His Queen

Chapter 4 - Kitra

Kitra and Alana raced against the impending storm, their feet pounding against the dirt path as they made their way to Bree. The sky above them rumbled with thunder and dark clouds loomed on the horizon, threatening to unleash their fury at any moment. Despite the urgency of their journey, they still paused to appreciate the beauty of the landscape around them - tall trees reaching towards the sky, small creatures scurrying through the underbrush.

As night fell, they set up camp and built a fire to warm themselves and cook their meals. They shared stories and laughter, grateful for this respite from their frantic pace.

As the first drops of rain began to fall, Kitra and Alana huddled closer to the flickering flames of their campfire. The wind picked up, whistling through the trees and sending a chill down Kitra's spine. She pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, her mind wandering to thoughts of Aragorn and the uncertain road ahead.

"Do you think he'll come?" Alana asked suddenly, as if reading her cousin's thoughts.

Kitra looked up, meeting Alana's gaze across the fire. "I don't know," she admitted honestly. "It's been so long... But I have to believe he will. We need him."

Alana nodded, poking at the embers with a stick. "I remember how close you two were, before he left. It was like you shared a bond that went beyond words."

A sad smile tugged at Kitra's lips. "We did. At least, I thought we did. But then he was gone, and I was left to wonder if it had all been in my head."

"It wasn't," Alana assured her. "Anyone could see how much he cared for you. And you for him."

Kitra sighed, her fingers absently tracing the intricate design of the pendant around her neck. "I just hope that's enough to bring him back to us now, when we need him most."

They fell into silence, the crackling of the fire and the pattering of rain against the leaves the only sounds in the stillness of the night. Eventually, exhaustion overtook them, and they settled into their bedrolls to snatch a few precious hours of sleep.

Dawn came too soon, pale light filtering through the misty forest as Kitra and Alana broke camp and saddled their horses. The storm had passed, leaving the world fresh and glistening with dew.

They rode hard, stopping only briefly to rest the horses and eat a hasty meal of dried meat and fruit. The urgency of their mission drove them forward, the knowledge that Frodo's safety and the fate of Middle Earth hung in the balance.

As the sun began to sink below the horizon once more, the distant lights of Bree came into view. Kitra felt a flutter of nervousness in her stomach at the thought of seeing Aragorn again after all these years. Would he be the same man she remembered, or had time and experience changed him beyond recognition?

They left their horses at the stables and made their way on foot to the Prancing Pony Inn, where Gandalf had instructed them to meet Frodo. The streets were quiet, most of the town's inhabitants already settled in for the night.

Kitra pushed open the heavy wooden door of the inn, the warmth and noise of the common room washing over her. She scanned the crowded space, her eyes searching for any sign of the hobbits or Aragorn. They were the first to arrive and she was not looking forward to spending an unknown amount of days surrounded by drunken men.

"What can I get for you two fine wo...?"

The bartender's voice trailed off as he took in the sight of Kit and her companion. The dimly lit tavern was filled with the murmurs of patrons, but Kit's low voice cut through the noise. She tried to conceal her gender, not wanting to attract any unwanted attention.