Hey! To anyone who is reading this, thank you! Thank you for taking your time to read my story. This will be my first story to upload here,so I'm pretty excited :) It begins before the Lord of the Rings Plot line, but will have many characters from it including Aragorn haha ;) Afterall this fanfiction will be a Aragorn/OC pairing, it will be Before the meeting of him and Arwen. Anyhow, I hope everyone enjoys! Please do leave a review or any feedback! Also, you may notice that this chapter doesn't look right, that is because something happened when i was editing it and now it's all weird, so please try to ignore it while i fix it. Thank you.
Heir of Isildur
High King of Gondor and Arnor
King of the Dunedain
King of Men
Chieftain of the Dunedain of the North
Hope.
Descendant of Imra Guldes
Daughter of the Eldar
Hero of Valinor
Blood of Elves and Men
Hiril -o anand a gilith
Valley of Stars.
CHAPTER 1
T.A 2948, Moon/strong(Monday)Winterfilth(10th month (22 September- 21 October) iavas (Autumn)
The worn out timber floor creaks every step I take, the cool breeze brings me to my tip toes. Autumn has come or should I say iavas; the Sindarin word which I have come to use. The further I go, the colder it gets. I find myself hugging my torso tightly in hopes of gathering warmth. My legs briefly brush past my snug cot. I pause to look down at my cosy blankets, causing a frown to appear. If it weren't for the bakery, I would be still asleep in that, oh well that is life here. I finally reach the eye of this old home.
Fresh air fills my lungs as I hang out the window and breathe deeply. On mornings like these, this settlement seems beautiful. The rising sun illuminating the roofs of huts, the mix of pastel colours up in the sky. This view washes away the regret of having to wake up so early. I turn on my heel towards the hearth. The flames are flickering as if they are attempting to escape.
"Me too Mr flame." I sigh as I throw a bundle of sticks into the scorching fire. Father must have made it, looks young.
I step away from the only source of comfort and walk lazily over to the wooden table. I can't help but giggle in excitement and surprise when I see it … the book! He must have put it here before he left for the forge. I reach my hand out to wipe away the dust. The feel of the hard cover brings a smile to my face. I struggle to pick it up at first as it is heavier than I thought but I manage to nurse it in my arms, just like a new born.
"Thank you Papa, you won't see me for weeks!" I laugh again in joy. I have had an eye on this book for a while, we just never had enough to take it. The trader was very stubborn the last time Father tried to bargain with him. It does not have a title nor anything that clues to what is inside. The only visible trait is the blood red cover with gold adornments carved into it. Obviously not real gold, but it is still marvelous to gawk at. Not only that but it is a mystery, a mystery that I want to solve. It has been waiting for me.
My father is too good to me. This is probably the reason he has been working so hard these past few weeks. The thought suddenly chases away the colour from my face along with my smile. I don't deserve this, I don't make nearly enough to pay him back, and what makes it worse is he most likely doesn't want me to give him anything in return. I put the book back on the table as the guilt takes over. I will send it back to the man later on today, I do not need it.
My once happy mood has been replaced with a guilty and wistful mood. An anchor has sunk in my chest. Tears form in my tired eyes; deep down I know I am overreacting, even if just a little but these past few days have been emotional. I've no explanation but I've had this bad feeling, an omen maybe? I really wish I knew but I don't have the time or energy to make it one of the puzzles I need to solve. No doubt I'm just being paranoid, I haven't had much rest, peaceful nights have been seldom lately.
"Oh Bullocks!" I shout in fear and realisation; I'm going to be late. Again I can't explain why, but I feel a sensation of dread when I know it's time to go to the bakery. I run quickly over to the recently polished wardrobe and pull everything out. I dig through the fabrics like a dog in the dirt until I find my half singed bakery gown and apron. I throw off my night gown and chuck the dress on in a rush. Rough and coarse this material is. I hate it but I know beggars can't be choosers. I grab the apron and run to the door where my leather boots lay on the elderly floor. I pull them on like my feet are as slippery as the fish swimming in the nearby river. The door slams open from the impact of my foot and I run. I've never ran so fast.
