jayjay0815: Keep reading and find out.
AwkwardlyQuietThespian: Literature does that a lot – rip things apart: characters, your heart and soul. Sorry.
Pink bunny: Thanks.
Lithoniel: Glad I could surprise you.
Disclaimer: I do not own "The Hobbit."
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Chapter 15: Running Away
Sarah knocked on Edana's bedroom door, loud enough for the occupant to hear but quietly enough that no one else would. Edana opened the door, ready with a sarcastic comment for whoever decided to disturb her, and paused when she saw who it was and the look that was on Sarah's face.
"What happened?" Edana asked. "What's wrong?"
She stepped aside to let Sarah into the room and closed the door behind her. Sarah sat down on the bed, taking a few deep breaths before speaking.
"I was right," she said. "This was just the calm before the storm."
"What are you talking about?" Edana asked.
"Thranduil," Sarah answered. "I was right when I thought he was planning something. He plans to leave me here in Rivendell while the rest of you go back to Mirkwood."
"What!?" Edana whisper-shouted, not wanting to attract the attention of anyone they didn't want to hear this conversation. "How could he even think of doing something like that? How do you even know this?"
"I heard him talking to Lord Elrond while I was walking back to my room," Sarah replied. "He said that Mirkwood was too dangerous and that I would be safer living here."
"The only thing dangerous about Mirkwood is the man who rules it," Edana muttered angrily. "Are you going to confront him about it?"
"No. It would only cause more problems than it would solve." Sarah took another deep breath before continuing. "I'm going to run."
"What?" Edana exclaimed. "How is that going to solve the problem? I thought you were trying to let him back into your life."
"Me willing to let him back into my life isn't going to change a darn thing if all he's going to do is push me away," Sarah replied. "He's already breaking my heart just by planning to leave me behind. I won't give him any more opportunities to break it even more."
"Where are you even gonna go and do you have a plan to get there?"
"I was thinking about the Shire," Sarah said. "Orcs and wargs don't go there, and I'm sure the hobbits will have plenty of use for someone with wild magic. As to how I'm getting there, I was planning on taking a map that I saw earlier in Lord Elrond's study. I'm also going to ask the animals for guidance. They know the land better than anyone."
"Are you sure about this?" Edana asked with a worried tone.
"I would rather live my immortal life as a free woman than under Thranduil's rule if this is how he's going to treat me."
"Even if he's your father?"
"Especially because he's my father."
Edana was silent for a minute as she took all of this in. Finally, she sighed.
"When were you planning on leaving?" she asked.
"Tonight," Sarah answered. "I would go mad if I had to stay here any longer knowing what my father is planning for me."
"I'll stay behind to cover your tracks," Edana said, "and then I'll come join you in the Shire. I think I can manage suppressing my desire for adventure if it means keeping you safe. Plus, as a baker, I'll fit in just fine there."
Sarah gave her cousin-turned-sister a weak smile, then turned serious again.
"I'm going to need your help gathering supplies to get me through the journey."
"No problem," Edana said. "You go to your room and pack what you think you'll need and get the map. I'll head down to the kitchens and pack you some food, and maybe grab you a weapon or two for protection. Let's meet at the stables in one hour."
Sarah nodded, and the two girls set off to complete their separate tasks. Sarah packed a few sets of practical and simple clothes, nothing too fancy, and changed into the traveling clothes she had worn for the trip here. She also packed the few books she had on wild magic and animal anatomy. She had been studying up tremendously on that subject now that she knew she could heal animals. On her way to the stables, she stopped by Lord Elrond's study and grabbed the map she had mentioned to Edana.
Edana packed several items of food that were specifically meant for long journeys, though she did include some fresh fruit and some baked treats that would stay good for a few days. She also grabbed a large canteen and filled it up with water. She then went to the armory and took a couple of daggers, Sarah's training bow, a quiver, and several arrows.
The two girls arrived at the stables within minutes of each other. Sarah got there first, taking Cheyenne out of her stall and gently tying squares of cloth around her hooves to muffle the sound. She didn't saddle her up, as that would only waste time and she was perfectly fine going bareback. Edana helped her tie the packs of clothes and food onto Cheyenne. Sarah strapped the bow and quiver of arrows onto her person and hid the daggers in her boots. She and Edana then led Cheyenne out of the stables and to the path that led away from Rivendell in the direction of the Shire.
Sarah and Edana exchanged one last hug before Sarah mounted up.
"Don't take off the mufflers or go any faster than a walk until you can't see Rivendell anymore," Edana advised. "Try to travel mostly at night and rest during the day. Study the map and set a timeline for yourself with a certain destination to reach for every day. Try to go farther each time, though, if you can. Split up the food you have to last for that amount of days you planned. Refill your canteen at every water source you come to. Try to stay off the roads as much as you can."
"Edana," Sarah said, stopping her cousin's rant, "I'll be fine. I've taken the same wilderness survival courses that you have."
"Those courses were meant for the world we came from," Edana said. "A world without magic, where humans were the only race around and you only had to worry about being attacked by starving animals rather than orcs. Just be careful. I'll come join you when I can."
"Thank you for everything, Edana," Sarah said. "I'll see you in the Shire."
With that, Sarah gave Cheyenne the signal and started riding away. She didn't look back until she made it to the ridge overlooking the valley. Even then, she didn't stop until she couldn't see the lights of the city anymore, where she dismounted and took the cloths off of Cheyenne's hooves. Mounting again, she sighed.
"No time for second thoughts," she whispered before nudging Cheyenne into a canter.
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Next chapter, everything comes out in the open. Please review.