Prologue

"Kathryn, must we truly leave one another for so long?" a young girl looked to her elder sister, breaking the silence of the quiet morning.

Calm broke through the forest, nature holding still to listen to the melodious voice of the younger female as she spoke. The two girls stood at the base of the forest, one an elf – graceful and serene. The other was smaller in stature – looking very much like a dwarf, built as a warrior, though little experience outside of her training. The two had been planning to part ways – Kathryn, being the scholar, yearned for adventure outside the world she knew and only read about.

With acquaintances being few, she received an offer of post from Radagast the Brown. As soon as she said her goodbyes to Brenna, Kathryn would be off. She would be riding to the southern border of Mirkwood to join him in his aid to care for the dying forest. Kathryn sighed as her sister looked at her wearily, anxious that her current and only family had to leave her behind – only the gods knew where to.

"Yes, Brenna, we must – though I cannot say when our paths will cross again. I urge you to be cautious, dearest sister. I know how impulsive you can be on occasion. It is seldom anywhere is safe these days. Should you ever need me, I will come to you. Summon me and I will be there by your side."

"Take care, Kathryn, truly." Brenna replied, defeatedly as she embraced her elder sister, though she knew her elder sometimes abhorred sentiment.

"And you, take care you have your weapons to defend yourself should the need arise. Do you have them?"

"Aye," answered Brenna, "I have them safely with me."

Brenna watched as her sister mounted her chestnut brown stallion. The horse snorted as Kathryn pulled the reigns to keep him from bolting. Brenna stepped aside, refusing to avert her gaze from Kathryn.

"We shall see one another again, won't we?" asked Brenna.

"Perhaps we shall, I know nothing of what the gods have in store, sis." Kathryn drawled, with a hint of cynicism. "Take care, Brenna. Mae govannen."

Brenna replied with a nod before sending her sister off to the wild of the world they called home. Kathryn kicked her horse into a gallop – riding as far from this current place as she could. At last she tasted freedom as she rode her horse, Hilde, to wherever she could stay for the night.

The younger sister, once the elder was gone – mounted her own horse and rode the opposite towards the village of Bree.

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