The crisp air is completely forgotten as I sprint through the sleepy village. I can feel the stares burning holes through my back but I have no time to worry about that. Who cares if they think of me as utterly insane, sometimes I think I am too. The sound of leaves crunching and gravel being kicked around blocks out the whispering and cursing of the people I practically run into. The bakery is now in sight and I think I have a chance of making it in time. Oh Valar, please let me make it.
"Faint yelling becomes clear as I get closer to my destination. Her. I'm in trouble. No, that is a huge understatement …I am going to be fresh meat for the butcher. Well at least Mr Sawny will have more produce to sell. I can almost hear the grimace on my face. I really do hope that thought stays a thought. Damn my imagination.
As I reach the cobblestone steps, the smell of freshly baked bread fills my nostrils making me shiver in delight. My stomach rumbles in agreement causing me to turn red in embarrassment. I look around to see if anyone noticed but only find the scene of a ghost town. The sign is fading and the whole place is falling apart. No wonder no one comes here unless it is necessary. I can't help but scoff. This is definitely not the finest environment to work in. It would seem empty if it weren't for the shouting, and the smell of yeast and tasty scones.
I find myself staring at the frigid door. Paralyzed. Completely stiff. Oh hell, that would be my luck. Fear drags me back down. What if I'm terribly late. Inus will have my head on a pike. I choke out loud at the picture in my mind. Maybe I should just end it my../p
"Where've you been!" an abominable shriek startles me. It sounds like a thousand stray cats being strangled at once. What'd I do? If I look her way she will pounce, but if I don't look she will stab me in the back at this rate./p
"Missy, you better turn round or I'll make ya!" she squawks in her thick accent instantly making me jump on my heels to face her./p
If looks could kill, I'd be a dead girl standing. For the gods, her scowl is fierce. Her shaggy grey hair is like a birds' nest, sores and red blotches cover her bony face and large hooked nose. Typical old hag, almost like she came straight out of a fairy tale. Too bad I don't have a handsome prince to save me. Before I can even stop the small smile form on my face, she launches at me with the speed of a Meara.
"You're late." She speaks in an agonizingly slow tone while staring deeply into my eyes. Speechless. I'm thoroughly speechless. Again I am paralyzed with fear. I don't like talking and never have. I'm a shy girl, especially with people who are mean and nasty like a horrid fell beast or even worse, a woman with the name Inus who happens to be standing right in front of me./p
"Answer me." Her scratchy voice startles me again before snatching the dirty apron out of my shaking hand. She looks at it in disgust and turns to me with her beady eyes. I open my mouth to speak but I'm interrupted when she chucks it at my head with force, which in return earns a loud gasp from my mouth. A dull pain begins in my head as I bend down swiftly to pick it up/p
"Put the bloody apron on and get inside! I want you cleaning, understand. I want this place spotless!" she spits at me as she pushes past me impatiently into the building and out of my sight. Thank Valar for that./p
I can't help but stare into the abyss for a second as I let my mind process what just happened. Inus is a miserable and selfish lady, one of these days I'm going to ask her 'what crawled up your arse and died?', for some reason my gut tells me that is a bad idea. I wonder why?/p
I let out a quite moan of frustration just thinking about it as I tie the apron around my waist. I absolutely detest cleaning, it is revolting. Dead rats, mold and fungi. This is obviously my punishment … then again working here normally is a punishment in itself. I walk slowly over to the door in dread and sadness. I might as well get this over and done with./p
I open the door and put on my mask. My invisible mask. I don't like expressing my emotions in front of anyone other than father. I don't trust them; I don't trust that they will accept me for who I am. I'm different, unusual and they are scared of that. I understand but I do not like it nor do I agree with it./p
"Come on Ladren, be strong." I whisper to myself as I walk into the warm and loud structure preparing for the worst like always./p
My predictions were correct. Dead rats, rat droppings, moss, coal, dust, spilt flour and who knows what else spread throughout the whole vicinity. Disgusting, stinky and just damn horrifying. Many of the towns folk have to eat from here, and I'm afraid it is very unsanitary and no doubt poisonous. I'm surprised no one has been diseased by just walking past the dump. Thank the gods I'm immune to it, well so far i have been./p
