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03/09/2022 01:30 PM  Word of the Day: Desire I am Hal of the Dúnedain and I fear a CAGE. W  ord: Desire Desire. A feeling that could help but also harm. ‘It won’t hurt anyone if I keep my desire to myself.’ Depending on what the desired item or who the desired person may be, sometimes that feeling can grow out of control without even being noticed. Desires could easily pit brother against brother; family against family; friend against friend. Breaking apart marriages and friendships years old. Everyone had their wants and desires. It was rare to find someone who didn’t have a desire for anything, even the simplest things like falling in love. And yet, for decades, folk often thought that was the case for the mostly silent Esteldin Commander. Quiet and cold, Hal was the Ranger who people went to when they needed something done. Much like a ghost when she didn’t want to be seen, no one would know of her presence unless she thought it necessary. And nor did she waste time into getting to the point, much to the amusement of Rohan’s King, Theoden. But should anyone try to get a conversation going about feelings and desires, the Bree raised Dúnedan would close down completely and that would be the end of discussion. Except for this one time. “Do you remember that conversation we had here on the docks, when I was just 10 years old?” A seemingly random question for anyone else if they heard but not for Hal. For she very clearly remembered talking to the once young boy, during a mission to the coastal city of Pelargir. “I do. Did you manage to become one of the Rangers, like you wanted to?” Conversation while she started to send her kin back towards the ships, like Aragorn had asked. The scarred Gondorian grinned, a unusual sight for those of the city residents who knew him as a scowling man. But for many of them also, it was rather welcome too. “I did and I loved it but injuries stopped me doing anymore missions, so I returned here. What about you?” Hal wasn’t much of a speaker at the best of times but when it came to her own desires, she didn’t see the point in saying them out loud. Only this occasion, that altered. “Mine have never changed through the years, barring one. But I won’t ever say it, because I have no desire to hurt two of my friends. Especially since one of them is my closest friend and also my leader.” It didn’t take long for realisation to kick in and the former Ranger of the South nodded, understanding what wasn’t being said. But nothing else was spoken about the matter as they were coming back to the docks, where men were getting onto the ships. “Hopefully we’ll meet again and go for a drink in one of the taverns.” “That would be good. It’s time for me to go though, so I’ll see you around.” She nodded to him and headed to the main flagship, walking alongside Aragorn. As he watched the ships disappear into the horizon towards Minas Tirith, the lone Gondorian thought over the body language of both Hal and the man he knew mainly as Thorongil. It was then he realised what was bothering him about both Northerners and a quiet unfamiliar chuckle sounded. For he knew that despite his friend’s long years, she hadn’t worked out that the only one who Aragorn, the Heir of Isildur, wanted… was HER. discord: ask / literate & semi-active writer / est. 2020 0 Comments

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02/03/2022 07:07 PM  Word of the Day: Absence I am Hal of the Dúnedain and I fear a CAGE. W  ord: Absence “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” The phrase was murmured idly. Seconds later, the Evendim trained ranger ended up moving to avoid the pencil thrown at him. The thrower was a dark grey eyed gender-fluid woman, who was sitting by him. “Not helpful when I’m out here trying to forget my feelings for a certain man, Can.” She snarked at one of her closest friends, briefly giving him the side eye. Her attention quickly returned to the woodcarving project that she was working on, letting silence fill the air once again. Candaith didn’t mind the Lone-lands being his permanent position, even though it meant he rarely got to see that many folk. It never bothered him as much like his friend and Commander, he wasn’t a massive fan of being around a lot of people. For that reason alone, it was Saeradan, who much preferred noise to silence and enjoyed being around others. In fact, it was Saeradan’s preference for being around people, which had made their Chieftain place him permanently in the land around the town of Bree. With Hal mainly working from Esteldin in the North Downs, Saeradan in Bree-land and himself set in the Lone-lands, Candaith rarely saw his two closest friends anymore. So the younger ranger’s appearance had been unexpected but very much appreciated. However the visit also poked his curiosity into full flow, since it wasn’t a normal habit for her. “Why here and not Saeradan?” Even as he asked though, there was a inkling in the back of his mind why she had come to him. “Strider’s in Bree and I kind of wanted to avoid him for a while. Also I haven’t seen you in a few months and I was told to recover away from Esteldin, so here I am.” Hal gave a faint shrug, focusing on adding intricate details to the carving of a wolf. Given where exactly Candaith hidden his campsite, it meant that no one could walk into them by accident. “Second in commands aren’t meant to want to avoid their leaders.” “They’re also not meant to fall in love with said leader either.” “Hence the reason you’re here and not in Bree, dropping a report about your mission off.” He tilted his head slightly, keeping his voice low as a small smile crossed his lips. But then the smile faded at seeing the familiar uncertainty crossing her features. Candaith frowned and tugged the other ranger into a one armed hug, ignoring the instinctive flinch. “He’ll worry if you don’t appear. Strider is protective over all of us but more so over you.” “I know. I just wish I could get rid of these feelings.” She answered softly, still on alert as the Lone-lands were not the safest of places at times. “Sometimes being absent makes it easier to sort feelings out because of the distance.” “And sometimes it doesn’t. Especially where you and Strider are involved. Because it’s you two.” He nudged her gently, before letting peaceful silence fill the air around them again. discord: ask / literate & semi-active writer / est. 2020 0 Comments

