#she aparently vanished when he was quite young...

[we-were-legends]

“Champion’s dawn”

Chapter 35 - “Price of friendship”

Previous chapter | Next chapter

Oropher walked all across the fields, but he couldn't find Taranir anywhere. And it was truly rare that his friend encosed himself so well that no one knew where he was.

He asked fellow officers, captains and even soldiers, but none of them saw Taranir. He even asked Orthon when they met near the stables, but he shrugged his arms saying that last time Taranir was on the archery fields. But when Oropher went there, Taranir was long gone.

Until finally few soldiers were able to tell him a piece of information.

'Officer Taranir?' one warrior repeated. 'He took his horse and left in a hurry, Sir. He didn't even bother to saddle his stallion.'

To call it weird was understatement. Taranir never done such a thing before and even when he had to leave the fields he made sure that fellow officers and Oropher were informed about it.

All the duties aside, though at this day many important matters piled up that they had to take care of, but Oropher knew it was not like Taranir to vanish like this.

'Did he say anything?' he asked though he didn't expect so.

'No, Sir. But he took the rode to the city, not the one towards the gate.'

Oropher nodded in thought. Uncertainity and also worry strucked his heart as he thought about Taranir's behaviour. He never did something like this.

'Thank you.' he said to the soldier and then turned, walking deeper into the fields.

Not long ago Mablung informed him that he will go to the Council meeting planned before the next sunset. Oropher prevented grimace from entering his face and accepted information his commnader gave him. Maybe that's how Mablung intended to punish him for what he did with Amdir – Oropher will count swans on the ceiling of the Throne Room and rot in his seat. Oropher had not took part in the debates since he threatened Raeg, but since Mablung send him there, maybe there would be something of importance.

And he had to remember that Elwe still not yet decided what to do with the Golodhrim – his leave that Erthor foretold much earlier hunged above them like unwanted promise.

Lost in his musing he found Alagos strolling though the fields with officers of his regiment on side and captains probably hearing their briefing.

'General.' Alagos greeted him officialy though not without a smile and Oropher acknowledged his greeting.

'I'm glad I met you. Double check divisions of your younger captains and lieutenants. Maybe I will have an orders for them.' he said and Alagos nodded acknowledging his words and Oropher decided to take one more shot. 'Is Taranir back on the fields?'

'Actually' Alagos said and he fell in though for a moment. 'Actually I haven't seen him today at all.'

Oropher prevented a growl of anxiousness, but before he was gone Alagos continued.

'Maybe you should check outer paddock. I think something happened with the horses.' he said and then cringed a bit. 'Haerdin is there and he is so furious that I feel sorry for whoever is there with him. Cougar suits him well.'

Oropher nodded in thought deciding to check it out immediately and indeed, even before he approached the scene Haerdin's rised voice was heard.

'I will shoot off every single one of those mutts and hung them in front of the fields so everyone can admire their pure blood dripping down the wall!'

Oropher entered the clear area of conflict and despite himself he had to blink from surprise and the more he glanced at the scene the less he liked it.

Nearby on a paddock was a herd of still nervous horses and they walked around neighting and pushing themselves. Few elves were around the herd patiently dividing horses and leading them away, some were taken on the other side of the paddock and examined. And Oropher turned his eyes to look at Haerdin and elves in front of him. To his even more surprise there was quite a considerable troop of furred animals that were panting and looking around with dark eyes. Some licked lips from time to time and it was not hard to see that their muzzles were painted in blood. Puzzle started to fill in.

'Why are the dogs here?' Oropher asked with rised voice before elves present managed to jump on each other.

'Those are the royal hounds!' one elf said immediately indignated.

'For me they can even have blue blood. My question was; why they are here?' Oropher said wanting the elf to say it by himself, but Haerdin was more than livid and had no time for such things.

'Aparently they can't keep them in check and guess what? The hounds decided that our horses are best fodder!' he looked once more at the elf handling few sturdy dogs at his side. 'I will make sure to take them rightfully from you and I will personally shoot them off!'

'Your soldiers already shoot off few of them!' the elf said tilting head to he paddock and Oropher only then saw four bodies threw to the side of the area. Arrows sticked out from them and archers didn't spare strength to those shots. 'I don't think you know how valuable those hounds were! Some of them belonged to Lord Laegon himself!'

