Yes! I seem to be getting back on track, sorta. I've been trying to make Sundays the day I update, since I've been a little late with that... Anyway. Here's the next! Thank you kindly for your amazing support in all my works.

"So, where will you all go from here?" Alicia asked.
Navak gave a usual nonchalant shrug. " aeah, I might try to go back home, or pick up a job at some other town to raise the money to go back home."
Raoul trimmed his grisly beard into a much more cleaner cut. " I shall return to Rohan."
Sabyra lounged back against her cot. " I know I shall be returning to Gondor as soon as I can."
Alicia nodded idly as she looked back o the map tha was given her by Rohawk.
Nevak swiped hair from his face, chancing alook at her. " What of you? are you going to try to get back to your island?"
" I would like to try of course." She replied as a matter of fact. " But, at the same time, I've never been to Middle Earth before. Seems like an opportunity I don't want to pass up." She smirked.
Raoul turned his head sideways to give her a sympathetic look.
Sabyra snorted. " So you want to go see what this big beautiful new world has? Raoul you should go with this girl. Just to make sure her niativity doesn't get her into trouble." The woman sorted through the nessecities of a small bag that was given to her by the kindness of the townsfolk.
"Twenty seven." Alicia said in a dead panned voice.
"What?"
"I'm twenty seven. Not the little girl you wanna stereotype me as. Old lady."
Sabyra looked more surprised than insulted. " Really? You don't look the part."
"Still better than looking the part of a bed warmer." Alicia replied without thinking of her words, but it was too late. they all heard it and Nevak made no move to stifle his barking laughter.
Sabrya blinked in surprise again, torn between being angry or impressed.
Raoul had excused himself from the conversation to finish his grooming.
The islander looed back at the map. Really what was the best move for her right now? She felt no desire to stay at the ranger town, and certainly no desire to go back to the beach on her own.
Well, according to the librarian it seemed the next best place to seek help would be to go to The Shire. But that would be further inland and further from her home too...
It surprised her that she noticed her lack of urgency to go home. That was where she belonged yes, so other than orc slavers, what other reason did she have for coming here or staying permanently for that matter? Well, really none other than the want to explore.
Was that good enough to stay away from home? Right now, a small voice of thrill for adventure was drowning out any voice of reason in her head.
Then, it was off for The Shire! And see for herself what the librarian was saying and what was true or rumor.

The next day, all those who wanted to leave were getting ready to go. Some had already left, some chose to leave later becuase they were still bedridden. Alicia was one of those who was ready to leave today. The islander gave one last glance to her previous friends. " I wish you all the best and safest travels."
Raoul smiled and held out his hand to her to take her forearm in a firm grip. " And to you Lady Alicia. The Valar watch over you and your journey. May we meet again on happier terms."
Nevak, ever the casual man, simply offered a polite smile and wave. " Aye. Be on your gaurd while you're in these lands. Hope ya make it back home safely or where ever ye go."
Sabrya flicked a lock of hair from her face in a nonchalant manner, not really having any words to share for a change.
"Good luck to you all too and goodbye." She replied again with a broad smile. Hoisting her rucksack to tie onto her horse. Rohawk picke the horse for her since it was patient with beginner riders. He heard she was going to The Shire and decided to escort her, for he had a messege to deliver to the Thaine.
Alicia gingerly swung herself up on the horse and got comfortable. She wiggled her feet in the stirrups then wiggled them again. the horse did not move though. She tried again and still the horse made no response.
Nevak smirked. " ye got to give it a light kick."
Her cheeks burned with a light embarressment, but before that could happen Sabrya spoke. " Let me help hun." she smacked the horse's flank, causing it to whinney then take off down the road. Rohawk guffawed and kicke his horse after her. Alicia cursed and managed to grip on the saddle horn, legs clamped around the horse as it galloped.
She cast a dirty look back at the laughing trio she left behind.