02/02/2022 04:20 PM  Word of the Day: Cope I am Hal of the Dúnedain and I fear a CAGE. W  ord: Cope Definition: To deal effectively with something difficult The ability to react calmly in most circumstances was something that most people envied the Rangers of the North for. It didn’t seem to matter what the problem or situation was, they were the folk who could usually be depended upon to act quickly in a calm and effective manner. Yet of all the Northern Rangers, there was one who took that ability to react calmly, neutrally and quickly to a entirely different level. H A L. The gender-fluid Commander of Esteldin and the Ranger who most turned to when Strider wasn’t around. She could cope with situations that even her fellow Dúnedan couldn’t handle, as she tended to completely detach from her emotions. But that same emotional detachment had caused her to pay a heavy price. One so well hidden that none of the Rangers even realised anything was wrong. Not until their Chieftain arrived in Esteldin about a week later, asking about her. It only took some blank expressions and confused responses of “No, we haven’t seen the Commander,” for a worrying realisation to start dawning. The layout of the old ruins was rather simple to navigate, provided one knew where they wanted to go. Even then, there were areas that some found confusing. Aragorn didn’t have that issue though. He knew exactly where he was going in Esteldin; to Hal’s room. It didn’t take any time at all to pull the door open and slip inside, before letting his eyes adjust. “Hal?” He called out quietly, not entirely sure of what to expect. There had been nothing to suggest that anything was wrong for her to miss their meeting. Then grey eyes landed on on the familiar curled up form of his partner and second in command. And for one terrifyingly s l o w minute, it looked like Hal was dead. But moving closer, he could see her chest rising and falling as she breathed.Which was a small relief. Not much though as it was obvious that she hadn’t moved in a few days. He gently shook her shoulder, an action that normally would have woken her within seconds of being touched. Yet it didn’t- and that lack of response alarmed him. Aragorn took her pale hand in one of his, staying out of the way as one of the semi permanent Elvish healers ran a quick check. “She’s physically fine, Strider. Cold but that’s not a surprise. There’s no reason why she shouldn’t be waking. Unless…” There was a pause and he fixed a sharp look on the healer, unconsciously tightening his grip on her hand. “Unless?” “This has happened once before while she was training in Tinnudir, Evendim. No one could get her to rouse for a few days and it was discovered that her ability to cope had become overwhelmed. It hadn’t happened again until this week.” The Chieftain of the Dúnedain nodded after taking in those words, his eyes dropping back to the far too still form on the bed. Although he now had a explanation for why Hal was like this, the relief wouldn’t come until she woke up. He was worried that she wouldn’t wake at all.  ~~~~~ Hours later, something made him stir. He hadn’t intended to fall asleep but weariness from a previous mission and concern were a bad mix. It took a moment, before he saw the familiar shy half smile and woke up properly.  “You’re awake.” Hal hadn’t fully woken up and was trying to figure out why her leader was here, although that soon ended when he moved. She curled into him after being pulled against his chest, finally recalling what may have brought him to Esteldin. “Sorry for missing the meeting.” Her words were soft and worn sounding. Aragorn just gave her a Look and tightened his hold. “Hal. Just rest. The meeting isn’t going anywhere and neither am I.” She gave a faint smile, closing her eyes once more. This time though, it was just a normal sleep in his arms. There was going to be talking later Hal knew but for now, it was quiet and peaceful. A rare moment in the life of the two Rangers. discord: ask / literate & semi-active writer / est. 2020 0 Comments

