S.A 1350
Orneth surveyed her surroundings and a sense of determination washed over her. This could be her chance to prove her worth and gain acceptance from Mannamo and his family. "I will go," she announced, meeting the stares of those around her. "We have come this far, but we cannot linger here forever. The map marking of the settlement is our only lead in finding Manyamë." Her gaze landed on the two soldiers before her, their demeanor and attire betraying no signs of deceit or malice. They seemed to be trustworthy and genuine. Turning to Lady Lanyarë, Orneth acknowledged their concerns. "I understand your worry, but we all know the animosity between the Noldor and some eldar factions. As one of their own, I may have a better chance of gaining their trust and gathering valuable information." Mannamo interrupted, his voice thick with disbelief. "This is madness." Undeterred, Orneth met his gaze and replied, "We have faced far worse in our travels. Besides, I trust these soldiers to escort me safely through these lands. I am not afraid."
The soldier in green spoke softly, offering reassurance. "My lady, we will ensure your safety. We would not suggest this course of action if we believed it to be dangerous. These outlaws have lost everything, but they would not harm one of their own." Orneth's thoughts drifted to Mannamo's family and the growing affection she felt towards them. Despite this, she couldn't help but feel like an outsider due to her heritage. Mannamo, in particular, seemed to struggle with fully accepting her. It was a peculiar feeling, but Orneth understood that deep-seated customs could be hard to break.
The soldiers introduced themselves as Rochon Silor and Demdor Devor, both having hailed from the once magnificent Ossiriand. Orneth couldn't help but notice their differences, but their mission brought them together and made them resonate on the same wavelength. Rochon was soft-spoken, thoughtful, and meek, while Demdor appeared uninterested in her and kept his words to himself, acting more like an observer. Orneth did, however, take note of his incredible piercing azure blue eyes. "I'll go," Orneth repeated herself with determination. Mannamo looked at her and said, "Very well, but do not push yourself too far or do something that makes you uncomfortable. I know you tend to overstretch yourself." Orneth looked at him, surprised by his personal concern for her. Mistamë walked towards her and offered, "I'll go with you if you want." However, Mannamo interrupted her and said, "No, you stay with us. You have caused enough troubles for us." Mistamë pouted at Mannamo's words. Marilo took Orneth's hand and said, "Be safe and use your squirrel skills if you have to." Orneth smiled and felt her heart pounding wildly. All she wanted to do was to give him a tight embrace, but she was aware of Simawen's presence. Mannamo handed the soldiers a pouch of golden coins and said, "Keep her safe." Rochon answered, "This is not quite necessary...We will, of course, keep her safe."
Lady Lanyarë came forward and spoke with motherly love in her voice, "Orneth, you are like my daughter. I would not have let you go willingly if I knew you were not comfortable doing this. I see the fire in your eyes, and you have surprised us during these years. There are so many things you can do. You are headstrong and clever. Take care, and hopefully, we will have some good news soon."
Orneth embraced Lady Lanyarë, holding her tightly in gratitude. "Thank you for all the love and care you have given me throughout the years. I would do anything for you. This is not farewell. I will return before you know it."
With a wave goodbye, Orneth mounted her horse, Tae, and rode off with the two soldiers by her side. She turned her head to catch a glimpse of Mistamë waving from the distance, the fiery sunset serving as a breathtaking backdrop. Mannamo held his wife tenderly in an embrace, while Simawen and Marilo clasped each other's hands with affection.
All pictures are AI-generated from Microsoft Bing DALL·E
