A/N: I'm trying to get this out, because I don't want to rush the plot, so
I think this is going to end up one very long story. Sorry if this doesn't
suit you! And please, if you have any comments, suggestions, helpful hints,
even flames, go ahead! I'd just like to know someone was reading the story.
Chapter 4- the road to Rivendell
Ani had never sat on a horse for so long in her life. This was her 3rd day riding with Boromir, and his three men: Sudan, Tarathorn, and Emir. Her horse was particularly finicky in this forest, snorting and tossing its beautiful dark head every few steps. Nothing Ani could say could calm it down. Ani herself was uneasy as she walked through this forest. It felt too cold for the amount of sun that was filtering through the trees: something that usually made her feel comfortable, but just made her edgy now. She felt like there were eyes continually on her. This time, there were eyes on her. She turned to face Boromir, who chuckled at the accusing look in her eyes.
" a bit sore are we, Ani? Do not worry we shall rest soon. Rivendell is just over that next hill." He said, pointing into the distance. Boromir's "hill" turned out to be the largest, and most strenuous climb she had faced in her life. Nearing some very skinny paths across the tops of cliffs, Ani did not have the confidence to ride across so she led her horse, very tentatively. As she edged across, some dirt crumbled from her foot, causing her to slip slightly. She quickly pulled herself back against the hard muddy wall behind her. Her breathing was short and sharp, and her hands clutched the dirt so hard her nails tore off. Her eyes were squeezed tightly closed and her body had turned rigid.
"Ani? Ani! Are you alright?" An anxious Boromir called from the front of the group, edging his way back to Ani.
"I- I slipped! I almost fell!" she squeaked, her voice coming out unnaturally high. Her eyes flew open, and Boromir saw the panic in her eyes. Slowly, he edged his hand up, and held hers. Ani stared at his hand. It was large and warm, yet it was smooth, something she had not expected. Her hand was quite the opposite. It was small, and rough, with many calluses coating the small surface. It was strange to see such an odd mix.
" There." He said softly looking down on Ani. She drew her eyes away from their hands and realised they had made it across the path. She smiled up at him.
" Things are always easier with someone by your side." He said with a sigh. He gave a casual nod forwards.
" Oh, and there's Rivendell."
Ani loved Rivendell the moment she laid her shimmering eyes on it. She had been taken to a room, not too far from Boromir's, at his request. It was white marble, and on the outer wall were two arched floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out over beautiful falls, and a gorgeous little walk bridge surrounded by plants.
Her bed was a big, plump feathered bed, with a cream covers. Not too flash, but compared to her small cot at the hut, it was the greatest luxury she had ever seen. Her breath was taken away. " I take it you find the rooms accommodating?" a smooth voice said from behind her. She turned to find a tall blonde elf casually leaning against the door. She was astonished. The elf reminded her so much of her mother. The elf raised an eyebrow at her astonished face. Quickly, Ani recovered herself and dropped into a deep bow. The elf quickly dropped his arms and jogged quickly to her side to offer her a hand up.
"Please, there is no need for such formality. You are our guest. My name is Elladin." He took her hand and pulled the pretty girl up, though she did only reach his shoulder in height.
" I just came to see Boromir's "right-hand-man", I knew it would have to be someone pretty special, he is quite picky. And I was right." He complimented her, causing her turn a bright red. She was not used to such talk. Actually, she was just used to her, and her father. She had not had much contact with other people before Boromir. Elladin noticed her discomfort, and was surprised. He walked over to a large dresser.
"Dinner will be in a hour. I will come back to collect you and Boromir. There is a washroom just through this door. I will have some elves bring some warm water for you to bathe in soon. There is a large selection of dresses in here I hope will fit well. If you need any help, just ask an elf for assistance, or ask one of them to fetch me." He finished with a smile. With a quick nod, he left.
Ani rolled her eyes with shock. Such indulgence? How could she let these wonderful people treat her, a servant girl, with such respect? She was too tired to argue tonight, so she would rectify the situation tomorrow morning. She thanked the elves graciously when they brought the water for her, and went for a relaxing wash with warm water. Warm water! She smiled at the thought. She could get used to this.
