FINDING THINGS IS HARD
Rose's P.O.V.
I didn't know where I was running too. I just knew I was scared. But not looking where you're going while running as stupid as running with a dagger up stairs.
I caught my paw in a root and went tumbling down and hill shifting back into human form as I did so.
I lay on my back, lungs heaving for breath. I listened to the birds and steady flow of water. I slowed my breathing focusing on the sound and smells around me trying to rid myself of the painful thoughts.
Tear welled in my eyes. They poured from my down my cheeks sending a wave of sadness over me. It was the sort of crying that hurts your face. I clutched my arms into my stomach and curled up into a ball. I justwanted to have the ground swallow me whole. The pain was unbearable. Every time I closed my eyes I could see him and that terrifying smile. I'm glad Cara killed him.
"Rose?" I heard from a distance. It was Fili. He came looking for me. After the way I acted. Was he not afraid of me. Or should I be afraid of him.
I sat up and forgot about crying for a moment. I scrambled to my feet and hid behind a pillar by a large pond at the base of a waterfall. My heart raced in my chest.
As he came into the clearing I noticed he had removed his over coat and weapons. He looked worried.
"Rose? Where are you?" He whispered. He went over to the pond and sat down, resting his head in his hands. He didn't look worried, he looked distraught.
Had I done that to him?
"I'm here." I said stepping out from behind the pillar. I whipped my cheeks and met his eyes with mine. His face calmed and seemed relieved. He rushed to stand up but stopped himself, and slowly walked over to me.
"Are you ok?" He asked gently stopped and few feet in front of me. I sniffled a little and fumbled with my hands trying to find the right words.
"I don't...I mean I'm not.."
"Hey it's all right. You don't have to tell me." He reached a hand forward slowly to talk mine. He was being so cautious and watched every move I made. I stood still not really knowing what to do.l, but the urge for comfort took over
I tentatively took his hand and he led me back the way I had run from. We walked in silence for a few minutes. His thumb gently rubbed over my knuckles soothingly. As if to say I'm here without speaking.
But something wasn't right. I stopped and he gave me a confused look.
"Cara told you...didn't she?" I looked up as I let go of his hand. He breathed out and nodded.
"I promise. I will never tell a sole. And if you ever feel scared or hurt, please tell me. I don't want you to feel alone."
I was shocked to say the least.
"It's ok...I trust you. But there's something I have to do before we go back." I said finding nice rock to stand on. Clambering up was a struggle but I made it and slowly rose to my feet. Fili stood close by looking like he was ready to catch me.
I had to find Luna, for Cara. I called once, twice but there was silence. Fill gave me the most confused look.
"Luna usually always finds me when I call her."
"Maybe she's too far away to hear. It was quite a way back when we lost them." He said leaning against a tree.
"But she wasn't captured. She must have just lost us."
I couldn't lose her. We couldn't, Cara would be distraut. I sighed before walking to the edge of the rock. Fill brought his arms up to help me jump down. As I landed I looked up and realised how close we were. It was awkward or tense, but I saw the kindness in his eyes. I let a little smile form as we broke apart and walked away.
What stopped me was a quiet whinny in the distance.
"Luna." I whispered.
"Hmm...what?"
Before Fili I asked anymore questions I was off like a jack rabbit.
"Rose wait!" Fili called after me. He soon caught up and grasped my hand as we ran together. I laughed at the thought of me running through the forest with a boy. I was replacing the painful memories with happiness. Something I never thought possible.
The whinnying got louder as we got closer to the courtyard
Cara P.O.V.
I heard her, I know I did. Luna. My eyes fluttered open to see I was alone once again in my room. A note was sitting on the pillow beside me. It was from Kili. I smiled as I gently picked up the parchment.
'Sorry to leave you on you're own but I wanted you to get some rest. The elves have gifted you some clean clothes and have said they will wash the others.
See you later
Kili'
By now I was grinning. Over a boy no less! What am I like. On the end of my bed sat a light blue silky dress with a gold lace bodice and beautiful silk undergarments. I had not seen, never mind worn, something so beautiful. I had worn trousers my whole life and so had Rose. Dresses just aren't practicle in a forest. Funnily enough the only time wolf maidens wear anything similar to a dress is in battle, I just hope neither of us will ever have to wear it.
I slipped out of the soft bed and tested my legs. Sore but not unbearable. I locked the door before stripping off my clothes. My torso was bandaged well. I wondered how long I'd have to keep it on for. I wandered over to a floor length mirror to see my body. I didn't usually have the time to properly look at myself. It felt strange.
I didn't really like looking. My shoulders and arms are broad and muscular. I have quite wide hips. I was what youd call a typle girl. And don't get me started on my stomach.
Short and muscular. I felt inadequate as a woman. Far from attractive.
I shook my head and placed the silk undergarments on and the dress over the top. I felt feminin for once. Weird.
Another whinny broke me out of my thoughts.
" Luna." I whispered.
I ran barefoot through Rivendell's many halls, past young elves and elliths giving me funny looks. The dress followed behind me.
"LUNA!" I called hearing her call back.
"CARA?" I heard a voice shout from another part of the building.
"JUST A MOMENT!"
I finally made it to the courtyard to see Rose and Fill running up to me. I quickly noticed their unlocked hands which made me pause. Hmm. Interesting.
"Did you hear Luna. I called her but I don't know where she is." Rose said leaving Fili to come over to me. I was about to reply when I noticed a glimmer over her shoulder and the sound of hooves bounced off the walls around us.
Rose turn around and grasped my hand as Luna bounded her way over to us. She came to a stop and huffed a little. Sweat glistened on her body and steam pool off her back. Her breath was hot as she panted and shuffled in front of us. We flung our arms around her neck and giggled as she nuzzled our backs with her nose. A sign to say don't ever run off again. She was like a mother hen to us. Especially Rose. Probably because always seemed to sense my worry.
"It's alright darling we're all safe now. I'm sorry we ran off. You must have been searching for hours." I rubber her back and cuddled her closer. I could here Fili laughing at us but I didn't care.
We both stepped back and I could see the happiness builds in Roses eyes.
"I remembered the call you taught me." She said grinning.
"Thankyou. Hey...are you...two, ok?" I glanced at Fili for a second to show her what I meant.
"Oh..ehm yeah. All good." She blushed hard like the rose petals she was named after. She smirked but gave me a serious look to keep my mouth shut. So I did.
"Cara are you alri...woah." I turned to see Kili standing there. He looked shock but quickly shook it off and came forward towards us all. Fili had also come over and was stoking Luna's nose which she didn't seem to mind. She actually rather enjoyed the attention. Rose watched him tentatively with a small smile.
"So you found Luna then?" He cleared his throat as he glanced at the mare.
"She found us actually." I said smiling. He kept an eye on Luna throwing small glance at my dress every now and again. Did I look stupid in it?
"You er...you look lovely." He said looking anywhere but at me.
"Really?" My heart swelled. I'd never received a compliment like that before. Obviously I had from my family but this was different. It felt like so much more than a compliment to me.
His eyes met mine finally and he smiled and chuckled a little.
"Of course. You should wear dresses more often. They suit you."
"Thankyou." I looked down at the floating fabric and smiled to myself.
Fili coughed a little breaking us apart. I realised just close we standing to each other and I felt my cheeks heat up.
"I'm going to take Luna to the stables." Rose said coming up to me. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and buried her head.
"Please don't scare me like that again." She whispered.
"I'm sorry."