Aidan thundered through the grasslands like the mighty stallion he was. I looked down to watch his legs move so swiftly and his hooves hit the ground with so much force. My braid whipped behind my back as the horse ran faster every minute. It took less than an hour to steady myself while sitting on his back and holding the reins appropriately so I wouldn't fall. I never knew riding the back of a horse would be so exciting, the smile I wore never fading from my face. The others caught up to us after the incident three hours ago, asking if I was ok and if I had any injuries. My response: I laughed hysterically.
Aidan, the black stallion that gave me the privilege to ride him, was my soul mate. For the first couple hours of the ride I felt as if we were made for each other. We were made to become partners together. Though beautiful and powerful, another interesting thing caught my attention about this horse. He wanted something, as Gandalf told me, and it was the strangest craving yet.
Wings. The animal wants to fly. It confused me because I thought animals weren't supposed to be that smart. This horse seemed to be, though. And it made scenes why Aidan chases the birds and jumps at random occasions. With his longs legs and powerful leg muscle he must've jumped over boulders and logs his whole life and he's desperate to go to the next level. He never wanted to run on the earth, he wanted to run in the skies. Gandalf said I could give him his wish, but I'm not a genie so that order is going to be really difficult to make.
We rode for a whole day and the horses were still full of energy. Gandalf lead the way on Shadowfax while the rest of us followed closely behind. I softly kick my heels at Aidan's body and whisper soothingly, "Faster." With a loud snort, he opened his legs farther and flew across the earth with maximum speed. I heard his heartbeat and the sound was booming underneath my body, vibrating the side of my legs. I was soon riding next to Gandalf and Shadowfax. The wizard shot me a friendly grin after he saw my face and we rode together in the front for the rest of the ride.
By the next hour I see something that takes my breath away. An enormous hill with millions of wooden homes covering it was in my sight. On the very top stood a large structure that glittered with gold when exposed to the sunlight. Behind the hill were snow covered mountains reaching for the skies and looking beautiful to my eyes. This has to be the most magnificent village I very seen. Aidan halted after Shadowfax stood still. Aragorn and Legolas also came to a stop and we all examined the village together.
"Edoras," Gandalf spoke out. "And the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong. Be careful what you say; do not look for welcome here. Astrid, put up your hood. It will be very peculiar for a young woman to be traveling around these lands."
I flip up my hood and tuck my braid inside so it wouldn't be noticed. I then touch the bandage around my forehead and wonder if these people will find my wound suspicious. The bleeding stopped many days ago but there was a huge dark blood stain dyed into the white bandage and when I take it off I will be revealing my ugly scar. A scar that will be marked on my left forehead forever.
Kicking them into a canter, we drove our horses towards the village of Edoras. It took us five miles to make it to the front of the wooden gates and we were about to make our entrance, until I saw something flying toward us. Looking up, the figure flapped wildly and floated to the ground to reveal what it was. A green worn out flag with a white prancing horse and a yellow sun stitched on. The flag rested lazily on the grass and dirt looking broken down with some parts of the fabric ripped. I glanced at Aragorn, who also noticed its arrival, and his expression was unexplainable.
The company and I ride our horses through the lower part of the village and I quickly glance at the people I see. They wore clothes that were dirty and old, making me believe that they were handed down to them instead of made.
Their faces made me shiver with discomfort and some had the flames of hatred in their eyes. The children looked at us friendlier with a spark of awe forming in their expressions. But even one small peek made a mother grip her small son's shoulder and push him away from my view. This village seemed dead with anger and sorrow, rotting as the hot sun shined over them. There was no life to be seen, no laughter to be heard, and no hope to pray for.
The tour ended when we came to the end of the upper village and to the front steps of Meduseld. I jumped off Aidan and unexpectedly a young boy came to my side. He looked almost eleven years of age with dark wavy hair and eyes the color of dirt. There was something odd about his appearance, though, I couldn't figure out what it was. He carried a dirty bag that seemed to be filled with something, but I was mature to not peek inside.
"I'll take your horse, my Lady." he said shyly and I nodded, ignoring the way his voice sounded.
"Thank you," I say warmly. He turns to Aidan and digs his hand into the bag to pull out something. A golden apple was in his grip and he brought it towards the horse as an offering. I watched as the stallion sniffed the food and chew the whole thing up in just a few seconds. The boy, smiling, takes another one out and begins to walk backwards, wondering if the horse will follow. To my surprise, he does. They boy still walks backwards and pulls away the apple before Aidan can take a giant chomp at it again. Soon, they disappear into the stables along with two other men who guided Shadowfax, Haseful, and Arod inside with them. Astonished at what the boy did, making my horse a sucker for apples, I can't help but chuckle to myself.
