Sighing I made my way into my small apartment, throwing the keys on the small table just inside the door, and kicking the door shut with my foot. I blew a few strands of hair out of my face and dropped my bag that was filled with papers to grade. I'm going to pour a big glass of wine and grade…what a great way to spend my Friday evening, I thought to myself. I grumbled as I struggled to pick up the bag and make my way to my kitchen. I set down my bags on the kitchen counter and moved to grab the bottle of wine from the fridge when I noticed a small cardboard box with a note on the top. I carefully unfolded the note that was scribbled on a yellow sheet of paper. I smiled at the familiar scrawl of my grandmother's handwriting. My eyes scanned over the note and they widened.
Sarah,
We found this deep in the attic the other day and I thought that it would suit you well. I love you my dear girl.
With all the love in my heart,
Gran
I tore open the box and gently lifted a velvet drawstring bag from inside. I opened it and hear the sound of metal sliding out as I tipped it sideways. I smiled as I looked down at the beautiful pendant that slid from the bag. It was a family heirloom, and no one had seen it for many, many years. I had only been told stories of it. It was a tear shaped ruby on a long silver chain. Even over the years the chain hadn't tarnished whish was surprising. I let my fingers gently brush against the ruby and smiles. Before I knew it the gem began to glow a vibrant red, and I was falling. Down, down, down.
My body collided with something hard and scratchy. I cried out in pain and clutched my shoulder. Searing pain enveloped my body and made my toes curl. When I tried to sit up, my clear blue eyes snapped open and were met with grey. The sky was a dark grey and the clouds rumbled. Just my luck, I thought to myself. There was a flash of bright light, and what I believed to be thunder. But soon I realized it was the sound of hoofs beating against the earth.
"Get up," the rider commanded gently. I furrowed my eyebrows and tried to sit. It took a few tries, but when I finally got up I was greeted by a nudge at my back. I turned and found myself staring into the soft brown eyes of a horse. His coat looked like white silk and his mane looked like water, flowing through a stream. After my examination of the horse, my eyes shifted to the rider. He was an older man, wrapped in a white cloak. He held a white wood staff in his hand. His gentle smile and kind eyes made me feel a little better than I did before. I parted my lips and opened my mouth to speak but he cut me off with a wave of a hand.
"I know where you come from, and all your questions will be answered soon," he said and looked behind me smiling. I turned to look over my shoulder and saw a man. He was dressed in darker clothing and wore a black cloak. He had dark brown hair and eyes that were the brightest blue, just like mine. He smiled at me gently from atop his dark brown horse.
"My lady you are on the plains of Rohan. You have been gravely injured and I will take you into the city. There, the healers will help you," he said and I nodded. Where the hell am I? I let him
help me stand and be mounted onto his horse. I clutched my shoulder and bit my lip to keep from moaning in agony. The man wrapped his dark cloak around me and I pulled closer around my body. The man gently led the horse towards a city that was atop a hill, maybe a few hundred yards in front of us. I suddenly got a dizzy feeling and leaned forward, resting my head against the great steed. Slowly, I felt my consciousness drifting away from me.