I'm terribly sorry it has taken me so long to write. I've been very busy and lazy. I'm in the middle of reading the Wheel of Time which are very good, but extremely long. Again, sorry for the delay.
Chapter Six- Meetings in Bree
Lightening flashes brightly in the dark sky and a girl is seen standing just outside a small cabin on a hill. Thunder crashes deafeningly overhead. The girl is still except for the silent tremors that occasionally overwhelm her. The rain continues to soak her already drenched figure. Tears flowing down her cheeks become mingled with the heavy rains. Another shiver ran through her body. Her heart ached from the injustice that life had dealt her.
"Lady?" A young voice startled the girl from her thoughts. Blythe turned as she stubbornly wiped the tears away from her face. "Lady, my momma says you'll get sick if you don't come in." The boy gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her under the porch. His mother, Elisa, met her at the door with a towel.
"Hurry now child," the woman said sweetly. "You'll catch a cold out in that weather."
The woman helped Blythe undress and gave her some dry clothes. The clothes were much too big for her but they were warm and dry. Blythe took them graciously and put them on. When she came out of the woman's bedroom, she found herself in the large living area. She saw Gandalf sitting by the fire with the boy. He watched in awe as the older man threw small pouchs of fireworks into the fire. They let of a small bang and for a moment the fire turned different colors, like purple or green. Elisa came out of the kitchen with three cups of tea and handed one to Blythe.
"Thank you very much," Blythe said.
"You're welcome, child. May I ask what's wrong, dear?"
"Everything." She replied with a weak smile.
"I'm sorry," the woman said kindly.
"I wanted to thank you again. We appreciate your hospitality." Blythe said changing the subject.
"You're welcome. You can stay as long as you like."
"Oh, I'm afriad we have to be leaving early in the morning."
"That's unfortunate. It isn't often that we get vistors around here." The woman said limping to a cabinet.
"What's the matter with your leg ma'm?"
"I tripped in the woods a few days ago. I suppose I twisted my ankle."
"May I fix it?" Blythe asked, then added, "For payment of your kindness."
"Fix it? How?"
"Just watch." Blythe wrapped her hand around the woman's ankle. She emptied her thoughts and immediatly felt the warm flood wash over her. She felt a tingling in her hand. When she looked at the ankle she saw a warm red light flowing out of the ankle and into her hand. The tingling faded and she stood slowly to avoid passing out. Gandalf said it would be easier with pracitce. He was right in a way; the more she used her gift, the less nauseous she felt afterwards.
The woman looked at her strangely and said, "That is an amazing thing you've got. Thank you. It would have been a week before I would have been able to work again."
"It's the least I could do for your hospitality."
"I must call Gandalf and my husband in for dinner now. Please take a seat."
Blythe woke the next morning before dawn. Gandalf had already packed their bags and tied them to the saddles. Elisa had left biscuits on the table for them and had packed a loaf of bread and some apples for them. When the family woke up Blythe and Gandalf were already three miles west.
Blythe watched pasture, forests, lakes, and plains fly past. Velez raced Shadowfax along the road. The two were distant kin and both animals had lively spirits. At one particularly clear lake they stopped for lunch. Forest surrounded half of the lake, but Blythe was grateful for the sunny spot she had. As they went west the weather was cooler and the rain was more frequent. About three days after leaving Elisa's house, Gandalf and Blythe entered a town called Bree.
The buildings were many stories high, but each story was built differently like it was added later on. All sorts of people packed the crowded streets. Shopowners stood at the doors shouting their goods. People seemed to be in a good spirit only perturbed when the horses were in their path. The town, she nocticed, was built on a hill. The farther up they climbed the more respectable the people seemed. Up ahead Gandalf pointed out an inn, called the Prancing Pony. The place looked comfortable and homely. As they rode through the gates two stableboys rushed out to meet them. Gandalf whispered some instructions and slipped them each a copper coin. The boys looked at each other excitedly and took the horses into the stable.
