The IRE of Winter

[ 2.2 ]

I've heard of Dale before but never in life expected to meet someone from there. The young man nodded, Aramis managed to give me a timid smile. His dark brown hair hung messily covering his forehead and hiding his thick brows above his hazel-brown eyes. He wore light dark ranger garb beneath the deep blue clothes, his boots were made of light leather too. While Rod was the other man who came to our house earlier but I haven't noticed him well enough.

Rod seemed older than him, in his thirties perhaps. He wore a forest green cloak under a common fabric, with a slightly curved sword hanging on one side. He must be a mercenary, I thought and I smiled back.

The old man noticed my curiosity and he quickly cut the silence. 'Very well, I should say thanks to Gimli for the wonderful introduction, not that I could have made it better,' he looked down and raised his brow to Gimli. 'This evening turned out to be pleasant afterall. Safirah, my dear, I never doubted you for second. Such admirable young spirit and high courage, and also disobedience,' he laughed. 'Since you are here, tell us more of yourself.'

'I thought you know me? The Elf knew me very well.'

'AHA!' The dwarf giggled, 'I like this lass already.' And he walked out the door holding an empty mug whistling happily. 'Lads, who care to get drunk downstairs, it's a little cold in here.' The two men followed him save the Elf. I realized I can't live near Dwarves, Gimli wriggled awkwardly as if he's going to bump into something, he's a round little being with braided red beard and he's very loud.

'I'm sorry,' I snapped back. 'My name is Safirah Barrens, as you have known; I'm no warrior like but I can keep up. You spoke to me, and here I am, waiting to hear your offer.' I can't deny my excitement.

'Safirah,' he repeated. 'A beautiful name. You're name reminds of a beautiful flower that can only be found in the North, fieras, it blooms only once in a hundred years and withers as fast as the passing snow. Rare and beautiful beyond compare,' The old man motioned towards me, sweeping the wooden floor gracefully with his white robes. Then he sat on a chair next to the table. 'Have you ever heard of such flower before, child?'

'I fear no.'

'Well now that is a pity, I don't think you'll be able to see one nowadays, such flower is rarer than white gems,' his eyes twinkled. 'Now, I don't have much time to discuss the contract with you, I have signed it.' He laid a piece of parchment on the table, it was folded in five. I picked it up and started to read with my eyes. 'We need a scout, not necessarily someone who knows how to swing a sword or fire an arrow, but must be someone courageous, runs fast and has likes for bread. Someone who could fly and scout a dangerous place.'

'Courageous?'

'Needed for scouting orc infested lands,' he said.

'Runs fast?'

'Just in case you get into trouble!' he arched his brow and smiled.

I started to wonder if I have made a stupid decision. 'And what about liking bread?'

'Well, I cannot promise you good food, you must like anything that could fill your stomach! The journey is long and tiresome, but I promise you, you won't be hungry at all, if that concerns you.'

I paused upon hearing his words, they all made sense, I noted. 'Fair enough!'

'What would demand in return? What could a vaurg want?!

'Gold...maybe,' though my father owns a farm we are not very well-off. I've always wanted to earn something by myself, both gold and adventures.

'Is it? If the path you want to take leads back to yourself, you'll never get anywhere!'

'Oh I know where I'm going. How did you know I'm a...not ordinary?' I asked the question as if he could read my mind. I am so eager to know how I failed to keep my secret to myself.

'If you have not heard my name in Bree or in the Shire, you must have been not listening. I am Gandalf, Gandalf the ----,' he paused upon seeing my pressed brow, I've never heard his name before. 'Well, I am Gandalf the Wanderer, if that rings a bell?'

I shook my head. The old man turned his back and slowly walked near the half opened window, his staff making a loud thud against the wooden floor.

'I saw your fierce lilac eyes as you control the raven you possessed. Ravens don't have lilac eyes, you have. And I followed you many times until I saw your nest. I did not know there were vaurgs living this far West, I am bewildered. I suppose your father doesn't know about it?'

'No.'

'Then he must be very upset.'

'Furious. I haven't told anyone. Some people might think I'm a... skinchanger too. I'm totally not turning into something monstrous,' I turned to the Elf.'

'Don't dare look into my eyes vaurg, I am no raven.' Legolas interrupted in a cold voice. A warning tone. 'Gandalf, are you certain about this?'

'Do I scare you?' I mocked. What did I do to make him hate me so much? He narrowed his eyes even more as he folds his arms tight while standing at a corner.

'That's enough you two,' the old man said, and he turned to me. 'We need your skills to scout a place. All we need is a few days of your time and I will pay you handsomely. Legolas here will watch your back as you do the task, he will be responsible for your safety.'

'What? That is no fair offer. Puny elf, how do I know he won't kill me while I'm...away?' I was about to say, flying, but I thought it would sound inappropriate.

'You can trust him, I promise you. Well now child, the wild is a treacherous place, I hope you have practiced your skill well enough. Winter is coming, the North is restless, I need to know that you can do this task.'

'With no doubt.' I answered with pride feeling determined.

Continue to part 2...

Trivia #5

Smaug, in the book, was a red and gold dragon. The large patch was a hollow on his left chest. Bilbo saw this first when he was flattering the dragon. Smaug rolled to boast his scaly armour. (What a pity, he was killed singlehandedly). Please don't forget to vote if you liked this chapter.