Cursed Angel
DISLCAIMER: I don't own a thing having to do with Lord of the Rings
Ambling along and humming a tune, 21 year-old Katherine lazily rode her grey spotted horse Ambiance through a huge, treeless, grassy plain. Neither traveler had a care in the world. Katherine was staring off into the distance with a smile on her face while Ambiance enjoyed the sun on his face and wind in his hair. It was a perfect day in Middle Earth. Then Ambiance stopped. The sudden stop brought Katherine back into reality.
"Ambiance? You ok?"
Ambiance wasn't listening to her. His ears were perked forward, listening to something else, something further away. But he couldn't figure out where the sounds were coming from.
"What's wrong, babe?"
Katherine was now looking around too. She knew that if Ambiance wasn't listening to her, something must be up.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the absolute strangest thing she has ever seen in all her time spent in Middle Earth: A wizard, two men, an Elf, a Dwarf and four Hobbits all walking in a line from behind a rock. Katherine blinked a few times just to make sure that she was really seeing this.
"What the…?"
The Elf was the first to stop. He stared at Katherine for a second and then called to the Wizard who stopped abruptly and looked at me with confusion.
"Uh-oh. Guess we better go say hi, Ambi."
Ambiance snorted and both made their way up the hill to where the misfit travelers were now all staring at her.
Katherine put on a big, friendly smile and put her hand up as a sign of peace. The wizard returned the sign and gazed questioningly at this new face. He had been on this earth for many years, traveling all over the map, but there was something about this girl he felt was different. He couldn't understand why…she looked like any ordinary woman from the race of Men. Katherine decided to start the introductions after quite a long, empty pause.
"Good afternoon, friends. I am Katherine, and this is Ambiance." Katherine patted Ambiance's neck a few times before looking back at the wizard who seemed to be leading the group. However, it was one of the men who returned her greeting.
"Good afternoon to you too, miss. I am Strider."
The man glanced over to the wizard and received a nod before continuing down the line.
"This is Legolas Greenleaf of the Woodland Relm, Boromir-Captain of Gondor, Gimli son of Gloin, Peregrin Took, Merriadoc Brandybuck, Samwise Gamgee and…"
Strider seemed to falter before introducing the last of the Hobbits. He looked over at the wizard who had been watching Katherine intently. Katherine also looked at the wizard and held eye contact for some time. The wizard finally blinked and nodded to Strider. He looked up at Katherine once before saying the final name.
"…and this is Frodo Baggins of the Shire."
Katherine smiled and nodded at each traveler before turning again to the wizard.
"I'm sorry, but I failed to catch your name…sir." There was some hesitation before adding the "sir" to her sentence. After all, how does one address a wizard? With respect, obviously, but with what title should you use?
The wizard's lips pulled into a slight grin before answering her question. "I am Gandalf the Grey."
Katherine's eyes widened. She had heard of this powerful figure from every creature across the lands, but never in a million years did she think she would actually get a chance to meet him face to face!
"Oh, sir, I am most honored to meet you! Stories and legends of your power and wisdom travel far over these lands and have even filled my mind with such wonders of magic and spells."
Katherine slid off her faithful steed out of respect and knelt before the great figure before her. Gandalf dismissed the action with his hand and offered her the other to help her up which she accepted.
Katherine took a step back and this time addressed the entire group. "So, what kind of quest of the utmost importance could possibly call upon such a diverse band of soldiers?" She smiled at the company, but none smiled back. In fact, their faces grew solemn and hard. Katherine almost felt as if they were glaring at her for asking her such a question.
"I'm sorry," Katherine quickly spurted out, "I shouldn't pry. It's none of my business."
"You bet your beard it's none of your business!" Gimli grunted at her. Katherine wanted to point out that she, in fact, did not HAVE a beard, but thought it best to keep her mouth shut. Strider whispered Gimli's name in a scolding manner and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We are on a very important journey far across Middle Earth," Strider replied in a calm and confidant voice, "There are many enemies we have yet to run into, so do not mind our extreme caution in trusting strange travelers."
"Not at all," Katherine replied with a smile, "I know how difficult it is these days to tell ally apart from enemy. I'm sorry to have kept you. I bid you all a good day."
As Katherine bowed and turned to her horse, Gandalf spoke again.
"I do not believe you ever told us where you were from, Miss Katherine."
Katherine stopped with one foot in the air, about to go into the stirrup. She turned slowly to meet the wise and penetrating eyes of the wizard. She felt his eyes trying to uncover what secrets she hid, digging into her thoughts and her past. She almost crumbled under his all-knowing stare.
