Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Journey Of A Butterfly	By : Mel99Moe Category: -Fourth Age to Modern times and beyond > Het - Male/Female Views: 5714 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or places of Lord of the Rings/Tolkien. No money is being made. This is for personal enjoyment only.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Chapter 8 - Traveling Partners

Taldred was well on his way back to Rohan, leaving Terrwyn on her own in the Firien wood with her new escort. As they waited for the next beacon-warden to show, she spent the next few days getting to know Rosloch better. Actually, she found him to be quite entertaining and a very good storyteller. He told her a lot about Minas Tirith, which she knew she would never remember. He knew all about every king and every steward that ever sat on its throne. He had a wealth of information and was very willing to share it.

“And do you know why this place is also known as the Whispering Wood?” he asked one evening as they sat next to the fire after a satisfying meal of roasted quail.

“No, do tell me Rosloch,” she answered curiously.

“This is one of the quietest places you will ever know. The trees are very thick growing in places, especially closer to the Mering Stream. To speak in your normal voice would sound like yelling, and so people whisper. It is as if the whole world can hear your voice.”

“Well, I find the Firien Wood to be a very enchanting place. There is a feeling of such solitude here, as if no one would ever find you should you desire to just disappear,” Terrwyn said dreamily.

“You sound as if this is something you desire for yourself, my lady.”

“Haven’t we all wished for such reclusiveness at some point in our lives?” she answered carefully. Terrwyn knew Rosloch was fishing for information.

Rosloch knew she would say no more. “Perhaps you are right, and perhaps some seek it more than others,” he said accusingly.

Terrwyn stared into the fire letting her thoughts consume her. Solitude . . . It was something she only had for a brief time in her young life. She knew there would be no more silence for her now. She took a life, spilled blood. That was something that could never be taken back. A man was dead because of her. It was self-defense, yes, but this man’s blood would be on her hands for the rest of her life. Terrwyn knew she would pay dearly for her sin. She could never tell a soul what happened that night in the stable. Yet somehow, she knew they would never stop searching for her. Taldred was right. She would always be looking over her shoulder. Running away made matters worse, but staying would have meant execution. Her life was no longer her own. There was only one thing she wanted, and that was to find her brother. Had it not been for that, she may not have run away. She would have stayed and fought for her innocence. Terrwyn was the only one who could help Hathmund. Others told her it was folly, that he was probably long dead by now. She could not accept that. Something deep down told her he was still alive, alone, confused, and only she could help him.

Terrwyn came out of her thoughts. “Although these woods bring me peace, I can stand the silence no more. I need to get to Minas Tirith. I hope that we will leave soon.”

Rosloch sighed. Whatever this girl was hiding, she would not reveal it. “It should be no later than tomorrow, my lady.”

Terrwyn got up, staring into the fire once more. “Good,” she said in reply before she climbed easily up the rope ladder to her bed. It was time to stop grieving for what she could not have and face her uncertain future.

* * *

Just as Rosloch said, his replacement showed early the next morning. Terrwyn had just woken up and was cleaning her face, using water from a barrel reserved for washing. She heard the distant whistle, which she now recognized as a signal. Rosloch shot down the rope ladder and went to meet the man. Terrwyn patted her face with a clean towel and watched the exchange.

“Milcano, it is good to see you are well on this fine morning,” Rosloch said grasping the other man’s arm.

The man copied Rosloch’s actions and smiled. “Rosloch, my friend, you look no worse for wear. I imagine you will be glad to get back home for a while.” As he finished speaking, his sight fell upon Terrwyn at the wash barrel, wearing no more than her tan riding breeches and the oversized white man’s shirt she had worn the night of her escape. She pretended to wipe her face, but she was really eavesdropping on their conversation.

Milcano raised an eyebrow as he examined the beautiful young woman. “Well now, I did not expect you to have company,” he said curiously.

Rosloch looked over his shoulder to Terrwyn, then back to Milcano. “Yes well, it was unexpected to me also.”

Terrwyn did not much like the accusatory tone in Milcano’s voice. She put the towel down and looked to the man. He was tall and broad in the shoulders like Rosloch. His hair was wavy and a lighter shade of brown than her escorts, and he had the same well-groomed mustache and beard. His eyes were what gave him away though. They were dark and looked upon Terrwyn greedily. She was beginning to wonder if all men looked at her like this. She had seen it when she met Rosloch too, though it dissipated after getting to know him. Even her sweet Taldred had looked upon her with desire, but there was love behind his eyes. Milcano, on the other hand, had eyes as dark as night, and she felt a simmering hunger for something she would never freely offer any man like him.