A sharp pain goes up through my aching arm as I dip the cloth into the bucket of water. I wince quietly as I drag my arm out and see the blisters. I bite my lip in discomfort and chuck the cloth onto the ground in anger. Salty liquid falls down my face along with cold tears, I just want to leave this place. Everything here is dark and gloomy, no one is kind or at all understanding. Why can't I just leave?/p
I attempt to wipe away the tears and sweat, hoping it will make me look half decent in case someone sees me. I look down into the bucket in curiosity and fear. My reflection. My pale round face, tinged red nose, lifeless eyes and dry lips. I'm a mess. I pull back my now knotty black hair and see it. My gift yet my curse. My ears. My pointy ears. My ears that can sometimes hear things I shouldn't if I only focus. I don't know what I am, but everyone else seems to know. 'Half breed', 'Monstrous hybrid', 'Pointy ears'. When I hear it in my mind, it doesn't sound as degrading as when I hear others say it out loud, it's cruel and malice. I can sense the disgust and fear in their voices./p
I'm beginning to believe them. Maybe I am just a hybrid, just a wild animal … not a being with the right to be happy. I just wish father would tell me what I am, but no. He says it's dangerous or that I'm not old enough to understand. I'm 16 summers old yet I'm treated like I'm 5. It hurts. It hurts to not know who or what you are and where you come from. I don't even know my own Mothers name. He says she passed on giving birth to me. It's my fault. It's my fault I didn't get to have a mother, a mother who would nurture me, tell me I'm beautiful the way I am and sing me to sleep like every other child./p
My Father is rarely here with me and I hate it. I miss him terribly; he might not sing to me or tell me I'm perfect the way I am but he comforts me when he can. He is there for me when I need him, he supports me. He feeds me, shelters me and loves me. This only makes me feel like a burden, it fuels my belief that I'm truly just an animal. A parasite.I want to leave and start over, be someone who others can rely on, be someone who can act freely and be themselves without the feeling of being judged or hated. I want to go somewhere beautiful, where happiness is all that matters. Adventure and curiosity thrives throughout everyone./p
I want to sail the great seas, travel to the undying lands. There are many places I want to go, yet I'm stuck in this unnamed town. All I have are books, stories and my own imagination. I want to be like the Bilbo Baggins I have heard so much about. Even a small creature like him could succeed the greatest of accomplishments. In my dreams, I am a hero, I am a brave warrior, a wise wizard and a beautiful queen but they are just dreams. Impossible dreams./p
"When I find you, I better see a clean and spotless bakery Missy!" Inus shouts from the ovens making me return to my sad reality. Oh no! I haven't cleaned the floors./p
"Bullocks!" I cry in horror as I stand up and run my sore hands through my thick wavy locks. I'm done for! Oh gods, what I'd do to be somewhere else right now. My ears twitch at the sound of her stomping feet. I curse profusely under my breath as I stare at the ground and close my eyes. There is no escaping this. I'm going to be caught and possibly jobless./p
My breaths come out shakily as I twist the fabrics of my dress and pray. Please someone help me! Please! I beg in my mind. I stand here in silence expecting to hear her angry voice but nothing. I hear nothing. Not even the sound of other girls kneading the bread dough or the scorching coal. What?/p
I breathe in slowly and focus on my heart beat, after a few seconds my ears begin to twitch. I need to relax in order to hear further out. A cool breeze washes over me which brings me into a meditative state. I begin to hear the sound of slight wind, tree branches swaying, flowing water almost like a river. Wait what in the name of Arda? Why would there be a river inside the bakery./p
I open my eyes dumb founded only to shout in surprise and trip over my own feet. I land onto a hard and earthy ground. I am faced with healthy and vibrant trees; some have even begun to transition into the beautiful orange colours of Iavas. I can't help but smile as I look around me until I notice something familiar. This river … me and Papa used to fish here. This is the Hoarwell river./p
"How?" I whisper to everything and nothing. How is this possible. I look down at my now freezing body and I jump back up in terror. I'm glowing! I'm glowing? I am surrounded by a light blue aura. Tingles that I didn't notice before become more powerful and frequent throughout my whole entire body. This has to be a dream!/p
"Ladrengilneth." I hear a soft voice say in my ear making me screech at the top of my lungs. I fall to the ground and stare at the dirt./p
"Who's there?" I cry out hoping someone will answer me but silence. Complete silence./p
I fall onto my back and stare up at the now bright blue sky as I feel a strange sense of fatigue wash over me. Black dots form in the corner of my eyes as my mind drifts off into the land of unconsciousness.