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A/N: I have been dealing with a shot of writer's block and couldn't manage this chapter until yesterday. So hope you bear with me. Sorry for being a sucky updater. Hope Y'all are having a good day :)

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HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY! RR.

Ch 16: The Aftermath.

The dark void of the night's sky gradually dawned into a greyish dusk. The sun's blaze was masked behind the weeping cold of the clouds, but as if realizing the day's start, the birds flew over the horizons just to sit at the bleak crooks and corners in search of food. Their chirping echoing in the shadowy alleyways deep into the heart of Minas Tirith.

I sat with my knees drawn to myself, arms tightly wrapped around my legs in an effort to quench the shivering, which at first developed due to the raging emotions and was now turning worse with the growing cold. I sniffled once and gritted my teeth as the biting winds rustled across my face. Even though I was sitting slumped in an alley, knowing that everyone back at the mansion would be turning inside out in worry, I couldn't bring myself to get up and walk, as if my mind and soul weren't corresponding to my body. The encounter last night had shaken me through the core. The deep magic had troubled my mind into reminiscing my past with the prophecy echoing as a warning in the back of my mind. I found myself sitting in that dark lane for hours on the end, remembering all the happenings of my past home with a deep rooted ache in my heart and unshed tears wetting the lashes. And now I sat there, at the dawn of the new day, spent in all my energy, and hoping my best to forget what I saw. I didn't even know why I was effected that much. After all, it could be just an scam, an old man scaring and worrying people with his empty words and yet... my mind strayed back to last night. I remembered the power in his self, the strength in his words and the confidence in his ways. I did not know what magic was, but if down the path someone asked me to describe it I knew that this was how I would. As deep, clawing sensation that brought out all the fears once buried in the depths of one's heart. Yes that was what magic was.

In my trance I felt my mind drifting away from the present.

I stared at Nathan. He rubbed his hand at the back of his head and turned to smile, albeit sheepishly. My eyes narrowed on their own accord as I gave an incredulous laugh. "Really Nathan!" my voice felt shrill to my own ears. He held up his hands in defeat and shook his head, "In my defence-"

"Do not even!", I snapped cutting across him, "I knew that you are direction-ally challenged but even after twenty one years, your directional uncertainty still leaves me gobsmacked." I huffed and walked to the nearest tree to drop my bag before moving to the edge off the dark cliff in an effort to gauge the situation this late into the night.

"I'm NOT direction-ally challenged," he replied making a face, "and besides you should've gotten a better map!"

"Map!", I turned in anger, "how was I supposed to know that you will lead us that deep into the forest that GPS won't even work?"

"Come on! You've known me for years. We both know that following me was not the best idea."

"But the only one we had!" I said cutting across him. I looked back at the steep fall, my eyes meeting with oblivion in the deep dark. The moon light could light the area so much and my torch light couldn't navigate the end well enough. Nathan moved around turning the stones and finding the driest place to sit.

"Honestly," I said as I turned around to join him on the floor near our bags, "I swear to God Nathan if your stupid stunt effects my grades-"

He snorted, "Com'on Gal, we both know that Mr. Kingsley has a soft spot for his class toppers. We both are fine." I scoffed at that but didn't reply, as I knew that he was right. "But still," I continued, "what are we going to here" I gestured around the forest, "in the middle of nowhere so late? With one scary fall right in front of us."

He contemplated the situation. "It isn't as if we can navigate about so late," he said slowly,

"Not like you can navigate about even in the bright morning or even under the influence of holy light." I murmured sarcastically. He spared an annoyed look at me,

"So have fun staying in the middle of forest in the middle of night." his tone was mocking.

I groaned loudly, slopping onto the ground. "I don't even like the wilderness!" I moaned disappointed, flapping my arms about.

"What a great 22 old you are," he replied in amusement and flopped beside me.

"Says the guy who still fights over Kindle Joy."

"Do not question me about my Kindle Joys."

I laughed at his mock seriousness and he grinned back at me. We descended into silence.

I didn't know when I fell asleep but when I came to again, the sky was still as dark as before and Nathan sat slumped against the tree playing Candy Crush on his phone. "Done with the sticky level?" I asked yawning. I got up and stretched before coming to sit with him. I leaned over his shoulder as his finger tapped across his phone. We sat like that for a while before he became bored and turned it off.

"Lane," he said after a while. I hummed in response while closing my eyes against the cool summer breeze. "you know that I will always be there for you? right." I creaked my eyes open. "Someone's becoming philosophical." I laughed. He looked up at the fading constellations. "No really." he said, "you do know that, right?"

I stared at his face to gauge what he was thinking. "I know Nat," I replied after a while, my tone had grown soft. "I hope you know the same."

"I thought about that tonight," he continued with a smile, "The way Me, you and Louis promised each other and now we do not even know where or how he is." He inhaled sharply. "I hope that we do not end up like that." he finished looking at me from the corner of his eyes.

"We won't," I replied surely, "Those promises were of children. Our promises today, as mock adults, wouldn't be as easy to forget."

"Suppose if we do forget."

