And as Lynxy looked through hills of ice and snow, dreams became forgotten and hearts became broken. Her bloodied feet had led her hill over hill it seemed from the winding plains of Rohan. The shoes were strapped together with torn pieces of her dress in a hope to keep them somewhat together yet the material only wore down messily upon the ground. The coins in her pocket were few and her body screamed with exertion. Her palm clutched at the streaming gash that crossed her delicate face.
The wound was obviously infected and was attempting to clear itself of her old masters blade. The rag she held to it looked as though it was covered in the dye that her people used to make the crimson armor of. It dripped constantly as she pulled it away from her face. Ringing the rag into the white snow, the ground was spattered with the pain of her spirit. She blinked rapidly, her eye was useless on that side of her face. She chocked back a sob at the discovery and clutched at the rag in her palm, jetting it towards her face. The blood still streamed from it and the sparkling droplets fell quickly down her arm. She faltered as she continued through the silent hills, yet she trudged ahead.
Could no hope come to the unfortunate girl?
No friend. No lover. No family. No wealth. No. They were all taken from her. Piece by piece her life was destroyed. Cursed was this girl who had none but went on. She could just end it all...she thought often of it...but no. She must go on. Bema would guide her through these troubling times.
The mountains seemed desolate and rotting of all that died in its hollows. The wind ran it's icy hands through her caramel locks as it brushed down her tattered hood. She fell to her knees as another gush of wind came and knocked her back in the snow. Her tear stained eyes swiveled towards the heavens and she screamed before breaking into a fit of sobs. She paused to speak,
"Will the heavens have no heart fer a maiden such as I?! Will no hand gently reach upon my upturned cheek and shed light upon this unholy place I stand! A ground of murderers and demons whom force their gruesome claws into the very souls of all they can grasp! A place that hold no being of any gentleness and whom take meh sight! Nay! These snows brush their palms over meh eyes and hope to cover meh from the ill fate that awaits meh in the next land! Guarding heavens doors stand these winds of chaos! So that I may have no peace...forget meh Bema?! Did ye?! I shalt not stumble as ye push meh and think meh unworthy!"
She dragged herself to her feet and pushed the matted bloodied hair from her tear stained face. Trudging on she stumbles through the cruel winds of the dwarves iced land. She makes her way to a path where the storm lightens and fell upon its sloped heart. Too tired to go on, this maiden lay upon the snowy ground. She dreamed..dreamed of the next land...should she turn back or go on?
Hoof beats. The whinny and snort of a large beast. Clink of boots. Strange words. A hooded figure leaned delicately over her form. A scuffle. The warmth of a large hand came into contact with her iced neck. She jerked from the touch, her frosted lashes opening to see a large darkened form where she once was. She grasped instinctively at her skirts and rolled them between her fingers. The man shifted his footing and moved slowly, his arm stretching out to her small frame.
"I will not harm you friend." His voice was gruff but sincere all at the same time.
"Your bleeding. Let me help you." He moved again as if to come closer but paused a moment later when she dragged herself back in fear. She let out a sob and curled herself up, the caramel locks dancing over her snow capped shoulders.
"Please." He said. He moved again to come closer and the world blurred around Lynxy. She sighed softly and felt herself begin to tip over but just before she reached the ground a shadow came over her. The warm hands. She felt lifted. Darkness.
She awoke in a small room. She could hear the crackling of a fire close by and felt the heaviness of several blankets over her. Her fingers brushed up to her face where she felt a material covering her wounded eye and cheek. Brushing further she felt the warm dampness of a towel across her forehead. It had been no dream...a clatter came from close by followed by a heavy clunk. The towel was lifted from her forehead and swirled in some mixed liquid. It was replaced upon her face once again and she decided to chance opening her eyes.
Soft green eyes entered her obstructed vision along with brown hair and a beard.
"There we are." He said gently to her.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as his hand came to rest by her side. It took a moment for her to find words,
"Weak sir. Very weak." She managed to get out shakily. Her eyes rolled slightly but she fought to keep consciousness.
"Hey now." Her said as he watched her struggle.
"Stay with me lass. I'm here." His words were filled with concern and his arms moved to rub her roughly. He seemed to try to help her stay awake in this manor. She let her gaze fall back on him as it refocused.
"Am I dieing?" She asked with hopelessness.
" No. No." He answered reassuredly.
"Just a bit of shock, a cold and some infection. You'll be back up in no time." His mouth quirked into a smile she could see since it was now unveiled. No time. Right...
"You'll stay right here until then. Made our way a long way lass. Bree seemed like a better place to get you back up straight so I brought you here. I wasn't sure if you would...well...I thought you had given into...Rohirrim folk are always strong." He seemed to avoid mentioning death but she knew it was what he referred to.
"What's your name lass?" He asked.
"Leofrine." She replied as the room swirled around her. He watched her fight the coming sleep and rubbed her arm again.
"It's ok. Sleep little one. I'll look after you. Me and Lielial....Matswulf and Lielial." She caught a glimpse of the man once more as her eye slammed shut. Hope. She needed hope. Matswulf would stay and nurse her to health. His wife would cross the sea soon after. They decided it would be best. She was blind and he did not want her to miss her chance to be with her people. They promised to see one another in the veil...where their love would blossom for all time. He wages on in the war until he feels the call.
