From Wyoming, to Middle-earth

Chap. 10 - The Locket

I fingered the smooth paper invitation, and then reached up for my mom's locket. Strider watched me, and asked quietly, "Could I see it?"

I debated whether I should or shouldn't let him look. What would he do with it anyway? I pulled the golden chain off of my neck, and gently placed it into his hand. He fingered the smooth metal and opened it. "Is this you and your family?"

I nodded sadly, and almost started to cry. Dang it. A tear slipped through my grasp and landed on my wrist. Strider wiped it away, and gathered me into a hug. Like the hugs my dad gave me. And that was the trigger. I started to sob; which turned into a full out cry.

He just stood and held me close, and let me soak his shoulder. After I was done crying, I hugged him tighter, and then pulled away. He looked in my eyes, and held out his hand. Like he did when I was climbing down from the tree. I took it, and he handed me my locket.

"Thanks," I murmured. Usually I don't cry in front of anybody. Not my family, my best friend, even my dogs! But I cried in front of him. We started to walk back to my room so I could freshen up, but I stopped. I thrust my locket at him.

He looked surprised, and gently placed his hands around mine, and pushed my hands back. I shook my head, "I want you to have it."

"But your family is important to you," he said, and looked at me intently.

"I know.. But you've been nothing but family to me since you found me. And family is important to me," I said, proud of how I worded it. I held out my hand, gesturing him to take it.

Strider eyes lit up with happiness, and he took my hand, "You cannot give-" He looked at my face, and then back at my hand with the locket. He slowly unwrapped my fingers, and pulled the golden chain up so he could see it. I watched as he put it around his neck. I smiled, and hugged him again, and ran to my room with him watching me with curiousity.

I looked in the mirror when I got back to my room. My face was red, and puffy near my eyes. I washed my face, eager to get rid of the puffiness. There was a beautiful emerald-blue tunic laying on my bed when I walked out of the bathroom. Brown legging like pants were next to it. Good. Strider must have told them I'm not a fan of dresses.

Strider.

I smiled at the thought. He had worked his way into my heart. I had not taken to relationships well after I had my heart broken by my 2 year boyfriend. It turned out he was cheating on me with one of my former best friends. I blocked that angry thought out of my mind, and turned around. In my open doorway, a small elf girl stood.

She bowed, "My lady, I have run a bath for you and I've also come to assist you in your dressing."

I smiled, "Thank you."

Wait. I was just in the bathroom. There wasn't any water in the tub when I last checked.. I glanced back at the bathroom, and walked into the naturally lit room. In the tub, water stood steaming. A bar of delicious smelling soap was next to it. I turned to the elf girl, "Thank you. Again."

She bowed slightly, "My lady."

She left the bathroom, leaving me to undress. I slid into the warm water. It felt amazing. I cleaned my hair with the soap, and scrubbed off dried blood and dirt that had gotten into the roots of my dirty blond hair. I stood up, and looked into the dusty colored water. My body must have been cleansed off when they healed me, but they did not wash my hair!

I grabbed a towel, and walked into my bedroom. The elf girl stood up, and smiled.

"That soap smells awesome," I said, and chuckled. The elf girl giggled, "Aye, it does my lady."

I sat down on my bed, and I started to dress with the help of the elf. My boots have worn thin with all the walking I did, so I pulled out my hiking boots.
The servant girl started to brush my thick hair, and watched as I unlaced the boots, "My lady, no need for those. A new pair was left here along with your clothes."

She pointed to a pair of dark brown boots, that were partially hidden underneath the bed.

"Oh. Thank you!" I said, and shoved my boots back into my bag, "Wait! Where is my cloak?"

The elf looked up, "It must have been taken away. It had a nasty rip in the shoulder."

I remembered the night at the watchtower. Oh. Once the girl stopped brushing, my hair was somehow dry with small curls at the end. My hair seemed a little longer, too. The length was at my shoulders when I last checked, and now it was at least 5 inches longer! It looked beautiful. It shone in the midday sun.

"Thank you, young maiden. It looks beautiful," I said. The elf blushed, "You are most welcome, my lady. My mother taught me that."

I smiled, and looked at the window. There were people arriving in the courtyard. They must be coming to the council meeting. I walked towards the door, until the girl's voice stopped me, "My lady, your shoes!"

I laughed, "Thank you! I probably would have forgotten all about shoes if it weren't for you!"

The elf laughed. It sounded like magic. I can't even begin to explain the sound; perhaps bells ringing. I went to pull on my shoes, and I said thank you to the elf servant and went down to the courtyard.

I couldn't help it; I had to smell my hair. That soap, whatever it was, was amazing.

The fall weather was perfect. The sunlight made my hair seem golden, and not dirty blonde. I had no idea where this council was. I didn't even know where I was going. I realized that I was walking on the path that Strider and I took earlier. I stopped on the bridge where I gave him my locket. I squinted, trying to see where the people that were arriving for the council were walking.

A little romance.. Hehe <3