The End's Beginning
The last homely house was indeed an ethereal sanctuary. The wild had grown dangerous, nothing seemed touched within the boundaries of Rivendell.
Winifred barely noted time passing. Everyday was full of new adventures, always a new song to listen too, new tales to hear, new paths to walk in, and new places to discover. Let alone all the renowned people whom found themselves trapped in Rivendell.
Winifred was captivated by the elven race, with their youthful appearance and energy, their wisdom and knowledge, their wit and good nature. Lord Elrond was good company, and so were many others among the elven race. She had the good fortune of meeting a great elven Lord by chance.
Winifred had stumbled upon Lord Elrond's study. She had walked through a new corridor with the afternoon sun when she saw a library through a doorway. She had not seen a library since she had entered middle earth.
Standing in the doorway, mouth agape "Oh, Almund. Do you know what this is? This is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen in all of middle earth!" She cried out. Her eyes had moisture gathering in them. Almund gave little more than a grunt in response. Winifred not deterred by his less than enthusiastic response, swept into the magical room. She could feel the call of the books, as if they craved her touch.
Winifred was drawn to the many shelves, her hands gently caressing the leather-bound book, in varies states of distress. Some of the ancient tombs looked centuries, if not a millennium old. She could not read any of the spines. Only one or two she was able to figure out. Every fifth book or so she would take the book from the shelves to peruse, whether she could read it or not.
"Almund, I could spend all day in here. You may want to get comfortable." She called to Almund, her eyes not leaving the books.
"Ah, a woman of knowledge." A musical voice said to her left. She turned to look. An elf of extraordinary beauty stood but 5 feet from her, tall and lean, with pure gold hair. "I have not had the honor of meeting the Shield maiden of Rohan, Lady Winifred, I am Glorfindel of Rivendell." Glorfindel seemed to sing to her. He gave her a deep bow. If she had been dropped into middle earth at this very moment her heart would have been stolen. Even now, with her heart safely tucked away in Rohan with Eomer, she fought the urge to swoon. She had enough presence of mind of bow back.
"My reputation precedes me." Winifred said. "I can only imagine the stories that you have heard."
"You are a friend of Gandalf the grey, No?" He asked. She nodded in response and he continued. "You were missed at council, I would have enjoyed hearing the strife of Rohan from the noble shield maiden. I am sure some niceties were left out."
"From what I heard Lord Boromir did a gallant job defending my people and dismissing the horrible rumors." Winifred replied.
"Yes, it warmed my heart to know that the people of Rohan have not been tricked into submission by Lord Sauron." Lord Glorfindel said.
"The men of Rohan do not lie, therefore they are not easily fooled, Lord Glorfindel. Many see what is transpiring. They are only waiting for the opportune time to strike." Winifred said to the elven Lord. He gave a slight smile to this.
"Would be one of these people?" He asked, his face showing only a vague interest in his question. Winifred gave him a curious look, wondering what Gandalf may have said. She gave a light shrug of her shoulders.
"Gandalf speaks very highly of you, Lady Winifred." He added.
"So I've been told." Winifred said, thinking of what Gandalf had told Eomer so long ago. Winifred wondered how calculated Gandalf was with whom her spoke to about Winifred. She did not think he would tell anyone her true origins. He would maybe hint at it to Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel, But With Lord Elrond's gift at foresight and Lady Galadriel's mirror and other mysterious gifts, they could already have knowledge of her. Lord Elrond had not said anything on the matter, but with the ring of power within his land, he had more pressing matters to attended too. With regards to Lady Galadriel, Winifred did not plan on seeing her until the dust had settled, and the coronation of the returned King of Gondor took place.
Lord Glorfindel, sensing her reluctance of this conversation changed the topic. Soon he was deep within the histories and customs of the elven race. Winifred spent the rest of the afternoon listening with rapture to Lord Glorfindel. Winifred ate diner with elves that night, sitting next to Lord Glorfindel, Almund loyally on her other side.
The dwarves were also pleasant company to pass the time with. They were quick to welcome Winifred's company at their table for meals. Almund preferred their company; their love of hearty food and good ale, they were very blunt and open with their opinions, and they were skilled storytellers, all of these characteristics reminded him of Rohan. It was through Almund's preference of dining companions that Winifred met Gimli. He was seated across from herself and Almund one night. He told many tales of his earlier triumphs and tribulations. All tales were full of laughter and good humor.
