Chapter Seven
'The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot forever fence it out'
~ J.R.R Tolkien, Fellowship of the Ring, Book 1, Chapter 3, Three is a Company ~
News always seemed to have the habit of traveling quickly within a small village, as such, it wasn't long until everyone knew of the sudden appearance of a young woman. who had been brought to Hûreth in grave need of help, having been rescued from the captivity of the orcs and men of Angmar by their Chieftain and by Mithander, no less. Her story was better known to them, than the one in question, who held no desire at all in filling in her own blanks of memories. Stopping the conversation before it could even begin, even when concerning the resulting journey West which had led her to Hûreth. It was a time that Aurora found herself not wishing to remember, now that it was over her.
Her recovery took months, and her strength was slow in returning and her broken bone seemed to her to take longer even than that. Though that mattered little as Aurora refused, not attempted to venture from the safety of Hûreth's home, as irrational as it was, the one time at the very beginning of her stay within the Healer humble home, Baranor had found the her crumpled form upon the house's doorstep, her hand clutching her heart. She had only wanted a breath of fresh air, but hadn't expected the crippling fear which froze her the moment she had the step over the threshold. Suddenly she was back there again, with them, she no longer felt the soothing cool air, instead the air was close and heavy, and the gentle buzz of people going about their days had become the loud mockery and taunts. Since then, her interactions went no further than Hûreth and Baranor. Though in that Aurora didn't have much of a choice as they wouldn't allow her to retreat from them, 'little company is better than none at all' Hûreth had said one night as they had forced her to stay in the room with them. And in the beginning it had been over-whelming, and frightening, though as time past so did the fear. Against her will, Aurora had slowly began to find herself enjoying being in the company, and couldn't help finding herself warming to them, though her eyes never truly lost their shades of fear when they moved unexpectedly or if there was a sudden noise.
Hûreth had begun in those long days, to teach the young woman various tasks. Only simple things like how to make bread, and other such useful chores, allowing Aurora to help around the small house. That along with some straightforward healing ointments and salves, and she always listened, always eager to learn something new from the ageing healer even if it took a long time to master, though Hûreth believed that the repetitive tasks keep Aurora's memories at bay. It was an altogether new lifestyle than Aurora was used too, and it was like being a child again, having to learn how to become independent in this new life she had found herself thrust within. Yet the one thing which Hûreth wished for most, was for the young girl to talk, it could have been anything for all she would care, but speech was something which seemed as impossible of achieving as getting her to come from the house and into the wide world once more. This world about her was still beautiful even with the growing evil encroaching upon it, all one had to do saw see beyond that to. To see the gentle sweep of the valleys, and the wide-open plains like a patchwork blanket, or to gaze upon the lofty mountaintops and watch the rivers run deep throughout the world. Though, she did hold out the hope that it was only the matter of time until Aurora spoke, her only question was when, the child was nothing if not stubborn.
When Baranor returned from his lengthy duties as a Ranger, he all made sure to make the time to read to her from books of the Dúnedain's history and weaving tales of such wondrous tales by the fireside of the lands further south. It was during these times Hûreth only saw Aurora's eyes brighten with such life, sparkling with excitement, and curiosity. In the rare moments such as these, she saw a young girl, and not merely the shell of a captive she had become, such moments did not last long and it had been Baranor in the end that had finally gotten her to speak. On a frightfully cold December night, when the three had been settled around the fire, warm cider warding off the worst of the nights chill in their creaking bones and a rare treat but one Hûreth deemed needed in the approach to Yuletide. Baranor had been regaling them with the tale of the fall of Gondolin and the fleeing of Tuor and Idril, to his very captivated audience, who seemed to hanf to his every word. Yet Hûreth had watched as the small creases upon the girls forehead turned into a deep frown, shadowing the youthful face as the tale when on."But why was their marriage more readily accepted than Luthien's to Beren? Turgon didn't ask for the impossible from Tuor, like Thingol did" her voice was barely more than a whisper telling of its long misuse, but it was still one of the most beautiful sounds Hûreth believed that she had ever heard. She felt the tears filling her eyes, as she gazed in wonder at the young girl who was waiting quite impatiently for her question to be answered by an equally as shocked Baranor, both having long given up the hope of Aurora's stubbornness for whatever reason, breaking her vow of silence. The aged Ranger, quickly seemed to pull himself together, much quicker than Hûreth was able.
"For the love of Lúthien to Beren was the first of it kind, and till this day, there have only been one such union, that being Tuor and Idril. That and Turgon viewed Tuor as a son and knew his character and honour, knowing of his worthiness to receive his daughter's love" Baranor explained to a still frowning Aurora, who did not seem at all pleased with the answer. "I still don't see how its fair though. As long as you know that they're happy and truly love each other, no one should have the power to stop that even a parent. It's not their right to decide that" she grumbled, and Baranor let loose a loud rumbling laugh which filled the small room, adding some extra warmth to the room, or so Hûreth believed, as her cheeks flared with the heat of the room, or so she told herself. She would never admit to anyone that it was something other than the fire's heat and the cider, especially not Baranor."Sometimes a parent finds it hard to let their child - especially a child of such a noble heritage, go to one they may feel as unworthy to accept such a gift, as far as Thingol was concerned Beren was mortal, he would cost Lúthien more than he could give her. Beren like all Men would die, though Lúthien would have had to walk the world alone until her broken-heart would take her from the world. No parent would wish to live to see that happen to their child " He said with a broad grin, as Aurora's frown melded away, as the curiosity in her seemed to win out once again. "Was she really the most beautiful in all Middle Earth?" Hûreth smiled down at the needlework which she wove with sure, well trained hands, letting the pair speak between themselves. It lightened her heart to having finally heard Aurora voice, something she truly thought anyone would ever hear. Even still, every day she found herself a little surer of what herself and Gandalf had spoke of months before, that faint hope slowly growing stronger, a hope she allowed herself now to hold for once. But as she had promised Gandalf all those months ago, she spoke of it to no-one.
