am portraying the Dark Lord in our Ring Day drama at the theater. Dale, you are welcome to attend; I invited the others. You may go out to celebrate if any of you feel up to it, but if you do stay in, make certain one is at the front balcony to toss down rings and cakes."
"What do you think?" Dale asked. Most of the others indicated they would like to stay in and rest. Laurel said she wished to stay in, but she could watch the balcony. Lenaduiniel and Tsuki said they felt up to a short outing, but not celebrating all night. Kato said that if they went to the theater he would go out, but otherwise would prefer to stay in, though perhaps the balcony would be best, as Beryl had forbidden him from smoking in the house.
Beryl listened as he prepared to leave the house. Now he saw them together, and saw the clip on Dale's ear matched Tsuki's necklace and the ring Lenaduiniel had said once belonged to Tsuki, Beryl understood that the young Elf had taken the Man as his lover. Beryl had the experience to see that Gwindor treated Dale as one who had been a lover. Sharing was a good thing, Beryl thought, but whenever former lovers came together or devotion was involved there was the potential for pain. That was why he made it a point to share rarely and preferred to choose one to be devoted to for a lifetime. When you were immortal, so many others's lifetimes seemed short and devotion transitory. Tsuki was most likely mortal.
"Dale, why do you not allow me to show you where you may find rooms to wash and sleep? Perhaps Tsuki will join us, as he knows where your other things have been placed." Beryl saw Dale nod and stand. He went to lift his bundle. "Gwindor, is it time yet for your medication? I think you should get back to bed, you lost more blood than the rest. Lenaduiniel can help you up the ladder."
Gwindor almost said that a Wood Elf never needed help on a ladder, but he saw that Beryl was trying to give them all an excuse to leave the others to discuss things privately. "A Wood Elf rarely needs help on a ladder, but it is true I lost a lot of blood."
"And you were poisoned. I will help you," Lenaduiniel said.
"Do you need me?" Galadhiel whispered to Gwindor.
"Please stay and work on the arrows." He switched to Elven, understanding now that the remaining three did not speak the language. "I would like to speak with you later, but for now, please encourage the others to give us privacy."
Galadhiel nodded understanding as Gwindor rose from his seat. Lenaduiniel came to his side and put his arm over her shoulders so that she could be seen supporting him. Beryl and Dale had already gone up, followed by Tsuki.
"You realize I have made an excuse for you to talk without the couriers and followers?" Beryl asked Dale, now also using Elven. Dale thought his accent lovely, but it was unfamiliar to him.
"Yes." Dale did a half-turn and saw Tsuki watching them.
Beryl kissed Dale's face. "I should like to talk to you later, young one, but now you have others to attend." Beryl went to the dressing room to gather some things and then bowed as Gwindor and Lenaduiniel passed.
Lenaduiniel spoke next, "We have important matters to discuss, but first I think it would be best to decide where everyone is sleeping. You understand there will be some doubling up on the pallets."
"It is only me that has arrived," Dale said, "have none of you rested yet?"
"Not all at one time," Lenaduiniel explained. "Gwindor and I...and...well I cannot even count Galadhiel..." Lenaduiniel shook her head, unable to explain.
Gwindor first said that he needed to sit and then seated himself on the sleeping pallet he had used. "Galadhiel is a Ranger and female and she kept her gender secret from me and I do not know that I trust her as much as I thought I trusted him. I mean that I have no doubt she would fight at my side and defend my life again, but that I feel rather awkward about the situation. Dale, you understand. I went so far as to make an advance thinking she was male. I feel quite the fool."
"It really seems convincing, her disguise," Tsuki said.
"She smells wrong for a male," Dale insisted.
"In the wild we all went without bathing for some days and my own scent must have been quite foul to put me off noticing."
"Do you believe him?" Dale asked Tsuki, though Tsuki was surprised he was asked to give an opinion. "Fishing for complements when I have always noticed a stench when passing Wind."
Gwindor laughed as Dale smiled and sat beside him. "I think what Lenaduiniel and myself were wondering is how understanding your followers are. I trust Galadhiel to complete the mission, but at this time, I would prefer not to openly share personal matters with her, though I trust she will conduct herself as an Elf."
Tsuki looked to Dale, wondering if now was a proper time and place to admit they were lovers. Dale said, "I thought I had some understanding of Halfling customs, but if I did, then Kato is most strange. He openly admits to us he has casual intimate relations with males and females, of various races even. He is in no position to judge us improper. He is queerly perceptive as well."
"Yes," Tsuki agreed as he sat near Dale.
"His manner is rather...forward," Lenaduiniel suggested.
"Yes, but he is trustworthy as an ally as well as on a more personal level," Tsuki assured them.
"Fondness of him tends to grow when you have known him a while," Dale added. "I think that Fei is also quite trustworthy. He proved himself as an ally and I personally find him quite understanding in personal matters."
"I trust Laurel. I do not know that Dale does, but I know I trust her."
