Juste Follows his Master

Juste and Andwise  Bring Supplies to Calenhad

Juste and Andwise traveled through the Riverlands accompanied by a few scouts. They were laden with goods for Calenhad. Andwise was steering an oxcart full of food and supplies from the Shire and Juste had a full pack of supplies meant for his master, Jaekob Faolan, King of the Riverlands. Juste and Andwise spoke in low voices, watching for the presence of Drow or marauders.

All of a sudden, Juste spotted a figure walking down a side track. With the good eyes of a Hobbit he recognized his master. But his master was alone and seemed to walking determinedly toward the boundary of the Riverlands. Something stopped him from calling out, perhaps a premonition. Juste turned to Andwise and instructed him and the scouts to proceed to the elven city without him and he would be there soon. Andwise objected and tried to get Juste to take one of the scouts with him, but Juste said he needed to go quietly and ordered Andwise to keep going.

Juste hurried on after Jaekob.  He watched as Jaekob walked with his head down, and took note of his expressions. Though Juste had moved to the Shire to make his delicious foods for market, he still tried to make time to see his master. He knew of his master’s great sadness at losing his mate and was apprehensive about Jaekob’s goal.

Jaekob Climbs the Elven Memorial Bridge

As Jaekob mounted the Elven Memorial Bridge he suddenly turned about to view his lands. Juste was behind a bush but saw the conflicted emotions on Jaekob’s face.

Juste crept over the bridge and saw to his horror that Jaekob was headed toward the Shadowlands, as he had feared. Juste’s feet turned to stone. To follow Jaekob into that deathly place would surely mean his own death. Gripping his long knife, Juste made himself walk over the rope bridge and follow Jaekob to the mouth of the underdark. His knees were shaking and his mouth was dry. Juste stood there while Jaekob went through the opening and thought of all he loved, the Shire, his fellow Hobbits, the people at Market and his contributions there. 

And at that moment he remembered that Jaekob had no provisions on him that Juste could see, while he stood there with a loaded pack. He could not let his master go in alone and without food. He could not let his master go.

So he went.

Jaekob Enters the Shadowlands