She breathed in, wheezing. "How long does this stupid cold have to last?" Jessica asked aloud, as she gathered her soup bowl and glass of what used to be water. She was feeling better, considering the past few days. It seemed that every time she touched her mother's necklace, which was a crystal in the shape of a dagger, she felt warm and rejuvenated. Jessica dismissed the ideas of the crystal being enchanted as she calmly and slowly walked up the steps. No one was home at the time, no one could take time out to take care of her, and so Jessica had to take care of herself. The dark night had set in, making the moon a small sample of light. Lazily, she threw her dirty dishes in the sink, which was piling up from her lack of cleaning. She turned on the sink, and reluctantly rolled up her sleeves, preparing herself for washing the grimy dishes. The water got to the perfect temperature, as Jessica began to wash each dish. Her ears suddenly picked up a strange noise, a clatter coming from downstairs. Jessica dismissed it, and continued with her washing. Then, she perceived the same sound again, which was not as easily discharged. She turned off the water and walked to the top of the stair case apprehensively. There was another, much louder noise that made her jump, and two grumbles were heard below. Instinctively, Jessica grabbed a large knife, the phone, and headed to a back closet, hoping that the intruders would not find her. Swiftly, she dialed her best friend's house that lived a few houses down. Its haunting ring went on for what seemed like an hour, but finally, Mary picked up.
"Hello?"
"Mary? Thank god you are home!" Jessica spoke in soft whispers. "There is someone or something in my house! I don't know who it is or what it is, but it is downstairs! Please hurry over! Get some help! Please!"
"Ha, Jessica. I know what you are up to. Your little games again. I must say that this is a new one, but still very clever! Good job. You had me going there for a minute."
"Please! This is no joke I tell you! There is something in my house!" There was a long pause before Jessica spoke again. "There are coming! Please!" Jessica hung up the phone, afraid that the beep had revealed her hiding space. To her surprise, the criminals left the room, and began searching in others. 'I have to get out. But how? Will they see me if I try to escape?' Another voice answered for her, one that was not familiar, but still sounded trusting and old, like a grandfather. 'If you do not leave, then they will find you. You must run, run for the door, and get out as soon as you can. You will no longer be safe where you are right now. Go, go now!' Jessica heeded its words, and quietly opened the door of the closet. There was no noise, no noise to divulge where the trespassers were. She took off her slippers, hoping that they would help her exit the house quietly. Her knuckles turned white around the knife, as she began to walk threw the house, her back on the wall so that she could be aware of her surroundings. Jessica saw the doors were blocked by furniture. 'How did they move that? I didn't hear them.' Jessica backed her way against a free window, her last option to get out safely. She was distracted by a smashing sound coming from the downstairs. Her breathe quickened, eager now more then ever to escape from the house. Suddenly, a flash of black crossed her vision, and she soon found it hard to breathe, for a force was not allowing air to fill her lungs. The object behind her tightened its grasp against her throat, making breathing an even more difficult task. Her hands clawed at the leather that was being bound to her throat, as an unsympathetic voice murmured in her ear.
"Where is it? He wants it! Where is it?" Jessica did not know what he was talking about, and yet, even if she did, she would be unable to answer. Jessica sank to the ground, falling on her knees, while the leather strap constricted against her. Blood pounded in her head, as she felt her arms get weak. The man kept demanding an answer. "Where is it? What have you done with it?" His voice sounded as if he had something caught in his throat, and his words smeared the air. She could only make out part of what he was saying, unable to discern the rest of his words. His body ranked of rotten, burnt flesh, which was enough for her to pass out, but Jessica struggled to hold on. She felt her eyes falling to the back of her head, darkness filling her. Sounds were gone from her ears, and all she heard was the deafening silence. With out warning, the leather rope was released, and she was flung to the floor. Jessica grabbed on to her neck, feeling her mothers crystal dagger hanging still around her. She began to get a better grasp on reality, when the hideous creature forced her to stand. "Where is it?" He was interrupted by another raider, who looked almost exactly like this atrocious form.