I started at him. He looked back, "I just want to say that if we don't stay in contact due to some reason, I want us to look at something and still remember each other." he continued, passionate for what ever reason, "Like constellations or something."

I snorted in disbelief, "Now you're making me wonder what happened."

"Why? It's extremely probable."

"It's extremely CHEESY." I replied, "But if that's how you wanna be, then constellations fade with the night."

"So what do you suppose?"

I looked around and my eyes ended up meeting with the dim orange hue of the dusk. "Sun!" I said.

He looked surprised, "But the sun also fades with the night."

I rolled my eyes. "Come on Nat! The sun doesn't fade, it just moves away. Also, the moon is also illuminated by it so if we see the moon we can still remember the promise."

He gave a resounding chuckle. "Fine then! I hope Lane, that if and when we separate due to reasons, we can look at the sun at remember our old promise to stay strong, forever!" He raised his fist and I, after a moment's hesitation bumped mine against his. "That's so cheesy." I cringed but in my heart, which I would've never quite admitted to someone, I felt warmth and comfort, knowing that this person whom I have seen growing up from a scrawny kid into a fine young man would always be there for me.

Now that I sat there hunched in the alleyway I looked up instinctively towards the sky, at the sun behind those thunderous clouds. 'What shall I do Nat?' I thought desperately, 'I never thought that I wouldn't be able to see the sun anymore.'

In my stupor I didn't quite fathom when I got up and started moving aimlessly in the alleyways. Wandering for a while in the never-ending maze of intricate Marble in the heart of Minas Tirith I stopped besides a small tap. I stared at the water, dripping drop after drop into the light green mould flourishing at the side wall. The biting cold of the day was slightly unbearable in my posh dress and with my mind already switched off...

I jerked around with a gasp, coming to my lost senses as a large bucket dropped from the above window just beside me. My head snapped above to see a kid peeking his head out of the window, smiling down at me in mischief. A moment later loud voices were raised inside the house before a string of embarrassed apologies came from a youthful woman. I waved my hand dismissively, not enough enthusiastic to be angry just yet. Although it was quite bad mannered attitude, it did good enough in snapping me out of my half consciousness. I stared at the bucket and then in an moment of impulse turned on the tap. It gushed out in the form of freezing cold water that tinted my already pale hand in a yellowish glint. I splashed the water on my face, feeling it's coldness awakening my senses back into function. Water dripping from my face I looked at the sky. I knew that by now Bnaria and Anariel and even Brilon would be going faint with worry and I had no cell or means to message them about my safety. Cursing lightly I started on my way again, still with a heavy heart but mind working enough to know where I was going.

"You mean to say that you merely lost your way?!" Anaŕiel's shriek disrupted the awkward silence of the room once again. Looking at her once again I found that in the few months of knowing her I had never seen her so out of control as in that moment. She exhaled sharply and pushed the few escaping strands back from her face. As if not knowing what to do anymore she wiped her already clean hands on her apron and turned away in clear disapproval. Cathiel the ever composed, put a lone hand on her arm in a silent command and turned towards me.

"Are you really well?" she asked. Her eyes bore into mine and in silent understanding stemming from our hasty friendship she ordered Naimĺa and Anaŕiel to bring me breakfast and instructed Bnaŕia to make up the bed for rest. After a long two hours of constant questioning and incredulous expressions of Anaŕiel and my constantly worsening headache I was finally left alone, albeit haltingly, to compensate my lost sleep.

Though I didn't get much sleep, I was glad to finally be in a warm blanket with a cosy fire burning a little sideways. My aching limbs felt like lead after my short nap and I passed upon any thought of getting up and going to the kitchens, even though I missed Brilon's sarcastic and Anaŕiel's incredulous concern. I tossed and turned in the sheets, my mind in an constant overdrive still thinking of all what has happened leading up to this point and dreading what more was to come.

I curled my hair around my fingers absently as my mind again drifted back to the supposed prophecy. Even though I didn't remember the whole wording I could still recite the meaning of the sentences. In an moment of impulse I got up and rummaged through the side table drawer for ink and paper. I walked towards the fire place and sat in front of it to get light as well as warmth. and then I started to write what ever I remembered yet of the prophecy. After a long hour I held up the wet ink of the paper in front of me. The shadow of the words from the scratchy paper casted a hue on the back wall. I reread what I had wrote again and again until I thought I had made up the meaning of a few verses. I was sure that passing through frost meant the misty mountains because it was only after that frost we had passed through Rohan, the land of Eorlings. If I made the majestic bearing of men to be Gondor, which was the only probable situation as I had come here in the search of lore, then I had two verses to make sense of in this long gibberish. But even these two sentences made me realise that that old man was not any blabbering fool but he might, just might, have really known what he was saying. After all people only go mad from imagining the things that had a semblance of truth.

I was about to get up in disappointment when my mind made a slight stringing contact in the prophecy. I reread the line again and again feeling a surge of misplaced hope. The heir of passers... that could only mean one thing. There had been more people like me before. Maybe my insistence to find anything about those men will pay off soon. After all if I really believed in this piece, then how could I not believe in those promised by its words. I reread it again hoping to find anything more to fire up the smoking embers in my heart. My eyes stopped at the last line. The prophecy recited by the grand... Oh! How could I have been so blind. There was this big clue all along. If I could just know the prophecy!