Milcano’s eyes roamed along the length of her body before meeting her gaze. “And a very fine company you keep, my friend. You should be careful that the warden captain does not catch word of this. You are supposed to be on watch, not having a roll in the leaves with this lady of the evening,” he said with a sickening smile.

“I am no harlot, sir,” Terrwyn said sternly as she approached the men. Her eyes were merely slits as she glared at Milcano. “I am only passing through and your friend here has agreed to escort me to the White City.”

Milcano took the last few steps towards her until he was only inches away. “Should it have been my watch you came upon, I can promise you that we would have not wasted a single moment--.”

“That’s enough my friend,” Rosloch interrupted as he watched Terrwyn’s hand go to the small knife at her side. “I’ll have you know the lady is well armed.”

Milcano smiled crookedly. “Feisty, I like that in my women,” he whispered before stepping away.

Terrwyn ignored his last comment and turned to Rosloch. She was none too impressed with this brash man. “I am going to pack the last of my things. I expect we shall be leaving soon,” she said and glared once more at Milcano. “And none too soon at that,” she finished and then headed to the rope ladder, climbing it with unusual agility.

* * *

Terrwyn and Rosloch headed off with no further incidents. They rode silently for most of the day as Milcano’s flippant comments still had her fuming. She couldn’t help but wonder if this kind of disrespectful behavior was what she would find in Minas Tirith, and made a mental note to ask Rosloch about it when they stopped.

The Great West Road was making for dusty travel. Being summer, there hadn’t been much rain lately. Luckily, it was still early enough in the season that the days were tolerable. The deadly heat of the peak of the season was still a couple months away. Terrwyn thought it was very pleasant weather and it helped to calm her nerves. However, Milcano had warned them that there had been some attacks upon the road. It was enough that she had to worry about her recent past catching up to her without the threat of thieves too.

Finally, they stopped to rest and let their horses drink and graze. Rosloch climbed down from his horse first and went to help Terrwyn down. She gave him a friendly smile and accepted his hand. They led the horses to a small stream not far from the road. Terrwyn took the time to remove her boots and wade into the cool water. She sighed, feeling as if she were making a connection with nature. Water always seemed to relax her the most.

Rosloch watched her. She seemed so much different from any woman he’d ever met. At times, she seemed so carefree, but then she could easily shut herself off from everyone in the drop of a hat. Maybe this was just the way the Rohirrim women behaved, but something told him it was just how Terrwyn was. He was very curious to know about her past and just what it was that she sought in Gondor.

“You shouldn’t let your guard down too much,” he reminded her.

“After all that I have been through, I think I deserve a small reprieve,” she answered with a slight smile. The water was doing its job.

“You are a very intriguing woman, Lady Terrwyn, and I find it hard to believe that you could have such a past.”

Terrwyn’s smile disappeared. “My past is my own, but it is behind me now. There are some things I wish I could go back and change, but I can’t, so I move on.”

Rosloch laughed to himself. “Fine then, keep your secrets. I just want you to know that if you should ever feel the need to talk--.”

Terrwyn turned to him and with a forced smile. “There is nothing more to talk about, Rosloch. I honestly appreciate your concern, but I do not wish to share these things with you. Besides, I have had time to think about it and deal with it in my own way. Minas Tirith will be a fresh start for me, as long as all Gondorian men are not like Milcano.”

“Ah yes, Milcano is not your typical Gondorian. He is a bit bold at times, but he is harmless.”

“Any man that accuses a lady of prostitution is not harmless,” she said in a more serious tone.

Rosloch could see that she was becoming agitated and decided to change the subject quickly. “Well, at least it seems the weather is cooperating.”

Neither one spoke for a while after that. Rosloch filled their water skins while Terrwyn strolled along the small stream. She picked up a smooth stone and rubbed her thumb over it. Something her father taught her came to mind. He often kept a river stone in his pocket. When he was anxious or worried he took in out and held it secretly in his palm. Running his finger over its slick surface seemed to calm him. Terrwyn did this now. It was the perfect size stone and her thumb ran over it with ease. Her father was right, it was relaxing, but not from rubbing the stone alone. Terrwyn felt better connected when she was surrounded by nature, or just holding it in her hand. She felt her nerves calm as she had been on alert ever since leaving Firien Wood. She did not want to come across as unapproachable to Rosloch either. He had been very kind to her and she was beginning to understand him better. It was still a long journey to Minas Tirith and she didn’t want to be awkward company.

“So tell me, what is the White City like? What are its people like?” she asked to start a conversation.

