Disclaimer : I do not claim ownership of any of Tolkien's characters other
than the characters I have created myself.
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An Echo of Tears - Outcasted Shadow
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Chapter V : The Prancing Pony
The colors faded back slowly, the throbbing in her head worsening by the minute. Moaning, Aeryn lifted a hand to her head and ran it through her hair. Where was she? What had happened? She couldn't remember anything. Shaking her head in frustration, Aeryn found herself underneath a cloak. And it smelled of man. Bolting straight up, she acknowledged the figure sitting directly across from her, face hidden from the shadows. He was obviously awake, poking at the fire, and there was no escape.
"Kind sir, could you tell me who you are?"
The man shifted, the fire crackling through the cool air. So it was night. How long had she been unconscious? The head lifted and his eyes watched her steadily. If it weren't for the warmth in his gestures, Aeryn would have fled in panic, a good human or not.
"I will tell you not who I am until you answer me first. Who are you?" So, the man liked to irritate. That would have been fine, if she hadn't had the swollen bump on her head freezing her mind of all activity.
"Aeryn of Mirkwood. Now, you must answer me, or you are no person of your word."
The man laughed, brown hair falling from a dirt-smeared face. From the look of him, he seemed as if he'd traveled for days without water. Now, why wasn't she panicking? Such should be the time for such a useful emotion. But all she felt was annoyed, dirty, and content to sit by a warm fire. Where was her mare? Aeryn glanced around, only to spot her mare tied up by a tree a few lengths away.
"You may call me Strider. I am a Ranger. Have you heard not of such men, fair maiden?"
"I have. Do you have any clue to why my head throbs so?" Scowling, Aeryn trailed a hand across the ground, drawing pictures. The man laughed yet again. If she hadn't been weak and injured, she'd have given him a lecture on insulting females, especially her.
"Actually, I do know. I am terribly sorry but I had mistaken you for the enemy and knocked you unconscious."
"That was terribly kind of you." Miffed, Aeryn drew her legs up to her chest. There didn't seem to be a reason to run from this man. He didn't seem dangerous. . .yet. Then, the sudden question popped into her mind.
"Kind sir, did you happen to come across two males of my species? They should be heading towards Rivendell."
"Nay, I have not seen such people." Strider shook his head, gray eyes distressed. "Why would you ask of this?"
Aeryn fidgeted with the hem of the cloak. The lie she said was blurted out so quickly; he seemed to believe her. "They were my partners for travel. I got lost on the way and could not find them."
"Where were you headed? Ah yes, Rivendell wasn't it? Well, I could help you with that."
"Really? Oh, thank-you kind sir, thank-you." The gratitude in her voice shown just as clearly in her eyes. It was then that Strider noticed the unusual coloring.
"You are a Culorian?" The shock came and went in his expression.
"A Culorian? What is that?" The puzzled expression she gave out spoke of truth. She had no idea whatsoever.
"Tis is an elf with the unusual eye coloring." Strider bent closer, looking at her warily.
"Why, may I ask, are you frightened?" This was said dryly. The laugh escaped from the Ranger's mouth.
"Fair maiden, it is not my story to tell you. One day, you shall know. For now, we must sleep until dawn."
*******************
The grass was wet with dew, the sounds of the forest no longer silent. Like all elves, Aeryn slept with her eyes open, slightly clouded to show others signs of sleep.
"Fair maiden, morning has come. We must part from here." A hand clamped gently on her shoulder and shook her awake. Her eyes cleared instantly, darting towards the man waking her.
"Where are we going?"
"We are traveling to stay at the Prancing Pony." Strider made a brisk walk to the horses and untied them, handing Aeryn the reins of her mare.
"The Prancing Pony? I thought we were heading towards Rivendell!" Well, maybe he wasn't a good guy after all. But if he wasn't, why didn't he attempt to murder her in her sleep?
"We shall get there in time. First, we must stay there for the time being. I sense something will go amidst there. However, if you would not like to accompany me and ride alone to Rivendell, I will be more than happy to give you the directions to get there."
Aeryn weighed the cons and pros. It was certainly dangerous to travel alone into these woods. Mostly if you were planning to travel overnight. And besides, the more the merrier.
