Author's Note:
I just wanted to say two things: One, I'm sorry for taking so long to update because first I went up to the middle of nowhere where the internet is slower than a cow pie and then I went I got grounded because of my lying, manipulating teacher. Two, I am sorry this chapter is so short, I just need it to set up a later part in my story.
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Chapter Three - The First Leg of an Incredible Journey
Féowin was allowed and hour's rest while saddlebags were being packed, her horse tacked, and warmed up for her. After the rest Féowin felt all but refreshed and rested. She trudged down to the stables and her eyes widened: Suldal was tacked with the insignia of a to-be shield maiden. Féowin turned to her father, "I'm going to be a shield maiden? Even after I deliberately disobeyed you? Thank you very much!"
"Don't thank me," Faramir laughed, "It was your mother's idea."
Her mother nodded and spoke, "The ride to Mirkwood to alert the elves shall count as penance for what you did and the ride to Hobbiton to escort the hobbits to Treebeard shall be the quest that deems you the privilege of being a shield maiden." Éowyn stressed the word privilege because being a shield maiden was a privilege and not a right, it could be taken away at any moment.
"Thank you, mother," Féowin nearly threw herself at her mother she was so ecstatic.
Éowyn smiled at her daughter, "Make haste, ride silent, take care."
Féowin bowed her head, it was the farewell of shield maiden to shield maiden. Féowin felt honored to have her mother tell it to her. She stroked Suldal's neck as she trotted out on the path of their hasty journey, Féowin spoke to Suldal as she asked for a canter, "Hey, Swift, show us why you are called such."
Suldal happily obliged and soon she was moving at a very swift canter across the plains.
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When the sun was three quarters of the way through its cycle, a few hours before sundown, Féowin reined Suldal in, dismounted, and loosened her girth. Suldal nibbled a blade of grass tentatively, Féowin shook her head, "No, Suldal. We don't have time for a real meal. Half and apple each will do."
Suldal swished her tail agitatedly but ceased her hesitant grazing and contenting herself with devouring the half of the apple Féowin handed to her. Féowin cleaned her dagger free of apple juice on the dried up grass before biting into her half of the apple. The sweetness of the apple triggered something in her mind, as did sitting on the plain with her horse at her side.
Féowin spoke aloud taking comfort in the quiet sound of her voice in the open vastness of the plain, "Suldal, I have the oddest sense that sometime later, I will be doing this same exact thing, sitting here next to you, right in this exact spot, eating an apple, worrying about the future."
Suldal, finished with her apple and bored, tossed her head and pranced in place. Féowin smiled, fed the last few bites of her apple to the mare, tightened the girth, and mounted again.
Riding was normally a joy and a fun pastime for Féowin but it was beginning to get tedious.
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As the night grew late and the stars bright, Féowin slowed Suldal and set up camp for the night. She allowed Suldal to graze a bit while she devoured a hunk of bread. Then, they settled down for a few hours rest. Both Suldal and Féowin were light sleepers and it would be hard for anyone to sneak up on them. Even comforted with this fact, Féowin still wasn't sure and had a restless feeling of apprehension. Then, when the faintest whisper of a rumor of the pink of the sunrise, Féowin woke eagerly, anticipating the intense hours of riding she was about to put in. The riding would keep her mind off the odd feeling that had been planted as a seed the night before and had flourished into a plant.
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Author's Note:
Thank you for suffering through my short third chapter. If I have ever used Swift instead of Suldal I am really sorry because I have typed this up before I changed the name so sorry about that. Please review.