As soon as Blythe walked into the common room she was overwhelmed by the scene and the noise. Men laughing, shouting, and calling to the barmaids. The room was filled with a haze from pipes and filled with the smell of pipeweed and ale. Gandalf had to shout for her to hear over the noise.
"Try and stay close. Alcohol corrupts even good men." Gandalf said pulling her towards the counter.
"I know, sir." She replied before following him into the next room.
She was pleasantly surprised that the room was much quieter and found it easier to breath. A short, plump man with a bald head and red cheeks. He came hurrying out of a swinging door carrying a tray of mugs. "Half a moment, masters." He shouted without looking at the two standing at the counter and disappeared into the room filled with loud voices and the cloud of smoke. In a few minutes, the innkeeper came back out wiping his hands on his white apron. "Forgive me for the inconvenience. Oh dear, Gandalf, do forgive me. I didn't see you there. How are you?"
"I am well, Master Butterbur."
"Ho, now Gandalf, How may I be helping you this afternoon?"
"I need two rooms. It may be one night; or we could be staying a week or more. It all depends on the people I can talk to."
"I see, and who be this girl with you?"
"Her name is Blythe of Rohan." Blythe shot Gandalf a look saying she was perfectly capable of introducing herself. "About those rooms."
"Ah yes. Let's see. Second floor. Rooms 13 and 14. They face each other from across the hall."
"Good, thank you." Gandalf said handing the innkeeper two coins Blythe didn't recognize.
"Thank you, Gandalf. Anything you need let me know. Anything at all will be done for you." Butterbur said bowing. Suddenly a taller but equally large woman came out of the kitchens frowning at the innkeeper. "Oh dear. I must go now. Excuse me." The woman waited for the man to enter the doors with her hands on her hips then followed him in.
Blythe followed Gandalf up the stairs and to their rooms. She took the room that looked over the small garden and stable area. The room was small with only a bed, which looked slightly comfortable, a desk with two chairs, and a closet area. Gandalf's room was slightly bigger with a nicer bed and better furnishings. Their stuff had already been put into the rooms for them. Blythe didn't bother to unpack it, just in case. Blythe met Gandalf for dinner in the common room a few hours later.
If possible the large room was even more crowded than before. Blythe sat near the corner of to the side trying to avoid to many people. She had taken a bath and changed into a nicer dress from her bags. Only afterwards did she find this a bad idea when men kept rubbing up against her and shouting inappropriate things to her. Most of the men were foul smelling and rough and Blythe simply tried to ignore them. She was grateful when Gandalf joined her; it seemed to deter most of the men who had been coming over.
"Have you found anything to help you?" She asked after the barmaid brought them two plates of chicken and vegetables.
"Actually, yes. I haven't been able to talk to him yet. But that man, there in the corner. I do believe he will be able to help me a great deal."
Blythe looked to where Gandalf had pointed. The man he pointed to was sitting in the corner booth alone except for his pipe. He was dressed in forest colors, like greens and browns, and had boot that came up almost to his knee. His cloak was of a strange material that seemed to fade into the wood background. The hood was pulled up so that his face was covered. She noticed that the other patrons of the inn occasionally gave the man a puzzling but detestable look. The man seemed to ignore the others but also see everything at once. Blythe was instantly intrigued.
"Who is he?" She asked.
"I don't know his name but I do know he is a Ranger." Gandalf said quietly. "They aren't held in high esteem here, but they have saved these people numerous times. Many of the people don't even know how many times the Rangers have stopped dangers before they reached here."
"And how will he help us?"
"You will see in time."
After they finished their meal, Gandalf walked over and talked to the man. Soon he returned with the man following him. The man had lowered his hood to reveal a young but grim face. An old scar ran from his left temple across his forehead and disappeared into his dark brown hair. He bowed to Blythe and said, "Evening, My lady." Now that he was standing closer, she found him to be tall and very handsome, despite the man's hardened features.
