Until the Stars Are All Alight
Chapter 6: New FacesNotes: Sorry it's taken so long. had killed my computer. But, thanks to Amanda, this story is being posted. So it won't be "me" posting them up but my lovely friend Worship her!
The word that the King of Gondor had called for council went to the far ends of Middle Earth- even to the Shire! Though the city was bustling to and fro, trying to get everything ready for those who would come on behalf of their race or civilization. Elowyn would be there to help represent Rohan while those of elves, men, and hobbits alike would be placed together. Excitement and wariness was filling the halls of Minas Tirith.
Months were passing by, as time seemed to go either too slow or too fast. Merenwen had fallen into a regular pattern that helped her cope with time. She had started teaching Elowyn different names and uses for the plants in the garden while, in turn, Elowyn had started to help Merenwen with skills from a different area.
The clash of metal could always be heard from the courtyard nearly every morning as two unlikely people matched sword against sword. Finally, the sword dropping from her sweaty hands, Merenwen lifted her hands up in surrender to Elowyn, who had once again bested the Princess from Gondor.
"Better then last time." Elowyn said as, getting out of her battle stance, she moved to the side, sheathing her sword. Like most women from Rohan, the Princess, as well as her sister, had been trained in the art of fighting, gaining Shield maiden as another title. "You need to work on your form a bit more though." Blowing a puff of air up at her forehead, she wiped the sweat from her brow.
"Easy for you to say." Since they had started a little over two weeks ago, Merenwen hadn't always been the happiest at the end of the lessons. Her arms were sore and her fingers had started to gain some blisters from the grip on her sword mixed in with her hands getting rather sweaty when she worked the sword.
"You'll get better at it in time." Elowyn said with a laugh, grabbing the sword Merenwen had dropped. "It took me a long time to get good too." She added, trying to make her feel slightly better. Merenwen didn't supply her friend with an answer.
Over the past few weeks, the two Princesses had started to form what was a shaky friendship. Merenwen had mentally agreed that she had been childish to begin with and, setting that aside, the friendship had grown.
"I suppose we're finished for today then." Elowyn continued on in a chipper tone. "I'm off for the Library. Care to join me?" Merenwen had introduced Elowyn to the library as well and the Rohan Princess had enjoyed looking over maps and learning more than she had about the history of Rohan from the Gondorian point of view.
"No." Merenwen said slowly. "I think I will go riding instead." Inclining her head, a soft smile played across her lips. "I shall see you later." Turning, she headed off towards the stables while Elowyn went in the opposite direction.
It was, through riding, that Merenwen really felt free from life itself. Stopping by her Quarters, the gown she had worn for swordplay was thrown aside as a riding gown was donned in its stead. Braiding her hair back, she turned to leave. But, stopping, she turned her head to an object sitting upon her dresser. It had been many years since she had taken a gift with her riding, but her brother's voice echoed in her mind. Slipping on her riding gloves, her fingers clasped the handle of a sleek sword.
Hadhafang was the name of the sword that had been passed down from her great-grandmother, to her mother, and then to her. Merenwen had cherished this sword, but, since she did not know how to use it properly, had never used it. Now was as good a time as any to start. Elowyn's sword lessons would come in handy and, with the sword, she might feel more at ease with everything.
The stables were busy as usual but, with the help of a small stable boy, Merenwen was soon off. Trotting through the streets that buzzed with gossip and words that could scarcely be heard, the journey from the stables to the gates took quite longer than Merenwen liked. Some stopped to speak with her and, being polite, Merenwen exchanged a few words when all she wished was to fly free across the plains.
After what had seemed forever and a day, the Princess was finally free from the walls of the city. "Ride!" she cried to Aduialmîr as the white mare flew across the plains. The feeling of the wind rushing through her hair was exhilarating and the smells of the plains caught her attention. Laughter escaped her lips as, cantering in a small circle, her mare snorted before she directed her towards the river.
Slowing her pace, Merenwen hopped off, patting the side of Aduialmîr's mane. Kneeling down, she glanced into the waters of the river. She had come down through the fields and to the riverside many times before with her brother and with her father, when he had been alive. How he had laughed when Merenwen asked questions about the river or other random ideas that popped into her head. Blinking, she glanced up and then back down into the waters. For a moment, she had almost thought her father's face had been there. But now, all that remained was the river rocks along the shore.
Standing, she brushed a gloved hand along the flank of her mare, sighing. Glancing back to the city, she knew that she could not tarry. Hopping back upon her steed, she started to go but, stopping a moment, she turned back. No, she deserved this time outdoors. Coming to a conclusion, she made for a shallow part of the river where she could cross.
Flying across to the other side, she breathed a sigh of relief before she kept moving. She had been through parts of the wood over here when she had been younger. But the scent of pine still smelled the same and the all trees were a comfort to her.