I scrambled to my feet and pulled out the warm woollen shawl from the closet. By the darkness and the quiet atmosphere of the mansion, I could tell that it was way into the night but I prayed again and again that the library would still be open and Master Forlong would be there to help me. The door opened with a click that seemed to echo in the dark carpeted hallway. I poked my head out to see if someone was here, for if Bnaŕia or Naimĺa or God forbid Anaŕiel saw me right now they wouldn't let me go alone. I clutched the scroll with my gradually whitening knuckles and started to walk down the hallway. Walking down Cathiel's side of the mansion was easy as there weren't any servants close by.

Somehow, weaving my way across the many hallways, making sure to only pass by the servants who Anaŕiel and Brilon don't contact that often, I made my way towards the front door of the mansion. The two guards that stood by nearly drew their swords as I interrupted their joyous conversation. They returned to their sides embarrassed and thankfully opened the door without questions at my raised brow. The walk to the upper levels was quiet as this level was most often uncrowded and so late into the night no one was wandering about. The guards, used to mine and Cathiel nightly ventures simply opened the gates to let me pass. I walked across the more quiet and less populated parts of the main level to reach the library for everyone knew how fast news travelled from the whispers of one servant to the ears of other. The candles in the library burned low and casted a bright orange shadow across the grand room. The domed ceiling still was darkened to the height. Master Forlong, hunched over scattered scrolls in intense study, startled into present at the sound of the door. He looked at my approaching figure over his thick rimmed glasses. "Here you are child!", he said straightening with difficulty, "and I was wondering why have you not visited to continue your hunt after the festival." A shadow passed through my face, and he looked surprised for a fleeting moment. "Why such an expression, child?" he asked as I came to stand by the desk. I looked at him thoughtfully and for a moment I didn't want to express my desire and to hide the prophecy. That heavy moment passed and I bashed myself silently, knowing that there was no running from it when I was getting this close to find the reasons. I drew the folded and crunched paper from my shawl and straightened it on the table in front of him. He gave me a look before pushing up his spectacles and squinting at my poor handwriting.

"I want to know if you can tell me anything about it.", I said, leaning over the counter and looking at his face to gauge his expressions.

"It seems random to me, child, but," he murmured pushing his spectators up his nose, a moment later he extended it towards me, "By my beard child! What is this nonsense?" I furrowed my brow in question, leaning away and grasping the paper to look at it.

"Well, that was exactly what I wanted to ask..."

"Who gave you this? Were you scammed at the festival, weren't you?" his voice was mocking that faded into silence at my stony look.

"It was a man, burly large tall head shaved," I said sighing, "he had this... power coming from him, deep dark... magic, I think." I finished uncertainly.

"Magic?"

"Yes, magic." I replied nodding my head in confirmation. He stood a little straighter and staring at me for a moment returned to his previous chores. I hesitated for a moment wondering if I should just leave. But my curiosity won over all of the second thoughts. I extended my arm and placed the paper on front of him again.

"I don't know much about him but I need to know about this. I gave it a lot of thought but it doesn't seem like a scam. How could he have known who I was?" All of the reasoning about his knowledge of my adventure came to naught. If he had just mentioned Rohan then it might have been a scam as everyone knew me to be coming from the Rohan but no one except for Anaŕiel and Brilon not even Cathiel knew about my story of my family.' Ehara did.' my mind screamed but I quenched the thought because Ehara and Lady Brinielel will ever soil their dresses by the dirt of first level's slums. Master Forlong eyed me , his brows raised in silent question.

"More specifically do you know about this part." I continued, gesturing to the last line and reading it aloud. "The prophecy recited by the grand."

He placed his shaking fingers on the sentence and tapped twice for confirmation, "Yes this one. I feel uneasy about this."

He leaned over the paper to get a better view. I stared at the top of his balding silver head as he murmured it aloud, lost in thought, "The prophecy... Grand... Was there a prophecy ever?" After what felt to be an eon he leaned back and picked up the paper. His eyes were taking in the prophecy more seriously than before and for a fleeting moment I thought I saw his shoulders tense although it could've just been my imaginations.

"Stay here child, give me a moment.", he said hastily before moving to the back of the huge polished desk. He opened the door at the back and vanished into the darkness with a loud snap of the oak. I sighed lightly and leaned my back against the table. I felt my eyes wandering across the library and they fell upon a nearby table on which the candle was yet burning. I spared a glance at the back door and feeling no movement I walked towards the table containing filled parchments and opened volumes. The quill still lightly wet rested on a half-written parchment with the pot of black ink resting sideways. Someone was engaged in quite a study here and not even long ago. My eyes snapped towards the door suddenly dreading if the man came by just now.

I moved back before touching anything and stood beside the counter, flipping through the few books present there. The back door opened after a long time with a snap. Master Forlong, white in the face emerged a moment later with nothing but the parchment. He walked forward briskly and came to stand before me all the while staring at the back door, as if dreading it to open.

