I had been practicing with the children since early this afternoon when the air had been warm, but now grew cold with the oncoming night. The rest of the class had returned home to their guardians some time ago, while rubbing their bruises, however, this girl in particular, she wasn't ready to give in just yet and was standing in position, clasping a wooden sword in her hand ready for my signal.

Here at Clyro, we were a holdfast which took in girls from an early age, whether because they were sent by their parents to allow them to achieve something more, or because they were orphans. Either way our intentions were the same and that was to train them to be formidable Shieldmaidens, that their country of Rohan could be proud of.

It was a gruelling process, one which would take many years to accomplish. I remember when I had been in her shoes. In my case I had been one of the orphans who came to Clyro with hardly any meat on my bones and then told to swing a heavy sword without wavering. It took a while before I could manage and a lot of meals to make me strong, but once I proved to myself that this was something that I could do, without anyone taking it from me, I wanted not only just to be a Shieldmaiden, but the greatest that had ever lived. So I pushed myself harder and further than the rest dared. People used to say that when I trained, a fire burned in my eye and I never knew what they meant by that, until now.

Looking at the girl before me, that same fire lurked in her eyes as well and it was fuelled by pure determination.

I smiled, "it's getting late Brenna. If you haven't managed to hit me once yet, what makes you think you will now?"

I could hear teeth grinding together. She knew I was trying to ruffle her feathers and was doing her best to ignore me, but I couldn't resist continuing.

"Give up child; I am simply better than you will ever be."

That last one got to her and she raised her arm high and charged straight towards me, screaming. I waited and didn't move, rolling my eyes when at the last second I stepped aside and she fell to the ground, scoffing as she got a mouthful of dirt.

She coughed and threw the sword away, turning over to lie flat on her back and stare at me. Even with her mistake, that fire only burned brighter.

I sighed, "There see! You allowed me to get inside your head. You acted on anger, your wounded pride; that's are no just cause to fight. They end tragically, understand?"

She knew I was right and Brenna's features cooled from resenting me, to taking my lesson into account, which for the moment was enough for me to finish on.

"Good."

I extended my hand and helped her off the ground, dusting off her shoulders and rubbing her head. She laughed at my teasing and swatted my hand away, leaving her red hair in a state but she didn't bother to fix it.

"I say in another week or so, there will be no more lessons to teach and I will hit you."

"Is that so?" I asked.

She grinned at me and replied, "Yes."

"Then don't disappoint me. Now come on, you have kept me from my dinner for long enough."

I motioned for her to head indoors, where candlelight could be seen in the windows and the promise of wine and a cooked meal was waiting. As we walked along, I nodded to those on patrol, reminding them to keep their eyes peeled and to trust their gut if they thought something was amiss, conscious of Brenna who was listening to my every word and watched my every move.

"Of course, Sonya" the last woman said, continuing to her post.

When we stepped inside the armoury, Kya was already there counting the children's swords with confusion.

"Don't panic Kya; Brenna's is the last sword," I assured, taking it from the girl and placing it among the rack with all the others.

Relief washed over her instantly and she put her arm around Brenna's shoulders to pull her in close and rub a thumb over some of the dirt staining her cheeks.

Kya has always been like that, caring towards everyone and everything. At first I thought it was a weak attribute to her character, but anyone here would repay her kindness by laying down their lives for Kya and as the more approachable Shieldmaiden, she did help in making the new recruits settle in better. I tended to scare them a little, so I've been told.

"Well thank goodness, I thought we had lost it and we barely have enough to go around as it is."

"You have a point there" I stared and assessed each one individually, picking out their faults; I wouldn't doubt that some were probably older than me.

"I'll get on to making more."

I'll need to gather some wood, but that wouldn't be hard, since there were trees everywhere. It would just take a long time, considering all the other obligations I had here.

Brenna stroked the 'blade' of one and looked up at me, "Can I help?"

Staring at her freckled face, teaching her would be a hassle, but in the long run I believed it would pay off.

I shrugged, "I don't see why not, if you think you can handle some splinters."

Kicking her legs up and examining her arms with their various cuts, grazes and bruises, she scoffed "At this point I think I'm immune to pain."

Kya laughed and flipped her golden hair over her shoulder squeezing the child closer, but I was always so serious.

"Never think that. It makes people stupid."

Brenna was silent, wondering if I had intended my words to be so severe.

The truth was I didn't. But the warrior in me had a quick and instructive tongue. Something I haven't been able to control. So, every now and again, it will lash out at someone even though I had just been jesting with them only minutes ago, as if to remind them of my authority.

Or to prevent people from getting too close…

Both she and Kya were staring at my back, I could feel it. I didn't bother to apologise though, because it would be as if I were retracting the wisdom behind my words and I didn't want that. It could save her life one day.

Quietly, Kya whispered, "Brenna, why don't you go on ahead to the kitchens? Everyone has eaten, but I bet Gerdy has some leftovers for you, okay."

