Chapter 4

As we traveled, I thought back to the incident in Rivendell. The fear came rushing back as I recalled how close I was to that elf. I couldn't believe I had almost blown my cover. I could only think of one other time that that had happened. I closed my eyes and felt the steady sway of Tomahawk's walking. I let the calming sound of her hoof beats take me back in my memories.

It was a cold summer day. Clouds had blocked out the sun, casting a misty gloom over everything. The morning frost hadn't melted off. I shivered, but didn't move to warm myself. I had wandered into this little town to look for work, but it was almost midday and I hadn't been successful. I walked through the streets in search of a mother, a child, a dog, anything that would provide me with a job. Finally, I found something. It was a big jump from what I usually did, but at this point I would take anything over nothing. I took up a hiding place and watched, as I always did before starting my work.

A man was arguing with a woman whom I presumed to be his wife. I watched for several minutes and was about to dismiss it as a simple quarrel when things got heated. The man's voice got louder as he slapped his wife. She staggered back and begged him to leave her alone. He growled and hit her again. And again. And again. She fell into a sobbing heap into the mud. He kicked her.

I made a rash decision. Instead of throwing rocks at him from a roof and making him chase me, I stepped between them and stared him down.

"Oh, look. The Hooded Angel came to save you. You want to save her? Show me your face."

I didn't move. I didn't speak. I had frozen up with fear as I realized just how large this man was. I tried to put a hard glint in my eyes as I looked at him through my mask.

"Quiet fellow, eh?" He went to hit me, but I caught his hand and pushed him back.

He staggered from my unexpected actions, but soon came recovered. He had a sick, sadistic grin on his face, showing his crooked, blackened teeth.

"Tell you what, Angel. You beat me, I leave that scum alone. I win, I expose who you are to everyone. There are a lot of people who would pay a pretty penny for your head."

Again, I just watched him. I wanted to start a verbal argument to disorient him and buy me some time to form a plan, but if I spoke he would realize I was actually a girl, and then I would be in heaps of trouble.

I shook my head slowly. Astonishment showed on his face. Taking my half-second chance, I kicked his groin. He doubled over in pain. I cracked my elbow down on the back of his neck before whistling for Tommy. I grabbed the woman out of the mud and dragged her away. She protested at first, but then realized I was helping her and ran with me. Tomahawk caught up with us. I jumped on and pulled the wife up behind us.

"Hey! Don't run, you coward!"

I glanced behind me to see the man chasing after us. I urged Tommy into a gallop and we sped out of the city. I could hear the man cursing behind us, but his voice soon faded.

I took the woman a couple miles outside of the city before stopping. She slid of the horse and I jumped down beside her.

"The Hooded Angel," she said slowly, as if she were pondering her words. "I thought you did simple things, like plowing fields and giving food to the needy. I never thought you would be a hero. My hero."

I didn't respond, but pointed in the direction of the city I wanted her to go to. I hoped she would be safe there.

She sighed. "I can't leave without knowing the face of my savior."

I pointed again, but she ignored me. Slowly, she reached for my mask. I panicked and grabbed her hand harshly. I shook my head slightly before letting her go and getting into the saddle. I pointed again towards the city before galloping off. I only looked back once to see her finally following my unspoken instructions.

I took a deep breath as the memory left me. It had happened a year ago, but I could recall it like yesterday. That was the closest I had ever come to being discovered. Since then I had become more cautious and hadn't had another incident. Well, until yesterday that is.

"I do not think he means ill, but he may try to take the ring and destroy it himself."

I repeated the words from yesterday and thought about them.

"I thought you did simple things, like plowing fields and giving food to the needy."

I laughed quietly. I usually only did simple things, but the elves probably thought I would interfere because of that one time. The one time I was stupid. That's why I'm being hunted.

I knew that wasn't fair. I wasn't really being hunted, but I did have to be careful. If I cross paths with "Legolas" or "Aragorn" they may find out who I am. And that would be very, very bad. I decided I would still go through Rohan, but I wouldn't linger. Then I would stay home until this whole thing blows over.

I gulped as I realized that could be months. I'd have to wait for this "Ring of Power" to be destroyed, and then a few more weeks to make sure everything is clear. I shuddered at the idea of abandoning my work and staying with my parents for six or seven months.

"Well, at least we'll have the stable boy to keep us company, eh Tommy?" I patted her neck as I thought about the stable boy.

He was the only one who knew my true identity. He was the only one who knew that the great Hooded Angel was actually me, just plain old Zella. He was the only person I trusted. I smiled at the thought of seeing him again. I never spent much time with him, my father made sure of that, but I cherished the moments we did have. I could never remember his name, but he didn't mind. It was because of him that I got my start. I smiled as the memory came to me.

It was a warm August day. It was late in the afternoon, and I decided to go for a ride. I was about to enter the stable when I heard my father yelling inside. Fearing his wrath, I waited outside for him to finish.

"You stupid boy! You can't do anything right!"

"I'm sorry, my lord. It won't happen again."

"That's because there won't be an 'again.' If you can't do your duties properly, you'll be dismissed. Do you understand me?"

"Yes my lord. I'll do better."

I could hear my father huff in annoyance before storming out of the stable. A bucket clattered loudly, and I assumed he had kicked it. I pressed myself against the side of the stable so he wouldn't see me, but he was in so much of a rage he just stormed back to the house. I took a few breaths of relief before turning to enter the stable. A summer afternoon ride would do me good after hearing something like that.

"Well," I could hear the stable boy sneering to himself, and I paused to listen. "If I wasn't so rushed to do everything I wouldn't do it wrong. I'm sorry that you can't realize that there are only so many hours in a day."

I entered the stable just then and helped him pick up the spilled contents of the bucket. He looked up at me in utter shock.

"Oh, no, my lady. You don't have to do that."

"I want to. Father had no right to get upset with you like that. You're trying your hardest." I looked up at him and smiled. "And please, call me Zella."

I stood up and handed the bucked to him. He took it and we stood there for a minute. Feeling guilty that I hadn't done much to help, I told him that I would take care of Frejya so he wouldn't have to.

"No." He replied firmly.

I jumped at his boldness. "Excuse me?"

"I mean, I can't let you do that much for me. I don't want to risk getting you in trouble."

I studied him for a minute before replying.

"Alright. I'll saddle her before my rides, unsaddle her afterward, and brush her as well."

He sighed and shrugged before walking off to do his chores.

That's when it all started. My work. Being the Hooded Angel. I loved the way I felt when I secretly did some of his chores for him. He always knew it was me, but he was a good sport about it and pretended it was an angel. Once I took my work beyond my own estate, I think he was the one who started the name. Ever since then, I've been doing secret acts.

I always start with watching and listening, like I did that day. Then I do something that means the world to them, but is really simple. Like plowing a struggling farmer's field in the middle of the night. Or giving money to families who are going to lose everything because of a debt they can't pay. It's so small, what I do. But I love it, and so do the people I help.

This one's significantly longer than the others, but it's still shorter than I would like it to be. Hopefully they get longer soon. Please take a moment to review. Even if you say one word. "Good" is all I need. "It's great" is better and I would love a "I love it!" Constructive criticism is always welcome. Just, review. I'll probably get the next chapter up tomorrow.