Gandalf and the man, who said his name was Samuel, talked for a long time, mostly of travels and such. Gradually, Gandalf mentioned the Grey Company. Blythe had never heard of it but the Ranger certainly had. Gandalf asked the young man if he had any idea where he might find them. To his great surprise, Samuel said he had just left Grey Company a few days ago to buy some supplies in Bree and was leaving to meet them the next day. Gandalf explained that he needed to find this group called Grey Company and Samuel agreed to take them to them.
"I will warn you, a terrible sickness has stricken the people there. That is the reason we are there at all. We've been trying to help the folks up there. It's easier now that some of our own men have returned." Samuel said mainly watching Blythe.
"We know of the diesease. That is why we have come." Blythe said, startled that she had spoken up.
"Really? Why?"
"I've come to help... to help the sick."
"How?"
"It's complicated. Have you heard from a Ranger named Strider recently?" Gandalf interrupted Blythe who blushed.
"Actually I saw him riding from Bree as I was coming in. I do believe he is with the Grey Company now."
"Really? That's good to hear."
Blythe somewhat confused by Gandalf's answer said, "I better go upstairs and get some rest since it seems we'll be leaving tomorrow."
"Good night." Gandalf said.
"Sleep well." Samuel added. Turning, Blythe headed for the stairs.
In her room, Blythe found a letter sitting on her bed. It was just a small piece of parchment with a short note scribbled on it.
Blythe,
It seems I've just missed you. A pity. We shall be meeting soon however.
Avoid those Ranger filth. Remember, you are mine.
At the last sentence she threw the paper on the desk. You are mine. Who in the world was it from? A sudden chilly gust blew in from the window. Blythe hurried to shut it. 'I know I left it shut.' She thought taking a quick look over the gardens. In the dark shadows of the evening she thought she saw a man looking up at her window, but when she looked back at where she saw him no one was there. 'There was no one there.' Blythe told herself as she shut the curtains and got ready for bed. The knife Aragorn had given her she set on the bedside table. No matter how much she told herself that she couldn't shake the thought that someone had been watching her. 'Just in case,' she told herself.
The girl appeared at the window. Just as her gaze fell on him the man in the dark cloak disappeared. Not even a footprint was left in the dirt.
Please review. I promise the next chapter is coming soon. I'm already working on it! Please, Please, Review!
Chapter Six- Meetings in Bree
Lightening flashes brightly in the dark sky and a girl is seen standing just outside a small cabin on a hill. Thunder crashes deafeningly overhead. The girl is still except for the silent tremors that occasionally overwhelm her. The rain continues to soak her already drenched figure. Tears flowing down her cheeks become mingled with the heavy rains. Another shiver ran through her body. Her heart ached from the injustice that life had dealt her.
"Lady?" A young voice startled the girl from her thoughts. Blythe turned as she stubbornly wiped the tears away from her face. "Lady, my momma says you'll get sick if you don't come in." The boy gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her under the porch. His mother, Elisa, met her at the door with a towel.
"Hurry now child," the woman said sweetly. "You'll catch a cold out in that weather."
The woman helped Blythe undress and gave her some dry clothes. The clothes were much too big for her but they were warm and dry. Blythe took them graciously and put them on. When she came out of the woman's bedroom, she found herself in the large living area. She saw Gandalf sitting by the fire with the boy. He watched in awe as the older man threw small pouchs of fireworks into the fire. They let of a small bang and for a moment the fire turned different colors, like purple or green. Elisa came out of the kitchen with three cups of tea and handed one to Blythe.
"Thank you very much," Blythe said.
"You're welcome, child. May I ask what's wrong, dear?"
"Everything." She replied with a weak smile.
"I'm sorry," the woman said kindly.
"I wanted to thank you again. We appreciate your hospitality." Blythe said changing the subject.
"You're welcome. You can stay as long as you like."
"Oh, I'm afriad we have to be leaving early in the morning."
"That's unfortunate. It isn't often that we get vistors around here." The woman said limping to a cabinet.
"What's the matter with your leg ma'm?"
"I tripped in the woods a few days ago. I suppose I twisted my ankle."
"May I fix it?" Blythe asked, then added, "For payment of your kindness."
"Fix it? How?"
