Chapter 10: A shortcoming
Ever since I met that elf my life had been turned upside down. The maids that tended to my room and myself kept on asking if I was alright and wouldn't take my 'Okay' as an answer. They said it was tough to go through having what happen to me, but I had no idea what they were talking about. I wondered if it was the event when I was pulled away from Zane, but I doubted it. Today I was going back to Mirkwood. Yay. I had about five minutes until I was to be at the gate, yet I wished I could stay. Lothlórein was such a wonderful place and I could spend my days in peace but that wasn't possible since I had a certain King that tugged me around like a rag doll.
I had no idea why Thranduil wanted me to come back with him, but I had no choice but to go with him. Walking down the path to the gate, I instantly saw Haldir and his brothers coming out of the trees to meet me. I stopped and smiled at the three.
"My lady," Haldir said with short bow of his head, his brothers did the same.
"Oh, come here you idiots." I laughed and brought them into a group hug. The boys chuckled and wrapped their arms around me. Once we separated, I nodded to them and moved on to get to my horse.
"Lady Sera." Haldir called causing me to turn back around.
"Yes?" I questioned. He cleared his throat and gave her a small smile that was rare for him.
"Be sure to come and visit." He said softly before Sera smiled back.
"I will." When I reached Gund, I was in a trance. I thought Haldir was sick of me! He always had to keep me out of trouble, but managed to do so with ease. I gave a smile to myself as a voice spoke out.
"Are you been bedding them all, mortal?" I jumped out of my skin and turned to see Edhelarwing with curious eyes. Over the week I had known her, I figured out how she worked. She didn't realize she was ever being rude, she just thought she was asking a regular question. She also didn't like beating around the bush. Her big brown eyes stared at me as I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
"No, I didn't sleep with with any of them. They are just good friends." I told her.
"Then why does the march warden stare after you? He must be the more attached to you than you are to him. Why are you so calm about it? Are you trying to hide it?" Sighing, I crossed my arms and looked her in the eyes.
"Listen. I am not sleeping with Haldir, Orophin or Rumil. They are my friends and I know that none of them have romantic feelings for me. Can you please stop asking about it?" Edhelarwing curtly nodded and stalked off to who knows where. Thranduil came around to see me when he smiled.
"I almost forgot, you're scared of horses. Do you need help getting up?" He asked, raising a brow. I wasn't about to let him humiliate me in front of everyone and Edhelarwing. Even though she was a nice girl, she still annoyed me a little. Not to the extent that I would avoid her, but to just not talk to her for a little... Okay maybe that was avoiding, but I am just trying to make myself not sound like a total bitch.
I shook my head at the king and turned to the graceful horse. I place my foot in the stirrup and took in a breath before hoisting myself up. When I was half way up, I felt something give way. My body fell backwards even though my foot remained planted in the stirrup. My back side landed in the dirt faster than I could say shit. The king gasped and rushed to my side. The saddle had fallen off and crushed my legs. I opened my eyes and looked around from what happened. My eyes caught the sight of Edhelarwing placing some thing in her pouch at her hip. I couldn't see was it was, but it looked important to her.
"Lera! Are you alright?" Thranduil asked, helping me back up.
"Y-yes! I'm fine, just a few bruises." I told him simply, trying not to make a big fuss even though my knee hurt like hell. Thranduil suddenly looked to the saddle and picked up the girth. It had a clean cut angled down ward.
"Someone get me another saddle!" He yelled and continued to look me over. A stable boy came and saddled Gund for me. Thranduil then helped my mount with ease instead of having me fall flat on my face again. The guards started to move as Thranduil led the group. I gripped onto my saddle and watched the scenery go by. I felt like my neck was stiff from being tense with fear. Gund didn't seem to mind going at a slow pace, I think he even liked going slower and behind the king, Legolas and Edhelarwing.
About two hours into the trip, we stopped to let the horses drink from a river. I allowed a soldier to take Gund while I drank from my own water pouch from my saddle bag. Sitting on a rock, I stared into the water of the river, wondering about the things that could happen in this world. I have already lit on fire so what else could happen? Taking my empty water pouch, I filled it in the river before going back to Gund. We were to continue our journey to Mirkwood which I could be more happy about. Back to prison, yay!