"We can't find it! We have searched the bottom half of the house and it's not there!" His attention was directed to the other fowl thing, and Jessica took this as her chance. With adrenaline pumping through her, she ran to the bathroom, where there was a window, her very last resort. The animals looked at her, and it took a minute for what was happening to register. Jessica ran to the bathroom, and locked the heavy door. As she began to open the window, an axe was trying to penetrate the wooden entrance. She screamed, startled, and jumped from the high window. She landed without grace, and stumbled on the ground. Jessica started to run, already exhausted from what was happening in the house. She started to run down the street when she looked back, and saw that the beasts had broken through the front door to her house. Mary's house could be seen now, and a body stepped out of Mary's house.. Mary smiled when she saw Jessica.
"What's up? Why such the urgent call?" Mary asked calmly.
"Get back inside!" Jessica said her voice horse and panting.
"What's wrong?"
"I said back inside! And lock the door! Do not open it up for them! Go! Hurry!" Mary's perplexity filled her face, as she turned her head to look at the other end of the street. A hoard of animals with human like features was running with much speed towards Jessica.
"Come! Mary said. "Get inside!" Mary called to her friend, motioning for her to come to shelter.
'They will go after her too if I do. I can not go to her.'
"No! Do as I say!" Mary hesitated, until an arrow came speeding past her face. "Get inside!" Mary obeyed her command, as Jessica heard the heavy lock on her house turn. 'Please do not go after her.' Jessica wished in her mind. To her surprise, they did not, but continued with more vigilance towards her. Also to her shock, they were arming themselves with arrows. Jessica tried to push herself, trying to pick up speed, but it was worthless. These things seemed to never tire, and she could not even run. Her ears picked up an unpleasant sound; the sound of string being released from wood, and she saw the wooden weapons fly past her head. Jessica worked harder, trying to get out of their range, but it was futile. She heard the distinctive sound once again, and felt the burn of its tip sear her skin. A cold sensation filled her on the impact of the arrow, causing her to fall to the ground. Jessica tried to move her arms, her legs, any appendage that would listen, but it was futile. Jessica heard the beasts coming near her, but could not focus her eyes, or move them. She was totally paralyzed. The only function that seemed to be working was her breathing.
"Thought you could get away?" The creatures laughed as her labored breathing continued. "Do you like this poison? It makes its victim unmovable!" His uneducated tongue whipped her as he spoke. She was on her stomach, lying atop of the road, the creatures nearby. Wisps of her auburn hair swept on her face, and she could not move them away. It felt as if Jessica were dead, she was unable to move, barely able to breath, what was happening to her? The creatures advanced upon her, their hands outreaching, as deadly thoughts paced in her head. With out warning, they backed away, and Jessica saw a bright light penetrating the darkness. The creatures drew out their swords, as the light blinded them. Jessica felt herself slipping into a darker shadow than the night. She tried to close her eyes, but they would not obey. Blinking was not an option, as she strived to focus her eyes. The sounds of metal beating metal echoed eerily in her ears, while she fought her own battle. A dark cloud covered her eyes, as if they were closed. The brawl that was happening around her faded from her ears, as silence filled her senses. The last thing she heard before she fell was her own rigid breathing.
- ~ * ~ -
She blinked, for the first time in a while, as the world came rushing back to her. She could not feel anything yet, but she could see, and clearly. Jessica saw that she was seated in front of a woman. Surprisingly, it spoke.
"I see you are waking my lady." Jessica would gasp if she could, but her throat failed her. This was not a woman, but a man. Using her eyes, Jessica saw that she was on a horse. She started to panic. The scenes that flashed by were not familiar. There were no houses, no streets, just grass and tree; a vision of loveliness, yes, but frightfully so. An exotic, alien place. Alarm rushed through her. Who was the person seated behind her? What did he want with her? Jessica's mind dashed about, trying to find answers to questions, so many questions that plagued her. "Do not be worried. I will not harm thee. I am to take you to safety." He halted the horse, and dismounted, carefully aware of her state. He helped her off the horse, and for the first time, she saw his face. He was covered in ashen rays, which also matched his hair, and glimmered in the dark as if ignited by the pallid colors of an unseen moon. The only color to him, other then his flesh, was his azure eyes. She lost herself in his eyes, as if in a daydream. Jessica heard his voice in her head, telling her to move her body, telling her to lift her arm, kick her foot, anything she wanted. Jessica closed her eyes as his influence swiftly passed in her mind. Her body did as it was commanded, and when Jessica opened her eyes, she was standing without the help of the old man.
