The next morning I remember what direction Strider had said was east. So I look left of that which would be south and head down the road through the trees.

I walk down the dirt road marked with horse prints and occasional carriage tracks. The mud has been dried by the morning sun that beams down through the clouds as they pass.

I had used some of the coins I stole to purchase a bit of food for the journey that I carry in a satchel.

My eyes look ahead as I watch the large hills near me all around when I leave the small settlement behind, my feet walking against the dirt, rocks buried in it like carcasses after years of decay. The wind lets my locks flow behind me as I adjust the strap of my bag, ready for the road into the wilderness.

I breathe and keep a steady long pace. I pass through a wooded area with a vacant road after I journey through a couple trees. Luckily I can walk for hours and not get tired much. That is a good thing, because it seems by the map that it might take a long while before I even reach the lands of Rohan.

I walk for hours it seems, down the path as a hill rises to my left, and dips at my right.

Plants of green grow around me, but less than the woods in the Shire had. This land seems more used to sunlight the further I go, leaving the marsh behind.

I watch a little squirrel hop over the road ahead and scurry up the tree. I listen to the birds sing, the sound so sweet in my ear.

I am not used to seeing wildlife... it seems even the smallest of flowers has a colony of insects under it, homes and families of so many different species all around me. Even if I have left the human settlements, I am still not alone.

I walk under branches, the smell of something new to me on my nose. So many scents I have never known. It awakens my lungs and makes me feel pure. In light of all that has happened, little blessings seem to find their way to me, reminding me that not all is bad.

My past is dark and monotone like old photos. But perhaps my future will have a bit more color... this world is something I have discovered... Another world! I mean this is just such a daydream! Ever since we are little we always wonder about other places, hope for other places, other universes where things are brighter, happier, full of adventure.

It makes me wonder how many of those actually exist. I look up towards the heavens, past the light skipping through the leaves in thought.

Oh this is all so strange... and so sudden. It was a tragic event that brought me here... but if I was not here I would be dead. So perhaps I was given a second chance to live and to make something of myself.

When the pain of Ryohnin returns I look down and shut my eyes, pushing it away the thoughts. I must do what he told me to do before he passed. And I cannot do that if my heart won't stop grieving for him...

I walk out of the trees and into the sunlight again, the hills still around me. And it looks like it would be that way for a while.

I travel until the sun sets behind the hills. I camp on the hillside with a fire and decide to take advantage of the sticks, seeing as there are not many trees on the road ahead. I bundle them up and pack them in my satchel for future fires. I eat a small amount of food for dinner, saving the rest for however many days I have to travel.

But when I sit there alone with my thoughts, trying to fall asleep... that's when I can't hold back my sorrow for my best friend... and I cry myself into slumber that night.

The next day I trek across the grass and slopes, the road getting less traveled the farther I go. I am heading for the river between here and the MistyMountains but I have a long way to go still.

After I have left the hills behind that day I face the plains of Cardolan. Golden grass and stones that sprinkle the more flat land than what I have traveled lay before me.

I stop there in thought, letting the wind blow back my hair and the hit my dry face.

I take a deep breath.

It is so strange. It has been so long since I have seen so much wide open space and blue sky; it feels so good to be breathing in fresh air other than ash and pollution. When I first got here I just wanted to know how to get back, now... I almost wish I could live here forever but deep down I know that I still have a world to fight for. That makes me think of my world, a churn in the midst of my stomach remembering it... almost like a nightmare. And the life I thought I would live...

Over the years I have learned to hide pain. Right after the death of my mother I decided that getting close to people was that last thing I wanted. Ryohnin and I were close but I never opened up to him or attached myself. I am used to death, used to pain. I can handle it. But still it is dangerous being alone with my thoughts. Last night proved that.

So I focus on my surroundings instead. And I think on the present. In place of the smell of blood in my nose, I breathe in again the fresh scent that is of dirt and grass.

The sun shines brightly down on my head. I am not used to seeing it so bold in the deep blue skies. I have become somewhat pale because of it as well. But I lift my head in the air, the warmth very comforting. It had been pretty cold on my planet though I wasn't sure what season it was. The seasons blended together for me.

I hike on the road untraveled by most through the vast area. My route is straight, down this road until I get to the river. I walk all day with nothing to report.

That night I sleep against a large stone after I eat and, as usual, have no dreams.

Nothing changes for me the next day until I spot some travelers on the road ahead. Both are male and their looks remind me of Strider; rugged.

I don't pay attention to them as I keep my hands in my jacket pockets, journeying on casually. But when I get to them one puts his hand up to stop me.

I look at them oddly.

"Whoa there. Before you head any further you have to pay the tax," he says.

