Another Welcome back to those who are here and reading Elestirnë's story! I won't keep you! So, go ahead and ignore my note! I just wanted to say my hellos!
Chapter Three
They traveled for days.
At the beginning of the journey, it seemed as if the renewed hope in most of the people had reignited their determination to keep going. But when the moon rose high in the sky on the ninth night, their expressions became dark with exhaustion and steadily growing doubt. Men and women whispering worried questions under their breaths when she passed; her own doubt returning once she noticed many of them held pained looks on their faces as her sore feet carried her back to the forefront of their group. It weighted heavily on her shoulders for the next couple of days. Yet she was able to remind herself that even though most of them would become distrustful or wary of her, she was leading them to a better place, away from their seeking foes. So, she pushed on with her back straight and stiffening from the darkening gazes, which seared into the ruin material of her armor's cloak.
It soon began to snow on the ten and seventh day when the white-capped peaks of the Misty Mountains finally came into sight from the rocky terrain they trekked along. The weather becoming colder and crisp with the season of winter coming to greet them. This only caused more concern among the people. Some speaking up with frustrated frowns and demanding voices as their group stopped to rest. A man having stepped forth with his eyes burning distrustfully into hers' as he snapped in fear and anger. And beside him more stood with their own unraveling emotions rising to the surface.
Belecthor and she were able to calm the array of fearful questions on that night – even daring to raise their voices to speak over the others that shouted without care. But it wasn't for long because the worry simply dwelled in silence as they arose when the sun did, all of them preparing for the riskier trek they were to travel along the dangerous rocks littering the mountain's winding landscape.
"Damrod, are the others prepared to follow behind?" Elestirnë asked the tall dark-haired warrior, the only Corporal among them, with her chilled fingers clipping parts of her armor on again. She looked at his blue orbs quizzically.
"I spoke with Meneldil about the change in position the night before."
The bearded man offered her a tired smile, bowing respectfully. "Aye, Princess. I sent him to gather the rest of the men before the sun rose above the mountains."
"Ah, I assume he is not too pleased with you then." she gave him a smirk that spoke of her amusement.
"Last I heard, Princess, was that he'd shouted at a few of the guards for telling me where he'd laid his bedroll." His deep timbre was full of mirth as he stepped forward to her with his hands opened in silent inquiry. He glanced at her twisted arms behind her back before meeting her curious stare. "May I offer some assistance with the buckles?"
Elestirnë nods and turns around for him to properly fix the buckles of her chest armor, which were rather difficult to reach from around her back. "My thanks for the assistance, Damrod. And for wakening the men when I was otherwise occupied with Lord Ostoher."
"Nay, you need not thank me." He leaned back and let her straighten out. "My father always had to lend me some aid when it came to putting on my own armor, as well."
A smile flickered across her lips as she looked at him, noticing how distant his eyes became while he remembered the memory before her. It was an expression she'd seen many times while on this journey. And she, herself, had been caught in the throes of an old memory whenever her mind settled for a time. (Though that wasn't always.) But it was familiar enough for her to leave him be for now. It allowed him the time to think of far better days than what they were in. The emotions such memories brought forth could either encourage one or break them, so she hoped silently that this was a recollection of joy.
"My lady?"
The interruption came from a shorter man with brown locks of hair which reminded her of the shade of a tree's bark. His hazel gaze glanced between her and Damrod's quiet frame. And whatever he wanted to say was left unsaid, choosing to remain quiet while in front of his Princess, less he says something he might later regret.
"Captain Beregond awaits you along with Prince Eldacar and Knight Lieutenant Belecthor."
Elestirnë swiveled her attention to newcomer.
"Meneldil, you're to remain with the Corporal here until we stop for the night." Her light-hearted appearance was masked behind one of much sterner bearing. The look matching her voice as she spoke. "If you or the others need anything, come, and find me."
"Aye, I shall." The younger man said with bow. He lifted himself from his bow and reached out to nudge the other man beside him, rousing the Corporal from his daze. "We both will…"
With another nod she bent down to grab the nearby scabbard that laid propped alongst a small collection of rocks, where she'd decided to lay her sword while she slept. It was heavy, though not too heavy. The weapon was sharp within the stained leathered sheath it was concealed in; her father having it crafted by Gondor's highly esteemed blacksmith for the celebration of her completing of weapons training. The blade itself was inscribed with an ancient Elvish script that marred the exterior, beginning from the handle and stopping at the middle. It was a precious gift and one she knew how to use well, after having honed her skills from a young age. And it was why she clutched it so tightly as she walked away from the men.
She came upon the circled trio awaiting her at the front of their group.