"Within the realm of Elves and Men yes, though many say that the Lady Arwen of Imaldris is a vision of that same beauty come once more. Though I dare say, that Túrion and Nîriel daughter's beauty would have shone even brighter than either Elf maid". For a moment, Hûreth felt her heart come to a shuttering stop as she looked up sharply of all the things to speak of the silly man picked this! Her mind raged, as she tried to think of a way to draw Aurora's attention from this story, even as Aurora piped up with more questions about whom Baranor spoke of, and at once Hûreth almost hoped she would lose that voice of hers once more to save from anymore such questions arising. As Aurora continued to ask who Túrion and Nîriel were, and what was so remarkable about them. Hûreth finally found her voice and placed it within the conversation, "Ones we knew long ago. Now enough of your infernal curiosity and off to bed with you, you've bread to make in the morning. Off with you and enough of your stories for one night Baranor" she scolded the man as she ushered the protesting Aurora towards her room. Pattering herself on the back as she left, at having avoided that direction of conversation for now, but one thing she had found out about her young charge, that curiosity of hers was as much a curse as her stubbornness had proved to be!
Not long after Yuletide Hûreth began to slowly begin introduce the timid girl back into the wider world outside of her home, as she could not fear the world much longer and the longer Húreth allowed it to continue, the harder it would be. The Dúndain knew better than most the dangers of which existed within the world, and being so close to the shadow had there people on guard almost constantly, and Húreth feared if an attack came to the village – not that it was likely – that Aurora would not have the courage to step from the house to escape. Fear was such a powerful emotion, freezing both mind and body, and Aurora's continuing fear of the outside world was not something Húreth wished to nurture any more than it had been. It was not easy, and it had found both women upon the ground as Húreth held the sobbing figure of Aurora on many occasions in the earlier day, and in such moments Húreth almost wished to let the child be, but then she told herself that it would be worth it all in the end, and so she kept pushing. Especially once she saw the loo of pride which seemed to over come Aurora's face when each small achievement was made – getting past the doorstep, too the front gate, and the newest of the girls achievement came in the later reaches of spring when she had made the way to the very bottom of Húreth garden. Of course the Healer knew that people would view the state that she and Baranor got into when Aurora had done these things. Finding their actions silly and needless, to celebrate over a young woman walking the length of a path, but it was much more than that, Aurora was finally taking her life back, finding once more that her will had not fully been taken from her. Slow as it was, it was worth every long second of the fight to Húreth, and she knew it meant something much more to Aurora.
Everyday Aurora's confidence flourished a little more when venturing out and so with a little on Baranor behalf, Húreth finally gave Aurora the chore, after a few times of bringing her through the process it all, the task of caring for the chicken coop which lay just at the edge of her modest little bit of land. 'You are happy enough to wander to the end of the path, so it'll be no bother to walk a bit througher to the coops. A little responsibility did none any harm and it means I would have one less thing to do in the day. The hours are short enough as it is in a day, and an extra pair of hands would be a great help to me', she had told the protesting Aurora when she broached the idea as they walked back from the coops and bring back the eggs. It had put an end to the protests as Húreth knew it would, Aurora was a kind soul and if she could help lighten Húreth burden, especially since she believed herself to be as such, she would do it and with little complaint, well out-loud in any case.
And because of that was how Aurora now found herself now staring down a hen. The task seemed so much easier when Húreth had been with her, Aurora thought to herself bitterly, as she attempted to maneuver herself around the quite violent looking hen, who's beady black eye followed her every move. It had taken who god only know how longer to evade the other hens and a cockerel when she first got into the coops run. Though they didn't seem to be too happy about being caged into a corner by the flat piece of wood Baranor had gotten for the roof of Húreth's little shed, which housed all her dry herbs. Though to late Aurora realized that one chicken had managed to go undetected, and Aurora was sure now that the evil thing had been laying in wait for its chance to attack. Scoffing to herself, as she shook the stray black curls which had escaped its tie, Aurora glared right back at the stupid bird. She remembered her mum telling them stories of her hen Gulliver, sitting on her granddads shove eating the worms and her mum carrying her around like a handbag, Aurora wishes vainly for such a hen right now, but instead she gets the hen straight from hell! She was determined though, to get these bloody eggs out and clean the damn coop if it was the last thing she did today.
