Hello to all my faithful reviewers, I'm back!
Please forgive me for not posting sooner as I have had a hard time wording this, and, alas to say, I'm still haveing a hard time writing this. It helps to hear from all of you, even if you just post to criticise. The bad comments will be accepted with open arms. I will try to post more...as long as you continue to review I will try my best to continue this story, if not then I may be forced to remove it.
No one from LotR belongs to me. The only characters in this story that do NOT belong to Tolkien are Rose, Briar, Rhys, Katherine, and possibly the Golden Masked Man; all of whom own themselves.
Enough of my blabbering, enjoy...
Chapter Seven The Festival of Masks Part 2
"Rose, where did Katherine go?"
Rose looked up from her drink towards Rhys and hid a grin. He looked slightly dishealved.
"She went to….."
She trailed off as, behind Rhys she saw Katherine walking through the square with…a man in a golden mask.
The man seemed familiar, yet Rose couldn't place where she had….had she seen him before?
"Yes?"
She looked back at Rhys, hiding a sheepish grin.
"She went to find a friend for me, and then when they got back wewere all going to go and…"
She trailed off as a loud explosion sounded froma nearbybuilding, making her glance up sharply.
"What was that?"
Rhys looked at Rose, and then began walking off in the general direction of the explosion.
"I don't know, but whatever it was it can't be good."
Rose got up and quickly followed Rhys, thenbacktracked towards the house she owned with Briar, hoping to find Katherine there. She didn't even get halfway up the street beforesomething came back to her mind.
"Rhys where did Briar go?"
The ranger didn't stop running, but still replied, glancing over his shoulder at her.
"He went back to the house a few minutes ago to see if Katherine would be there."
'Oh, great!' Rose thought running behind Ryhs. 'If he gets there and sees no Katherine around...'
If Briar went back and saw no Katherine, then there would be some trouble, a lot of trouble.
As they walked into the crowd Katherine and the strange man in the golden mask enjoyed each other's company. There was no need to hurry anywhere and…..
A loud explosion went off in a near by building and Katherine stopped walking, startled by the sound. The building they had just passed was in flames. Another was quickly catching the spreading flames, passing it from house to house.
"Quickly, follow me."
The man in the mask quickly took her by the hand and began leading her through the now burning city. Without knowing why she was suddenly following this complete stranger, Katherine had no room to argue as red-hooded figure began running alongside them. She was reminded of teh men from the inn back and let out a small sign. Holding back a gasp of shock and surprise she quickly looked forward to see the nearest exit cut off by a particular brutish figure...dressed in a dark red cloak.
"Going somewhere?"
The man in the mask stopped and Katherine came to a close stop behind him. She glanced between the two and wondered what the man in the mask would do, considering that there were more men slowly surrounding them. Wisely holding back her remarks she listened for the sound of anyone else coming, besides the ever-coming red-hoods.
"Stay behind me Katherine," the masked man silently whispered.
"How do you know my name?" She gasped out the question.
The girl saw a faint smile appear behind the golden mask.
"Don't worry, you're safe, I won't let them harm you."
He caught her eye and she almost smiled.
"Hand over the girl."
Katherine saw the masked man's left hand reaching under his cloak and thought she caught a faint glint of a hilt. Her thoughts went to the dream she had had earlier that very evening and her eyes widened slightly.
"You can have her after I am lying dead on the street," the masked man spoke calmly.
Katherine gave him a look of horror at the words, but he appeared not to notice, he continued to leave his gaze upon the man in front of them; the first actual threat.
The man in front of them laughed lightly, then drew out a large sword. Behind them Katherine could hear other swords being drawn and held her breath. Turning her attention back to the man in front of them she slowly glanced form the menacing advancing figure back to the man in the golden mask, then back to the man.
"So be it."
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