"…And then I took the next cup of ale. Before I could even taste the sweet nectar on my lips, he runs from the room, getting sick as he goes." He laughed heartily, describing his satisfying victory in a drinking competition, claiming victory. "He has not been tempted to challenging me with drink since." He added with a sharp nod, bringing out his pipe to smoke.
"Sounds like you would be in good company in the hall of Meduseld during Yuletide, Master Gimli." Winifred smiled at him. "Many barrels, taller and broader than the biggest man are placed in the hall for a two-day celebration. There is nothing else like it."
"Only two? Bah, we go many days if we are well stocked with food and drink. Mayhaps one day you will be lucky enough to experience such a celebration." He smiled up at Winifred, before taking another puff of smoke. "If we don't all perish in the mean time." He added cynically.
"I hope you are right, Master Gimli. That sounds like something to fight for." Winifred added off handily. After the vague hints at the uncertain future, the night ended shortly afterwards.
The hobbits seemed to be in two minds. Merry and Pip were very outgoing, both looked as a Hobbit should, child sized with brown curly hair, Slightly pointy ears, shining eyes, and red checks. That's how they looked when Winifred first met them. Winifred had been walking along the corridors of Rivendell, which looked more like walking through an extravagant arbor; Almund had followed her as the dutiful guard when she heard soft voices in the bushes as she passed.
"Do you think that's the Shield maiden, Pip?" A voice said.
"She doesn't look like the fearsome monster Gandalf described, she's no bigger then the other big people." Another voice answered.
This response halted Winifred mid stride; she whirled to face the bush. Almund had already approached the bush, slowly drawing out his sword.
"Hello, you may want to exit the bush before my guard skewers you." Winifred smiled to the bush, calmly waiting for the bush to empty. This statement had the effect she was looking for. Soon two small children clumsily fell on the floor before her feet. Both small children looked up from the floor to find Almund pointing a sword at them.
"They are harmless, let me speak with them." Winifred said to Almund in Rohirric. Almund stepped away and sheathed his sword still glaring at the small figures.
Winifred knelt to the level of the small children. "What were you doing spying on me in the bush, hm?" She peered at the corridor-stalkers
"Nothing, My lady." One voice said. " That's right, absolutely nothing, my lady." The youngest looking one of the two said.
With a stern face Winifred replied, "what's this I heard about a fearsome monster of a shield maiden that Gandalf has informed you of?" The bush-creepers turned to look at each other, there jaws slack, hands caught in the cookie jar as it were.
"Oh, that. That is another shield maiden." "Definitely. We would never talk about you, my lady." They said.
"Oh, I see. Another fearsome monster of a shield maiden." She turned to look at Almund. "They must mean Lady Eowyn." She looked back at the little beings. "The king of Rohan's niece, whom is like his own daughter. You must be talking about that shield maiden then." Winifred proclaimed, smirking.
"Ehhh." One said. "Why yes, that must be the one." The younger one added, smiling triumphantly. "Pip!" the other said sharply, poking him in the ribs. "Ow, Merry!"
"You must be Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. Companions of the ring-bearer." Winifred said to the Hobbits interrupting the small quibble.
"Why, yes, pleased to meet you, Lady Winifred. I am Merry." Merry said he turned to indicate his friend. "This is Pip." Winifred stood up and did a graceful bow to them.
"I am Lady Winifred, of Rohan. At your service." Winifred smiled down at the small troublemakers.
Winifred found herself in their presence on several occasions and enjoyed their company immensely. While Merry and Pip were outgoing, Sam and Frodo only left Bilbo's apartment in the evening. Sam also looked like a hobbit should; Frodo's major distinction was his dark hair. A handful of times she found herself seated next to the ring bearer for dinner, or listening with Sam while Bilbo recited a new song he had just imagined. They mostly kept to themselves, which did not bother Winifred.
With all of these things to keep Winifred's mind occupied, the seasons began to change. While it had been early autumn when Winifred and Almund arrived, the leaves started to fall from their limbs, and the cool breeze of the night began to remain throughout the day.
On the afternoon that Winifred met Legolas she was sparring with Almund in an empty garden. Almund did not want her to lose her edge, since they still had a long journey home left. After a few rounds Merry and Pip had happened upon them. They started cheering Winifred and Almund on, causing more sounds than the clashing of Winifred and Almund's swords. It was not long before a number of other people had been drawn by the sounds of the two young hobbits.
