By the time it started to get dark I was worried. My "shortcut" should not have left me wandering the woods for three hours. I couldn't possibly have got lost, I had been coming this way for years and besides it wasn't exactly a forest! It barely constituted the title of Woods. She wondered when her step father would notice her absence. Surely he would report her missing and not just leave her to her fate. Thoughts of mad axe murderers hiding amongst the trees began to creep into her mind and she stubbornly pushed them away.
"Stop being so ridiculous," I huffed to myself, "There are NO murderers in these woods, mad axe ones or not. It's probably daydreams like that which got you into this bloody mess in the first place!" At least my muttering broke the silence. It was getting eerie out here. I couldn't remember it ever being so dark, it was like being in the middle of no where, with no lights for miles when in reality it couldn't have been more than a half mile from the nearest street. The wood simply wasn't this big!
I froze as something whizzed past my face, followed by a thud as it hit a tree. "What the hell was that?" I thought wildly. This situation had moved out of worrying, bypassed creepy and shot straight to downright terrifying.
A bolt of fear shot down my spine as voices and footsteps entered my hearing range. I cast about frantically for a place to hide before coming to the conclusion that it was either behind a tree or nothing. I doubted I could climb one in time. Tucking myself behind a tree as best I could I silently begged whoever might be listening to let me live through this. I jolted in fear as I heard yells and grunts that did not sound at all human, getting closer and closer. Closing my eyes I attempted to melt into the tree. All was silent. "Perhaps luck was on my side for once," I thought, "Maybe they didn't see me!"
Although perhaps not, for I could here loud raspy breathing, and became aware of it blowing over my face, the stench of their breath almost overwhelming me. Screwing up my little remaining courage I cracked one eye open and promptly recoiled in horror. Standing nose to nose with me was by far the foulest creature I had ever seen (including her creepy woodwork teacher). A small part of my brain chastised me for being so cruel and judgemental to a person with obvious birth defects but the larger part of my brain was recoiling from the foul creature and the… not a knife, was that a sword in its hand? I stared in horror, practically scrambling up the tree and tried to remember how to draw enough breath to scream.
"Well, what 'ave we 'ere?" It growled with a malicious grin, leering unpleasantly at me, "Little girl out all alone in the forest, eh?"
I bristled at this, "I've not been a little girl for a long time!", "Oh, yeah, Lily," I thought to myself, "Now's really the time to go on the defensive. You could just keep your mouth shut but nooooo, always have to get cocky when you're backed into a corner!"
"No," it sneered, "Well let's just see how much of a woman you are then!" Quicker than I could comprehend the blade had slashed through my top and was now resting against my throat, while the thing pressed me firmly against the tree with it's own slimy body. I instinctively cried out and began to struggle but stopped when the blade pressed just hard enough to draw blood. It grinned as I stared in terror and pressed foul tasting lips against my own as its hands scrambled furiously at my breasts, before moving towards my groin. "How can it end this way?" I thought desperately, "Lost and alone in the woods with some whack job about to rape me then skewer me with his sword! This is just unfair. I wonder if they'll ever even find the body…."
Out of nowhere there was what could only be described as a battle cry and my assailants head was suddenly flying through the air. I gaped in shock, not sure whether to be thankful to or even more terrified of the man who had just saved me, but at the same time decapitated someone with his sword. Seriously who even owned a sword nowadays!
"My Lady?" he enquired gently, as I stood still gaping at him. He shrugged out of his cloak (cloak? really?) and I felt an upsurge of dread. Perhaps he wasn't my saviour after all, just a different attacker. But he didn't move any closer, instead he just held the cloak out towards me. I blushed furiously as I realised my top was in tattered ruins on the ground and I stood before him in only my bra. I reached out a shaking hand and took the cloak from him wrapping it tightly around myself. I tried to smile gratefully, but the muscles in my face wouldn't cooperate. "My Lady?" he asked again, looking more concerned now as I continued to stare blankly at him. I wanted to inform him that I wasn't a lady, particularly not his lady and order him to stop talking like that but my voice wouldn't cooperate. I dimly registered that I was in shock. "Are you hurt?" he probed, taking a half step closer. I immediately flinched and he halted, holding his hands up in a placating gesture, "I mean you no harm," he insisted, "I only wish to help, tend to your injuries."
"I'm fine," I finally managed to blurt out, "Thank you..but..I'm fine. Could you just tell me the way back to Clattham Road, please?" I said, slightly desperately. The fear and adrenaline was catching up to me. Fatigue was setting in and I was on the brink of tears. He looked at me with kind eyes, yet none of the pity I dreaded to see.
