Caranwyn's Tale: In Defence of Middle Earth

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Composure

Caranwyn woke earlier than usual the next morning, despite barely getting a few hours of sleep.  She began to stretch, but felt Russellwen hold tighter in her sleep and snuggle closer to her.  An amused grin found her lips and she kissed her sister gently on the cheek, then forehead as she rubbed one hand up and down the other girl's back.  Russellwen roused, blinking, but only held tighter, coiling one leg around her sister's further with a mumble that was muffled by the way she buried her head against the other girl's chest.  Caranwyn chuckled softly, hugging her back for a moment longer before beginning to untangle herself.

“No more, dear sister!  The luxury of warm and cosy beds are gone from us now.  We must arise and depart, into the unknown!”  Her dramatics were dispelled by the giggle that followed as Russellwen groaned and tried to pull the covers more firmly about herself, deprived suddenly of the warmth of her sister's body.  Caranwyn laughed all the louder as she fought to pull the blanket from her, even though she could feel the chill in the air against her own bare skin.  “Up, up!  Come, there's no time to spare!”

At last, Russellwen gave in with a groan and sat up, stretching.  She spared a last, longing look for her pillow before climbing out of bed and joining Caranwyn as the pair dressed for a long day of riding.  They each picked up the carefully organised travel packs that were set by the bedroom door, taken care of the afternoon before.  As Caranwyn shouldered hers, she was struck by how long ago that seemed, after their escapades in the night.  A slight blush crested her cheeks, which she quickly willed away as they headed out to the central room of the house.

Despite their early rise, their parents were both waiting for them, talking quietly at the table.  They looked up and Caranwyn could see that her mother had been crying recently.  Even so, she smiled and stood, holding her arms out to both of them.  As they hugged, and their mother kissed each girl on the forehead, Caranwyn felt a small thread of guilt tugging at her for the things they hadn't told her.  They couldn't, she knew, but that didn't help the feeling.  After a moment she released them and dropped back to her seat, one hand raised as she sniffed and blinked back fresh tears.

“You're still just my little girls...”  she still tried to smile and their father placed an arm about her shoulder.

“And yet they are young adults, grown.  We're both very proud of you girls.  Take good care of yourselves out there, look after each other, and you, Caranwyn, your men as well.  Your mission may not seem of any real importance, however, as long as you all come back safely at the end of it, I know I will count it a success.”  Caranwyn looked up at her father as he spoke, the solemnity in his voice catching her attention.

“Father, mother, will you not...”  he shook his head, pre-empting her question.

“No.  I'm afraid your mother and I both have duties this morning that we must attend to, and we cannot be there to see you off.  Now must serve for our farewells, I'm sorry.”  He had barely finished speaking before Caranwyn had dashed across the few paces between them to wrap her arms about him tightly, with Russellwen only a moment behind her.  She closed her eyes as she felt his arm pass over her shoulders and squeeze, enjoying the feeling of strength in his hold as she inhaled his scent.  It was many moments before the embrace broke and they each stood back slightly.  Caranwyn could feel a quaver in her chest, worry and anxiety blending with her excitement.  She smiled as she looked back to her father.

“We will come back safely.  I promise.  However long it takes, I'm sure we'll be alright.”  She felt Russellwen's hand reach for hers as she spoke and gripped back with a squeeze as their father nodded and took his seat again.

“I'm glad you rose early, girls.  We cannot stay long, but at least now we might eat together once more.  Sit, you've time yet.”

They didn't talk much as they broke their night's fast together, but Caranwyn found it pleasant and comforting all the same.  She wondered what the fair would be like, far away, when they had no more of their own supplies.  Too soon it was over, and their father stood with a heavy sigh.  Their mother stood as well, though she seemed more composed now than earlier.  She spoke first this time.

“We mustn't delay and longer.  Caranwyn, Russellwen, take care of yourselves and travel safely.  You both go with all of my love.”  She embraced them each once more, separately this time, then quickly retreated to collect her things.  Their father hugged them each as well and kissed their foreheads.