And she somehow did manage it, with fresh hay in the coop, the eggs gathered and placed in Húreth wicker basket, and feed given, she was done. What had just taken her hours may have only taken Húreth a little over half an hour, and of course, Aurora had more scratches and a lor more straw in her hair than the Healer would have had. Secretly Aurora held onto the hope that the woman would see the error of her judgement and give her something else to do instead, after realizing just how long it had taken her to do such a simple task and the state she had come back in. Both Aurora and the chickens would thank her if she did. Aurora knew it was quite unlikely to happen, as the aging Healer would probably be more likely to laugh at the state she had managed to get herself into and tell her that 'practice makes perfect' one of her more favourite sayings. In all truth though, Aurora did not feel as ready as Hûreth seemed to believe her to be, and being outside still made her jumpy, and on edge, still expecting someone to jump from behind some scrub or tree and grab her, every little noise and rustle seemed to leave Aurora jumping a foot in the air. Making her way to the bottom of the garden was one thing, at least the house of still in sight, walking to the coop not only took her from the actual boundaries of the house, but the house was also cut off from her view by the trees, and it placed an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach.
So consumed in her own thoughts, Aurora had found herself not paying much attention to the what was happening around her, and as such when the sudden loud scream broke through the air around her, she must have jumped a good foot into the air. She had no time to recover from the shock the scream broke, when another followed soon afterwards, as something was suddenly tearing from the bushes close too her, and Aurora realized that it was coming straight towards her. Hardly having the time to think as to what she should do, Aurora found herself acting almost automatically, most would fell the urge to run, it was the reaction Aurora had expect herself to do when thinking upon what she would do in a situation much like this one. But she found herself doing some entirely different to that. With a shrill, frightened scream, Aurora's arms acted on their own accord, and she threw the closest thing at hand towards the charging figure. It just so happened that the closest thing that she had hand was the basket filled with her freshly gathered eggs. Aurora's aim at best was terrible, at worst and under duress, like at the present moment, it seemed to be non-existent and she found herself watching in wide eyed horror as her weapons of choice scattered everywhere, and not one found there mark upon the charging figure. Something happened then, that she didn't expect, and it happened as if in slow motion, as the figure had gone to take another long strided run, their foot instead of hitting solid ground, found them-selves instead standing upon the slick grass, covered in broken, raw egg. Arms flaying wildly around them as they tried valiantly to keep their precocious balance, another step managed this, and like its counterpart who had found purchase upon the egg, this one found itself tangled within Húreth's wicket-basket. There was no flaying arms or attempts for balance this time, gravity was so fast this time for them and they landed upon the egg covered ground with an almighty thump. Which had even Aurora wincing in sympathy who watched the entire thing with a sense of fascinated horror, as she watched as insult was added to grievous injury as they landed face first into an uncommonly large, muddy puddle not far from her feet. Seeming to have been frozen to the spot, limbs refusing to run as her mind was screaming for her to do, while her attacker was down, and her body was posed as if to do just that, yet not a muscle moved an inch, as she gazed owlishly at the unmoving figure at her feet. Body trembling still from the fear and adrenaline which had ran through her when she heard the scream, still she could not force herself to move. Even as another figure walked from the bushes, that had released the figure at her feet, though unlike the full out run which the figure at her feet had done, the tall, willowy woman, emerged at a sedate walk as if she were doing nothing more than taking a leisurely walk in the afternoon sun.
Aurora at that moment felt for the first time in what felt like years, to find a sudden well of self-consciousness rise within her at the sight of the woman. Captivity was kind to no-one and Aurora had been no exception to this unspoken rule, as she still retaining some of the worse scars which had yet to fully heal, but Húreth was hopeful that over time the redness within the puckered skin would slowly begin to fade, though she warned that they may never fade fully. But what was hardest to Aurora, wasn't her scars, it was her once beautiful waist length raven curls something she had always taken such pride in, her curls now fell no further than her bottom lip. The new hairstyle she now found herself with, did very little to cover up her new gauntness, making her thin face, thinner if that was possible, drawing more attention to cheekbones which looked almost painful at their apparentness. 'All you need is to put some fat on you're bones ' Húreth had soothed her when she had first taken a look at herself in the small mirror, as Aurora had found herself so horrified at her appearance. She could see nothing of her in that image, even her silvery gaze was a dull state grey, where was the girl she used to be? But much to her vanity's relief, the woman who had just appeared seemed to thankfully be more transfixed by the sight of the figure laying face first in a puddle of mud, than on her. She was something that Aurora would never wish to be compared to, even before being held captive, as she had always seemed to carry more than a little extra weight were weight shouldn't have been.
She must have been at least 6 foot, and her dark chestnut hair fell in tamed waves down to her lower back, and a set of blue-grey eyes seemed like the sea on a raining day as they danced merrily at the sight before her. Her skin was tanned from what must have been long hours in the sun, which just seemed to add something more striking to her look making her eyes that bit lighter and her hair darker. Coupled with a figure many women in her old world would kill themselves to have, she was a woman not many could compare themselves favorably against. Then much to the smaller woman's shock, she laughed, almost bending herself double at the sight of the man upon the ground who was beginning to show at least some signs of movement. Her deep bellied laughter rose into the air, dissolving any vision of gentle femininity, as Aurora half expected some soft, breathy giggle or even a gasp of horror. Yet instead the young woman seemed not to care who heard her or what she looked like overcome by mirth, as she was now almost on the ground herself in her laughter, clutched her stomach and pointed helplessly at the grumbling mud soaked figure, unable to put her humour at the situation into words. The mud covered figure did not seemed to share her humour at the situation, "Do not laugh so! Look at me! Tis not funny in the slightest Meril" he was covered in raw egg and mud, and and the splashes of red staining his cheeks spoke of his brimming embarrassment and anger at his situation, which made quite a sight. Aurora to her own horror, felt her mouth begin to pull itself into the foreignness of a smile at the sight. She did try to suppress it, but the scene playing out before her, and the woman infectious laughter was something even Aurora's long unused sense of humour couldn't ignore. "Oh its very funny Haedirn, great scout of the Dúnedain! Bested by a young girl with a basket of egg, oh if only Baranor could see the sight of you now!" the mere thought seemed to set the young woman, Meril off again into loud peels of laughter, until the addition of another voice, seemed to sober her up as quickly as it had come. "He does" turning swiftly Aurora saw the towering figure of Baranor standing with his muscular arms crossed over a barrel like chest, and a fiercely disapproving frown set on his lips as he viewed the scene before him, and she felt her heart drop.