"If we were staying at an inn it would be different," Dale said, "But here, in present company, any of us could sleep with the other and even if some secretly cast judgment, they would not take any action against it."
"I think that I should share a bed with Galadhiel, as we know she is female and Elven, though it might not appear as good an idea if she continues to dress that way when we move on."
"There is no 'we', Sister. If the roads are not safe, you must find shelter here until an escort can be provided."
Lenaduiniel ignored Gwindor. "Dale, Beryl has said that since he already knows Tsuki well, Tsuki may use one of the sleeping areas on the floor above, where Beryl keeps his own bed. You see that Gwindor has claimed this bed. There are three others."
"Fei and Laurel will share," Tsuki said, in whisper, even though they spoke in Elven.
"It has become more obvious?" Dale asked.
"I am certain the rest is not our business, it is enough we know they will take up only a bed between them. I suppose that leaves a bed for Kato. So, Dale must sleep with the Halfling, the Elf, or the Man," Lenaduiniel said. "And since I am neither of those three, I can excuse myself until you three decide what you will do, then we shall discuss such pressing matters such a laments, couriers, Orcs and resupplying." With a firm nod, Lenaduiniel left them, though she only moved to the next sleeping area.
"I think that we three are quite familiar with each other, so I will just ask. Have you become lovers yet?"
Tsuki nodded.
"I find it strange you use 'yet'," Dale said.
Gwindor smiled at Tsuki's direct, but silent answer. "Then it is obvious where Dale will sleep."
"No. It is not obvious. Tsuki is an Elf."
Gwindor laughed.
Tsuki did not think this matter amusing, but he understood what Dale wished Gwindor to understand. Dale wished him to know the truth and the truth was that there were no vows of devotion between them.
"I know that you know us both fairly well, at least, you have known me since the war and you know Tsuki better than most, but we made no vows. Tsuki is an Elf-friend. He apparently spent time with Lenaduiniel and Beryl before either of us met him. He respects our customs. He knows the rules."
"Does he?" Gwindor asked calmly.
"I know that when Dale was with a previous lover and a former lover came to visit him, the former and current lovers joined in sharing themselves with him. I know also that my understanding with Dale is..."
"He does not need to know," Dale whispered, "Gwindor only needs to understand that you and I have an arrangement to share ourselves made as two Elves and that we have no wish to dissolve our arrangement whenever a former lover is present. I am the one with two lovers and so I have to ask...will you will you share along with Gwindor, or will you allow me to go to him alone?"
"I..."
Gwindor interrupted. "I would be willing to share myself without as well as with Dale, but do you recall what you said to me when last I made such an offer?"
"Yes." Tsuki had said he had wished only to be with Dale, because he was devoted to him.
"Then perhaps it really is best..."
"Gwindor," Tsuki whispered, "I am an Elf and Dale is not the one to whom I am devoted. That is our arrangement. I share with him until I can be with the one I am devoted to and he shares with me until he learns if he can be devoted to anyone. Truly, you need not find the arrangement more complicated than that."
"Dale does know to whom you are devoted?" Gwindor asked.
"Yes," Dale said with frustration, "Yes. I know. For purposes of sharing I am not that Elf. Do you understand? We are fast friends and wish to defend each other, but we share for the sake of sharing. Is that not the way it should be? Would you rather us be alone, particularly in a time of hard traveling and battles?"
"I understand."
"Then Tsuki owes us answers."
"To Dale I answer that I would share along with you and Gwindor. To Gwindor I answer by naming my conditions, as he has made his offer. I wish not to be kissed fully on the mouth, for I have decided I will next be kissed by the one that will be devoted to me and to whom I am devoted. And..." Tsuki saw Dale look on him strange, as he had never had conditions with Dale. "I have just one other preference that I know...if we should be all three together, then if I should take a receptive role, I wish it to be with one each time there is sharing. I..."
"No need to explain, if that is how you feel," Gwindor said. "I accept your terms."
"Then one of you put your arms around me now; I have felt like I have been coming undone all day."
Gwindor gathered Dale to him before Tsuki could. Tsuki watched and saw Dale smile at him as he leaned back against Gwindor's chest. That smile seemed somewhat mad or malevolent to Tsuki. Dale was surprised by the agreement Tsuki had made.
"I am going to get Lenaduiniel. There are things I would rather do, but the truth is, there is business to attend to."
"I do not want her coming with me when I leave," Gwindor said.
Tsuki nodded, but only out of understanding for Gwindor's feelings. He believed they would not be able to stop Lenaduiniel. Tsuki rose and walked a short distance and found the female Elf continuing some mending. "There was not a garment they wore or carried that was nor full of slashes or had strips torn from it to make bandages," she whispered.
Tsuki, Dale and their three companions had certainly ruined some clothing in battle, but there had been time between threats, time to rest and eat and sometimes to wash. Gwindor's party had been pursued constantly over a period of days. Lenaduiniel had seen it happen, and now Tsuki was beginning to truly understand how bad it had been for them. "We all need to talk. I would put it off, but it must be done now."
