(Untitled)

[somanytitles]

Aragorn took a deep breath and took another drink or water as he let the axe rest at his side. It was nearing dusk, when the heat of the afternoon was beginning to burn off. He hadn't been at work long today, preferring to work in the cooler hours of the morning and evening, but the humidity of the island got to one quickly

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[other_valentine]

A number of things had caused Hester Shaw to pause while walking through the woods, and creep behind a tree to watch. The man, his bearing, the axe he wielded with ease, and his obvious skill as he built a boat, for instance. But the thing that stopped her most was his voice, singing. There was a gentleness and a grace that seemed beyond the man's muscles. It was a voice to be respected. Even followed.

Hester had seen leaders both great and small in her life that had been longer and fuller than it had any right to be. All of them had been hard. They had to be, in order to stay leaders in the Great Hunting Ground. This man was different, and it made Hester unaccountably curious.

But when he called out, she revised her impression of him. She was sure that he couldn't have seen her where she was hiding, and was certain she'd made no noise, and yet he knew she was there. That was a skill to respect, and be wary of.

Caught, and deciding that running away would be a defeat, she stepped out into the light, adjusting the scarf over her mouth and nose. "I was not disturbed," she said. "I was just... passing through."

[somanytitles]

"If you would like, I can sing the song in the language most here call English," Aragorn offered. It wasn't quite as moving in the Common Tongue, but it was still a touching story.

[other_valentine]

Hester raised a hand. "Do not trouble yourself," she said. She felt unaccountably uncomfortable about the idea of this man singing for her, particularly because a part of her strangely seemed to want it. To change the subject, she said, "You are building a boat. Are you looking to float away from this place, to freedom?"

She'd assumed that people had already tried.

[somanytitles]

"My intention is to visit the other island," Aragorn explained. Trying to sail away from the island, far enough to get away, would be truly foolish without a larger boat. That and he believed that if there was a way back home, it would be found here on the island.

"I do not believe I will find a way home there, but I believe it bears investigating."

[other_valentine]

Hester could respect the man's desire to see things for himself. This was a man who did not take things at face value, clearly. He had depth, and she had to be on her guard.

And yet, curiosity tugged at her. She wanted to see this second island, and a part of her wondered if he might allow her to accompany him. But the idea flustered her, and she covered that by asking her next question in a rather short manner. "I have heard that there is another Island near this one," she said. "But I've seen boats tied to docks. Why not ask one of them to carry you?"

[somanytitles]

"They are not vessels that I am personally acquainted with sailing," Aragorn said. It was not the first time he had been asked that question, and it was a fair one.

"I do not anticipate trouble, but I would prefer to encounter any in something I am experienced with and since time is not an issue, I am at liberty to build my own."

[other_valentine]

"And you will sail on your own?" she asked, impressed. "what do you anticipate you will find?"

[somanytitles]

"I have not yet met anyone else who wishes to journey with me, no," he said. For a moment, he missed his companions more than he normally did, Legolas and Gimli would have enjoyed the journey. Even the Hobbits would have been excited about it, although he did not think the boat could carry enough food for more than one Hobbit to go on the journey.

"I believe I will find an empty island with several huts, much as the others who have journeyed there have found."

[other_valentine]

Hester was about to ask, then why both exploring, when she stopped herself. Back home, plenty of interesting things were found in places explorers least expected them. Plenty of wonderful and dangerous things.

The conversation seemed to have come to its natural end, but she felt that she should say something more, as a token of respect. This was not Hester's usual reaction, so it took a little effort.

"I hope you have a good journey, then," she said. "I think I should like to see this second island myself someday."

[somanytitles]

"I thank you for your good wishes," Aragorn said, giving her a polite bow. Good fortune was not something that he was in the habit being ungrateful for, especially a place such as this.

"When thoughts move you to actions, you would be more than welcome to journey with me to the island if you wish. I am called Strider. My camp is not far from here, but if you cannot find me there, leave a not here and I will find it."

[other_valentine]

Hester gave Strider an appraising look. Such a strange man -- strange, in that she felt a strange compulsion to follow him, and didn't find that prospect disturbing. She nodded. "I may do that." She raised a hand in greeting. "My name is Hester Shaw."

[somanytitles]

"I am called Strider," he said, mimicking her gesture. She seemed curious, but cautious as well, a combination of qualities Aragorn admired. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Hester Shaw."