Chapter 1 Content: MA for later and now

Hey guys i have a few chapters written on this story and will update another debating on the response from this story.

Bryn was running through the woods her foot caught on a branch falling flat on her face, she was weak and tired but couldn't worry about that she had to run. Fear of being caught by her captors had kept her going this long. Desperately wanting to get away from where she was, dragging her feet. Hair that had clung to her face was dripping sweat into her eyes. Losing balance, she stumbled into an open area with a pond. With the blood in her pumping she couldn't hear anything around her, or maybe she had gone deaf from all the lashings. Then her stomach clenched and she started to dry heave, she had nothing more to give. Holding her neck in her hand parched, swallowing the dryness in her sticky throat. Observing her surroundings only then had she realized that there was a horse stuck, in the muddy pond beside her. She almost left it there in fear of her life but guilt overran her thoughts. Getting up off the ground shakily she mustered up enough strength to reach the poor thing. Stepping one foot into the pond and pushing the horse with all she had, it managed to get its hoof released from its trap. Over exhausted she fell to the forest floor excepting her fate.

She woke up hours later, it was dark and felt a warm body next to her, reaching out and felt fur? Hair? Looking up it was the gray horse curling its body around her. Breathing in the warmth radiating off the animal, it animated her body. Upon waking up she heard a battle cry of Orcs and howls of the Wargs they rode upon. The horse shook its head in a way that seemed to tell her to get on its back, but no she must've imagined it, surely. When it nudged her side she didn't argue, and grabbed his mane and pulled herself onto its back as soon as she was on the horse he stood and started to run. Gripping his mane tightly, in fear of falling off clenching her legs around the animal. He ran fast, smooth like she was floating on a cloud. Deciding right then and there that Cloud was his name.

Thanking Mahal that she had been saved even if it were only for a moment. She wiped her running nose on her sleeve, not caring that it was dirty if only to stop it from getting into her mouth. The gash across her forehead was starting to swell with pain and the dried blood, it was surely infected. The horse that she had named, Cloud started to slow down near a stream which she was thankful for she needed to clean herself and they both needed a drink of water. Bryn took off her top but didn't dare do more than that, dreading if anything might come upon her. After wiping herself clean of the dirt gently, watching all the grime fall into the water. Every move she made hurt all the bruises and cuts were starting to catch up. Just then she spotted some berries she recognized and knew were safe to eat, so she picked them.

After having something in her stomach and resting for a couple hours, Cloud and her decided it was time to get moving not wanting to be caught. Exhausted she had fallen asleep on her horse who had kept walking without given direction.

When she woke up, they were on the outskirts of Bree and with no money Bryn wasn't sure what she was going to do, maybe the Innkeeper would let her work for her room. That got her thinking about what would Cloud do, she couldn't just let him be taken or possibly hurt. No, she couldn't stay here she would have to keep moving but Cloud refused to move any further. Stubborn horse, well looks like they were camping out again. Bryn went to get some firewood and stopped when she heard some twigs snap and was on alert. She had nothing to fight with her best chances were to run, but she stood there frozen unable to move her feet.

When a tall man walked out of the trees with a staff in his hand, she gulped hoping that he would leave her be, but when he stumbled upon her, he gazed downwards at her and smiled a friendly grin. He looked as if he was pondering about something which made Bryn squirm at the thought. Before she could say anything, he walked past her.

"Well, come along young miss." He had said petting Cloud and looked back at her.

Not questioning him, she followed behind, trying to keep up with his long legs. He beckoned her to the village of Bree, which made her slow to a stop. He seemed to take notice that she was no longer following him and turned around to see what the problem was.

"What seems to be the matter my dear?"

"I, I have no money to pay for a room, and my horse."

"Well my dear, I can help you consider it a loan if you wish." Bryn merely nodded her head.

When they reached the tavern, Bryn sat outside with her horse, waiting. When the long-bearded man came back outside he showed her where to put her horse and that he got them a room. Cloud was so happy to have a warm stall and oats to eat that he started to roll around in the hay, Bryn smiled at his actions patted his nose and followed the old man.

"Oh, dear I forgot my manners my name is Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey.

"Mine's Bryn."

"Well, now that we have been formally introduced let's go eat, I fear you have quite the tale."

"I'd rather not delve into that right now if you don't mind."

"Right, well anyone wearing that necklace tells me that you're a rare child."

"It was my mother's nothing special only a family heirloom." She lied.

"Well my dear, you are a terrible liar," Bryn looked ashamed. "Don't worry I wouldn't tell anyone your secret's safe with me." His eyebrows raised with concern.

"Thank you." She whispered to him.

They ate their food, then Bryn went up to the room where Gandalf gestured her to take a bath while she could, and she wasn't going to argue with that. She washed herself as best she could by using the soap and oils, made her smell better and managed to get all the dirt off but still had to put on dirty clothes. Beggars couldn't be choosers so she was thankful none the less. Carefully getting out and drying herself she put on her blood stained and dirt covered clothes. At least her hair smelt better and she got all the twigs and leaves out of it. She went to bed with her shoes on ready for anything to happen.

Bryn tossed and turned all night groaning and kept pleading in her sleep for someone to stop. The wizard watched with a careful eye that the woman had been noticeably hurt in more ways than one. She had bathed herself but her cuts on her face had reopened as she slept leaving stains of blood on her pillow. There would be a long road of recovery for this one he thought. Maybe, just maybe she could be put to use on the journey to the lonely mountain. He would need to speak of this to Thorin and alone if there was any hope of success. Laying back against the headboard he dozed off into a light slumber should anyone try to break into their room.

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