The IRE of Winter

[ 2.3 ]

That night, sleep was hard to catch, my thoughts went back to my home, to father. I imagined his face in tears as he read my letter. What a fool have I been? I could hear grandma's nagging echoing in my head, breaking down her curses into loud sobs. I will come home soon, maybe sooner that I thought.

I laid on my stomach as I waited for a knock on the door.

The old man said we will leave at dawn, I don't know how many hours have past. A part of me fears that father will come running down Bree shouting my name -- I can't go back. I've signed. My mind wandered in the dark as I forced myself to sleep. Strange things happen, much stranger than running away chasing an old man I've just met, signing a scouting contract and relying my safety to someone who seemed to have a long due grudge on me.

I sighed.

What's done is done, there is no turning back now, all I have to do is keep my courage and have faith. Just a few days, and I shall have those few days to remember. I released a lazy yawn then finally my muscles relaxed. I turned to one side and coiled, waiting for sleep until tireness finally caught me and I closed my eyes to rest.

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Sleep was rather deep and I woke up upon hearing a peevish voice.

'Wake up, Snow-flower. We are leaving,' a male's voice woke me up -- Legolas. He stood like a gray statue beside my bed. 'Don't make us wait. On your feet, quick!' he said impatiently as he walked out the door. What a cruel Elf, how long was he standing there? I sat and examined my face of disorderliness. My long black hair fell messily down my lower back, my tunic was crumpled in small waves. I sprung and picked up my belongings and hurried down the stairs.

We hit the road before sunrise, started our journey as quiet as we could, save in some occasions when Gimli hums or Gandalf and the Elf starts to talk about things that did not seem interesting. It was a very uncomfortable ride, every inch of me ached, tired and sore. I'm no fond of riding horses at all. Gimli greeted me with a big smile, his thick red locks seemed brighter. I am starting to feel comfortable near him. His mouth was buried beneath his thick red beard and mustache, I find it amusing when his beard sways as he talks.

Aramis followed my back as I followed Galdalf's.

'Where are we going?' I meant the question to the man behind me.

[Aramis above]

'East, Safirah.' he said. I didn't turn to watch him but I knew he's just three strides behind. At length I ponder how far East was until I found myself asking again.

'How far is East?'

'We should be there before the sun sets by the morrow, if we don't get delays on the way. Haven't you traveled that far before?'