"Get him, Winifred" Pip was cheering out. Followed by Merry "Ohh, that was a close one. Almund nearly tripped her." Winifred recovered from a failed attempt from Almund to get her to lose her balance. The king's guards had trained Winifred well. She used what most would consider weaknesses as her strengths. She was fast, light on her foot since she did not posses large muscles as many of her opponents. She had the uncanny ability to read her opponent like a book. While she did not posses the muscle and power that Almund did, she knew how to make that a disadvantage. She dodged many blows and deflected others. She normally took a defense stance; she waited like a lioness for her moment to pounce. Finally it did. While Almund was starting to tier he made a lethal yet power blow to her shoulder. Winifred saw this coming, ducked in time, going underneath his arm and bringing her sword to rest on the back of his neck.
Merry and Pip cheered for Winifred's victory. Winifred blushed.
"You could have taken me seven moves earlier." Almund huffed to Winifred, ignoring the racket from the hobbits. "Again." Almund said in a serious voice casually wiping the sweat from his brow and moving to face Winifred again.
"Why not give Lady Winifred a new opponent." Boromir said, stepping from the small crowd that was gathered. Winifred finally looked over in that direction of the on-lookers, still catching her breath from the sparring match. Besides Boromir and the two small hobbits the rest of the small crowd was compromised of a handful of elves.
"No," Almund said dismissively just as Boromir was beginning to draw his sword and enter the imaginary line of the arena. Boromir looked affronted but let it be and backed away again.
"Come Almund, we have faced each other many times. This will be a new opponent, a better way to judge my skills." Winifred said Her face was flushed from exertion, her skin was damp, her hair was in a loose braid with bits coming out. Almund looked unhappy with this logical advice.
"I do not believe Boromir would hurt me if that is what makes you uncomfortable. He is a legendary swordsman in his own land after all, Almund." Winifred said in the native tongue of Rohan. Thinking this is what made Almund deny Boromir's request so quickly. Almund slightly pursed his lips but otherwise kept his face smooth of emotions. He nodded to Winifred eventually, and then walked over to Boromir. Almund murmured something to Boromir under his breath before stepping to stand near the Hobbits.
Boromir had a different style of Sword play then that of any man in Rohan. The men of Rohan where almost ruthless, intense, aggressive, Boromir was slower to start. After he stepped up to Winifred and with drew his sword a few moments passed while he evaluated Winifred. It was unnerving.
With calculated precision Boromir advance and the dance of swords began. Winifred was concentrating on every move Boromir took, where he place his foot, how he held the sword, how he attacked her. The swordplay with Boromir lasted longer than any match had with Almund.
Winifred was reserved. She tested Boromir, trying to find his weak spot, where he left himself unprotected, and while she was sure with enough time she could find it she was getting tiered. With a burst of energy she stopped dodging, deflecting or ducking and aggressively attacked Boromir taking him by surprised. "Ah ha" she thought, now Boromir was getting slopping keeping up with her strikes. Boromir was not as tall as the men in Rohan she was used to fighting but his shoulders were wide. Boromir was top-heavy. "There it was" Winifred thought.
She got close to him swinging her sword, and while she had his eyes drawn up, she put her foot behind him. With little effort after that she had him on his back, her sword resting on his chest.
"Do you concede?" Winifred said, finally noticing her surroundings again. Merry and Pip were jumping up and down in celebration. Boromir smiled up at her.
"I never thought I'd see the day a woman would out-match me, I do concede Lady Winifred." Boromir said. This incident endeared her to many more occupants of Rivendell.
"That is enough sparring today, let us find the archery field." Almund said as he gathered their equipment. Winifred was looking forward to getting back to her room and taking a bath but it seemed Almund had other plans.
"Yes, but I must take a bath before dinner tonight. So lets mind the time. If you are not content with my archery we can pick it up again tomorrow." Winifred replied as she put her sword away. "Where do you think is?" She was looking around for any clue on where to find the archery field.
"I can direct you to the archery fields, if you require a guide." An elf came before her. This elf was striking, with the unnatural youthful appearance of his race, and silver gold hair. He could rival Lord Glorfindel with his looks and presences.
"We would be much obliged, eh…" Winifred said. The elf bowed readily with graceful ease before her "I am Legolas Greenleaf of the Woodland realm." He answered her unspoken question.