'I don't think you understand your current situation.' Oropher said briefly patting Haerdin's arm to calm him. 'It's not hard to guess that your dogs attacked our horses which are far more valuable than even your most pure-blood hound.'

Oropher looked briefly at furry animals around. Dark grey, almost black hair were thick and didn't get wet all too much. Muzzle was full of sizable fangs and long strong legs allowed to move efficiently in the forest. Those particular ones were mostly used to hunt bears and wolves – desired game animal especially during winter.

Oropher was a bit surprised to see Saida, but she probably help taking care of the problem. She approcahed Oropher and Haerdin, coming straight from the stable, and started her report.

'Three horses are being taken care of, one of which has a really nasty wounds on legs and shoulder. Faron is helping out with relocating injured steeds.' Saida said and she glanced at Haerdin. 'Two horses had to be put down. One of them was yours, Sir.'

'Estimate the losses and keep us updated.' Oropher said clearly feeling darkening mood of the fellow general. Saida nodded going back where she came from. And Oropher turned back to the elf. 'It doesn't look good.'

'It should be me saying that.' the elf said still confident of his right. Surely, support of Lord Laegon did it's job.

'You have no one other to blame but yourself for what happened. I assure you the army won't leave it like this and we will present damage and losses to the Council.' he said and continued interrupting the handler. 'And if you will say one more word I will have a good talk with right councillors and they will make illegal holding hunting dogs within few miles near Menegroth, so Lord Laegon and other poor nobles won't have a chance to admire their pure-blood hounds anymore.' he smiled briefly to the elf, but it vanished as soon as it appeared. 'Take those mutts away before we will give order to shoot them down.'

Not gracing the elf with another glance Oropher turned to Haerdin who still fumed in his rage and Oropher patted his arm and they moved back to the fields.

'I'm sorry for your horse.'

'It was Niamh, my favoured mare.' Haerdin said bitterly. 'And I hoped to have foals after her.'

Niamh was a buckskin horse with long legs and she was everything that anyone could hope for. The mare was admired by her motion, temper, strength and vitality. Everyone joked with Haerdin that they will steal her from him.

'It happened not long ago, didn't it?'

'Soldiers reacted immediately, but it was hard for them to shoot in between running horses.' Haerdin sighted. 'One of the wounded steeds belong to Egnaspen, he should be informed. But your Bargamo is fine. Actually, I think he trampled one hound.'

'So this horse is good in something after all.' Oropher muttered more to himself, but Heardin said something that confirmed Oropher's thoughts.

'Egnaspen is in bad mood lately, have you noticed? Something gnaws him and his wounded horse won't make him any better.' Haerdin grimaced a bit. 'I will go to him, the faster the better. Saida can come by later to tell her report.'

'I will let her know.' Oropher said and they divided in two directions, but Oropher decided to go to the stable rather than coming back to the center of the fields.

He lead Huro out of the stall and didn't bother to saddle him, but jumped on the steed immediately. And when Oropher lead the horse out of the stable it was by chance that he saw Faron and the archery routes.

'Faron!' he called from he bid the horse to trott towards his officer and when Faron turned to him, he continued. 'I'm leaving the fields for a while. If there will be a matter for me or Taranir take care of it.'

'Alright.' the elf said turning back to training soldiers and Oropher lead his horse back on the path with purpose to find his friend.

Last time Taranir behaved so mysteriously was during their basic training, so long ago. Back then Taranir had much more on his shoulders than just his training and developing skills. Oropher remembered well his own confusion, even a bit of pity pity and overwhelming feeling how lucky he was. As a Prince and a member of House Elmo he had everything he needed. He didn't have to think about getting the basics – it was provided to him since birth. Everything other he wished for were his cravings and even with those he didn't have to limit himself. He could have anything that possibly crossed his mind.

And then he confronted Taranir. A boy from the settlement outside Menegroth with the same skills, the same cleverness and most importantly the same age. Such young elf, as Taranir was back then had to build home for his family in the Menegroth so they can move there. He bought wooden bars, rode outside the city for equipment, in the meantime he went to his family in the settlement to visit his family. He had to worry about everything that have not even crossed Oropher's mind.

