A Ruby's Glow (Thorin Oakenshield x OC)

9. Frozen Forest

After Novu walked along for a time, I began to see familiar bushes half sticking out of the thinner snow here under the trees. I hopped off of her back and ran over to the bushes, digging in the snow as I pulled free seed buds, filling up on any many as I could in one of the sock's I brought with me before tying it off to my belt as I scavenged through the snow. While Milkberry does well in the dark, I hope to find some Northern Ivy, some Staghorn Fern, and Pothos. I was surprised when I discovered seeds for Maidenhair Fern's too, along with Anthurium. I stuffed six socks full of seeds in my scavenging as Novu watched, sniffing the air before I decided to be polite and help the cougar find a meal.

Good thing I brought my elvish bow and a quiver of arrows Kili gave me. The elvish bow was a gift from Tauriel, as she saw how good I am with a bow and arrow. It is much the same design as the one I stole in Mirkwood and lost when facing the dragon. I listened, stretching out my emotions as I tapped the emotions of a scavenging deer and silently hunted it down, pulling my emotions back as I shot the deer. Novu rumbled happily as she pounced on the downed deer after I pulled free the arrow, I used Calcatius to cut free the horns and tied them to my belt, they are useful for crafting or carving.

I was still searching for some better grass seeds, always difficult to find, as Novu ate her meal eagerly, when I felt...

Something.

I turned quickly bow loaded and at the ready, glancing around as I breathed quickly. I felt... the brush of... a presence that seemed... highly malicious in intent. It seemed to be... searching. I don't think it noticed me. I think it's best I keep it that way. I tugged with my emotions at Novu, showing my urgency as she looked up from her meal, covered in deer blood, before picking up the carcass and dragging it along with her as I made my way to the edge of the forest, on alert from that eerie presence...

When I felt something different.

I froze as Novu crooned worriedly, yet I was shocked, awed, and wondering if I had lost my mind. It isn't possible, it's not possible. The only conclusion I can draw is that I have lost it.

Emotions... painfully familiar emotions... brushed my own as a call that ripped my heart in two echoed through the forest, a croaking song, one I knew only too well. It was that very song that Fairfin would sing out to find me, or I him... but that's impossible. Fair... my raven... he's dead. I watched him die...

I turned and frantically ran in the direction of the sound, hearing Novu behind me dragging her kill. I don't care if it proves I am insane, of if I am wrong... but I had to know. I stopped after a time of racing in that direction, hissing and gripping my back, unable to run anymore as Novu stopped at my side, dropping her kill and rubbing her face in the snow as she crooned worriedly.

I reached out and patter her head, closing my eyes in grief, aware I am merely hearing echoes on the winds of memories long since passed... Grief pulled painfully at my heart. I looked up quickly, hearing the call again, right in the trees above us as I looked around frantically...

I froze and watched as a large raven flew down and landed on Novu's kill, picking at the meat with it's black beak. Novu grumbled in annoyance at it as the raven croaked angrily back at Novu, ripping off some of the meat to eat before it looked up at me and tilted it's head, croaking curiously. 

I heard myself hiccup before a quiet sob escaped me. The raven hopped onto the end of the carcass, croaking worriedly, turning it's head to study me with a beady black eyes as pain ripped through my heart. I shakily reached out to the raven, who seemed aware of my painful emotions as the raven leaned forward, letting me run my fingers down it's head and back feathers as another sob tore from me. It wasn't Fair... it wasn't my raven. No, just the call of another raven who sounded my Fair...