Erenis walked through the bustling streets of the market. Buyers and Sellers swaggered too and fro through the mid-morning rush.
Tightening her grip on her basket she faught through a wave of women all pushing to get at a particular item. Shaking her head she dodged
out of the way of several children, all runnning recklessly through a busy area. Drawing in a deep breath she took a left on the main street
and made her way to the bakers.
Erenis's home was not far from the bakers, but on market day it seemed to take a lifetime to do a twenty minute trip. Depending on
what time it was when she left, it could sometimes take her all the way to 1 o'clock in the afternoon to make her way home. She was relieved to
find that most of the women must have gone to the bakers earlier, when the bread was hot out of the oven. Erenis didn't really care how hot it
was, just as long as it was baked that day and still smelled remotely fresh.
Erenis was 16 years old, she had chestnut brown hair that reached just below her shoulders and deep gray eyes. Her face was full
of expression but not in the least bit childish. Today she wore a faded green bandana, which pulled her hair out of her face and light green
tunic-gown, with a dark green cyclas on top. A thin rope served as a belt, winding it's way around her waist and up her chest in an 'X'
formation. Her brown boots poked out from under her dress, and tried their best to avoid stepping on a great black cloak she was wearing.
She was born in the sorrounding country but her mother and father had moved when they were children because of the Great War.
The Great War was really the War of the Ring. Of course Erenis knew that, but still she presisted on calling it the Great War. Many of the
Vetrans who had served under the Lord Faramir, Steward of Gondor, Prince of Ithilien, or under King Elessar of the reunited Kingdoms of
Gondor and Arnor called it so. They said it was the war to end all wars. They said that evil would be undone, and that the free-lands of
Middle Earth, would be so, free, forever more.
When her father had lived, they had traveled oft to the country to visit his home, but her father had succumed to a great sickness
some years before. Her mother was torn in grief, and had taken her own life some months later. It was a brutal blow for Erenis and her brother
but they had managed. Erenis's brother was a promising Guard of the Citiadel. He worked long hours standing and guarding the White Tower
and the area beyond from anyone who would wish it harm. He saw little action, but seemed to enjoy his time with his comrades. But in Erenis's
eyes little action was the best way to be. It would be fairly unpleasant should she loose her brother on top of everything else.
Erenis herself was an apprentice to a healer, learning the arts of healing in preperation to serve at the Houses of Healing one day.
Erenis found the job not entirely exciting. She wanted to help and make an impact, but not quite in that way. She was eager to see the face
of battle and take up her brother's mantle (should he fall). But that was, completely, out of the question. For starters, she was a girl, and though
the people often spoke of the great feat of the Lady Eowyn, sister to the King of Rohan, and Lady of Ithilien's feat with the Fell King, it was in no
way a reason to let little Erenis Aerkhamsdaughter ride to war.
The second reason that the last war was the Great War, and if what the Vetrans said was true, there would hopefully never be
another war in these parts. Soldiers were trained, but not often needed and the rare jobs that were needed were underpaid and not really
worth standing around for. Erenis for one, could not imagine how terribly boring her brothers job was. Just standing at attention all day.
Nothing to do really. There was once when this elder man had ran into where ever it was he was guarding at that time and demanded to see
the King. When they intended to see to it that he went away he pulled out a knife and started threatening her brother's companion at the time.
However, that man was not very good with a knife, no not at all, and had simply dropped it when Arenson (Erenis's brother) grabbed
his wrist. As it turned out the man wasn't fully right in the head and had merely gotten free of the Healers care. He was given a scolding and
sent to his quarters and that was the end of it. Not very exciting at all.
But back to our story, by this point in time Erenis had reached the bakers and bought her loaf of bread. She was once again pushing
her way through the throngs to reach her small home which was in quite bad condition. quite. As she started to make it out of the market
district the crowds started to clear off and she had room to breath again.
Sun beat down with a passion, making the stone and marble of Minas Tirith glow, with seemingly, appreciation. She herself relaxed
as she felt the suns warm touch apon her face and realised for the first time of day that it was exactly the perfect kind of day to go riding. A
smooth calm breeze pulled at her cloak as she walked towards the outskirts of the city district. The sky was a valiant blue, flawed only by the
floating clouds, deep in slumber in it's midst.
A dog ran down the street. Tail wagging and brown eyes watching her with calm. It had thick black fur and a piece of rough leather
strung aorund it's neck. It plodded up to her in that funny way that all animals walked and barked once. Erenis stopped and watched the dog
a moment before she realised who it was.
"You scallywag," she said, "You've been stealing away from young master Haith again, silly dog!" The dog barked once again and
approached her again, this time whining and nuzzling her hand. Erenis dropped to her knees and put her basket lightly on the ground. She
rubbed the dog behind it's ears and the dog thumped it's tail away happily. It stuck out a pink tongue and licked her hand . "Eh!" Erenis
yelled. The dog looked at her reproachfully. "Don't lick me! I'm carrying food!" she teased. The dog yipped happily and jumped to it's feet.