Oropher found out about this by pure accident. And he thought at once how easy his own life was with his House constantly backing up his name. Luxury, gold and authority were his birthright.

Back then, Oropher didn't know Taranir well enough to confront him about it. Although very talented and skilled, Taranir during trainings seemed drained and after hat he learned, Oropher was not surprised at all. He tried to get closer to Taranir, carefully, but even when they got pretty accustomed to each other Taranir was still very closed and never talked about the matters outside the army beside typical phrases. As expected, wherever Oropher proposed to spar after the training Taranir denied finding a lot of excuses. And Oropher couldn't truly blame him, but such injustice was painful to watch.

In sudden need, Oropher did a thing that was maybe not thoughtful – he turned into golden coins and jewels all the embellished daggers he had back then. With no insult to Taranir, but how many coins could he had? And materials and fabrics to build a home were expensive.

But as soon as Oropher had bags full of coins and jewels in hands he didn't know what to do with them. He couldn't go to Taranir and push them into his hands – the elf with simply refuse, beside Oropher didn't want him to feel poorly or ashamed.

He could pay some elves so they would help Taranir or at least he could pay for all the materials and their transport to Menegroth, but he barely knew where to start.

Back then, his musings were interrupted by Erthor. Oropher should have expected a word will reach him about his son's doings all the more that Oropher went to the forges of House Talagan where he was sure the daggers will be bought. A bit surprised, weaponsmiths probably told Erthor what his son had done – a simple courtesy from adult to adult, but for Oropher most inconvenient.

When his father asked him about it, Oropher lied.

'I just want to buy a new horse.' he said. 'And I wanted to do it by myself.'

Erthor watched him for a bit and Oropher knew immediately that his father looked right through him.

'Very well.' he said. 'If you will want to share the real reason, I will listen.'

Oropher watched his father leave and he didn't even know why he felt a need to lie in the first place. But when he found no solutions to his problem he finally approached his father about it.

He told Erthor everything he learned. How Taranir had to sacrifice everything – it happened not once that he didn't show up on basic training and even now when they formed a division Taranir passed by many of their sparings. Knowing what was happening, Oropher couldn't blame him.

'But it's just not fair.' he said. 'Taranir is doing it all on his own, wherever he can. I don't even know when he rests! He has mother and sister, but they are living outside the city and...he was building home for them during all those seasons we trained and it's barely half-done! There is still so much to do-'

'Oropher.' Erthor interrupted him softly. 'I see your worry and I understand it. I'm surprised that your friend didn't get necessary help by now, but if he is building his home in place out of sight then it was easy to overlook it.'

'Yes, it's not on the main road.' Oropher admitted and Erthor nodded. 'And Taranir is very...closed. He doesn't speak about it at all.'

'He doesn't want anyone to pity him. Nor he wants mercy. But undeniably, he needs help.' Erthor said. 'I'm glad that you brought my attention to it. And I'm proud you took to heart your friend's fate.' he paused for a moment. 'But let's not make haste decisions. First I believe, you should confront your friend and tell him that you know about his situation.'

'I don't want him to feel worse or poorly. I don't want him to feel that I'm using my House or rank to do something.'

'Oropher, my son.' Erthor said softly, but not without a smile. 'Being a member our House has many virtues, but our first responsibility is taking care of others. Advice wisely with good words, but if you can, help directly.' he paused for a moment. 'You are both in the same division, is that right? A great friendship will flourish between you. And friends worry about each other. Besides, even if he is silent, it doesn't mean he doesn't need help.'

'I think you are right.' Oropher finally said after a moment of silence and he sighted heavily. 'I will speak to others in my division, maybe we can help in building. But I don't want to make a great fuss over it for all the Menegroth to know.'

'Well then, inform me of the progress. Later on I will ask the royal architect to check on the building.' Erthor said, but Oropher rised in clear protest. He just said he didn't want everyone to know, but his father shook his head sternly. 'No, this is out of discussion. The construction needs to be checked for safety and meterials also need to be examined. And he will watch over your work, if everything is going fine.'

'Alright.' Oropher sighted out admitting his father's point. 'I will speak with Taranir next time we meet.'

As he said, so it happened. First he gathered other members of his division – Alagos, Nelledir, Orthon and Faron, all of them appeared in no time before their planned training and most importantly, before Taranir showed up.

