Chapter Text
"Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. " -Unknown
Inconnu woke up with an empty feeling.
For the first time in nearly two weeks Inconnu felt empty inside and this unnerved her greatly. It was only after a few moments of shifting around underneath the cover of the Dire Wolf pelt that she opened her eyes and saw exactly what was wrong.
Er-Murazor was nowhere to be seen.
She sat up suddenly and looked around the campground which they had pitched for the night. Still, he was nowhere to be seen. She stood on shaky feet and her eyes stared into every direction she could think of to find evidence of his remaining presence. Even looking around further she could see no trail that led from the camp and the empty feeling in the pit of her stomach grew worse.
"Sverundr," She called to her companion, her voice shaking ever so slightly, trying to maintain composure. The large stallion rose from his resting spot and was immediately at her side, nuzzling her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her anxiety. It worked to a degree, but the growing fears of Er-Murazor's absence was proving to be stronger.
"He can't have left," Inconnu muttered to herself, "We're not in any immediate danger. There's no reason to separate at this time." Then she added much more quietly, "Not when he's so close to freedom."
"You are correct Inconnu," A new voice broke into the air, deep and calm. "On the surface there is no immediate danger for you and the Witch-King of Angmar."
Inconnu looks to her immediate right and saw her patron Oromё, the Great Hunter of the Valar, standing there in his armor of chainmail and furs, his great bow slung across his back as well as his hunting horn. She was then put into a slight shock when she realized that she was not dreaming, that he was physically in front of her.
The smile on his features grew wider as he saw the questions in her grey gaze.
"I frequent Middle Earth often my Chosen, this is no strange occurrence."
"O-of course," Inconnu managed to get out, and then noticed that the Great Hunter was not alone. In his hand he held reins of fine leather, which led the equally fine leatherwork of the bridle of a finer stallion. His coat was of a shining white, mane and tail almost silver in the morning sunlight, and the stallion at Oromё's side possessed dark eyes filled with wisdom and great knowledge.
Sverundr nickered to the other stallion, bobbing his head slightly in excitement. The white stallion returned this and Oromё smiled before letting go of the reins. Inconnu watched in interest as Sverundr and the white stallion greeted each other with obvious familiarity. Oromё noted her interest and gave explanation.
"You already know that Sverundr is one of the Mearas, but you did not know his lineage. Your stallion's sire is my own, whereas his mother was a true descendant of Felaróf. Nahar has been my companion since the beginning, and so shall Sverundr be for you and yours until the end."
This was a grand revelation, and Inconnu had to ask, "So the little colt who kept me from falling was truly waiting for me?"
"Yes, he is yours as you are his. This has always been so since his birth."
Her heart warmed at this, appreciating Sverundr even more than she already did. The large stallion was a better friend than she could ever ask for. A true friend indeed. However, her feelings were still torn from Er-Murazor's absence. She had gotten so used to him being around that him suddenly missing from her side was something felt keenly. Oromё knew this as well, and his calm tones also adopted ones of soothing.
"Dry your tears Inconnu, he left of his own volition to protect you from Sauron."
Inconnu hadn't realized that she had been crying, and quickly wiped her tears away with the sleeve of her plain cotton shirt before meeting the emerald gaze of the Vala again.
"You will see him again, and it shall be sooner than you think. He is right where he needs to be, for now all must return to their proper places for soon the fate of Middle Earth shall be decided upon the battlefield. The Witch-King of Angmar must lead the Mordor Host against the Men of the West, and so you should also get to where you need to be my Chosen."
"And where is my place?"
"Minas Tirith, and there you shall ally yourself with friends again. It is there that the light shall make a last stand against the darkness that seeks to claim all again."
This news brought a hesitant smile to Inconnu's fine features, as she was glad to hear that she would be rejoining with friends, but it was hesitant due to the nature of their rejoining. Inconnu had never been in a war, having been too young to have fought in any of them nor in any of the battles of the following aftermath. Her time spent in the far northern reaches of the Hithaeglir made sure that was kept away from any war between men, elves, and dwarves. News had come slow to her as well, but she had thought nothing of it for many centuries.
War was something far different than a fight with a creature of darkness, no matter how great that creature was.
A large hand then made itself known on her shoulder, comforting in its grip, and she looked up to see Oromё. His expression was one Inconnu had seen on many father's faces, one of pride and great expectation for their children.
"You will have time enough to prepare for war Inconnu, but now you must race to Minas Tirith and with all haste."
Inconnu raised a slim eyebrow slightly in question. "I chased after Er-Murazor all the way to the High Fells of Rhudaur and even then it took me nearly two months. How can I achieve the same in less time back to Gondor?"
There was a knowing glint in the emerald-green eyes of the Vala.
"There is a favorite hunting trail of mine that I use often when here on Middle Earth. I have gifted many of my favorite hunters access to the path and so I shall do the same with you."
Inconnu's eyes widened. "You don't mean…?"
Oromё nodded. "The True Hunter's Path."
The woman that was the Huntress of the North was overcome with great pride at earning this privilege. The True Hunter's Path was a trail that would lead to the destination the hunter desired, and at the right time in which the greatest of hunts would commence. For Inconnu she still hunted the Witch-King, to all others meaning to end the threat he posed to Middle Earth, but to her and the select few who knew it was a hunt for his freedom from Sauron's corrupting darkness.
"How will I know that I am on the path?"
Oromё looked to their horses, their greatest companions, and then back to her with a knowing look.
"Sverundr now knows the way, for Nahar has always known and has now passed down the knowledge to his true descendant. He will guide you along the path, and you shall both arrive in Minas Tirith when you arrive at the precise moment you are required."
Inconnu nodded and when Sverundr returned to her she rubbed his nose in that familiar gesture. He whinnied softly and nudged his nose further into her hand, bringing back a smile to her lips. When she looked back up she saw that Oromё had mounted Nahar and was still at her with that pride in his eyes. A moment of silence, of deep understanding, passed between them, and he imparted a few last words to her.
"Be strong in the inevitable battles to come Inconnu, you need to remain strong not only for yourself but for Er-Murazor as well. Now make haste to Minas Tirith!"
Nahar then reared and in a flash both stallion and rider vanished deep into the forest. Inconnu was a little star-struck by this display, but was brought back to earth with a nudge from Sverundr. He then pointedly looked at his tack and her gear, then at her. Inconnu's smile widened ever so slightly.
"You're right old friend, we should make haste after all!"
Tack was cinched, gear packed away and secured, and Inconnu instinctively reached for her usual longsword before Ghost's Song caught her eye. The silver coloring of the pommel and cross-piece shined in the sunlight, and Inconnu glanced between her longtime weapon and the enchanted one. After another moment of hesitation, she secured Ghost's Song to her waist and the other blade to the saddle. With grace she mounted the saddle and once she had grasp of the reins Sverundr bolted into a strong gallop.
Within seconds she felt the very air and land change, a more magical feel to it all, now apparent. Inconnu was on the True Hunter's Path, and now they made their way to Minas Tirith.
Again, she chased after the Witch-King of Angmar.
Again, she raced after what should be impossible.
But this time, she also chased after her heart and the hope that she would not be too late to save him.