She waited down by the waterfront, listening. She had found it easier in the past months to come here alone. Away from the cares of the small town. Away from the crowds. Away from the cares and burdens. She sat there day after day wondering if she would ever be able to get out of this desolate place.
Ever since she had arrived here she'd regretted every single minute. Sure she had a job at the only and best tavern, but all that had gotten her were death notes on the door and none of the girls her age would talk to her unless they worked at the tavern. She was alone in a world as desolate as Mordor. As desolate as the Shire. Almost as desolate as Amanairth. And yet Amanairth was not as desolate.
She looked at the fast fading sun and knew she had to go back. She would have given all that had been saved to get out of here. To be free from all of the cares and sorrows she had now, but would they ever go away?
Walking back to the tavern she shook those thought from her head. She would have to deal with them later.
"Hurry up girl! Tis almost time to open!"
She heard a few of the other girls laugh as she walked in, yet heeded them not. Taking up the broom she started sweeping the floor. When all was done and ready she donned her apron and waited. Even though the tavern would not open for another half hour Orton made sure it was clean. All the other barmaids waited close to the door looking out for their regulars. After she was finished she leaned on the far wall from the door.
"Look here he comes! I knew those wern't rumors!" Anoyln spoke, obiously excited.
"You mean that is Rhys?" Elonwy said. "He is so handsome."
"Now now girls," Pat said. "Make way maybe our little Kat will want a look."
Out of all three of them Pat was the worst. She made Katherine's life miserable. She found it humorous that Kat had lost HER memory and her only possessions were two rings.
"I have no mind for men, so take your time," Kat said. 'Rhys,' she thought. 'That name sounds famalier.' "You might even get close enough to serve him."
That shut them up fast. Before any of them could speak, however, Orton came in.
"Well ladies it's opening time!"
As he opened the door Pat gave me her best dirty look. Seeing it Kat merely smiled and waved. Then things got busy.
Around ten a cloaked and hooded figure walked in. Katherine knew she would have to take serve him because none of the others would. They feared anyone who wore a hood, and they all dispised rangers.
'That is akward seeing how their own king was one.'
"Good evening sir what can I get you."
Kat loved the rangers, she spent time studying what they did and how they reacted to things.
"A pint of you best ale and some bread."
"I'll be just a moment."
All he did was nod. Turning she went over to the counter where Orton was and told him about the bread. As he was getting it she filled a pint full of our best ale. Putting it on a tray she noticed that Orton had already placed the bread, carefully balancing it Kat took it over to the stranger. Setting it before him he spoke.
"Girl," He spoke. It startled her a little. Not noticing he went on, "do you know of a girl whose name is Katherine?"
Kat shook a little, so he wouldn't notice she covered it with picking the tray back up.
"Aye sir, I know her."
"Could you tell me where she stays?"
She forze. 'Who is this man to ask of me?!'
"She stays at the inn just down the road."
He remained silent so Kat started to move away.
"I'm told she works here. I was hoping to meet her tonight."
"I'm sorry tonight is her night off." Kat lied and turning walked away not noticing the smile on his mouth or his silent words.
"Is that so..."
As she put the tray up she noticed Pat close by, smiling.. Not noticing Kat went into the kitchen to see if the cooks needed any help.
'One weird customer is enough for tonight.' She thought.
Upon reaching her room back at the inn she realized the door was open and someone was sitting in the only chair at the only table in the small room, smoking a pipe.
"Good evening mistress."
The voice startled her.
"Who are you?"
He shifted his position. He made her extremely uneasy.
"Do you not remember?" He asked. He drew in a deep bout form his pipe. Letting it out he continued, "I was at that tavern not more than a few hours ago."
"You...were the..."
"Yes."
"You were looking for Katherine I am not her."
"Indeed," He spoke directly after Kat had finished. "When you were picking up the tray I noticed that tear shaped ring on your finger. It belongs to Katherine as well as the gold on the chain around you neck." He paused to see her reaction.
She hid her surprise very well.
'Thank you Pat.' she thought to myself. 'I'm going to hit her the next time I see her!'
Indeed if it hadn't been for Pat Katherine wouldn't be able to hide half her feelings.
"Tell me where she is." He spoke harshly.
"I will tell you nothing of her until I have your name," Kat spoke with the same harshness he had given her. He appeared surprised.