"Uncle" the man tried to stand but in his haste tripped over the basket once again, though this fall, not only broke another loud laugh from Meril, but also tore a soft laugh from Aurora at the ungainly sight, the man Haedirn made. Lifting himself once more from the ground with a thunderous expression, Haedirn paused for a moment, as he caught his usually stern faced uncle show an expression of rare warmth, which seemed to lift years from him, the sight had left the scathing comment unsaid on the tip of his tongue. Years as a Ranger had hardened Baranor into the stern faced man that he had known all his life, and taken much of the happiness Haedirn had remembered of his uncle from his youth. Yet, as the years pass, little by little, that joy and happiness had turned to sternness and bitterness. Yet here he was, looking upon the giggling girl with such a look he never thought his uncle could be capable of having upon his face once more. It was then, that Haedirn realized who this young girl had to be. The stranger which Hûreth had taken in near half a year past now. The young women it was said Lord Aragorn and Mithandir had saved from the captivity of the servants of the Witch-king. The one, idle tongues spoke of in pitiful whispers, yet grateful it had not been their daughters or sisters. The girl who had never ventured from the safety of Hûreth's home, since she had been left in her care. Until now, it seemed. "Do stop playing in the mud like a boy Haedirn" his uncle bid with a smile, as he beckoned the girl towards him and she did so with only the slightest apprehension, though the faint hint of her smile still lingered upon the corners of her lips.
"Let me introduce you" he told her softy, placing a comforting hand on a small shoulder, before waving the other two forward. Meril came forward first still tittering to herself, more than happy to be introduced to the girl which had the small villages in tangles over her identity "I am Meril daughter of the town's blacksmith, Galdan. I am pleased to meet anyone who can bring that fool to the ground" she said, as she threw a teasing smile over her shoulder to a still grumbling Haedirn, who had by this point pulled himself from the ground, giving the basket a wide berth. He returned Meril's smile with a glare of his own as he tried to brush some of the dirt and egg from himself with little success "I am Haedirn, Baranor's nephew" he said reluctantly, as he offered a reluctant bow. His dark hair clung to his face by egg and mud, giving him a slight comical appearance if Meril's snort of laughter was to go by. And with an encouraging nudge from Baranor, Aurora dropped herself into a clumsy curtsy, still feeling uncomfortable with the unfamiliar action, though Hureth would not hear of just shaking hands in greeting, and as such Aurora had found herself been drilling in proper medieval like mannerisms, along with her list of chores. "I'm Aurora. I'm sorry, about-" here she waved a hand vaguely to the egg covered ground and the broken basket, before letting it fall limply to her side once more "you startled me" her voice was barely a whisper to the winds, and her pale cheek grew red in embarrassment at the admission. But Meril laughed merrily and threaded her arm through a startled Aurora's, ignoring the smaller woman's flinch at the sudden contact and the resulting wide-eyed stare. "Fear not Aurora, Haedirn needs to learn some humility from someone. Tis a trait he lacks significantly in and one I have failed to teach him" she said with a toss of her dark head, her smile never faltering, even when receiving death glares from the man in question and continued on regardless.
"Come I shall return with you, and myself and Haedirn will take the blame for the loss of Hûreth fine chicken eggs and basket" with that said she then proceeded to pull a shell shocked Aurora behind her. Who could do little more than mouth her protests wordlessly as she could not get a word in over the continuous chatter of Meril, who did not give pauses long enough for her new companion to place her own word in edge way even if she had been able to. Haedirn trailed behind, speaking of his wealth of humility and lack of responsibility for the loss of the eggs and basket which had been needlessly thrown at his unsuspecting head with every intention of hitting him, over the voice of Meril. A chuckling Baranor bringing up the rear of their strange group, as he picked up the forgotten basket in passing, as her followed behind the three young ones. He looked forward to seeing their tongue lashing which Hûreth would more than likely give when she saw the lack of eggs and her broken basket on top of it all, and for once it would not be him at the other end of her triad!
Shaking the stray hairs that had some how managed to fall into her eyes as they had escaped once more from the plait which had been threatening to unravel all morning. And being as she had no hand to spare to push the annoying strands back once more, she had resorted to shaking her head like a dog to get rid of the annoying tickling. It was a rare occasion that Aurora almost wished dearly for her short hair, even though at the time there was nothing she missed more than her long hair. As the saying went, 'the grass is always greener on the side' and no truer words had ever been spoken, except maybe, 'be careful for what you wish for,' that is.
The long list of items Hûreth had listed off to her earlier this morning, as she rushed out to one of the Rangers homes as he having returned injured, though thankfully not badly enough to warrant to stay within her own home. Leaving Aurora to collect all that they would need from the marketplace, all of which now rested within the fraying wicker basket in which resting precariously in her arms, she dearly hoped it would last until she got home. She could swear that both herself, and Hûreth went through more wicker baskets than anyone else, then again, as Hûreth liked to point out to her, that until Aurora had come into her home, she had the same wicker basket for nearly 15 years, and now they barely lasted a month if they were lucky. Not that Aurora knew how she broke the baskets; they just didn't ever seem to be sturdy enough.
