Surprising is actually a very good trait of my uncle.
Of course I was innocent in my childhood. Every child lives in the kingdom of the immortals and naive they are. I was blind and believed everything my uncle said. He must have it known already from the beginning. He already intended my fate since the first time he glanced to me, although I would really not know how. The Red Company is founded only very recently. I should remember to ask him that before the secret will be buried together with him.
He is really committed with my fate, for he paid a lot of money. Why would he care for a boy who is not even from the same origin?! And a son he has too! Little understanding I have for what happened one day:
I was 16 years old, and he taught me already for 9 years tactics with arms. He was a rich blacksmith, but please don't ask me where he knew these tricks from. Anyway, one day he said he had a surprise. He took me to his home, 7 Chestnut road you know. There he showed me the sword and the shield which I do use nowadays in The Company. My eyes caught a red ruby on the haft. "But uncle, this you really didn't need to do!" He only laughed. He said he did it with pleasure, then he explained. The ruby was only the icing of the cake. He chose the red gem because I am so fond of the color. The weapons were expensive and he had long searched. Most weapons are just rusty in these lands, and it was unusual make. The 32 inch-long arming sword had a red color, and also red was the shield painted, paired with gold leaf. "Listen well, my son. These weapons are not made of iron, nor it's made of mithril, for that is seldom and expensive stuff that even I couldn't afford. I hoped to make a real Rohirric sword for you and I have long searched for the materials. I am a blacksmith, I only repair though and in some particular cases I don't find immediately the materials. Not by a great smith of Gondolin this is made, nor by the dwarves of old. Even not by the men of Arnor or Gondor. This weapon is just made by myself, for the love to you" I was astonished, but of course he didn't reveal yet what use he had for me. I didn't understand, but I got tears in my eyes and gave him a big hug. Red these weapons look, bronze of material and my name and heritage inscribed. Pretty long for a sword, long enough to slash from a horse, the edges sharp enough to cut, although a sharp point to stab. Only mere bronze but a power of love created by my uncle. And even then the power of a sword can only be made by the strength of the blood who bears the heirloom. Nowadays I still wield the sword and Gaertin is his name. But I like also to call it Fyrwine.