"I'm afraid I do not know of a Clattham Road, but you are bleeding so I doubt you are fine. Please, allow me to check your wounds?" Despite his pleading tone he made no motion towards me, obviously waiting for my assent. How could he not have heard of Clattham Road, it was practically the main street round here for God's sake! But despite the fact I knew better than to trust him I decided that being near him was preferable to being alone. What if headless had friends running about? Better to have a sword wielder that at least seemed to be on my side. Even one that had just committed murder.
"Alright," I eventually agreed, though reluctantly. He smiled and held out his hand. It was only then I realised they body was still at me feet. I recoiled in horror again and the man took a small step towards me, hand still outstretched.
"It's alright," he coaxed, "Come with me, away from that." I took his hand, shut my eyes tightly and stepped swiftly over the body. "My camp is only a few minutes away, can you walk that far?" I nodded silently, tugging my hand from his. I followed him on shaky legs and sure enough we soon came to a small camp fire. He gestured for me to sit by the fire while he dug through a saddle bag, presumably for medical supplies. At this point I barely even cared why he had a horse. "Tell me, why is a lady such as yourself travelling alone, at night through the forest?" he queried. I glared, wanting to go all feminist on him and demand to know why I shouldn't but I could hardly take the moral high ground when he had literally just saved my life. Besides it wasn't exactly said with malice. I gave up the glare and instead looked ay my feet.
"I was just trying to get home," I muttered.
"And where is home, my lady?" he replied, moving back towards me, still using deliberately slow movements, with cloths, bandages and what I presumed was a water skin.
"Denholm Terrace," I answered glumly.
"I have never heard of such a place," he replied apologetically, setting the supplies on the ground, he moved closer, "I'm going to have a look at your head, alright?" I nodded, realising that I must have bashed it off the tree. I never realised how true it was about not feeling pain in situations of extreme stress until now.
"Your not from Edinburgh, are you?" I asked, trying not to wince as gentle hands started to prod at the back of my head.
"Where?" He sounded confused.
"Y'know, Edinburgh, the place we are right now?"
"My Lady, I'm afraid I have never heard of a place called Edinburgh and I assure you I am extremely well travelled. We are currently in Chetwood, close to the village of Bree."
I stared at him, rather blankly.
"This gash does not seem deep but you appear to be rather confused. Perhaps you could explain to me exactly how you got here, while I clean this wound?" So, in between wincing (apparently it was some kind of stingy disinfectant, not water) I explained to him about taking my would-be shortcut home through the woods and getting thoroughly lost.
"And when I opened my eyes that man was in front of me-"
"Man? Forgive me, my Lady but that was no man. It was an orc. No man I have seen looks like that!" he interrupted.
"An orc? What's an orc? You still murdered it!" Against my will, my tone turned accusing. I didn't want to turn the guy with the sword against me. I flinched, immediately regretting my outburst. His hands stilled and I cringed, fearing the worst. But when he spoke his voice was surprisingly gentle.
"Forgive me, if I frightened you my Lady, but there is no other way to deter an orc from its prey. They live only to cause misery and will show no mercy. They come from darkness and thrive on war. I will not apologise for killing such a creature! I am most surprised you have not heard of them." He carried on cleaning my wound as I tried to process what he said. Orc's didn't exist, only humans were intelligent to carry out conversations as that thing did. Yet I could somehow believe it was not human.
"I don't understand," I whispered, my head starting to pound from more than just the collision with the tree. He was silent for moment, finishing up cleaning the wound on my head. He made a satisfied sound.
"It should heal well," he said moving around in front of me again, "may I take a look at your neck?" he asked, already starting to inspect the thin red line. After a few more moments of silence he spoke again. "I'm afraid I do not understand your situation either. You do not seem to know of Middle Earth and I have no knowledge of the places you spoke of. Perhaps-"
"Middle Earth?" I interrupted faintly. He looked at me curiously. "What the hell is Middle Earth? That's not real, it sounds like something out of a fairy tale!" I stated, getting more upset by the minute. He seemed kind and genuine but how could I be sure this wasn't some elaborate kidnap plot?
"My Lady-" he started, but I cut him off.
"And stop calling me that, it's just weird, I'm not a lady!" I said, practically in tears now but almost to tired and frightened to be embarrassed. Almost.
"Of course you are," he replied, "A little strangely dressed I'll admit-," I blushed, assuming he meant my shredded top being replaced with his cloak
"-I've never seen material such as that of your trousers, particularly on a woman. But you are a lady nonetheless."
"What's wrong with jeans?" I asked side-tracked momentarily, "Everyone wears them?" Maybe he was a nutcase.