"What?" I frown. "I'm in the middle of nowhere."

"You are entering the lands of Dunland. Our king calls for taxes for any visitors," the other says.

Oh such rubbish.

"Is that so?" I cross my arms. "Well I would believe that if you were official 'anything' you would appear as such but I see no mark of your king on your garments."

"Tax collectors don't wear uniforms," he says. "I do not think you want to be disloyal to the king."

I snicker. "I don't have time for this." I push past them and start to continue walking. But one of them grabs my arm. "If you don't pay the tax then blood is what will be required. As ordered by the king."

I don't pull away from him but just lift a brow. "Yeah I don't think you want to try that."

They exchange a look. The other one clutches the hilt of his sword. "Well you seem rather confident for a woman traveling alone."

"And you are pretty foolish to be out here in the first place. I'm sure you have heard of what is on the road at this hour," I say, referring to the riders in black that are out here still.

"Did not have seemed to stop you, my lady."

"Don't call me that," I spat. "Now unhand me or you'll be sorry. I don't like hurting other people but sometimes I am given no option."

"Pay up and we won't have to get ugly."

"It got ugly the second you showed your face."

He pulls his sword from his sheath before I can break free and I dodge but the blade makes my upper arm sting and I grunt.

I glare at them and twitch my head to the side. They asked for it.

I throw my leg over the man's shoulder that holds me, my body weight flinging him down to the ground. I leap off him to dodge the swing of the other man's sword, doing a combat roll on the ground and springing back to my feet. I pull out a small blade from my belt and twirl it, using it to block the blow of his sword towards my side.

It clashes with the blade and I use that split second to catch his wrist and lay a punch hard on his elbow, throwing a kick up to his other hand to knock the sword from it as his partner stands up.

I whirl around and punch up the man's jaw and then spin to kick hard against the other one's face to keep him on the ground.

But I don't want to kill them.

The man still standing tries to punch me but I duck down, throwing my leg around to knock him over on his back. I stand up a few feet from them and pull out my pistol as they try to get back up, but still in pain.

I hold my gun without fear. There's no way they can defend themselves from this.

They look over angry that a woman just beat them to a pulp. They stand back up with growls in their throats and glares on their eyes.

"I will give you one more chance. Walk away and I will not kill you."

One of them frowns, looking at what I am holding. "Kill us with a metal handle?"

I smile sarcastically. "I realize you both don't have a clue what this contraption does but leave me in peace and you won't have to find out."

They exchange a look as one of them picks up his sword from the ground.

"You are such a foolish girl—"

I pull the trigger and let my bullet bury into a dead stump behind them, the sound of the gunshot blasting our ears and echoing across the land, startling them both into fear and shock.

They hesitate.

I just pop my brows up and then slip my weapon back into my belt, turning and walking down the road to continue my journey, leaving them there, frozen in fear.

After they have run out of sight and I have made a good distance I frown, my arm stinging.

I cringe and press my finger to where there is a slice in the arm of my jacket sleeve. I almost wince and pull it away, red dripping from my fingertip.

I sigh and carefully pull off my jacket, sitting against a rock. I dig into my satchel after I set it in front of me. I pull out the cloth I had wrapped cheese in and tear it. I fold up the short sleeve of my t-shirt and take out my flask. Carefully I tip it on my arm and let the water drip on the fresh cut. I clench my teeth a little at the pain but then blow it dry after that. I sit and look around at my surroundings, trying to not let myself get hungry...

But it doesn't work. And I take a tiny bite of bread and a gulp of water.

I hope not to run into anyone else. But I tell myself that if I do, I should not to let them get close enough to catch me like that. Keep a distance.

Once my wound is dry I bind it with the cloth, a bit hard because I only have one hand. But I use my teeth and do my best. I usually have Ry to help me do this...

I swallow and pack away my things. I stand to my feet and keep on down the road as my cut aches a little. But I have had much worse so it bothers me not.

The hills before me are a bit more green as I walk... just in this one area. A few bushes grow around me alongside the rocks. Clouds gather in the sky, but not very many.

Other than that the landscape does not change much.

I walk along, getting thirstier and hungrier as the sun drops to the horizon.

I stop there once the sun has completely gone and the moon rises bright in the navy backdrop.

I feel not hidden too well where I am at, worrying about any other travelers that would find me, so I find a larger rock that can shadow myself completely from the road and only eat some bread.

I only have one bundle of sticks left and I should use them for when I need to. So I don't make a fire.

I sleep by the rock peacefully enough. And I am on my way once more at dawn.

I spend a few boring days on the road, with nothing new to report but slowly running out of food.

Until night fall on the sixth day... It starts with sleep... But then something wakes me...