Oropher told them everything he knew about Taranir's situation and they listened patiently with attention. Not long ago neither of them cared if Taranir appeared or not on their sparings. Taranir was skilled enough so he didn't have to and it was his choice if he wanted to train with them or not. But now situation changed drastically.

And they all agreed with Oropher – Taranir was one of them and they couldn't let him handle this alone anymore. Out of them all, it was probably Nelledir who understood Oropher the most – though no longer, Nelledir was once a member of House Laegon. A single porcelane shrine in the Golden Palace that Nelledir remembered all too well, was worth even more than the average wooden home.

When Taranir appeared, Oropher took on himself to begin the conversation. Instead of training they sat down on the sandy field and talked. At first, Taranir seemed baffled that they knew, but then to Oropher's surprise there was no anger or shame, just relief. Erthor was right – just because someone don't speak loud, it doesn't mean that he doesn't need help.

Taranir assured that he will take care of everything himself. But they would hear none of it. They were a team – brothers in arms and family by choice. Such problems concerned all of them and needed to be fixed.

They went to see the house and Oropher was wrong. Not even half of it was done for all this time Taranir worked on it. But fundaments seemed stabile and many materials were stored nearby and waited to be used. And after the royal architect allowed it, they started to work together.

Within one season everything was finished. All that was needed was simple help. And in no time, Taranir's family could move in.

Now, Oropher stopped before the house he once helped to build. There was a small garden in front, grapevines climbed up the walls changing leaves during the seasons. There was even an apple and cherry tree nearby that gave sweet fruits. It seemed almost impossible to have such peaceful home almost in the middle in the city, yet here it was.

Oropher was in no hurry to arrive there, but he needed to be cautious and sometimes sneaky since hoses were not allowed in this area. First he checked briefly the market if Taranir was there, but his next destination was his friend's home. Huro walked with energetic pace and Oropher didn't fasten the horse, and when he was close enough he bid the steed to stop and after briefly observing the house, Oropher dismounted.

Door were slightly open, but Oropher was not worried about it. Only when he was close enough and heard voices inside, he frowned deeply.

'Look, you can walk away now and we will forget about this.'

Oropher stopped his tracks and listened further. It was Taranir who just spoke, there was no mistake, but the other voice Oropher didn't know...though he suspected who it was.

'Why would I walk away? You are my family and we are meant to be together.'

'Please, don't come here anymore. Leave me and my children alone!' it was Mithel, Taranir's mother, and her voice seemed strong at first, but the Oropher relised it bordered on desperation. 'When you left, we arranged our lives without you! You should respect that.'

'I know. I searched for you in the settlement, but you were not there.'

It was Eregon, Taranir's father. He arrived here with marchwardens and Oropher remembered moment when he saw this elf on the fields while he supervised his young soldiers.

Oropher didn't like at all this strange lilt in the elf's voice. And he didn't want to listen to more of this nor he needed more suggestions to know what was happening.

He opened the door wide and stood at the entrance flashing green dangerous eyes at gathered elves inside. There was Mithel, having her daughter behind herself. Linel, Taranir's lovely sister was like delicate and frail snowflake, nothing like her sturdy brother. She was startled and seeds of fear already appered in her eyes. Mithel remained strong, but she was clearly alarmed by the situation that was happening. She held tight Taranir's elbow who stood between her and Linel and the his own father in front of them at whom Oropher focused all his fury.

'You.' he growled and the elf turned to face him. There was a bit of surprise on his face, but confidence quickly dimmed it out. All too well Oropher saw Taranir in his features. 'You are under arrest under charges of trespassing, intruding and intimidation.'

'All those charges are absurd.' Eregon said. 'Do you have any proof?'

'You have two options.' Oropher said almost interrupting the elf. 'Either you will leave this house on your own or I will drag you out. The choice is yours.'

They stared at each other in silence. Oropher's eyes burned with impatience and contempt and if only he could he would set the elf on fire. But Eregon watched him almost impassively, clearly considering and Oropher knew he did a mistake. He gave the elf a time to prepare while he should have run into the house and simply drag him out. Now he risked a fight he didn't want at all. Maybe Oropher will have luck to restrain the elf immediately before he will be able to draw any weapon.

