Beyond the Forest {Hobbit fanfic}

5. Unwanted Company

Melda's long ears slightly twitched at the sound of footsteps on the grass. But these didn't sound much like footsteps, more like trotting. She sat up immediately, finding the dim grey light of the dawn meet her eyes. It was the time when the moon said its goodbye to the sky as the sun rose, and she had only experienced the feeling of greeting the sun once before. The distant sound of footsteps distracted her from the moment, making her reach over and shaking Erwen gently until she woke up. As she sat up from her spot, she turned to face the elf, confusion clear on her features.

Melda was busy packing, throwing her bag over her shoulder, "We must be going," she whispered, finally facing Erwen, "I fear that we will have company if we stay." As soon as Melda saw Erwen's face, she began to worry. It was unusually pale, showing an amount of lost blood. It burdened her more, clearly seeing that the girl was not in condition of running.

Erwen was still in a state of confusion, not having elvish hearing. But she trusted Melda, knowing that she had put her life at risk fighting the spiders and defending her instead of running.

The pair stood up, cloaking themselves behind the trees that shielded them from plain sight. There Erwen watched as Melda gazed all along the plain, seeing if they were able to cross without drawing attention.

"It is a hundred foot run from here to the nearest cover. We will have to be quick and as silent as possible," Melda looked down at the girl, "Do you think you can do it?"

Erwen nodded, hesitant that she would be able to make it. As Melda gave the word, they took off to their left, sprinting towards the patch of trees that had grown in the middle of the plain. Erwen began to feel dizzy, with their sixty foot mark, she fell to the floor, making Melda run to her.

As she began to aid her, Melda heard the trotting again, but this time, Erwen heard it too. They turned their attention to the source. It was a far away object moving closer. Melda saw the object clearer within seconds, a dark furred horse and it's master siding on top. It was coming closer and closer faster since the horse had quickened its speed. Melda struggled as she carried Erwen and began to run in her own weak state.

Their unwanted company was nearly ten feet from them as Melda ran with all her might. But as she was about to make it to the patch of trees for protection, the huge horse cut in between her and the trees, stopping at its tracks as its master dismounted the creature. The figure was smaller than Melda had expected, since the horse was bigger than any she had remembered. Its muscles were shown clear as the sun glinted off its dark coat, long black hair waving in the wind. On its legs, it had the same dark hair covering its hooves. It was completed with its broad chest and rounded head. A light colored leather saddle was strapped on its body.

But as the master dismounted, the horse made a loud noise and the figure calmed it. The master slowly began to approach Melda and Erwen, soon drawing the sword that was strapped on its belt. As the master got feet away from them, it removed the dark hood that cloaked its head.

But when Melda expected a villainous grin, she saw something different.

Instead, she saw a boy looking in his adolescent years, his chocolate colored hair falling into his face.

But the strangest thing was he didn't look prepared to slay a soul. Melda saw something that they all had in common.

Fear.

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