"Child! Did you say that that man seemed to have magic?", his voice was low and rushed as he spoke. I nodded my head, for I could call that power nothing but magic if there existed.

"Did he have a gash starting from his upper neck? Did you get to see it child?" he asked again. 'A gash?' my thoughts went back to the night. I thought for a while. In the flickering candle flame he was shadowed in his robes but... an image flashed through my mind of him passing by the candles, a red wound peeking from his collar.

"I... I think so.,... Maybe yes he did." I said. Master Forlong inhaled sharply, his eyes widening in realization. I felt my muscles stiffen as I saw the deep faint fear in those orbs.

"Pack your bags child you need to leave. I shall arrange something so that you can safely venture out of Gondor," he said, coming out from behind the desk. My head whirled towards him.

"What? No! Why should I?" He turned to consider me for a moment. When he spoke his voice was calculated

"Child If this is true then I cannot take the chance. Consider it for your own safety." For the first time I felt as though calling me a child was mocking in its own way. I gave an incredulous laugh, turning my head away before fixing him with a glare.

"What safety? No Master Forlong I'll absolutely not leave unless you tell me the reason." I said firmly. He sighed in a tired manner, as though he was regretting to ever see this moment. He place his old wrinkled hand on the crook of my elbow and said lightly, taking into account the still front door.

"Not here child. Not here." I stared at him incredulously and before I could open my mouth to protest he took a paper from the desk and scribbled a few sentences on it. He pushed the paper into my hands and closed my fist, effectively crumbling it.

"Take this, Go to this man and he shall have the knowledge." I stared at the paper. Thousand thoughts running through my frenzied mind. He seemed to understand my jumbled thoughts as his expression softened into the same old compassionate master.

"Child take my heed and not come to see me ever again." I would've been offended had his voice not been so concerned and caring. Nevertheless I stared at him in disbelief

"Why? What if I need the library-"

"I can assure you that you would not." he said and with such conviction that I stopped mid-sentence. A heavy feeling settled into the pit of my stomach.

"What will he tell me? Who is he? Why are you so scared?" I asked desperately hoping for answers but Master just shook his head,

"There are countless questions that cannot be answered yet but child I hope that whatever you find it may help you in whatever you are so desperately searching for. May you also have the strength to do what you must." I exhaled sharply not believing my ears. I hardly had patience talk and yet he insisted on long sentences that mean nothing to me yet.

"Do what? Master Forlong don't talk in riddles please!" He unheeded my request and turned to walk behind the table. He stared at me from the back of it.

"I shall pretend that this conversation never happened child, For your own sake and for mine own. Now leave before someone finds you here at this hour." I considered sticking around and demanding a few answers. Where was he sending me? Why I had to find this guy? Who was this guy anyway? What did he know? Why should I leave? So many questions but as I looked into the tense shoulders and resolute eyes of the Master I knew that asking him more wold do me no good. He didn't want to be caught up in whatever this mess was and I couldn't possibly drag him into it. I sighed once and turned to leave.

"Good bye Master Forlong."

I reached the door and knocked on it to open, I heard his voice drifting up to me, low as if he wasn't sure that he wanted me to hear but I did anyway feeling a bit nauseous as I digested his words.

"Remember that everyone doesn't have the same circumstances. What you must do might be something no other can." The doors shut behind me with a snap and the words of master Forlong faded to the back of my consciousness.

"Mesnaldian...", I murmured, leaning back in the chair. The slip of paper crumbled in my hands as I gave up once again. It has been a whole day after the meeting with Master Forlong, and as of yet I was still making up my mind whether to visit this man or not... Which was an exceptionally useless thought as I knew I would be going to pay this person a visit anyway, and the sooner the better. Bnaŕia who was before busy stacking the laundry in the shelves, stopped as she passed by me. I looked back to see her gaze fixed on the paper.

"Mesnaldian?" she murmured lost in thought. The laundry bucket in her arms slipped a bit and she flexed her arms to hold it up tighter. Her brown orbs turned towards me, "Why would my lady want to do anything with Mesnaldian?" she asked finally, her head turned to the side.

"Do you know about Mesnaldian?" I asked raising a brow.

"Of course my lady," she replied, "almost all of the Minas Tirith knows Mesnaldian. He is after all one of the greatest scholars of these times."

"A scholar?" I asked and she nodded in confirmation, her two pigtails bouncing with her head.

"Do you know where he can be found?" I asked a moment later. She stared at me without an answer and then as if coming to terms with an internal battle she said,

"I'll take you there my lady."

I hummed in confirmation and she seeing no further response left with a troubled stare.

"My lady are you sure that I should not come in with you?" Bnaŕia asked for the nth time as I knocked on the wooden door of the famous literary house of Mesnaldian.

"I'm sure Bnaŕia."

She inhaled sharply, "But my-" she was abruptly cut off as the door opened to show a man almost similar in appearance to that of Master Forlong, albeit a decade younger. "Mr. Mesnaldian? It's me Lanette, lady Lanette." I could see the realisation dawning in his eyes and the swirl of questions that were left unasked as he invited me inside. The door closed and the troubled face of Bnaŕia vanished behind the polished oak.

