Chapter Two
The rising sun, the singing birds, and the lush lands full of life were all singing their happy songs of love, and survival. It filled the air and atmosphere of the forest. Jamie woke up stiffly as she guarded her eyes from the rays of the bursting sun as it began to make it's way into the sky. She grumbled some as she sat up, and looked at the camp she had managed to make for herself over the night. Her chest was heavy with the pain of last night. She touched her fingers to her lips, remembering that she actually kissed Legolas! And where was he? Not here. Not protecting her. Not guarding her. Not telling her how stupid and naïve she is. No. He was probably asleep in his warm bed, following the words and rule of his father; afraid to disappoint and be rejected. She rummaged around her sack, and pulled out some bread to eat over the cold empty fire pit.
The sun began to pour into the window, and the songs of the animals outside beginning their day greeted the valley. Ren stretched in her bed, and rubbed her eyes. She could smell eggs on the skillet, and ham baking. It smelled so wonderful~. Slowly rising from the bed she made her way to the bathroom where she would wash up, and then join her father for breakfast. She always enjoyed, and looked forward to being able to spend time with him like this. Family… It's always important. She never got to know her mother, and she didn't want to neglect having a good father whom she adored.
"Good morning little dove", happily greeted Falco. "Morning Father", said Ren with a warm smile as she joined her father in the kitchen. She got some coffee cups out of the cupboards, and poured them some tea. "Are you sure that you're doing okay?", asked her father as he slid the eggs and ham onto a couple of plates with a small roll. Ren smiled, and nodded her head as she sipped on her tea, and then took a bit of ham with some egg. "I mean… My insides are still a storm over the same issues… But I'm not mentally or emotionally impaired from it", she admitted. Falco nodded his head as he listened to her describe in more detail about what she experienced yesterday while stalking the elves. "I am sorry that it took me so long to get home", she added at the end. Falco reached over the table, and took one of her hands. He held it, and smiled as he told her, "I love you, and I want you safe and happy", then he chewed nervously a moment on his lower lip before finishing with, "I would like to escort you on a trip to see your mother's clan". "Really"?! Ren smiled, and did a victory squeal. They happily continued to converse in their normal manners as they ate their breakfast together.
For the next week Ren happily cleaned the home, went to work, and would spend some of her free time in the forest just beyond the lands of her home. During that same week Jamie began to travel in one direction, and even though she didn't even know where she was going, she was determined to start a new life regardless of her past. She'd never forget him though, and she'd always treasure him in her heart. Ren was excited about the idea of her father escorting her on to an adventure!
"Ms. Tu'k! Ms. Tu'k! Read us another one"~! Encored the group of children she watches over in the late mornings. Falco was on his way home with an interesting bundle of something, and happened to giggle delightedly at the sight of her as he went. It made her blush with slight pride and embarrassment. She had the children sit down in front of her, and she began to tell them a story of her great, Uncle Frodo and his epic quest to destroy The Ring. The one ring to rule them all. A couple of the kids fell asleep, but many of them were very intrigued. She spent the rest of her time with the children regaling them with this tale, and ended it with, "And thus one great evil of this world was slain". The majority of the children cheered with great joy, and victory. Some other village hobbit woman came up to take them to go play! They were all so excited, and she nodded to the woman.
Something dark was following her, and it created a sense of fear, and survival in her heart as she ran away from it, and hid inside the massive cavity of a rock. Jamie closed her eyes tightly, and slowed down her breathing. She thought about Legalos, and how he would have his bow out, and be out there trying to hunt this thing down. Whatever it was. She was there waiting it out for a good while, and came out when she wasn't scared anymore; her bow out. She kept her weapon ready as she crept along in the same direction she has been going this whole time.
Ren was out in the forest gathering berries to make a dessert with. She was going to surprise her father by making him a pie with dinner tonight.
At the house cooking the pie, and making dinner Falco had come home. He sniffed into the warm and inviting air of the home. The smells of fire and food were delightful for him as he took off his coat, set it aside, and went further inside. "Smells wonderful my dear", he told her with his warm and old smile. "Well thank you Father. I am making a dessert as well"! Ren was so excited to serve him after he had worked. "I can smell that", he said taking another good whiff. "Smells wonderful", he said.
At the table eating ground turkey with sliced potatoes and gravy, and some green beans Falco praised Ren, "You did good". "Thank you Father", she said looking a little off again. Frowning he set his cup down and told her, "I really do want to escort you to your home clan Deary. I just have to save up a little bit more money okay"? He looked at her sad face as she played around with her food. "Yes, I understand", she said to him. They ate dinner, and dessert together in more silence than usually this night. She was disappointed, and didn't know whether she should believe him or not anymore. Like he might be filling her with false hope. But she didn't want to think like that about him either. It hurt her inside.
A couple of months later Falco was ready to leave home with Ren, and she was very pleasantly surprised with him.
