Raedda

Aeruthuil blinks, snapping out of his daydream. Shifting a little in his spot he watches as Laurëa shows sign of movement, in his hand his notebook turned to a page he had been drawing on. 

He holds his breath, the large hound Cormac walking past him and away. Quickly he shifted his attention back towards the woman as he grabs his stuff together as fast as he could, without making too much noise, as she already wandered towards the road.

A cold, wet nose against her palm was the sensation that finally stirred her towards waking. Frowning, grunting softly, she shifted against the cold ground, and her green eyes crept open to see the wolf-hound sprawled over her lap. His tongue lolled out of his jaws, and his panted breaths formed little, white puffs of steam in the chilly air. 

Aeruthuil pants, leaning over against the trunk of the large tree before him as he casts his eyes away from Laurëa down towards his boots. With a grunt he reaches down to pull his right boot off and shake it out to get rid of the small bits of dirt, twigs and tiny stones which had been torturing his feet the past couple of hours.

Over water, wood, and stone

Through dark and light and danger

I am beginning to remember why I promised myself that I would not become attached to any person in this world. And I have no one to place the blame upon, for my current situation, other than myself. 

The guards of the Bree-town west-gate had grown familiar with the sight of the young woman in the deep blue hooded robe, and with only a nod and a quick wave, she was permitted through. Into the bustling hubbub of the village's cobblestone street, filled with vendors and merchants, setting up their tables and stalls in the early morning light of another summer's day. 

A summer storm raged outside the walls of the little candle shop. The few windows not facing the driving rain were left open to try and catch whatever breeze they could, for the air was warm and heavy. Within, two women - one old, one young - moved about with a quiet, comfortable ease. A lantern sat on the table between them as the clouds drew the town into a stifling, temporary darkness. 

"That hood cannot be comfortable while you're trying to see what you're doing," remarked the old woman.