Chapter 4- the road to Rivendell
Ani had never sat on a horse for so long in her life. This was her 3rd day riding with Boromir, and his three men: Sudan, Tarathorn, and Emir. Her horse was particularly finicky in this forest, snorting and tossing its beautiful dark head every few steps. Nothing Ani could say could calm it down. Ani herself was uneasy as she walked through this forest. It felt too cold for the amount of sun that was filtering through the trees: something that usually made her feel comfortable, but just made her edgy now. She felt like there were eyes continually on her. This time, there were eyes on her. She turned to face Boromir, who chuckled at the accusing look in her eyes.
" a bit sore are we, Ani? Do not worry we shall rest soon. Rivendell is just over that next hill." He said, pointing into the distance. Boromir's "hill" turned out to be the largest, and most strenuous climb she had faced in her life. Nearing some very skinny paths across the tops of cliffs, Ani did not have the confidence to ride across so she led her horse, very tentatively. As she edged across, some dirt crumbled from her foot, causing her to slip slightly. She quickly pulled herself back against the hard muddy wall behind her. Her breathing was short and sharp, and her hands clutched the dirt so hard her nails tore off. Her eyes were squeezed tightly closed and her body had turned rigid.
"Ani? Ani! Are you alright?" An anxious Boromir called from the front of the group, edging his way back to Ani.
"I- I slipped! I almost fell!" she squeaked, her voice coming out unnaturally high. Her eyes flew open, and Boromir saw the panic in her eyes. Slowly, he edged his hand up, and held hers. Ani stared at his hand. It was large and warm, yet it was smooth, something she had not expected. Her hand was quite the opposite. It was small, and rough, with many calluses coating the small surface. It was strange to see such an odd mix.
" There." He said softly looking down on Ani. She drew her eyes away from their hands and realised they had made it across the path. She smiled up at him.
" Things are always easier with someone by your side." He said with a sigh. He gave a casual nod forwards.
" Oh, and there's Rivendell."
Ani loved Rivendell the moment she laid her shimmering eyes on it. She had been taken to a room, not too far from Boromir's, at his request. It was white marble, and on the outer wall were two arched floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out over beautiful falls, and a gorgeous little walk bridge surrounded by plants.
Her bed was a big, plump feathered bed, with a cream covers. Not too flash, but compared to her small cot at the hut, it was the greatest luxury she had ever seen. Her breath was taken away. " I take it you find the rooms accommodating?" a smooth voice said from behind her. She turned to find a tall blonde elf casually leaning against the door. She was astonished. The elf reminded her so much of her mother. The elf raised an eyebrow at her astonished face. Quickly, Ani recovered herself and dropped into a deep bow. The elf quickly dropped his arms and jogged quickly to her side to offer her a hand up.
"Please, there is no need for such formality. You are our guest. My name is Elladin." He took her hand and pulled the pretty girl up, though she did only reach his shoulder in height.
" I just came to see Boromir's "right-hand-man", I knew it would have to be someone pretty special, he is quite picky. And I was right." He complimented her, causing her turn a bright red. She was not used to such talk. Actually, she was just used to her, and her father. She had not had much contact with other people before Boromir. Elladin noticed her discomfort, and was surprised. He walked over to a large dresser.
"Dinner will be in a hour. I will come back to collect you and Boromir. There is a washroom just through this door. I will have some elves bring some warm water for you to bathe in soon. There is a large selection of dresses in here I hope will fit well. If you need any help, just ask an elf for assistance, or ask one of them to fetch me." He finished with a smile. With a quick nod, he left.
Ani rolled her eyes with shock. Such indulgence? How could she let these wonderful people treat her, a servant girl, with such respect? She was too tired to argue tonight, so she would rectify the situation tomorrow morning. She thanked the elves graciously when they brought the water for her, and went for a relaxing wash with warm water. Warm water! She smiled at the thought. She could get used to this.