The world Aurora now found herself living within, still seemed so strange to her even after all this time and during some quieter moments she found herself realizing quite disbelieving, that she was living within a book. Which seemed so strange to eve think it, let alone believe it, especially as she had been living here, meeting people as real to her as she was, and seeing things which she had never had thought possible, it was almost like dreams walking in waking life. And as much as she wished time could stop, and let her have a moment to take it all in, but time didn't seem to work that way, even within a book and Aurora could do nothing but just to just continue forward, making her way through the world in her the best she could in her own way. Which seemed to included becoming Hûreth's pack horse. "She does this every week! I think she does it just to see me struggle up the road to be honest, bet it gives her a merry little laugh at the sight of me" she mumbled sourly to herself, tossing her head once more but the stubborn strands feel right back to where they had been. That too only seemed to add to the building agitation that going into the market had placed in her today, though the fear was not as crippling to her as it once was, yet it was still there. Especially when faced with the press of the crowds which seemed to come out on market day without fail, especially when facing it alone. Unfortunately, Meril who normally accompany her into the market was not waiting for her outside The Seven Swords Inn, the town's only inn, that morning as had been their custom since Hûreth had begun to sending Aurora to the market in her place for her little 'errands' in normal speak such a word translated in 'an absurdly long shopping list'.
"Or maybe you have yet to learn how to do the task right, my friend" the light teasing voice came from somewhere behind her, and with a soft squeak of surprise, Aurora near upended her basket on the ground when she spun to glare at the laughing girl who stood a few feet behind her. Holding her own basket much more securely in her arms than Aurora, and she even had the gail to as grin impishly back at the furious face of Aurora. "That wasn't funny Meril, Hûreth would have had my hide if I dropped this all over the ground! - Again" the pair stared silently at each other, Meril attempting to look repenting for her actions, and Aurora attempting to calm her still furiously beating heart after the fright her friend had given her. Though it did not take long before both woman burst into loud peals of laughter and it was a while before either could settle down long enough to even think of beginning to walk once again. Aurora knew the walk by heart now, having walked it so many times now over the years and so instead of watching the path ahead she turned her attention on to more serious matter. Tilting her head back, so she could better see Meril's face, cursing her friend and her absurd height in her mind, even as she demanded "Why weren't you at The Seven Swords this morning? I didn't even see you in the market today but apparently you were there" she looked pointly here at the basket of fresh goods in Meril's basket "So tell me, where were have you been hiding and why?" She asked her much taller friend, raising her eyebrow in question, a trait she had picked up from Baranor over time spent with the Ranger over the years, Húreth told her constantly it was not a becoming action. Though Aurora ignored the woman's complaints, she knew Húreth found the gesture becoming enough upon the Ranger's face – not that she would tell the Healer she had noticed the older woman's lingering gaze, nor the ones returned upon her by the Ranger when her back was turned. It was like her own little drama playing out before her, Aurora knew she shouldn't find amusement in it, but at the same time they were making it harder on themselves than they should.
Aurora's mouth quirked up in a half smile when she watched as Meril's pretty face turned into a painful grimace. "Rýnor" the one word was enough for Aurora to understand the grimace and as to why she had not seen her friend all morning. It was a reason she would accept readily for her friend's avoidance tactics today. Poor Meril! Fighting back the smile that wished to break out, and instead she half forced her face into an answering grimace. She could not help being but feel some sympathy for her friend plight, anyone would wish to avoid Rýnor if they had any sense. "I swear he knows where I am at every turn! And he was following me all morning, telling me all about his terrifying battle with a mountain troll on his last scouting mission! How he managed to single handily beat it, barely escaping with his life" with a roll of her eyes and an irritated huff, Meril clearly gave off the air of someone more than slightly fed up of the unwanted attention placed upon her by the Ranger. Though by this stage, Aurora wasn't able to help herself and let a giggle slip from quivering lips which failed to hold the sound back. Though when Meril's wounded gaze fell on her, Aurora was quick to explain as to why she would have found her friend's obvious plight amusing in the slightest. "I'm not laughing at you Meril. It is just that Baranor tells a different story; to the one Rýnor tells. Apparently Rýnor managed to knock both himself, and poor Dîmaethor out with his spear, and it was nothing more fierce than a mountain goat which surprised him. And not a mountain troll in sight" at this horrified which had overcome Meril's face at her gossip, finally broke what little of her control Aurora had left and she finally let out a full laugh which rang through the lane they walked in. Soon though, Meril's own lips were twitching and was soon joining her friend mirth at the image Aurora had managed to create with her story of Rýnor's bravery, both knowing whose story to believe without question. Their laughter drew both amused and fondly aspirated looks alike towards the young women, most were well used to the merry laughter which seemed to follow in the wake of the two constant companions and welcomed it. Laughter was something becoming a rarity to many now, such was the peril in which the Northern village found themselves in as the days pasted, yet when it came it warmed those who heard it. "Oh, 'Rora! I have not laughed so hard in many a day. Poor Dîmaethor! He did nought to deserve that" Meril said shifting her basket, so she could wipe her tear-streaked face, but once the pair caught the other's gaze they were soon off again. "What are you pair twittering like birds about this time? Which poor soul has become you're amusement for the day?" An amused voice called from just off the side of the winding, little lane, making both young women's attention to turn towards the voice, and two twinkling sets of eyes took in the sight of a tall lounging figure, which leant casually over the tall wooden fence, which ran at either side of the lane. The man was grinning in open amusement at the antics of the two friends, with an open fondness evident in his still youthful face.