And this chance appeared faster than Oropher anticipated and he tried hard to not breathe out in relief.

'You have no right to arrest me.' Eregon said already turning away from him. 'And moreover, you have no right to take me away from my family.'

When marchwarden was half-turned from him Oropher immediately advanced. Those were mere moments when Oropher hit Eregon making him bend in half and sending to his knees. But without a time to respite, Oropher twisted his hand painfully and rised him up, leading out of the building.

As soon as they were outside Oropher threw Eregon on the wall beside door and held him tightly by uniform boring into him green eyes full of storm.

'Taranir is my dear friend. And no one threatens my friends and their families.' Oropher growled angered and this ire only rised up. He pinned the elf even harder to the wall. 'I will do everything to protect them even if it will cost me an exile. I am ready to even kill for them.'

The elf stared at him for a moment in dead silence and he seemed to break before him, maybe cause he saw fire in Oropher's eyes. What his purpose was, Oropher didn't care. He didn't need excuses.

'You have no right to do that.' the elf said fiercely. 'I came back home and nothing will keep me apart from them!'

'Now you remembered all of sudden that you have a wife and children?!' Oropher snapped immediately pinning him even harder to the wall and he was sure Eregon felt this pressure. 'You are not their family, you are a burden for them!'

Eregon watched him in silence, but spoke no more. And Oropher unsticked him from the wall and just as he turned to take the elf away he noticed two guards walking in their direction. They were probably informed that a riders appeared in resticted area and came to investigate and for Oropher it couldn't be more convenient.

'General!' one guard called, clearly surprised and Oropher acknowledged both of them with a nod.

'Take the marchwarden to the custody. He is to remain there until I will release him. And I have to speak with his commander first.' he said and both guards took a hold on marchwarden. 'He was arrested by me and everything that conserns him goes up to me. No one has a right to free him.'

'Of course.' the guard said a bit startled. 'We will inform our commanders about the situation.'

'Thank you.' Oropher said and for a moment he watched them taking the marchwarden away. He felt no pity nor sadness of what he had done. He did what was needed.

He will have to speak with Hinnor, the commander of the marchwardens. Oropher would have never suspected that Taranir's father would arrive to Menegroth, but he will make sure he won't set foot into the city ever again. And maybe he will convience Hinnor to send Eregon away.

A bit hesistantly Oropher came back to the house and peered inside. Linel took this situation heavily and all the pressure went out in tears. Her mother tried to calm her with soft words embracing tightly and Taranir was near them, but he turned to look back at Oropher.

His friend was out of his usual composture of stern commander. There was strange relief in his eyes, but also grief and sorrow that was hard to understand. And when Mithel lead her daughter away, Oropher in turn took his friend by elbow on walked with him to Taranir's own room.

When door closed shut behind them, only then Oropher embraced his friend and Taranir held tightly to him, finally breaking under pressure of strong emotions. And Oropher caressed his back soothingly letting him cry.

'It's not the first time he came here.'

'It started when marchwardens appeared in the city. And before he looked for us in our old home.' Taranir said in shaky voice that didn't suit him. 'He just came here few times before. But for last days he came here everyday. We don't even know what he wants. He behaves as if nothing changed, as if he was never gone.' Taranir shook his head. 'But we didn't want him and he behaved...he chose to not see it. This strange desperation in him...it was not healthy. I don't want to know what he would have done-'

'I don't now his purpose, but...he may become violent. Such desperation can turn into agression.'

'I know, but should I arrest my own father? Turn him in or send on exile?' Taranir pulled away and shook his head briefly drying his face from tears that still fell. 'He is my father. I can't do such a thing.'

'I know how hard it must have been.' Oropher said preventing his friend from turning away from him. He took a strand of hair off Taranir's face and he wiped off his cheek with a sleeve. He looked all over Taranir's face thinking of a burden that his friend carried for all this time. A burden he have not seen. 'Why you didn't tell me?'

Taranir laughed a bit, but it was a sad laugh and he shrugged his arms in powerlessness.

'It would complicate so much. All our work and duties.' he said drying off his face. 'Besides, you had your own problems, with your family. I couldn't burden you even more with my own.'

Oropher almost balked hearing Taranir saying this. This strange pararell was all to familiar to him. Those were his own thoughts from before, after all.