"C'mon you," Erenis said happily, "Let's get you home, huh? Before you're missed..." Grabbing the basket in one hand, she gently
eased her other underneath the strap of leather. Haunching over, she gently guided the dog through the narrow streets towards it's home. Erenis
had never quite had the time to learn the dog's name. She had been told it over and over, but it never stuck. Which was funny because she
ws usually fairly good with names.
The dog belonged to Haith Oransson, her friends youngest brother. Adenlae (her friend) was always complaining. 'That dog,' she'd
say, 'will be the death of this family! Eat us out of house and home it will, it will. Just yous wait!' and with that Haraen (Adenlae's youngest sister)
would laugh and clap, as two year olds do and pat the dog.
Haith and his family lived not too far, yet not too close. The perfect distance to say 'Why I aught to get back! It's getting dark and I'll
be late for my supper!' or even 'No it's fine Mr. Oran, I'll walk!' It all depended on what you wanted to do really. Well actually, Haith lived a
good ways out of town, on the far end of the wall which led to the gate to the second city.
But it was a fine day and Erenis didn't mind the walk. It was a perfect temperature and the people she met along the way all seemed
to be in fine spirits. They would smile and wave, even tip their hats(if they were wearing any, and provided the wearer was a male). Many asked
how her brother fared, or told her a joke that they heard from a friend, of a friend, of the Tavern's woman.
By the time she reached Haith's house she too, was in fine spirits, and did not at all mind the dog, which was currently slobbering over
her hand with a passion. The dog was well trained and sat when she asked it too, sniffing a plant that Haraen must have planted by the door.
Smoothing her clothes, she stood up and rapped three times on the door. There was a moment before Aldren, the eldest boy in the family poked
his head out of the door.
His smile broadened as he opened the door, smiling warmly. "Erenis! Whatever brings you to our parts of the city on such a fine day"
he asked. Erenis returned the smile an placed her basket by her feet. There was a meow as a cat scooted across the street. The dog turned on it's
heels and started barking wildly. In a quick move, Erenis grabbed the collar again and managed to get him to sit as she turned her attention
once more to Aldren.
"Greetings Aldren! I believe if you look you will find that you are missing a member of your household!" Erenis said warmly.
"Missing indeed! I believe he is found now!" Aldren chuckled. His shaggy brown hair fell around his head as the two shared his joke.
His blue eyes watched the dog, which was snuffling about the platform, very noisily mind you. "Would you like to speak to Adenlae while you're
here? She herself has just returned from the market."
Erenis thought kindly of the idea but shook her head softly. "No thank-you Aldren. I'm just here to see that Haith's friend here was
returned before he was missed. I do remember the last time this fellow got out. Haith really was in quite a state!" Erenis said conceredly.
Aldren nodded his head as he remembered his younger brothers train of thought when his furry companion went missing. "Indeed.
Well I thank you for your troubles and would offer to repay you. Perhaps I could help you get that basket home? It's the least I can do!" he said
kindly, motioning at the basket.
"Oh thank-you but no thank-you Aldren! Perhaps another time, there was little I needed and this basket weighs quite little! It was
absalutely no trouble! Your family has been very kind to me in the past, and if I were to repay you in full I would be minding your dog until
the end of my days!" Erenis said, laughing.
Aldren laughed too, and grabbed the dog by the collar and dragged him inside the house. "Well then, I say to you farewell and
please take care. Send my regards to that brother of yours and do tell him that I am looking forward to the next time he gets to go on duty with
me"
Erenis smiled, "I will Aldren. Do tell your sister that I am sorry I haven't called on her, the days have simply become so
long!" Aldren smiled and nodded his head before closing the door. Erenis picked up her basket and made her way back. She had done
enough small talk for one day. She simply desired to go home and rest. Perhaps leave the city for the day and make her way over to their
cousin's house in a settlement just two hours ride away.
It was noon and the sun was at it's peak. The streets were fairly desserted and Erenis was nearing her home. The sun which had for
the most part been pleasurable was now hot and blaring. Underneath her cloak, she was begining ot get sticky and was wishing that she was
back in her house, sitting on her bed and drinking a glass of water.
But she wasn't and so she simply had to make do with what she was doing. The cool wind blew again, lighter this time, but it was still
a brief release from the sun. Erenis enjoyed it while it lasted but made no whine, nor complaint when it ended. The streets grew long, and
started to blur together. Erenis relied on her feet to carry her home. And all though at the time it seemed to take forever, she managed to make
it to her door.
Pushing the door open half-heartedly she stepped into her home. The shade was relieving and she flung her cloak onto a chair put
the basket down. Stretching she shook herself for a moment before sinking to her knees to remove her boots. She pulled at the string and
loosened the boot as she could pull it off. Once both her boots were removed she wiggled her toes, closed her eyes and smiled again in pure
relaxation.