Aurora sometimes wondered and had asked Haedirn many a time, how such a talented scout could have his hair falling constantly into his eyes as his was prone to do. Only to be countered by some witty comment in return, not that Aurora would believe any story he fed to her. Yet Aurora would never admit to the man looking so cockily back at them from the lane's edge, that she found the trait quite cute. It would only give the man more reasons to tease her so, and he certainly did not need any more reasons to do so! "Hello Haedirn. The squeals of the girls didn't alert us to your home-coming" Meril teased lightly, as Haedirn's own face turned into a grimace, the softest of pinks staining his cheeks. The statement was true though – Haedirn, whether he wished it or not . or even if he actually noticed at all! – had caught many an eye without trying and his homecomings were greeted with more than a few wishful sighs and firs of giggling. He was what those in her old world, would have deemed, tall, dark and handsome. And that damnable hair even had Aurora fighting the urge to brush it from those teasing grey eyes of his, not that she would ever act upon that little urge! "Do not jest on such things Mer'" he cried in mock horror, before vaulting the tall fence with an enviable ease, before falling into step between the two women "It proves you aren't the slightest bit ladylike in nature". "I think I defiantly prefer you covered in mud, what say you Aurora?" Meril snipped right back at him, while turning a questioning gaze to the other woman, who had caught Haedirn's gaze from the corner of her own eyes. Fighting the blush which threatened to rise to her own cheeks, as Haedirn gave a her a slow, wide smile hoping to win her upon his side of this particular argument. Tearing her gaze back to the path in-front of her once more, before she could once more find her tongue to answer "Y-yes, defiantly better covered in mud – and eggs, it did wonders for you hair". Raising a hand to his heart as if wounded by their words, the only male in their company turned his gaze to the women who walked either side of him with mock hurt covering his features and voice "Meril! Aurora! How can you wound me so? I though we were friends!" Catching Haedirn's gaze once more, Aurora noticed his lips, which were tugging upwards slightly and could feel her own answering before, laughter bubbled forth, setting her two companions off along with her.
The three spoke and laughed about the general gossip which Haedirn had missed during his month long absence and which he pretended not to enjoy hearing, though they knew better. Of the antics of Meril's younger siblings, also of Aurora continuous (and much hated) lessons which Hûreth stuck to religiously, somehow always finding time for them. In turn Haedirn told them some of his travels "Though such talk is not proper for such fine ladies as yourselves. As Hûreth tends to remind me." He teased as he skimmed over a particular skirmish with orcs and the captive they had not managed to save. Though they all knew he skimmed over such things like tales such as that, many did when around Aurora, the topic had become quickly taboo to those who knew her. Though she just smiled reassuring at the man beside her, yet all the same she turned the topic over to the over ardent Rýnor, not feeling the slightest remorse as Haedirn latched upon his newest weapon against Meril's attacks on himself. Before long though, it came to were Meril's path split from their own. "Do call tomorrow Aurora if Hûreth can spare you for the afternoon. We have much still to speak of and I need a plan to divert Rýnor affections from me in all haste"with that she bid her friend's farewell for the day, and with her promise given, Aurora and Haedirn continued on their way.
Without a word, Haedirn quickly took the basket from Aurora arm's, over her protests of being able to manage just fine "I'm no longer that thin, sickly little thing you met years ago Haedirn. I am perfectly capable of carry my own basket" she scolded softly still trying to retake her captured basket from his grasp, though the smile on her lips bellied any real truth behind her words " It is only gentlemanly to help a Lady such as yourself, though I do doubt you deserve it sometimes. As you are the little wench who threw eggs at me, and had me face first in the mud, I almost forgot that was you! Whatever happened to that sweet, quiet little thing? I do dearly miss her" the man asked with a playful grin, as he dodged easily from Aurora's wild grabs to reclaim her basket, though she did managed to give a more serious answer to their light hearted banter. "She is going beyond her own fences now, and into the world once more". Cool grey eyes seemed to study her intently for a long moment as he came to a standstill beside her. Aurora could not fully read the emotions that flickered through his gaze in quick succession before they was gone in a second of coming, leaving Aurora doubting they had been there at all. As Haedirn fell into step once more by her side. "Has she really?" His quiet question broke the comforting silence that had fallen over them, and Aurora took a while to consider the question that she had long been asking herself in the long nights, yet never quite finding an answer. Was she truly getting over the eents which unfolded after her coming? Even now, the time she had spent with the Orcs and Men, was still all to vivid to her, and finding herself still waking some times in the middle of the night thinking that they still had her. Physically, she was healed, in better shape than she ever was. Mentally – she wasn't so sure, but it seemed to becoming clearer with every passing day, as she continued on. "Yes. A little more every day, one step at a time and I'll finally get there someday". Reaching a hand out, to where Aurora's hand hung limply at her side. Haedirn gave it a soft squeeze before letting go, as the pair walked on in silence, each lost within their own thoughts. One day, didn't see as far off as it had been anymore to Aurora, and her heart lightened at her epiphany.
