Starting off this chapter with a flashback to Gwin's past. I hope you like it!

A year ago today, I posted the first chapter of this story. It's been a wild ride, and I'm so grateful for all of my readers. Lots more fun to come!

Chapter 90

3rd age, year 1977

I cautiously made my way towards our vegetable garden. It was not too far from our house, but not close enough to be free of danger.

There had been an increase in wolves, but not the usual ones. These had malevolent, yellow eyes, and radiated something dark. I needed to be careful. My bow was securely on my back, and a dagger was tucked in my boot, with another in a sheath at my waist. I had recently joined the Guard, and was still learning how to use such things.

I was pleased to see the plants undamaged, and I hastily gathered what I needed, keeping an eye on my surroundings as best I could. I cursed as I heard my sister calling my name; she was much too close to the edge of the forest.

"Melweth, why are you here?" I asked, frustrated, as she approached me. "It is not safe."

She frowned. "You are here, so I am perfectly safe." I sighed. She was still young, and not quite at her majority. She wanted to be an adult, but her foolish behavior suggested otherwise.

"There may be wolves just inside the trees," I said through gritted teeth.

"Those are just rumors, Gwinnie," she replied with an eyeroll. "Have you seen them yourself?"

I stood up with my bag of vegetables and made my way over to her. "Those 'rumors' are not unfounded," I said sternly. "It is part of what is preventing trade between the villages."

There was a flicker of fear in her eyes. "The spiders too," she whispered.

I put my arm around her shoulders and guided her towards our small cottage. "Yes, the spiders as well. We must be careful."

The danger was not often spoken of directly in my family, not since the passing of our father and brothers. The spiders had been what killed them, and even thinking of the vile creatures made my heart squeeze in grief. It had only been a few decades since, and I had done my best to step up to protect us…but I was no warrior. Not yet, at least.

I smiled at my mother as we came through the door, and she weakly returned it. The pallor of sadness seemed to follow her everywhere, but she tried not to let it affect my sister and I. Putting on a brave face took much of her energy, and I loved and admired her even more for it. I held up the bag before placing it on the table, "I managed to gather a few things for supper."

Melweth looked inside and wrinkled her nose, "Cabbage and carrots again?"

My eyes hardened, "It is what we have, so we will be grateful for it."

"Can we not go to Gerenoth and buy some bread and venison?" Melweth whined. "I am tired of vegetables." Gerenoth was the closest village, but had become more dangerous of late to travel there.

"You know why we cannot," I countered sternly. "Did I not just explain to you how dangerous it is?"

My sister's eyes flashed with anger, "We are starving! Our clothes are falling off of us, and all you do is complain about how unsafe it is to go anywhere. Paedron visited only a few days ago!"

"He is a trained warrior, and he did not come alone." I knew Melweth fancied him, but he was much older and clearly did not view her in the same way.

"Are you not also a warrior?" she replied. "You are too scared to do anything about this!" She was nearly shouting now. "We cannot even gather fresh water every day because the river is supposedly too far away!"

My temper was barely in check, but I could not disagree with her. I was afraid, and we were starving. My mother did not wish to acknowledge it, but we could no longer live so far from the village if things did not improve. "I understand you are upset, but I cannot fix everything. I do my best to keep us safe."

"Let me go with you to training," Melweth begged eagerly. "I can become a warrior too, and together we can be strong enough to travel and trade with Gerenoth."

"No," I said shortly. "You are not old enough."

"Paedron was younger than me when he started," she said angrily.

"Muinthel, I promise, becoming a warrior is not as glamorous as you might believe," I muttered bitterly. "I do it only because I must." It was true. I had hoped to become a musician, and had worked hard for many hours a day to learn my craft on the harp. I had dreamed of playing in the grand music hall in Felegoth. It was cut short as I was thrown into the role of protector.

I admit I resented my mother for this. She refused to move to a safer place, and therefore relied on me to keep danger away. I felt I was forced to become something I was not; a warrior? What kind of soldier was I? My archery was laughable, and I could barely throw a dagger in a straight trajectory. It was true I had only been in the Guard for a few years now, but I needed to improve. Prince Legolas was kind and supportive, but I was ashamed at my poor skill. I was surprised he even let me continue.

"Please do not argue," my mother whispered, and both my sister and I turned to look at her. I felt some remorse at the fatigue on her face, and Melweth took my hand and squeezed it in apology.