02/01/2022 11:25 PM  Word of the Day: Absolute I am Hal of the Dúnedain and I fear a CAGE. W  ord: Absolute Ithilien, Gondor “Hal, please?” A tinge of amusement flickered over tanned features at Eowyn’s words, the pleading hidden to all but those who knew the Lady of Ithilien. Had it been one of her first visits to Ithilien then maybe she would have given in and agreed to wearing one of their gowns. But Hal was used to dealing with the younger woman, after years of visiting Edoras and didn't have a problem with saying no. “As much as I appreciate the offer, I’m quite happy with wearing one of my own dresses. Besides I would rather hide my scars, instead of having everyone see them.” She admitted softly, side eyeing the gowns that had been offered as a choice. Despite what people thought about the dark eyed gender-fluid Queen, she wasn’t a fan of dressing up for anything. In fact, Hal much preferred the general shape and anonymity of the ranger uniform. “I… hadn’t even considered that.” Eowyn said after thinking it through. Even though many of them wanted to see the Northern Dúnedan in one of the Gondorian gowns, she wasn’t going to press the matter anymore. Not now she knew part of the reason why. “It’s not something I often let people know, if I’m honest. I’m used to being in uniform anyway and gowns never really work in the wilderness.” Amusement was clear in her gaze as she watched her friend nod and leave. Giving her privacy to get changed. ~~~~~ “Care to dance?” “No thank-you.” Being Esteldin’s Commander and now Aragorn’s Queen, having patience was vital. Hal had that in spades. But when the same question got asked by the same person every 20 minutes, even the most patient person could get irritated. She didn’t let it show though and just answered with a no, when it was repeated a few minutes later. “Aside from King Éomer, Prince Faramir and a couple of the Riders, you haven’t danced with anyone though. You’ll never find anyone like that.” “Hal has never been a fan of dancing and that, I don’t mind.” Those words and that tone should have bothered her. Yet instead, it immediately made her feel calmer. Because only one person knew why she didn’t like dancing and that was the man stood behind her. Aragorn. “My apologies. I didn’t recognise you.” The soldier recruit paled slightly when he finally realised what he had been saying- and to who. As the Gondorian left quickly, Hal felt her King and husband pull her close. His familiar scent of the wilderness and old leather represented both safety and home to her. She relaxed slightly and leaned into him once they were sitting down. Decades of working together and knowing each-other meant that Hal and Aragorn didn’t need to communicate verbally. And anyone watching could see the absolute love they shared between them. discord: ask / literate & semi-active writer / est. 2020 0 Comments

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01/15/2022 05:38 PM  Word of the Day: Impact I am Hal of the Dúnedain and I fear a CAGE. W  ord: Impact Definition: A sudden and powerful effect that something/someone has on a situation, process, or person. No one ever considers what the long term implications of a first meeting between two people could be. Not usually. But when it came to Hal and Aragorn, maybe they should have done. Unseen by many, the I M P A C T of that meeting in Rivendell would ultimately end up turning Hal’s entire world on it’s head. Estel                     Thorongil                                                  Strider                                                                            King Elessar All names for one man:                                          A R A G O R N. No one had ever seen through the defensive walls and the masks she wore. Her Grandfather was the only other person who knew her well but as the years lengthened, there was nothing he could do to protect her from her own emotions or the pain that surrounded her. So the eldest of the Dúnedain left it to one of the youngest to help his granddaughter. Her F R I E N D before her CHIEFTAIN. His F R I E N D before his W A R R I O R. When others watched and waited for her to follow in her father’s footsteps, Aragorn trusted her with being his second in command. One of the most solid leaderships that the Wandering Men of the North had seen. Waves rippled out over the decades from their first meeting. A unexpected consequence when feelings of friendship shifted into that of love. No one knew what the impact of that very first meeting was going to be. But… maybe they should have. Hal and Aragorn. discord: ask / literate & active writer / est. 2020 0 Comments

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