Hi! Shelina here. I'm sorry that I haven't been updating and all. This chapter is pretty short, and it sucks… but I'll revise it later…
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Lord of the Rings. I tired to buy it for 3 cents and a paper clip but they turned me down. It was a perfectly good paper clip too…
Raine yawned and rubbed her eyes. She didn't get any sleep yesterday and they were going to leave soon. She was sitting outside the Raven Palace petting her horse absentmindedly, waiting for the rest to meet her there. Isabel was fumbling with her pack, trying to tighten it on her horse, an unreadable expression etched on her face. Taja had come out, but left again in search of Gracie. The girl had tried to gain permission to come again, but she was greeted by the same answers she got yesterday. Gracie just didn't understand how dangerous and important this mission was. Taja came out of the palace, troubled looking.
"How'd it go?" Raine asked, stopping her petting looking at her. Taja shook her head. Isabel sat next to the youngest sister to say reassuring words. "Good morning," Aries said, from behind Raine. She jumped involuntarily into the air. She scowled at him. "Good morning," she said back reluctantly. Aries set his pack on the ground and sat down next to her. "Are you ready?" Raine shrugged. "I'm always ready," she said. Aries smiled.
"Hello Aries," Isabel said to the elf. "Hello, mi lady," he said back. He nodded at Taja. "Good morning." Taja smiled weakly back, still troubled about Gracie. Aries looked at Raine questionably. She shook her head. "She's not having a very good morning," she whispered to him so that Taja couldn't overhear. Aries nodded to show that he understood. Raine sighed and laid her head in her arms. "What's wrong? Didn't get enough sleep?" She nodded again, moving aside hesitantly to make room for him to sit. Aries sat down next to her on the stone bench. The two of them sat in the silent of the brisk morning, lost in their thoughts. The sound of footsteps reached their ears and the four of them stood up to greet the rest of their companions. Adiean and Haovign smiled and bowed deeply at the sight of the three ladies and the soldier.
"Everything's ready," Isabel said, looking around at her companions. "We should start the journey right away." They all nodded, showing that they were ready to start. Taja gave a small glance back at the palace, but mounted her horse. Isabel slowed so she could talk to her younger sister. "She's going to be fine," she said, referring to Gracie. Taja nodded. "I know, it's just that I've never had someone so mad at me. And she made me feel guilty." "There isn't another way," Isabel assured. "Gracie would've stayed behind, whether she liked it or not. The trip is too dangerous for her." Taja nodded, reassured, and made her horse trot faster. Isabel smiled.
They were nearing the edge of the Crescent Realm now. Some of the elves had gathered to see them off. Isabel nodded to them and smiled, slightly nervous because of their grim facades. 'It's like we're never coming back," she thought. Nevertheless, the fellowship kept on going. As they reached the last of the trees, they caught sight of Higara and his soldiers. He walked up to Lady Isabel and bowed. "My lady, I wish you the best of luck," he murmured to her. Isabel looked down at him and forced herself to smile back. "Thank you."
Raine rolled her eyes. She was beginning to feel impatient. They were never going to go on the quest at this rate. Finally, Higara stepped back and let them pass. Aries ignored the sneer he got from him and followed. The bright light shone down at them as they left the dark shelter of the trees. They blinked, shielding the sun from their eyes. They started North of Crescent Realm and up the sloping valley.
They soon reached a dirt road and started to follow it. Raine was worried about being out in the open where anyone could see them, but Isabel told her that it was only for a little while. Sure enough, after half an hour, they road led into another forest, though this one was dark, and not as grand as Crescent Realm. It took them a while for their eyes to readjust to the darkness under the trees.
"The trees here are evil," Adiean remarked, looking up at them. Taja looked up the branches above her, slightly worried. "It's fine," Adiean said to her. "As long as we don't do anything to them, I think they won't harm us." "Think?" Taja joked, but she still watched the trees warily. Haovign chuckled. "Adiean is from the Woodland Realm. He grew up with trees. If he says that it's safe. It is safe, Lady." "Call me Taja," Taja said. "I don't like being called Lady." Isabel smiled.
See??? I told you it sucked! Review anyways…