"Put more force into your right hand, and mind your feet on your advance! Otherwise, you'll over-balance" the yelled commands of Baranor came across the small training grounds, as Aurora once again over balanced, her right knee taking much of the grounds impact sending the shooting pain up to her hip, Aurora didn't know if she gritted her teeth against the shoot of pain or from yelling right back at Baranor. "Come Aurora! You know these steps well enough by now so apply them properly! Now! Again!" Pulling herself stiffly to her feet, huffing with the more than considerable effect it took for her to hauled herself back onto her feet once more and once more placed herself in the guard position, before thrusting her right sword forward, following that through with the second sword, in a slashing upwards arc. Baranor stood a few feet off, pipe in hand and critical gaze zoned solely in on his young pupil, waiting for the moment her foot work went wrong or she relaxed her guard, making Aurora even more determined not to screw up this time around. It had been like this for the past year and a half, when Aurora had first approached the man about beginning the defence lessons and weapon training.
'You'd never be able to wrestle a twig to the ground and come off the victor' he had told her between booming laughs when Aurora had first broached the subject during their customary evenings by the fire. After that particular reaction she was wishing she hadn't, if this was the reaction she was to be given, she could do well without becoming Baranor's amusement for the night, especially since she had been serious about her request. Hûreth too, had looked up from her work on mending yet another tear in one of Aurora's dresses, with a fond exasperation, as Aurora had thrown herself to her feet in a flash, her hands planted firmly on hips, and grey eyes flashing with a ready fire, with a fury which was something rarely found within the girl. Hûreth gave a soft chuckle, shaking her dark head as she turned her attention back to the dress. Baranor would regret his wording soon enough, and she would not stop his coming tongue-lashing to be given by the younger woman, he fully was deserving of it as far as she was concerned. "I am not asking you to teach me how to wrestle a twig" Aurora ground out through clenched teeth, as she glared heatedly to the still chuckling Ranger, who seemed quite unaware or possibly uncaring of the threat which the 'girl who couldn't wrestle a twig', was moments away from throwing something extremely heavy at his thick skull. "I'm asking you to teach me how to defend myself against Men and Orcs. I won't – I can't let it happen again. Don't demean me Baranor!" fire gave way to her tears, which cooled the once burning fire which had risen in her eyes, it also seemed to sober the older man, who looked at her with that stern face which he seemed to view the whole world from. Always a Ranger. "I won't go easy on you, you will be treated like any man who trained by me" he warned. As if hoping the thought of the harshness of his training would make the young woman falter in her decision, yet she just nodded her head in agreement with his terms, as if she had already been expected them, which she had, thanks to Haedirn's warnings when she had spoken to him of what she wished to do. Aurora raised determined grey eyes to meet his own dark gaze, with a smile which could have rivaled his in grimness. "I hope so, because enemies wouldn't go easy on me either".
Aurora now knew that it was one thing thinking of it, and another thing entirely doing it and succeeding. Just like when she had found herself in Middle Earth, and all that had come with it,. Well the same could be applied to learning to fight, everything had to be taken into stride, everything had to be learnt in time and with hard work, from the very basics – she wasn't some fairytale character who would lift a weapon and realize she had a raw, previously unknown talent for it. Baranor like his word, never went easy on her because she was a woman, upon the training field she was nothing more than a Ranger in training. In times like today Aurora had a sneaking suspicions that Baranor half hoped that his rough tactics of teaching and a painful body would put his young pupil off her ideas of learning how to fight. Each time Aurora had to disappoint him, as pressed herself harder instead. Even as her body ached and screaming in protest when she did any of her daily chores for Hûreth or did something basic like bending down to pick something from the ground, only to have an unholy fire burn through her muscles. Of course, there were many times when she collapsed in her bed at the end of the day wanting nothing more to give up the training, yet the thought of being vulnerable to an attack again pushed her onwards and the more skill she held with her weapons the more confidence seemed to return to her. That alone was enough to keep Aurora going back to the training fields every day and accepting whatever the Ranger had planned for her that day.
"I know your left arm tires but come, attack with it! You will never able to wield two swords at the same time if your weaker arm is not as able as your right" Baranor's voice called out, bring Aurora back to the present and she tried once more to use her left arm. Placing all her force behind, she could see how much weaker the blow was compared to her right, could feel the extra effort it took her to swing the short sword in that hand, though it was improving – though not quickly enough for her own liking or Baranor's either for that matter. As she went to swing her right arm around in a returning slash against her imaginary opponent, to her shock a sudden resistance met it. The impact shaking the bones the entire way up her arm, knocking her from her mental coaching with as much a jar as the sword that had clashed against her own, the vibrations which ran down, both her arm and swords almost made her grip weaken on her swords hilt. "Focus, now parry it!" Baranor's sheer strength worked against Aurora's own demure size and significance lack of brute strength. The rigorous training over the past year or more had been instilling within her how exactly that size could overcome a much large attacker like Baranor. So when his next strike came, she stepped back upon her back leg swinging herself easily out of the blades path, while catching the tip of his broad-sword on the cross-guard her left sword, allowing the sword to bare much of the brunt of Baranor's attack. Aurora twisted her wrist sharply, parrying from the intended deadly blow, and thrust her right arm forward with as much force as she could muster behind the – hopefully- winning blow. Baranor sword caught her blow with annoying ease, sending the vibrations of the blow through the bones of her arm, right to her shoulder, threatening her grip upon the sword once more. If she let go now, Baranor would win, and with that in mind, Aurora's tightened her grip upon the sword, fighting against the building pressure of Baranor's blade upon hers forcing it away from his body. "You open yourself too much to an attack! Do not cross your feet! Defend and attack!" Twisting her wrist releasing the connected blades, Aurora took a step back – making sure to keep her in the proper stance, and when Baranor's next blow came, she took her weight upon her back foot once more, bringing her away from the incoming blow which would have hit her exposed shoulder, just as she had hoped he would do. Twisting behind him in a fluid movement using her lightness as an advantage against the heavy and less swift body of her opponent, the move would give her just enough leeway she hoped to pull off her plan. It did give her just enough time before she caught the swinging sword that was swung heavily towards her with the forceful turning movements of Baranor with both swords, yet her right sword took the brunt of the blow, and forcing the tip down before lunging herself forward on the top of her left foot putting her whole weight upon her toes, as angling her left sword til its sharp length pressed lightly against Baranor's exposed throat.
