arthedain
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« on: February 04, 2008, 09:39:07 AM » |
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Here is a rather long story I have been working on for years. No SLASH- Just my take on what it would be like to send another character along for the ride. Set during the war of the ring, Korin is Aragorn's cousin and meets with them at the edge of Fangorn Forest.
Tell me what you think and I can tell you where you can read the rest of the story.
Altogether over 120 pages. I have been told it is like a new spin on the book verse. Anyway, here it is.
Korin's Journey Part I July 1, 2003
rev. Jan 29, 2004
Her horse shuffling nervously signaled to Korin that she had lingered for too long near the tower of burning, reeking corpses. The flames that had initially drawn her attention earlier that morning were subsiding now and the massive pile of bodies was turning to ash while she watched, leaving very little recognizable in the aftermath. Without warning, the wind changed its course and the full force of the stench of the burning bodies came to her, causing an involuntary shiver of disgust. At her close proximity, the fires heat washed over her, until she could feel the metal helmet she wore begin to scald the skin on her face. Korin inched her mount back to a safer distance and turned away from the smoldering heat.
Unceremoniously Korin pushed back the heavy silver helmet and drew her gloved hand across her brow. She narrowed her eyes to block the wide ribbon of smoke that issued from the ashes and without dismounting, reached behind her until she felt the smooth neck of the water skin tied to the back of the saddle. She took a single unhurried draught and then replaced the worn wooden stopper and refastened the leather loop that secured it.
Korin scanned the empty hills surrounding her and wondered how long she should delay her quest here. Last night she had just situated herself to rest beneath the canopy of the trees, when she had been woken by the sound of battle in the gray hour before dawn. She had led her mount slowly toward the scene, hugging close to the side of the forest. For hours, Korin had waited and watched in hiding. The men of Rohan had been swift and lethal in disposing of the band of Orcs. And after they took care of their own wounded, made fast work of piling the dead and burning their carcasses. Even from her secure vantage point, Korin had felt the hatred coursing through the men as they viciously skewered several of the Orc heads and set them up to announce their victory. The white hand of Saruman adorning their helmets could easily be seen.
She had been glad to have the camouflage of the trees and did not for a moment let her thoughts dwell on what she would have done if she had been detected. The horse lords were known to her to be just and proud, but she was riding alone openly on their lands and with no invitation. There was no disguise that could protect her here. It was a perilous time she had chosen to ride through Rohan. They would see everyone first as an enemy and an offer of trust could not be expected.
Throughout the morning, the clouds had thickened and it became difficult to see the time of day, but the sun must have been at it's highest point when the men of Rohan finally set fire to the mound of bodies and themselves rode away to the north. And then another full hour had passed before Korin felt safe enough to venture forward to explore the scene before her. Now there was indecision wrinkled upon her brow which was still well sheltered beneath her helmet. Her next move was not clear at all. Korin knew when she had left her home in the north weeks ago, that she had no real idea of where she would find the ones she sought, just an ever-increasing feeling that it must be soon. She had reached the dreaded crossroad of her quest. Her path had taken her past the Gap of Rohan and still there remained no sign of her quarry.
An uneasy feeling was starting to bear down upon her. There should have been some sign of their passing these many days hence. She had assumed that the party would have chosen to come through the Gap of Rohan. But perhaps they could not risk passing so near to Isengard. Doubts began to assail her as she allowed these questions to enter into her mind. Had she missed their trail? Should she wait here or continue to seek them?
The oncoming thud of hoof beats stayed all of these questions for the moment and both horse and rider jerked their heads in the direction of the sound. From what she could hear, they seemed to be few and she wondered if the riders had sent back men to look after the pyre they had created earlier that morning. Without waiting to count them, Korin turned her mount abruptly and made her way back near the forest. She had little time to take cover and gratefully found it just behind a large mound of stone some yards from the trees. Korin knew once they arrived, she could not remain hidden for long. She looked to her side at the beckoning branches at the edge of Fangorn, but the riders were now too close to risk moving from her current place of concealment. There was nothing she could do but wait and watch in breathless panic as the figures of the riders came into view.
It was beyond belief the sight that she beheld when the riders reined in their mounts. There were two horses and three riders or at least two full-sized riders. Closely she watched them as they circled the great pile of ashes and flesh. They had dismounted now and were scanning the ground before them and were yet a short distance away. They seemed to be looking for something among the bodies and it made her uneasy as she watched.
So much depended upon this moment for Korin that it was difficult to clearly reason. What would she say to him? How would he hear this news from her? Years had passed since she had last spoken to him, and so much had changed for them both. Korin took a deep breath and turned away all of her anxiety. She should count herself fortunate to have found him at last. With a sigh, she let out her breath and walked her horse forward to become visible and then waited. It took only a short time for the three men to discover the lone rider watching them. For what seemed far too long they stood and watched her and none spoke. Korin's breath came fast and she fought to control her emotions. Everything she had ever known and believed in now stood on the fragile edge of this long- sought meeting. She could not allow her fears and uncertainty prevent her from stepping into her destiny. So when she could no longer withstand the intensity she spoke, pleading with her voice not to falter.
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