So here's chapter two, I know only posted a couple days ago but I've got about 5 chapters written in advance so I should be posting quite frequently. However I'm currently travelling around New Zealand (I'm literally exploring middle earth for myself!) So if I get stuck in a hostel with no internet, it could be up to a week until a post again…but that shouldn't happen for a while.
Thank you to everyone who has read so far, I really appreciate it. However…I would love some reviews! Any feedback is good feedback.
Thanks guys, and enjoy.
Chapter Two
We lay, sprawled out on the broken wall as the sun beamed through the clouds above us. A feast of food before us…more food than I had seen in weeks, perhaps even months.
"So why were you locked away in that room?" The boy I now knew to be a hobbit named Pippin asked me as he puffed on a long pipe.
"It's a long story…" I groaned, "One for another day young hobbit," I smiled.
"Ah…I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon, after a hard days work," He grinned, puffing on his pipe.
"Only, you haven't ever done a hard days work!" Merry, the other hobbit burst into laughter. It was then that we heard the sound of horse's. We all looked towards the sound to see four men of different races heading slowly towards us, cautious expressions on their faces.
Merry stood up with a grin, interrupting Pippin's reply to his previous insult, "Welcome, my lords, to Isengard."
I smiled with relief that the hobbits seemed to know these men, however I couldn't help but feel on edge; especially as the men looked me up and down cautiously.
"You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and…and smoking!" The gruff voiced dwarf shouted.
Pippin took another bite of bread before he replied, "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well earned comforts," He smirked, "The salted pork is particularly good."
The dwarf's eyes softened reluctantly, "Salted pork?" He asked, everyone trying to stop themselves from giggling.
"Hobbits," The older man in a long white cloak shook his head apathetically, "And who is your young lady friend?" The man asked, the question had been posed to sound friendly…inviting, but I could sense there was worry in his curiosity.
I stepped down from the broken wall before the hobbits had time to answer, this was when they noticed the scar.
"She bares the mark of Saruman," The taller, dark haired man stated, his voice heavy with worry.
"I do not," I replied sternly, glancing over towards the man, "I bare a scar, etched into my skin by Saruman's hand. I bare it against my will. I hold no ties to him," I clarified.
"What's your name?" The older man asked again.
"Drendithiel of Dylora, daughter of Lord Urdrenn…"
"Dylora's kingdom fell months ago, all were considered dead, corrupted or enslaved," The old man replied.
"I was kidnapped by Saruman, he killed my mother and as far as I know, may have also killed my father and brothers. I am not corrupted."
The men looked unsure, until Pippin spoke up, "She's telling the truth Gandalf, we rescued her from one of the cells on the battle field." Their eyes moved from the hobbits to myself and back again.
"We should trust only known friends in these dark days," Another man spoke, his long pale blonde hair flowing straight down his back, a proud expression in his eyes.
But it was the man in the middle that met my eyes before he spoke, "She may have knowledge that we don't."
I panicked for a moment, what information could I have that they needed?
"I know you shouldn't trust anyone unknown…but I assure you I have no desire to inflict harm. All I want is to try and find my family, to see if they're still alive," I stated, having to open up about my wishes wasn't something I enjoyed, I seen it as weakness.
"You say you're a lady of Dylora?" The same man asked, his dark hair dirtied and scruffy as it blew back in the cool wind.
"Yes," I replied quietly, "The truth is, I can hardly hold a sword and I don't have a horse or supplies or basically anything needed to survive," I laughed apathetically. Everyone stared at me for a few moments before I continued, "If you leave me here, I'll die of starvation before I get anywhere."
"I think she should stay with us," A small voice sounded from the broken wall where Pippin and Merry stood proudly.
"Me too," Merry agreed with Pippin's previous statement with a grin.
The others shrugged, all looking towards the old man I'd heard the hobbit address as Gandalf.
"You'll come with us to Rohan, from there you can decide your path," He clarified, his eyes showing his uncertainty, "But I'll keep a very close eye on you," Gandalf added.
"Thank you," I nodded, trying not to smile in relief.
I was put onto a horse with the dark haired man, my arms wrapped awkwardly around his waist as we rode to wherever we were going. It was only when the tall, dark tower came into view that my breathing froze and my grip tightened.
The man clearly noticed as he turned his head slightly to speak to me.
"You fear this place…it is no surprise," He said calmly, "How long were you held?"
I sighed, "Long enough to start calling my cell home."
It was then that I jumped back, the huge ent strode towards us all, casting an intimidating shadow as he moved.
His voice was slow, deep and echoing as he conversed with Gandalf, everyone was silent as they listened.
"The filth of Saruman is washing away, trees will come back to live here…young trees, wild trees," The ent spoke.
It was only then that my eyes caught sight of the glittering object beneath the dark muddy waters. With a struggle, I clambered off of the horse I had been sat upon and waded through the water, my hand breaking through the surface and grabbing the spherical treasure.
I stared at what I clasped in my hand, so many times I'd witnessed Saruman using the palantir, it seemed different now, weaker.
"I'll take that my dear," A sturdy voice sounded from beside me and I turned to see Gandalf stood, his hand awaiting the palantir.
"It could be helpful," I said quietly, handing over the object, "It certainly helped Saruman." Gandalf stared down at me with a worried expression before moving back to his horse.
I turned back to the man whose horse I had been on the back of and stared up at him.
"He won't trust me easily, will he?" I questioned.
The man offered me his hand, I accepted and he pulled me up onto the animal with ease, "No. But once he does trust you…you'll have earned a true friend." With that, he kicked the horse to attention as we began riding towards Rohan.
"What is your name?" I asked, the wind rushing past my ears.
"Aragorn, son of Arathorn," He replied, sounding almost hesitant.
I didn't know the name, so I nodded casually, allowing my aching muscles to settle into his back.
"Rest now," I heard Aragorn mutter as we rode onwards.
So I hope that was okay for everyone, please, if you're reading this, give me a quick review just to let me know what you think. I'll begin editing the next chapter shortly and it should be up in a day or two.
