Wayfarer's

Chapter 18

Shay shuffled to his feet as he placed the last stone on the mound of his brother. The warrior felt his eyes water once again, but he blinked away the unwanted tears. He had to believe his brother was in a better place, he was away from this evil that hung around them. He was safe. So why did he feel so sad? Every time he looked at the two graves they had made, his stomach churned. Aragorn had struggled the entire night trying to bring the elf Lord back, but Thranduil spirit left that morning. And instead of burying one companion that day, they buried two.

"Are you ready?" The low voice of the other man called out quietly, getting the attention of the grieving brother.

Shay tensed and used the back of his palm to wipe away the silver tears that trickled down his cheeks.

"Y-yeah." The warrior chocked out, just speaking made a new wave of tears burn in his hazel eyes.

Aragorn stepped forward, resting a hand on the man's shoulder. "it's okay to grieve. He was your brother." The man tried to ease, but Shay recoiled.

"It should have been me!" The older brother shouted, tears now pouring down his cheeks. "it should have been me.." his voice got quieter and he repeated it.

"He is in a better place... He doesn't have to run anymore... He doesn't have to fight against false hope. Realistically it's better he fell..." Aragorn tried to sooth the man's doubts, it seemed to work for the moment. But he wasn't sure how he was going to deal with a grieving brother the entire time.

"I know." Shay spoke our shakily as he held back another sob. "let's just get moving."

Aragorn nodded his agreement, picking up the two packs they had left. But Shay seized the second one.

"I can carry my own things." Shay snapped haughtily, but only Aragorn nodded in response and backing away.

"If that's what you wish." Aragorn left it at that and moved on, pushing his weak body to walk.

They two walked in utter silence for hours. Neither daring to say a word. But Aragorn stopped, raising one had to stop Shay from continuing forward. As if on key, Shay halted silently as ever he had his crossbow raised and loaded.

"Aye we've got us sum wanders. They seem lost to ya?" A deep thick accented voice broke the silence and the two warriors spun around in fear.
A man sat atop a Warg, his bright red hair sticking out from under his large hat and his beard was long and unkept. He smiled down at the two. Truly he would have been quite handsome if he entertained the though of a haircut or a shave.

"Who are you?" Shay snapped, squeezing the trigger on his crossbow.

"Who am I? Names Ceylon, most call me Lubs. Most friends- Most friends call me Lubs." The man spoke, his words slightly distorted by his thick edgy southern like accent.

"You aren't with Sauron?" Aragorn asked quietly, he wore nothing but a large hat and coat. He wore nothing that bore the sign of Sauron.

"Me? A servant of Sauron? Now that laddie, is a funny joke." Ceylon spoke laughing cheerily at the jest. "You see, Sauron would have had to get them one ring. "

The two warriors paused, exchanging a look of confusion.

"Sauron did retrieve the ring." The two chorused, making the other man frown.

"Don't ya be playing games. It's not funny to joke of them sorts."

"We aren't joking!" The two spoke again.

Ceylon looked around, confused. "Sauron's got the ring? When did that happen?"

"Quite a long time ago, Ceylon." Aragorn spoke, his face clearly showing much confusion. "how have you not noticed?"