Beyond the Fords of Isen

Boromir and Co. I

The sound of hoof beats thundered over the plains as a company of men from Gondor and a lone woman from Rohan rode from Edoras on fresh horses. They were a small band with the goal to reach Imladris, or Rivendell. The rider who led the group was the proud and noble son of the current steward of Gondor; Boromir. His father sent him and the others in their company to represent Gondor in the meeting taking place at Rivendell. Only him and his men knew the reason of their journey, though, not the lone Rohirrim who had joined their party.

Adalmaer rode her beast at the rear of the group and looked out over the plains that she had come to know as home. Even though it was beautiful, a longing to see other parts of Middle Earth had taken hold in her heart. When she saw the party from Gondor in Edoras, she offered to join them and assist them with the horses should they need it. Of course it was unheard of for a woman to be doing such things, but Théoden King or rather Gríma reassured the men. And so, she set out with them on a great journey that would lead her to places that her imagination could never conjure.

The plains of Rohan stretched on for miles and would soon turn into the vastness of Dunland once they crossed the Fords of Isen. It would be a riskier trek but one that the men were willing to make. It wasn't long before they came to the fords that led into Dunland and it was there they halted. The land beyond the fords was rugged and mostly barren, it was also inhabited by Dunlendings. "There'll be no stopping in villages." Boromir warned. He knew of how the Dundenlings warred with the Rohirrim and because of the woman they had in their company, he didn't want to take any chances.

Boromir looked into the sky and frowned. The sky was becoming darker and if they were to find a suitable stop for the night, they needed to find it soon. "Come, let us find a place to rest before the sun sets." He ordered, guiding the company off the road and into a decently wooded area nearby. They wouldn't cross the fords at night nor travel through Dunland. No, they'd wait until the morning to set out again. It didn't take long for them to settle down, finding a spot between some trees and rocks that would block the wind and prying eyes.

Adalmaer took her place with the horses, not minding sleeping on the ground. She was use to sleeping in the stable of Eldoras and the smell of the beasts comforted her. Besides, she'd prefer to be next to them rather than around smelly men. "Do you not have a sleeping roll?" One of the men asked, eyeing the woman curiously. Adalmaer opened her eyes and looked up to the man, "If I did I wouldn't be lying on the ground." It was said lightly and meant to be a joke.

The man seemed confused by her tone but shrugged, moving off to settle down for the night. Adalmaer shook her head and sighed, turning over so her back was facing towards the fire. She didn't want to see what the men were doing nor did she care. All she wanted to do was sleep and hope that they'd survive the night. Boromir took his position close to the fire and sat on his roll. He couldn't sleep because he opted to take the first watch. While the other men slept, he watched over them, his gaze falling upon Adalmaer who lay among the horses.