The inside was stacked with scrolls and papers and volumes above volumes of thick books. The curtains were drawn to allow the morning light to enter the large room. Mister Mesnaldian gestured to an old wooden chair and situated himself before me.

"I shall get to the point as you must be busy." I said as soon as he sat down, my gaze flickering over to the stack of unwritten scrolls on the table. "What is this all about the prophecy? Who were the grand? Is this even right or just..?" I trailed off waiting for his reply.

"Actually Lady Lanette, there once was a prophecy, but time has passed and eras have changed and progressed and a lot of lore was lost. We do not know what the prophecy was and in that front I can not possibly help you much-"

I inhaled sharply, "But-"

"Much being the keyword Lady Lanette," he continued cutting over my words. "But what I can tell you is that this prophecy was once written to proclaim the return of the king. No one knew at that time, for the kings still ruled strong in this land and it was thought to be just something made up by the ancient foretells. Now when we are faced by such an adversity we know not how to deal with it."

We sat there for a moment as I digested his words.

"Then you do not know what I am supposed to do."

"I am afraid not milady." he replied, inclining his head, "but there is one thing I must warn you about. If what you describe is true then the man you saw was the exiled apprentice of ancient fore-tellers, there are not many in Middle Earth that have the power or the will to see the future. He is one of the few who can and if he is the one who told you..." Mr. Mesnaldian exhaled once and looked out of the large window as if reminiscing something from long ago. He looked back after a moment with a seriousness I hadn't seen in him before. "You must know by now that the court is a ruthless place. Words get twisted and things first started with hope end at despair. If someone else finds out what the prophecy was, it will not be wrong to say that it shall cause the demise of not only you but also those who associate themselves with you."

"Then what-"

"You should leave and travel to search for what this really means," he replied cutting across my tirade once again. My brow furrowed in barely concealed annoyance.

"Leave? Mr. Mesnaldian. I do not think that you know but I have already travelled far and wide to get here and for what? Only to be sent back to the place where I started?" I knew that my voice was rising with my frustration but I couldn't bring myself to care. "Where do you want me to go now? Isengard? Mordor? Straight into the pits of fire to burn away once and for all?" I finished harshly and Mr. Mesnaldian leaned back in chair unaffected. He was lost in thought as he stared into the burning embers and then got up to move around the desk. He rummaged around as if to search for something and returned with an old scroll. He extended it towards me over the small coffee table as he took his designated seat. I opened it only to see the map of Middle Earth. I looked up at him in question.

"Do you see Rivendell, my lady?"

He asked and I nodded, my eyes straying over to the marked area near Bree. "The last homely house of Middle Earth. You'll be welcome there."

"You want me to go all the way over there?" I asked incredulously.

"Of course my lady." he replied, then looking over his glasses in a knowing way he continued, "for any other lady I wouldn't have but you are not exactly what you want us to believe Lady Lanette, are you?" I raised a brow, willing him to elaborate.

"Lanette is a unique name, my lady. What are the origins of such a name?" he asked mockingly as if not expecting an answer. Which he expected right as I didn't have one either.

'American in origin Mr Mesnaldian' I thought irately but in fact just gave an incredulous laugh pointedly looking out of the window.

"Lady Lanette," he continued extending the conversation. This time though his tone was much kinder as he spoke. "Rivendell is the home of Lord Elrond one of the greatest scholars and warriors of Middle Earth. I do not advise you to go there just for sport Lady Lanette. I say so because if there is someone who can help you in Middle Earth it is probably him and his family. And taking into account all the areas inhabited by the elves Rivendell is the one and only choice."

"But how can I go? I hardly know how to navigate about Mr. Mesnaldian!" I asked in disappointment. Going back all the way to the start? Passing through the Misty mountains again? and the orcs? I shuddered at the mere thought.

"The is a small caravan leaving for a village in San Gebir. I can arrange so you are taken with them but after that, it is all dependant on you," he replied searching my gaze for an answer.

On my own? My breath nearly got caught in my throat. "When are they leaving?"

"In three days Lady Lanette," he replied and looking at my obvious distress he continued, "it is you choice to make lady Lanette, no one shall force you." I nodded, knowing his words to be true. The image of my family flashed across my mind and the memories I still remembered of mom, dad, my sister, nick,... "No, I will go." I felt myself saying before my mind could form a proper thought. "Yes," I said nodding in confirmation, "Yes I'll leave."

He looked surprised for a moment. A smile broke out on his face as he replied, "I shall inform you of all the arrangements lady Lanette."

I nodded, and inclined my head in thanks, "I appreciate it Mr Mesnaldian." He laughed at that.

"Believe me, my lady, a few months later you won't."

And how true his words were, I knew not that day.

I paced across my room lost in my own world. Cathiel had caught up with a fever and cold just after the festival and thus was now resting resulting in the so much free time on my hands. My mind was furiously going over all the various ways I could leave with or without telling anyone. I groaned at the lack of time for the promised caravan was leaving tomorrow at dawn. The past two days after talk seemed to fly by, first in denial and the second in hypertension. Now as I was coming to my senses I knew that I had to do something and quick. Thus it lead to me pacing in my room in the middle of the night.

