The Shieldmaiden And The Thief

Author's Note: I'd like to thank Chathol- linn for her help and advice with this story. Her good advice helped me, not only to improve this story, but all my writing. Without her encouragement and her critical eye, this story would be even worse than it already is.

Chapter One

It was pitch black in the Hall. The darkness seemed to press against my eyes as if trying to force entry into my soul. My heart was beating so fast and so loudly it was a wonder it did not wake the whole palace. I didn't seem to be able to catch my breath. I felt I was drowning in darkness. I couldn't help thinking if I am caught…

But I won't be I told myself firmly not I, the best thief in Edoras. I had been in Edoras but a month but already my reputation had been firmly established as the most skilled pickpocket to be found in the land of Rohan. It was a talent I hadn't known I possessed.

 I met a dead end. No, it can't be. I was beginning to panic. I had memorised the map of the palace, I knew it like the back of my hand. Could I have taken a wrong turn? I ran over in my mind my movements since I had entered the Palace. Through the window into the kitchens, through to the servants hall, up the back stairway, turn left, take the third door to the right, along another corridor and… There should be a door here. But there isn't. I followed Aldor's instructions to the letter. And then I realised. Aldor. He couldn't have meant this to happen - could he? Aldor was the Gang's spy, and he had hated me right from the beginning. I knew he was jealous of my swift rise to popularity in the Gang. It had been he that had suggested this mad plan in the first place.

" The Golden Hall?" I had said, aghast "are you out of your wits?"

The idea of robbing the Golden Hall was often talked of among the Gang and, no doubt, the other thieves of Rohan- much dreamed of, never attempted. Until now…

"Surely the great Laefan, master pickpocket and burglar isn't afraid?" Aldor said, mockingly.

"Of course he's not. He'll do it won't you?" Brego, another member of the Gang, and the closest thing I had to a friend in Edoras, spoke for me. The rest of the Gang had fallen silent now, and were watching the scene with interest. I looked at Brego and saw the hero- worship shining in his eyes, his chubby face flushed with eagerness and ale. From the first day we met he had followed me with a dog- like devotion.

"Won't you?" He sounded slightly less sure of himself this time.

"Don't be a fool, Brego." I muttered. I was painfully conscious of the way the Gang were watching me, wondering if I dared…

" Come on, Laefan."

"Yeah, go on. We dare you.."

I shook my head. I told myself it would be folly to throw my life away for a silly children's game.

I could not look at Brego. I could not bear to see the disillusionment on his face.

"Never mind, Brego. It seems you're new friend is a coward after all" Aldor grinned, slapping him on the back. It was as my mother used to say- sometimes the truth can sting more than a thousand lies. Before I knew it both Aldor and I were on the floor and my hands were at his throat. Some of the older boys intervened pulling me off him. Gram, a heavy tough-looking boy of about fourteen sent me reeling back against the wall. I did not try to resist him. I was no fighter. Aldor gave me a scornful look as he wiped his bloodied nose and spat on the ground at my feet. Unwillingly I met Brego's eyes. His face was reproachful and when I stepped towards him he backed away in disgust. Coward. Suddenly I knew that I would do anything to wipe that look from his face.

" Very well then. I'll do it." I said.

Standing there in the darkness I smiled as I remembered the look on Aldor's face. But Aldor had sabotaged the whole operation. It began to dawn on me what that meant. Aldor didn't just want to make me look a fool. He wanted me imprisoned- or worse. And his plan seemed to be working.

I stood there a few seconds, the panic rising in my throat. I felt I was suffocating in the endless blackness and my own fear. I breathed deeply trying to gather my scattered wits. It was simple. All I had to do was to go back the way I came. Aldor would mock me but it was a small price to pay for my freedom.

I turned back and began to creep back along the corridor. Then came the sound I had been dreading. A door creaked open and then slammed shut. I heard voices and a glimmer of light shone at the other end of the corridor, moving towards me. I shrank back from it, praying that they would not see me. I had nowhere to run, I realised with horror. I was trapped.

I could see their faces now. They were two guards one carrying a torch. He was talking to the other.

" -Probably just a hoax. Still it is best to check up on it. The boy, what was his name? Well, anyway, he seemed pretty certain about it."

The other guard snorted.

"Not likely though is it? A child break into the Palace?" he scoffed.

There was no doubt in my mind now. Aldor had betrayed me. The guards were moving slowly down the corridor coming closer and closer with every step. Soon they would reach me and the torchlight would shine on my face and then………….

What I did next was exceptionally stupid. Perhaps, thinking back, had I remained where I was and kept still they might have passed me in the corridor. They might, at least, have felt more sympathy for me had they discovered me crouching terrified in a corner. But by this point I had lost my reason completely. I ran straight at the guards with a desperate cry. I had dodged straight between them before either of them had realised what had happened. Then one of the men shouted and they gave chase.

My presence in the palace was no longer a secret. Voices sounded from every corner, cries rang out from all around me. Lights came on in the rooms as I passed them. Suddenly everything was a muddle of noise and confusion and I ran made blind with terror, barely conscious of what I was doing. I ran straight into the arms of a guard. Even then I fought wildly, kicking out with my legs, biting and scratching and whoever and whatever was within reach, delirious with fear.

I knew not where I was. It seemed to me I was surrounded by the blackened skeletons of houses, the rancid smell of smoke in my nostrils and behind me the roar of flames as they overwhelmed my homestead. The high-pitched whinnying of horses in pain mingled with the screams of women and children. And then one cry rising up above the rest, a voice I knew only too well...

"LISSY!" I screamed. Something hit me and everything went black.