Author Note-

I will make this quick. I might be taking a quick break to create a storyboard for this series. And the one I am planning to start soon. So if I disappear for a week or so, blame me trying to create a solid continuity.

Hope you enjoy the story or at least the background music.

A Walking Song By: The Tolkien Ensemble

Chapter 8: Training Hall

The first night fell. Merissa cuddled up against Weylyn to keep warm in the cool night. Alex sat near the fire keeping it stoked. A thin wisp of smoke pillared into the sky.

Alex looked toward the sky. The twinkling of the stars and multiple moons created a scene of immense beauty and splendour. The stars from his home were long since covered.

He lay and closed his eyes and began to let his mind wander to times of happiness.

---------------

Rebecca opened her eyes and found herself sitting against the fountain in a busy area. It was where she logged off but shops sprouted up and also did many more people found their way here.

She began to think on what was the best thing to do. She spotted a tall man wearing chainmail armour with leather leggings with steel plates attached on the shin and the thigh.

She guessed him to be a guard so she ran to him and asked politely.

“I am sorry to disturb you. I am new and was wondering where to start?” She looked at the tall man.

He looked at her with hard eyes as if studying her then answered.

“Head to my right until you see a small building with a sword and staff sign hanging out front.”

She thanked him and hurried off.

“Odd kid.” The guard thought seeing the girl run off toward the Training Hall.

------------

The building was run down with the sign only hanging by one hinge. It had no door with a ere darkness that held people from entering. The sound of weeping filled the stale air inside.

A chill ran down Rebecca’s spine as she neared the once white building. The building was in disrepair. As she stood a few meters away it gave off the feel of a haunted house.

“The man must be playing a joke” She thought as she began to walk towards it slowly.

As she started to enter the doorway the weeping stopped as the weeping stopped so did Rebecca.

She scanned her surroundings but she saw only darkness.

A childs voice whispered. “Dad-da, someone has come!”

“ It seems so little one.” a man’s voice replied.

She heard a snap and spheres of light appeared lighting the building.

The entrance was a large square room with a wooden floor that was covered in dust. To the left was an opening that lead to another room even larger than the entrance with the same floor but with a grey woolen matt in the middle of the room,surrounding that was twenty wooden practice dummies.

On her right was a japanese sliding door leading to another part.

“What the hell! It’s bigger on the inside!” Rebecca thought with her mouth hanging open.

“If you don't close your mouth it will attract flies.” A small boy joked. She jumped and hit her head on the door frame.

“Is she fine?” a man said as he walked through the door leading to the other part of the training hall.

“Yeah , she just knocked herself out.” the boy smiled. As he floated next to the past out body of Rebecca.

---------------

A flash of anger hit Alex as he opened his eyes. It left as fast it appeared. He sat up.

“Alex...Humans are near.” Weylyn transmitted. Alex shook his head. The morning sun started to peak over the horizon of the plains. He could see the outline of horses and men riding them to the west.

“Merissa wake up we seem to have company.”Alex said to the sleeping elf. She mumbled something incoherent as she rolled over.

“Should have left her...to late.” Alex thought as he stood up.

“Keep her safe will ya kiddo.” Alex transmitted

“Sure.” Weylyn transmitted back as he watched his friend walk to meet the incoming humans.

--------

A lone man approached the patrol. Behind him was a large white wolf and the embers of a fire. The leader of the patrol rode ahead to speak to the man while the other two flanked him, Spears pointed up.

“What brings you here?” The scout asked the bearded man

“I am a wander.” he bowed.

“Again what brings you here?” The scout asked once more.

“Nothing. I go where I feel like.” He again bowed.

The scouted looked to the Wolf. “What is that monster? And why is it with you?”

The bearded man smiled. “That is my companion and mount,Weylyn.”

“You lie!” Anger clung to his voice.

“Do you want to race then? If I win he get to eat your horses.” a predatory smile spread on his lips.

The scouts stiffened. “No need.” They rode back to the main base to report back what they saw.

---------

“Did they take the offer?” Weylyn transmitted to Alex.

“No my friend they did not.” Alex had made sure to scare them off with that so as to keep them from trouble for the time being. “Lets get out of here.”

Weylyn stood leaving the elf girl half naked on the floor.

Alex took out a cloak she packed and picked her up putting her on the back of Weylyn. He too hopped on his back in order to keep her from falling off. He kept a hand on her back as they rode. She would moan and whisper lewd things.

“What the hells wrong with this kid.” He thought as he raised an eyebrow after a couple very naughty lines. Something about hot wax and rope.

He took out his canteen and poured cold water onto her face to wake her. “Should have done this awhile ago.”

She shot up losing her cloak. Her chest having nothing covering it bounced as Weylyn ran.