Breathing heavily, Aurora looked up at the face of her tutor, whose face betrayed nothing of what he was thinking. Taking a step back, allowing her swords to hang loosely by her sides, Aurora waited silently for Baranor to speak. Instead of doing so, she watched in silent confusion as he turned on his heel and walked from her with a word, leaving a perplexed Aurora without a look back. Running an old oiled rag gently over the sword's blade, and only once the blade was once more sheathed safely back in its scabbard with a steely hiss. Only then did Baranor finally choose to address her. "Your techniques and movements are good, I can see an improvement from when you last trained, and you use them well within an actual fight. The use of your size is applied well too. Yet you still allow yourself to be open to an attack more time than I wish to see. You must learn how to protect your body and attack your enemy at the same moment and learn to stop crossing your feet when guarding and retreating". Pushing the hair which had fallen from the ponytail to keep the long strands from her eyes as she trained, Aurora glared back at the Ranger, who was doing nothing to hide the obvious foul temper he was in. "I'm trying! But it hard to force the blade away from me and strike without opening myself! And its not exactly built into me to walk like a crab, when under duress you know" she snipped back. She knew that she left her torso open to an attack but it seemed impossible to parry with a weapon and strike without doing so, even after a year of work and it actually extremely hard to remember to walk sideways during a fight, it wasn't naturally ingrained within anyone to walk like a crab for god's sake! And Baranor spoke as if it were the easiest thing in the world to remember. "Then learn or give up! They are your only options, do not waste my time" he snapped right back, towering over her small height with a single step. Expression darkening into of thundering rage, making Aurora recoil from him, yet he did not seem to notice the slight shadow of fear which entered her eyes as he when on, taking a step forward to every to took back from his stalking figure. "For an enemy will be waiting for such a moment, you are small Aurora, and as such your parry can be overcome without much trouble. Use what you know of swordplay and of your own strengths. By the Valar, use your instincts! Use them and do not run from them!" he stressed, and then opening his mouth as if to say more, he instead chose to remain silent on the matter as he viewing the young woman trying the not seem as if she was cowering from him. With a heavy sigh Baranor rubbed his face tiredly before waving hand in a dismissal signal. "We are done here today, clean your swords and go home" with his parting Baranor made a swift retreat in the direction of his own home, leaving a slightly shaking Aurora behind, though if the shakes were from fear or anger, Aurora couldn't even be sure, but she knew annoyance at the mans attitude was there. What was his problem?
Growling in at her own frustrations of todays training session and her tutors foul mood, she stomped her way over to her own cleaning rag, muttering angrily under her breath the whole time as she yanked the cleaning rag over the blades in angry sweeps. Pointly ignoring the looks of the other Ranger's who were stood within the training field today also, as they watched on inconspicuously at what had just played out before them. Even with her annoyance at Baranor, she made herself clean her blade with gentler strokes. It wouldn't do it anger the already angry man further if her blades suffered from her ill temper, or her hands for that matter, and knowing Baranor as she did, he would not take kindly to any ill attention or lack of care when seeing to the well keeping of her weapons. Apparently to a warrior they were an extension of their limbs or some such nonsense like that. As her strokes became slower and more deliberate, Aurora let her mind wander what had just happened, Baranor had been in his mood for a few weeks now it had not been the first instance which a training session had ended as today's had. The man seemed to be taking his ill temper out on her, Aurora thought sourly, or at least she seemed to be getting the most of it and it was completely unfair! She'd tell that to anyone who asked and all. Finally with a sigh of her own, Aurora rose her gaze to the blazing sun as if would have the answer to Baranor's bad temper. She had to head back to Hûreth soon for their afternoon lessons as well, or she'd be getting it from the Healer as well as from Baranor, and one scolding a day was all she could handle. With a last heavy sigh as if she felt the sudden weight of the world on her shoulders. Aurora sheathed both her swords and with one last glaring look in the direction Baranor had stormed off in, Aurora turned on her heel towards her own home, with a huff. Her dark hair blazing out behind her with her long, angry strides, there was no-one to say that she too couldn't storm off in an unnecessary rage and hers wasn't even unnecessary. Needless to say, those who crossed her war path, soon removed themselves from it.
(AN- Re-edited, 08/08/2011.)
Names
Meril – (S) Rose
Haedirn – (S) Remote Watcher
Rynor- (S) Hound
Dîmaethor – (S) Silent Warrior
