I know I only updated a few days ago, but I decided to give you a treat! Thanks for all the reviews, and replies are below. ^_^
~Lainfaer~
ashley- You got snow? That is SO UNFAIR! It never snows in my flipping town! Thanks for your review. You're right, I don't know you, but it's always good to get new reviews! Unicorn sounds ok? Good, I'll use it then! Thanks, glad you like the story so far. ^_^
Elerrina- Fán means…cloud, I think! I can't remember at the moment, I'll have to double-check! I had to think of something white, and a cloud was the first thing! Plus the name sounded good! Of course it was Legolas, who else would it be? And he is the second main character in the story. Thanks for answering my unicorn question. I am going to use it. ^_^
the counter- You put the same on both my stories. Please, if you review again, try to make more sense!
ElvenStar5- Nice saying! As you asked sooo nicely, I updated quite quickly! ^_^
FrogsGoMoo- Cool name! Glad you like it, thanks for reviewing! ^_^
Lothliana- You dipstick! (My new word!) I'm sure I told you I posted this story…
Chapter 7: Escape.
27/10
Dear Crystal,
I saw the strange man again today. He told me his name. Legolas. It is a beautiful name, and apparently it means 'Greenleaf' in his language. He was really nice to me today, and we talked for quite a while. I am going to help him get out of here, so he can take Fán back to Mirkwood.
He comes from Mirkwood! The great forest full of dark and dangerous creatures such as spiders. Yet he says that is where our people live. He told me that where he lives, it is beautiful and peaceful.
I…
"Writing in that stupid book again?"
Beinlóth slammed her diary shut, and glared up at Alonia, who stood smirking in her doorway.
"It is not stupid," Beinlóth argued. "It's like a friend."
Alonia scoffed. "Ha, you, a friend? In your dreams."
"I have friends."
"No, 100 year old women don't count."
"At least Laraelia listens to me, and is kind to me."
"Oh just leave me alone Alonia. Your breakfast is on the table."
"Thank you…servant. I shall see you later. Oh, and your friend in the stable? He will never get out of here." Beinlóths' head shot up to glare at Alonia in shock and anger, but she had already gone.
//How can she know about Legolas? Unless she is talking about Fán.//
Beinlóth stuffed her unfinished diary under her mattress, and ran down to the kitchen.
Alonia was sat smugly at the kitchen table, delicately eating a piece of bread with jam. Terena was at the sink, and Aronuel was nowhere to be seen. Beinlóth knew she could not mention the 'friend' in front of Terena, so kept quiet. She had already eaten, and so made an excuse about checking on Kayla. She saw Alonia's expression, but ignored it.
She hurried out, and immediately saw Aronuel looking over another mare. She smiled at him. "What's wrong with Lesei?" she asked, seeing the frown on Aronuels' face.
"She's been limping lately. Must have a thorn or something stuck in her hoof. Come here and give me a hand looking." Beinlóth stepped into the stall, and stroked and petted Lesei's neck whilst Aronuel looked in her hoof.
"No, nothing in there," he announced, standing up.
"Her leg then? Perhaps she's pulled a muscle."
"Probably. You stay here. I'll go and get the ointment." He walked out the stable.
Beinlóth grabbed her chance. She ran down to Fáns' stall, and called out Legolas' name.
"Shh, not too loud!" he hissed, appearing from the far corner.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have long. Aronuel is looking over Lesei, and will be in here quite a bit. I'll keep him out as much as possible, but you'll really have to take a chance to get out today. Sorry." She made an apologetic face.
"Its ok," he assured her. Then his head jerked up. "Quick, he's coming!" He dived out of sight, and she ran back to Lesei.
The rest of that morning was spent trying to figure out what was wrong with Leseis' leg, and by lunchtime, she was walking a little better.
"Well, I'm glad that's sorted," Aronuel said as they made their way in for lunch. "She's a good mare. Don't want her out of action for too long."
The sat round the table together, eating their lunch. Alonia was opposite Beinlóth, facing the window. She smirked at her whenever she got the chance, as long as her parents weren't looking. Beinlóth just ignored her.
Just as they were finishing, Alonia gave a cry and jumped to her feet. "The stallion! He's out!"
Beinlóth spun round in her chair, and sure enough, she saw the tail of Fán just disappearing round the corner.
"Quick, after him!" Aronuel shouted, running out. "Come on Beinlóth!"
//He wants me to chase after! I can't! What will Legolas think?//
But she followed, quickly mounted Kayla, and they galloped after Fán and his rider.
To her surprise, Beinlóth soon found herself far ahead of Aronuel, but did not want to catch Legolas and Fán. She could see them in the distance, and purposefully slowed down. She was amazed at how fast she had managed to go. She had only had one lesson, yet she had galloped over rough ground and in her dress! She was shocked at herself.
As soon as she saw Legolas disappear into the nearby woods, she stopped Kayla. Aronuel soon caught up. "Sorry, I lost him," she apologised, looking at him.
He was positively fuming. "The best stallion I've ever had," he muttered. "And he's gone."
They sat, watching the woods for a while, then turned and headed back home.
"Well?" Terena demanded when they arrived, her hands on her hips.
Aronuel shook his head sadly as he dismounted. "No, he's gone for good. Ruddy fast thing though. I could have got so much for him too."
