Chapter 2:The Start of a Friendship

I don't own LoTR.

I made my way to the farm that Dan owned. It was still dark. The cold chill of night was in the air. I shivered and paused for a moment. Setting down my lamp I rubbed my hands together. I picked up the lamp and continued on my way. The farm was a way outside of Edoras which made it a long journey for me. The only mounts my family owned were used in my father's caravan. Because of this, I had to leave relatively early in the morning to reach my destination. It would take at least an hour or two to reach the farm and I needed to be there to feed the animals. Being a stable hand to Dan was an interesting experience for lack of better word. Many times I would just stay there when father was traveling. When he returned I would stay at the house in Edoras. Of course, this left me with quite the walk to reach my place of "work". At the age of fourteen this was not easy but it was well worth it.

I love working where I did. Father had asked Dan years ago if I could stay there when he was working and trading wherever his travels took him. I would help out on the farm when I could, feeding and taking care of the animals. Dan's wife would teach me certain things such as reading and writing. In the end Dan had become a sort of Uncle to me. I was ripped out of my thoughts rather painfully as I tripped over a stone and stumbled forward.

I pushed myself up from the kneeling position I found myself in and brushed myself off. I was almost to the farm and could see it on the horizon. The sun had just started to peek over the horizon. I sped up to a jog. As I got closer I noticed the barn door was open and a light shone out of it. It was light enough to see without a lamp now so I blew out the light and hung it on the pole outside the house. I spun around and began walking towards the barn. Before I reached it Fastere exited.

Fastere was Dan's oldest son. He was nineteen with sandy blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. He was tanned from working outdoors all day. He a splitting image of his father. He came over to me. We greeted each other.

"Come on inside Lyt." He said, motioning towards the house. I raised an eyebrow but followed anyway. Entering I sat down on a chair and looked at him questioningly.

"Why aren't we out there working with the horses?" I asked.

"Don't you remember the date?

"January 17th 3016." I listed, confused for a moment. He continued looking at me.

"Happy Birthday Lyt!" a jovial call came from outside. I blinked and then realization came to me. I had forgotten all about today.

"Hold on for a second. There. Follow me." Fastere said as he wrapped a cloth around my eyes. Not able to do much else I allowed myself to be led outside. Keeping my footing was difficult without the ability to see. I felt myself be stopped and Fastere's strong grasp left my shoulder. Hands fumbled at the back of my head and untied the makeshift blindfold. As it left my line of sight a loud chorus echoed Dan's earlier cry of 'Happy Birthday'. I blinked in the brightness and let my vision adjust. I was rendered inaudible.

"Here Lyt, take this." Dan whispered before jogging off. I looked down and saw that I was holding an apple. I raised an eyebrow. The unmistakable neigh of a horse was clearly heard. A smile made its way to my face.

It was a hazel brown. Its mane was a dark brown as was its tail. Dan lead it my direction before handing me the lead. Taking the apple I held it out. The steed sniffed before accepting the offer.

"His name is Snawfyr. He's 2 years old and hasn't been broken in yet. He's yours now. Happy 14th Lyt." He tells me. Snawfyr. Rohirric for Snowfire. I smiled and continued to stroke his head. I managed to thank Dan and the farmer moves off, leaving me alone with the horse. It was the best day I'd had for a long time.

My thoughts were interrupted as Snawfyr delivered a playful but forceful nudge to my chest. The unexpected force sent me back a few steps. I release a chuckle at the acts as I regain footing. I decided to spend the day with him.

Training him was an interesting experience to say the least. Snawfyr had a habit of ignoring me. It was both funny and frustrating at the same time. I scratched my head while trying to think of what to do. Trying once more I called his name and, unsurprisingly, he ignored me. Shocker. I paused. Deciding to change strategies, I whistled. Snawfyr's head snapped up from where he had been grazing and he headed toward me at a trot.

"So that's what you respond to. I'll remember that. Let's try this again." I whispered to him as I rubbed his forehead. We did this a few more times. By the end the sun was high in the sky. I realized I'd been out for a while and had probably missed lunch along the way. A small price to pay. Deciding to continue with training, I made my way over to the fence where a saddle had been placed.

The saddle was made of dark brown leather. It showed years of use. I didn't care and neither did Snawfyr as I saddled him. The only thing I got was a snort and a glance that looked almost mischievous in nature. I felt slightly worried at the look but dismissed it. I was confident in my riding skill as Dan and Fastere had taught me at a younger age. It was mostly Dan as Fastere had a habit of getting off task quite easily. The last time he had been allowed to watch was when the horse I had been riding got spooked and I was dismounted. This caused my arm to get a bad slash and scar. Personally I found it cool though Dan did not.

I finally finished adjusting the saddle and mounted. I made sure that I was sitting in a comfortable yet secure position before taking the reins. I decided to start slowly and gave Snawfyr a quick and light squeeze. He began forward. I smiled. Things were going better than planned. I spoke to soon. As soon as we began to pick up speed he stopped. Hard and abrupt. Had I not been in such a secure position I would have been dismounted. As I was secured I only lurched forward and felt a large amount of shock and surprise. The horse in question let loose what I assumed was the horse equivalent to a snicker. I glared at him and tried to be angry. The key word was tried.

The rest of the day passed like this. All too soon the sun was setting and it was time to head home. Once again I was walking in the dark. It wasn't the safest time but it certainly was the quickest. There would be no one in my way as I walked home. As I was about to leave Dan pulled me aside.

"It's not safe walking home without a weapon. Here, take this. You're old enough to use it without stabbing yourself. When you next return we'll start training you with different weapons to see which fit you. Until then, keep this with you." He said as he handed me a dagger. It was fifteen inches total in length. The blade was ten of those fifteen inches with the hilt being the remaining five. It was made of iron and, though a little rusted, would still serve me well in a battle. I sincerely hoped that it would not come to that.

Thanking Dan I put the dagger on my belt in a position where it could be easily reached. I decided against riding home as Snawfyr and I were still working out some bumps in our relationship. Dreading the walk home I lit the lamp and began my way home.

The moon was high in the sky when I unlocked the door and slipped in. I really wasn't in the mood to talk with my father. We didn't have the best relationship. After mother had died of disease he had cut himself off from the world. When he finally started interacting with humans he was cold and distant.

I was only six when she passed so I can only remember a little of what she was like. I couldn't remember most of what happened that week as well. I had also been bedridden with the sickness. My younger brother Gavin was only two. He had no memories of her. Father had a chest of some of her belongings in his room which no one was allowed to enter. I didn't see Gavin much as he goes with father on his travels. From what I can tell, he wishes to follow in father's footsteps as a merchant.

I quietly slipped upstairs to the room I shared with Gavin. I managed to open the door without too much noise. I heard a sound from downstairs and paused. Nothing happened. I had no desire to wake up any of the sleeping residents of the house. After a pause I entered the room and shed my coat, boots, and dagger. I laid down on the bed unable to find rest.

Father had been disappointed when he learned that I did not share my brother's desire to continue the family tradition of being merchants. Everyone on his side of the family had been. I couldn't imagine doing such a job for the rest of my life. Instead I wanted to stay and study. I enjoyed reading and learning the history of our country and those surrounding it. Mother always encouraged the behavior. That was the one thing that the two disagreed on. I remember heated arguments on the matter. I always slipped outside when these took place. Deep in memories I never realized I had fallen asleep.