There is a presence by where I am. I hear footsteps of people... heavy ones but not too heavy. But the rustling of something larger makes me open my eyes wider. I gulp at what might be behind this large rock I sleep under.

I hear something large create a gust of wind and I begin to breathe heavily.

Slowly I sit up and my hand reaches for my gun at my belt...

I hear something more to the left and I inch against the rock to peek at what is making the sound.

My heart rate quickens and I begin a heavy breathing at the sight before me. Standing and eating its dinner on the ground of a large deer, is a huge, nightmare-ish monster with wings four times its own size and a long neck, big mouth with shark-like teeth that tear at the bloody animal viciously. Its entire body is jet black and it stands on all fours, the wings connected to its front legs. It is enormous, more than just large enough for someone to ride, resembling a dragon but purely evil looking, with its head the same circumference as its neck. It has a long bridle attached that reaches back and is snapped to a saddle on the huge creature's back.

I hear closer footsteps and sink down to the ground, closing my eyes in hope that they do not see me... and wonder who "they" is. More black riders? More demons after little Frodo? Or after what he carries?

They don't want me right? Maybe they won't care about me...

I don't even believe what I just thought. Of course they would kill me on sight. Do these demon dragons have riders as well? From the footsteps I can hear—the ones that sound exactly like the footsteps of the dark rider that was after us before—there are indeed riders to these beasts.

And I doubt they would have any mercy.

I try to think hard as my heart beats fast in fear... if I shoot and these are like the riders in black, it won't do a single thing and I would be eaten on sight by their friends.

If I sit here... then eventually I would arrive at the same fate. So what do I do?

I start to panic, clutching my weapon like a safety blanket. What options do I have?

If I fight, that dragon will eat me... that dragon—I hear another gust of wind to my right that tells me there's more than one of these—is my obstacle. I don't know about the riders but I know for sure I cannot fight off that beast.

I'm running out of time. I can hear them walking about behind my rock...

If the beast is the only thing that I cannot fight off for sure... then... it looks like that's my only ticket out of here alive...

I am trapped.

And I only have one option.

I breathe and unload my gun, sticking it in my belt and grabbing my jacket. I am quiet enough that the rider's don't notice. I pull on my satchel and move slowly along the side of the rock... inching closer to the edge on my left, watching the monster attentively.

The beast still does not see me. My heart beats in my ears and my palms sweat with terror and worry. I might vomit from how... risky this move is. But have no other choice.

I check over my shoulder to make sure that way is clear. Then I hesitate, a thrill and anxiety rising in my blood.

It's now or never, I think to myself. There's no way I would make it out of here alive if I stay put for another moment.

Without thinking any further I bolt forward with all the speed I can create in my muscles, not hearing a screaming from the riders until I have thrown my body onto the saddle at the back of the huge winged beast, it roaring into the air angrily when it realizes this.

I grasp the reins and try to control the monster as its wings sprawl out and the neck turns to its masters.

I look to see the dark riders from before standing there and exclaiming in their banshee screams that rip apart my ear drums, pulling out their swords and running at me. I yank on the reins and the thing shoots its wings out, hitting its riders with a roar like thunder to add to the noise.

"Oh come on you bloody thing!" I bark to it as it bellows in the air and then thrusts its mighty wings up and back down, gusts of wind flying through my long hair and sending us wildly into the night sky with a jerk, all of my insides yanking back in a horrible feeling of being thrown into the air.

I clutch onto the saddle with my life as we head for the white clouds above us. It bellows loudly again.

"Ugh dina!" I blurt out. Just as I say this he shuts up, straightening in the sky. What on earth did I just say? And why was that the first thing to pop in my mind? Why did it calm the beast?

I look back over my shoulder to see the riders had mounted there dragons as well and are in pursuit of me. Oh lord.

The dragons roar at their traitor friend and at me, hungry for my flesh. Their riders even more furious as they screech behind me.

I am scared to death but I don't show it. I have only had a few childhood dreams of flying but never attempted it... especially on a dragon. And now it terrifies me.

I clutch the reins of the beast I ride and keep my eyes ahead of us, urging it to go faster.

The things behind me are still following... what do I do? Perhaps it would have been better to get my head chopped off, than to fall to my death now.

I could turn and try to fire at them with my gun... But there is no way I am taking even one hand off the ropes to do so. In this wind I would be knocked right off. I stick close to the body of the monster and think of what to do. That's when I get the idea.

I pull and steer him upwards towards the heavens. I will use the thick clouds to my advantage, as the only option I have. I hear one behind me screech loudly and I tell the beast to hurry faster, not thinking that it could understand me but it does. It slaps its wings against the wind and thrusts us forward. I hold on tightly to the dark saddle and clutch its neck as well as we reach for the moon.

