THE HIDDEN KEY

The Long Journey Home

Grasping the reins firmly with both hands, Gilford gazed around the fields. The old, abandoned farmhouse where he'd encountered Sozen for the first time lurked in the shadows of the woods. I never did find out what the owner was trying to hide in the end, but I assume it had something to do with Morgorth's Blade. He turned and glanced around the field as he urged Eponie to ride faster, but his horse whined in protest as he galloped past the village and out across the fields past the pastures and farms. There must be somewhere I can rest for the night. His steady gaze slowly scanned the vast countryside searching for a place where he could rest for the night. There was nothing but hills and fields in every direction. Have I passed Edmund's farm yet? Casting another glance around the field, he could only hope that Edmund's farm was close by because he needed a place to rest for the night.

After riding for most of the evening, the tree line of a small, wooded dell came into view at the foot of some large steep hills. As he approached the thicket of Maple Trees, he pulled back on the reins, slowing his horse down to an easy pace as he trotted towards the woodland. I rest here for the night. His gaze shifted amongst the thicket, searching for a place where he and Eponie could rest for the night. After getting off his horse, he took the bridle and guided Eponie into Dell as he glanced around before tying his horse to the nearest tree.

Gilford yawned, swaying side to side as he rubbed his eyes before sagging on the grass in front of a large Maple tree. I still can't believe I found Morgorth's Blade. With eyes tearing up, he slowly glanced around the woodland, but everything was blurred. He rested against the tree, dropping his head as he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Early the next morning, Gilford awoke and slowly stood up, stretching his arms into the air before rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he cast a glance towards his horse, who was grazing on the grass. I can't wait to be knighted. He gazed up at the cerulean cloudless sky and smiled, trying to picture himself as a knight dressed in shiny plated armour.

After untying Eponie from the tree, he slipped his feet into the stirrups, quickly climbing up onto his horse and turning Eponie around to face the field before riding out of the woodland. As he rode off across the verdant flowery green fields, he cast a glance at the rolling green hillside in the distance. They rose high up into the sapphire cloudless sky as they loomed above.

Gilford's gaze shifted around the grasslands while he rode across the field towards the hillside at a steady pace. The ground gradually began to rise and get steeper as he ascended the grassy slopes and as cantered around the hill, his gaze fell upon the narrow valley below. He turned away and gazed up the hill as he continued his ascent up the steep rugged slope. The wind whistled in his ears and swept through his hair. As he made his way to the top of the hill, he stopped, gazing out across the beautiful countryside. Is that the castle town in the distance? No, it can't be. The castle is a lot further away from here. He turned and slowly gazed around the hilltop before carefully making his way down the other side of the hill. Eponie whined and neighed loudly as loose bits of scree slipped beneath his hooves while he descended the steep treacherous slope.

Gilford stared down the slope while he pulled back on the reins. His heart pounded and his knuckles turned white from grasping the reins to tight. There must be an easier path to follow down the hill. He quickly glanced around the hillside, searching for another trail to follow, but there weren't any safer routes to follow. How would he make it to the bottom of the hill without slipping to his death? There was only one way to tackle the treacherous slope and that was by foot. He would have to guide his Eponie down the slope instead of riding him.

He quickly got off his horse and grabbed the bridle before carefully making his way down the scree slope ahead of his horse. Loose scree and stones slipped from beneath his feet and tumbled down the steep slopes with a loud crash. His heart pounded as he continued his descent towards the bottom of the hill. Eponie neighed and whined in distress behind him. Why didn't I go through the valley? It may have taken longer, but it would have been a lot safer. Stopping; he glanced over his shoulder at Eponie, making sure that he was okay before he turned away and continued downhill.

Once he'd reached the foot of the hill, he climbed back onto his horse and continued his journey through the countryside for the rest of the morning until he reached the stream he'd been following when he first started his quest and as he gazed out across the field, Scorebrough Castle town slowly came into view. Its enormous imposing white walls and flanking towers loomed above the fair grasslands. I can't believe I've made it. Pulling back on the reins, Eponie's hooves slid on the grass before he came to a stop on the brow of a small hill. Shifting his gaze away from the daunting curtain walls and circular flanking towers, Gilford's eyes fell upon the magnificent twin-towered gatehouse on the verge of the moat. I'm so glad to be home. He sighed deeply, still gazing up at the massive gatehouse as he rode towards it, slowly making his way across the wooden drawbridge and through the large archway before entering the town.