"I will go with you. However, you must swear an oath you will take me to Rivendell."
Strider smiled at her from underneath his cloak. He was already astride the horse, if she didn't hurry, she could find herself left behind by accident. Briskly, Aeryn swung herself on her mare, bareback. Elves never rode horses with a saddle, unless there was a specific use for it.
"All right. I swear an oath that I shall take you, Aeryn of Mirkwood, to Rivendell. Eventually." With that, he trotted off on his horse. If she didn't say so herself, this Strider was even ruder than Rathien. Well, then again, maybe not.
*******************
"So this is the Prancing Pony?" From her perspective, the place was too dim and smelled too strongly of man.
"Yes. We must wait until sunrise." Her feet made light footsteps towards where Strider was seated, her cloak hiding her face from view.
"What are we awaiting?" Aeryn's whispered were hushed, loud enough for her ears but too soft for Strider to hear.
"What was that?" So, she could whisper to him without being found out. How odd, a human's hearing seemed so much duller.
"Nothing." A man strode over to their table, his belly bouncing over his belt. Curiously, Aeryn stared. After all, all the males of her species were never fat. If so, only bits over-weight. Never like this.
"Will you be wanting anything to drink, masters?" Before Aeryn could open her mouth to reply, Strider answered.
"Perhaps a simple dinner."
Hot soups, cold meat, a blackberry tart, new loaves, slabs of butter, and half a ripe cheese was laid in front of them. Aeryn ignored the cold meat at first glance and snatched the blueberry tart. Taking a bite, Aeryn enjoyed the wild flavor of blueberries on her tongue.
"So this is what you humans eat? Very unlike the food I eat in Mirkwood."
"Really? And what do you eat in Mirkwood?" Beneath the hood, Aeryn saw a flash of white and knew he smiled. Opening her mouth to reply, she was once again interrupted, by Strider this time around.
"Hush now. What we have been waiting for is here."
Aeryn managed to look irritated at first but as always, curiosity got the best of her. Scanning the inn, she spotted the four short figures by the door. She recalled reading about them once back in Mirkwood. Thus, these creatures were called Hobbits. However, the only thing Aeryn could remember reading about in the book was that Hobbits had hairy feet and had no need to wear shoes.
She watched silently as the Hobbit with the dark hair and bright blue eyes kept glancing over at them. What was he suspicious of? After all, Aeryn was around the height of the humans at the inn. There was no way that she stood out. . .unless you counted the hood she kept up in front of her face. The Hobbit drew nearer, seemingly cautious. Did she look that dangerous? Without missing a beat, Strider threw his hood back, dark hair falling over gray eyes.
"I am called Strider. I am very pleased to meet you, Master - Underhill, if old Butterbur got your name right." Apparently, the jolly fellow with the bulging belly was Mr. Butterbur.
"He did." The hobbit seemed to stiffen when he changed in line of vision over to Aeryn. "And you are?"
Aeryn's mind went blank. Was she supposed to pretend to be a human? Male? Thankfully, Strider came to her rescue before she could blurt something out that completely made no sense in the matter.
"This is my partner, you may call him Swift." Dumbly, Aeryn nodded in agreement. After all, she couldn't disguise her voice, which was actually quite feminine no matter how low she tried to speak. Master Underhill - if that was really his name, which Aeryn really doubted - still seemed to stare uneasily at her from time to time while making small talk with Strider.
Decidedly, Aeryn tuned out, as was her habit. Especially when Legolas and Rathien started having a conversation. Lord knows what kind of things they spoke about. At the memory of them, Aeryn felt the tears prick at her eyes and threaten to spill. Who knew when she would be able to see them again? Or ever. Surprisingly however, Aeryn felt no regret. Somehow, in a twisted sort of angle, she felt she had done right.
The loud sounds of applause snapped her out of memory lane. Another hobbit with light, fair hair stood dramatically on top of a large wooden table, taking bows. Looking back, Aeryn noticed Master Underhill's face had gone paste white. Strider leaned forward, whispered in the Hobbit's ear. Thankfully, all elves were talented in the art of the smallest sounds and Aeryn could easily make out what Strider said.