"Time to get lost," I whisper to the beast.

We descend into the thick fluff of black, stretching high in the clouds, seeing nothing but darkness around us, the moon trying to poke through this shadow.

We fly until breathing becomes hard to me and the air makes my skin chilled. I steer the monster left and it snarls as we fly down into the mist of the thick fog. "Make sure to keep quiet," I say.

It flips us over in a roll that I wasn't prepared for but I have held on alright. It brings its wings in and we plummet down through the clouds. I don't see the dark creatures behind us. But just to make sure we take a few more banks and travel through the shadow confusingly to scramble our trail.

We climb up through the thick layer again and soon we are flying peacefully above the white mist in quiet... I think I finally got rid of the other wraiths.

I breathe out in relief. Looks like I just might survive after all. But I don't loosen my grip on my dragon, the height keeping me a bit nervous.

I feel the wind against my face as my hands grip the ropes tightly. I keep my body close to its neck and my feet firmly in the stirrups.

Dawn breaks soon, casting golden light over the clouds. I squint from the sun beams hitting my eyes, but this setting before me really is stunning.

After a long while I actually begin to feel more relaxed. I start to laugh to myself of all that has happened in the last seventy-two hours. No way this is real life. I almost want to pinch myself.

My nose is filled with the smell of moisture in the air as I soar above the clouds, masked from the lands below.

I shiver from the cold temperature being so up high. And if I could swallow away all my other feelings of doubt, confusion, wonder, fear, and anxiety, then I would be very content being so far from everything as puffs of white glide beneath me.

I allow my eyes to go from the beast, up to the moon that still tries to shine on us, faint stars dancing around it before leaving us in exchange for the sunlight. I marvel at the fact that this dragon hasn't flipped me off its back and let me die a slow painful death by falling. But I stroke its slick scales beneath my palm. Perhaps it just obeys any rider. Either way I let him know that I trust him. Maybe I'll be rewarded for that.

Soon the clouds clear away and I can see it as if the map I had leapt off the parchment and is now below me. We are currently heading east. I don't think Strider meant for me to be able to fly. So I suppose there's no harm in taking the short way now that I have safe transport. From here I can see the MistyMountains, highlighted by the fire bright streaks of sun on the peaks.

I come up to cliffs below me. Miles below me. I am tremendously high off the ground and I tighten my grip on the black beast carrying me.

I don't pull out my map for fear of holding on. But I can tell that we are heading in the right direction from studying the paper for the past few days.

I fly across the lands with this beast until night falls again. And by now we are both exhausted.

I decide to land down in the mountains where I also see some old broken trees I could use to make a fire to keep warm from the cold. I steer him down towards the rocks gradually so I do not fall off and it begins flapping its wings to land.

Among the rocks I tie him to a tree stump. Surprisingly he isn't hostile at all. I see in his eyes a look of just a creature, used for war and chaos. I stroke the back of its slick scaly head—that is at least the size of my own body if I curled up—at the end of the snake-like neck.

I gather some wood and pile them on each other, sitting in the rocks Indian style on hard stone and grass. I take two stones and begin hitting them over the fire, making an echoing snapping sound over the hills. I lean over the wood and do it over and over until I get a spark, shaking my arms from the stiff work they are doing but continuing until the spark ignites the dry grass under the pile of stick.

I use the flame to cook the raw meat I bought and eat it gladly after it's ready, tossing the last chunk to the hungry dragon. Though I am sure it ate enough off that deer before.

I warm myself as much as possible by the reasonably large fire, pulling my jack around me with my arms folded over my chest, holding any heat inside. But the wind is miserable.

I look up at my creature here among the rocks with me. After I take a sip of water I stand to my feet, walking over to the large animal and holding the flask over the ground with one hand under it. I direct its head upward and pour a small stream from the canteen to my hand below it. The creature laps at the water and I smile. It's been a long time since I have seen any kind of animal. There weren't many at all in my world. And when we found one, we ate it from starvation.

But this thing... this evil creature stands where I can kill it at will or it could kill me. But instead we are companions. For a short time perhaps. But we are.

It drinks all the water I allow it and then some, from my hand. I frown and wipe my hand on my shirt from the slobber.

I sit back down by the fire as a chill runs through my bones. The night is dark, though the moon tries to warm me, not doing too well at it.

I get as close as I can to the flame without catching my hair on fire or burning the rubber off the bottom of my shoes. I no longer feel my nose.

Just as I think it can't get any colder, the draft disappears and I can feel warmth in my body again. I glance up to see the beast as laid across the large stone and now blocks the wind from me.

I breathe gratefully and then curl up there by the fire until I fall asleep.

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