A Fool's Errand

[Anwyn]

Outside the line of tents, Whose fabrics fluttered softly touched by a warm southern wind could be heard soft words, barely above a whisper as a woman worked over the horses neck with a stiff brush bringing its dark coat to a sheen. It was a rare sight to some to find one of such a title involved in the work considered to be that of a servant, and even rarer to those that knew this woman to hear her speak such soft words. Though Anwyn did so unconciously as she worked, her voice seemed to calm the usually high spirited animal whose head was lowered its ears flickering back and fourth lazily.

Though the muscles underneath the jet black coat tensed and the head lifted, nostrils flaring the stallion let loose a high pitched nicker that at once pulled Anwyn from her relvarie, it loosened another cry its entire body trembling as it did so. Anwyn turned as well looking in the direction of its sudden intrest, a horse looking worn ragged was slowly, yet wearily making the way towards the camp. The stallion danced in place, pulling against its teether. Anwyn had been raised amongst horses, but this particualar one could be unpredictable and strong, and gauging by his more than welcoming reaction to this new horse it was a mere, Calling for a guard who lead the protesting horse away "Not today my friend" she said giving a gentle swat to the high rump.

The horse was closer now, Its coat drenched dark with sweat and froth it looked as though it had come some distance, It was still bridled yet not saddled. When Anwyn approached the mare halted and tossed up her head, the whites of her eyes showing fearfully "Its alright my girl" Anwyn murmured soothing as she reached out a slow hand to take its reins, the horses threw up its again but did not protest, it seemed beyond the point of exahaustion to do so again. Anwyn lead it into the camp and offered it water, which was eagerly taken as was the oats also offered. Anwyn cared for the horse as she ate, she did not reconize her as one of her own.

Naturally it would be foolishness to claim that she reconized every horse that wandered the mark, but there had been something about her tack that was not familar and favored by the riders, or even peasants of these lands for every family owned a horse, or two or three at least.

[Rhiannon]

Rhiannon lowered her eyes to view the man as he spoke. Though she did not wish to do so, she pushed her confusion aside. Whether this man truly knew anything of the voice or not, it was obvious that she would hear nothing of it. The long locks of her hair blew back from her face as a firm breeze pushed its way across the plains. It whistled in her ears sounding hollow and lonely.

Rhiannon bit her lip in attempt to hide the smallest of smiles that threatened to grace her lips at this man's admission that he'd lost his way. Instead, she tilted her head to the side and gave a slight nod. "Indeed, m'lord. This road does lead there, for it is to Edoras I am traveling as well."

The maiden shifted in her saddle, her fingers entwining themselves momentarily in the white mane of her equally white steed as she adjusted her balance. She pulled the thick folds of her brown cloak just a bit tighter around her shoulders as she sat up tall, glancing on ahead.

[Vilik]

Vilik nodded in satisfaction as she confirmed his suspision as to the roads destination. He was sure someone would have found his horse wandering upon the plains by now, and if he was to find her, Edoras would be just as good a place to start his search as any. He reached down and slung his packs back over his shoulder once more. "I thank you for pointing me back upon the right path, m'lady. Perhaps we will see each other again in Edoras." He smiled and nodded before heading slowly down the road on foot.

[Rhiannon]

Rhiannon gave a slight bow as the gentleman dismissed himself. "Mmm, perhaps." She shrugged and urged her horse forward. "Though, I expect I shall arrive a bit sooner than you. Enjoy your travels, sir." And as the smirk played upon her face, Rhiannon rode on down the road. Antherne, her steed, picked up his pace to a trot, and it wasn't long until the man had become no more than a mere speck on the horizon.

The afternoon sun had risen high into the sky, but it wasn't long until the fierce wind had blown in sad, grey clouds to cover it up. There was no rain...not even a drop that touched the ground, but it certainly made the mood a bit depressing. Glancing back over her shoulder with a sigh, Rhiannon drew Antherne to a stop and turned him about. Feeling a bit guilty, and hating herself for it, she allowed her steed to resume his trot in the direction they'd come. His hooves clopped rhythmically on the dirt road, but the wind was quick to snatch up the sound and whisk it away. It wasn't long until she rode within speaking distance of the stranger.

"Forgive me, m'lord. I'm afraid my manners are not at their highest today." Rhiannon paused, considering her words. "It is a long walk to Edoras, and if you are in need of a ride I believe it would be best if I at least offered one." She drew her hair back and held it at the nape of her neck to keep it from blowing into her face now that she was sitting in the opposite direction. Rhiannon looked down at him, awaiting a response.

