Dinner had been pleasant, a warm bath most welcomed, but still Eurayle was troubled. It was what Leidolf had said-"You have the favor of my son"-that had her worried. Did they not care about the laws of the Riders? It was well known that a woman (or man) of the Riders, no matter how much freedom their rulers allowed, was not permitted to marry. Mothers were held in high regard, and to be away from family unless for war was nearly unthinkable. Since Riders were constantly away till they could no longer perform their duties, marriage and starting a family was far too difficult and in the beginning before the law was passed, led to their deaths. The members of the Council said the law was for the safety of the Riders.

Now, to sleep beside a rider was no better then a queen betraying her King by sleeping with his brother. And as if fate were pouring salt on her wounds, she knew well that Geirolf wished to be with her. He had told her so the last time she had come to Siv. Needless to say, she had been stunned. After all, they had only known each other for little over three years*.

                She shook her head, sadly knowing that her dreams of marrying and becoming an ordinary woman were out of her reach. Oh, Why did Eowyn curse her like this? She knew her duties well, but why did Eowyn send longing for male companionship to her heart? It wasn't fair. After all, who could love someone they couldn't be with, and how could she love someone who didn't love her in return?

                 Hanging her head in shame, she pressed her forehead against the window, the freezing glass a cold comfort. The candles had burned themselves out long ago, leaving her lost in the dark privacy of the bedroom, with nothing but the winter moon, seemingly an orb of glowing ice, as her light source. Snow was still falling, piling up on her windowsill and the wind whistled through the narrow gaps between the panes. Sighing heavily, she silently prayed to Galadriel, in hopes that her mind be cleansed of all such dreams and ideas.


                Golden sunlight reflected off the snow the next morning. The blanket of clouds from the day before had disappeared and though the difference in temperature was actually slight, but for some reason it seemed so much warmer. However, this didn't ensure that it was a good day for travel on horseback. The snow was deep, they wouldn't be able to get anywhere and word was that Tamary's armies were moving to attack the western borders of Bittore.

                Since this could be a problem, and Leidolf had a nearly famous amount of common sense, he had presented her with snowshoes and a staff. Unfortunately, this meant leaving her horse behind. Eurayle had become quite attached to her traveling companion. In its place, the King offered her a large black dog, meant to be a guard of sorts. The trek through the Hrimgicel Mountains had been dangerous before the war started, but now, since the creatures had evolved and changed, an escort, whether it is man or beast was vital to survival.

            Strapped tightly around her waist was a dagger. Beautifully crafted and with runes etched down the middle, as a written prayer to Samwise, god of protection and travel. The silvery metal glistened so brightly, it was almost blinding.

                "My lord," Eurayle began sternly (and slightly confused, if I may add), "you know the law, we are not allowed to carry weapons."

                "Aye, but milady," Leidolf said looking at her concerned. "Outrunning an assailant without a horse would be far too difficult in the Hrimgicel. To travel without weaponry, is no better then knowingly walking unarmed into Trista. To do such a thing is a fool's errand"

                 "Are you that foolish?" she said angrily. "I could be executed for carrying such a thing! Is that what you wish?"

                "No. I wish for you to live; that is why I give you weaponry. If you are questioned, simply tell that I have given you permission to carry a weapon such as this. Besides, it is but a small blade, surely they would not mind it."

                As much as she hated to admit it, Eurayle had to agree with him. Besides, even they would believe that she carried it for hunting purposes. And like Leidolf said, aside from defending one's self, it would do very little to no good on the battlefield.

                There was a nudge at her leg and she looked down a little surprised at the dog. Its dark eyes were seemingly pleading her to finish whatever it was she doing so that they could leave. The look of impatience was oddly similar to the one a mother would wear when scolding a fussing child. Just what she needed, an argumentative companion that would probably be the cause of her loss of sanity by the time they reached the mountains.

                Leidolf chuckled and said, "I see that Gyda wishes for you to hurry onto your journey. Her judgment, I suppose is sound. We shall leave you to go now. I only ask that you return to us again one day. May the Great Ones bless you."


                Apparently merely asking for blessings was not near enough. Oh, Eurayle really should've gone to pray at the shrine that morning. For the past three days, it seemed as if someone were out to get her. The constant winds, snow fall, and chilling temperatures made travel slow and agonizing. Day after day, she and Gyda trudged onward, hands, feet and paws nearly frozen when they stopped to make camp. Fire was a luxury that hadn't had the chance to enjoy in days.

                Late that morning, the pair had managed to climb through the first of the foothills. The roads weren't that easy to spot so they just figured that going in a strait line would work just as well. So even though that wasn't completely true, they had made considerable progress.

                A poor excuse for a fire burned and snapped, the dampness of the quickly melting snow a constant threat to douse their only source of heat. Curled up beside it, Eurayle and Gyda lay desperately trying to get what sleep they could before the sun came up. That was basically how their daily schedual went, get up at sunrise, and keep walking until it was too dark to see. Unfortunately, they would probably have to change once they reached the Hrimgicel Mountains. Attack on  travelers because of the mountain wolves was common, and to die at the jaws of an animal (in Eurayle's opinion) was pathetic.

                The snow shoes, however were useful. Though a little difficult to walk in, it was better then sinking into the snow. Before when she traveled with her horse, it was almost as if she had to swim rather then walk. In a few short hours they would be put to the test, as the mountains now loomed above them.

Author's Note: Alright people, this officially, is the end of the prologue.  See you next chapter and remember to review on the way out.  In case you happened to notice the star, that's because what has happened between to Eurayle and Geirolf will be covered when I go ahead and write a prequel to this. Yes I know I should've done that already, but this story line was the first one I've come with okay? Review please!