"Prince Legolas of Mirkwood." Winifred said, then said without really considering her words. "Yes, you would know where to find the Archery field." The elf raised an eyebrow. "You're a skilled bowman I hear. So Is my guard Almund, he is my instructor." Winifred caught her slip.
"I may be able to learn something from you then," he stretched out his arm in the direction of the field, and the group left the garden together. Legolas stayed with the Rohan company, making small adjustments when he saw room for improvements, Winifred insisted that they returned the next morning to get some more time with the renowned bowman.
On one particularly cold day Almund asked a question Winifred knew he had wanted to ask since they had left the royal stables of Edoras.
"Lady Winifred, may I ask what our purpose is?" Almund asked after he had escorted her back to her room from dinner. Winifred study Almund for a moment before taking a seat by the fire indicating for him to do the same. She had been thinking about when the time would come to open up to Almund. While Winifred had no plans to tell him the cold truth, she needed to trust him and he needed to trust her. She wanted to give him enough to understand what the goal was, what needed to be done. He had pledged his life to her, and here among the strange company gathered at Rivendell, Winifred was kindred.
"Ask a better question. You must have heard the whispers of what dwells here. If not from the elves, from the dwarves." Winifred said to Almund with a serious tone, resting her elbows on her knees. Almund sat next to her, and was quiet for a moment, contemplating.
"Yes, I know what the little one carries, a ring of evil that only Lord Sauron can control." Almund said. "Do you mean to aid?"
"I am offended Almund. I was under the impression I was assisting." Winifred gave a quick tight smile. "For the present, I only wish to see him on his journey with the right company. I plan for us to leave separately some time after his departure when Lord Elrond thinks its safe." Almund gave a small nod.
"The return journey will be dangerous." Almund said.
"Yes, I have an idea on a different path home, but that can keep until after the ring bearer has left." Winifred said relaxing back into her seat. It felt good just to let someone in to her plans, even the watered down versions of them, to not be completely alone with only your thoughts. She had to be careful tough. Too many ears where still present, ears that had a destiny to fulfill.
It was not long after this conversation when the scouts started to trickle into Rivendell bringing news and winter with them. Eight of the black tortured horses had been found dead far downstream from where they had been washed away. The ninth horse had not been found. Along with the horse's had been the tattered black robes. The Ringwraiths had been uncloaked, and no news had been heard of them.
Aragorn had gone to the Rangers of the north to search, nothing. Scouts had gone to Mirkwood, and still nothing, Lord Elrond's sons had travels the farthest and were the last to arrive back to Rivendell, they traveled far south, close to Isengard, still nothing. Now was the time for the ring-bearer to make his great escape into the wild.
"We made a promise to Frodo to stay with him on this journey. It would feel wrong not to continue with him." Merry said to Winifred on her Balcony. Merry and Pip had come to visit her.
"We've come this far. I don't want to be left behind." Pip added. Both hobbits were under the impression they would not be allowed to go with Frodo and Sam on this journey.
"I don't see why you should be left behind." Winifred said gently, encouraging them. "It is Lord Elrond that is concerned for you I feel. For you both are still young for your people, he does not want harm to come to such innocent beings, that is all." She explained carefully.
"But you waste your breath on me, go make you case to Lord Elrond and Gandalf. Make them see your view. Frodo is your kinsmen after all and Lord Elrond is not your lord, so really, how can he stop you." She added.
"You're right, Lady Winifred!" Pip said. "He can't tell us what to do. We are Brandybucks and Tooks after all Merry." Pip grinned widely at Merry.
"What about you Lady Winifred, Will you be joining the company?" Merry looked over to Winifred.
"Oh no, I believe the company will be traveling by foot. I couldn't bear to leave Barefoot. If you must learn one thing about people of Rohan Merry and Pip, it is that we love our horse as much as our children. It would break my heart to leave her behind. She was a gift from a loved one. To leave Barefoot behind would be like leaving a part of me behind, and I haven't the heart to leave anymore pieces of my heart behind." Winifred said to the young hobbit. There was truth to this statement. Barefoot had been a great gift from Eomer, no greater gift can be given in Rohan. She would never leave Barefoot behind if she could help it.