"Well," he started. "I've never known a woman to use that tone with me in my entire life." He paused. "Except one."
"Then apparently you haven't met that many women."
He seemed so shocked by this that for a while he was silent.
"Well mistress you have a sharp tounge..."
"I've a sharper wit to match."
"Indeed." Taking off his hood he stated, " My name is Rhys Silver."
Katherine was startled into silence by his remark. She had just spoken back to the King of Amanairth. Instently she sank to her knees.
"Come good lady," He came over and, holding her shoulders, brought Kat up to her feet. "Do you know where I can find Katherine?"
"I am she My Lord."
She did not see his face for she dared not look into his eyes.
"You are Katherine," He started a bit startled. "Then I must tell you are one of the hardest people I have ever had to find."
At these words she looked up. His eyes were full of kindness and caring.
"You are Katherine Silver. My sister."
Kat was too shocked to speak. Almost as soon as the words left his lips memories came flowing into her mind. Her parents kind and wise, her brother stern at times, yet light hearted, and there was another she remembered...a man...tall and regal...they stopped. Her head was spinning. She swayed forward and he caught her in his arms. She stayed there leaning her head against his chest.
"Rhys I remember now...not all...but...there was a great mask..." She trailed off.
"Shh," He spoke quietly.
"I've been so very lost." Kat spoke quietly.
In spite of herself she started crying. He held her until she stopped.
"Come we must leave this place tonight."
"Why," she started. "You've only just arrived and..."
"I haven't been the only one looking for you."
At these words a shiver ran up her spine. She pulled apart from her newly found brother, and started going about the room gathering the few belongings she had and stashing them in a bag. After all had been packed he led her out the door and down the back stairs.
"Apparently we are just in time," he muttered to himself. "Look." He told her pointing to the front of door.
Looking she saw three men hooded in red walk in. They went up to the keeper of the inn, Berlantheo.
"Oh," Kat whispered. "I hope he dosen't get hurt."
Rhys pulled her back under the stair well just as one of the three came to walk up the stairs. As soon as he passed overhead Rhys took something out of his pack.
"Here," he gave her some black material. "Put this on, it is a spare."
Putting it on Katherine followed him through the back door and out into the stables.
"You must ride in front of me until we reach Minas Tirith."
"I won't mind," she said back. "As long as we get out of this town I could care less where we go or how far I have to go riding in front."
He laughed. She stared at him in the dark. His laughing started her off.
"Come on I'll give you a leg up."
Once she was on the horse they heard a commotion out by the inn.
Both our laughing stopped short. The three men had realized Katherine was no longer a member of the inn. Swiftly Rhys sprang behind her and spurring the horse they left the stables at a fast gallop. As they had exited the stables, however, Rhys had let the three men's horses out of their stalls and they were following him out of the small town. Katherine felt free, as though a burdan had been lifted.
They rode all through the night not stopping till the sun dawned. When they did stop to Katherine's surprise, they were under the mountains.
"How..."
"That small town is only fifty miles from the city." Looking around he led the horse over to a small crevice in the stone, yet in there was a small two room house.
"We will stay here for an hour at dusk we set off for Minas Tirith, with luck on our side we should reach the city by tommorow morning."
When he opened the door into the small house Kat nearly gagged on the dust hanging in the air. As they walked into the dust Rhys opened one of the windows. As the breeze came in it blew the dust around Katherine sneezed.
"A bit dusty?"
She looked over at her brother, he had a sly smirk on his face. Putting her hands behind her back Kat scooped up a bit of the dust. Walking over to him she gently blew it into his face, smiling. As he inhaled it she stepped back knowing what would come. And as if on cue he sneezed.
"A bit dusty?" She asked scarcasticly.
Putting on his best fake smile he stepped forward, scooped up a handful of dust and started walking toward her.
"No..." she started, backing away another memory flashed in her mind. "Rhys don't you dare..."
Turning she went into the extra room and quickly put the bed between them. With a grin he jumped across the bed and smeared the front of her cloak, actually it was his. She grabbed some off the cloak and smeared it on him. This went back and forth until they heard the sound of riders just outside.
"Stay here."
Nodding Kat silently went and hid behind the door brushing the dust off. Standing there she could hear everything outside, including who Rhys was talking to.