Lenaduiniel stood and followed as Tsuki returned to the others. Gwindor was still holding Dale close then, but as they were fully clothed it seemed not inappropriate for Lenaduiniel to be with them. "Tsuki and I have agreed that we must talk. Beryl knew it as well. I will take Gib's duty as my own until his mission is completed. It shall be my way of honoring him."
"He would wish for you to be safe and well."
"Well, it would be my wish that he were well, but we cannot always have what we wish. I will never learn if I may have become truly devoted to him. I will never know whether I might have pledged myself to one who was Ranger and Jeweler and if it would have mattered with father that he was also a Dwarf. The opportunity for such vows is gone forever, and so I give this vow: Gib will be avenged, if not through violence, then by continuing his work. I will not cause his spirit unrest by dying in the process."
"It is well that you want to honor one who has died," Dale said quietly, "But you are female. I know that you are competent at many things, but there are things in the world that will be more dangerous to you..."
"I do have some concerns," Tsuki agreed, "But I must also admit that I know of at least one sword maiden that proved herself in the war and that certainly Dale and I have seen that in some regions there are women who fight alongside the Men. I do not think that any more females than males died at the Battle of the Hill. I do not know for certain that we will all be continuing in the same direction, but I will allow Laurel to travel with me if she wishes it."
"That is another issue to discuss, but let us settle this one," Lenaduiniel said, "I will be no burden or mark to you, Brother. I have not the slightest wish to discuss female issues with you, but be assured that so long as I do not loose a few particular items from my pack I will remain quite able during our travels and leave no more trail than any of you."
"Perhaps we really should discuss the other issue," Tsuki offered, "Then it would not only be for Gwindor to decide whether you join."
"What issue is that?" Dale asked sincerely.
"Dale, you have recently arrived and Gwindor has rested in bed more than we have, so perhaps you cannot be blamed for failure to notice, but Galadhiel and Kato have several times answered peculiarly since we have all been together. Dale and I were thinking our assignment quite strange from the start, and now to hear that your assignment seems so similar..."
"I followed but did not hear your assignment, so you must tell them, Brother, what you know, and they will share with us."
"Gib and I were simply assigned to escort Galadhir, or Galadhiel rather, to her destination in the south."
"Where in the south?" Dale asked, beginning to see what Tsuki and Lenaduiniel had noticed.
"Only she knows the destination."
"It is the same with Kato," Tsuki said, "Though we managed to get from him that Wizards and Elf-Lords of some sort are involved in sending him to the Rangers to receive escort. I do not think that Barad had need to send us south..."
"No, I saw Kato the night he arrived. He stayed in Stone Keep for several days, hidden, and then we were assigned to escort him on his mission. To not be seen as Rangers, we were told, and to not reveal that we were Rangers. And before they came to Beryl's house Laurel and Fei did not know that we were Rangers."
"I told them," Tsuki confirmed, "but it had become obvious after they met Gwindor and Galadhiel, who had brought Ranger issue clothing and gear and it was learned Gwindor and Gib had been associates of ours."
"Then you are saying they carry the same message?" Gwindor asked. "Then the mission was so risky they sent to separate team shopping to get one through, or one team are decoys."
"Did Galadhiel ever reveal any more? Where your destination was, or the general type of message, or who had sent her?" Tsuki asked.
"She was quite secretive all the time we traveled together."
"Who chose the route?" Dale asked.
"Galadhiel. I had some small doubt, but we were given no information that would lead us to believe the Orcs were so active. Certainly I knew they dwelled in the old mines, but the reports I had heard said they did not stray out from them often. So, we decided to follow the river closely, to keep as far west as possible."
"Kato was the one who insisted on the particular road we take," Dale said.
"The Orcs are behaving very strangely I think," said Tsuki.
"Yes, that is the third issue we must discuss."
Tsuki nodded to tell Lenaduiniel that he understood. "Then we should demand Kato and Galadhiel reveal more to us. I trust The Brown and Barad, but this mission seemed to come from above them. Though...we cannot be certain the Orc activity has anything to do with our missions..."
"Actually," Dale said, "we can be certain. Not all their present activity may have to do with our mission, but I know for a fact many of them have been out seeking Rangers who may be carrying messages. I overheard their conversations and during the battle, I spoke with one of the Orcs." Dale saw Tsuki's surprised expression. "I did not have a chance to mention it. When North and I went to rescue Willow, we overheard the end of a conversation between other Orcs and then I confronted the Orc who was holding Willow and he seemed very unusual for an Orc. He actually tried to manipulate me into revealing our mission. Maybe some were there for meat or sport, but not all. Some of the Orcs have a very clear understanding of the strategies against them and would hinder that process. He asked me if we were Rangers taking a weapon to the south. I think they know for certain that some collaboration of Elves and Wizards is against them, and that is more than we know for certain."
"Then we are all truly as pawns, sent out without even being informed
of the dangers our superiors are certain we will face," Gwindor said
gravely.