Wayfarer of dawn

III. In which there are tales of travelling

Rána had decided she would ride next to Bilbo that day, as she figured he would enjoy the company. And she was right. Bilbo did quite enjoy her company, as he was a morning person himself and so was she. The Dwarves and the Wizard on the other hand, not so much. They had been travelling for at least half a day when Bilbo turned to Rána with a soft smile. "Rána, would you mind telling me a little more about you?" He asked politely. Rána looked up. "Of course, what do you wish to know?" She asked him. "Where do you come from? Where is your home?" Bilbo asked. "On the road, Bilbo. My home is on the road. I no longer reside in the place I was born in. So my home became on the road. Just Avari and I" She told him honestly. Bilbo frowned and looked at her, surely she was not telling him something. But before he had time to question it Thorin called out from the front. "We will rest for an hour! No more, no less!" And the companionship came to a stop on a rocky plateau.

After everybody had sat down on a rock of some sorts, Kili and Fili came towards Rána. "How may I help you, Fili, Kili?" She asked with a soft smile. "My brother and I have been wondering, about your story my lady" Fili answers. "Ah, well, gather 'round then." She told them, and soon enough even Gandalf and Bilbo were walking towards the circle of Dwarves around Rána. "Gandalf? Why is she telling her story so...freely, when she first did not wish to tell it?" Bilbo asked in confusion. "Ah, we shall see my dear Bilbo. I have a feeling there will be a catch to this" Gandalf answered before sitting down next to Bombur. And Bilbo sat down next to Bofur.

"Do you like games, Kili?" Rána asked after a while of silence. "Games?" Kili asked, confused. "Yes, games. So, do you like playing games?" She said with a smile. "I suppose I used to" Kili answered her. She nodded happily. "That's how my story will begin in that case! You see, I dislike talking all the time, being the center of attention. So we're going to play a game, and for each time you win you can ask me a question about whatever it is that you wish to know" Rána told them all, some sort of childish excitement sparkling in her eyes. "I suppose that's reasonable." Was the answer she got.

"Okay, the first one will be an easy one. Untill I am measured I am not known, yet how you miss me when I have flown." It was silent for a while, and nobody knew the answer. Until Thorin's eyes suddenly looked up from the floor they had been watching before. "Time, the answer is time" he said, seemingly quite certain of his answer as his voice sounded strong and confident. Rána nodded. "Correct. Ask your question, Thorin Oakenshield" She told him. He looked at her for a second before he answered. "How did you know of our meeting in the Shire?" Thorin asked her, his eyes narrowed a bit more than usually. "Ah, Gandalf told me. He sought me out a few weeks previous to your meeting in the Prancing Pony, told me to look out for you. And he also asked me to join your quest, something about me being a -" "A good guide across Middle Earth" Gandalf finished her sentence, causing her to shoot him a playfull glare. Thorin nodded silently in answer to the answer he had been given. And Balin turned to Rána, "What is the next one?" he asked.

Rána turned to Balin before answering. "The cost of making only the maker knows, valueless if bought, but sometimes traded. A poor man can give one as easily as a king. When one is broken pain and deciet are assured." And again there was silence. That was until Bilbo broke it. "It's a promise, isn't it?" He asked, a bit unsure of his answer. And Rána laughed softly. "It is, ask your question Bilbo Baggins." And Bilbo thought for a while, nothing really coming to mind. But there was one thing he had been wondering ever since they left the Shire. "Not to be rude, but what is your age?" He asked. Rána's eyebrows raised, she should have known this question was coming. And in all honesty she was the exact age Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm was too, as they shared the same day of announcement. "You should not ask a lady for her age Bilbo" Rána said accusingly. "But I am nine and ten in human years" She finished with a smile. Bilbo nodded and Rána thought up a new riddle.

"I am the end of every era, the start of each adventure. You can find me in the past, but in the future I won't be seen." It stayed silent for a long time. So long was the silence that Rána started to doubt if they even knew the answer. But Kili soon answered. "A, the letter a." And Rána smiled. "Correct, ask your question Kili." "Where do you come from? Where were you born?" Kili asked her. And Rána's smile died away. "My home was in the Woodland Realm, Greenwood." Rána answered him softly. Thorin sighed, already knowing this, but still doubting the elleth in front of him. "But many call it Mirkwood these days" She said, a sad tone in her voice. "Why did you leave?" Kili asked her. Rána looked up, as she had let her gaze fall to the floor. "One question Kili, one for each good answer."

"This is going to be the last one, if you do not mind it. Our hour is almost gone" Rána said, looking at Thorin. Thorin just nodded as answer. "I'm by nature solitary, scarred by spear, and wounded by sword, weary of battle. I frequently see the face of war, and fight hateful enemies; yet I hold no hope of help being brought to me in the battle, before I'm eventually done to death. In the stronghold of the city sharp-edged swords, skilfully forged in the flame by smiths, bite deeply into me. I can but await a more fearsome encounter; it is not for me to discover in the city any of those doctors who heal grievous wounds with roots and herbs. The scars from sword wounds gape wider and wider; death blows are dealt to me by day and by night." Rána's last riddle was a long one, a hard one to solve. But it had to be one of Rana's favourites. And when nobody answered for a good ten minutes Rána smiled happily, knowing that no more questions would be asked. But she had forgotten about the wise wizard. So when she got up, ready to walk to Avari, he called out. "A shield, young Rána, as always it is your favourite riddle." Rána turned around. "Correct, I almost forgot you were here Gandalf. But alas, I would expect no less of a wise wizard." "My question is an easy one, why the name Rána?" Rána's eyes widened. The wizard had her cornered, and she didn't like to be cornered. "It means the Wayward, or the Wanderer. And is also paired with the Moon. I am a wanderer of the path of the moon Gandalf. I left Greenwood near night, and became a wanderer under the light of the moon." She told him reluctantly. And Gandalf nodded.

And so they were on their way again. Each atop their own horse or pony, and rested well.