I quickly prepared what meagre meal I could with the food we had, and we were only able to have a few sips of water, as we were rationing it. I was unsure when I would be able to travel to get more; usually I waited for another warrior to stop by the village. I had gone with Paedron and his friends when he arrived a few days ago, but he had moved on to head back to Felegoth, which was our capital city. It was somewhat nearby, and every few months I made my way there to train with the main group of soldiers; my mother and sister traveled with me, so I knew they were safe. Those of us in our village who were in the Guard did our own training here as well, but we were not under the guidance of a captain. The most experienced of us were the ones teaching the novices; I felt I was learning much, but knew it would be better if I was in Felegoth more regularly.

My head snapped up and I looked out the window as I heard a strange rustling in the trees. Dread settled in my stomach, and I feared something dangerous was just out of sight. I turned to my mother and sister, "Go to the cellar."

"What? Why?" Melweth asked quizzically.

"Just listen to me and do as I say," I replied quietly. "I sense danger approaching, and I would have you safe."

"I can fight!" she said stubbornly, and picked up one of my daggers. Her hand was shaking.

"Muinthel," I murmured, turning to face her briefly. "Please, go with Naneth and stay hidden. I will handle this. Perhaps it is nothing." Even as I said the words, I knew I was kidding myself. My instincts were rarely wrong. "Take the dagger with you, just in case."

She frowned and I noticed a sheen of tears in her eyes, but she refused to cry. "Be careful," she whispered. My mother followed her in a daze as Melweth pulled her along towards the stone steps leading down to the cellar. She gave me one last, unfocused look before the door shut behind them. It broke my heart to see it.

Hearing another sound outside, I readied an arrow to shoot as my eyes swept the area for threats. Suddenly a massive spider came crashing through the trees, by far the largest I had ever seen. I threw myself to the ground; I knew I could not defeat such a creature by myself.

I peeked through a narrow opening in the wooden planks of my home as I watched in horror. It rampaged through the vegetable garden, destroying everything in its wake. I heard a shout, and then a battle cry as several soldiers from the village attempted to shoot it down. I scrabbled to my feet and was about to run and help, but froze in fear as a massacre played out in front of me.

The spider used its massive legs to swipe them to the side, one by one. Their bodies flew into the nearby trees, and they either did not rise or were crawling pitifully. They were not fast enough to escape the spider's stinger. I heard their screams and trembled, tears running down my cheeks. I felt ashamed at my weakness, but knew logically that it would have been foolish to try and fight, with my meagre skills.

I sunk to the floor once more, and curled up in a ball as I rocked back and forth. Would the spider come here and flatten our home? At this realization, I almost threw myself down the stairs and pounded on the cellar door. "Let me inside!" I cried frantically, and my mother pulled me to her as my sister slammed the door shut.

I shook in her arms as I heard crashing above me, and I knew what I feared would happen was coming to pass. My sister was terrified, "What is happening Gwinnie?" she cried. "Are we going to die?"

"No Melweth, we will be safe here," I stuttered. The shelter had been constructed by the best carpenter and stonemason in the area, and I found it likely it could withstand even the collapse of our house.

It felt like an Age before there was silence once more; the spider had moved on. As I considered how we would get out of the cellar, I heard someone distantly shouting my name. "Gwin! Gwin, are you alive? Is anyone alive?!"

I almost started crying again as I recognized his voice. Somehow, Paedron was here. He was supposed to be in Felegoth, but had apparently returned. "We are well," I managed to shout, my voice cracking slightly. "Can you help us get out of here?"

I could hear him doing something above us, and shortly after, the door opened and his worried face made its appearance. The next moment, Melweth had thrown herself into his arms and was sobbing. He hesitantly embraced her, looking uncomfortable. I wanted to laugh, but felt it was inappropriate in this situation. "Muinthel, please release him. I do not think he can breathe with you holding him so tightly." I kept my voice light, and was rewarded with her flaming cheeks as she realized what she had done.

"I…well, we thank you for your help," Melweth stammered, but her eyes stared up at him adoringly, "You saved us."

Looking even more uncomfortable, Paedron ran his hand through his dirty blonde hair. "You are welcome." He then straightened up and his expression turned sorrowful. "I am sorry, but your home is a total loss."

I felt my mother gasp and almost collapse to the ground, and I pulled her to me so she would not fall. "Naneth?" I asked, alarmed.

Her face was almost grey now, and her eyes swimming with tears and a sadness so intense I was shocked. "It is all gone now," she said faintly. "All gone." I looked toward Paedron in a panic, and my sister hurried over to us and helped me lower our mother to the ground. She curled up in a ball and was rocking back and forth, like I had done only a short time ago. Paedron looked grim, and I noticed he had come to the same conclusion as I. She needed healing…and it would likely not be found on this side of the Sea.