She didn't say anything of the offer and then I heard her feet shuffling across the stone floor, telling me of her departure and I felt a twinge of guilt, which I would never admit to aloud.

Kya was still in the room and I turned around to brace the accusing gaze, which no doubt was furrowing her brow. Her expression was as I expected and she crossed her arms as an added detail, to project her disappointment over me. Now she looked a fierce Shieldmaiden, rather than a coddling hen.

I pushed her by being defiant, "What do you want from me Kya?" and grimaced from sounding like a spoilt child who knew they were wrong.

Before she could answer and she was ready to scold me, the lecture hanging on the tip of her tongue was avoided by the wild Alba marching down the steps.

She tilted her head slightly in acknowledgment of my presence, "Forgive me, but there was a messenger, Gora waits for you in the hall."

That caught my attention.

"A messenger? From who?" I asked.

No one bothered us with letters or messengers but the Golden Hall of Edoras, when they thought to check on our progress, since our soldiers were much better than their own.

"She didn't say, only that I was to inform you."

Her unusual deep tone carried as much curiosity as mine.

"Very well, thank you Alba."

Again she jerked her head and I left her and Kya behind, as I pushed past Alba and ascended the stairs two at a time, walked along the many corridors and burst through the doors where Gora was seated in light of the fireplace.

"What is it?"

I didn't bother with pleasantries. I was too distracted by the fruit bowl and wine, resting on the table beside her. She didn't bat an eyelid as I helped myself to her food.

With a wrinkled hand, she lifted the fine piece of parchment for my inspection.

"A message from Rivendell" she croaked.

Licking the juice from my lips, I wiped my fingers clean on my trousers and took the paper from her, scanning it quickly.

"Rivendell" I repeated, "what business would you have with the elves?"

Stroking back a strand of wiry hair, which had come loose from its braid, she admitted "None. This comes on the behalf of Gandalf the Grey."

Gandalf the Grey, I have heard stories of him since I was a girl. Apparently, I had met him once but I couldn't remember such an instance and I hardly believe the wandering wizard would be forgetful.

"That is curious…" I remarked.

With effort, the aging woman hoisted herself out of her chair and faltered on her feet, managing to catch her balance with a hand perched on the arch of her back.

"Not particularly" she groaned through the pain, "sooner or later Gandalf would want something from us."

I wasn't sure I liked where this was going and I refilled Gora's goblet. She looked like she could use the drink.

"And what is that?" I asked, handing her the cup.

She accepted and caught her breath before she took a sip, struggling to swallow. It was no secret. The woman was ailing. Her back was not as straight, her stance not as solid and her hands were constantly shaking, frail to the bone. She slept most of the time in this forsaken chair and proved to wake still tired, judging by the bags under eyes. However, the old bat refused to let us do anything about it. She refused to admit defeat and I swear she thought that at some point, she would rise again a vision of youth and health. For if she has feared anything in her whole life, it has been the short period a mortal being lived on this earth.

When she had finished, I took the goblet back and placed it on the table again, waiting on her answer.

"The letter is vague. It mentions only a gathering taking place, where all shall be revealed."

We exchanged a glance, my icy blue eyes meeting her steel grey.

The plot thickens.

I still had the letter pinched between my fingers at my hip and brought it back into view.

"If they haven't stated the reason for it, they obviously didn't want to risk the letter being intercepted."

Gora slowly nodded her head, "Indeed."

As she said, the letter was vague, but I reread the few sentences in any case, as if I were missing something and a thought occurred.

"Do you think Edoras has received one like it?"

Tightening her fur cloak, she snorted, "No, and I don't intend to tell them neither."

Sighing, I scanned the bowl once more and stole an apple with its bright red skin, tossing it in the air to catch, as I leaned my weight on the table.

"I don't blame you. Our relationship with the monarchy has been shaky as of late."

With the last catch, I blew my hot breath on the skin and admired the extra sheen before I broke it with my teeth, adding between chews, "They don't respond to our warnings of orcs crossing into our borders."

"The king's son and nephew do their bit so I'm told" she said, returning to her seat, obviously finished with testing her legs remaining strength.

I froze mid chew and glared, as if the two were in the room, "But not enough in my opinion."

Needless to say, my opinion was not a kind one concerning the royal family. They leave their comfortable fortress only when they have to. For appearance sake if for nothing else, I'm willing to bet.

Gora laughed and it was a startling sound, enough to make me jolt in surprise. She wasn't someone who openly laughed, unless something was truly that funny, being a woman of stone, so it was odd seeing her mouth crack open that wide and her chest buckle in amusement.

She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, "Are you still brewing over that last little encounter, you shared with the riders of Rohan?"

For a moment my mouth fell open and my sockets widened.

How did she know about that?

