Chapter 3 - Freedom At Last
Gríma breathed in the scent of horse and fresh straw and at once felt serenity and happiness, coursing through his veins into his very heart. Here he could be with the only creature that truly loved him for who he was. Périn did not judge him, as everyone else did, instead he accepted him as a normal master, as a normal person. He saddled the horse, which obediently stood very still. As he mounted, Périn tossed his head and pawed at the ground as though eager to set off. They trotted out of the stables together and Périn was over-joyed to finally get some fresh air. They galloped out of Edoras until they reached the plains of Rohan. It was a sight to behold indeed. Horse and human united like one. The very image of friendship and trust moved swiftly across the sandy coloured ground, partly covered in lush vegetation. The wind whipped Gríma's hair about his face and his black cloak streamed behind him, gliding along softly, like a tenebrous ghost.
The Sun's rays flitted across the plants, making the dew glitter and sparkle like precious gems. The flowers consolidated with the Sun and so shone with a radiant golden glow that even the brassy heart of Saruman the White, could not fail to notice the simple yet expressive beauty in blooms such as these, should chance permit him to pass that way.
Later on in the day, when the Sun had reached her highest peak of heat, the pair slowed to a canter and finally stopped to rest by a large oak. Gríma didn't worry about tying Périn to the tree for safety for he knew that Périn would not abandon him, nor would he wish to. As Gríma rested against the trunk, eyes shut, a gentle breeze lapped delicately at his cheeks, (which had now gained a healthy glow).
Périn was grazing around the area where Gríma lay; and drinking from a small lake, perfectly happy with the day's going-on's. They carried on riding together until mid afternoon, when they eventually turned to head back to Edoras. Gríma understood that he would again have to face Éomer and his relentless mockery, but none of that mattered for the moment. He would meet the man gladly face to face as soon as he walked back through the doors into the Golden Hall. But all that; Gríma pushed to the back of his mind. He wanted to enjoy the last moments he had with Périn, before the night snatched away the Sun.
When Gríma and Périn reached the stables, night had begun to draw in. As Gríma was leading Périn back into his stall, he could have sworn he heard a child cough. But he dismissed it. No one was ever about this late, and certainly not a child. Gríma decided that he would feed Périn as slowly as he could so as to try and make the time with his horse last longer.
Gríma breathed in the scent of horse and fresh straw and at once felt serenity and happiness, coursing through his veins into his very heart. Here he could be with the only creature that truly loved him for who he was. Périn did not judge him, as everyone else did, instead he accepted him as a normal master, as a normal person. He saddled the horse, which obediently stood very still. As he mounted, Périn tossed his head and pawed at the ground as though eager to set off. They trotted out of the stables together and Périn was over-joyed to finally get some fresh air. They galloped out of Edoras until they reached the plains of Rohan. It was a sight to behold indeed. Horse and human united like one. The very image of friendship and trust moved swiftly across the sandy coloured ground, partly covered in lush vegetation. The wind whipped Gríma's hair about his face and his black cloak streamed behind him, gliding along softly, like a tenebrous ghost.
The Sun's rays flitted across the plants, making the dew glitter and sparkle like precious gems. The flowers consolidated with the Sun and so shone with a radiant golden glow that even the brassy heart of Saruman the White, could not fail to notice the simple yet expressive beauty in blooms such as these, should chance permit him to pass that way.
Later on in the day, when the Sun had reached her highest peak of heat, the pair slowed to a canter and finally stopped to rest by a large oak. Gríma didn't worry about tying Périn to the tree for safety for he knew that Périn would not abandon him, nor would he wish to. As Gríma rested against the trunk, eyes shut, a gentle breeze lapped delicately at his cheeks, (which had now gained a healthy glow).
Périn was grazing around the area where Gríma lay; and drinking from a small lake, perfectly happy with the day's going-on's. They carried on riding together until mid afternoon, when they eventually turned to head back to Edoras. Gríma understood that he would again have to face Éomer and his relentless mockery, but none of that mattered for the moment. He would meet the man gladly face to face as soon as he walked back through the doors into the Golden Hall. But all that; Gríma pushed to the back of his mind. He wanted to enjoy the last moments he had with Périn, before the night snatched away the Sun.
When Gríma and Périn reached the stables, night had begun to draw in. As Gríma was leading Périn back into his stall, he could have sworn he heard a child cough. But he dismissed it. No one was ever about this late, and certainly not a child. Gríma decided that he would feed Périn as slowly as he could so as to try and make the time with his horse last longer.