Walking up the stair case my ankle begins to tighten with pain again, but not as bad like yesterday. I stand next to Legolas when we get to the top, where a couple of guards in shiny armor await for us. The first one steps forward and I carefully examine his appearance. His long blonde hair was beginning to fade to the color of gray and the same went for his facial hair that covered half of his face. He began to speak.
"I cannot allow you before the Théoden -King so armed, by order of Grima Wormtongue." I got a little curious at how he said the name, almost like it poisoned his tongue and he wanted to spit the taste out of his mouth desperately.
Gandalf gave a signal and one by one, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli handed over their weapons to the other guards behind the one in front of us. One of them was waiting patiently for me to hand over mine and felt a strange feeling in my stomach. I tightened my grip on my bow and used my thumb to stroke the wood lightly, making myself look stubborn to not give my father's weapon up. But soon, I gave my bow and quiver and the guard accepted then kindly. I felt sick, like I just gave a piece of myself away to some stranger but I held it back when the first guard talked again.
"Your staff?" he moved his attention back to Gandalf who looked at his white staff with curiosity.
Gandalf smiled so innocently with a hint of hurt in his eyes. "You would not depart an old man from his walking stick?" I knew he was lying, which is why I gave him a puzzled look, until the guard looks at my face and I quickly make it unreadable again. He turns back to Gandalf and gives him an unsure nod. I knew he was suspicious about us, so why didn't he say anything?
Two men swung the front doors open and we slowly walk in. Gandalf used his staff as a walking stick to fool these people about his lie being true. I stood beside Aragorn while Legolas hand Gandalf's arm around his own, almost like he was helping an old man walk. I bring down my hood to look around the new area more clearly. The inside of the fortress was amazing to look at. The hall was long and wide to fit a hundred men in and looking up, I noticed that that roof was designed out of golden straw. There were strong pillars on each side, holding up the mighty roof and keeping the building in place. As I admired the fortress greatly, I laid my eyes on two figures at the end of the hall. Sitting on his golden throne sat an old man with the color of gray and white covering his entire body. From what I saw, he looked frozen in place with his eyes lifeless and dark. His expression looked blank with his head never moving, I had the thought that he might be dead. Saruman must've made him like this. A man in black robes sat next to him, his face horrid and greasy dark hair gruesome. His face came closer to the gray man's and I saw his lips move slowly to whisper in his ears.
I was beginning to grow interested at the men who slowly walking on the other side, hiding between the pillars so we weren't suspicious about their actions. Something told me they weren't going to be friendly with us. Then Gandalf spoke out loudly, "The courtesy of your hall has somewhat lessened of late, Théoden-King." The wizard stepped forward while Aragorn and I were behind him protectively, while Legolas and Gimli were on the other side watching the men carefully.
I saw the King begin to move a little from the dark man's whispers. I watched his gray body move upward weakly and his eyes opening wider then how they were before. "Why. . . Should I welcome you. . .Gandalf Stormcrow. .?"
The dark man nodded, agreeing to what his King has said. "A just question, my liege." I heard his vile voice for the first time. He stood up from his seat and abandoned his King to walk forward. His long black robe slid smoothly against the floor and his snow white face looked cold and sinful. "Late is the hour at which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell, in name him. Ill news is an ill guest." His words spat in our faces but Gandalf stepped forward courageously.
"Be silent!" he commanded him. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth!" He rose up his staff to reveal to the greasy man what it really was. Horror covered his pale face as he stepped backwards anxiously.
"His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!" he cried out to the soldiers around the hall.
Men suddenly began running towards Gandalf and Aragorn and I took this opportunity to attack and defend the wizard. If only I had my bow and a couple arrows with me, I would've killed them one at a time. But it seems that my hands are my only weapon now. Just as he got close to me, I tighten my hand into a fist and swing at a man's face powerfully and kick up my leg to push his body down to the floor. I take down two more with Aragorn's help: he holds them in front of me and I send my knee to their stomachs. One unexpectedly grips both my shoulders firmly and I don't hesitate to smash the back of my head against his face. With a groan of pain, he loosens his grip and I'm free to elbow him in the stomach and drive him down with the rest of the defeated bodies. When I scan the hall to see no other man trying to attack us, I catch Gimli with his foot heavily down on the dark man's chest.
