From Library of the Randirim

~~by Sylexis of Preying Mantis

Present Day.

“Do you love him?” Seigh prodded gently from across the room, surveying some of the Gems her elder sister had brought her. “Impossible, I'll not give voice to such things.” Sylexis responded quickly, betraying her own words as she reread the letter in her hands for the third time.

Sylexis and Seigh relaxed in a private room in the Prancing Pony. Sparsely furnished, the innkeeper had made a slight exception that he had grown to know quite well would be needed in their room, a wooden block, the width and length of a picture frame hung squarely on the far wall of the room away from the fireplace. Small indents and rivets were carved into the block as though used for target practice a few too many times.

The fire crackled on the hearth and popped as if to only remind them of the moments of silence in the room.

“Regardless, you should write in reply, tis the proper thing to do.” Sylexis nodded in reply, sitting up finally so her sister could finish the gruesome task of cleaning the wound in her arm. “He still did not say why he left?” Seigh dared another question, ignoring her sisters usual slight exhale of breath in exasperation.

“Much like any others do when they are tired of battle Seigh, not many can continue on the front lines without being driven mad, those smart know when it is healthy to retreat.” Seigh sighed, she dearly loved her elder sister but could push no further, Sylexis had forever been quiet concerning such things, always putting others first. The two sat in silence a moment, Seigh, the more deft in hand tricks of the two burglars, stitching the clean cut on her sisters arm, one of too many in the past few years.

It had been some time since the two daughters of Faoreth had seen each other, not since they had parted ways nearly a year ago, to continue their ventures separately. Years or not, little had changed... Sylexis still bore the unusual platinum hair of her family, while her younger sister Seigh, bore the more plain straw blond, a signature of a woman of the Mark. In fact, beyond their hair there was very little that differed the looks of the two in spite of Sylexis being three years her sisters senior, they bore almost as much resemblance as twins.

Farm duties instilled broad shoulders and muscular frames, but both women unusually wore their hair no further than the length of their ears, a show of their profession as much as any other, feminine wiles were better reserved for proper ladies, not brigands and trades..women.

Sylexis grimaced as her sister continued her work, reaching out to her wine goblet and taking a long drink to dull the pain further, a welcome sedative.

“How are the dwarves treating you sister?” Sylexis spoke after a moment. “Oh much like before, with gruff indifference, with slight grunts of approval of my work, but still..” Seigh reached across the bed for a moment and then held aloft one of the necklaces she had finished crafting recently “Their abuse seems to be paying off, beyond elven craftsmanship I have not been able to find its equal, but of course you know the dwarves will never admit such a thing.” The sisters shared a laugh just as a knock sounded softly on the door.

Seigh stood up immediately, still dressed in her usual black hauberk she strode to the door as her sister deftly removed the throwing dagger from beneath the pillow and stood up next to the bed, hiding the weapon from the sight of the door.

Seigh opened the door enough to reveal Bob, the halfling cook, nervously glancing about. Perhaps Sylexis should have remembered she was in little else from the waist up but an undergarment and bloody bandages, for Bob's face went flush crimson.

“I uh... well that is to say, there are guards downstairs... well they are looking for Seigh.... and I uh... yes the letters, I brought your father's letters.” the nervous hobbit produced two identical letters, both addressed to each sister, and offered them to Seigh, careful to stare most meticulously at the ground.

“My thanks friend.” Seigh spoke quietly, offering the cook several coins and speaking in hushed tones. She soon shut the door.

“I cannot believe that silly watchman is still at it.” Two years ago the duo had rescued Bob's daughter from an ill fated attempt on her life... now years later, his loyalty was still unquestioned, and it was just as well, Seigh had a fair share of trouble form the local authorities which generally forced their stops in Bree to be brief, and quiet. Bob also kept letters for them as they came into the pony.

Seigh smiled fondly at her letter, offering the other to her sister as she opened her own, reading it quickly. “He's gone and gotten himself in trouble again,”

“As if that is anything new with our family.” Sylexis spoke tersely eying her sister with a knowing look , they would have to leave soon before the watch started inspecting rooms. Sylexis read quickly over her letter, chuckling after a moment and shaking her head. “The Rohirrim continue to advance in numbers, and it will not be long before they are able to gather on the Mark numbering in the thousands... I will be glad when this comes to pass, many homes are still unsafe from attack.” Both women fell silent for a moment.

“What next?” Seigh glanced up from her letter, eying her sister from beneath the small golden locks that fell across her eyes.

“Well, I suppose you shall return to Thorin's Halls, and continue your fine craft, it is your delight dear sister and I do not wish you to ignore it,” Sylexis finished sliding her armor into place, beginning to strap the buckles across her ribs as she spoke, stopping to rest a hand on her younger sister's shoulder.

“We have a home there now, and one of us must be able to keep it, pursue your desire to be a jeweler of great renown.” Sylexis let her hand, fall, tightening the last strap on her blackened chest piece. “As for myself, newly returned from Angmar or not, I've business to attend to in Rivendell, and then on to the Misty Mountains, I suppose I shall actually attempt a trip to see our Father before I return to you.” Seigh grasped her elder sister's hand, stopping to look in her eyes.

“You know that is not safe, you should not go that way. Please.” Sylexis stepped in and hugged her sister. “We have been through much worse, you know I can if I need to, but I will only use such things as a last resort, there is too much at stake to risk it otherwise.” Sylexis smiled reassuringly to her sister, not letting her confidence slip. Whether her sister would believe her or not was another matter. “Come, tis time to go.” Seigh nodded to her sister, collecting her things the pair left silently, letting themselves out the back of the inn by way of the kitchen, and making quick work of the northern wall of Bree in the cover of night.

Pausing only long enough to collect their horses north of the town, the two said quick farewells, and began their great journeys in opposite directions, wondering yet again if it was the last time they would see each other.

Out of a handful of people who knew the girls true names, Bob was not one of them, known only to the public as Sylexis and Seigh Relsicil, daughter of daggers, the two thieves and war profiteers set out with only their conscience and memories to guide them.

To what end, was still a mystery.