"Now enough with me. They must be deciding on who will be going with the company soon, better go visit Lord Elrond before your spots are taken." Winifred said to the little hobbits. They quickly left after this. Of the Fellowship, the two youngest hobbits were the only ones Winifred could see being left behind, since they almost had been in the book. Lord Elrond had intended for them to go back to the Shire to warn the hobbits of the evil stirring, but they held firm and claimed their rightful places in the fellowship.
Aragorn and Boromir would promise to follow the company as far as they could before their path to Minas Tirith differed from the fellowship. Both Gimli and Legolas represent the other races of middle earth and Winifred was not sure how they were chosen. Winifred put her trust in the fate to insure they would be selected for the fellowship, in the end they had joined the fellowship. Both Gimli and Legolas would go only as far as they wanted to. Of course all the hobbits planned to go all the way to mount doom and Gandalf with them. Lord Elrond held them by no bond, instead making it clear that each member of the fellowship was free to leave the company when he felt. Nine companions made the fellowship, nine to combat the nine ring wraiths.
Once the fellowship of the ring had been decided they were given a week to ready themselves. On the 25th of December they would begin their journey south to mount doom. With the news of the members of the fellowship being decided, Winifred was able to breathe easy. She had not interfered or disrupted the events that took place in Rivendell. Now with that chore out-of-the-way, she could set her eyes on the next stage, Helms deep. She had every intention of being there, truly she wanted to be on the wall and delay the explosion so more men could be saved when the rock blew-up. This was the biggest event Winifred planned to alter, but she had time to decide if she should go through with it.
The week pasted in a flurry of activity. The hobbits seemed to spend their remaining time in Bilbo's apartment. Aragorn was in constant council with Gandalf and Lord Elrond, looking over maps and varies routes to take. Legolas and Gimli spent time with their kin.
One late afternoon found Winifred enjoying a small pond in a secluded garden. This was a rare moment when Almund left her side only to see to their horses. To ensure they were not getting lazy. Outside the confides of her room she never found herself alone. She had wondered to this pond without watching her feet, and now looking out at the beautiful scenery, saw nothing. Her mind was back in Rohan with Eomer. She worried for him. She wondered how much had changed since she had left. Had the raids gotten worse? Had Théoden King deteriorated further? Had Grima's power over the Golden hall grown? Winifred started to doubt her decision to leave Rohan during this trying time. Those she loved were struggling, were in danger, and she was dining in splendor with the elves.
"What troubles the lady's mind?" Winifred was brought out of her bereavement by Aragorn, he came and sat next to Winifred on the stone bench overlooking the pond.
"Fear, uncertainty, take your pick." Winifred murmured coarsely to Aragorn, still trouble by the wonderings of her mind.
"You will find good company here. It seems with each passing day both are gaining ground in all who reside here," Aragorn said. "It is hard not to let those feelings control you."
"This is the first time I've felt them this strongly. Normally I am so sure of things, but now I find myself doubting. I feel guilt for leaving Rohan, with the our borders being attacked on both sides. I wonder if I should have remained there." Winifred's gaze was unmoving from the pond, she barely blinked, she felt like she was peering through a whole in the water and could see the horrible imagines of her mind playing out in Rohan. "But then I remember my purpose. And I hear my grandfathers words of wisdom." She smiled at the dim memory of her old life. "Whenever I was presented with opportunities that would scare me or make me doubt he would say to his favorite saying 'if not me, who? If not now, when?'"
"He sounds like a wise man indeed, you are fortune to have had such a grandfather." Aragorn said.
"I think I have doubt because I've never had so much at stake, so much worth fighting for. Before it was just me, but now…" Winifred trailed off, the sentence finishing in her head. but now there's Eomer. To navigate between, not changing anything, and not changing everything was heavy. So much was at risk now. She doubted her every move, and the selfish part of her just wanted to run away from it all and go back to Rohan, and have Eomer protect her from the evils of the world, as he so desperately wanted too. But she could not sit ideally by, no. "All it takes in this world for evil to win is for good men and women to sit ideally by and do nothing." She turned Aragorn. "The time for sitting is over, we must risk everything, or lose it all." Aragorn nodded at her then looking at his surroundings.
"Are you a shield maiden, or a wise woman. I can not tell." Aragorn said. "But you speak the truth. Soon the fellowship will begin their journey with the fate of middle earth resting on their shoulders, I will miss my time here, but I now begin my future." Winifred did not know why she opened up with Aragorn. Maybe because she knew him to be a great man, and man with honor and loyalty and respect.