"You had better do something quick!"
She could only watch as the dark-haired Hobbit leaped up onto the table himself and started singing in merry tunes. Had he drank too much ale? Eventually, Aeryn tuned out once again as the audience began asking for another song. Not that they weren't nice songs, but she just wasn't in the mood for cheerful songs while she was sitting in a dim-lighted inn where smoke billowed out from all directions and the smell of sweat and men were overpowering for an elf's sensitive sense of smell.
Suddenly, the dark-haired Hobbit disappeared into thin air! Gaping, Aeryn scanned the inn. She hadn't read anything about a Hobbit's ability to vanish in nothing! However, Strider seemed to think such was perfectly normal for he sat without a peep. Aeryn slowly came out of shock when the Hobbit appeared beside Strider. At least he wasn't completely gone. (Although, logically, you're supposed to have an even bigger shock to see one disappear in front of your eyes and suddenly reappear again beside you)
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Writer's Note: This chapter pleased me very much. The meeting and introducing of Strider a.k.a. Aragorn seemed to get the story going. If you happen to dislike a part, or maybe mistakes of some kind, please tell me in your reviews! Thank-you bunches for reading! Toodles!
*******************
Preview of Chapter VI:
"Well? Why did you do that? Worse than anything your friends could have said! You have out your foot in it! Or should I say your finger?"
Strider's tone was tense and firm. In a matter of moments, the hobbit looked quite alarmed and frightened. Aeryn felt her heart reach out to him. Poor guy, he was under so much pressure and seemed so small.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Oh yes, you do. But we had better wait until the uproar has died down. Then, if you please, Mr. Baggins, I should like a quiet word with you." Baggins? But wasn't his sire name supposedly Underhill? Aeryn was getting utterly lost in the dark. She waited only seconds after the Hobbit and Strider had stopped debating until she grabbed the sleeve of Strider's cloak and whispered.
"You lost me a few sentences back. Could you please explain what is going on here?" Strider looked at her from underneath his hood, gray eyes intense.
"Later. Later you will understand everything."
*******************
An Echo of Tears - Outcasted Shadow
*******************
Chapter V : The Prancing Pony
The colors faded back slowly, the throbbing in her head worsening by the minute. Moaning, Aeryn lifted a hand to her head and ran it through her hair. Where was she? What had happened? She couldn't remember anything. Shaking her head in frustration, Aeryn found herself underneath a cloak. And it smelled of man. Bolting straight up, she acknowledged the figure sitting directly across from her, face hidden from the shadows. He was obviously awake, poking at the fire, and there was no escape.
"Kind sir, could you tell me who you are?"
The man shifted, the fire crackling through the cool air. So it was night. How long had she been unconscious? The head lifted and his eyes watched her steadily. If it weren't for the warmth in his gestures, Aeryn would have fled in panic, a good human or not.
"I will tell you not who I am until you answer me first. Who are you?" So, the man liked to irritate. That would have been fine, if she hadn't had the swollen bump on her head freezing her mind of all activity.
"Aeryn of Mirkwood. Now, you must answer me, or you are no person of your word."
The man laughed, brown hair falling from a dirt-smeared face. From the look of him, he seemed as if he'd traveled for days without water. Now, why wasn't she panicking? Such should be the time for such a useful emotion. But all she felt was annoyed, dirty, and content to sit by a warm fire. Where was her mare? Aeryn glanced around, only to spot her mare tied up by a tree a few lengths away.
"You may call me Strider. I am a Ranger. Have you heard not of such men, fair maiden?"
"I have. Do you have any clue to why my head throbs so?" Scowling, Aeryn trailed a hand across the ground, drawing pictures. The man laughed yet again. If she hadn't been weak and injured, she'd have given him a lecture on insulting females, especially her.
"Actually, I do know. I am terribly sorry but I had mistaken you for the enemy and knocked you unconscious."
"That was terribly kind of you." Miffed, Aeryn drew her legs up to her chest. There didn't seem to be a reason to run from this man. He didn't seem dangerous. . .yet. Then, the sudden question popped into her mind.