The eyes that landed on her were filled with welcome and warmth when she sidled in next to Belecthor and her brother. Her well-placed mask shifted a bit when she settled beside Eldacar, knowing he would not begrudge her. "Are we ready to begin the next part of this journey?"
"The lads and lasses are gathered and waiting, my Lady. They seem more reserved from the night's discussion you and our dear friend Belecthor held." Captain Beregond chuckled at her rather embarrassed expression, knowing how it bothered her to speak against her own people. "Do not let it worry you, Elestirnë. Besides, your father would have given many of them a much worse tongue lashing than the one you gave. And I think that is why they're not rallying against you…"
"My father would have surely turned his lashing to me," she commented with a raise of her brows, nudging her now snickering brother. "But you're right, Captain. Least they have decided to settle their ire with me before we truly begin the crossing of the Misty Mountain's."
"Good." The man smiled then with a hand clapping her right shoulder. "Let us begin moving."
After a few minor setbacks with some of the makeshift wagons, they set forth. The sun lit a path for them as they started up the rock littered floor. Their trek taking them higher while they weaved around the jagged boulders they passed. Each step slowly became difficult to take with the unleveled ground beneath their feet, which added to the pained twinges most felt from the soreness already lingering there. But inch by inch they were reaching more stabler terrain. The pulling of the wagons becoming easier, the following children and elderly who trailed behind in the back had caught up, and the front and rear warriors sinching protectively now that the ground was evening out for them. Even the crisp air that circulated around them seemed to not weigh so heavily upon their lungs as they all continued to walk forward up the mountain.
The sun did little to warm them as they continued to push forth with their feet, not giving their chilling bodies enough heat as the crisp cold winds blew directly upon them.
Many stopped after awhile of walking, dropping their heated packs and kneeling to collect their much needed breaths while they still could. But the trailing people that passed bye had them straightening back up to hurry after them, not wanting to be left behind. It was a grueling task for any of them, really. Even for Elestirnë. Her legs quivered with aches that pulsed along her muscles and sang through to her very bones. Her cheeks were flushed from the chilly wind that kissed her pale flesh.
It stung, bringing tears to her eyes that slowly froze.
It frightened her when she noticed that.
With the cold and chill setting on them from the high peaks of the Misty Mountains, it meant those still sick with lingering coughs and sniffles would only grower sicker. This was directed mostly to the elders and the few children, who'd gotten the colds after catching it from their relatives who'd embraced them.
But regardless of the cold and the freezing snow that clung to her, and many others, feet and legs. They pushed onwards with all the intent to shorten the distance between them and the safety they so desperately sought.
Soon the sun had slowly declined from its perch in the blue sky, replacing it was the moon. And with the pale moon now high above them, the frozen temperatures grew worse.
"We must continue, my lady!" Insisted Captain Beregond, when she hastily grabbed ahold of a fallen member of their group, an elderly man. He had seen the fear she tried to hide from the others, as well as the concern. "Stopping in the midst of any winter snow will surely bring forth the claws of death! We must go on!"
It sent an arrow through her chest because she knew he was right. They couldn't risk a stop anywhere in the surrounding snow. Doing so would cause many to be lured by the eternal sleep that had taken the ones one the boats.
"Huddle together! Lift the children from the snow and carry them for warmth!" She cried out to the ones before her and to the far back, standing still as they passed her. Repeating her warning and her orders for those who didn't hear her. Her eyes meeting every man and woman who walked on by her. "If any fall, pick them up and loop your arms to help each other walk! Place the sick and elderly in the wagons, as many you can without it being too heavy!"
The snow flurries thickened when the clouds moved in on them, strengthening with the growing night as it blanketed the sky above their heads.
And yet they pushed onwards.
"Come!" Arvegil shouted at her now as he hurriedly, and clumsily, ran towards her. His hands wrapping around hers and pulling while he shuffled them back to their group – knowing she had purposely remained somewhat behind to ensure the people moved on. "Belecthor has spotted the decline down the mountain's path! We can be rid of this snow and rest there on some rocks instead."
"He's seen this?" She asked with a touch of surprise, meeting his gaze under the white sheet of snow that wafted down onto them. Her hands slowly warming under his as they walked. "We must have walked farther than what was expected!"
He nodded under his gathered cloak, guiding her along with him. "Aye! Eldacar insisted we move forward with Beregond's aid. They had Belecthor go off as a scout to get a layout of the land."
Elestirnë chuckled wetly, sniffling under her cape.
"Thank the One and Valar for them both!"
Together they trudged on.
I thought I'd might as well go ahead and place the third chapter out as well! Again I hope it was enjoyable!
Comment if you'd like! I will see you next time on the Trials of Elestirnë!
