Disclaimer: I own nothing of Tolkien's, that is all.

Chapter Quote: "What is your name child?"

Chapter Two

Awakening

When I awoke, my shoulder throbbed painfully and Talorta was hovering above me. His big eyes were staring at me worriedly, his freckled nose nudged me. Get up. He seemed to be saying, I slowly sat up and peered at my arm. It was bleeding, faintly now, but by the way my head was spinning and by the way my side was soaked, I knew I had lost a LOT of blood. I groaned, I couldn't stay here, I needed help. But where exactly was here? I looked around the first time, I was on the edges of a forest, the trees were tall, amazing beautiful in full bloom. And amazing old, I felt like an infant... a helpless infant... alone in... where ever I was... with only Talorta. He whinnied and I looked back at him, my saddle was gone, I could see it laying in an almost unrecognizable heap a few feet away.

$700 dollars down the drain. This was all just too perfect, a wave of pain brought me back to more important matters, and I glanced again at Talorta. His bridle was still intact, the reins drooped loosely over his head. He pushed his velvet nose against my cheek, it was like a gently caress, soothing my fears. Telling me everything would be all right. But everything wasn't. I was losing more blood every moment and was soon becoming weaker and weaker. I started to cry, was I to die out here? Alone?

At least I could be with Zach now. I looked sadly at Talorta, would he be ok if the worst should happen? I didn't know. What a bittersweet thought. I didn't want to die, I had my whole life before me, an open book waiting to be read. Yet so had Zach, could fate be so cruel? Talorta again must have sensed my distress for without a word he laid down by my side. I leaned up against him, my battered body relaxing against his silky fut. I was laying on his chest, but I knew he wouldn't harm me. He dropped his head, curling his body around me and laying it on my stomach. And I finally fell asleep listening to his slow breathing.

"Is she alive?"

"Yes, but she's lost a lot of blood."

I groggily woke up again, Talorta wasn't there anymore, I missed the warmth of his body. I felt so weak now, how much time had passed? Was I dead?

"She's waking." said a deep voice.

I opened my eyes to narrow slits, two men hovered over me, dressed in strange weather worn clothes, swords were slung at there sides and bows on their backs. I had an impulse to scream as one of them knelt next to me. He silenced my fears and talked soothingly to me, he had grey eyes, sad and kind. And I slowly felt myself breaking down and trusting him. The other who stood behind him was holding Talorta's reins. The big horse was looking down at my anxiously and I wanted to tell him that I was fine... but I wasn't. Ironic isn't it? I was too weak to even lift my weary limbs.

"Talorta?" I whispered.

The man kneeling next to me looked puzzled and he looked back at my horse. "Is that his name?" he asked me.

I weakly nodded.

"I am called Strider. This is my kin, Halbarad. We wish to help you."

I just stared at him, his soft grey eyes questioned me gently. So kind, so wise.

"What is your name child?"

"Victoria." I mumbled. "Victoria Nightengale."

Then he smiled and gently lifted me up, I can remember sitting before him as we rode away on his horse. Bading me to sleep as we rode into the thick green woods. So I did, my body swaying with the movements of the horse.

The next time I woke up, someone was bathing my arm. It was a lady, tall with dark brown hair that met with her small, delicate waist. And she had pointed ears. I was laying in a bed in the northern end of the room, or so I assumed it was. It was decorated sparsely, but not poorly. It reminded me somehow of home. In both east and west walls there were windows. A fire roared comfortably in the southern end, warming my chilled body.

The lady smiled, "Feeling better?" her voice was sweet and soft, melodic. Her eyes were depthless blue, they held no memory of thought, like they had just always been. Like the sea.

"How long have I been sleeping?"

She looked up and counted, "About a week I should think. You were very ill."

My eyes widened. A week! Where was I? I tried to sit up, but she firmly pressed me back down, rousing my temper and pride hotly.

"No Victoria, you must rest. None of that."

I glanced at her in surprise, my anger dying away. "How did you know my name?"

"Strider told me when he brought you here."

"Strider?" the name was familiar, then it clicked."I thought I had been dreaming when I met him."

"No, it was all too true, you poor thing. Humans never did heal quickly. Always so painful. He stayed for a few days to heal you, then he had to go. A strange one he is."

I looked up at her again, "Who are you? And where am I?"

She smiled, "Curious now aren't we? My name is Mirlaic. And you are in the village of Gilloth."

"Gilloth?"

"It is a small village. I am not surprised you do not know it. Few have ever heard of it, and even fewer have ever been here. But we are a good village, good people. And if it helps, only a few hours away from King Thranduil's palace. On the Eastern borders of Mirkwood."

My mind swirled with all this information, it was like a dream. And even now I wasn't sure that it was at all true. Where was I? Where was home? Where were my parents?

"Talorta...?"

"Your horse? He's fine. Resting comfortably in the stables, as you should also. I'll get you something to eat and then you should rest."

Above all else I did not want to rest or eat. But the lady was so kind, and patient. And I was tired, so I found myself obeying her wishes, and soon falling back to sleep with the sound of her humming a gentle melody that sounded like wind in the trees and the patter of rain.

A/N: Ihad to update, I'm sorry. I have like, three chapters written up so I thought, hey, what the heck. And no, forcing love onto other people is not normally my style, I do not have a sick mind. My sisters were making fun of me and my recent chapters in a few of my stories. (Blushes) Anyway, did you like? And I got a TON of reviews for this chapter, awesome! More are always appreciated. :)

Till next post...

TO BE CONTINUED...