The IRE of Winter

[ 13.3 ]

The Hobbit Qoute

"So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their ending." - Bilbo

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The dawn was breaking, I ran back to the gates, hopping and skipping through logs and thick shrubs, moving noisily above the long grass. There was a rustle above the trees as the wind blew the leaves sideward, and the ground has proven itself rugged and untamed; I'd tripped twice before reaching the edge of the woods. Dawn faded into morn and the sun finally came peeping above the tree-tops, the forest was thick and the oaks were tall enough that sunlight couldn't catch glimpse of the surface until it is three hours before noon.

I stood before by the bridge catching my breath for a moment; one hand on the stone handrail, I bent and gathered my thoughts. Few guards patrolled around this part, of which, I am thankful of. The gate was half-opened, two guards stood by the entrance. I made haste as my stomach started to complain --- missing dinner is a terrible thing.

I tramped towards the kitchen thinking where Armien could be, if there were food left in the kitchen and if anyone could have noticed my short absence. The girls must be bustling around the cook room by now, the king likes to break the fast early.

Down the hallway, I saw guards marching towards the East gate, wearing elvish armour and armed with bows and arrows. I slipped off their sight hiding at a corner then went trotting to the kitchen. Inside, the girls were busy cooking and preparing soup - just as I have expected. The aroma of rosemary and mushrooms made me even more hungry. I noticed Armien at a corner, sitting with her hands covering her face -- crying. The girls circled around her as they try to pacify the young elleth.

'Armien, what's with the tears?' I asked curiously.

She broke into sobs, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her green and brown dress. 'She left, that girl! She did not even say goodbye,' she said between sobs. And all the girls turned their heads to me with great surprise.

'Who left?'

Angry, she stood and waved her hand, still in tears , 'Safirah left...and everyone knows about it. Where have you b---,'

'Armien!'

'Safirah!' She threw her arms and embraced me tightly, happiness escaping her lips. All the girls did the same. 'Where have you been? The prince is enraged, he sent a search party thinking you ran away. We all thought you did.'

'I--I was just...'

'Go, quick!' she nudged the other Gilren. 'Tell the prince Safirah is back.' Gilren dashed to the door. 'Oh, you must be very hungry, come, there is food waiting for you.' She pulled me to the table and offered me a chair. I sat and watched her prepare my meal and the rest of the girls gathered and sat beside me --- asking too many questions at a time until Armien got me a plate with bread and white cheese, then a bowl of steaming mushroom soup.

'Thank you, Armien.'

'What has gotten into your mind, Safirah, you have made us all worried.' She sat across of me watching me eat. There was a sudden shift in the air and their eyes gleamed in the firelight gazing at me ---- all were eager to hear my story.

I had two scoops of soup before I said, 'I went outside to catch fresh air and have a gaze of the sky. Bright stars you have in the East, and I should say the moon is bigger than it appeared in the West. I strolled for a while, down the stonebridge in the river and into the trees; and there I climbed a stout tree and marvelled at the beauty of night under the starlight for a while, until I fell asleep.'

'They say if you look long enough at the stars, you can see what fate awaits you in the days yet to come. You are a very odd human, only Elves love the stars that much.' Armien said smiling. 'Is that all?'

'Yes! Yes, where else would I'd be?'

'You could have at least told us,' Lothiel complained. 'You have no idea what you have done. The prince broke into the servant's chamber in the middle of the night shouting your name, he was furious. All the girls woke up in his anger, then he smashed those empty bottles upon finding out you were not in the kitchen too.'

'He sent guards out of the East and many more in the West. I've never seen our prince so enflamed before.'

The last few words amused me, I choked.

I grabbed a glass of water to drain the food down. He wanted to send me home, why would he be enraged? Legolas cares too much to a friend, no wonder why everybody adores him. I noticed my white dress had dirt and patches of  dusts that came from smoke. My hair was a mess, the wind have turned my hair in disarray. I tried to laugh, faking my amusement as I listened to them. Until Gilren came back and announced the prince was heading in.

I stood in response, what will I tell him? Armien gave me an anxious look, the girls were all  afluttered. I saw him walked in before I could move my feet, his gray eyes fierce, frowning as he entered the kitchen. He did not say a word as he pulled me away from the table and out of the kitchen, down to the hallways, his grip was strong and painful.

I noticed the guards have returned as we pass through the bridge and up to the palace. I wanted to apologise for the nuisance I have caused, but he was walking fast and I was almost running. Inside the palace, he finally let  go.

I climbed up to my room and he followed me. I just wanted to escape for a while, let him cool down before I give him my apology, but he was faster and he caught the door before I was able to close it.

'What makes it a big deal? You wanted me off anyway,' I growled.

'Did you really think you can go alone and be safe? You won't even make it halfway,' he said crossly as he walks to and fro.

'Yes, I will die hungry on the road.'

'You think the woods is safe for someone who does not even know how to swing a sword? You are mistaken child. Such a foolish act, unruly, disobedient, human! You dare venturing out without my leave?'

'Yes, you're right, I'm stupid,' I mumbled.

'How many times should I tell you... You...'

'Wait, were you worried of me?' I caught him off guard and he stared at me in disbelief. 'You were worried of me, my Lord. You shouldn't be,' I raised my voice to make a point. 'I am but a lowly vaurg, unworthy of your concern. Why would I even care explaining? My reasons would be insignificant, unimportant, unnecessary!' My words struck him like cold hands touching his cheeks and Legolas stood stone still gazing at me.

'Do you ought to know?'

'Yes, I demand to know. Why are you acting so strange? So cold?' I felt blood rushing up my heart and I lost my temper. 'Why do I always have to take orders from you?'

Legolas suddenly swung towards me like a raging waters against a rock; my feet did a few steps backward until my back caught the wall and he slammed his palms just behind me, trapping me inside his arms. He was breathing hard, just as I am. I was bold enough to look straight into his scornful eyes searching for answers. He was focused and trembling and curving his lips down. He continued to breathe heavily as we stared at each other in pressed brows --- scowling as bitter as we can be.

I waited for his answers, but just like everytime, there came none. I knew he wanted to say something, his eyes spoke for him. He felt betrayed, disgraced and worried. He wanted to utter a word, his lips parted but something else restrained him. He hammered his fist once more then he broke out and made for the door that he left open.

Up next: A VAURG'S UNDOING

I hope you liked the love-hate relationship in this chapter, of how it will turn out, is yet to unravel. What did you think? Comments are very much appreciated. Thank you again for reading. Don't forget to vote if you liked this chapter. 😉

And for the trivia: (of course)

Bree is actually bigger and better in books. There were Bree-hobbits in the Bree too. Frodo and his friends came to Bree and he used the last name Underhill.