Traveling with Rohawk was a much more pleasant trip this time. Especially with no smelly people or orcs. He was very mindful of his manners to a lady and entertained her with amusing stories of his own. He taught her how to take care of a horse and the saddle a lot better.
One time they did see a nice orange tree with most of it's fruit higer than they culd reach. Rohawk thought to stand on his saddel for the extra hieght. It did work until he lost he balance and put down his foot a little too hard. The horse thought it was a kick to move and so trotted forth, sending him to the ground with a few oranges. He had to chase after his horse which thankfully did not go too far.
"The river here is called Brandywine. Soon we shall approach Sarn Ford. Just beyond that are the borders of the halflings' home realm. My people keep it's borders patrolled and it's people protected from those who would wish ill upon the peacful hobbits." The ranger tugged at his cloak to adjust it. " What was it you wanted amongst the quite folk again?"
Alicia did not asnwer imediately as he mulled over her answer. " I've only ever heard stories about the beauty of The shire and it's people. I always wanted to visit it."
"So this is a leisurely vacation?" Rohawk raise one thin eye brow towards her.
The woman replied with a small smile.
"What of your home milady? do you not wish to return to it afte being takjen by the orc slavers?" Rohawk inquired.
" My home isn't going anywhere. It'll still be there when I get back." She replied casually.
The ranger hummed. " I would not be so sure if I were you. No to worry you, but a home could be easily taken within the blink of an eye these troubling days."
" My home is across the sea. It's well gaurded and watched so if a ship of slavers even try to step on it they'd be hard pressed to be successful." Alicia replied.
"I believe i understand now." The ranger rocked his head. " Perhaps you are also searching for sailors to take you back home? Hobbits do not ever go near water, even the river, anymore than they have to. You will find no sailors amongst them I fear." He gave a look of sympathy to her.
"No." Alicia agreed. " But perhaps I an raise the money for it thre a lot better than in the ranger's outpost we were at. Or find better leads on other people I need to talk to."
Rohawk was still skeptical of this still, but wisely chose not to argue.
Alicia was glad of this. It wasn't a lie, but it certainly wasn't the best option either. Obviously the ranger had no intentions of sailing the sea so they weren't going to help her either.
They rode in silence until Rohawk sat up suddenly and told her to stop. His trained eyes scanned about and his ears were strainde to listen.
Alicia did not say anything but watche him with expectantly.
"Orcs. Ahead of us. Wait here." Rohawk order as he kicke his horse forward.
The girl inwardly groaned. She was really hoping she wpuldn't have to see anymore orcs again for a long while.
Rohawk came riding back, sword dwarn and fresh black blood on his arms and blade. " It is clear for now. But we must keep moving. My kin are not far up ahead. We will join them at Sarn Ford. Swiftly now." He beckoned.
Wordlessly she kicked her horse into running alongside the ranger. They had the horses runnig the rest of the way till finally a large bridge did come into view around a bend.
" By the valar..." Rohawk swore as they were greeted with another fight scene. Orcs fought with more rangers and there were cages with animals pacing around to get out.
Rohawk whirled on her. " Stay hidden. I must go and aid my kin."
Alicia only had time to nod before the serious ranger took off to join the fray. It was both facinating and hard to watch the battle. She kept an eye on anything that moved around her too. The last thing she wanted was o be surprised ambushed again too. The cags down there racked with the animals trying to escape. She wanted to set them free but knew that going down thre was a stupid idea. Yes she was trained with the double broad sword but she wasn't a master at it yet.
The longer she waited, the more antsier she became. The orc that held the keys was even found and slaughtered by another longsword across the throat. Black blood sprayed all over the ground.
The ranger had scooped up the keys and frantically tried to unlock the nearest caged hound.
Behind him came an orc, thrashing him hard against the bars. The ranger finally released the hound and it tore free to attack the orc and rescue the ranger. This cuaght her attention. If the animals fought on the humans' side then they stand a much better chance.
The ranger was being attacked by yet another orc and had to drop the keys. Ali ia slid down her horse. " Don't do it." she told herself. " He'll pick it back up again."
the ranger defeated that orc, but more came after him and now he was on the defensive.
"Don't do it." she told herself again as her eyes never left the keys. " Don't go in there. It's dangerous. One wrong move and you could be ran through. What if the animal turns on you? How are you even going to get there without being seen by at least one orc?" The whole time she was arguing with herself, the girl had crept up to the battle under the cover of the last bushes. Then next animal was a tiger, and beside that was an angry mole.
She waited one more second until t seemed all the orcs were distracted by rangers, then dove for the keys. The screeches were highly disorientating, but she took deeep breaths to steady herself and ram the key into the lock. The tiger let out low growls and watched her warilly until she opened the door wide. The tiger flew out and roared. Next was the mole. The mole had to be four feet something or even touching five feet! His claws were massize, roughly the lenght of her own hand from the tip of her longest finger to her wrist. It was much more calm, patiently waiting for her to open the cage. It did suddenly screech and pointed behind her. Without looking she darted to get around the cage.
The orc missed her entirely and snarled to get at her. It followed her around the cage, mistakingly stepping too close to it. The mole shot forth, big clawed arms grappling the orc and holding it against the bars immobalizing it. The mole man snarled and held it still, looking at her expectantly.
She knew what the mole wanted. Quickly she pulled out her hunting knife. Looking at just how easy it is to end the monster's life, suddenly she did the worst thing to do in a battle, hesitate.
The animal squealed at the orc, struggling to hold it. the orc had broken a hand free, stabbing at the ole that cried out in pain. Alicia gritted her teeth and took the opportunity, finally ending the orc. Alic ia scampered around the cage to free the mole man who groaned and held it's side. Alicia was fille with guilt at seeing it's blood. Hesistantly the mole man moved out of the cage. It didn't look either impresed nor mad at her, just giving a small nod and lokoing where it should go next.
"I'm sorry." Alicia choked out, but whether it heard her or not she couldn't tell. Now wasn't the time to feel guilty. there were more animals. Alicia freed a rabbit and a blue jay next.
The last of the orcs doubled their efforts or tried to run from the animals. The last animal to free was a squrriel and finally the battle had turned for the better and the last of the orcs were torn down.
"Search the area! Make certain we did not miss any of the foul creatures!" Another deeper man's voice ordered. The rangers and even the animals had spread out doing as was bid. Alicia looked around too, deciding to just go back to her horse. She couldn't help but watch the other animals that seemed to act more intelligant than normal.
"Well, that wasn't so bad. Casualties seemed to have been prevented, for the most part." Alicia mumbled to herself as she walked back. The bushes raddled near her, making her jump outta her skin, arms flying up in defense and an unintelligable 'hooaaa!..' sounds coming from her mouth as sshe glared at the bush. " Who's there?" She said next.
The islander narrowed her eyes suspiciously as she sidestepped along.
There was a hiss, like that of angry cat, much louder than normal as if the cat was right next to her, but when she looked, there was none. The hissing continued, making her look all about to find the source, but the source found her. Two big yellow eyes glare right back up at her from the other side of the bush as she saw around it. It's bright eyes locked onto her in a very territorial manner. Alicia's own purple eyes stared unblinking until the creature started hissing.

Like I mentioned, it should be starting to pick up a little more, up and down... I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoy hearing from you.