Visenya Targaryen, now Lady Stark, thought her journey was done when her husband took his final breath. Yet, a single step into the godswood sends her into a new world entirely-Middle-earth. With her youth restored and no one to trust, Visenya must...
The golden light of the early morning sun filtered through the dense trees of Greenwood as Visenya prepared herself for the long journey to Rivendell. The air was crisp, the scent of pine and earth filling her lungs as she joined Legolas and his group of guards near the outskirts of the forest. She tightened the straps of her cloak and adjusted her sword, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
It had been weeks since Gandalf left Greenwood, and in his absence, Visenya had taken every opportunity to learn. She had thrown herself into studying the history of Middle-earth, devouring the scrolls and books Legolas had given her, but the deeper she delved into this world's past, the more questions she had. And now, as they set off on a journey to Rivendell—a place she had only heard whispers of—Visenya felt an unshakable pull toward the unknown.
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Visenya stood beside her horse, a beautiful white creature with dapples of grey on its feet and snout and hips. She ran her hand along its strong neck, feeling a familiar warmth rise in her chest. It wasn't Silverwing, but there was something about this horse that stirred memories of her dragon. The same silent understanding, the same unspoken bond forming between them.
Legolas watched her from a distance before stepping closer. "Elvish horses are unlike any other," he said, his voice soft but clear in the quiet of the forest. "They understand commands in Quenyan. They feel the bond with their riders, much like how you described the dragons in your world."
Visenya tilted her head, intrigued. "Quenyan?" she asked, brushing a lock of her silver hair behind her ear. She had been learning the language, but it was still foreign on her tongue.
"Here," Legolas said, taking the horse's reins gently in his hands. "Watch." He muttered a few soft commands in Quenyan, and the horse immediately responded, stepping forward, then stopping, bowing its head at Legolas' touch.
Visenya's eyes widened, a small smile forming on her lips. "So, they're just as clever as the dragons then."
Legolas laughed softly. "Perhaps. But a horse will not breathe fire upon your enemies."
With a quiet laugh, she approached her horse again, this time whispering the Quenyan word Legolas had taught her. The horse's ears flicked forward, and it moved obediently. Visenya's heart swelled. The bond was there, growing stronger, and though it was different from the connection she had once shared with Silverwing, it filled a space she thought would remain empty forever.
As she gently stroked the horse's muzzle, she whispered, "Perhaps I will call you Silvershadow. You and I have much to do together."
As they began their journey, Legolas rode beside her, his eyes scanning the path ahead with the practiced ease of a seasoned ranger. His companions rode in formation, moving silently through the forest, their faces calm and unreadable. Visenya marveled at how effortlessly they blended with their surroundings, moving through the trees like shadows.
