Winwolfa (A Roan x Female OC Fanfic)

Chapter 6

Two days. They had been traversing the terrain for two days in silence. The only time they stopped was to eat, sleep, and use the bathroom. Besides that, Astrid was mounted on the horse and followed her escort blindly. Her back had gone from slightly stiff to constantly aching, spending sun up to sun down on the horse.

The land around them went from warm sunshine to clouded sky and gloom. Cold winds made her hair on the back of neck stand up, but it offered no comfort against it. Astrid's fingers and toes grew numb as they trekked farther and farther into the cold. With her hands tucked into her chest, she wiggled her toes in the boots just to keep them warm. The lack of muscle on her bones did nothing against the frigid temperature.

This was not how she imagined her first experience with snow.

Though, she gawked at the white snow capped mountains in the distance. The way they sparkled iridescently against the sun. So fluffy, yet it crunched underneath each footsteps from the horses. For miles, the snow seemed to spread until the mountains faded into rolling hills. Loose flakes trickled down from the sky, sticking to her hair and clothes.

Deep within the pines, Astrid saw the looming structures made of stone and destroyed buildings from the old world. Snow accentuated the dark colors of the village. Her jaw hung loose as she marveled at it. It was gigantic. She could hear the faint murmurs of people speaking in the foreign language just beyond the walls. Guards paced along the outside with intimidating stares that Astrid could barely make out from the distance.

A band of warriors rode down to meet them. They wore thick furs and leather, with white and blue paint adorning their face. Scars decorated their faces like jewelry. Different from the clan that kidnapped her, their uniforms were designed to blend into the mountains instead of the deep forest around the drop ship. An entirely different clan indeed. But their stares were just as lethal.

They exchanged snipped words in their language before one of the dark clad warriors pulled Astrid off the horse. She kicked her legs and screamed vulgarities until he slung her fighting body on the rear of his horse. Directly on her stomach with her limbs dangling off the side. She bit back against the pain in her ribs and hips as they trotted back to their keep.

Hushed murmurs and whispers enveloped as villagers watched them enter through the front gates. Astrid could see the remnant of their stares with her head resting against the leg of the horse, watching the hoof tracks in the snow. Even through the thick gear and bundled clothes of the villagers, it was easy to tell how fit each of the members were. For both fighting and to cushion themselves against the cold.

As soon as the horses stopped, Astrid was thrown onto the ground. Cold snow met her face instantly. She groaned as she wiggled herself to her knees, facing a woman upon a throne. Like the ice around her, her stare was frigid and lifeless, only tilting the corner of her mouth slightly upon Astrids appearance. She was dressed head to toe in furs and leathers, with the icy blond hair pulled back by tiny braids.

Besides her, another spitting image of cruelty. His angular face scowled at Astrid. His hair was braided back in a similar manner, but painted a dark brown instead of blonde. He looked stronger, fiercer than the other warriors. Not a shred of empathy in those icy blue eyes.

"Winwolfa." The woman spoke in an equal cold tone. "We have been waiting for you for a long time."

Astrid blinked, trying to process all the new surroundings and information thrown at her. So, the Grounders do actually speak English.

She tilted her head with pride, staring down at Astrid from the bridge of her nose. "Welcome to Azgeda. Welcome to your home."

"This is not my home." She hissed out between chattering teeth. All of these people dressed in furs, and she was still wearing her measly jacket and jeans.