'That's funny. I thought exactly the same back then.' he said and embraced Taranir once more. 'I didn't want to burden anyone and I almost fell in grief.'

Oropher had those moments when he woke up from sleep and his limbs were so heavy he couldn't get up. And all the thoughts conviencing him that he should stay in his room, that he needed to cope with what his family did to him. That his officers will take care of everything. All of it was a silent trap in which Oropher didn't fell into.

'Grief?' Taranir repeated. 'Why? Whatever happened that you would fall in such illness?'

'It's about my mother.' Oropher said quietly. 'Mainly. But not only her.' he patted Taranir's arm. 'Come, let's sit. I will tell you what gnawed me all this time.'

When they sat on the ground and leaned on the sofa Oropher started to speak first about his grandmother. It wasn't the matter that was the most concered him, but later on as he told Taranir aout his aunt – how Turel battled wargs to save him and his cousins, that his mother left him on her own will and it rised up this same treachorous emotions of sadness and even anger.

He told Taranir about his mother's family, House Silevon – the most powerful of the four along with House Laegon, and then he said about Rivelil. That they were parted almost at the day of their birth. And his father hidden it away from him, also because of his own grief, and how wrathful Oropher was back then and how the great sadness almost overwhelmed him.

'You didn't even know she was there.'

'For all my life. Till...not that long ago.' Oropher smiled a bit. 'She is my twin sister and her name is Rivelil. She lives somewhere across the wide Sea.'

'I don't know what I would have done in your place. It's so hard to imagine.' Taranir said and shook his head. 'And for all this time you were as if nothing happened! Why you never told me?'

Oropher's head dropped a bit. He did everything he used to along with his duty, just as Taranir did for all this time. What else there was to say?

'I didn't want to burden you.' he said looking up at Taranir. 'You had your own family to take care of. I couldn't throw my problems on you.'

Taranir watched him for a moment and the nodded in silent understanding. They were great friends and brothers in arms, and still they didn't behave like ones. All of it lead to situation like where they didn't want to cause any problems and burden others, while they could get through all this together.

'We are friends, aren't we?' Oropher asked then staring at the floor. It was naive to ask question like this, but he couldn't help it. Maybe he needed confirmation of his own thoughts, he didn't know. Or denial that he and Taranir grew apart.

'Of course we are.' Taranir said and moved closer a bit resting hands on Oropher's shoulders. 'But we have to make a deal.' when Oropher looked up at him, Tarnir continued. 'No more hiding problems.'

'We both like to take care of them on our own.' Oropher said and a half-smile appeared on his face. 'If anything like that happens in the future, at least just say that something is wrong.'

'At least that.' Taranir agreed. 'We have a deal then?'

'We do.' Oropher said and they clasped hand in warrior's gesture as agreement.

Oropher will make sure to honour it in the future when all of him will tell that he should take care of this alone. He had his family who will support him, but Taranir was also there for him. And Oropher will make sure and he hoped, that Tarnir thought the same about him.

'Taranir, concerning your father.' Oropher said, though he didn't want to pursue this matter, it was needed. 'He will remain in the custody till I say so. And I will speak with Hinnor. I will try to convience him to send Eregon away and he won't appear in Menegroth again.'

'For now we get rid of him. But what next? The guards are not able to check on every elf at the gate, they let in everyone.'

Sadly, Taranir was right. Hinnor may not send Eregon to Menegorth directly, but during his day offs he could do as he wanted. And probably no one will stop him at the Gates especially during Summer when the gateway was open all the time and many strads were opening on the outside sandy courtyard. No one was able to control the flow of elves, all the more check each of them. And painful realisation that Taranir's family won't ever be free was overwhelming.

'I will figure something out.' Oropher said in with full confidence. Maybe he will go ask Galathil or Celeborn about this, maybe even his father and uncle. If he will have to, he will even go to Saelon and ask about possibilities to keep the marchwarden away from the city.

'It's alright. We got used to possibility that he is somewhere around.'

'But that's not how it's suppose to be! Living in constant worry and fear.' Oropher shook his head. 'I won't leave it like this. You have my word.'

'Thank you.' Taranir smiled. 'For everything.'

Oropher smiled as well and held a hand on Taranir's shoulder in brotherly gesture.

'What are friends for, right?'