An Elf helped me on to Gund. He smiled with a twinkle in his eyes that made me melt. It reminded me of Zane. I smiled back and waited for the other soldiers to mount their horses. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Thranduil and Edhelarwing checking on the back of the group and coming back to the front. I waited for everyone to move on the edge of the group but something made everyone freeze. I didn't know why they were staring at me. My face turned into the 'Someone is Going to Fucking Die Tonight' glare as I heard moist thumping on the ground, the rising of Gund's tail and a funky stench.
"Why me?" I whispered to myself.
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I sighed when everyone finally stopped staring at me. I felt like the clown at a ball. Gund's steps began to widen as I nudge him to catch up with the front on the group. I guess I had enough of being in the back. I felt so out of place every where. I tensed when him stumbled on a rock, but regain my composure. I didn't want anyone to know I was scared. I could do this just as well as anyone could. Gund went up to a trot and I bounced in the saddle. I slid next two Edhelarwing and went back down to a walk. She looked at me with a curious eye and an arched brow.
"Are you afraid to ride a horse, mortal?" She asked with a flick of her sharp tongue. I turned my head slowly to her and smiled weakly.
"N-no, I'm fine." I told her. She nodded and went back to watching our path. I finally allowed my muscles to relax and my back to become straighter. It was quiet except for the sounds of birds chirping. I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of nature. My eyes snapped open just in time to see Gund buck. He went up on his back legs in fright. Once he landed back on the ground, he went off in a gallop. I was forced to hold on to his neck and watch everyone vanish from sight. Gund started to take sharp turns and going different ways every few seconds, making him impossible to anticipate.
After a minute of running, he started to slow down. My shaky body slowly straighten itself and looked around. I was in a forest. I looked a lot like Mirkwood so I was sure I wasn't far from the city. My instincts told me to go forward, but I didn't even know my instincts would be this strong. It was like a strong pushing my brain to make a certain decision.
Every few minutes, I would stop to listen for the others only to hear nothing. The forest was getting even more dense and cramped. I felt like I could barely breath and I had a feeling worse than ever before. A stick snapped in the back ground of the forest making me twitch with nervousness. My stomach turned and bubbled with the fear of what was beyond the shadows. I looked back. Over my shoulder I could see some kind of large dogs coming towards me.
My heart leaped as I saw roc saddled upon their backs. The glared at me before they charged. Without thinking I dug my heels into Gund's ribs. He cantered off into the woods, almost too fast as I dodged a low hanging branch. The trees slowly started to come apart and reveal a grass land. I looked like the one between Lothlórein and Mirkwood, but I didn't stop to look. My hands shook trying to turn Gund to the left. The beasts were catching up.
I felt trapped, the wind made it seem like it was working against as I pressed onward. My balance was off but I couldn't allow my self to fall. If I did, I would die. A large rocky hill was coming up and hid itself well in the tall golden grass. A small path meddled it's way into the rock making safe passage which I gladly accepted. Gund was easy to turn into the path and out of instinct, I leaned back in the saddle as he ventured downward.
Slowing down for the hill cost me distance between my trackers. Now I had one of the creatures 20 feet from me and the others about 40 or 50 feet away. Coming around a corner, one of the beasts launched themselves forward. Now it was right beside me. As everything went in slow motion, I could see as it's claws dug into the dirt on the ground and it's muscles rippling while taking the steps to prepare for the killing blow.
My eyes widened in fear. My life flashing before my eyes as it jumped, baring it's teeth- an arrow. Out of nowhere, striking the beast's head. The body collapsed on the ground. Everything started to speed up now as I saw little men running into battle. They had beards and axes as the took down the creature in my pursuit. I slowed Gund down and turned around to see the men were now pulling their axe's from the corpses. The riders were now also dead, snarling before passing on.
They all looked at me with curious eyes, but I was too overwhelmed that I fainted. My body slid from the saddle and hit the ground with a thud.
