A Knife in the Dark

by Quenril

Centered around a child named Kinya, who's roots are explained in this story; her mother's a whore, her half brother must take care of her, and some interesting travelers have come to their town, including Aragorn, Gandalf, Elladan, Elrohir and Halbarad.

6. Desperate Departure

Part 6

Three days passed. We did not leave the cliffs, but lived on the meager rations we had been supplied. On the forth morning our store ran out, and we knew we'd have to go back in the town. Malkemen, however, seemed troubled.

"You should stay here," he said tentatively. "Their tempers could still be high, and it might be better if you stay away from it. I do not wish to leave you, but it may be safer."

"But…but.." I stammered. All alone, on the cliffs, without anyone in the world, the darkness would collapse and I'd be sucked into it. I couldn't be alone…

"I really don't want to leave you here, for you are far to young to spend the morning alone. But you know your way around, and I fear you'll be saver here then in town. Tell you what, while I'm gone, I want you to look along the seashore for anything you can find to be useful. Food, shells, seaweed. You like doing that, remember! And when I come home, we'll have a big feast from what I earned today, alright? And then we'll talk about what we're going to do when we grow up."

I became excited at the prospect. "How we're going to leave and travel and help people!" I exclaimed.

He smiled. "Yes. I'll be back soon. Farewell, dear sister." With that he kissed my forehead, and he was gone.