Chapter Three
Escaping
Nárie ran all day, without a pause, until she reached a small grove of trees not far from the great river. The sun was just beginning to depart. Collapsing in a heap at the foot of a tree she breathed a sigh of relief. She had finally done it; she had escaped.
'Now where shall I go?' she thought to herself, 'I most certainly can't go back. She will have worked herself up into such a fuss that there will be no living with her after this. I doubt that she would even willingly let me back into that cottage. I suppose I could head north. I can't go much further south. East is too dangerous and there isn't much to the West.' "North it is than," she said to no one in particular.
The sound of her stomach growling brought her back to reality, "I should probably eat something before I go anywhere," she said aloud once again, but then she realized she had not brought her usually pack with her, "I guess then I must go back, on last time. I have to collect my things. But after a short rest first."
Lying down on a patch of moss, Nárie drifted off into a peaceful sleep. She did not notice the darkness deepening, nor the silencing of the birds. All her thoughts were pushed out of her mind, the first time in ages.
* * *
A violent screech awoke Nárie in the night. Jumping from the ground, she whipped around to stare into the empty dark. Another screech came from over her head. She saw a great eagle tumble to the ground a few feet from the edge of the forest. She was about to rush to the fallen creature, but something in her mind was stopping her. Her eyes moved to the sharp beak and claw-like talons. Finally making up her mind, she took several small steps forward.
"Help me," a small voiced pleaded.
Startled, Nárie stopped and looked around. The voice had come from the creature.
"Help me," the creature cried again.
Stepping next to the eagle, she cautiously knelt down and stroked his elegant head, "What pains you my friend?"
"I was shot by with a bow by an orc," he said painfully.
Glancing at the wing farthest from her she saw the feathered tip of an arrow nestled amongst his feathers. Sighing she moved over to the side. "This is going to hurt, but it will help," she said as she grasped the arrow tightly. Glancing nervously at his talons, she gave a quick tug, freeing the arrow. Checking it over, she was relieved to find that it was not poisoned. "After a couple days rest you will be back to normal," she said as she stood up.
"Thank you," the eagle said.
"It was nothing," Nárie replied.
"I am glad I was able to find you," the creature began, "I fear I might not have made it to where I was heading."
What do you mean, you found me?" Nárie questioned, "It looked more you were falling and I just happened to be here."
"No, no, child," he explained, "I could sense you from a league off."
"But how?"
"Any good animal can sense such a caring creature as you, especially one of the first born."
"Oh, I am not an elf. Not even close, I could not be more human.
The eagle now took a good look at the woman. He seemed to shake his head before he replied, "Just the same, you are a kind creature, not only because of what you did more me. But I am afraid I must go, I sense evil about. Is there anywhere I can take you? I will have to be somewhere close for I cannot fly far with this wound."
"Well, yes there is," Nárie replied, "I need to go back ho… I mean I must go a cottage to retrieve my things. It is not far off."
"I would be honored to transport you," he replied as Nárie climbed onto his back.
Lifting from the ground easily in a solid motion, the pair took off. As they reached the last rise, just out of view of the cottage, Nárie thought she could smell smoke. Rising over the hill, a gasp escaped her throat. What she had once called home, was now captured in flames. Landing safely from the fire, Nárie raced to the house.
"Do not go inside," the eagle said.
"But I must see if my mother is in there," Nárie cried. But as she took another step forward, the entire thing crumbled to the ground.
"Look to your left," the eagle said sadly.
Glancing over, she let out another gasp. A body lay there, in a very odd position. She hurried over to it, praying the person was all right, but in her she knew that it was her mother before she even arrived at the old woman's side. Tears streamed down her face as she looked over the woman's body. Blood was everywhere. Bruises covered her arms and face. Nárie could tell that she had put up a struggle before the monsters had slit her throat. Judging from the black surrounding the wounds, it could have only been orcs that had done this.
Turning back to the simmering pile of rubble, another burst of tears fell from her eyes. This was all she had ever called home. She had grown up in that house, cleaning and caring for it as though she was the one who it belonged to. She had fallen in love with the country surrounding and now she would have to leave this place. No matter how hard the times had been, she had still called it home. Now she was truly on her own.
Slowly standing, she moved her gaze to the sky. The eagle had left, leaving her to morn in peace. She heard a last cry of thanks from his as her disappeared from her view. Walking to the small shed that stood in the back of the cottage, she thanked Eru that it had not caught flame. Reaching inside, she pulled out a small sack that she had kept in there for several years. It contained several weeks worth of food and several healing herbs. Three years ago she had put the pack together, hoping that one-day she would be able to escape. But she had never dreamt that it would be in this manner.
Tossing the pack over her shoulder, Nárie headed northeast, towards the flowing river. Once she reached it, she would go north until she felt safe. Not even she knew where she would end up.
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Thank you to SandraSmit19 for being my first reviewer. I was very happen to see my first review and have it be a good one.
Thanks to Nirobie for the encouraging review. Here is the next chapter, hope you like it.
Please, everyone review, I need the encouragement. Thanks again.