“You have my love as well, girls.  Stay strong.  You are both children of Gondor, protectors of the White City.  No matter how far from home your journey takes you always remember that, and be proud.  Travel well.”  He nodded to them each once, then saluted and they returned the gesture.  Their mother returned a moment later and the two left with a last wave.  The door closing behind them seemed to echo through the house for a long time before Caranwyn glanced to her sister.

“We've better get going as well.  We'll be expected at the gates soon.”  The other girl nodded and they hefted their packs.

There was no running or laughing this morning as they wound their way down through the city.  There was still an early morning chill in the air and the sky was not yet fully light.  Caranwyn could feel her sister holding her hand tight as they walked, her fingers cold in the morning air, and glanced at her with a smile.

“So, how many of my carefully selected men do you suppose will sleep later than they ought this morning?”  This, at least, brought a smile to her lips and she grinned back.

“I'd be more worried about which ones haven't managed to sleep at all.”  She stifled a yawn with her other hand and Caranwyn spotted a slight tinge of pink in her cheeks as she continued.  “Although, I suppose we've only managed a couple of hour at most, ourselves, and I think I'm too excited and nervous to actually feel tired now.”  Caranwyn worked hard to keep her own yawn under control in response and gave Russellwen's hand a squeeze.

The streets were deserted this early, more so than usual at any rate, but as they rounded a bend, a soldier waved, saluting them.  Caranwyn thought she recognised his face as one of the men who fought at Osgiliath, but she couldn't be sure.  He was approaching what she might think of as a large man, with almost a foot in height on her, and a build that left his arms easily as thick as her legs.

“Captain Caranwyn,” there was something both grim and mocking in his voice and Caranwyn felt her good mood fade.  “A word before you depart, if you would.”  Despite speaking her title, his voice addressed her as his inferior and she sighed.

“Russellwen, go on ahead and let the others know I'll be there shortly, if they are waiting.  I won't be long.”  She released her sister's hand and glanced at her with a small nod which the other girl returned, though her eyes lingered on the man, a concerned look marring her face as she moved off quickly, continuing towards the second gate.  Once she had passed beyond the bend in the road, Cranwyn looked back.

“What is it, soldier.  As you seem to be aware, I'm expected elsewhere.”  she raised an eyebrow, but he only barked a quiet, bitter laugh.

“Stupid woman.  Thinking it all means anything real.  Listen here, girl—”  she cut him off sharply with a motion of her hand, her brow drawing down.

“I'll listen tot hose who have things of value to say, soldier, and you will show more respect.  Now, is there a reason for you being here, or are you wasting my time?”  When he snarled at her, she crossed her arms to wait.  She hadn't honestly been expecting any better at this point.

“You don't get it.”  He sounded more than slightly angry now.  “I'll talk as I please because it doesn't matter.  You can do what you like, woman.  Cut your hair short, put on men's armour, call yourself a soldier, even get others to play along to your little fantasy; none of that matters!  It'll never change the fact that you've still got a woman's cunt between those legs, and you'll never do anything useful or proper until you're back where you belong, getting it filled by a real man!”  A fleck of spit from his tirade stuck her cheek and she tried not to grind her teeth.  Instead, when he paused for breath, she whipped her arm up, striking him with the back of a closed fist across the jaw.  It wasn't a serious blow, short and quick, without any real strength behind it, but it was enough to make him reel backwards from the shock.

“Are you quite finished, soldier?” She could hear her voice heavy with an impatient anger, but was surprised at how level it sounded.  The man was less impressed, sputtering a curse.

“You stupid...” he wiped his mouth, then spat.  “That's it, woman.  You're coming with me so I can put you in your place and give you what you really need, right now.”

He lunged towards her and Caranwyn grabbed his reaching hand at the wrist, pulling him forward faster so she could drive her fist into his gut with more force.  She was rewarded with a grunt of pain, even through his scale, but she didn't give him a moment, bracing herself against the weight of his body as he hit her, then driving her knee up fiercely into his groin.  This time he did cry out and she felt him curl slightly over her leg.  Still holding his wrist she bent him further then swung over-arm, bringing her fist knuckles first onto the back of his skull.  She jumped backwards, releasing the man, and he collapsed to the ground, curling up and clutching himself.  Suddenly, Caranwyn could see the appeal of spitting but she refrained.