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The smell of pine reached my nose. I felt the air traveling over my exposed cheeks as I started to awaken. I could feel the softness of what ever that laid over my being. It was silky and warm. My eyes opened to see a tent roof. It was a light brown colour mixed in with gold. The blanket on top of me was a fur pelt, wolf to be exact.
The black fur cover me up to my chest and had kept me warm for who knows how long I have been here. Upon seeing a shadow move past the corner of my eye, my head snapped toward it. Nothing was in the tent. My mind wandered to what it could have been only to have another wide and broad figure crossing the entrance of the tent.
Vigilantly, I crept out of the bed and peaked outside the tent. I could only see so little but I knew who I was with. They were Dwarves. They worked diligently and quickly on fixing their weapons and getting supplies together for where ever they were going. Thinking for a moment, I thought about entering their well made camp.
Would they hurt me? If they wanted to, wouldn't they have left me? Gathering the small courage I had, I slipped my hand past the rough fabric of the tent and pushed it open. I stepped out and saw the whole camp. It was nothing like I had ever seen. They all stopped to look at me.
One dwarf with a black beard had small logs in his arms as he was carrying it over to the fire place. Another was sharpening his sword as he stared at me. One Dwarf who stood a bit taller than all the rest came up to me. His old face seemed cheery and kind.
"Why hello miss, it is great to have you back among the living." He said with a smile. My eyes widened. Did I die?
"Oh!" The dwarf exclaimed, waving his hands in the air.
"It was a jest! You slept for quite a while." I sighed in relief and looked back down to the nice man.
"Thank you. If it wasn't for your kindness I wouldn't be here." I smiled and placed my hands behind my back.
"It was nothing, my dear. Lets get you something to eat and we'll talk." The dwarf told me his name. Dain. A strong name that made me quake. It sounded like a name for a juggernaut or a dragon that sent a shiver down my spine. He sat me down and gave me some bread. He told me his daughter made it for him. I tried to refuse, but he insisted. I gobbled it down as more dwarves joined us by the fire. The flames started to become brighter as the sky became darker. Dain told many things of the world. I of course told him of my world since it seemed only fair.
"So where were you heading when you were attacked, lassy?" A Dwarf by the name of Furks asked, taking a sip from his pint.
"I was separated from my group. We were heading to Mirkwood." I said and all of a sudden the Dwarves around me scowled.
"And why would you be heading to Mirkwood?" Asked Dain, his eye brow raised in curiosity or suspicious, I couldn't tell.
"Well I don't really know. I was found in the woods by the guards when I got dropped in this world. I was taken to the King where I asked if I threatened him before since he looked familiar and all of a sudden he was treating me like family. His son, Legolas and I are a bit awkward since I look like his dead lover. I would have left, but I had no where else to go. Even if I tried I think Thranduil wouldn't let me. He thinks I'm a child that he took care of when Legolas was a boy."
Once I explained, the Dwarves relaxed.
"I'm guessing you have a past with the Elves." Dain nodded with annoyance of the other race being mentioned. We contiued to eat after that. Not bothering to talk about the subject any longer.
At least at half past midnight, we all got into our tent and slept. For once I had a good nights sleep. I felt at home with the crazy, fun and rambunctious Dwarves. Would I ever find a home in this world? Would I ever get back to my world?
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The sounds of yelling woke me from my sleep. I saw the shadows of horses outside my tent and the running figures of Dwarves with their axes and swords. Ripping the blankets off, I put on a tunic Dain had given me and a pair of leggings. Charging out bare foot, I saw the Dwarves being run into a tight circle by Elves upon mighty steeds.
The Elves stopped moving and the leader took off his helmet. My heart leap with joy as I saw Haldir but then it sank. Haldir held a sword to Dain's throat. Did the Dwarves and Elves hate each other so much that they would kill each other? The air around the camp stiffened. I could tell the Dwarves wouldn't take the Elves's disrespect for much longer as Haldir spoke.
"Listen carefully, Dwarf." He spat, holding the sword closer to Dain's throat.
