-Daughter Of The Iron Rose-

-Upon a Monsoon Night-

Grey and foreboding, the castle stood atop the hill looking down across the small town. I could just make out the flickering candlelight of the Northern Kingdom through the monsoon rain. For the first since I left my land the full weight of what lay before me registered in my brain and settled into a knot in the pit of my stomach. I found myself shaking; my anxiety rising as we galloped forward. Like he had the majority of the trip Aragorn looked at me with a sneer as I tightened my grip around his waist. Apparently my fear was unladylike. The sky darkened as the sun set behind the storm clouds; leaving us with only the light from the torches. I tensed as we marched on. The last thing before us and the Castle was a small, dense forest. Our horse, Gray, reared up on his legs and shook out his mane, stopping just at the mouth of the trees. His muscles tensed and rippled as his master nudged him forward into the shadows.

The darkness clung to the edges of the light as we slowly made our way through the trees; the horses hoofs sinking onto the mud with each step. It seemed like an eternity had passed as we made our way down the muddy path even though I knew it had to only of been an hour. An owl booted and flew through the branches causing me to jump.

"Be still woman. Tis just an owl," Aragorn sighed, aggravation thick in his voice.

I loosened my hold on him and scooted back a little, scared to anger him further. His shoulders relaxed and I knew He hated my presence.

Suddenly a long, low howl pierced through the darkness and the horse reared up again knocking my off into the mud before he ran forward leaving Aragorn yelling my name. I stood up on shaking legs just as a wolf stalked into the light followed by three more. Another soldier, Ryder, Aragorn's second in command, pushed me behind him and drew his sword just as the wolves attacked.

He killed the first wolf but let out a cry of surprise as another one lunged at him from the side. The animal bit his shoulder forcing a scream from him. Shaking away my fear I rushed forward and took ahold of his sword and sliced at the wolf. It whimpered and backed away, snarling, just before it lunged again.

My sword cut forward, blade flashing in the torchlight, the wolf howled, his skin cut open, blood soaking his fur, with bared teeth he attacked again. I moved quickly, ducking, as I jammed the sword into the animal's abdomen and sliced downward. Blood gushed over my face as the wolf's body hit the ground with a thud. The others stalked backward with a growl before they turned and fled into the trees. Turning I ran to Ryder who was groaning in the mud, his hand held over his bloody shoulder.

"Shit, Ryder. I need you to move your hand so I can see."

He moaned but did as I said. His blood gushed up and soaked into his clothes. Quickly I ripped a strand of fabric from my dress and began to bind his wound.  Just as I was getting him to stand Aragorn came racing back into the clearing his sword drawn. His eyes quickly scanned the area before his gaze landed on me holding up Ryder, both of us covered in blood.

"What happened?"

I stood straighter.

"He tried to fight them off but one pinned him and wounded him. I killed one and the others ran."

He looked impressed. "And your dress?"

"I ripped it to bind his wounds. I suggest when we arrive at the castle that you apply the herb goldenrod on the wound. It should help it heal and fight off any infections."

He gave me a nod as we helped Ryder onto his horse.

"Can you ride a horse," he asked.

I nodded my head and got on the other horse.

We rode the rest of the way to the Castle in silence but alert in case of another attack. Before long we reached the edge of the trees.

"Aragorn, I do remember what you have told me, however, I think we should rest tonight and arrive in the morning," I said hesitantly.

He looked over his shoulder briefly. "You're right Princess. There's a stream up ahead that I use to play in as a boy. We can rest there and clean ourselves off as well."

I laughed. "Yes, we must look quite frightening covered in mud and blood."

I was shocked when he joined in on my laughter. "You more so than I warrior princess," he joked.

I gave him a smile as we got off our horses. Helping him we gently later Ryder down, leaning him against a tree as we unrolled the sleep mats.

Our earlier mood quickly soured when we heard Ryder's heavy breathing. Pulling away from the bind I examined his wound, cringing when I saw how quickly infection had set into the exposed flesh.

"How bad is it?"

I looked up into Aragorn's worried eyes. "He needs to be treated and soon or I fear the worse."

He nodded his head, his eyes dark with concern. "Go ahead and wash off. Take the extra torch for light but don't take too long."

It was my turn to now as I grabbed the torch and walked away towards the water. I heard it before I saw it. The stream was more like a tiny river but the water was water none the less. First I washed my footwear then I undid the dress, stripping down to my undergarments. Pushing the dress into the water I scrubbed vigorously at the blood that had set and dried onto the fabric. Finally, after a while of scrubbing, I set it aside with a sigh. It was ruined, stained beyond repair. As I turned to grab my stained dress and shoes a nearby bush began to rustle. My back stiffened as I clung to the torch as a weapon. All of a sudden a small rabbit jumped from the leaves and began to nibble on a familiar plant.

I shouted in delight as I rushed forward to the plant. Just as I was picking some of the precious leaves Aragorn rushed into the light.

"What's wrong?"

I looked up at him smiling before I showed him my bounty. "It's goldenrod! We can help him," I exclaimed.

Argon smiled at me and extended his hand to help me up. I piled my clothes into my arms and we walked back to where Ryder lay unconscious. Without a word I grabbed a few large stoned and began to grind the herb into a pulp as to rub the solution on his injury. Aragorn was the first to break the silence.

"Where did you learn about those," he asked quietly.

I smiled. "There was a woman at the edge of my kingdom, Soria the Blind, her and her son took me under their wing after my mother died. With the war going on we had no available teachers due to the fact that they were called to take up arms. I'd often roam the surrounding area and one day ran into her son. He taught me how to fight and hunt while Soria taught me herbs and medicines."

"It must have been hard; losing your mother."

I nodded. "She was everything to us. The Iron Rose is the name she was given. She was beautiful like a rose, elegant too, but she was also firm and strong just like iron. She protected her family and showed so much love. Then she got sick and the rest is history," I whispered.

"I'm sorry Lilly."

That was the first time he had used my name and it made me smile. "You are not as bad as I thought you to be Lord Aragorn."

He laughed. "Nor am I as mean as I put on to be. Rest now my lady, tomorrow is a new day."

As I laid my head down I realized two things:

1.) Aragorn had been ordered to act mean

2.) Tomorrow everything would change between the two of us and the newfound friendship would be shunned.

I sighed. Sometimes I wished I had never been born a princess.