"Kind sir, did you happen to come across two males of my species? They should be heading towards Rivendell."
"Nay, I have not seen such people." Strider shook his head, gray eyes distressed. "Why would you ask of this?"
Aeryn fidgeted with the hem of the cloak. The lie she said was blurted out so quickly; he seemed to believe her. "They were my partners for travel. I got lost on the way and could not find them."
"Where were you headed? Ah yes, Rivendell wasn't it? Well, I could help you with that."
"Really? Oh, thank-you kind sir, thank-you." The gratitude in her voice shown just as clearly in her eyes. It was then that Strider noticed the unusual coloring.
"You are a Culorian?" The shock came and went in his expression.
"A Culorian? What is that?" The puzzled expression she gave out spoke of truth. She had no idea whatsoever.
"Tis is an elf with the unusual eye coloring." Strider bent closer, looking at her warily.
"Why, may I ask, are you frightened?" This was said dryly. The laugh escaped from the Ranger's mouth.
"Fair maiden, it is not my story to tell you. One day, you shall know. For now, we must sleep until dawn."
*******************
The grass was wet with dew, the sounds of the forest no longer silent. Like all elves, Aeryn slept with her eyes open, slightly clouded to show others signs of sleep.
"Fair maiden, morning has come. We must part from here." A hand clamped gently on her shoulder and shook her awake. Her eyes cleared instantly, darting towards the man waking her.
"Where are we going?"
"We are traveling to stay at the Prancing Pony." Strider made a brisk walk to the horses and untied them, handing Aeryn the reins of her mare.
"The Prancing Pony? I thought we were heading towards Rivendell!" Well, maybe he wasn't a good guy after all. But if he wasn't, why didn't he attempt to murder her in her sleep?
"We shall get there in time. First, we must stay there for the time being. I sense something will go amidst there. However, if you would not like to accompany me and ride alone to Rivendell, I will be more than happy to give you the directions to get there."
Aeryn weighed the cons and pros. It was certainly dangerous to travel alone into these woods. Mostly if you were planning to travel overnight. And besides, the more the merrier.
"I will go with you. However, you must swear an oath you will take me to Rivendell."
Strider smiled at her from underneath his cloak. He was already astride the horse, if she didn't hurry, she could find herself left behind by accident. Briskly, Aeryn swung herself on her mare, bareback. Elves never rode horses with a saddle, unless there was a specific use for it.
"All right. I swear an oath that I shall take you, Aeryn of Mirkwood, to Rivendell. Eventually." With that, he trotted off on his horse. If she didn't say so herself, this Strider was even ruder than Rathien. Well, then again, maybe not.
*******************
"So this is the Prancing Pony?" From her perspective, the place was too dim and smelled too strongly of man.
"Yes. We must wait until sunrise." Her feet made light footsteps towards where Strider was seated, her cloak hiding her face from view.
"What are we awaiting?" Aeryn's whispered were hushed, loud enough for her ears but too soft for Strider to hear.
"What was that?" So, she could whisper to him without being found out. How odd, a human's hearing seemed so much duller.
"Nothing." A man strode over to their table, his belly bouncing over his belt. Curiously, Aeryn stared. After all, all the males of her species were never fat. If so, only bits over-weight. Never like this.
"Will you be wanting anything to drink, masters?" Before Aeryn could open her mouth to reply, Strider answered.
"Perhaps a simple dinner."
Hot soups, cold meat, a blackberry tart, new loaves, slabs of butter, and half a ripe cheese was laid in front of them. Aeryn ignored the cold meat at first glance and snatched the blueberry tart. Taking a bite, Aeryn enjoyed the wild flavor of blueberries on her tongue.
"So this is what you humans eat? Very unlike the food I eat in Mirkwood."
"Really? And what do you eat in Mirkwood?" Beneath the hood, Aeryn saw a flash of white and knew he smiled. Opening her mouth to reply, she was once again interrupted, by Strider this time around.
"Hush now. What we have been waiting for is here."