"A woman, blonde hair, blue eyes, black riding dress and a purple cloak. Have you seen her?" Dain snorted at Haldir and rolled his eyes.
"No. Now get out of my sight, Elf scum! You are not needed here just like the rest of your kin." My eyes widened. Why would Dain lie? When I went to step into the conflict, a pair of hands grabbed me.
"Shh!" I looked back to see Furks.
"They will kill us for lying! We dwarves can't let you go back to Thranduil, he will never allow you freedom. We are only doing what's best for you." Furks explained with a solemn plead. Why wouldn't he let me? Of course I would be allowed freedom! I could... Now that I thought about it, I realized. Thranduil would never allow me out of his sight. I'm the supposed daughter he never had and I expected him to give that up?
Taking up my shaking hands to be held behind my back, I nodded to Furks. He took me into the forest and placed me in the bushes where I wouldn't be seen. I sat there for at least an hour in the dirt. I didn't care if I got dirty I was just worried about the Dwarves. My mind took hold and I started to think of all the fun I had in my own world. A sharp pain stung my brain as a new memory rose to the surface.
"Ada!" I cried out even though I had no idea who or what I was calling to. A rocky valley was around me, casting a shadow on the grass and rock trail into the city. A man dressed in fine robes ran out of the shelter of a large gate. His expression tearing at his face as he saw me being whisked away. Is he some kind of family member?
Two boys dress about the same in gold and brown robes with black hair, one held another black haired girl and the other ran after me being carried away. They both had that same expression, fear of loss. Tears dripped down the girl's face, crying out to me. I wanted to cry back but I didn't know them, I didn't know what to call out.
I could feel the beating of wings and the piercing pain of claws digging into my skin. I looked up to see a mass of black scales and armor. Arrows stuck out of the metal like they were placed there on purpose to make the beast more frightful.
I woke from my vision and shook my head while rubbing my eyes. The little of the sun coming through the tree blinded me. Why does this always happen to me? What is my connection to this world? Footsteps came from the direction of the camp making shoot up from my hiding spot. I looked around trying to look through the low hanging branches and tall bushes. I instantly regretted it when I caught a glimpse of blonde hair. I quickly ducked back down and held my breath.
" 'Haldir!' " A Elf called to Haldir as they walked through the woods with the rest of the elves in tow. I could hear the thud of his boots on the dirt ground as he got closer to the March Warden.
" 'Why were you harassing the Dwarves like that? She is not here so why do we linger here?' " Rumil hissed. Rumil had to come along too didn't he(hint the sarcasm). Despite speaking in a different language, I could perfectly understand. Rumil and I never really talked, but I know he disliked me from the first time we met.
" 'They were lying. There were eleven Dwarves in total yet there was twelve tents.' " I had to admit, I did admire Haldir for his intelligence. Not even Legolas would have picked up on that. Thranduil might have, but it seemed like quite a gamble.
" 'You could have just said that instead of provoking them! You could have started a war!' " Haldir snorted.
" 'I would rather start war with a lying dwarf than to have Lady Sera dead!' " Rumil blinked in surprise, but then growled back at his older brother.
" 'Don't you realize it, Brother!? The Dwarves would never wrong a woman, we all know that. So if she wanted to be found we would have already found her. She is hiding.' " Haldir seemed to cringe at the phrase 'She is Hiding'. I wasn't hiding, I was... Okay I was hiding but I had a good reason.
" 'She is not hiding, she is some where being held against her will-' " Rumil put his hand up, cutting Haldir off.
" 'You misunderstand, she is not Serethiel, this is a completely different woman! Sera is probably off some while leaving everyone to worry about her. She might not have even given anyone a second thought before scampering off so don't think so highly of her before you know everything.' " Rumil stormed off leaving Haldir standing there. Did I hurt Rumil that bad? I didn't run away on purpose, it wasn't my fault that Gund got scared!
I kept my eyes on Haldir, he moved forward with the rest of the Elves leaving me to myself. Maybe life with the Dwarves would be the best thing for me. Legolas wouldn't need me around since he's getting married.