Slowing again, she took in another deep breath. Everything felt better when she got outdoors. It was in nature she could really think. It was in her blood to hold nature in her heart, for her father had lived a life as a Ranger for many years while her mother had lived in the beauty of Rivendell.
The silence did not last long as, snorting, Aduialmîr backed up a few paces. Her ears were plastered to her skull while, whinnying, she reared up a little bit. Merenwen clung to her neck while she did this, her heart beating a little faster.
"What is wrong, my friend? Hush!" She said, trying to soothe the mare to no avail. Knowing it could be dangerous to be upon her when she was like this, she dismounted before she tried again, stroking her nose and muttering soft words. But moments after she had dismounted, a sound caused a chill to run up her spine.
A growling sound mixed in with snarls was coming. How had she not heard it? Stricken with fear, she tried to mount again. Yet, Aduialmîr had seemed to have enough. Neighing, she turned, causing Merenwen to loose grip, falling onto the ground. Her mare was gone, galloping off into the trees.
"No!" she cried and, turning, she saw what she had heard. A Warg, full grown and foaming at the mouth. Her hands shook as she scooted back, having not gotten up as of yet. "N-nice Warg!" she said, knowing that she was in danger, whether she liked it or not. "St-stay away, now." It snapped in response, licking its chops.
Why didn't I go back? She thought, still trying to move away. But a tree stump hit her back and, realizing she had scooted as far back as she could, the same feeling of fear engulfed her senses. But there was hope. She saw that the Warg was sniffing the air again. She could at least get up and start running.
Counting to three in her head, she placed her hands on the ground. Vaulting up, she turned and ran as fast as her legs could take her into a grove of trees. The Warg, having not been so immersed in the scent it had been smelling, snarled and took off after her.
Branches off saplings lashed at her and, though she had had covered her face with her arms from their assault, she could still feel the stings they left. She was already tired, not used to running as fast as she was, but she couldn't stop. She'd be dead if she did. The grove ended a hundred feet up. Still running, she veered to the left and then backtracked before she ran out the side, in hopes of getting the beast confused.
Bursting from the grove, she felt the weak sunlight hit her face. The sounds of the river were near- she was close to the fields again. Her heart leapt and she felt a sense of pride that she had been able to get out of this mess. Well, she did feel proud, up until the point she realized that she could still hear the beast behind her.
Had she been paying close enough attention when she started running again, the Princess would have seen a rather large rock in the path that she was running towards. Yet, her mind was elsewhere and, not seeing it, her foot hit the rock. Her body tumbled over it and, crying out, she managed to get a nice pain in the head.
So, this is how I'm to die? Beside the river and because my own two feet were too clumsy? She thought, closing her eyes as she heard the triumphant growl of the beast. But the killing blow did not come, nor did the pain that would have shot through her bones as teeth connected with her legs.
Instead, she heard horses and voices and the swishing of arrows as they soared through the air. She dared not breathe, nor did she look until she heard them come towards her. She must have looked odd, lying by the river, sprawled out from her fall.
"Are you alright, my lady?" The voice was low and deep. A voice that belonged to a male. Groaning, she sat up, rubbing a hand against her head. The rocks that were near the river had given her a few pains and probably bruises.
"Yes, I believe I'm alright." She managed to say. She looked up over at them before her mouth about fell open. A company of elves! They must have been coming to the council!
She opened her mouth to speak again when she was cut off by the sounds of others approaching. "Princess Merenwen? Princess Merenwen!" A knot of riders had made their way across the fields and Merenwen was surprised to see that her brother was with them. They all looked worried.
"Merenwen!" Eldarion had hopped off his horse as soon as they had reached the other side of the river, splashing through a small puddle to get to her. His hands gripped her elbows, helping her to her feet. "What happened? Aduialmîr came across the fields but you were gone."
"Little bit of trouble with a Warg." She said, blinking as she tried to kill her headache. "But I was saved after I tripped." She said, feeling heat creep into her cheeks.
"Ah! My lords, I thank you for your rescue of my younger sister." Eldarion smiled as the leader dismounted. "I am King Eldarion, keeper of the White Tower. Might I ask who you are?"
"Prince Glorthoron of Mirkwood." He stood tall, his features stern and chilled. His eyes were dark blue while his hair was like the golden rays of sunlight. "Our company is making way to the city for council. I hope we are not too late, my lord."
"Not late at all!" Her brother seemed pleased that the group had come from Mirkwood. "Would you care to join us back to the city?"
"It would be an honor, my lord." Glorthoron mounted his horse, speaking in elvish to those who did not know the tongue of men well enough to follow the conversation.
With help from her brother, Merenwen was helped up onto his horse. He settled behind her and, leading the company, they made their way back to the city.