“Get up, wretch!  Soldier's of Gondor do not writhe about on the ground like infants!” She snapped instead, glaring down at him.

“Caranwyn!”  Russellwen's voice pulled her eyes away.  Her sister was standing with a startled look on her face.  On each side of her were two of the four guards stationed at the second gate, showing equal concern.  They rushed over and she shook her head, shoving the man on the ground with one foot.

“I'm sorry if Russellwen called you away from your duty.  Please see that this cur is acquainted with a cell.  He seems to have forgotten how to show due courtesy or respect for his officers or even his fellow soldiers.  He is to remain until he remembers.  He also attempted to force himself upon a woman of this city without her consent.”  Russellwen gasped aloud, hands going to her mouth, but Caranwyn continued, addressing the guards still.  “Proper discipline and punishment for that dictates that if he has not learned his lesson by the time he is released, then he is to be exiled from Minas Tirith, and his ill behaviour will follow him wherever he goes.”  One of the guards saluted briefly with a  nod.

“Captain,” he reached down to haul the man to his feet while the second guard took his other arm.  He wouldn't stand at first but they began to move him off anyway, struggling under his dragging weight.  Caranwyn stopped them.

“Don't carry him.  Make him walk.  You!  Stand on your own two feet, you poor excuse for a man, and don't disgrace that armour you're wearing any more than you already have.”  His keepers nodded their thanks to her as they paused and the prisoner eventually got his feet under himself, cursing under his breath all the while.  One of the guards struck him lightly with the back of his hand, commanding silence before they moved away back up the hill.  Caranwyn watched them for a moment before turning back to her sister.

“Thankyou.”  She hugged her with a brief squeeze, but felt Russellwen grip back much more fiercely, drawing it out.

“I know what you said, but I could see it on him.  I knew he meant to make trouble, and I waited around the corner.  When I heard what he was saying I ran to get the guards.  I thought there might be trouble, but I didn't think...  Did he really try to, to...”  She stumbled and Caranwyn stood back enough to nod for her as she found her sister's eyes.

“He spoke his intention.  Would have made good on it if I hadn't stopped him, I'm sure.”  She swallowed then shrugged, the adrenalin gradually fading away as they resumed their walk, faster now for the delay.  “He seemed surprised I resisted at all, or called him down for his crudeness, or disrespect.  I honestly don't think he believed that I was a soldier.  All he could see was a woman wearing armour.”  She sighed as they passed the second gate, pausing briefly to explain to the two guards that remained.  She wondered how often she would have to deal with that problem, and if it would ever truly stop.  Russellwen caught her pensive state as they walked, watching her with worried eyes, and Caranwyn smiled for her, shaking off the unpleasant thoughts.

“I'm glad you waited, Russellwen.  It would have taken me a lot longer to drag the fool to the gate guards by myself.”  Her small smile became a genuine grin as the comment managed to coax a giggle from her sister.

It was still a short while before the first morning bell when they arrived at the main gate.  Caranwyn nodded to herself, relieved to find that none of the others had arrived ahead of her yet.  The relief was disrupted a moment later, however, as her eyes fell on the figure of the High Warden of the White Tower himself, the Steward's son, Captain Boromir.  He too was dressed for a long journey and hard riding, though his garments were much finer, and he was busy alternately checking his equipment and rubbing or stroking the neck of his horse as he went.  Her eyes fell for a moment on white and silver horn resting simply on its strap across his chest, but she tried not to let them linger there.  Their own horses were also waiting by, being prepared and checked by the stable hands and she took a step forward into the courtyard proper.  His eyes flicked up to them both in that moment and he nodded once in greeting before returning to the pack he was securing.  Caranwyn approached and offered him a salute, aware of Russellwen standing slightly more behind her than usual.

“My Lord Boromir, good morning.”  She winced at how formal her voice sounded, but he didn't seem to notice it.