I turn my attention to Gandalf who had his hand raised high towards the King. More company crowded around behind us, watching everything and trying not to miss one scene. Then, the King surprisingly began to laugh. Not a laugh full of life and good humor, a laugh that sounded wicked. Was Saruman channeling through the poor man? I look back at the dark man, who still had that horrified expression on, and wondered if he worked for him, helping him make the King the way he is now. He caught me stare and look back at me, and he must've saw my enraged eyes because he shuddered with fear under Gimli's foot.
Gandalf then uncovered his robes and let his cloak float down to the floor. The King went back against his throne like he was being pushed by strong pressure. I watched with amazement at what he was doing as he walked forward and made the King thrash around with pain. I looked to the side to see a young woman with long, wavy blonde enter the scene. She wore a pure white dress that reach to the floors and sleeves that covered her arms like curtains. She started to run forward, possibly towards the King, until Aragorn caught her by the arm and told her to wait.
"If I go. . .Théoden dies. . ." Gandalf forced his staff forward again to make the shaking body fall backwards again.
"If you did not kill me, you will not kill Théoden." The wizard fearlessly said.
"Rohan is mine!" the King roared and made Gandalf push him down some more.
"Be gone!" Gandalf commanded and with one last push, the body went still and silent.
Aragorn let the young woman go and she ran forward to kneel before him. The King fidgeted at her touch and looked up with confusion. I watched as his beard and hair began to regain their colors of gold, his face shrinking back to a younger age, and his eyes looking full of life once more. He turned to the woman and touched her cheek, "I know your face. . .Eowyn." he let out her name. Eowyn smiled happily and threw her arms around his neck while crying tears of joy. When they broke a part, the King looked up to Gandalf with astonishment. "Gandalf,"
"Breath the free air again, my friend." He said to him proudly and I forced a smile upon my face. The King began to stand up from his throne, testing his legs for balance while Eowyn supported him. Gandalf then continued, "Your hands would remember their old strength better, if they grasped your sword."
The soldier from before ran towards his King, kneeling as he presenting him a sheathed sword. The Kings hand tremble forward, but managed to pull the bladed weapon out and his hands no longer trembled with weakness. Everyone in the hall gasped as they watched their ruler returning back to life. I saw a couple of them spill out tears of joy and relief, just like what the woman Eowyn did. A smile grew across the Kings lips, until he saw the dark man struggling under Gimli's foot.
It takes two soldiers to throw the man down the stair case with their King walking behind, gripping his sword with anger. I heard someone say that the dark man's name was Grima, and I watched his body hit the ground with dirt powered over his robes. The King slowly stepped down and roared at him, "Your leech craft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!"
"Send me not from your side!" Grima crawled backwards, trying to escape the Kings wrath. His sword was raised high over the pale man while he shielded his face for protection. But before everyone could see the King's kill, Aragorn rushed towards him to stop his blow. Grima was sparred his life, but I too ran forward to the dark figure and push him down before he stood back up. I gripped his black furry collar and brought his face close to mine. My heat was rising with anger again and my eyes were burning with flames. "Where's Bella!" I spat at him. "What did you do with my lily!?"
"I-I do not. . .do not understand. . ." he choked out which got me madder.
"LIES!" I screeched and forcefully brought my palm to his neck. He screamed with pain as my heat stung his flesh. I held that position for ten seconds, my teeth gritting tightly, my eyes turning into flames, until I let go to leave a red palm imprint on his white throat. Before I yelled at him even more, two arms hooked under my armpits to pull me off from the body. I squirmed at Aragorn's hold as I watched Grima escape through the people crowed at the end of the staircase and ride a horse through the gates to leave Edoras forever.
My fury turns towards Aragorn. I was extremely irritated that he let all my answers to find Bella free and that he held me back like I was an uncontrollable animal. I didn't see Gandalf though when he whispered to me, "Not yet, Girl with Fire. Your lily is still alive but it is not the right time for her rescue. Your mission will be complete soon." Aragorn lets me go as I cool down with relief. I trusted Gandalf and his words because he always had the right answer to everything. "Hail Théoden-King!" a soldier called out suddenly.
The village people come back to their senses after watching my attack on Grima. They turn their attention to the King and one by one kneel down before him greatly. Aragorn motions me to also kneel and I do respectfully. I look up to see King Théoden's face expression, watching all of us kneeling before the ruler. Then he mumbled, "Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"
The next two hours, a funeral is held for the young Prince of Rohan. Soldiers hold up his body while escorting it down a path the villagers made. They mourned for their Prince as some shed salt tears down their faces. I stood alone next to Eowyn, but didn't make any conversation with her. Before the soldiers could put the royal body in the tomb he would rest in, Eowyn started to sing;
Bealocwealm hafath freone frecan
forth onsended,
giedd sculon singan
glaomen sorgiende on Meduselde...
