Deep Faded Paws
~ Prologue ~
It was a cold but starry night. The snow lay high and reflected the little light of the stars above perfectly. Everywhere in the forest were soft noises and sounds of hungry elk herds and other animals surrounding her.
In a big house, close to a big tree was a little light gleaming. Grey smoke came from it's chimney. Surrounded by palisades with a big gate as an entrance. This house didn't look like any other she had seen before. Snow lay on the wide roof that almost touched the ground. It was a long building but it seemed cozy and inviting. Thoughts Jova lost when the sound of distant howling caught her attention and revived her fear. It was no wolf or any other common animal that made such noise.
She faced the house and the Snow covered plains ahead. She wouldn't have any chance to find any cover or hide.
'Let's go!'
She thought and took a deep Breath before she moved out of the forest down into the waist high snow to fight her way through the ice cold white.
The barks and howls drew closer with every footstep she managed to pass the highlands. When Jova finally stood in the open gate she turned to face the place she stood before. Where she had been standing five wargs were now staring at her with their riders on top holding blades, torches and daggers in their hands. Their eyes were piercing her, and she froze to the spot.
Endless horror crawled up her neck until they suddenly left and disappeared in the darkness of the forest.
Jova sighed in Relief not thinking about 'why' they didn't came for her, but what a lucky girl she actually was. She was watching her breath in the cold air. Leaning at the gate she realized that it wasn't closed or locked. Curious she slipped inside and everything remained quiet around her.
Only the sound of her shoes in the snow filled the air. Close to the big house with the stone walls a stable for hens, covered beehives and a hayshed appeared infront of her but the only light came from that strange house.
Jova made her way to the huge front door and knocked twice. Some snow dropped from her skirts but there was no reply. Again she knocked at the wooden door.
Silence.
Not a single noise came from the inside.
Jova felt cold and exhausted.
All night she had been walking through mirkwood, escaped giant spider hatchlings and orcs. She went around the house and tried to catch a sight of the inside. There was a cozy fire in a big fireplace next to a big desk. But noone inside. Jova didn't want to wait for an invitation. She was already freezing and hungry and still scared.
With a creeking noise she entered the lonesome but inviting house. Jova stepped into a big hall. A stable at the end of it gave shelter for a highland cow and some sheep and goats. The smell of hay, wood and fire welcomed her.
"H-Hello?"
She asked with a shaky voice and closed the heavy wooden door behind her. Only the fire gave her a respond with it's cracking noises. She looked around and gasped. Everywhere her eyes found beautiful carvings. Symbols, animals, even plants! This was magical sight. Shadows danced along the walls and seemed to revive the figures on a small desk next to a giant chessboard, a board like her parents used to have one.
She touched a wooden bear's face carved into a plank close to the wall. Just by now she noticed how big everything was. The furniture was twice as normal sized. And in a corner some pillows and blankets lay in a cove in the stonewall. Even mugs and candles were quite big. Jova warmed herself up, standing close to the fireplace, watching the flames. She smiled to herself. Finally warm. Another room caught her attention and she went to the door and opened it.
"I'm sorry to intrude and disturb you but-"
The room was cold and dark. A wonderful huge bed with many pillows and woolen blankets made her smile. Just what she needed.. She put her coat and bag to the side and moved under the blankets. She sighed and fell asleep immediately. In the morning she would leave before her unknown host would return. Hopefully he will forgive her.