The SONGS of SPRING

SCRAM, YOU FOOL!

'Faster, Raen!' Beren bellowed looking back. Snowmain and Blackhoof galloped in a fields of daffodils sending trembles to the ground. At least three dozens of guards were chasing them to the Townlands, where no other escape route other than the outwall gate facing the great River Anduin.

'Why on earth are they chasing us?'

'No time for chatting,' Beren said. 'Keep your head low and ride fast.'

'I am riding fast,' Raen shouted back peevishly, she was bent low holding on tightly on the bridle that she had entwined with Blackhoof's mane. She couldn't believe the Elf would put up a search party for her. 'I could have killed that Elf last night, now he's hunting us down.' Blackfoot was catching up with Snowmain and time by time the two were galloping side by side, but then Raen would stir him left or right to avoid the scattered trees and brushes. Beren was more anxious, he was more concerned of Raen falling behind.

'Hurry!' he called. 'Keep close.' Snowmain proved to be more skillful she would jump over bushes and make sharp turns at need. But then he would ease his mare and look back to Raen.

The guards drew near behind them. Beren and Raen pulled their horses to a trot upon seeing the gathering guards at the Townland's village. He gritted his teeth realizing there was no other way but  to burst themselves through.

'I don't understand it,' Raen said as if talking to herself. 'Unless the Hobbits---'

'They did not betray us. Follow me.' Beren cried to his mare and they rode in great speed without fear. Guards pushed back and they were dismayed, Snowmain and Blackhoof broke their huddling and off they galloped to the low gates of the Townland. And the guards, now wielding their swords higher hurried to chase them by foot.

They've passed by many houses to the cobblestoned streets, turned tables and stalls by the market causing a sudden panic in town, and they never stopped nor looked back at the chasing guards until they were out the Outwall galloping to the nearby bridge. Raen rode closely and a familiar feeling surfaced in her cold hands, in the rising Sun at their backs brought more shiver to her spine.

'Beren!' she cried as an arrow sailed past by her. She would lean time by time chin almost touching Blackfoot's nape. 'Archers.' One backward glance and she saw a man mounting a black horse at her back,  riding swiftly as the cold wind with an arrow aimed at Beren. Snowmain had stepped on the stone-bridge with Beren mounting with his back slightly arched, Raen rode closely behind heaving air and moisten were here palms and the sole of her feet.

But far behind them the man in crimson nocked an arrow and pull and with all his might release his grip on the bowstring and the arrow sailed swift as lightning, aimed to Beren but Raen pulled the rein just in time and the arrow caught her back. Blackhoof neighed as if he too felt the pain, Beren looked back to the bridge, for he had gone to the other side and saw Raen losing her grip. Time stood still as his heart froze in fear and he urged Snowmain and they flew back. Yet he was too late for the guards were near and Raen, enduring the pain, had stopped in at the middle of the bridge. Still he thrust to catch her falling but she dropped at last.

'Scram, you fool!' she cried then cast herself down the raging torrent. A loud splash followed.

Beren jumped off his mare and dashed to the side but saw her not. In his despair he cried her name, trembling and fearful and before he could move to the other side of the bridge the guards had come and they seized him. Beren found his way but a scabbard proved nothing to sharpened steel and he was pinned to the ground with two guards at his back.

'This is a pleasant surprise, Beren the Traitor. I am saddened someone has taken the shot for you,' the man in crimson cloak stood in front of him. 'I was disappointed you turned back - I missed a chance of nocking another arrow.'

'Hourin!'

'Master Hourin!' Hourin growled pulling him up by the collar. Beren's snarled looking at him despisely. And when he was up Hourin kneened him twice by the stomach as his guards stood by, beat him with his knuckles until Beren dropped again.

It chanced that Legolas and his four companions were passing by the bridge and they halted. Hourin hoisted Beren up again urging him to fight back but the later was clever not to, Beren wouldn't take the bait for if he do the guards would have more reasons to kill him. And yet he stood proud and took few more punches from the First Guard until Legolas stepped in and caught Hourin's hand.

'Enough!' Legolas's grip was firm. Only then Hourin lowered his fist. 'What crime did this man do to deserve such beating?'

'My Lord,' Hourin's voice faltered. 'This man is an outlaw. Beren son of Bergil.' Just then another man appeared from behind them clothed in rags and bruises, Iorglas approached slowly. 'This man cut off his tongue. Look at him.' And he pointed to Iorglas.

'And he told you so?'

'Yes! I mean no. He can't speak but he could write. And a few other men confessed Beren's deed.'

Beren lifted his chin and saw a faint smirk at Iorglas' face, his eyes filled with malice. 'Fool!' he spat the blood from his cut. 'You punished me for punishing a thief? Or are you bringing up a crime I have done to her?'

'Silence!' Hourin was about to swing his fist at him when Legolas stepped in.

'It is wise to hold judgement at this meeting. Bring him before the King and there we shall hear the truth. Punishment is not in your hands First Guard, I will not suffer your reckless acts any longer.' And with this said the guards gathered round Beren and they took Iorglas with them. The guards had strated to head back to the Outwall dragging Beren in shackles but Hourin remained standing beside him. Legolas watched them head back to the gates until they Beren disappeared from his sight.

'He had the guts to show himself here, he was better gone for good. And that woman, she'll never survive.' Hourin sauntered to the side and peeked at the river water.

'Woman?' Legolas looked back as he prepares himself to leave.

'Beren was with a woman. Reckless and insane, she cast herself in the river.'

'And do you know this woman?'

'Raen the black haired witch.' Hourin hissed pushing himself away from the sidewall. 'She's the reason to all of Beren's muss. It has dawned my Lord, I should better be on my way.' And he walked past by him to gather his horse.

Legolas was drowning in his thoughts he did not move. The Hobbits had given him the same name last night, and though Merrygund refused to tell more about her whereabouts, he failed to keep his mouth shut on describing her beauty. His feet carried him to the sidewall as if something was drawing him near. At length he stood there watching the wild and clear water and that name stirred his heart once again. He have made himself believe he had seen a ghost, though he would be happy if she were, yet his heart desired nothing but to see her even if she was just to her likeness. Before long he walked back to his mare and mounted.

'Hir nin Legolas.' Gilion said. 'Menathab!'

But Legolas turned his mare back to the outwall. 'Boe annin mened. I faer nîn nínia den a-goveninc. Noro i roch lín a ego!'

'Mas bedithach?'

'Back.' And he galloped to the gates to follow the guards.

A/N

Translation
Hir nin - my lord
Legolas: I must go. My heart shall weep until I see her again. Ride your horses and go.
Gilion: Where are you going?

First Guard - is the term for the head of the guards

Hey Reader, thank you for reading this far. I was really slow in updating this lately. I'll try to update the next chapters as soon as I can. Stay around to know what happened to Raen. Gosh, Beren will be in serious trouble. :)