Her song ended when she let her tears stream down her pale face. The language of the song was not familiar to me and it sounded nothing like elvish. I looked at the tomb to see how it was covered with green vegetation and white flowers for decoration. Four chantlings rested on the tomb to also mourn for the dead Prince. I didn't plan to do this but after the body was sealed away, I whistled to them the twelve note beat. They caught my music and the first one began to sing. Soon, they all sang the beat. The area was filled with the birds singing their last song to the Prince before his soul finally made its departure. Eowyn turned to me and I looked back at her. She mouthed something but I couldn't put together what she said.
~0~0~0~
"Thank you, for doing that." She tells me. It was an hour after the funeral and she caught me limping on my ankle with pain written on my face. She brought me to the Healers Room inside Meduseld and we were both alone together. She took off my boot and began examining my ankle carefully while I sat on a stool. She still wore her black funeral dress and her blonde hair was still up in a bun. She continues, "Those were my cousin's favorite birds, the ones resting on his tomb. He used to sing with them to spare his free time."
"The chantlings?" I question.
"Is that what they're called?"
"Yes. So you are also royalty?" I ask after she said my cousin. She nods at my question without looking up at me. "I am so sorry for your lost. This must be hard for you and King Théoden." She nods again and I have a feeling that I shouldn't talk about it anymore. I stay still as she wraps my ankle with a white bandage slowly.
"It is not broken only sprained; it will heal possibly tomorrow if you do not use it for the rest of the day. How did this happen?" she questions my injury.
"I fell from a tree." I answer with a small chuckle.
"And your head?" she turns to the bandage wrapped around my forehead. I forgot all about my other injury until she mentioned it.
"An orc shot an arrow at me and I was quick enough to duck, but the tip sliced my skin." I touch it again with my two fingers and stroke it repeatedly. I'm tempted to take it off and before I know it, I do. The bandage is in my hand and I see the dark red stain marked on the white. Eowyn stands up to touch my scar, which was three inches long, and has an amazed look on her face.
"I envy you." She mumbles to me and I give her a strange look. She envied me?
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"You are the first woman I have seen traveling with a group of men, which is very uncommon for all of us. I am jealous that you can travel and face danger where ever you go. You can fight all day and night and receive scars that tell stories of how you lived through the battle." I was shocked at what she said. She wanted to do all of that? Battling is never fun and it never has been, so why is she so desperate to risk her life? "Why are you with the Company?"
"Saruman took someone from me, and I plan to get them back." I say with seriousness. She looks at me carefully to make sure I wasn't lying. Then she asked for my name. "I am Astrid, the Girl with Fire." I state out.
"Girl with Fire? The name has not been heard throughout these lands, but what does your title mean?" she's really saying, what can you do with fire. I'm not heated up so that won't show her who I am, but a candle with a dancing orange flame was placed on a wooden table next to us.
"Look at the candle," I tell her. She turns to it and I stick my hand up. I spread my fingers wide out and focus on the flame carefully. Soon, the little inferno grows three times bigger which makes the white wax melt faster. When half of the candle wax is gone I clench my fingers into a fist. The flame shrinks smaller and smaller until it disappears into nothing but slithering white smoke. I haven't done fire manipulation in a long time and it felt good to do it again. I watch Eowyn's face and smirk to myself; she must've never seen something like this before.
"H-How is this possible?" she gasped.
"I'm just a little complicated." I say.
~0~0~0~
Food. I haven't eaten it in days. Just eating a piece of bread was like eating something I've never tasted before. The wild rice and meat mixed together was a delicious combination. The vegetation was fresh and rich in my mouth and I was tempted to ask for seconds when the plate was empty. Of course, I don't and become grateful that my stomach is finally full.
"Are you satisfied?" Aragorn asked while he finishes his meal. He must've seen the expression on my face.
"Yeah," I mumble with a smile.
After my dinner, a woman escorts me to a small room with a small bed. It contained a thin blanket and a soft pillow for me to sleep with, but as you all know; I don't sleep alone. It was pointless to even try closing my eyes and pray for dreams because they always shot right back open. So I spent my whole night thinking of what happen today, praying for Bella, Maia, and Ben to still be alive, and counting the small dark dots mark on the ceiling.
