Heart of Courage

Chapter 8: Cold and Wind

•~Aldith's POV~•

-I awoke to one of the coldest mornings of the year. I shivered and wrapped my blanket tighter around myself. Just when I felt that I could fall back asleep, someone entered my room.

Great.

"Aldith?"

"Ugh."
Was my muffled reply.

"Wake up."

No.

Someone yanked my blanket off.

You'll pay for that.

I growled and sat up, preparing to
knock some sense into whoever dared to yank my warm, comforting blanket off.

It was Haldin.

I should have known.

He merely laughed.

I nearly burst out laughing but somehow managed to keep a strait face. I growled and tackled him to the floor. I knew I was no match for him. He simply picked me up.

"Wha-hey!"

He tossed me lightly on my bed. I laughed and pulled myself up.

"How is Beredon?"

"Still sleeping. But he is looking much better."

"That is good."

"Come on. I have something important to discuss with you."-

-We walked through the forest glades of Ithilien. I wrapped my cloak tighter around myself and shivered. Haldin didn't seem to mind the cold.
The only "important" matter he wanted to discuss with me was my lack of reports. The rest was the lack of good cooks in Ithilien and many other things not worth mentioning. My mind strayed.
Suddenly I heard a voice inside my head.

You will tell me the way into Ithilien or I'll make you wish you were never born.

I already told you, I will never reveal the way into Ithilien!

Foolish choice.

Suddenly I felt light-headed. I swayed and fell to the ground.
I felt as though someone was restricting my breathing.

Why does this keep happening?

Everything was blurry. I could barely see anymore. Suddenly my shoulder began to ache. I couldn't breathe at all. I couldn't help it: tears ran from my eyes.
I was vaguely aware of Haldin bent down beside me. The only thing that remained crystal clear was the dark figure I had seen in earlier visions.

"Enjoying yourself?"
He laughed.

"I will take away this curse if you but tell me the way into Ithilien. If not..."

My shoulder felt as though it had been pierced again. I clenched my teeth, but still a moan escaped my lips.
I longed for this living nightmare to end.
My heart was failing. I needed air soon or I would surely die. I felt the grip around my neck loosen, but I soon lost consciousness.-

-When I awoke I was lying on my back beside a campfire.
Haldin was sitting beside me.
I sat up painfully.
He stirred and turned towards me.

"Aldith, I don't know what is going on." His voice wavered.

I sighed. I staggered to my feet and swayed slightly.

Haldin was up in an instant and steadied me.

Tears began streaming down my face. I hugged Haldin.

"Aldith, tell me, what do you see when these things happen?"

I shut my eyes.

"A dark figure... He wore a black cloak. You can't see his face. All you can see are his eyes."
I shuddered.

"And does he speak to you?"

"Yes... Every time I've seen him he has demanded the way into Ithilien. When I denied him passage, he tried to strangle me and my shoulder hurt."

He looked curiously at me.

"Aldith..." He muttered before pulling me into a hug. I sighed and lay my head on his shoulder.

Eventually we headed back.-

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-I went first to check on Beredon.
I knew he was doing well but still I wanted to see him.
But why?
I entered into his quarters slowly.

He was reading.
I began to walk away. Instantly I turned around and walked back into the room. I sighed and placed a trembling hand on his shoulder.
He jumped and spun around.

"Aldith."

He pulled me into a hug.
It surprised me but somehow it felt okay. He let go quickly.
"I.. I am sorry."

Our eyes met.

"It's alright, Beredon."
I muttered.

"I just wanted to thank you... For yesterday..."

He continued fumbling for words.

"And commend you..."

I struggled not to laugh.

"Commend me? For what?"

"Aldith, if it wasn't for you, we would have been killed."
He continued.

"Why... Why did you follow us anyway?"

I sighed.
I couldn't tell him about my visions. Not yet, anyway.

"I love to fight, Beredon. You know that."

He grinned.

I smiled back.

Our eyes met again.
He stared for a moment longer and then shifted his gaze.

I began to walk away.

"Aldith?"

I turned quicker than I ever had before.

"You... You are the bravest woman I have ever known."

I blushed and hurried out of the room.

What is wrong with me?-

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-Thank you so much for reading! I know this chapter isn't the best (and I haven't updated in forever!) I had a hard time coming up with this chapter.

Diola lle Melloneamin
(Thank you my friends.)