"Thank you for claiming me as a friend to the rangers of the north and of yourself. That is a kindness I will never be able to return." She said.
"I trust Gandalf with my life. If your origins should remain hiding by his decree, I would never question him. From what I have heard of your time here you have proven yourself to many of the inhabitants. That is not an easy task." Aragorn said, standing from his seat, offering his arm. "Now I believe diner will be served soon, may I escort you?" He smiled down at her. Happily standing up, Winifred accepted his arm. As they left the pond, Winifred left all worries and doubt behind as well, she knew what needed to be done, she only needed the strength to do it.
Before long Winifred found herself in the hall of fire, wishing the company good fortune. It had been decided that the fellowship would leave at dusk, they would travel at night for some time to avoid detection. The enemy would not be aware that they had left the safety of Rivendell, giving the fellowship a head start.
"We shall journey for many days under the cover of darkness, this may give us some time." Aragorn explained to the fully informed Winifred.
"Are you sure you would not like to accompany the fellowship as far as Rohan?" Aragorn asked Winifred, Winifred could have laughed as images of the torturous journey flitted through her head, freezing on a mountaintop, chased into the caves of Moria, Gandalf the Grey's fell into darkness.
"No, this journey is not meant for me. We do not want the company to be too large. Nine is a good number. Any more will slow you down." Winifred answered his inquiry.
"Almund and myself will depart for Rohan in a few days. From what I've heard we will take a different route then the Fellowship. " She added, Aragorn nodded.
"May the stars shine upon our next meeting, Lady Winifred." He bent and gave her hand a quick kiss. Winifred turned to the next fellowship member.
"Lord Boromir." Winifred bowed to him. "You must be happy to be headed back home."
"Yes, my people need me. The questions that drew me too this forgotten refuge have been answered, it is time to make the journey back." He said with a smile on his face. "It has been an honor to met you Lady Winifred, Shield maiden. My men will thoroughly enough the story of our first sword play." He gave her a small laugh.
"So you do plan on telling it then. I am glad to see you taking defeat so well." Winifred smiled to him, though it did not reach her eyes. His men would never hear the tale. "Good luck on your journey, Lord Boromir." Boromir also gave her hand a swift kiss.
"Good bye, Lady Winifred." A voice said below her, she looked to see Sam.
"Sam, did you remember to pack rope? I remember you mentioning it at diner the other night." Winifred asked him abruptly.
"I knew I would forget something!" He huffed to him self, "There's nothing to be done about it now."
"I am sure you will have no need of it." Winifred comforted him. She reached into a pocket of her dress. "Here, I got a gift for bill the pony." She pulled out an apple. "I thought he should start the journey off right." She smiled down at Sam.
"Thank you, Lady Winifred." He blushed as he took the apple. "It was lovely to met you."
"The pleasure was all mine, Sam" Winifred smiled widely down at the shy hobbit, ruffling his hair affectionately. Merry and Pip also came over to wish Lady Winifred well on her journey back to Rohan. Winifred wished Legolas and Gimli a safe journey, Legolas looking fine in his traveling cloak with his bow and quiver strapped to his back. Gimli held an axe nearly a big as his body in his firm hands. Frodo was pale and very quiet, While he did say goodbye to Winifred, his mind was already on the journey ahead. Winifred did not fault him.
"Safe journey, Gandalf the grey." Winifred said to the last member of the fellowship.
"Good bye, my dear. Any last words of advice?" Gandalf asked her, a small twinkle in his eyes. Winifred was pensive for a moment.
"Yes, actually. When in doubt, always follow your nose." Winifred gave him a bright smile, and impulsively reached out and gave Gandalf a swift hug. He chuckled at her and returned the embrace. Then he was left and made his way to the courtyard, the last of the fellowship.
"Till next we meet, Gandalf the White." Winifred murmured at his retreating form. Winifred glided to a window and saw the fellowship assembled in the courtyard. She could see Lord Elrond giving them a flowery departing goodbye and soon, with Frodo in the lead they marched across the bridge and up the side of the ridge, soon out of sight from the last homely house.
"Almund, I miss Rohan. It is time to begin the journey home." Winifred said to her guardian, feeling Almund's presence behind her.
"Yes, my Lady."
Hope you enjoyed! -C xoxo