A Price To Pay- The Hobbit & LoTR

Chapter 2

Morning came the next day, its bright rays shining through the darkness once more. The light found its way to Raewynn's sleeping form, slipping between the boards of the window shutters.

Raewynn awoke to the sun glaring at her, and she grumbled a growl as she pulled the blankets over her head. It wasn't for another 30 minutes until she sat up in bed groggily, the pressure in her stomach pushing her out of bed to find the bathroom.

She threw back the covers, the cool air tracing along her naked body like teasing touches. It made her shiver, but it did nothing to help wake her as she bumped into furniture pieces around the room trying to find her clothes. The bleariness only cleared from her eyes after she stubbed her shin hard enough to bring her to tears and a string of curses from her mouth. Valor above, if this set the tone for the day-!

After fixing herself for the day and eating breakfast, Raewynn -with her bag over her shoulder-traced her way back to the stables to retrieve her companion.

She came upon the stables, and she came upon a sight that made her smile and frown at the same time. Luke was asleep in a pile of hay by the stables that were clean and freshly shoveled. Surely the boy hadn't slept there all night?

She went to the stable that held her beloved companion. When she opened the door to his stall, his head bobbed up in greeting. His grey eyes found hers and he snorted, nodding his head in approval, and walked over to greet her.

She smiled and held out her hand towards him and chuckled when he nudged aside her hand to push his head towards her pockets.

She kept her voice low, hoping to not wake the boy outside. "Are you looking for something, Norethun?" She teased. The horse nudged her harder before bobbing his head up and down repeatedly.

She put her hands on her hips, "While Luke might have spoiled you, I will not. You put weight on too easily, you mule."

Narethun did not like that answer. His ears pinned to the back of his head and he snorted into her face. When he went to nip her in a not-so-kind way, she popped his nose. The horse's attitude submitted, and Norethun turned his hurt, puppy eyes to her.

Raewynn's hands flew to her hips, and she scolded, "Honestly! Don't you give me those eyes! I swear, you have me doubt the fact that you are a Mearas more times than I care to admit with that 'Goof around and find out' attitude of yours!" Norethun grumbled in reply, shaking his head at her.

She opened the stall door and walked out, Norethun loyally trotting after her without the use of a lead or reigns. Once outside, she tacked him up to the cart. She patted his neck before disappearing once more. She appeared by Luke's form and gently shook him.

The boy woke with a startle, already spewing apologies. "I- I'm sorry! It was just a doze I sw- oh! Hello, Miss!" he finished with a bright smile once he realized who stood in front of him.

"Hello, Luke." She replied. The boy was surprised by the woman speaking, he assumed that she was mute but he wasn't going to say that out loud.

"How can I help you, Miss?"

She smiled. "I've had a change of plans recently, and I realized that the goods I have are too heavy for my horse to pull on our journey. Is there any way you can help me lighten the load?"

She watched the boy's eyes light up, "It would be my pleasure, Miss! I know a neighborhood of people that would make great use of these!" he exclaimed excitedly.

She grinned, picked the boy up, tucked him under her arm, and carried the flabbergasted boy to the cart. She climbed up into the cart and tossed the boy onto the bench beside her. The boy was shocked to stone, and she waited for him to come to terms with reality. His mouth kept opening and closing, words trying to come out but they didn't. Raewynn couldn't help but let out a belly laugh, the boy reminded her of a bass out of water. "I'm waiting for directions, Master Luke." She said joyfully as she wiped away a tear.