The day had started as all other days start. Tanth'Quiel had gotten up,
dressed, had skipped breakfast and run all the way through the dew-
sprinkled grass barefoot to the stables. The girl lived and breathed
equines: she would gladly spend the whole day amongst the horses rather
then attend an important date or affair. Maybe, her lack of knowledge in
the region of social activites was aided and abetted by the fact she had
never been outside of Gonder: her parents were simple folk, lived quitely
amongst their piece of land that had been passed down from generation to
generation.
Tanth'Quiel, none the less, had gotten a proper education and up-bringing:
she was a polite girl (whenever forced away from the stables actually long
enough to be seen by her parent's guests) and respected her elders and
betters. She listened to whatever her mother told her, and believed that
indeed her parents were the wisest people in Middle-Earth. True of all
children.
She had long, wavy, brown (almost black) hair that ran along her back, and
finished in a fine wave of curls. Her eyes were green: speckled with gray,
and were set amongst a rounded face. Her frame was lithe and lean.
Now, she paused outside of the stable, which rested just left of her home. It was small: contained only ten horses, most of which were owned by folk such as Tanth'Quiel's parents. Infact, two **were** owned by them: Quira and Fenella. Quira was Tanth'Quiel's horse: a big, spirited black stallion, who required her attention every day and got over-excited most of the time. Fenella was much the same, though she was a white mare and belonged to Tanth'Quiel's father. They were a nice pair of horses, young and fresh, and just suited perfectly to the family they were owned by (though Tanth'Quiel's mother often commented they needed a older, slower type of horse).
Now, Quira stuck his head with force out of his stall, greeted his owner with a energetic whinney and let fly a few bucks in his contained space. Tanth'Quiel walked right past him with a smile, turning into the feed room for his breakfast. 'Hold on, you big rascal!'
Once she had fed both Quira and Fenella, she settled for brushing her stallion, despite his repeated efforts to yank the brush out of her hands. Tanth'Quiel laughed and swatted at him playfully. 'Stoppit!'
Once she finally had him brushed and ready, Tanth'Quiel tacked him up. He had a big saddle: and she needed to stand on something to get her foot into the stirrups. Just as she was swinging up, Quira moved forth, right out of the stable and into the early morning light. Tanth'Quiel tipped her head back and pulled on the reins, rightening her position. 'You planned that, didn't you?'
They rode forth at a walk, calmly and swiftly, even though every now and then the young girl's mount would throw his head up and prance sideways. She and he both could feel it: they had a bright, hot day ahead of them: summer was fastly approaching.
Once they were out of the main housing area of Gondor, Tanth'Quiel headed for a huge field towards the back of her house. It took 5 minutes to get there: and when they did, Quira instantly fired up, prancing and refusing to walk: he was now half trotting. Laughing, his rider gave in and loosened the reins: the stallion shot forth, speeding up a canter all the way across the field, out into the open acre and then turning sharply to canter back up. Tanth'Quiel held him back. 'No, you've had your run, now we're going to do some proper riding.' She sat back and sucked in a breath of fresh air. Quira was not the only one who had enjoyed their breif jog.
Within a few minutes she had her stallion trotting calmly around in circles upon the flat part of the field. Tanth'Quiel was intent on righting her posture in the sitting trot: she still wasn't up to scratch, and Quira had a bouncy gate.
It was then that she noticed the sun fall behind clouds. It was sudden, as it happens, and the world dimmed just a little. Quira shook his mane out a little, snorted and ducked his head but continued out at a trot. Tanth'Quiel began posting again, then pulled her stallion back into a walk alltogether. She gazed up at the sky: it looked normal, except for a odd black mist that seemed to be rising. Tanth'Quiel blinked, gaped, and was suddenly compelled to urge her mount into a trot and back up the field: home.
They were half way there when the first cries rang out: yells of Men. In them, Tanth'Quiel could make out foreign words, elvish no doubt:
'Mornie Utulie! Take heed!'
She had no idea what this meant, but Quira was almost cantering now, his ears land back, his nostrils flaring. He was **scared**.
When they reached the stable, Tanth'Quiel untacked her horse in record time, and had him back in his stall. She ran up to her house, where her mother was waiting anxiously on the porch. 'Tanth!' she cried. The young girl found herself being ushered into their home, as behind, the sky darkened and gloomed.
'What's happening?' she demanded, following her mother into the main room, where her father and younger brother were waiting, sat nervously in chairs around the table.
Her father looked up gravely. A sadness was swimming in his gray eyes. 'Darkness is falling.'
Once Tanth'Quiel learned of the whole story, she almost wasn't sure she could believe it. But these were her parents telling it, and she was finally forced into the truth.
'A ring of power,' she whispered to herself.
Her father stood up. He was a tall man: with light hair and facial stubble. His eyes were clear and faithful. 'I have dredded this day. Gonder is so weak with the way our royal attendance stands.'
'He will come back, I know he will,' his wife said softly. Tanth'Quiel had no idea who they were talking about.
Her younger brother, Darres, bit his lower lip. 'Mommy, daddy? Whats going to happen?'