*Boing* *Boing*

Alex handed her the cloak she had just lost. She still half asleep looked at the cloak in his hand. Then she felt a chill then looked down,then up again,then down. She screamed and grabbed the cloak and punched Alex in the face.

-----------------

The walls of Everbridge stood in the distance as Alex began to bandage Merissa's broken hand. She had changed into a light green dress after she hit him. It mached the cloak she wore well.

“Thats what you get for punching someone in the face.” He said as he finished.

“You were staring at my body!” She said angrily.

“I have a daughter. That does nothing for m…..” he tried to reply but a foot got stuck in his mouth...her foot.

--------------------

Rebecca lay in darkness. She was crying for her father.

“Dad…” a tear started to run down her cheek.

“I am near kiddo.” her fathers voice echoed.

She looked around for her father. She saw a dim light in the distance and ran to it. But the distance never decreased and she began to weep once more.

-----------------

Rebecca bolted upright. Her cheeks red from tears she does not remember crying. The ghost of a small boy and a man stood over her. Watching as she slept.

“Who or what are you?” She asked with a trembling voice.

The man cleared his voice. “My name is Richard Alexton and this is my son Fergus. We run the Training Hall.” They both bowed towards her and the child continued where his father left off. “And you are the first Traveler to enter here!” He smiled.

She was a little shaken but replied formally. “My name is Rebecca Roe.” She forgot to use her ingame name.

The man spoke. “Nice to meet you Rebecca! Here we will teach you!”

The room began to shake as a strong magical energy rushed through the Training Hall.

Rebecca passed out as the energy entered her body.

------------------

The day had started to end. The walls to the city was a couple hour walk away. Merissa lay against Weylyn curled up in her cloak, still wearing her dress. There was no fire but the moons light the night well enough.

“I can transform into a human Alex.” Weylyn said with some hesitation.

“I know what it does to you.” Alex looked to the pup knowingly.

“Don't worry. ‘It’ will not happen this time.” a dim light covered his body. It began to pulse and each time it pulsed his body shrunk. Before long he was the size and shape of a human man. He was slender with good muscle definition. His hair was silver and ragged. Merissa lay on his naked lap.

“Do you have any spare clothes?” Weylyn asked with his new deep voice as he stroked Merissa’s hair. Alex looked into his inventory and gave him some spare clothes. It was linen trousers and a white linen shirt.

Weylyn put her head on her backpack and changed into his new outfit. His golden eyes caught the moonlight and glowed.

“How do they fit?” Alex asked from the spot he sat.

“Good enough” He replied taking his spot as Merissa’s pillow. “What now?” he asked.

“Sleep. I will sing to pass the time I suppose.” Alex replied and began singing in a pleasant tone.

“Sing all ye joyful, now sing all together?

The wind’s in the free-top, the wind’s in the heather;

The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,

And bright are the windows of Night in her tower.

Dance all ye joyful, now dance all together!

Soft is the grass, and let foot be like feather!

The river is silver, the shadows are fleeting;

Merry is May-time, and merry our meeting.

Sing we now softly, and dreams let us weave him!

Wind him in slumber and there let us leave him!

The wanderer sleepeth. Now soft be his pillow!

Lullaby! Lullaby! Alder and Willow!

Sigh no more Pine, till the wind of the morn!

Fall Moon! Dark be the land!

Hush! Hush! Oak, Ash, and Thorn!

Hushed be all water, till dawn is at hand! “

Elves Lullaby - J.R.R. Tolkien

Alex noticed they were both asleep so he began again with another song. One he remembered from another story…

Upon the hearth the fire is red,

Beneath the roof there is a bed;

But not yet weary are our feet,

Still round the corner we may meet

A sudden tree or standing stone

That none have seen but we alone.

Tree and flower and leaf and grass,

Let them pass! Let them pass!

Hill and water under sky,

Pass them by! Pass them by!

Still round the corner there may wait

A new road or a secret gate,

And though we pass them by today,

Tomorrow we may come this way

And take the hidden paths that run

Towards the Moon or to the Sun.

Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,

Let them go! Let them go!

Sand and stone and pool and dell,

Fare you well! Fare you well!

Home is behind, the world ahead,

And there are many paths to tread

Through shadows to the edge of night,

Until the stars are all alight.

Then world behind and home ahead,

We'll wander back to home and bed.

Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,

All shall fade! All shall fade!

Fire and lamp, and meat and bread,

And then to bed! And then to bed!

A Walking Song - J.R.R. Tolkien

The End of Chapter 8: Training Hall

Author Note-

Sorry for the page of songs. Didn't know how exactly to continue this at the moment. Should have the juicy stuff wednesday.

Hope you all enjoyed it.