It took some convincing, but eventually my mother allowed me to help her up. She floated along like a wraith as we ascended, and we all stood in disbelief at the carnage of our home. There was almost nothing left standing except the crumbling chimney and a wooden post. Everything else was rubble, and it shook me how I would not be here alive if I had not retreated to the cellar.

"Paedron, how do you come to be here?" I asked softly. "I thought you were in Felegoth."

"I was on my way there when I heard tell of some spiders heading your way. We were able to dispatch a few, but I arrived too late to help kill the one here." He looked haunted. "I came across my fellows and…" he swallowed thickly. "…and then saw the spider running off into the distance, towards the other side of the forest, before noticing what happened to your home."

"Are any of them still alive?" I asked worriedly.

He shook his head, and I noticed him blinking tears away. "The poison from the larger spiders works faster. By the time I arrived…it was too late." I took his hand and gave it a squeeze, and he returned it before releasing it.

I sighed. "We must leave and find somewhere to stay." But where?

Paedron put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You can stay with my family, at least until you find your footing. I will guide you there."

"Hannon le," I replied. "We are grateful."

After we gathered what little we could salvage, we made our way towards where Paedron's family resided. I turned to look one last time back to where I had lived my whole life, and finally let the tears come.

I tore my eyes away, and never looked back.

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Present Day

I blinked and realized I had slid down the tree trunk and onto the grass, and tears were on my cheeks. Thankfully, no one was around, and I appreciated the opportunity to collect myself. I noticed the tree had placed a branch on my shoulder in a gesture of comfort, and it made me chuckle. I put my hand on its bark. Hannon le.

You are welcome, young one. I sighed and closed my eyes, breathing in the clean, fresh air. The smell reminded me of home. I worked hard to push down the memory I had just lost myself in, and focused on the present.

I felt so very tired, and after scanning the area for danger, I settled myself on my side on my cloak in the soft grass. I did not fall into reverie, but let my body rest and relax. The environment was helping settle my constantly restless spirit. I smiled internally as I remembered how in tune Legolas was with nature; it was amusing how birds would simply land on his fingers, and he would place his hand on each tree and speak a few words of greeting. His face would light up, and it made me smile to see such joy.

Some period of time passed, before I noticed Candaith brushing my soul gently. "Where have you run off to, meleth?"

"Just speaking with the trees". I felt a wave of amusement, and it made me raise an eyebrow. "You are just jealous."

"Ah, we both have our own talents, you know. You are good at speaking to the trees, and I am good at rangering."

I scoffed. "'Rangering'? What is that, pray tell?"

He was laughing again. "Is it our ability to track the untraceable, hide in the shadows…remain unseen, even by the trained eye."

Before I could formulate a response, I felt arms slide around me and I smiled. Candaith's stubble brushed against my cheek, and I snuggled against him, with my back to his front. "See what I mean? I snuck up right behind you and you did not even notice," he whispered in my ear, and I laughed.

"Perhaps I did notice, but kept it to myself so you would feel proud of your ranger skills," I replied, jolting when he nibbled my ear playfully.

"I sense you are feeling more at peace," he said softly, and he pulled me a little tighter to his chest. "I did not know how to help you, truly."

I sighed, "Sometimes nature is the one thing that can refresh my soul." I paused in thought. "Yavanna is the Vala who loves and cares for all growing things, and I have always connected with her on a spiritual level. Sometimes when I am here, in the trees like this, I feel something stir within me." I shrugged. "I cannot explain it well."

"I cannot say I truly understand of what you speak, but I am glad of it, if it brings you peace of mind and fulfillment." I turned around to face him, and he cupped my cheek with his hand. "I hope I can help as well."

Smiling, I kissed him, "You help more than I can ever say, meleth nin." I found his hand and intertwined our fingers, "We are a part of each other now."

He slowly smiled in return, and it always made my heart flutter. "We are indeed."

We stayed there for a time, speaking of inconsequential things and kissing every once in a while. It was nice to have such a light hearted, relaxing moment. I knew they would be few and far between on the rest of this journey.

As the sun began to set, he helped me up, and we walked hand in hand as we returned to camp. In that moment, I felt everything would be well. Perhaps it was a foolish notion, which went against all logic…but I wanted to believe it, with all my heart. After my struggles with the darkness, I felt the light begin to push it back.

Finally, I had found some hope.

I wanted to share with you more of Gwin's past, and introduce you to her mother and sister. I hope you found the memory interesting, as well as the fluffiness at the end of the chapter! Thanks for reading, and leave a review!