The sheer panic that Master Forlong had went into knowing that the prophecy was linked with the return of the king left me stranded for I knew not what anyone's reaction would be if this talk gets out. I had asked Bnaŕia bout the personality that was Lord Denethor and she had looked lost about what to answer so was Naimĺa as she and Bnaŕia both were maids and were not let into higher news. This led to my one and only source Brilon as Anaŕiel hated me probing into problems that were not mine own, as she believed so for 'she had seen many people destroyed as they came across some delicate information, she cares for you so' Brilon had said. He had thought over his answer for a long time, as the dinner bubbled over the stew and I was done with my dinner. He had said that he was being led astray as the times were, or so he hears. But if I considered it... then it was only a fact that he would not be happy with the return of whoever and however this king was going to return. I couldn't help but perceive him in a bad light even if I had not seen him for if anyone was going to be killing me off here it will be him. But 'Who would have an ill will against you Lanette!' I thought in anguish. Except for all the people who wanted lady fudalis dead and Cathiel holed up in her rooms never to see the light of day again. I grabbed my hair in frustration, totally lost on what I should do.

If I go to Lord Dervorin now, if I were able to meet him on such short notice, he'll want a proper reason to why I should leave so suddenly and my leave from not just his manor but from Gondor will be no less suspicious to a warrior like him in the time of such despair. I made another turn in frustration.

I cannot possibly tell Cathiel for she would also want me to explain everything to her which, I did not know why, but didn't want to tell her. Letting Anaŕiel or Brilon in my secret was a good choice as they'll help me sneak out without drawing attention in my cloak and travel attire but if something goes wrong they'll be called into account with no one to protect them from the wrath of High Lady Terŕiela. Who ever left was Bnaŕia, which was the worst choice as she'll be surely devastated and would try to stop me all she can probably leading into someone to find out about it. But if I tell her than Anaŕiel will be sure to keep her safe...

I groaned once again and crashed ungraciously onto my bed my mind staying in an overdrive the whole night without a proper decision and a half-assed plan of telling Bnaŕia with a letter and a quiet hope that things shall remain down for the whole day.

I got up again a little before dawn and took out my bag from the bottom of the cabinet. Moving to the door I made sure it was locked before coming to pack my supplies. Seeing the breeches and shirts made a little spark rise in my chest. The same excitement I got when I was first going to travel with Èohere, only this time the uncertainty was double fold made even more so with knowing that even if I leave with the caravan I will inevitably be left to my own devices. the thought itself was quite depressing for I knew that even those months of travel with Èohere had not made me adept for the harsh wilderness that was Middle Earth and the recently posh environment with a handy maid and well cooked delicious food with water present at all times have rusted the little bit of ranger cosplay I could fool myself into. I took out the clothes and put them in the bag along with the little pouch of money Lord Dervorin's household had bestowed upon me, which was quite ironically heavier than the pouch I had saved up in Bree after all those months of labour.

My fingers hastily stopped as I took the slightly uplifted edge of the cupboards layered base. Instinctively I looked behind myself even though I knew that there was no one about and took out the well-hidden leather scab. The gleaming sword, as it slivered out of its cover, felt foreign to my hands. I slashed it about a few times, my heart sinking a bit as I took in my rusty movements. I belatedly realised that I maybe should've practiced within confines of my locked room in these past months. With a heavy sigh I placed the blade safely beneath my clothes and tied the bad with a tight knot. I placed it back into the cupboard and wandered back to my bed in an effort to get a bit of sleep.

In the morning, the first chore I did was to visit Cathiel. I sat there unusually long, chattering gibberish until she herself laughed at my absolute meshed up self. I was glad though that she didn't read much into it and took it as an effort to amuse her bed ridden self. I realized, getting up that there was just so much I could talk to her about, so much that I needed to explain to her and I knew also that leaving so suddenly, without explanation, even when she was ill was going to hurt her a lot. I silently cursed myself for making her believe that I was so honest and real with her and that I was going to stand by her in every time of need when I was not.

I walked around the manor aimlessly for most of the noon, sometimes chattering with Brilon and sometimes with Anaŕiel. I savoured Brilon's cooking of the noon and the evening in an absolute manner and drank tea, which I would not be able to get on the road more than three times. I didn't miss the suspicious looks of Brilon and at his inquiry I waved it off, blaming on Cathiel's illness contributing to so much free time I had.

The night dawned extremely early for my tastes, and my discomfort increased immensely. It was noticed by Bnaŕia who buzzed around me worried until I shooed her off to aid Naimĺa with her chores. She left haltingly, throwing looks at my face and trying to gauge my expression and for once I was proud of my passive face despite my increasing restlessness. If Èohere was here now he would look once at my stiff shoulders and would gauge that something was wrong, but there was no one here with the ranger's instinct and a warrior's senses and it acted to my advantage.