"Just watch." Blythe wrapped her hand around the woman's ankle. She emptied her thoughts and immediatly felt the warm flood wash over her. She felt a tingling in her hand. When she looked at the ankle she saw a warm red light flowing out of the ankle and into her hand. The tingling faded and she stood slowly to avoid passing out. Gandalf said it would be easier with pracitce. He was right in a way; the more she used her gift, the less nauseous she felt afterwards.
The woman looked at her strangely and said, "That is an amazing thing you've got. Thank you. It would have been a week before I would have been able to work again."
"It's the least I could do for your hospitality."
"I must call Gandalf and my husband in for dinner now. Please take a seat."
Blythe woke the next morning before dawn. Gandalf had already packed their bags and tied them to the saddles. Elisa had left biscuits on the table for them and had packed a loaf of bread and some apples for them. When the family woke up Blythe and Gandalf were already three miles west.
Blythe watched pasture, forests, lakes, and plains fly past. Velez raced Shadowfax along the road. The two were distant kin and both animals had lively spirits. At one particularly clear lake they stopped for lunch. Forest surrounded half of the lake, but Blythe was grateful for the sunny spot she had. As they went west the weather was cooler and the rain was more frequent. About three days after leaving Elisa's house, Gandalf and Blythe entered a town called Bree.
The buildings were many stories high, but each story was built differently like it was added later on. All sorts of people packed the crowded streets. Shopowners stood at the doors shouting their goods. People seemed to be in a good spirit only perturbed when the horses were in their path. The town, she nocticed, was built on a hill. The farther up they climbed the more respectable the people seemed. Up ahead Gandalf pointed out an inn, called the Prancing Pony. The place looked comfortable and homely. As they rode through the gates two stableboys rushed out to meet them. Gandalf whispered some instructions and slipped them each a copper coin. The boys looked at each other excitedly and took the horses into the stable.
As soon as Blythe walked into the common room she was overwhelmed by the scene and the noise. Men laughing, shouting, and calling to the barmaids. The room was filled with a haze from pipes and filled with the smell of pipeweed and ale. Gandalf had to shout for her to hear over the noise.
"Try and stay close. Alcohol corrupts even good men." Gandalf said pulling her towards the counter.
"I know, sir." She replied before following him into the next room.
She was pleasantly surprised that the room was much quieter and found it easier to breath. A short, plump man with a bald head and red cheeks. He came hurrying out of a swinging door carrying a tray of mugs. "Half a moment, masters." He shouted without looking at the two standing at the counter and disappeared into the room filled with loud voices and the cloud of smoke. In a few minutes, the innkeeper came back out wiping his hands on his white apron. "Forgive me for the inconvenience. Oh dear, Gandalf, do forgive me. I didn't see you there. How are you?"
"I am well, Master Butterbur."
"Ho, now Gandalf, How may I be helping you this afternoon?"
"I need two rooms. It may be one night; or we could be staying a week or more. It all depends on the people I can talk to."
"I see, and who be this girl with you?"
"Her name is Blythe of Rohan." Blythe shot Gandalf a look saying she was perfectly capable of introducing herself. "About those rooms."
"Ah yes. Let's see. Second floor. Rooms 13 and 14. They face each other from across the hall."
"Good, thank you." Gandalf said handing the innkeeper two coins Blythe didn't recognize.
"Thank you, Gandalf. Anything you need let me know. Anything at all will be done for you." Butterbur said bowing. Suddenly a taller but equally large woman came out of the kitchens frowning at the innkeeper. "Oh dear. I must go now. Excuse me." The woman waited for the man to enter the doors with her hands on her hips then followed him in.
Blythe followed Gandalf up the stairs and to their rooms. She took the room that looked over the small garden and stable area. The room was small with only a bed, which looked slightly comfortable, a desk with two chairs, and a closet area. Gandalf's room was slightly bigger with a nicer bed and better furnishings. Their stuff had already been put into the rooms for them. Blythe didn't bother to unpack it, just in case. Blythe met Gandalf for dinner in the common room a few hours later.
