Sing me to Heaven

Another excerpt

Well, I'm finally getting the next part of my writing up! Sorry it's taken so long. This is continued from the last section. To refresh your memory, here's the last paragraph:

Never slowing, they sped through the pass- into the mountains. Disconcerted, Abigail was a stranger to adventures of any sort, and she looked back to catch a fleeting glimpse of her valley, her home, and wondered if she would ever see it again. She clung, trembling, to the mane of the horse, though indeed, she seemed in no danger of falling, so firmly did Ablier support her. On and on they raced, giving Abigail only blurred glances of the beauty of the mountains she had always longed to see. Towering waterfalls they passed, plunged through luscious green undergrowth, galloped across cliffs of a dizzying height. Ever farther they traveled. Yet still the sun glowed on the brink of the horizon. It was to defy time, to ride the pure white stallion. When the sun did set, it was not at all gradual, and then they continued their journey in darkness. The young horseman knew this land well, or his horse did. Abigail began to wonder when, if ever, they would stop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dashing around the corner of a sheer cliff, they found themselves in a sheltered glade, shrouded with the overhanging boughs of evergreen trees. Ablier pulled up his horse, skidding to a sudden stop. He swung one leg over and vaulted off with an energy surprising to Abigail, who felt ready to collapse with weariness. But Ablier saved her from such an awkward demise by reaching up and lifting her down. Seeing her firmly set on her feet, he turned back to the stallion, unbuckling the saddle and bridle, and preparing to rub him down. Abigail stood hesitantly, not knowing what to do. Ablier gave all his attention to his horse. But at last he looked back. Seeing Abigail still standing, he said, with the air of an accomplished mentor,
     "Better get some rest, lady. You have a journey ahead of you." Abigail looked at him in confusion.
     "Ahead of me... I'm going by myself?" She didn't relish the idea. But he silenced her fears when he replied,
     "No, of course I'm coming. My orders were to bring you. But it won't feel like a journey to me. It won't weary me like it will you." He looked slightly amused at her confused countenance. "Surely you understand. It's always easy to go home."
    Abigail's eyes widened at this declaration. Ablier surely bore a great love for his country. And pride. She wondered if all Lorfinian men's cheekbones were as high as his, or if their chests swelled so much at every mention of their land. But she sighed and replied,
     "I will rest, then." And at a nod from him, she retreated to a leafy nook at the edge of the glade, at the base of one of the great trees. Exhausted, she sank to the ground and gave herself up to slumber, little wondering or caring about her surroundings.