“Good morning!”  Instead, he stood straight to look at her, smiling.  Caranwyn's head tilted up as she followed his gaze, more than a foot of height between them.  “A fine morning for setting out, would you not say?”  He glanced briefly at the sky, then back to her.  His eyes travelled the length of her body in the brief moment while, she supposed, she was meant to be distracted by the weather, but they quickly settled back on her face and he smiled again.  “We are to travel together for a ways, as I understand.  I hope you are prepared for a swift journey, for my own errand brooks no delay.”  Despite his words, the young lord, finished with his preparations, retrieved a pair of apples from behind a crate and offered one to his horse, then pulled a small knife from his belt and began to pare the other, sitting on the stack of crates as he did.  His causal ease made Caranwyn relax as well, at least a little, and she nodded.

“Yes sir, that's right, we—” She paused as he waved one hand at her.

“Please, we are both captains here.  If we are to travel together for a time, we shall have to grow used to one another's names.”  He offered her a slice of apple and, after a slight hesitation, she took it, biting half of the wedge and offering the rest to Russellwen.  Boromir's eyes followed the exchange.

“And you, soldier.  Standing behind your captain is admirable, so long as it does not become hiding.  Stand out, and let me see you.”  Caranwyn suppressed a grin as Russellwen salute sharply, then stood away from her.  Boromir chuckled lightly, an open smile showing off his teeth.

“Truly such strange and desperate times do we live in, to see such a pair of young beauties arrayed so for war, and indeed that one of our most promising youths for some years is yet one of our women.”  He shook his head, still smiling, and stood to stretch, breathing the cold air deeply.  After a moment he paused, giving another small laugh.  “I meant no disrespect, of course.  Indeed, it seems I am to be blessed with unexpectedly fair company for a part of my journey at least, and very grateful for it I am.”  Beside her, Caranwyn felt her sister smile and resist a giggle, and she allowed a hint of mirth to touch her own lips before her thoughts turned serious again.  She was about to open her mouth to speak but stopped as Garthstan appeared at the entrance to the courtyard.  He was followed by Belemir and Alagor a moment later.  She turned to face them and Boromir followed her gaze.

They were each dressed for the ride and their eyes were bright and ready.  They moved to stand before her and saluted first, then turned to bow their heads or Boromir as well a moment later and Caranwyn felt a small flutter of joy in her chest.  She grinned as she returned their gesture.

“Good morning men.  See to your horses and make ready; we will be leaving as soon as we are all prepared.”  they nodded and moved past her quickly to the line of horses, though Garthstan paused a moment longer to murmur a quiet “My Captain,” to her as he did.  The way he said it, warm and sincere, without any formality or stiffness, still called a fierce grin to her lips that was very hard to resist.

Celegeth darted into the courtyard a moment later, as though he feared being late, and gave her a rough-edged salute, coupled with his normal roguish grin and a quick wink for Russellwen, who blushed furiously beside her.  He then turned to offer a more correct greeting to Boromir, who raised an eyebrow as he nodded.  Denith arrived last, a scarce few minutes before the first morning bells.

Once they had all arrived, Caranwyn joined her sister and the others in final checks before mounting up and walking her horse out in front of the others.  Despite her short amount of training, the beast still felt uncomfortably large beneath her, even as one of the smallest there.

“We are ready to depart.  We have a long journey ahead of us, of many days, hard riding, and an uncertain end.  Our road carries us all further from this city, and our homes, than any of us have yet been and none know for certain when we will return.  There is much we do not know, but whatever answers we find on the way, I do know this much: trust and hold fast to one another, and to me, and we will return at our mission's end, all the prouder for it.”  She paused and nodded slightly to herself.  “For a ways at least, we will be acting as our lord Boromir's escort, and he needs haste on his own journey, so that is all I will say for now.”  She turned slightly to look towards Boromir, atop his own mount now, passing their attention to him in case he wished to speak.  As she did, the morning bells rang through the city and they listened in silence until the sound began to fade again.  Boromir smiled, inclining his head to her.

“Well said, young captain, but I think that I shall let this speak for me.”  As he spoke, he lifted the horn from its strap then drew a deep breath, raising it to his lips.  Caranwyn was sure the sound of the horn could be heard through the entire city, more clearly even than the bells themselves.  She felts its call resonate through her, calling to her heart in all its triumph and glory and filling her body with purpose and surety.  A small silence fell over them as the note faded, until Boromir let out a fierce cheer and his horse reared.

“We ride!” he cried and as a group they rode forth from the open gates.

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