Arrala scooped her son into her arms and nuzzled his hair. 'Everythings going to be fine sweety. We're going to continue living the way we always have.'
Tanth'Quiel wasn't so sure.
It was weeks before anything changed. The middle of the night had Tanth'Quiel spring up from a deep sleep to find shouting and yelling outside. Metal against metal clanged, and horrid screams emmited here and there. She looked outside.
A army of monsters were flooding the land. Most of Gonder were prevailed in the knowledge of fighting: and a true war was going on. Blood was shed from the same amount of orcs and humans, and weapons against weapons were put forth. Tanth'Quiel bit back a cry and struggled out of her blankets, and downstairs. Her mother was just rushing up, Darres in her arms.
'Tanth!' she cried out. 'Your father's gone to withstand the forces of Sauron! Quick!' She grabbed her daughters hand and dragged her to the door. 'Listen to me. Gonder will fall, and all of us with it.'
'No!'
'Yes, Tanth. You must run. This land is not safe: you must go far, far away. The elves will provide you with a home: a long and hard ride is it there.' The woman looked down upon her son. 'Take Quira and go! Take Fenella as well, and put Darres upon her.'
Tanth'Quiel wanted to protest: but was silenced as her mother ushered her upstairs. There, the young girl threw on something more sturdy and rushed back down. Scooping her brother into her arms she kissed Arrala on the cheek. 'Farewell mother. I love you.'
Then, with a heavy heart, she was gone into the night.
Arrows seemed to whiz right past her head, and every moment, Tanth'Quiel was sure was her last. However, night brought darkness, and the lights of lamps were lit to her side, where the actual fighting was taking place. Somehow, she managed to find her way into the stable.
The horses were in a panic: they banged on their stalls and whinnied in terror. The usual soft, gentle smell of the stable was replaced by sweat and fear. Tanth'Quiel's heart cried out, but she went to Quira's and Fenella's stall only.
She expected her stallion to be in a fit: the noise and sudden explosion of war had to be scaring him: but the black mount was huddled in a corner of his stall, ears pinned and head raised high. He startled when he saw his owner, and took a tentive step forward. Tanth'Quiel had him saddled in a instant.
Fenella was in a much worser state, and was bucking and flinging up her head non stop. It took considerably more time to get her ready. Tanth'Quiel wasn't sure how she was supposed to put her 8-year-old brother on a crazed, wild horse, but the moment she did, Fenella calmed.
Mounting Quira and gathering both horses reins, the girl started forth. They rode out of the stable and into the darkness: and whilst the black stallion melted into it perfectly, Fenella stood out with contrast, and they were forced to move quickly.
All sense of direction was lost. Tanth'Quiel simply urged her horse into the night: and onward they both galloped. Darres started crying softly, but did not loosen his grip on the saddle and quickly contented himself with sniffing every now and then.
What Tanth'Quiel did not know, was that, in her haste, and in her total lack of knowledge of the regions surrounding Gondor, she was heading straight for Mordor.
___
Silver-tear-crystals
Now, she paused outside of the stable, which rested just left of her home. It was small: contained only ten horses, most of which were owned by folk such as Tanth'Quiel's parents. Infact, two **were** owned by them: Quira and Fenella. Quira was Tanth'Quiel's horse: a big, spirited black stallion, who required her attention every day and got over-excited most of the time. Fenella was much the same, though she was a white mare and belonged to Tanth'Quiel's father. They were a nice pair of horses, young and fresh, and just suited perfectly to the family they were owned by (though Tanth'Quiel's mother often commented they needed a older, slower type of horse).
Now, Quira stuck his head with force out of his stall, greeted his owner with a energetic whinney and let fly a few bucks in his contained space. Tanth'Quiel walked right past him with a smile, turning into the feed room for his breakfast. 'Hold on, you big rascal!'
Once she had fed both Quira and Fenella, she settled for brushing her stallion, despite his repeated efforts to yank the brush out of her hands. Tanth'Quiel laughed and swatted at him playfully. 'Stoppit!'
Once she finally had him brushed and ready, Tanth'Quiel tacked him up. He had a big saddle: and she needed to stand on something to get her foot into the stirrups. Just as she was swinging up, Quira moved forth, right out of the stable and into the early morning light. Tanth'Quiel tipped her head back and pulled on the reins, rightening her position. 'You planned that, didn't you?'
They rode forth at a walk, calmly and swiftly, even though every now and then the young girl's mount would throw his head up and prance sideways. She and he both could feel it: they had a bright, hot day ahead of them: summer was fastly approaching.
Once they were out of the main housing area of Gondor, Tanth'Quiel headed for a huge field towards the back of her house. It took 5 minutes to get there: and when they did, Quira instantly fired up, prancing and refusing to walk: he was now half trotting. Laughing, his rider gave in and loosened the reins: the stallion shot forth, speeding up a canter all the way across the field, out into the open acre and then turning sharply to canter back up. Tanth'Quiel held him back. 'No, you've had your run, now we're going to do some proper riding.' She sat back and sucked in a breath of fresh air. Quira was not the only one who had enjoyed their breif jog.
