Ok, here's 9, and there is finally some action! Yay. I have no idea what it is with me and putting fires in my stories…I guess they just add a nice touch! Wondering what I'm babbling on about? Read on… ^_^
~Lainfaer~
Elerrina- I'm glad I cheered you up! Yeah, you were right. Laraelia just kinda…killed the Orcs and Beinlóth got to the village because she was found…I think! I'll have a look later. But Terena and Aronuel found her and took her in. I don't have any particular day for updating; I just do it when I feel like it! ^_^
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 9: No Smoke without Fire.
Nothing could get Beinlóth down over the next few days. The rest of the week passed in a blur for her, and before she knew where she was, it was once again, Market Day.
"Morning dear," Laraelia smiled when Beinlóth literally bounced up to her stall. It was cold; a chill wind was blowing; yet the market was being held as always.
"Good morning Laraelia," Beinlóth replied, smiling back. She had a huge grin on her face, as she was enjoying watching everyone suffer the cold, rubbing and blowing their hands to keep them warm She herself, could not actually feel the cold. She always found this extremely useful, especially on days like this when she had to go to Market in winter.
"Usual please Laraelia," she asked. Laraelia smiled at the bubbly girl in front of her. "You're happy today Beinlóth," she commented, filling her basket with the herbs.
"I know. I've been happy all
week. Hm, I wonder why?" She put an exaggerated thoughtful expression on her
face, and Laraelia laughed. "I don't blame you girl. One silver please."
"No, have two. Mother told me to give you both."
"Oh very well," she smiled, pocketing the money.
"Any news from 'him'?" Beinlóth asked, referring to Legolas.
"No, sorry dear. It is quite
far from Mirkwood to here. Do not be surprised if it takes him about four weeks
to return. It has probably taken him most of this week to get back there. Just
be patient."
"Sorry Laraelia, I'm just so excited now."
"I know how you feel. Go on, back home now. Terena will be wondering where
you've got to." They said their farewells, and Beinlóth headed home.
She popped into the stables as usual, then took the shopping to Terena, who was
making her weekly stew. Beinlóth was of course, instructed to help, and she set
about dicing the lamb up once again. Then the vegetables followed by the
washing up. To keep her spirits up, she daydreamed about what Mirkwood might be
like.
She imagined tall trees, trees such as oak and pine, reaching high, miles up into the bright blue sky. Animals would wander freely everywhere, and there would a river, not a huge one like the famous Anduin, just a small one. Magic would linger in the air, and the songs of the Elves would constantly be heard, ringing through the air like bells. Soft, and gentle. Singing of beautiful things, nature, and the whole world. They would play delicate instruments, such as harps and flutes. The music would flow like water, mingling with the singing and dancing. Dancing! So graceful and…
A loud smash brought her out of her daydream. She looked in despair at the broken plate by her feet. She whipped round to look at Terena, who was glaring at her.
"You stupid girl! Why aren't you looking at what you are doing? Clean it up!"
Beinlóth hurried to get the dustpan and brush. She crouched down, and carefully swept all the broken pieces of pottery up. She picked up the smaller pieces that didn't get picked up by the brush, and placed them in. She cut herself on one, and gently sucked her bleeding finger. It actually stung quite a bit, and she quickly washed the blood away.
Once all the pieces were cleaned up, she continued washing. She finished it as fast as she could, then escaped to her room. She thought Terena would make her do loads of other chores, but she didn't say a word.
//Clearly saving them for later I guess.//
She dug her diary out from under her mattress, and lay on her stomach on the bed. She thought carefully before she wrote anything.
1/11
Crystal,
Went to market as usual. Gwaloth says she hasn't heard anything from or about Legolas, so I guess I'll just have to keep waiting. I hate waiting!
As I was doing the washing up today, I dropped a dish. I was daydreaming about what Mirkwood might be like, and my concentration completely slipped. Terena got really mad at me, and made me clean it all up. I cut myself on a shatter, and it really hurt, even though the cut itself was tiny. But she hasn't said anything about me doing other chores. Yet. I expect later this evening, there will suddenly be loads of things that need doing…dusting, polishing, cleaning, the usual. And of course, more washing up!
I can almost picture Mirkwood in my head perfectly. Lots of trees, and a small river. Hundreds of animals, roaming freely here and there, and not forgetting the Elves of course. Constant singing, soft and melodious. In the halls of the palace, (if there is one), there will be dancing, and lots of it. Couples would sway gently on the spot together, then speed up as the pace of the music quickened.
