Sintanaro was leaning against the stall door watching the peredhel groom her horse. They may not be leaving for an hour but it was obvious to the man she was more at ease now than when he first went to her room. However, light conversation seemed useless and even his challenge was disregarded. The woman seemed lost in her own world.
Suddenly Anoriel shot through the main door with two men behind him, yet when he took in the current scene he stopped.
“Sintanaro!”
The dark hair man pushed himself up from the stall door. “I’ll be back sweetheart.”
The two men passed him as he made is way to where the leader now stood. Anoriel had heard his comment. “Do you intentionally try to anger every shieldmaiden or just the two we are currently protecting?”
The man let out a slight laugh. “Our shieldmaidens seemed to be a bit preoccupied these days. This one won’t engage unless it is to roughen up Rohirrim men and our precious Rholarowyn is now seeking solace in the arms of a man over the hilt of her sword. Like the elves, perhaps the time of the shieldmadiens has passed.”
Anoriel remained cool, “Ryomer needs another hour before we can leave, go see if there is anything you can do to help.”
The man left easily enough leaving the leader standing at the barn entrance and two new men now replaced the one as Earendil’s protectors.
Anoriel was well aware of the situation at Goronor’s farm. He had sent Sintanaro there 2 days ago. It was the day following Ryomer and Eari’s arrival and new orders were sent with him. First the men of the knighthood who were still there, Dewelgen and Tyrelles, along with Lienoril were to be on high alert due to the new information and threat against Rholarowyn and her son. Second, they were to remain at the farm until the group from the Noble house arrived. The message concluded that the group was going to be delayed a day possibly two.
When Sintanaro returned the following day Anoriel was more than surprised to learn of Rholarowyn’s actions. Not only had she compromised herself and her safety by engaging in a late night tryst with Estaron, Goronor’s brother, she had also begun training Lark, a shy young woman, in the basic skills of archery. Unbeknownst to the leader, and to add to the current complications, Sintanaro and Rholarowyn had some obvious unresolved issues that the dark haired man had clearly neglected to tell him. To say there reunion was tumultuous was a bit of an understatement.
Sintanaro now entered the house and made his way to the healing area. The dark haired man entered and let out a long, slow whistle after a brief look at the Rohirrim’s face.
“Perhaps you should stick to those Innkeeper’s daughters.” The man joked.
“Leave him be!” the healer ordered pushing the man aside and placing a new cold towel upon the Rohirrim’s face as he rested on the fabric cot. “He needs to rest.”
“I’m here to help.” Sintarano smiled turning a chair around and taking a seat in it backwards.
“I'm sure you are." The healer replied impatiently. "Then perhaps you could keep yourself quiet!”
“Now Alessan, you know silence is not my strong suits.”
“Yes, I am well aware of how useful you are with your mouth as you let me know every chance you get.” The healer then turned and left the room.
“Yep, I think she’s starting to like me.”
The Rohirrim voice was low and slightly muffled by the towel covering his face though the sarcasm could not be missed. “You think they all like you.”
“Well…I’m not the one with the bruised and bloody face done by the hands of a woman now am I?”
“No, your beautiful face has once again been preserved.”
“You know,” Sintanaro began as he scooted his chair closer to his friend. “I have a theory here.”
“Wonderful.” Ryomer replied with more sarcasm.
“Perhaps Earendil has some unresolved issue with her husband and well, since you are both Rohirrim, you’re just getting the brunt of it.”
“Perhaps,” Ryomer began slowly, “you are confusing yourself with me.”
The dark haired man raised his head in slight offense as the Rohirrim continued. “Speaking of unresolved issues…Anoriel told me what happened.”
“Ha!” the man shot back and rose from his chair. “That woman can hold a grudge!”
“Really?” The Rohirrim turned his head slightly, “Even after you apologized?”
Sintanaro turned towards the north facing window and stared out.
“You didn’t apologize did you?” Ryomer finally stated. “Well then what did you expect after 12 years.”
Just then Alessan reentered the room with a fresh batch of herbs and a cup of cool tea. She glanced disapprovingly at Sintanaro and then made her way over to the cot. “Drink this; it should help with the clotting and the pain.” Ryomer sat up slightly and took a few small sips.
“I talked to Lienoril.” Sintanaro said turning from the window and obviously changing the subject. “Turns out Zochella now has employment at Daenora’s place. That’s why he separated the group. He didn’t want her to know that you and Earendil were with him.”
The Rohirrim sat up a little higher though he maintained his grip on the mug. “Zochella…” his voice slightly raised. “…here?”
“Yes and just as vengeful as ever it appears.” Sintanaro replied.
“Did she talk to him?”
“No, she got to Rholarowyn but that was enough to shake him up.”
“Lienoril severed that tie long ago…what would cause her to leave the south and forsake her allegiance to the Corsairs?”
“Who knows?” Sintanaro shrugged nonchalantly taking his seat again. "Red heads have a mind of their own."
The Rohirrim sat up fast, too fast, and became light headed.
“Whoa…” Sintanaro reached out and steadied the man on one side while Alessan jumped to assist on the other. “Where’s the fire?”
“I need to speak to Anoriel!” Ryomer asserted.
“OK…alright…” Sintanaro heard the urgency and immediately left the room. Alessan helped ease the man back on the cot. “You are not going to get out of here if you don’t keep still!”
Within 10 minutes both men were in the room. Still needing to rest Ryomer remained flat on the cot and after Alessan had been dismissed the two men pulled up a couple of wooden chairs next to the Rohirrim. Ryomer then looked to his leader. “Do you know why Lienoril disobeyed orders and broke up the group?
Anoriel looked at Sintanaro and then back to the Rohirrim. “Yes, to avoid being revealed by a woman from his past and to protect you and Earendil.”
“Yes, but it was not just any woman, it was Zochella…” The Rohirrim continued. “…and why? Why would she let Lienoril know she was there when she didn't have too?”
Sintanaro began to follow Ryomer’s thinking and continued. “There was a reason she wanted to get him out of there but went through Rholarowyn to get him the message.” The man paused for a second. “Perhaps she isn’t another threat but instead was giving Lienoril a chance to get away.”
.