Hans had been helping his father chop the fire wood in front of their house. It was the only thing that kept the warmth in their house. The cold autumn weather had begun to set in, so they were using a lot more than they normally would throughout the summer months. Hans wondered what it would be like had his mother still been there today. He missed her dearly, and even though his father was happy, he couldn't stand his step-mother she was always so cruel to him and his sister. He mindlessly continued with his work.

Andrea stretched her arms and then slowly slid out of her bed. She had been up all night mapping the route she was going to take to the town tomorrow, she visualized better in the later hours. She pulled herself off the floor and walked over to her dressing cabinet and washed her face in the sink.

_________________

Three rings for the Elven-Kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

Gretel sat on a stump and watched her brother and father chop wood. She would rather the in the kitchen, but that was where her step-mother currently was, making dinner. She would rather not be yelled at with no provocation, so she stayed with her true family. She looked out in the woods that surrounded them and saw a white creature flit between the trees. She bit her lip and shook a little, worried that the creature was going to eat her.

_________________

"It's called FINAL Fantasy. Why would there be a sequel?"
-- The Internet's one true Captain S roleplayer --

Hans every so often looked over at his sister whom would sit there and watch them work. She was supposed to be helping in the Kitchen, but, if their step-mother was there she didn't seem to want to. He knew father would be a little cross, but he never shouted at them.
"What's the matter?" Hans asked Gretel when he noticed the worried look on her face.

_________________

Three rings for the Elven-Kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

She looked down, knowing that her father would be unhappy with her presence here. She sighed, looking up when spoken to. "I don't want to go in the kitchen. Mother seems angry today." Gretel kicked on feet on the stump and looked back down again.

_________________

"It's called FINAL Fantasy. Why would there be a sequel?"
-- The Internet's one true Captain S roleplayer --

Hans looked over at his sister whom looked absolutely miserable. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, but he knew that their father would be furious if their step-mother complained about her not helping. As if right on cue their step-mother came out of the small house and stood glaring at the two children and marched over to their father. Demanding an explanation as to why Gretel was not in the kitchen helping her. Hans tried to make out like he wasn't listening to the argument they then began having. Their step-mother thought it would be good to send them away for a while so they'd be able to have a break. Hans was hurt, but he felt somewhat re-assured when his father said it was out of the question, but that he would take them all out for a picnic if lunch was prepared in time.

_________________

Three rings for the Elven-Kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

Gretel cringed as her step-mother stormed out and had a 'discussion' with her father. She didn't want to face this scene, so she hid. She made very little sound as she snuck behind a small but dense grouping of trees. She crouched down and held her hands over her ears. Tears began to form under her eyes as a white streak flashed past her vision once again.

_________________

"It's called FINAL Fantasy. Why would there be a sequel?"
-- The Internet's one true Captain S roleplayer --

Hans watched them argue about it but in the end his step-mother seemingly gave in and returned to the Kitchen. When Hans looked back to find Gretel he couldn't see her anywhere, and panicked a little, if she had ran off he was sure to get the blame. He tried to find her but couldn't see her anywhere. "Gretel?" he called out in a hushed voice, not wanting to alert his father who seemed to be trying to compose himself before going to sort his new wife out.

_________________

Three rings for the Elven-Kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.