Within a few minutes she had her stallion trotting calmly around in circles upon the flat part of the field. Tanth'Quiel was intent on righting her posture in the sitting trot: she still wasn't up to scratch, and Quira had a bouncy gate.
It was then that she noticed the sun fall behind clouds. It was sudden, as it happens, and the world dimmed just a little. Quira shook his mane out a little, snorted and ducked his head but continued out at a trot. Tanth'Quiel began posting again, then pulled her stallion back into a walk alltogether. She gazed up at the sky: it looked normal, except for a odd black mist that seemed to be rising. Tanth'Quiel blinked, gaped, and was suddenly compelled to urge her mount into a trot and back up the field: home.
They were half way there when the first cries rang out: yells of Men. In them, Tanth'Quiel could make out foreign words, elvish no doubt:
'Mornie Utulie! Take heed!'
She had no idea what this meant, but Quira was almost cantering now, his ears land back, his nostrils flaring. He was **scared**.
When they reached the stable, Tanth'Quiel untacked her horse in record time, and had him back in his stall. She ran up to her house, where her mother was waiting anxiously on the porch. 'Tanth!' she cried. The young girl found herself being ushered into their home, as behind, the sky darkened and gloomed.
'What's happening?' she demanded, following her mother into the main room, where her father and younger brother were waiting, sat nervously in chairs around the table.
Her father looked up gravely. A sadness was swimming in his gray eyes. 'Darkness is falling.'
Once Tanth'Quiel learned of the whole story, she almost wasn't sure she could believe it. But these were her parents telling it, and she was finally forced into the truth.
'A ring of power,' she whispered to herself.
Her father stood up. He was a tall man: with light hair and facial stubble. His eyes were clear and faithful. 'I have dredded this day. Gonder is so weak with the way our royal attendance stands.'
'He will come back, I know he will,' his wife said softly. Tanth'Quiel had no idea who they were talking about.
Her younger brother, Darres, bit his lower lip. 'Mommy, daddy? Whats going to happen?'
Arrala scooped her son into her arms and nuzzled his hair. 'Everythings going to be fine sweety. We're going to continue living the way we always have.'
Tanth'Quiel wasn't so sure.
It was weeks before anything changed. The middle of the night had Tanth'Quiel spring up from a deep sleep to find shouting and yelling outside. Metal against metal clanged, and horrid screams emmited here and there. She looked outside.
A army of monsters were flooding the land. Most of Gonder were prevailed in the knowledge of fighting: and a true war was going on. Blood was shed from the same amount of orcs and humans, and weapons against weapons were put forth. Tanth'Quiel bit back a cry and struggled out of her blankets, and downstairs. Her mother was just rushing up, Darres in her arms.
'Tanth!' she cried out. 'Your father's gone to withstand the forces of Sauron! Quick!' She grabbed her daughters hand and dragged her to the door. 'Listen to me. Gonder will fall, and all of us with it.'
'No!'
'Yes, Tanth. You must run. This land is not safe: you must go far, far away. The elves will provide you with a home: a long and hard ride is it there.' The woman looked down upon her son. 'Take Quira and go! Take Fenella as well, and put Darres upon her.'
Tanth'Quiel wanted to protest: but was silenced as her mother ushered her upstairs. There, the young girl threw on something more sturdy and rushed back down. Scooping her brother into her arms she kissed Arrala on the cheek. 'Farewell mother. I love you.'
Then, with a heavy heart, she was gone into the night.
Arrows seemed to whiz right past her head, and every moment, Tanth'Quiel was sure was her last. However, night brought darkness, and the lights of lamps were lit to her side, where the actual fighting was taking place. Somehow, she managed to find her way into the stable.
The horses were in a panic: they banged on their stalls and whinnied in terror. The usual soft, gentle smell of the stable was replaced by sweat and fear. Tanth'Quiel's heart cried out, but she went to Quira's and Fenella's stall only.
She expected her stallion to be in a fit: the noise and sudden explosion of war had to be scaring him: but the black mount was huddled in a corner of his stall, ears pinned and head raised high. He startled when he saw his owner, and took a tentive step forward. Tanth'Quiel had him saddled in a instant.
Fenella was in a much worser state, and was bucking and flinging up her head non stop. It took considerably more time to get her ready. Tanth'Quiel wasn't sure how she was supposed to put her 8-year-old brother on a crazed, wild horse, but the moment she did, Fenella calmed.
Mounting Quira and gathering both horses reins, the girl started forth. They rode out of the stable and into the darkness: and whilst the black stallion melted into it perfectly, Fenella stood out with contrast, and they were forced to move quickly.
All sense of direction was lost. Tanth'Quiel simply urged her horse into the night: and onward they both galloped. Darres started crying softly, but did not loosen his grip on the saddle and quickly contented himself with sniffing every now and then.
What Tanth'Quiel did not know, was that, in her haste, and in her total lack of knowledge of the regions surrounding Gondor, she was heading straight for Mordor.
___
Silver-tear-crystals