   
~~~

    The high-pitched trilling of a bird woke her at last, and she grudgingly opened her eyes. Early dawn was pouring in through the treetops, dust specks shimmering in its rays. Abigail blinked and raised herself on her elbows, trying not to yawn. But the events of the previous day swirled into her head, waking her completely. There was no sign of Ablier in the clearing. Feeling refreshed and adventurous once more, the maiden rose at last. She glanced rapidly over the glen, and noticed for the first time a bubbling spring at the base of the cliff. She turned towards it, but was forced to move slowly, her muscles aching painfully from yesterday's ride. Splashing water onto her face, she tried not to think of the pain in her limbs, or the awkwardness of the entire journey. She said a silent prayer for her family back home, and also for her father, for it was her habit to pray every day for his safe return.
    She was trying to brush the dust off her skirts when when Ablier returned, his thick hair slicked down wet on his forehead. He nodded politely to her.
    "I trust you rested well?" he queried. In the fresh light of morning, and now that he was no longer towering above her on his horse, framed in dazzling sunlight, Abigail found she could look at him and answer without shrinking.
    "Very well, thank you, sir," she replied with a nod. All the same, she felt she'd better be as polite as possible. She ventured a question. "Will we ride more today?"
    "Yes, my orders were that you should be brought with all speed," he replied over his shoulder as he reached for the saddle. Abigail heaved a silent sigh, wishing he would stop talking so much about his orders. But she straightened hastily as Ablier turned back around. He paused, and looked her over; weighing the strength that was stored within her. His eyes saw only a young girl, her fair face open and trusting; her eyes betraying that she was overly conscious of her dusty dress and the long hair that was tossed askew at the mercy of the wind. She was a head and a half shorter than he, and looked altogether devoid of that strength that is so necessary to living in a foreign land. Yet her eyes were full of life and their green depths glimmered. She held her chin high, too, and returned his gaze steadily. Yes, she had courage. And it would serve her well... if she knew how to use it.
    "You are tired?" he stated knowingly. Abigail felt as if he had read her mind. He certainly had been sizing her up for something: she didn't know what.
    "A little. We- we don't ride horses much in my country," she answered reluctantly. She didn't mention that horses were seldom to found in the valley, because most of them had been ridden off to the Turbulent Wars, mounted by warriors brave and strong. Some of whom had never returned. Her father was one of these. Ablier interrupted her thoughts with his reply.
    "Well, you must learn to like them. They are of great value in Lorfinia. One will be trained for your use." Ablier fumbled through the saddle bags. Abigail groaned mentally, scarcely wishing to subject her body to another day of bruises. She chose to change the subject.
    "How far is Lorfinia?" She bit her lip, fearing the answer. He did not answer right away, but offered her a small package, which, upon opening it, she found to contain some kind of bread. Suddenly she discovered that she was terribly hungry, and lost no time in availing herself of the contents, with thanks. After producing his own portion, Ablier returned to their conversation.
    "If we ride hard, it will take two days. Do you feel up to such a journey?" Abigail relaxed somewhat. It was not as bad as she had feared.
    "I think so," she replied shortly. Although two more days of riding would be difficult, she felt she would like to end this awkward journey as soon as possible. Ablier nodded approvingly and picked up the saddle. The stallion whinnied eagerly as he approached, ready to set off. Abigail finished the last of her breakfast and rose from the rock she had adopted as a chair. Watching horse and horseman, she marveled at the way they worked together, Ablier murmuring in his stallion's ear as he adjusted the saddle, and the horse bending his head and turning at Ablier's soft commands.
    "What's his name?" she asked as she watched.
    "Ahern. It means 'lord of horses.'"
    Abigail looked thoughtfully at his back. She wished he would talk more openly. He seemed very guarded and cautious, choosing his words carefully. Indeed, he had shown little emotion of any sort, except loyalty, since they had 'met'. Abigail couldn't understand him. But she had no more time to watch him and ponder, for he fastened the last strap on the bridle and turned around.
    "Ready?" he raised his eyebrows in question. Abigail nodded and came up beside him. He looked down at her.
    "Do you think you can sit behind and hang on?"
    "Yes, probably."
    "Good. It's the right way. I held you in front last night so you could get used to riding without being in danger of falling." He leapt into the saddle and reached down. Steeling herself, she grasped his hand and tried to leap up as gracefully as he. It was not successful, though, and she ended up half in the saddle and half out. She winced as she shifted herself into the upright position and tried to straighten her skirts. Ablier held the horse still as she made herself comfortable.
    "Sorry..." she muttered with a blush.
    "Don't worry. The instructors in Lorfinia will help you become proficient," he replied soberly. But Abigail detected an amused edge to his voice. She blushed deeper and determined to learn how to mount properly.
    "Ready?" he asked once more.
    "Yes," she replied confidently. At least she tried to make it sound confident.
    Ablier turned his horse back onto the path. There he paused for a moment, surveying the sky and surroundings. In the early morning light the mountains shone with magnificence all around them. With a glance back at Abigail, he spoke to his stallion, and they thundered down the trail, into the morning.

A bit hastily written, but I hope it's passable!