The next morning, I walk to the stables to visit Aidan and just like Eowyn predicted my ankle doesn't tighten with so much pain anymore. When I open the barn doors the smell of hay and horses fill my noise. The sent is sickening but that's because I haven't been around horses for a long time. Unlike some of the horsemen here who seem to be living the life around these creatures. All the horses looked the same as they rested in their stalls, but I found mine in the fifth stall with that stable boy from yesterday. He fed Aidan another golden apple and the horse happily crunched it into his mouth. He patted Aidan's muzzle with a smile on his face and I walked up to them.
"He really likes those apples, huh?" The boy jumped out of his skin when he heard my voice. Aidan rose up his head to greet me and I patted his forehead softly. I turn back to the boy. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I also didn't catch your name yesterday."
"Ro s-son of Rolen," he stutters nervously. His voice still sounded weird, almost softer than how a regular boy should sound. His eyelashes were also pretty long and looking down at his fingers they were really thin. My thoughts were interrupted when someone called out to him.
"Ro, take a couple horses out for a walk. They need to stretch out their legs." A tall man with brown hair walks up to us both holding a pile of fresh, golden hay. He looked like he could be in his late forties after I saw a couple strands of grey hair and his face a little wrinkly. Ro nodded to him and walked over to the other side to get the horses. The old man walked over to feed Aidan the hay and talk to me. "Lady Astrid, your horse has been a pleasant guest to our stables."
"Thank you," I say and stroke the stallions soft neck. The man continues.
"It is also an honor to have the famous daughter of Firehart among us." Are my ears fooling me or did he just say the daughter of Firehart? My mouth hung open with shock and I felt my fingers begin to tremble. He knew who I was, but how? "My Lady, please do not look so pale. I have heard your father's stories and learned of his appearance. No one has grand eyes the color ember like how he did, and I knew immediately you were the descendent of him when I saw yours. I am no enemy to you, I swear on my life, but it's an honor to meet you."
Looking into his dark eyes, they seemed to be speaking the truth. But if he knew who I was, then he must know the magic of Vamora I carry inside my body. "Do you," I speak quietly to him. "do you all the stories of my father? Do you know the story of Vamora's magic?"
I watch him closely as he nods lightly. "Yes, but again I say, I am no enemy to you. I wish not to kill the daughter of a famous demigod." I sigh a little with relief, but still wasn't sure if I could fully trust his words. I remember Galadriel telling me that men wanted to kill my father because of the magic he kept inside him. This man could be fooling me and I would have to be careful about it.
"What is your name?" I ask him. He gives me a warm grin.
"Borin son of Bowen," his eyes seem to travel to my dress and he gives it a puzzled look.
"Is there something wrong?" I ask while raising an eyebrow.
"No Lady Astrid, but your dress seems to completely destroyed." I look down to find what he meant by 'destroyed' and saw it. The dress was extremely dirty and had the scent of outdoors and sweat. Some parts of the fabric were ripped and blood stained, which made me look like a wild animal in a dress. The boots still seemed fine, but I pretty much ruined my elvish dress.
"I guess I wasn't focusing on my appearance." My cheeks heat up with embarrassment while Borin just chucks at me.
"Lady Astrid, come with me. I believe I hold a better traveling outfit for you."
*Author's Note: Sorry for the late update, but I think I'll post chapters weekly now. I plan to make them longer than they have been before. I hope you like Ro and Borin because you'll be seeing them more often in the next couple chapters.
Fan Mail-
purpleXorchid- Thanks and he'll be getting sweeter in later chapters. The next one is going to bring Legolas and Astrid closer a little more.
KristalikaDragonfly- OMG! I love that movie and I love hyperactive horses too.
Saren-Dipety- I'm glad you like the horse, Aidan and I fixed the mistake. I'm happy you also like the Legolas and Astrid scene, but they'll be getting better and better later.
Bntjammer- Thanks so much for your comment, I'm happy you like the story so far.
Trollalalala- Happy you like the chapter friend! Your review made me smile!
Gigigue – Haha, yep he came back and it is pretty awesome.
I also have a special announcement for you guys. After I finish this story, I will possibly type a sequel to it, but that's all up to you guys. Do you still want to continue the adventures of Astrid, the Girl with Fire? Tell me in your reviews. Oh speaking of reviews:
To the people who favorite and followed this story and don't leave a review (yeah I'm talking to you) please do so. I want to know if I'm doing well with this story and if you guys are interested in what you're reading. So please, please, PLEASE leave me a review. Expect the next chapter to be updated next week. Thanks again guys!