Chapter 3:Falling Out

I don't own LoTR.

I woke the next morning. It was later than I would usually wake but it was late when I fell asleep. The sun was already high and its rays shone right through the window. Curse the inconsiderate person who designed this. It had to be around ten in the morning. I winced. This would be hard to explain. I could hear the incessant chatter of Gavin and the few worded replies from father. I didn't feel like going downstairs. If I did I knew I'd be bombarded by questions from Gavin and berated for returning late and sleeping in by father. I knew however that I couldn't stay in the room forever.

I quickly dressed, making myself semi presentable. After wiping down my no doubt grungy face I turned to the door. The dagger was sheathed on my belt. Taking a deep breath I strode downstairs into the living room, an air of falsified confidence around me. To tell the truth, I wasn't at all confident. My worries were proved correct when father put down his quill and turned toward me. A scowl was set on his face. Sensing the building tension in the room, Gavin took a quick look before bolting. I met father's glare with my own.

"Lytwig Fletcher Eagleheart." He said. I internally winced at the use of my full name.

"Yes?" I replied.

"Exactly how late were you out last night? Oversleeping isn't like you at all." He said with a seemingly calm tone.

"I set out to return around nine. It's not my fault I can only walk so fast on a dark, bumpy road. If I'd gone faster I would risk injuring myself." I explained. It fell on deaf ears.

"When I let you go to and from Dan's farm on your own accord, I told you that I would allow you to do so unless you gave me a reason to doubt your ability.".

"I" I tried to reason but was interrupted.

"No excuses. I refuse to allow you there. From now on, unless I am away, you will be here helping." He said. My eyes narrowed.

"And you have a way to make me?" I challenged him. That was probably not the best thing to say at the time but I couldn't help myself.

"Maybe if I'd put my foot down earlier, your mother wouldn't have caught that disease. You wouldn't have been outside in those fields and thus not exposed to it." He answered, voice rising steadily. I wasn't done though.

"So you blame me for mother's death. I could've guessed. Well, if you feel that way then you won't stop me from leaving." I replied, my voice matching his. Turning on my heel I stormed upstairs and grabbed a bag.

Taking a quick look around me, I placed my most valued possessions. A small horse figure that I had been given by a soldier I had met, a sketch book I had gotten, and a few other odds and ends. I put the money I had saved in my pocket and put on my hat. I looked around at the large amount of books, I decided I could return for them at another time. Shouldering the bag, I exited the room and swiftly left the house. Tears of anger ran down my face leaving tear stains. I ignored Gavin as he ran after me, shouting for me to stop and come back. I ignored him and, after passing the gate, took off at a run. I made my way to the farm where I had spent most of my life. I reached there around noon, faster than I ever had before.

I slowed down to a walk as I reached the door. I knocked. Titith opened it and, taking one look at my appearance, let me in immediately. She asked what was wrong and I requested to speak to Dan, alone if possible. She went and fetched the farmer and soon arrived with him in tow. His face was one of great worry.

The two of us went into a separate room and I explained the situation. He looked at me and thought for a moment. As he did so, I fidgeted nervously.

"Stay here with us. We won't make you go back if you don't want to. We have a spare room that you can have if you want. I have to go have a talk with your father." He said after a period of time. I nodded and he pointed in the direction of the room. I quietly left. Looking out the window I saw him saddle a horse and take off down the road. I sat down, wondering what the future would hold.