My Elvish personality is clearly kicking in-I'm starting to sound different! My language is changing, the way I say and do things. The riding too. Elves obviously are natural riders, and I have inherited it from my parents. Just like Aronuel said.
When Legolas does return for me, I think I may actually miss Aronuel. Alonia I don't really give two hoots about, but Aronuel…he has been kind to me. Terena's just been a typical woman-despising every other woman, (apart from her own flesh and blood), that lives in her house. It seems that Alonia has inherited that feature!
Aronuel hasn't been the perfect father, that much is true, but he has at least been kind, to an extent. He has taught me how to ride, and I can't really recall that many times he ahs told me to do things such as washing up. That has always been Terena. True, he is usually down the inn, it is his second home, but, even though he may not show it, I think, deep down, he has some feelings for me, as a step or foster daughter.
Maybe I'm getting a bit carried away now, but that is what I believe. If I had come along before Alonia, (she is two years my senior), then things may have turned out differently. I would have been the oldest one then. But who knows? Even if I was older, they would probably still not like me. I am 'different' after all!
It's good to be different!
Beinlóth
****
"Wake up! Wake up!"
Beinlóth groggily opened her eyes. Alonia was standing over her, holding a lantern. "Get up, quick. The village is being raided. We've got to get out of here. Mother and father are waiting for us."
Beinlóth sat blot upright and jumped out of bed. Alonia left her with the lantern and returned to her parents. Beinlóth flung some clothes on, grabbed her diary, stuffed it into her skirt pocket, and ran downstairs.
They were gathered in the kitchen. Through the windows, Beinlóth could see fire and smoke lighting up the sky. The villagers screams could quite clearly be heard, and their shadows were running around outside as they ran from whatever was attacking Milathon.
"Come on, into the cellar," Aronuel hissed.
"They'll find us down there!"
Beinlóth argued. "They're searching everywhere. We have to run, it's our only
option."
"Then they'll catch us that way. At least in the cellar we stand a chance of
not being found. The door is well hidden," Alonia countered, her eyes glaring.
"Fine, you go down. I'm going to the stables." Beinlóth, without another word, ran towards the front door.
"Beinlóth no!" Aronuel cried, running after her.
"Leave her," Terena told him
calmly. "If she wants to die, let her. Your place is with us Aronuel. Come on,
open the cellar door."
"We can't just leave her," he replied, looking helplessly at the swinging front
door. "No matter what you say, she is like a daughter to me." The other two
gasped.
"She is not my sister!" Alonia literally screamed. "I am not related to that…that…freak!"
"Shut your dirty mouth!" Aronuel bellowed. Alonia shrank to her mothers' side.
"Aronuel, have you completely
lost your mind?" Terena asked. "We are not blood-related to her in any way. She
is just…a lodger, if you like."
"No," he said quietly. "She may not be real family, but she is like an adopted
daughter. I'm going after her." Before his wife could stop him, he ran out into
the street.
Terena stared helplessly at the door. "Come on, into the cellar," she whispered to Alonia. They grabbed the keys, hoisted up the door, and hurried down, shutting it behind them. It did blend in well with the wooden floor of the pantry, but it could be seen. They would just have to hope and pray they wouldn't be found.
Aronuel frantically looked up and down the street outside his house. Houses and huts were burning, the acrid smoke filling the air. His neighbours were running around madly, trying to hide from the monsters that were attacking them.
He headed for the stables, where he could hear his horses stomping and neighing, desperately trying to get out. He then saw the fire that was atop the roof. He ran inside.
Some pens were open, and empty. As he entered, Lesei bolted out, her eyes wide with fear. He let her go. Through the smoke, he could see Beinlóth, hurriedly opening the pen gates and ushering them out. Kayla quickly followed her sister Lesei, nuzzling him fondly before she continued.
He ran down top help her. He opened pens and let the horses go. He knew that if they were to stand a chance of survival, they had to go. Beinlóth stared at him in amazement. "Why are you helping me?" she called.
"I don't know!" he answered, grinning. She grinned back, and let another horse go free.
Once every horse was out, they themselves ran out. "Now where?" he asked, coughing.
"Go with your wife and child Aronuel," she said calmly, looking at him. "Thank you for everything."
"But…what about you?"
"I will be fine, do not worry. Go, quickly." She gave him a quick kiss, then
ran.
"Tell Terena and Alonia I have forgiven them for everything," she yelled over her shoulder.
Then she was gone.
See, fire. In the next chapter – more fire, more smoke, and a possible death…not giving anything away of course! *Grins evilly*
See you in chapter 10. ^_^
~Lainfaer~
