Chapter 7: The Next Day
I don't own LoTR.
After a very uncomfortable rest, I awoke earlier than most. I sighed. So much for the good night's rest I was hoping for. Oh well, no use complaining about it. I quickly packed my gear up and rummaged through my satchel that was attached to the saddle. I managed to find the pouch of apples I had brought. Pulling two out I bit into one and carried the other over to where I had camped. I set it down on a piece on cloth I had laid out on a relatively flat rock.
As I sat down I soon realized that I would have to wait for quite a while before our group of fleeing Rohirrim would awaken and we start on our journey again. To pass the time I pulled out my carving knife and a half done figurine. I began to cut the remaining extra wood away. After a while I had gotten the chunk of wood to a point where it had the shape that semi-resembled a person. I began to add detail, making it look more human. It was supposed to be of a Rohirrim soldier wielding a one handed sword and shield. I had already made half a dozen other figurines that went with it as a set. The others included ones with spears, bows, and two handed swords and one that carried a horn. I would send them to Windfola who would paint them and store them until it was a completed set. The completed sets would be sold to passing merchants and travelers for a varying price. This one was far from completed. Each set had a dozen or so figures in them.
I had gotten the carving set from a soldier that I had encountered. I was ten or so at the time. As I idly carved away the excess wood, I looked back on that memory.
"Oh, hello there." A man said. He was in his early twenties. He had dark brown hair and friendly blue eyes. On his belt was a two handed sword. He was sitting on a box against the wall of a building. A satchel was slung across his shoulder. It was made of hardened tan leather with a dark brown buckle. He had the start of some facial hair present. A smile covered his face. In his hand was a carving knife and wooden horse figurine.
"S-s-sorry sir! I didn't see you there!" I stuttered out. He chuckled.
"Don't worry lad. I shouldn't have been sitting there anyways, legs all stuck out where someone could trip and get hurt." He answered, brushing off my apology.
"Still, I should've been paying more attention to where I was going." I began to reply only to be cut off.
"As a matter of fact, here. You should have this. Consider it an early Christmas gift." The man said as he put away his tools and, after studying the figure for a minute, handed it to me. My mouth metaphorically hit the ground. I couldn't find the words to thank him. He surprised me more as he unslung the satchel and put the strap over my head. My eyes went wide.
"I couldn't possibly take your equipment!" I exclaimed in shock. He just smiled and gave a small laugh.
"Consider it both a gift and an apology. I have other tools. Merry Christmas!" he said and stood up. With a friendly pat on the shoulder, he walked off. I was silent.
"Thank you. Merry Christmas." I replied as he turned a corner. I spun around to make my way home.
I pulled myself out of my mind as I heard a voice. I had been lost in thought for so long that I had both stopped carving and not noticed people beginning to get ready for the day. I spared a glance at Windfola beside me to see her stirring. I put the tools back. I carefully made sure that the figure was placed safely where it wouldn't get damaged. I stood up and stretched my legs. By this time everyone was up and preparing to continue the march. I handed her the second apple for a quick breakfast. Just as I was about to mount Snawfyr I paused. I turned and offered Snawfyr to Windfola as she had no horse to ride. She accepted.
The march started off once more. We walked in silence. I kept my mind from wandering by whistling an old tune. I thought of the small guitar I had at home. There was no use wishing for it now. Ignoring my aching feet, I continued on. At least it's only a few more days' ride from here.
