I took one last look around my room to ensure things were in place before I set out on my journey, a journey I knew my sister questioned. She was not a healer, and in all truth as far from a healer as one could be. There were herbs I wished to acquire from the northern lands, before the winters made the paths covered and the roots hidden. I grabbed my cloak and made my way to the kitchen where I watched my sister bustling around the kitchen, packing items for my journey.
"Sister, I do not need so much food", I smiled as I crossed the room to her side.
"Better to have a little more than not enough", Nauriel dismissed my concerns as she tucked another piece of cheese wrapped in oiled cloth in my bag. "Do you really need to go so north? Those barbarians…"
"Nauriel, they are Rohirrim not barbarians. They are no different than us really, they are of the same flesh and blood, they bleed, they eat. They're just.."
"Tall and blonde and dangerous", Nauriel chided me and I felt colour rise in my cheeks.
Seeing the colour in my cheeks, I watched a smile break out on her face and a sparkle enter her eyes. "Did you dream of your mystery man again?"
"Maybe….", I answered as I looked down at the ground as the images of the man who visited my dreams of late crossed through my mind; so different than the men here in the lands where we lived near the River Sirith, tall in height and blonde hair reaching his shoulders. I pushed the thoughts from my mind as I knew I had many days ahead to reach the lands between the Mering Stream and the Snowbourn, which is where I knew I could collect many of the items that I needed.
With a smile, I fastened the straps on my bag and made my way outside to my stead, Quessë. "Excited to stretch your legs my friend?", I smiled as I ran my hand down his neck receiving a snort for a reply as if telling me to hurry.
"Be safe Nolya", my sister whispered in my ear as she embraced me goodbye.
"I will be back before the snow falls", I held Nauriel tighter and felt tears well in my eyes.
"None of that", she chided wiping my tears from my face as I could see them glittering in hers. "Are you sure you will not change your mind? A far way to travel for helping others, I don't see why you just cannot settle down with one of the men here and not just treat them.."
I took a deep breath, in a way thankful I was leaving so I would not have to listen to my sister's words again. "We shall speak of it when I return", I smiled and then wishing I could retract my words as she would probably have a line of suitors ready upon my return. I mounted Quessë and took the reins in my hands.