"Thank you." Her own voice startled her, as her limbs trembled. The man steadied her, as his voice once again filled her ears.
"You are most welcome. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Gandalf the White, and I was sent to help you."
"What just happened? Where am I? What happened to those th….." Jessica stopped mid sentence as her knees faltered beneath her. Gandalf, with speed and quick thinking, caught her before she fell to the ground.
"Do not burden yourself with questions. You must rest." Jessica did not know if she could trust this man. Sure he looked friendly, but to trust someone on looks only would be folly, she knew this. Gandalf helped her onto a patch of grass, as Jessica's face twisted in confusion. Gandalf walked over to his white steed to lead him to the shade, when he heard he loud gasp. Jessica's body lurched forward, as her eyes blinked wildly. Her head seemed to explode, as flashes of her past flew in front of her. "Jessica?" He placed a hand on her shoulder, but she did not respond to him. Jessica's eyes remained focused on the ground. Scenes of her childhood and her parents formed in front of her, and then disappeared just as quickly. "Jessica, what is wrong?" She still did not react to his speaking. Her breathing was heavy, as if she struggled with something unseen. Gandalf tried to wake her with his mind, but it was hopeless. Her mind was a mist, and he could not discern her in it. He tried once again. "Jessica. Answer me. What is wrong?" Finally, she looked up at his form.
"What is it?" Jessica asked, as if nothing had happened. Gandalf's eyebrows furrowed, and finally he shook his head. Jessica paused before talking to him again. "How do you know my name?"
"There are many things I know about you my lady. My, that is a pretty ornament that hangs from your neck."
"Thank you. It has been passed from generation to the next in my family. Gandalf, right?" He nodded in reply. "If you don't mind me saying, that is a strange name." He laughed lightheartedly at her comment.
"Well, if you do not mind me saying, I find 'Jessica' an outlandish name as well. I think that the name 'Tinioniel' suits you better."
"Tinioniel? I think I like that." Jessica sleepily said, as she began to close her eyes. It was night, where ever she was, and she was sick, and her mind was tired.
- ~ * ~ -
Tinioniel, as she was now called, woke with a start. The dream that she was having was terrible to explain. Her parents went away. 'My parents.' Tinioniel thought to herself. 'I barely remember them. What is happening to me?' She looked over at the old man sleeping. He had been so kind to her, even in the short while that she was with him. Tinioniel was scared, however, and she wanted to get home. She made it up in her mind to runaway from the old man. 'After all,' She thought. 'I think I can easily outrun him. She came to a conclusion, she had to runaway; but when? When would be a good time to run? Tinioniel looked over at the man sleeping. This was her chance, to get away and run home as fast as she could. Gently, she knelt beside the old man sleeping, his glow now absent.
"I am leaving." She softly spoke to him, with words more gentle then the summer breeze. "You were very nice to me, but I have to get home. Thank you, Gandalf." Tinioniel climbed to her feet, and started to feebly walk away.
- ~ * ~ -
Gandalf awoke as the soft rays of the sun cast signs of its coming against the rapidly brightening sky. He stood to his feet, and looked down at the spot where Tinioniel used to lay. The only thing that was left was a small imprint of where her body once was.
"I thought I had her. I thought she trusted me." Gandalf hurried over to his horse, Shadowfax, and rode across the countryside, looking for her, hoping that he was not too late.
- ~ * ~ -
The grass was sweet beneath her feet, as she glided across the fields. The amount of land she had traveled was growing behind her, and the grass that once was pure below her, was growing less. A rocky terrain took its place, causing a harder crossing. There was silence all around her, a relaxing peace that nothing seemed to interrupt, until a strange sound was perceived, and it did not register in her mind as to what it was. Quickly, Tinioniel hid behind a rather large boulder, hoping that this would shield her from their eyes, who ever they might be. The beat of hooves passed her, and they were not the beat of just one horse, but many. She could not keep count. They had passed, but the noise was still in her mind. Then, the sound got louder. The riders had turned around, and they were coming back. Tinioniel pushed her back roughly against the rock, as she heard the riders pass once more.