Concentrating entirely on the half eaten apple, I turned away from her to keep me distracted from giving her the satisfaction of falling victim to her game.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I snapped over my shoulder.

"Kya," she emphasised, "told me all about it."

My fist clenched.

"Did she now!" I snarled, beginning to think of a way to take my revenge on the pretty blonde, who liked to pretend she was all sweet and innocent, when really she was a wicked traitor.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of," the way she was handling the matter suggested otherwise, the Smug old crow.

"An honest mistake" she expressed with her hands, "After all, how were they to know you were out hunting."

How indeed.

I had been tracking a stag for miles at the time, thinking it would be my trophy after a successful hunt. I even managed to hit it with one of my arrows, but the beast ran before I could finish him off. It did leave me with a trail of fresh blood though, and I followed where it led until one step more had me caught in trap and suspended from a tree in a net. What's worse, the last jolt made me drop my knife and I was in too awkward a position to reach for an arrow. I was stuck, waiting on the fools who had planned all of this and the more I waited, the more my anger boiled. That's when two young riders trotted on over through the trees, confused at first and then amused, as much as Gora was just by imagining me in that scenario, only worse since they were witnesses. The laughter didn't ease my rage any and I did nor said nothing, until the tallest of the two cut the rope that assured my freedom to march on over to where he was standing and punch him so hard his head whipped back between his shoulder blades.

The blow proved beneficial, in my case anyway, because immediately after it I began to calm down and asked some questions like who they were and why they were on my land and what reason they had for the accursed net. Turns out, the one still saddled on his horse was Prince Theodred son of Theoden, and the man I punched, his cousin Lord Eomer who was cradling his face and described me to be more vicious than any orc, who was the true intender for the trap and not myself, or any of the game which filled Clyro's forests. We didn't part on good terms and the sole person I ever told that story to was Kya late one night, when she caught me drunk making her swear not to repeat what I told her.

Again, Traitor.

"Can we get back on subject?" it wasn't a question and Gora realised that. Sooner or later, I was no fun to tease.

"Gandalf can't have known I relinquished my title to you," she murmured bathed in the fires glow as darkness crept in.

"You didn't have a choice on the matter."

She smiled.

For the Shieldmaidens of Clyro, they had one leader and that honour was always given to the most skilful warrior among their ranks, whoever she may be, until the day comes that they are challenged and beaten, passing along the duty in defeat. I became a Shieldmaiden, one goal out of two, and the other was fulfilled the moment I tactfully knocked Gora to the ground and held my blade to her throat. If I were her enemy, she would have been dead and so I proved stronger and became not only her successor, but the greatest Shieldmaiden in all of Clyro's history, for I haven't lost a challenge yet.

"So what are we going to do?" I asked.

I might have bested Gora, but I couldn't let her go just yet. I valued her advice and experience to guide me and with her near, I wasn't afraid to carry the fate of the Shieldmaidens, because unlike the others, she knew what it meant to lead and every now again, you needed the support.

Her eyes were getting heavy, she needed to rest.

"The decision is yours now my dear."

Kneeling down, I clasped her cold hands in mine and kept her with me a little longer.

"I believe Rohan needs to be represented at this meeting. If for curiosity sake; I will go and see what they have to say."

She seemed pleased.

"I suggest you take some company with you, the rest will."

I shrugged and two names came to mind immediately, "That's fine by me, Kya and Erin will do."

Her eyes were closed now and her head rolled on top her shoulders, except she still had the energy to protest, "No! not Kya, take someone else."

I didn't speak abruptly with her, but I was confused, "Why do you say that?"

She snatched her hand from mine and waved me off, "Ask her yourself, but I suggest you take Merith."

"Merith," her name left me with a foul taste in my mouth.

"I know you two have never gotten along. Even as children you were so competitive. But if there's to be a discussion, your view and Merith's are bound to differ and as a leader, you need to evaluate both. You can't say she's never been honest with you."

Of course Gora was right. What is strange between me and Merith is that we have always hated each other. She more than I when I became the leader. But we respected one another and that could never be questioned. I would just have to persevere with her, but I make no promises that we won't end up fighting. It was just inevitable.

"I'll leave tomorrow."

I got up onto my feet and made my exit towards the tall doors, hearing the call of my bed now my stomach was full. However, Gora must have been reading my mind or sensed my longing with need to end it.

"Rivendell is far Sonya. You must start your journey tonight."

I chuckled at my luck. A leader knows no rest. Perhaps that's why Gora does sleep so much. She is catching up on all the nights she missed when she was leader. I can't say I blame her for that reason, and stopped myself from complaining. I asked for this when I challenged her, now I had to endure it just as all my predecessors had.

Rubbing my face to rid my exhaustion, I looked to the back of her chair where only her golden head peaked from the top.

"Then I leave things here in your capable hands, until I return."

I trusted no one else and was barely out of earshot when I heard her whisper, "And return you shall."