Aeryn managed to look irritated at first but as always, curiosity got the best of her. Scanning the inn, she spotted the four short figures by the door. She recalled reading about them once back in Mirkwood. Thus, these creatures were called Hobbits. However, the only thing Aeryn could remember reading about in the book was that Hobbits had hairy feet and had no need to wear shoes.
She watched silently as the Hobbit with the dark hair and bright blue eyes kept glancing over at them. What was he suspicious of? After all, Aeryn was around the height of the humans at the inn. There was no way that she stood out. . .unless you counted the hood she kept up in front of her face. The Hobbit drew nearer, seemingly cautious. Did she look that dangerous? Without missing a beat, Strider threw his hood back, dark hair falling over gray eyes.
"I am called Strider. I am very pleased to meet you, Master - Underhill, if old Butterbur got your name right." Apparently, the jolly fellow with the bulging belly was Mr. Butterbur.
"He did." The hobbit seemed to stiffen when he changed in line of vision over to Aeryn. "And you are?"
Aeryn's mind went blank. Was she supposed to pretend to be a human? Male? Thankfully, Strider came to her rescue before she could blurt something out that completely made no sense in the matter.
"This is my partner, you may call him Swift." Dumbly, Aeryn nodded in agreement. After all, she couldn't disguise her voice, which was actually quite feminine no matter how low she tried to speak. Master Underhill - if that was really his name, which Aeryn really doubted - still seemed to stare uneasily at her from time to time while making small talk with Strider.
Decidedly, Aeryn tuned out, as was her habit. Especially when Legolas and Rathien started having a conversation. Lord knows what kind of things they spoke about. At the memory of them, Aeryn felt the tears prick at her eyes and threaten to spill. Who knew when she would be able to see them again? Or ever. Surprisingly however, Aeryn felt no regret. Somehow, in a twisted sort of angle, she felt she had done right.
The loud sounds of applause snapped her out of memory lane. Another hobbit with light, fair hair stood dramatically on top of a large wooden table, taking bows. Looking back, Aeryn noticed Master Underhill's face had gone paste white. Strider leaned forward, whispered in the Hobbit's ear. Thankfully, all elves were talented in the art of the smallest sounds and Aeryn could easily make out what Strider said.
"You had better do something quick!"
She could only watch as the dark-haired Hobbit leaped up onto the table himself and started singing in merry tunes. Had he drank too much ale? Eventually, Aeryn tuned out once again as the audience began asking for another song. Not that they weren't nice songs, but she just wasn't in the mood for cheerful songs while she was sitting in a dim-lighted inn where smoke billowed out from all directions and the smell of sweat and men were overpowering for an elf's sensitive sense of smell.
Suddenly, the dark-haired Hobbit disappeared into thin air! Gaping, Aeryn scanned the inn. She hadn't read anything about a Hobbit's ability to vanish in nothing! However, Strider seemed to think such was perfectly normal for he sat without a peep. Aeryn slowly came out of shock when the Hobbit appeared beside Strider. At least he wasn't completely gone. (Although, logically, you're supposed to have an even bigger shock to see one disappear in front of your eyes and suddenly reappear again beside you)
*******************
Writer's Note: This chapter pleased me very much. The meeting and introducing of Strider a.k.a. Aragorn seemed to get the story going. If you happen to dislike a part, or maybe mistakes of some kind, please tell me in your reviews! Thank-you bunches for reading! Toodles!
*******************
Preview of Chapter VI:
"Well? Why did you do that? Worse than anything your friends could have said! You have out your foot in it! Or should I say your finger?"
Strider's tone was tense and firm. In a matter of moments, the hobbit looked quite alarmed and frightened. Aeryn felt her heart reach out to him. Poor guy, he was under so much pressure and seemed so small.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Oh yes, you do. But we had better wait until the uproar has died down. Then, if you please, Mr. Baggins, I should like a quiet word with you." Baggins? But wasn't his sire name supposedly Underhill? Aeryn was getting utterly lost in the dark. She waited only seconds after the Hobbit and Strider had stopped debating until she grabbed the sleeve of Strider's cloak and whispered.
"You lost me a few sentences back. Could you please explain what is going on here?" Strider looked at her from underneath his hood, gray eyes intense.
"Later. Later you will understand everything."