~~~

Oh, the Apronista is hosting another fun giveaway! www.apronista.com

~Grace

Copyright © 2008 by GraceElizabeth

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4:23 PM, Thursday, June 5, 2008
Posted by AuthorElf

I like it!! You're writing style is quite different then any I've read. It's really cool.
~AuthorElf

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5:45 PM, Thursday, June 5, 2008
Posted by Jocelyndixon

Nice job Grace. : ) Thanks for posting the rest!

Blessings!
MJ

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6:53 PM, Thursday, June 5, 2008
Posted by Hriste

I like it! So, yes, I think it 'passes' ;)
The only typo that I saw was 'steeling' when Abigail got on the horse.

-Namariė, Hristė

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3:23 PM, Friday, June 6, 2008
Posted by Anonymous

When did you start writing a story!? I'll have to start at the beginning if I'm going to understand it!!

OOPS!!

3:25 PM, Friday, June 6, 2008
Posted by Anonymous

Above post by Josi. :-[

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10:38 AM, Saturday, June 7, 2008
Posted by Ness

Have you ever tried to learn another language?
Sorry if it seems I have completly abandoned my blog:)
Ness

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1:54 PM, Saturday, June 7, 2008
Posted by LittleSparow

It's very passable! :) I really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting!

Have a wonderful day!
Kori

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4:07 PM, Saturday, June 7, 2008
Posted by crochetcrazy

Yes, it is fun to read how others got started blogging and such!

My mom's business i--was about freezer cooking. You could order her cookbook (that she wrote herself!) and some of their (she did it with a friend) e-books. It was quite the site, but their business wasn't going so well, so they decided it's time to close.

~Renee =^)
Romans 5:8

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5:00 PM, Monday, June 9, 2008
Posted by QueenFlora

I awarded you! Come to my blog to check it out!
Farewell!
~Queen Flora

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9:42 PM, Monday, June 9, 2008
Posted by Narniagirl

Hello Grace,

Well I e-mailed you. I hope you got it!

I would love to hear your thoughts on Prince Caspian, if you get around to posting them. It was nice to be warned about some of the changes. I actually read a couple reviews on Narnia Web before I went to see it, so I was *mostly* prepared. The night raid and hag/werewolf scenes were something I wasn't prepared for. They were very emotional and somewhat unnerving.

Talk to you soon!

Love,
~Miss Kylie

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10:09 AM, Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Posted by BlogBoy

Good story. No battles yet though. Ah, just kidding.

RYC: I had been working on getting that courtship post done for months, and for one reason or another I never got it up. So finally I just had to get it posted. But yes, it is hard to define courtship. It isn't a black and white area. Lol.

God Bless,
Eric

hi

4:39 PM, Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Posted by Anonymous

so grace what's up just wanted to say hi. felicity

Great job!

10:11 AM, Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Posted by 2earringplusgirls

You are a great writer! I could actually visualize everything! Keep up the great work! (:

Mikayla

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1:08 PM, Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Posted by Jocelyndixon

Hey Grace!
Sorry i haven't stopped by in a few days.... haven't had internet! *GASPS* It's been horrible! LOL

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8:21 AM, Thursday, June 12, 2008
Posted by Anonymous

Wow, you are really (adverb) good at describing landscape! And I didn't notice any adverbs! Excellent job.



-David.

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10:04 AM, Thursday, June 12, 2008
Posted by Ness

Did you see the Rosseta Stone give away? I saw it on Amy's story blog.
Do you like French or Spanish better?
Ness

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12:09 PM, Friday, June 13, 2008
Posted by AuthorElf

I really fell in love with the hand-and-a-half sword when I first learned about it. It's such a sensible weapon, which is why I chose it for the Scouts; they prefer sensible weapons. :) I'd put it on my Christmas wishlist too, but I doubt I'd get it.
~AuthorElf

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6:47 PM, Friday, June 13, 2008
Posted by Anonymous

I Made it I'm the 300th commenter! Nice story

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9:07 PM, Friday, June 13, 2008
Posted by grelb32

You're good. I'd love to be able to write like that.

Since I can't, I write short-stories.

Keep writing!

~Nick