"Perhaps where you come from," he stated carefully, "But not here." I was silent as he finished cleaning the cut on my neck. So, apparently I was no longer in Edinburgh or even Scotland. Instead I was in "Chetwood", close to the village of "Bree" in "Middle Earth". What the hell was going on? Maybe this was all a bad dream. Perhaps I had fallen asleep in one of the spare rooms at work.
"This shouldn't even leave a scar. It is very shallow." His voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Thanks," I murmured vaguely.
"Have you any other injuries?" I flushed. The part of my back that had hit the tree was aching terribly and I knew it needed looked at, if not by a professional at least by him. He seemed to be doing a pretty good job so far. I didn't reply and he correctly interpreted my silence.
"Come now, if you have another injury you must let me tend to it?" I reluctantly shrugged off his cloak and turned so my back was to him, but still managed to catch the stricken look on his face. Good. At least it was awkward for him too. I heard his sharp intake of breath as he took in what felt like a very impressive bruise. And believe me I knew bruises.
"None of these grazes look to deep but I will need to clean them to stop infection setting in. I need to see if you ribs are broken. May I…." he trailed off and I nodded, bracing myself for his touch. But I still couldn't stop the flinch, partly from pain, partly from something else. He murmured an apology and continued to feel gently for any breaks. "Just badly bruised, I believe," he announced after a few minutes, "But I will bandage them anyway, less movement should help to relieve the pain." I smiled tensely as he set to work cleaning the grazes first.
"Where did you learn all this?" I asked after a few moments. He hesitated before answering.
"From my father, though he is much more skilled than I," I nodded, accepting the fact that there were clearly some cultural differences or something and university was not required.
"I've always wanted to be a doctor," I said.
"A doctor?" he repeated.
"Someone who heals people, makes them better," I explained.
"It is a noble ambition," he noted as he finished cleaning the wounds and reached for a bandage to wrap my ribs, "Do you have a teacher?"
"No, things area bit different where I come from. We learn in large groups, taught by many people." I said.
"Sharing knowledge. It is wise thing to do," he said. "I apologise, this may be a bit uncomfortable," he said, beginning to wrap the bandage around me. It was uncomfortable and we were both red faced by the time he finished.
"Thank you," I said awkwardly. I cringed, knowing I'd have to leave his cloak and carry on through the dark woods, alone and topless but for a bra and a bandage. I stood and tried to determine the best direction to take.
"My Lady!" he cried, sounding almost insulted. "Do you really take me for some kind of monster, who would send a maiden out into the dark forest, alone, not properly clothed, and with no supplies?" I blushed and looked at the ground.
"You have been very kind sir, but I do not wish to trouble you any further," I replied. "And I'm still not completely certain you won't kill me in my sleep!" I added silently. Though I somehow doubted it.
"Sit," he said gently, before going back over to his horse and digging out a shirt. He tossed it to me. "Put this on. It will be a poor fit but it will do for now." He turned back to the bags while I pulled the clean but obviously well-loved shirt over my head, and retrieved a water skin and a green package. "You have been injured and need to recover your strength. We can decide what to about your situation tomorrow." We? I almost objected but decided that I kind of liked the idea of not being on my own in this God-awful mess. He came and sat beside me and handed me the water and green parcel, before lifting his cloak off the ground where I has dropped it and draping it back around my shoulders. Apparently he had noticed the shivers I was trying to suppress. I gratefully took a drink of water.
"What is this?" I asked, holding up the parcel.
"Elvish lembas bread," he answered, "One bite will fill your stomach for as long as twelve hours." I stared at him in surprise.
"Elvish…..never mind," I trailed off with a sigh, deciding just to add to tonight's growing list of mysteries. He grinned at me.
"Try it," he said, breaking a piece off and handing it to me. I took it cautiously and ate it. It tasted faintly of honey and not much else, but to my surprise he was right, I was full! I stared at him in shock and he grinned again. "It is not the most satisfying of meals but it does the job!" he chuckled before his face turned more serious, "You should rest now, my Lady. You have been through quite the ordeal." He gestured to what looked like a sleeping bag, that I hadn't noticed before. I turned to argue that I couldn't take his bed but noticed the firm look in his eye and decided I was to tired to argue with him. I smiled softly and thanked him, before handing him back his cloak, so he would at least have some warmth, and crawling into the sleeping bag. It was surprisingly warm next to the fire.
"I don't even know your name," I whispered, already feeling sleep beginning to take me. He paused for a split second before answering.
"I am known as Strider. And your own name, my Lady?"
"Lily. Lily Appleton."
"Sleep Lady Lily," he whispered, as I felt comforting darkness envelope me, adrenaline fatigue well and truly setting in now, "Nothing else will harm you this night."
A/N: Just to clarify, LOTR doesn't exist in Lily's world.