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Erenis drifted in and out of reality as she rode Adfeil. The horse took no notice to it's riders state of dispondency and continue to gallop out on the open plains. If anything, it was merely glad to be out of the stables which were quite often stifeling. It shifted as Erenis would gently pull a rein. Barrowing left and right as commanded. Skirting the outside of Mt. Mindolluin by a league, perhaps 2 at most. Always using the mountain as a point of reference (in geographical sense of course) as they made their way to the small townships and settlements to the South Eastern borders of the mountains gait.
All though Erenis had said that the journey would take only two hours, Erenis knew it would take 2 days. A letter from them had come a mere
month ago informing them of the move to a settlement where the Erui River sprung from the White Mountains.It was 2 days travel and both
she, and her brother were having some trouble adjusting to the move as the had lived in the previous settlement for the better part of their lives.
This was both helpful and unhelpful- It was helpful as it meant that if the Harad and the orcs were about, it meant that they had probably not
yet reached the Mountains as the Rangers of Ithilien and several Military posts (designed for this very reason) would have delayed them. However
depending on the time that they had been given, may well have made many leagues on uninhabited and unguarded terrain.
It was unhelpful in the way that it would take a great deal longer to reach her destination. Also if the settlement had grown quite large it would
be difficult to locate her cousin, even if he was well known in his area. It would be like trying to locate one single person in the city of Minas Tirith.
In a word it would be, mind-numbing. Erenis kept a good poise on the horse as she thought of everything that had just occured, her brother,
leaving, his words. She shook her head. Once again: mind-numbing.
Slowing Adfeil with a soft hand she jumped of her horse and took to walking. They had reached a stretch of forest that seemed direly confusing.
Erenis led her horse gently stepping in front as the ground became swamp-like and easy to sink in. Erenis had one frightful insight as to what
would happen if Adfeil were to slip through and started to wind the horses bulk back. They could find another way around.
The trees in this area were tall, looming over the horse and it's rider with omnimosity. Their green leaves bathed the ground in shallows of twining green light, whispering as the wind caught them in it's grip, dancing with them until the moon grew round. Erenis could feel history and passion tugging at it's branches as she was pulled through them. The forest was alive. She could feel small animals rustling to and fro. Twatting their tails as they went where their smell took them. To acorns and leaves, to dirt and water. The fell and the unfell, Oh! What a wonderous sight!
Erenis smiled as she saw the trees begining to thin, for allthough she loved the forest dearly, she couldn't feel she could handle them. Each had a story to tell. And if she was to stray she would wonder amougst the yew and oak forever, listening to each song. As she drew away and the plains began again she could still feel the lingering of magic, and realised that the trees were built for the elves. She would listen and she would watch but she would always be careful when it came to the power of the tre- Adfeil snorted.
Erenis laughed and patted the horse softly. Released from her thoughts she watched the leagues pass by and the sun climb and fall. Once
she saw a child with hair as black as nights, and clothes tattered and covered in muck, with a thoughtful expression upon it's face. But
when she dared to near it a mother ran from the trees and began to scold the child for forgetting to tell her where she was. Typical, peaceful,
family situations. Erenis had merely turned her head and gone on.
After many leagues under scortching sun she had only a slight burn on her nose to show for it, as was the way of wasting your day apon the back of a horse. She felt it was high time fore a rest and for supper. The sun had started it's decent. Casting long fequent shadows upon the ground. A red sky ran through gaining momentum until it wrapped the land tight about it and started to darken. A cool breeze ran through Eren's locks and she closed her eyes and let it gain fury and hunger util it too was swept away by the silence. The birds had all but sung, laying silently in their nests high above the areas. The mountains ravenous outline looked down upon them, it's cold rock and ancient forests bearing down on them without mercy.
Erenis looked for her home. Minas Tirith was no longer even a small white spec on the mountain it was gone. Rocks and shadow stood in it's place and Erenis knew she could go no further this night. Slowing her horse she eased off and grabbed the bag her brother had packed. Tossing it with as much energy as she could muster she tethered Adfeil to a good strong branch of an oak tree, not but 3 feet from where she made her bed. Drawing from the bag, some bread and cheese she ate a small meal and took but sips from her flask before replacing them.
Then she drew the blanket around her and tried to make herself comfortable. Night and cold swept in. Filling her with a deep dank cold that
clung to her bones no matter how much she dared rubbed them. Fear came too as sounds of animals that she knew naught of swept by her.
Snuffeling and growling their way around her small camp. Erenis felt sleep calling her but she could not bear to close her eyes. So she stayed as
the hours passed away, watching and awaiting that frightful thing, until at last pure sleep called and drowsiness finally took hold...
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Shorter chapter this week! Just wanted to let you know that I am alive and that my story is still alive, because I am still alive and so forth.
Thank-you to all who reviewed last week... I am not quite back to usual but should be replying those to you anytime now! Thanks for reviewing!
-Felarof