The Boar
The tea that Rúmil prepared for me did not last long in my mouth once I understood what he just said. "I'm terribly sorry." I smiled, clearing my throat. "You caught me by surprise." I set the tea on the dirt before folding my hands on my lap. "You're trying to tell me that I am the daughter of kings?"
"Yes, my lady." He gazed at me with such passion that heart seemed to halt. "Seventeen years ago, Théoden ordered my brothers and I to find you in Angmar. Although Haldir and Orophin backed out, I remained focused on finding you. I have been in disguise as a sorcerer for the Captain for fifteen years, just waiting for the right moment to lead you back home." He paused, listening to the songs of the night air. "Despite the fact that the Captain fed you, he loathed you. Every hour, he would tell me of your mundane stupidity, asking me if there was any way he could just kill you off. But he needed a way to get to Théoden, and to break his heart. He was waiting for the opportune moment for your father to come to your aid so the Captain could kill you with onlookers forever watchful. And every day, I pleaded the Captain to wait and not kill you so quickly. And when he finally gave me orders to look after you, that was my chance."
"What are you going to do when he returns?" I whispered. "What's going to happen?"
"A war against Rohan, possibly." Rúmil looked at the flames. "For Théoden's blood. For Rohan's blood. For your blood. Sauron wants to destroy every free-person ever living in this world. And the Captain is his ally. That's why you were taken. To be a toy for the Captain, he raised you to believe he was your father for so many years. And you believed it because you didn't know any better. You were merely just a slave."
"How long until I see my father?" I brushed away the thoughts of me being a slave.
"A month, possibly. Perhaps two." He sighed. "It's a long journey my lady."
"Please don't call me my lady." I smiled. "I know I am royalty, but you needn't call me that."
"It's proper my lady." I glared at him with no emotion and he chuckled. "You should get some sleep. We're traveling far tomorrow. Perhaps even make it to the North Downs." I smirked at him as I rested my head on the grass, gazing at the twinkling stars. I could only imagine what tomorrow held, what the sun warming my skin felt like. I was too anxious to rest but eventually darkness crept over my soul and I was asleep.
::
The smell of boar rose into my nostrils as I pried my eyes open. Rúmil sat on the grass poking the animal with a stick. "I suppose you like meat?" He said with no enthusiasm. He seemed rather bored and tired, not crazy about indulging in a young girl's escape from an evil land.
"I've never had it." I stated, crossing my arms.
"Here." He picked a piece off the creature and pressed it into my hand. I cautiously took a suppressed bite. Oh the taste was magnificent. It was like nothing I could ever explain or comprehend. How did I live without this stuff for seventeen years? I simply peeled off another piece of the boar and ate it like a child. Rúmil laughed, "You like it?" I nodded with a small smile on my face.