"Who's in there?"
Apparently Rhys didn't trust the voice for he called out what she recognized as elvish. In return to his call someone shouted back in the common tounge.
"Rhys is that you?"
"Aragorn?"
She heard the sound of someone entering the main room.
Through the small gap between the door and wall she made out Rhys and Aragorn. His name sounded famalliar too.
"It is good to see you."
"We heard you were in the Eumil." He spoke. Then, "did you find who you were looking for?"
Kat saw him nod toward...where she was. Gulping back shock she remained quiet.
"I did. We are resting here. We are heading for Minas Tirith."
At this they both went outside and Kat silently closed the door as best as she could then went and sat on the bed. With out warning weariness overcame her and she fell into a fitful sleep.
When she woke it was to shouts and steel on steel. Running into the main room she saw the door shut with someone guarding it on the inside. He looked up as she came in.
"Milady I have orders from your brother to make suer you stay in the back room."
"What's going on out there?"
"Please Milady..."
"Oh alright..."she muttered.
Going back into the room she closed the door. Looking around she saw the bed, a stool, a small stand, and a...perfect. Picking up the small, dull, knife she went and stood behind the door, waiting. she heard the commotion coming inside and the man fighting, then heard a few others come in and then the closing of the door. All she could do was stand there and wait. After a while she heard someone knock on the door.
'Must all men believe we women are always helpless and defenseless?' Kat pondered.
The door began to open slowly. Seeing someone peer in she held her breath. They were hooded so she could not see their face. Abandoneing the knife she silently went up behind him grabbed the stool and smached it across the back of his head. The stool broke on his head and fell to pieces as he fell onto the bed, unconscience.
Curious as to how he was Kat walked over to him and rolling him over to his back she gently pulled back his hood. She could have kicked herself. It was Rhys. Just then someone grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around.
It was Aragorn!
"Where is..."
He looked over at the bed.
"I thought he was someone else..."
She broke off seeing him stir. Slowly he sat up rubbing the back of his head. Seeing this she hid her smile.
"What hit me?"
Kat looked over at Aragorn who was also trying to hide a smile.
He looked to her, as did Rhys.
"A stool."
"Who..."
He trailed off as Kat bowed her head.
"Come," Aragorn said breaking the silence. "Let us make haste to the mountains. It is no longer safe here."
Nodding she turned and went into the main room Aragorn right behind her. Drawing the hood she smiled. As they walked out into the daylight she saw others whom she did not know. After Rhys came out there were puzzeled expressions on many of their faces. Nodding to Rhys he led her over to a horse and she easily got on. When all were mounted Aragorn led the way up a path to the mountain. Katherine stayed to the back with Rhys with others still behind them. Kat felt odd traveling with these men.
'Then again I have good reason to,' she thought. 'One woman among so many men. This was NOT...what's the word...'
Her thoughts were broken by Rhys whispering something to her.
"Katherine do you remember the city?"
She looked over at him startled. Putting his words to thought she pondered over them.
"No." She said shaking her head.
Kat wish she did, despereatly, but she just couldn't.
That night as they were setting up camp Katherine had a very odd feeling that something not right. Thinking it only a feeling she dismissed it. Moving over to where Rhys was she started voicing her thoughts when there was a piercing whistling noise. Instently the camp fell quiet. Rhys went and put out the fire so they weren't too obvieous. Kat went over to where her bedroll was and removed the dagger that she carried. Rhys, who had been right behind her, gave Kat a shocked expression in the little moonlight they had. Before she could answer it someone else moved up behind him. Kat put the sword underneath her cloak and strapped the scabbord onto her belt.
"Rhys go further into the hills take your sister and see what's coming."
Kat nodded beriefly as did Rhys and they moved off into the night. They traveled in silence until Rhys motioned for her to stop. He moved a bit closer and whispered something to her.
"Where did you get that dagger?"
Kat merely shrugged.
"I'll do a loop around and meet you back here."
Before he could respond Kat moved off. He had no choice but to stay there and wait. As she moved deeper into the woods Kat turned in a wide circle. She was about a mile from where her brother was and could see the camp and Rhys from where she was. Looking directly below her on a small narrow trail were around two-dozen men with bow, and swords.
"Oh crap... "