I sat near the buzzing fire, savouring the warmth. The increasing cold also made me worrisome. In California the coldest temperature mostly hovered around 15C, my days in Europe should have contributed to me becoming a little resistant to this weather but a lifetime of staying near coast was totally paying off as I shivered whenever there was the least bit of snow fall. Going out in such weather brought back the thoughts of the horrendous days of misty mountains. Thinking about going through those mountains in winter and alone at that... I shivered unceremoniously at the mere thought and concentrated back on the task at hand.

I was busy writing letters to various people I've come to associate myself with. For Cathiel a letter of apology for not notifying and for zero explanation. For Naimĺa a short note of encouragement. For Brilon, a letter filled with appreciation of his cooking and validating his suspicions in the most unclear way I could think of. For Anaŕiel a thanks for all what she had done for me till now, and a sorry for leaving her hanging like that. For Bnaŕia... an appreciation, a thanks, an apology. If I say the truth, out of all the people I had grown the most accustomed to her. Her quiet presence, her helping hands, her concerned demeanour, her full of life and youth expressions. I felt the worst leaving her behind like this and just to not get her into any trouble I decided on not telling her, for if the news of why I actually went away got out somehow, the ones helping me were sure to answer to the Lords. I knew she'll be devastated if she were made to. A petite soul she was, who hated any human interaction with people she was not very accustomed to.

I groaned throwing back my head. It hit the hard wood of the chair and I sat there rubbing on it.

After a while, I got up, sealed the scrolls and set them in the drawer, out of first sight but easy enough to find once they start looking.

Bnaŕia came once again and I sat to chat with her, knowing not how time passed and before we knew it, it was way past midnight. Only a few hours before I had to leave and find that place on the first level. Taking into account that it took more than an hour to reach the first level on foot and the possibility that it may take me almost half an hour to find the place in an unknown are at the peak of night. I had only two hours left by the time I had waved Bnaŕia off to her bed. I rummaged around the room and put a few more usage items in my bag. Lots of thick sheets of cloth for monthly usage, a few chew sticks to last a while. I dropped the paste as there was not going to be much time for such luxuries.

Dressing in a plain dress I waited impatiently, trying in vain to pass the hours. The matter of no food pressed at the back of my mind and I waved it off as I decided to nick something from the kitchens on the way, as they were deserted this time of the night.

Finally, as it was time, I opened the lock at my door with my trembling hands and looked both ways before leaving my room. I wanted to stand there and give it a last look but with the terror of being caught stilling my throat, I tightened the travel cloak around my shoulders and gave a disdainful look to my travel boots.

I was turning around the corner at the end of the stir when hushed voices floated up to my ears. "Lady Lanette."

"That is the one, yes, Lady Lanette."

"Get her then."

With my heart in my throat I ducked back around the corner and with all the haste moved around the next as I heard faint steps going up. The bag made an faint click and I in all my frenzy hoped that the click was as inaudible as I wanted it to be. I put a hand to suppress a gasp and turned around to follow the path down the sub alley. My mind whirled to find why and how they had found out. With a flash I remembered the piece of paper with the prophecy I had taken with myself to see Mr Mesnaldian. Had he not kept it and given it back to me? I nearly groaned out loud at my ignorance. Of course he would have given it back to me, after all he had no reason to keep it. How vain I've been, digging my grave myself!

Just a few paces down was another turn after which a few more corners before I got to the small path that led clearly to the back kitchen.

I turned just to come face to face with Lady Brinielel, alone standing leaning cross the wall as if she knew I as going to cross here. With my heart in my throat I made a wide turn, knowing that there was no way she had not seen me but still hoping that by some miracle she'll pretend to not see me. Her firm hand on my arm stopped me and I whirled around, a thousand excuses coming to my mind but none leaving the tongue. She rolled her eyes in her vanity and put a hand on her lips before dragging the startled me swiftly down the corridor leading to another.

"What?" I found myself muttering as I walked half willingly behind her. I knew that this path led to the back kitchen. Had she already placed her people there to catch me? I dug my heels into the carpet until the resistance caused her to stop, before wrenching my fingers away from her grasp.

"Lady Brinielel," I said, my cold tone made harsh by my clenched teeth, "it would be better for both of us if you just pretend you haven't seen me and let me leave."

"So you can run into the very people that are after you?" she mocked turning towards me.

"and you're here to protect me?" I said incredulously before giving a light chuckle.

She tensed for a moment, before turning to face me completely, so that her eyes bore into mine seriously.

"That is precisely why I am here Lady Lanette," she said finally, moving forward to come to a stand just before me.

I raised a brow in disbelief, "I do not know what game you are playing Lady Brinielel," I said as I stepped forward myself, coming to a stop just before her, "but I do not have the time nor the patience."

A look of contempt passed across her features as she stared me down, "Believe me lady Lanette this is not something I like doing nor something I wish to do."

"And yet you're standing here." I pointed out.

"My reasons are mine alone lady Lanette," she spoke finally, "I wish not to expose more than I should but what I can tell you is that Lady Estaria has been extremely displeased." she looked over her shoulder to check and continued, in a whisper "you've angered her and I can tell that if you do not follow me now the people will catch you. She might have already spread whispers about you in court and if people took her seriously then she might become the hero after capturing you."