[Vilik]

Vilik cursed as the clouds darkened the sky, threating to send a downpour at any moment. Though he was not a supersticious man, there was no denying that his luck had taken a southward turn the moment he laid his hands upon that damned carving. Even now gloom seemed to follow him and he could only immagine what had come of Emira.

It was with much suprise when he spied the girl heading back in his direction and he couldn't help but smile as she offered him a ride. Normally he would not have accepted the offer, but, in his situation he couldn't very well decline.

"I am Lord of no land, m'lady, you needn't address me as such." He smiled, offering his hand to shake, "My name is Vilik and I thank you for the kindness."

[Rhiannon]

With her free, gloved hand, Rhiannon reached down to accept the friendly gesture of greeting. "It is a pleasure." She withdrew her hand and gathered up her reins. "My name is Rhiannon," she said with a slight nod. "And there is no need for thanks. Anyone with any kindness inside would not leave a man in the middle of Rohan's plains without a horse. T'would be quite cruel." The maiden grinned.

Rhiannon shuddered a bit as a new gust of wind swept there way. "We'd best hurry. Weather like this is good for none but the birds who enjoy catching a quick ride on the wings of the wind." Having travelled through Rohan countless times, Rhiannon knew how quickly a storm could blow up. And she would rather not be caught in the midst of one.

[Vilik]

"Indeed, we should not linger," Vilik replied, glancing back at the ominous clouds. In a swift motion he flung his packs over the stallion's back then mounted the steed himself.

With that the girl spurred the horse and set off quickly down the road, eager it seemed to reach Edoras before the storm or just eager to free of her passenger. The pace suited Vilik fine either way as he welcomed every mile put between himself and the strange green eyed woman he had crossed earlier in his journey.

By dusk Vilik could make out Edoras in the distance, the sun shining bright against the thatch roof of the Golden Hall before finally slipping under the horizon. It was a refreshing sight and Vilik looked forward to the comfort of a warm meal, bath and bed that the local inn would provide.

On the outskirts of the town itself there were many a tent set, and horses grazed by what seemed the thousand. Vilik scanned the herd as they passed in vain. Even if Emira had found her way here she would be well concealed within the Rohirrim's vast herd. He would have to speak with some of them tomorrow he thought.

And then he caught sight of a woman staring at them as the rode toward the gates of Edoras. Her expression was flat and her long blond hair blew wildly in the wind. Their eyes locked for a moment, and then she disappeared form sight as he and Rhiannon passed through the gates.

[Rhiannon]

Rhiannon slowed Antherne to an easy walked as they passed through the gates. Even with the added passenger, the horse had not tired as she'd thought he would. She reached forth with a gloved hand and patted the steed's neck, murmuring a few words of praise into his ear as the rode onto Edoras' main street.

The ride through the plains had been a quiet one. Rhiannon could think of nothing to start a discussion, and even if she had, she wasn't sure the man would've answered. Friendly though he'd been, she had no clue as to his real character. For all she knew, there could be great malice hiding behind his eyes. Rhiannon didn't think so, but one could never tell these days.

"Well, m'lord," she paused and rested a hand on her leg as she strained her neck to view him. "We have reached our destination. I hope the ride was not too uncomfortable for you," she said. "You ought to keep better track of your horse, and you would've had no need for it," she added with a soft laugh to prove that she jested.

[vanya]

A familiar whisper came with the wind and appeared right behind Villiks neck. "I am with you." A giggling sound followed and from the corner of his eye he could see a bat flying not all to far from him in direction of Edoras. The beast dived into the shadow of the houses and disappeared of his sight.

[Vilik]

Vilik's skin crawled as the voice echoed across the wind. His hopes that he'd seen the last of the strange woman faltered as he watched a small bat flutter off into the night. He forced a smile as he thanked Rhiannon, nodding in agreement that he should mind his horses whereabouts a bit more carefully. He wondered if she too heard the voice, or if it had just come across as howling wind. Vilik was tired and for all he knew the entire meeting could have been a figment of his imagination induced by his experience in the cave and his lack of sleep ever since.

