This was also originally under Rochelle Adams' name. It has yet to be finished so I'm going to work quickly to get it all back up. It's kind of sad that there won't be the reviews and such from before. But hopefully I'll still have readers that will make up for the loss. Anyway, this is the next one. I'm not quite finished but it's going to be done soon. Enjoy.
Copyright 2005 © Marie Carlson. All rights reserved.
How can people keep going after so horrible an event? How do you pick up your life just where it left off when so much has been lost? In Edoras, the townsfolk seemed to be trying to continue life as it was- moving back into their homes, going about daily tasks, etc. But deep down many knew that after Helm's Deep, their lives would never be the same.
"Are you alright?"
A tall, blonde woman was broken from her thoughts and shifted her gaze to the elderly female who she had been buying some cloth from. She had done this every once in a while back when things were different and this older woman knew her well. But today –in fact every day- seemed to drag on without meaning or purpose.
She forced a faint smile, though her eyes did not mirror it. "I'm fine."
"Where's your pretty little sister-in-law? I haven't seen her around here for a while," the woman wheezed.
"Cerrarien has been feeling poorly lately," was all she said in reply. She didn't like talking of the sixteen-year-old with people outside of close friends. She was having a tough time coping with…what had happened.
The old woman showed an expression of understanding. "Well, I hope she gets back to her cheerful self again sometime soon." She smiled at her. "Good day to you, Ruthiel."
Ruthiel tried to return her smile, but found it difficult. "Good day."
A young man, decked in the rugged clothes of a Rider of the Riddermark, approached a hill that looked out across the vast plains of Rohan. The sun was just setting, making all of the hills look aflame with blazing colors of gold, red, purple, pink, and orange. It was enough to take his breath away and he wondered why he hadn't stopped to gaze at such a daily sight before. He reached the top of the hill and stopped.
"We survived," he said quietly. There was no need for him to look at the person standing next to him. He knew exactly what she was feeling and knew that his being there was just what she needed. Or at least he hoped that his being there was just what she needed.
After a long pause she replied, "It all feels so bittersweet."
He glanced at her briefly. Her arms where slightly crossed, although this stance was difficult with her left shoulder still bandaged. Luckily, she wasn't using a sling anymore, although he knew she kept it with her, just in case. He turned back to the sunset. "He died for his country."
"But how long will his country last?" she asked, the edge of fear apparent in her voice.
"You heard about the beacons?" he asked quietly, still surveying the magnificent hues that the sun was casting on the fields of Rohan.
She nodded.
The beacons of Minas Tirith had been lit earlier that day, meaning that the kingdom of Gondor was calling for aid. It made everyone in Edoras realize how far this war was from being over. It also meant that men would be leaving to go fight, many knowing they would not return.
"Was it all for nothing?" she said uncertainly. Emotion was creeping into her voice, something that only happened when she knew he was the only one around. She didn't like people seeing her vulnerable and weak. He knew it.
Was it all for nothing? Suddenly he turned and faced her, making her jump a little. There was a fire in his eyes, one that could match the fiery light of the sun that was sinking behind distant mountains. "Nothing is for nothing! Remember that. He died honorably and his death was for reason. Nothing is without reason."
She stared at him for a moment, surprise written all over her face and her green eyes wide. He had been thinking about this himself, wondering why such a man, such a friend, had been robbed from him in such a time. A friend with sound advice could've helped him so greatly.
After a moment he realized that what she needed was a place to rest her head, a place where she felt safe. He wrapped his arms around her and she just let herself lean on him. He gently whispered to her, trying to make her feel better.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "You're safe with me. You're safe." I won't let anyone hurt you, Threwen, he added mentally. Not again. He felt her sigh and knew exactly what she was thinking.
We're safe…but for how long?
Finally the last rays of sunlight warmed their faces and then sank down beyond their view, preparing to rise again when the night was over. Threwen finally lifted her head from his shoulder.
"I should get going," she said softly.
He looked down at her, the struggle inside of him written in his eyes.
She smiled at him. "Rannyn, I said I know about the beacons. That also means I know the task that has been assigned to me. You don't have to hide it from me. You know how fast a rider I am and you know I have experience with these kinds of things. Now Théoden knows and he wants to use me." She stopped and put her hand in his, squeezing. "I want to do this."
Rannyn closed his eyes for a moment and then nodded. "Just please be careful."
She fixed her eyes on him, those green eyes that, to Rannyn, looked like emeralds. "I can take care of myself. No matter what, you are not my keeper." She smirked, a playful light in those emerald eyes.
He smiled back at her and leaned forward to plant a kiss on her forehead. Then she turned and walked toward her cottage, leaving him to wonder if he would see her again.
"Do you know what route to take?"
Threwen looked into those grey eyes that had been so caring ever since she first came to Edoras. Now they had a hint of worry in them.
"Cadoc, I've been there before," she said, slightly impatient to get going. Her horse, Asimma, stamped her feet on the stable floor, as if she could sense her owner's anticipation to start their journey.
"It's about a three days' journey," the old stable keeper said.
She smiled at him. "I've been through worse than a three days' ride, nonstop, to deliver a message. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." She gently hugged him, sure to avoid touching the knife wound on his back, a remnant of the Battle of Helm's Deep. With a careful movement she swung herself onto Asimma's back, making sure her shoulder didn't get jostled too much.
With reigns in hand she looked back down at her friend. "I will not let Théoden down. Our allies will know that we're coming to their aid."
Her steady gaze gave reassurance to the older man and he opened the stable doors. With a light tap of her heels against her horse's sides, she was off, riding out of Edoras and on toward her destination. Cadoc watched her go.
I only hope she gets there safely.
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