"How can they keep doing that?" She asked aloud, when the hoof beats had disappeared. Tinioniel got to her feet, and brushed off the back of her blue jeans. Surprisingly, she heard the thumps that had passed twice again. She ducked back down, and waited patiently for them to pass. This was different though. The hooves had diminished to just one horse, one rider. She began to relax, until she heard the horse come to a stop. Tinioniel quieted her breathing, and did not move. The rider dismounted, and stood on the ground for a few minutes, although those minutes seemed like hours. Then, the rider took confident steps, steps that came closer to the rock.
"Well, what is this? Why is a woman outside the deep?" Tinioniel stood, knowing that her game was up. The rider looked at her strange clothing, and she did the same. He was dressed in a medieval armor, and wore a helmet in the shape of a horse with course blond horse hair protruding from it. "Well, what is it? Speak up." Tinioniel looked directly into his orbs that were colored like the sea after a storm.
"I am Tinioniel. I am lost and in search of my home." She replied, her voice never wavering. "And who are you?" Her frustration began to flare inside of her. She had a short temper and was not pleasant around strangers, especially egotistical guys
"I am Eomer, nephew to his
highness. I am commander so I do not
wish to be addressed so informally."
"Well I don't want to even be
here. We can not always get what you
want." Tinioniel replied, her temper
getting the best of her. She did not
like being away from home and in a distant, foreign place.
"You dare speak to a commander with such disregard?"
"Does it look like I would? Yes. Look, I don't care if you are a commander or not. I want to get home. Which direction home is, I have no clue. You, my good sir, are the least of my worries! I do not have time to explain myself to someone who doesn't even treat others with the respect that he himself wants. Let me tell you something, if you think for even a moment that you can just come over here and start questioning my motives well then you have got another thing coming. If you think you can just waltz up to people and say 'hey I am cool. Tell me what you are doing or I will threaten you.' then I am the stop of it all. But ya know the thing that disgusts me the most about you is…"
"That is quite enough, Tinioniel." The memorable voice reverberated in the air. Her face winced as she turned to see the Gandalf upon his stallion. She laughed feverously.
"Hi, Gandalf." Tinioniel cast her gaze to the ground and Eomer began to laugh.
"Dear Gandalf! Are you to tell me that this viper tongued girl is a friend of yours?"
"Viper tongued girl!" Gandalf shot her a harsh look, and Tinioniel decided that it was a poor decision if she continued.
"Yes, Eomer. I am supposed to take the lady to Helm's Deep. That is, unless she runs away again." His hard stare fell upon her, and Tinioniel turned about four shades of red. Eomer laughed at this as well. He seemed nice enough, but certainly disagreeable. "Eomer, I have a duty that must be attended to. It was quite my luck to come across you. Take her to the fortress please, and keep a close eye on her will you?"
"Of course Gandalf, I will do as you say." Eomer replied, as Tinioniel ran to Gandalf's side.
"You are going to leave me here with this strange man? Do you even know anything about him other then his name?" Gandalf reached down and touched her on the head.
"He is a man of dignity, he will let no harm come to you. That I do know. Besides, you left me alone last night when you ran away didn't you?" Gandalf's smile reached across his face, and he winked before riding off.
"Shall we be off my lady?" Eomer said in a playful tone. "We should reach the Deep before nightfall if we go now."
"Then let's go." Tinioniel retorted, as she began to walk. Eomer cleared his throat, and Tinioniel turned around. "What is it?" She asked.
"Helm's Deep is towards the east, you are going south."
"Oh." Tinioniel blushed again. "Sorry." Eomer simply smiled, and Tinioniel walked passed the horse. Eomer cleared his throat again. "Is this not south?"
"Actually, it is not. And would it not be quicker if we rode rather then walked?" Tinioniel shifted in her position slightly, and looked down at the soil. "Well?"
