8. The encounter

I stood up and carefully removed the few leaves that had stuck to my light green silk dress.
"You really should be more careful about where you run." I commented as I picked up my bow and arrow. Rren was just now standing up rubbing her head vigorously. At a loss for word she just gaped at me for several minutes so I again broke the silence.
"Took care of that orc for you, and you know if you had paid more attention to magic lessons you might have been able to handle him yourself." I commented airily. Rren then turned around to gaze at the orc body which lay only a few feet away an arrow burrowed right in his forehead. Rren's mouth began to move but no words came out of her mouth. I decided that for the first time in her life Rren must have been at a loss for words. I will have to admit I was quite proud of my accomplishment.
"At a loss for words are you?" I asked my voice full of pleasure. It was then that Rren's face twisted in a look of anger and she regained her voice.
"Gwen! How could you just come running after me like that!" Rren demanded. I was taken my surprise at her question,
"Well someone had to protect you." I answered logically. Rren gave me a very unpleased glazed look and screamed in frustration. She then proceeded with picking up her fallen sword and began running in the direction of the thicker forests, which would lead her farther away from Rivendell.
"Rren where are you!" I called, but she paid me no heed as she continued her determined jog away from our home.
"How will you find the way you've never even left Rivendell!" I called again this time more frantically. In response Rren paused and looked back her face no longer angry now almost said and yet a yearning was in them. It was then that I knew she was going to leave and was determined to without anyone's help. A sigh escaped my lips as I now looked down as Rren continued on without me. I had finally come to the crossroads behind me lay war and ahead me lay the unknown. I was not sure which frightened more. It was then I longed for the guidance of one wiser than me. I heard light footsteps bow bent waiting to see whom the intruder was.
"You aren't going to let her go alone are you?" the man asked looking down at me. I looked at him in my now familiar puzzled way.
"Your cousin has courage but she will need someone with a good head on their shoulder to help her." he commented he then pulled out the map that I had obviously dropped somewhere in the woods.
"Take it and use it wisely along with you grandfather's ring. Rivendell is no longer safe, so you must go with your cousin in search of safety, watch over her and use the gifts you posses."
"But..." I began but immediately stopped for the man had disappeared as quickly as he had come. I looked down at the map I now knew the path I must take, but fear grew in me. I stood for several moments looking down my now chosen path. I finally mustered enough courage and headed down the path that Rren many minutes ago had gone down.