He then realized the dazed look he must have on his face, and if Rhiannon's expression was any clue, she realized it as well. He let out a breath and shook his head slightly. "Forgive me if my mind seemed to be elsewhere... it has be quite a long journey for me." He pulled his packs off the stallion's back and hurled them across his own once more and noticed for the first time just how strained his back was. "I think I should be finding myself a room before it is late." He nodded once again and turned in the direction of the local pub, pausing after a few steps and turning back. "Should you be thirsty perhaps I can buy you a drink. Its the least I could do to repay you for the ride."

[Anwyn]

Laughing, Anwyn took long nearly leaping steps as the skies at last opened as they had long been threatning and the rain fell in torrents, the horse she lead jogged easily at her side as Anwyn who was by now throughly drenched, her long hair clinging to her head and falling raggedly down her back, her booted foot splashed and added to her apperant amusement as onlookers watched her past, wondering if perhaps she had lost her mind. Though at times solemn and grave, the Queen did at times give sway to moments of lightheartness, the gown she wore was splattered with much as well as drenched, but when she reached the stables the smile had not yet faded as she handed the reins of the stray to an awaiting stable hand "See that she is well taken care of, and that she is blanketed" Turning and darting back out into the downpour she crossed the short distance with long strides as she was admitted to the hall, dripping water onto the stone floor. There had been some that had stayed at the short tem encampment at the foot of the hill, but Anwyn had believed that the mare had seen enough and deserved some good treatment as well as Anwyn desperately wanted to seek the stone hearth.

[Rhiannon]

Rhiannon glanced up sharply toward the sky as a roll of thunder resounded through the air. She lifted a hand above her eyes as the rain suddenly spilled through the clouds, threatening to drench her clear through. She dismounted swiftly and pulled her wet cloak tightly about her shoulders. Her own hair clung in wet strands to the sides of her face, and she laughed as she pushed it away. "Well, whatever we do, we should do it now and get out of this rain." Rhiannon nodded toward the pub.

She realized after a moment that she still held the reins of her steed in her hand. Where could she tether him? Alongside the pub's entrance, she spotted a small wooden hitching post that would serve her purpose perfectly. She only prayed Antherne would not be stolen. Rhiannon blinked to get the water from her eyes as she reached her destination and tied the horse's reins loosely to the pole. He would not walk away on his own.

"Are you coming?" She shouted to Vilik, waiting for him to join her at the door.

[Vilik]

Vilik didn't hesitate at Rhiannon's suggestion and in a single high step he cleared the stairs leading to the pub's entrance. He pulled the large wooden door back, holding it open as Rhiannon slipped quickly through. He peered up the hill toward the Golden Hall before he stepped through the threshold and there he saw the same woman whom had been outside the gates moments earlier. Perhaps she was servant to the King or Queen, in any account she had been among the Rohirrim and horses and might have some knowledge of any strays that had been brought in. If he saw her again he would be sure to question her in the matter.

Rhiannon had already seated herself and she motioned to Vilik as he hung his damp cloak on a hook by the door. He stopped a barmaid as he approached the table, beckoning her to bring them drinks before he took his seat.

"Well, it appears you have not only saved me from a tiresome walk, but from a very damp one as well." The barmaid came along with two mugs just as Vilik sat and he took his hastily, downing more than half in a single gulp. He was far to thirsty and tired to worry over proper table manners and he let out an involuntary belch, followed by a hiccup. He laughed at Rhiannon's expression. "Forgive me, it seems I've forgoten my manners."

[Rhiannon]

Rhiannon laughed and nodded her head. "Aye, it seems you have," she lowered her gaze to the mug before her and lifted it to her lips, sipping slowly. The cool liquid felt good against her throat. She pushed her hair back over her shoulders, resting her elbows casually against the table as she removed her gloves. Rhiannon rested one slender hand on her lap, leaving her other resting on the table to lift her mug from time to time. "So, where were you headed before your...mishap?" she asked, surpressing a grin.

[Vilik]

Vilik took another sip from his mug, taking time to savor the flavor of the ale before lowering the mug and resting back in his chair. "I was on my way south to visit a man in Minas Tirith. I had expected to arrive there by this time and would have had my horse not gone missing. I made camp at the edge of Fangorn, when I woke in the early morning before dawn somthing gave her a fright." He left out the erie details of his dark visitor, not wanting to go into details of that, nor of the item he was to deliver. He smiled, "And the remainder of my trip here to Edoras you already know." Vilik motioned to the barmaid and was soon brought a fresh mug which he immeadiately took a long sip from. "And what, might I ask, brings you to Edoras, Rhiannon?"