But it was short lived as she forced herself to rise and place the contents of her basket in the small kitchen they had. She had a small
apartment home three stories above the ground. It was a good distance away so that she didn't always have to hear the hustle and bustle of
the main town, but close enough to be a comfortable walk to get whatever they needed.
Their house had 5 rooms. Two bedrooms, so that she and her brother would have a place to sleep, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a
mainroom that the door opened into. All of these rooms were small, but Erenis supposed it was alot grander than some had, and for that she
was thankful. Pulling open the kitched door she stepped into the small stuffy room, and pulled open a window.
The breeze ran through it again, and Erenis was pleasantly content. The rooms view stretched over the wall and onto the expanding
territory of Ithilien and the River Anduin. Of course, she couldn't see either of those things, but she knew her directionals, and well, if you went
in that direction, that would be what you found.
Opening a cupboard she placed in it the bread, jam, and eggs that she had bought. In another she placed some ham and other
assorted meats. Along with some apples, and fresh strawberries, from a farming district an hour from the city. She closed the cupboards and
placed the basket under the window before leaving the room.
On second thought she went back in and grabbed an apple. Chewing thoughtfully as she made her way into her room. Picking up a
piece of paper she stared criticly at a drawing she had begun. It depicted a horse being brought through the streets by a stange merchant that
had been visiting recently. This of course was something she had seen last time she was at the market, as a young Harad merchand had
made his way up from where ever the Harad came from (Erenis wasn't very well educated. She had little ideas of geography, reading, and
writing. Therefore she wouldn't know where the Harad came from).
With the King working dilegently on peace treaties with the Harad, right now trade was sparking between the two countries. That
merchant would probably be the first of many to come to Minas Tirith bringing with them strange and wonderous items that the Gondorians
had never seen before. But Erenis was awoken from her thoughts as someone burst through the door.
"Erenis! Erenis! Where are you?" a voice yelled. Erenis's breath caught in her throat. It took her a moment to realise who it was.
Slapping down her picture she leapt from her bed and ran into the main room.
"Arenson!" she exclaimed, "Whatever are you doing home! You should be at- at work!" Her brother looked relieved for a moment
then his face reverted back to it's worried gaze. His auburn hair fell shaggily around his face. Clinging to it in tufts. He was breathing and
sweating hard. Taking in air in large pants. His green eyes fell apon her, full of fury, concern, and some dire reason why he had just flung
himself through the door in such a state. He was still dressed in full uniform, his helmet in his hands, his sword by his waist. He grabbed her
wristand dragged her into his room. Picking up a small traveling bag he went into her room, and ramsacked her chest of drawers. "Arenson!
Arenson! What is wrong!"Erenis cried out worredly. "Arenson! Arenson, please you're scaring me"
Arenson stopped and looked her over. He ran his hands through his hair and continued to pack. Erenis's mouth gaped open as she
watched him. Mouthing words but she had lost her voice. Finally, when the bag was almost full, Arenson turned to his sister. "You must leave
the city. Now." he said coldly.
Confusion rang inside Erenis's head more than ever now. Why must she leave? Why did he run all the way off guard duty to find
her and tell her that she had to leave? It made absalutely no sense. "Why?" was all she could croak. Arenson ran his hand through his hair
agian and pulled the bag tight.
"Because, sister," he said irritably, "I have no intention of letting you die!"
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okay folks, I am not the greatest writer out there, I know, but please bare with me. My word processor is down, so you may notice many
spelling mistakes. My apologies, I am not supergirl. I repeat, not supergirl. So I can't really get that down perfect.
I also know that the story doesn't seem like much right now, but again, bare with me. I should be getting into some explanations next chapter.
Actually even that depends on if I get reviews. If some people like it, then I will try my best to update as soon as, but you have to keep reviewing
otherwise the next part won't come up (but then again, you may not like this story which means you will not review and this will be the end of it)
Um... most of the characters are mine, I think I've mentioned some that arn't... Farmamir, Elessar(Aragorn) and Eowyn arn't mine. Also the referal to the King of Rohan... that's Eomer... not mine...
This story is set in the early years of the fourth age, I intend for this to be a time when all your fave characters from the end of the War of the Ring to still be alive and kicking (they have to be or some of this story will be cut...)
Oh and the way I've put Minas Tirith is my thoughts, if you don't like it, please try to live with it. One thing that I want to say, by calling the War of the Ring the Great War, I mean no comparison or offence to anything historical that has to do with World War 1. My deepest apologies if it has upset you, it was merely a space filler...
Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase review! If you don't like, don't say anything (if there is some drastic error that I need to fix, please say so!) Review
me, and you will make my day! Once again, thanks for reading this, and if you're going to review, reviewing, and hopefully I can answer your
reviews next chapter!
-Felarof