Terena just made a sound of frustration in her throat and stormed back inside, Alonia following.
"Never mind father," Beinlóth tried to reassure him as they stabled the horses and groomed them down. "He may return."
"No, he didn't come here by his own free will. He was either set free, or spooked and just ran for cover. He may even have just been grazing when I found him, you never know."
"Maybe," she echoed, gently brushing Kayla's bay coat. The horse nuzzled her, happy at being able to galloped for once.
"You were bloody excellent
out there by the way," he congratulated her as he put the saddles away. "How
come you can gallop like that? You've only had one lesson."
"I don't know, but I wasn't afraid or anything. It felt so good to be
galloping, so free, and wonderful. I can't wait to try again."
"I had no idea you were that
experienced. Maybe your real parents were riders or something."
"Yeah, maybe," she answered, smiling at him. He smiled back. He had always been
kinder to her than Terena, and she could quite easily talk to him about her
real parents. They had often wondered who they had been, and if they would ever
return to her. If they were still alive that was.
The rest of that day passed quietly. There were no signs of Fán, but many of the villagers reported him galloping out with a hooded and cloaked rider upon his back.
"No saddle or reins you know!" Dweissa told Laraelia that afternoon.
"Really?" Laraelia asked, placing one crate on top of another. She was sorting out her fruit and vegetables ready to sell on her stall. Dweissa had come straight to her about the mysterious horse and his rider.
"Yeah, no reins! I have no idea how he controlled that horse, but he made it look so easy! And you know that child has been giving her first riding lesson?"
"Who, Beinlóth?"
"Yeah. Aronuel took her out yesterday apparently, and according to him, who
told my husband, she's a natural. Saw her galloping after that stallion today I
did. Looked really in control her horse she did. He was right. She is a
natural."
"I shall have to see for myself then shan't I?" Laraelia replied, smiling to
herself. She would take some fruit round to Terena later, and talk to Beinlóth
herself.
****
Later that evening, Laraelia headed out to Terenas' house, laden with her weekly order of fruit and vegetables that she wouldn't buy at the market.
As she walked up the lane beside the stables, she met Beinlóth coming out. "Hello my dear," she said softly, smiling at her.
Beinlóth smiled back. "Good evening Laraelia. Here, let me give you a hand." She took some of the goods from Laraelia and helped her to carry it to the door.
"Thank you Love, that was very kind of you," Laraelia said smiling. They went in to the kitchen.
"Ah, good evening Laraelia," Terena welcomed. Laraelia smiled at the woman who was elbow deep in washing up. Beinlóth had got off doing it for tonight.
"Beinlóth, the money is on
the side. Give it to Laraelia would you." Beinlóth handed her the four silver
coins, and Laraelia slipped them into her apron pocket. "Thank you my dears.
Now, I was wondering if I could have a word with Beinlóth." Beinlóth looked up
at her. "What about?"
"About this afternoon my dear. Could we possibly go through to the lounge
Terena?"
"Of course. I'll bring tea through in a minute if you want."
"That would be lovely, thank you. Come on Beinlóth." They went through
together, and sat on the sofa. Alonia was in her room.
"So, what is all this I hear about you galloping after that stallion eh?" Laraelia asked, smiling.
"Oh yeah, well, he escaped, so me and father went after him, but he still got away."
"People have been talking."
"Really? What about?"
"You, and your naturalness on a horse, riding it and so forth."
"Let them talk."
"Beinlóth, this is serious.
You've met Legolas, haven't you?" Beinlóth stared at Laraelia in surprise. How
did she know Legolas? "I thought no one else knew he was here."
"Oh no, I've known him much longer. Anyway, the thing is, him and his people
have been looking for you for years. And now he has found you, they will come
back for you. Beinlóth, you must go with them. I cannot express that any
harder. When they come for you, go! Legolas is your only key out of here now,
and you must go with them."
"But I don't understand. How
do you…" but she stopped as soon as Terena walked in, carrying a tray with tea
and biscuits. "Here you go Laraelia. Busy day?"
"Yes, as usual."
"So, what were you asking about today then?"
"Just asking about Beinlóth riding after that stallion of yours. She's a
natural, I hope you know that. This girl could go far, very far, in riding."
"Oh yes we know. She's brilliant." Beinlóth, looked away, and raised an eyebrow. Terena was just showing off, as she often did with guests.
Laraelia spotted this movement, but didn't say anything. "I think you should let her develop her relationship with the horses a bit more Terena. Let her get to know them a bit better." Terena raised an eyebrow too, but said nothing.
"Oh yes mother!" Beinlóth cried, looking at her pleadingly. "Let me stay with the horses a bit more. I would love to become more skilled at riding."
"We'll have to see what your father says, but I will consider it I suppose," Terena answered, getting to her feet. "Well, I'll leave you two to talk." She went back through to the kitchen.
"Thank you Laraelia," Beinlóth said, her eyes shining. Laraelia just smiled. "I'm right you know. You have a special connection with nature, animals, and such like. Now, I have a story to tell you."
"A story?"
"Yes, a true story. So, get comfy, and I will tell you everything."
You'll hear the story in the next chapter, and you will find out the truth about Beinlóth! We are starting to fade away from the diary a little I'm afraid, but it will return! Please review with your thoughts. Thanks. ^_^
~Lainfaer~