"How can her people come to this manor?"

"Her people can go everywhere she wants. It is not the world how you believe it to be Lady Lanette." She started waking and I fell into step with her as we rounded another corner, "Why are you helping me?" I asked, not trusting her completely but knowing that she won't let me walk away now. If I could just get to the back doors then escape will be easy.

"I do not like you lade Lanette," she said, looking disdainfully towards me as I muttered 'Same', "but if there is one woman I hate the guts of, it is Lady Estaria."

"You're lucky in such a respect.", she said after a while. I looked at her from the corner of my eye, trying to gauge her expression. Beneath those vain lashes were eyes sure in their ways, and what I first took as arrogance now revealed to be an unbidden strength hidden beneath the pride.

"You nearly caused the death of two people, Murdered two people, and now you're pretending to be nice?" I whispered harshly, looking both ways before turning the corner with her. If I had not been staring at her so intensely I would've missed the tightness of her shoulders.

"I know you shall not believe me now Lady Lanette, let's not waste our time on chatter."

"Try me," I replied, successfully making her head turn towards me. Her eyes met with mine only for a moment before she looked towards the front.

"It was Lady Estaria, Ehara mixed the teas during her walk."

"But she told you about belly flattening!" She stared at me for a moment her eyes silently accusing of eavesdropping. I stared resolutely back.

"It was belly flattening herb, Lady Lanette, I told her, again and again, to use it after her pregnancy not during it. The lady herself asked me for it."

"Then why would she blame you."

"She had got the brain a size of a pea, so does her husband. How do you think he knew of the news so early while in court?"

I stared at her wide-eyed, "Did Lady Estaria? That-"

I stopped abruptly as we heard noises down the next turn. Lady Brinielel motioned me to stop and squaring her shoulders rounded the corner. There were a few minutes long conversation that involved a lot of flirting and what seemed to be a very new face of Brinielel. I waited with drawn breath as the men saying their regards and trusting her blindly went the opposite way.

With Lady Brinielel's deception the way to kitchens was very safe. We both entered the darkened area and moved swiftly towards the back door. While passing a shelf Brinielel handed me a package. "I know you have not packed food Lady Lanette." was her only explanation.

As I stood outside the door awkwardly, I went over all the previous expressions I had for her and as I saw her standing there looking both sides hastily and waiting for me to leave safely I felt my prejudices melting away.

"Why do you put up such an act before your father and Cathiel?" I asked, not able to suppress my curiosity. She looked a bit annoyed.

"I said my reasons are mine alone, Lady Lanette and don't you have to leave. You're already behind on your time."

"I think," I continued, dismissing her talk, "that you don't really trust the strength of your family, that is why maybe you resort to such masks."

"You know not Lady Lanette," she gritted out a moment later, she bowed head shadowed in the dark, "what it is like to be a part of such back stabbing court. You should be glad that you lived so far away that you're still naive about such issues."

I laughed at that, not willing to argue with her anymore. But just as I was turning to leave I heard her assuring me that she'll hold off the guards. I heard my voice drifting away before I fathomed what I was saying, "Maybe Lady Brinielel you're being too pessimistic. After all, you won't find the kindness in this world until you yourself are not the same."

I was rewarded with an 'or not' an I walked down the path and out of the strangely empty gate post.

It took me a long time to reach the lowest level. true to her promise there was no guard wandering about the sixth floor, which led me to wonder just how much influential Lady Brinielel was.

I jogged down the first level, passing the covered vendors and locked shops as I searched for the sigh of 'Cleric Tailors' around there. True to my prediction I wandered around for more than half an hour and disrupted the rest of several street bumps before I came to the shop, crowded outside by four men, chatting on their respective horses.

At my appearance they quietened and one of them yelled "The Lady Mr. Mesnaldian said?" I nodded once and handed them my bag as they had instructed so they could tie it across the horse. My gaze finally fell upon the small covered cart and I remembered the time a few months back when I had travelled on one same as this. I hoped now that there were few women so that at least there could be a little comfort.

"What we may call you milady?" , one considerably young sounding lad asked as it was too dark to make out the youthfulness of their faces.

'Not lady for starters' I nearly said out loud before reigning myself back into the social cues. "Lanette," I yelled back, "Lady Lanette."

"Just Lady Lanette? No family to speak of?" murmured one of the other men before quieting with an audible ouch.

I shook my head and without further ado climbed into the cart, trying my best not to disturb the other two sleeping women. It was a relief to see only two of them as there was considerably more space to claim. I adjusted myself as the cart jolted into a start and the women jerked into an half-awareness before drifting off again. I did not have the heart to look out of the cart before we had left the Main magnificent gates lest someone finds me and drags me back. But I creaked open the cloth as the gates thudded behind me and the cart moved swiftly away from the tall structure. I leaned back a moment later my heart heavy with regret at not saying goodbye at least.

There was no comfort, not in my heart at leaving behind the people so abruptly, nor in my mind, as I couldn't fathom what was yet to come and not even bodily as the cart jolted over the rocky path.

To be continued...