If possible the large room was even more crowded than before. Blythe sat near the corner of to the side trying to avoid to many people. She had taken a bath and changed into a nicer dress from her bags. Only afterwards did she find this a bad idea when men kept rubbing up against her and shouting inappropriate things to her. Most of the men were foul smelling and rough and Blythe simply tried to ignore them. She was grateful when Gandalf joined her; it seemed to deter most of the men who had been coming over.
"Have you found anything to help you?" She asked after the barmaid brought them two plates of chicken and vegetables.
"Actually, yes. I haven't been able to talk to him yet. But that man, there in the corner. I do believe he will be able to help me a great deal."
Blythe looked to where Gandalf had pointed. The man he pointed to was sitting in the corner booth alone except for his pipe. He was dressed in forest colors, like greens and browns, and had boot that came up almost to his knee. His cloak was of a strange material that seemed to fade into the wood background. The hood was pulled up so that his face was covered. She noticed that the other patrons of the inn occasionally gave the man a puzzling but detestable look. The man seemed to ignore the others but also see everything at once. Blythe was instantly intrigued.
"Who is he?" She asked.
"I don't know his name but I do know he is a Ranger." Gandalf said quietly. "They aren't held in high esteem here, but they have saved these people numerous times. Many of the people don't even know how many times the Rangers have stopped dangers before they reached here."
"And how will he help us?"
"You will see in time."
After they finished their meal, Gandalf walked over and talked to the man. Soon he returned with the man following him. The man had lowered his hood to reveal a young but grim face. An old scar ran from his left temple across his forehead and disappeared into his dark brown hair. He bowed to Blythe and said, "Evening, My lady." Now that he was standing closer, she found him to be tall and very handsome, despite the man's hardened features.
Gandalf and the man, who said his name was Samuel, talked for a long time, mostly of travels and such. Gradually, Gandalf mentioned the Grey Company. Blythe had never heard of it but the Ranger certainly had. Gandalf asked the young man if he had any idea where he might find them. To his great surprise, Samuel said he had just left Grey Company a few days ago to buy some supplies in Bree and was leaving to meet them the next day. Gandalf explained that he needed to find this group called Grey Company and Samuel agreed to take them to them.
"I will warn you, a terrible sickness has stricken the people there. That is the reason we are there at all. We've been trying to help the folks up there. It's easier now that some of our own men have returned." Samuel said mainly watching Blythe.
"We know of the diesease. That is why we have come." Blythe said, startled that she had spoken up.
"Really? Why?"
"I've come to help... to help the sick."
"How?"
"It's complicated. Have you heard from a Ranger named Strider recently?" Gandalf interrupted Blythe who blushed.
"Actually I saw him riding from Bree as I was coming in. I do believe he is with the Grey Company now."
"Really? That's good to hear."
Blythe somewhat confused by Gandalf's answer said, "I better go upstairs and get some rest since it seems we'll be leaving tomorrow."
"Good night." Gandalf said.
"Sleep well." Samuel added. Turning, Blythe headed for the stairs.
In her room, Blythe found a letter sitting on her bed. It was just a small piece of parchment with a short note scribbled on it.
Blythe,
It seems I've just missed you. A pity. We shall be meeting soon however.
Avoid those Ranger filth. Remember, you are mine.
At the last sentence she threw the paper on the desk. You are mine. Who in the world was it from? A sudden chilly gust blew in from the window. Blythe hurried to shut it. 'I know I left it shut.' She thought taking a quick look over the gardens. In the dark shadows of the evening she thought she saw a man looking up at her window, but when she looked back at where she saw him no one was there. 'There was no one there.' Blythe told herself as she shut the curtains and got ready for bed. The knife Aragorn had given her she set on the bedside table. No matter how much she told herself that she couldn't shake the thought that someone had been watching her. 'Just in case,' she told herself.
The girl appeared at the window. Just as her gaze fell on him the man in the dark cloak disappeared. Not even a footprint was left in the dirt.
Please review. I promise the next chapter is coming soon. I'm already working on it! Please, Please, Review!