"Well what?" She asked. Eomer looked at her and motioned towards the horse starting to become impatient. "I-I have never ridden on a horse before." She told him, her voice quieting as she got towards the end. Eomer could not help himself. He chortled until he was red. "Ha ha ha. Very funny I know. I did ride with Gandalf, but I had no clue what was going on."
"Well then," Eomer spoke, after his laughing had subsided. "I will have to teach you. Come on now. It will not hurt you."
"I know that. I might hurt you though if you keep treating me as if I were a child. I happen to be very mature for my age thank you, even if my temper does rise." Eomer smiled mockingly and helped to seat her in the saddle.
"Now hold on. I am going to get on." Tinioniel nodded and he mounted the horse swiftly and with expertise. "I will take us down an easy route to the Deep, so nothing tricky, ok?"
"Yes, yes. Can we please go now? I feel very uncomfortable."
"Alright. Have it your way." Eomer, who was seated in front of her, urged the horse forward, but not only did he do this, he told the horse to ride hard and fast.
"What are you doing?" Tinioniel screamed at him, after getting over the shock of such a start. Eomer laughed again.
"I am getting us to Helm's Deep before nightfall."
"You like laughing at me don't you?"
"I would not be laughing at you if you were laughing as well."
"But I am not."
"Then," he paused. "Yes, I am laughing at you." Eomer laughed again as the horse picked up speed. Tinioniel tightened her hold around Eomer's waist, and occasionally opened her eyes to see just how fast they were going; they were quickly closed. Then, the horse slowed down, and came to a stop. "There it is my lady. Helm's Deep. Mind you it is not in the best condition. A fierce battle took place just a few nights ago. Many people lost their lives fighting for this place, and yet, it has no beauty, and no outward sign of being worthy of saving, don't you agree?"
"Yes, but what about everyone inside? Are they ok?"
"Most. That is what they were fighting for. The people." Tinioniel smiled.
"So how are we getting down there?" Eomer leaned forward in his saddle. Tinioniel, following his motions, did the same. There was a steep drop below them, slippery and filled with gravel. She laughed nervously. "No really. How are we getting down there?"
"You are looking at it."
"No, no, no, no, no! That can not be the only way down there!"
"You are right; there are many other passages to the Deep."
"So you just decided to go the most dangerous one?"
"Pretty much, yes. Yes I did."
"Oh my god." Tinioniel muttered. "I am riding with a psycho maniac who probably is suicidal, and he is going to take me down with him."
"Not true." He spoke to her. "My men took this passage down going to fight the orcs that were attacking us."
"Orcs?"
"Yes, orcs."
"What are orcs?" Tinioniel felt tentative asking.
"Oh my god woman, you are the one who is mad! 'What are orcs'? And you do not know how to ride a horse?"
"Hey! We all have our faults!" Eomer hung his head low. Either this person was very stupid or very, very stupid. There was no other explanation. 'What the hell was Gandalf thinking?' Eomer released his thoughts as he tightened his hands around the reigns of the horse.
"Ready?"
"Does it matter?"
"No." Tinioniel sighed.
"Go ahead." 'Oh my god this guy is insane! I am at the mercy of an idiot!' The thoughts ran through her, as the horse began its fall down the steep incline. Tinioniel gasped as the horse descended, and Eomer laughed some more.
"Open your eyes!" He commanded. Tinioniel opened them, even though she did not want to, she was curious. The wind swept athwart on her face. Her auburn hair was run through with the winds concealed hands. The feeling commenced in her heart, and then thrived in her veins. Tinioniel let go of his waist, as she closed her eyes, outstretching her hands towards the sky, and feeling free; librated now more then ever. A wide smile crossed her face, as their speed continued to increase. As soon as it had started, the wild sprint was over, and the horse came to a halt at the bottom of the hill. "What do you think of the hill now?" She lowered her arms and looked at Eomer's eyes.
"I want to do it again." She said bashfully. His laugh was becoming more familiar to her now, and it actually made her happy when he laughed.
"Perhaps another day we shall. Maybe even when you learn how to ride a horse." She punched him in the arm as her own arms resumed their place around his waist
"Not funny."