A/N: This is my first LoTR fanfic and I'm super excited about how it'll work out. Reviews and pointers are greatly appreciated and totally make my day! So, please, R&R :)
Dark are my Dreams
Chloe's dream world was exactly the same as her everyday world, except that everything was bathed in a golden light that radiated from its inhabitants. It was beautiful. The glow from the sun setting behind the hills to the west of the valley only added to the magical, otherworldly feel. The old houses and barns looked new, the animals looked healthy, the grass smelled fresh and the water seemed clean. The world was also silent. There was no gossiping, no shouting, no bleating sheep and no birds singing; absolute silence.
She knew it was a dream. It had to be, everyone was smiling at her. Hardly anyone ever smiled at her these days. If they did it was usually because they needed someone to warm their bed for the night. Also, her usually dark hair was now a brilliant hue of sun-kissed blonde, and instead of the normal tangled mess, it fell in soft curls down to the small of her back.
Chloe looked around at all the familiar, happy faces. She could see her father, her two sisters and her two brothers. Then there was Pierre, Hugo, Christophe, Enzo and Martine… Everyone… People she had known her entire life; all her 20 years. Growing up in a tiny village situated in the middle of nowhere, everyone knew everybody, and secrets were few and hard to hide.
At peace and with a small smile on her tired face, Chloe made her way towards the big barn, where, from behind the small woods that split the village in two, it stood proud on the top of a hill. There the golden light shone the brightest and she felt an irresistible draw to it. The path that led through the woods trailed unevenly between trees, tree stumps and undergrowth, but having walked the path so many times before, Chloe could have followed it blindfolded. She walked at a leisurely pace, enjoying the peace and quiet, with the rest of the village trailing behind. Even though she could not hear them, she could sense the crowd following her; their combined glow caused a soothing and gentle warmth.
Every now and again as they passed through the trees, Chloe stretched out her hands and let her fingers slide against the rough bark of low hanging branches. Where her fingers met wood, the golden glow melted away and smoke rose into the air. She stopped briefly to examine the marks that her fingers left, but quickly lost interest and continued along the half-hidden path.
As she broke through the tree-line a mouth-watering, bewitching scent reached her on the gentle breeze. It smelled like food; delicious food. Hunger set in and Chloe sped up immediately, as did the people behind her. The wind held a promise of a feast without measure. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation. She could scarcely remember the last time she'd been able to eat to her heart's content.
Chloe's breathing grew heavier as she made her way up the steep hill, but soon enough she was at the top. She raised a tentative hand to the gnarled, ancient door and knocked lightly three times. It swung open without a sound, and out of the doorway came a light so intense Chloe had to look away. With eyes watering and with baited breath she waited for the light to subside. Only when it had dulled considerably did she risk another look. Her heart sank with disappointment. There was nothing but darkness inside. No food. Tears of frustration welled up and threatened to spill, but Chloe would have none of it.
She peered hesitantly into the darkness, reluctant to enter without a little light. Still there was nothing. As she started to back away the people behind her closed in, forcing her forwards. With a small squeak, Chloe clung to the door frame, but a hard shove pushed her inside.
She took it as a bad sign when the door closed behind her, separating her from the light outside, and decided that maybe her dream world wasn't so perfect after all. Her breathing hitched as the darkness loomed in on her. One of the few things Chloe feared was the dark, she had as far back as she could remember, and she could feel her chest tighten as unwanted memories played before her eyes; a dark well and drunken laugher. Her stomach tightened. Chloe could feel she was losing grip on herself; her knees started shaking, her throat constricted and her heart beat frantically. It's only a dream,she thought to herself. I'll wake up soon enough.She turned around and took a few nervous steps forward with her hands stretched out in front of her, searching for the door, but met nothing but air.
A small giggle penetrated the eerie silence. Chloe screamed and jumped with fright, searching frantically for any sign of movement. Her heart felt ready to burst out of her chest. She stood frozen, rooted to the spot for what felt like an eternity. When nothing more happened she braved a few more shaky steps forward. It's still only a dream, she reassured herself.
Her bare foot stepped suddenly on something hard and cool, but this time she clamped her hand over her mouth to stop from screaming. It's only a dream… Whatever it was she had stepped on certainly did not appreciate it. Slowly, it wound itself around Chloe's leg, effectively hindering her from escaping. Helplessly, she hit, pulled and scratched at the trap but it would not budge.
All of a sudden she felt invisible hands all over her body; pinching, poking and pulling at her hair. The giggling turned into a cold, mocking laugh that made her hairs stand on end. Chloe, who was close to fainting, slumped to the ground in terror with her hands over her ears.
"Who are you? Leave me alone!" She screamed. Tears poured down her face. She didn't know how much more she could take.
"Please! Let me be…" Her voice faltered at the end. Was this really just a dream? Unexpectedly, the bonds on her foot let go and the laughter faded. There was silence for a while. Then the room started spinning; up and down, and to and fro. Chloe felt the air leave her lungs as she was flung back and forth, her back colliding painfully with what she thought was the ceiling. With a sickening crunch, her head made contact with something hard. Pain jolted through her body. She could feel bile rise in her throat. She was going to die, she was sure of it. A white light seared behind her eyelids and there was a thunderous roar in her ears. Then, all went blank.