Rosloch smiled as he conjured up a vision in his mind. “Oh my lady, it is a city of grand scale, carved from the mountain itself. Seven levels it has, brick roads winding through each one. There are shops of every kind on every level. You’ll never be without again. Now as for the people, well . . . since the new King has opened the gates, there is quite a mixture, a melting pot of people from all walks of life. Most are good people just looking for a better life than the one they had before, but there are those who would take advantage, especially one as young and pretty as you, my lady. I should advise you to be aware of this until you learn your way around. Have you given any thought as to what you will do once you get there?”

“Well, I know I must find housing and I’m quite experienced as a maid, taking care of Al --,” she stopped, almost giving away too much information about herself. “. . . taking care of my mother,” she corrected, keeping up with her lie. Rosloch did not seem to notice the near slip.

“You might do good to find employment with a family that needs such services,” he said.

“That is what I thought of doing. It would take care of my room and board. Still, I am a stranger in their city. I may not be accepted as quickly.”

Rosloch nodded. “That may pose as a slight problem. It may take some time before you find a family willing to accept an outsider. Gondorians are still a suspicious people, though we are learning.” He finished filling the last water skin and stood up to look at Terrwyn. “I hope I am not being too forward, but you are welcome to stay with me until you get on your own.”

Terrwyn looked at him with suspicion. “I am not sure that is such a good idea, a man and a woman sharing quarters who are not betrothed.”

Rosloch laughed. “I guess I never mentioned that my sister lives with me. Actually, I am not there often. When I am not on duty at Halfirien, I am a gate guard in Minas Tirith. My sister complains that she never sees me, but this is just the way it is.” Rosloch smiled, looking back down at the trickling water. “Quite frankly, I think you will get along very well with her, and she could show you around the city until you are ready to look for employment.”

“You would do this for me?” she said surprised.

“Why of course, Lady Terrwyn. I wouldn’t give it a second thought.” He wiped his hand on his pant leg then held it out to her as if they made some sort of agreement. Terrwyn remembered the first time they shook hands, when he kissed her hand and she pulled away abruptly. She looked at him for a moment, and then took his hand. This time he shook it properly, no kiss. He smiled and laughed. “Well now, looks like we have an accord.”

“I promise not to stay longer than needed. I do not want to be a burden to you or your sister.”

“You are welcome to stay as long as you like, my lady, and I think my sister will be thrilled,” Rosloch answered.

“What is her name, if I may ask?”

A look of serenity and love washed over Rosloch’s face as he spoke of his sister. “She was named after my mother, who had the most beautiful singing voice. Her name is Lindiel and, just like our dear mother, she sings as sweetly as any bird in the forest of Firien.”

Terrwyn smiled, swirling her toes in the cool refreshing water one last time. “She sounds very lovely and I am excited to meet her.”

“I believe you two will get along quite nicely, and it will keep her out of my business.”

“How so?” Terrwyn asked.

“Lindiel is constantly trying to find me a wife. She thinks I should have married a while ago and started a family by now. To tell you the truth, I am fine with the way things are,” Rosloch answered, putting the corks back into the water skins.

Terrwyn smiled. “Actually, I am surprised myself to find that you are not married by now. You are quite handsome. I’m sure there are many women who would willingly become your wife.”

Rosloch gazed at Terrwyn for a moment. So, she thought he was handsome. It boosted his confidence to her here say this. She was a very beautiful young woman and being a man in his early forties, he did not think someone like her would find him handsome.

Rosloch handed Terrwyn her filled skin. “Well, there have been plenty of women wanting the chance, but none that I found acceptable.”

She laughed slightly. “I guess I could say the same thing about not being married. I am nineteen and should have children by now, but I have not found my soul mate yet. You cannot rush love, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I could not agree more, my lady,” Rosloch said, holding his arm out to her. “Well now, shall we be on our way? It is still far to Minas Tirith.”

“I am ready,” Terrwyn answered, taking his arm and allowing him to lead her back to their horses. Rosloch helped her onto Brannoss and then leapt upon his ride. While he adjusted in the saddle, Terrwyn spoke. “I am sorry if I ever doubted you Rosloch. You are a very kind and worthy escort, and I am proud to call you my friend.”

“Well thank you, Lady Terrwyn, and I consider you the same. I have no doubt you will find whatever it is you are looking for in Gondor,” Rosloch answered. He made a clicking noise with his tongue to start his horse walking back to the road. Brannoss followed behind, and they were once again on their way.
- 7
- 8
- 9
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Journey Of A Butterfly