A Day Trip

Chapter 2

Anneth reluctantly let her father take the reins, she new it would only make things harder if she tried to stop him. And soon they were on their way in the old wagon. Rynan had always taken great care of it, but in the past couple of years it had started to fall into slight disrepair. Anneth did what she could for it. But, she really didn't know how to maintain it, and didn't have much time to spare. After a short while at the reins Rynan tired, and gave them over to Anneth. As he dozed , Anneth enjoyed the sights and sounds around her, the sun shining on her face, the smell of the wildflowers, and a occasional bird flapping away as she came near it. As they approached Ithilien she took in the lush trees, and gardens. And as they passed throughthe settlement of the elves she couldn't help but notice how beautiful they were. Looking at them made her feel very plain, in her simple tan dress. She noticed their beautifully braided hair tucked behind their ears, and she reached up and felt her own dark hair that she had hastily run her fingers through that morning. She always just left it down. Which covered her ears, hiding her most obvious elven feature. This was not intentional, she just had no time or need to do anything to her hair.

As she was going past she noticed a small group of elves practicing archery. One of them was particularly good and hit the center of the target every time. As he completed his shots, he looked up and smiled, and waved at her. Embarrassed at being caught watching, blushing, she just looked down and continued driving the wagon. And missed the look of amusement on the handsome archers face. When they were close to the marketplace she reached over and woke Rynan

"Father we are almost there."

" What?We are almost where?"

"The marketplace in Ithilien , father." Said Anneth as she stopped the wagon in front of the little stand at which she sometimes sold her herbs. Anneth went over to help her father get down from the wagon, but stopped herself. She realized what an insult and an embarrassment that would be to him. Anneth sold the few herbs that she had hastily grabbed that morning, and followed her father around to various vendors. She purchased some pipe weed for her father. It was one of the things that he truly enjoyed. It was a habit that he had picked up during the War of the Ring, from one of the famous hobbits that she had heard stories about since childhood. His name was Merry Brandybuck and her father had met him in Rohan, when Rynan had been part of the Rohirrim. Before he had befriended and went to serve Elessar the King of Gondor. Anneth also bought a few necessities, but bought nothing for herself. The small amount of money they made from selling a horse every year or two, and from her herbs was not enough to afford any luxuries. Even the little bit of pipe weed was to much, but she knew her father would enjoy it. Anneth hardly spoke to anyone at the marketplace, just enough to conduct business. She had been so cut off from everyone her whole life that she didn't really feel comfortable around people.

After a while her father got caught up in conversation with a shop owner. Anneth decided to step just outside for a bit of fresh air, while her father was in the shop. As she walked out the door she bumped right into a handsome, blonde elf. She recognized him as the one she had seen practicing archery earlier. Anneth was struck by his strong features and piercing blue eyes. He was fairly large framed and muscular for an elf. Anneth realized she was staring, and felt very foolish. She had almost fallen over and was leaning against the door for support. He reached out and steadied her, then speaking in the common speech, "I apologize, I did not see you. You are not hurt are you?"

" No, I am fine thank you." She replied nervously.

"I am Arthion, I saw you earlier today watching me." He said with a smile.

" I am Anneth, I am pleased to meet you." She said, laughing nervously. She started to say something else, but then just starred down at the ground and blushed.

Ignoring her apparent shyness. " I have never seen you in Ithilien before today. Do you live very far?"

" We live a less than a half a days ride from here. But we do not come very often." She said, her face returning to its normal hue. She was starting to feel a little more comfortable. He had a very gentle and soothing manner about him. She noticed right away. But, he also looked like he could be very dangerous if he needed to be.

They chatted for a while neither wanting to walk away. Arthion was intrigued by the shyness, and her almost reluctance to talk. And by her face with her fair complexion, rosy cheeks,delicate features, and pale blue eyes. But, most of all by the way that she held herself. Though she did not realize it, there was a certain grace about her. And strength as well.

Anneth could not believe she was standing here having a conversation with a strange elf. She never spoke more than a few words to anyone. In fact the only person she had ever held a real conversation with until today, was her father. But there was something about Arthion, that made her feel very at ease.

They were interrupted when Rynan emerged from the shop carrying a bundle. Being polite, he nodded to Arthion. Then he headed towards where they had left the wagon.

" I must go, it was very nice to meet you Arthion." She said turning and hurrying in the direction

of her father.

" Yes very nice to meet you as well, I hope to see you again." He called after her.

She turned back and smiled, and then turned a corner out of sight.

The ride home was a quiet one. Anneth however was fighting a silent battle, for she couldn't keep her mind from straying to thoughts of the handsome elf she had met today. She couldn't believe how at ease she had felt with him. Though the way he had studied her with his intense eyes had been a little strange. Like he was trying to figure out a riddle. Surprisingly it hadn't made her the least bit uncomfortable. And he had smelled so good, like the forest after a spring rain. As a girl she had loved the way her father had smelled of freshly tilled earth, and of a wood fire. It to her had always seemed a very manly smell, the way Arthion had smelled was so different yet no less wonderful. When she was finally able to pull her thoughts from Arthion, it dawned on Anneth to ask her father about the bundle he had been carrying, but he was fast asleep. She could see what it was in the morning. So she hurried the horse on a little faster, as the sun slowly dropped lower in the sky.

Arthion had noticed the girl watching him. She had gone by in a rickety old wagon accompanied by an old man sleeping in the seat next to her. She had long dark hair that was a little unkept, and

intriguing blue eyes. He was very amused by the look of embarrassment on her face when he caught her watching him. She had sparked his curiosity. So as soon as the little game he had going with a

few of his kinsmen ended, he decided he would walk to the marketplace. Hoping he would run into her, and as luck would have it he did, literally. In fact he had almost knocked her over. Not exactly the introduction he had hoped for, but it couldn't be helped. And then she had left so quickly. Though after seeing the old man whom he assumed was her father, he understood. The old man he thought he had seen before, maybe once, but he didn't know his name. As she left he stood there for a moment.

" So, I see a maid has caught your eye. Shall we plan the wedding?" Said his old friend Legolas walking up behind him seconds after Anneth had turned the corner.

" I nearly knocked her over, I was just making polite conversation." Arthion said turning to face his friend.

"You were in an awful big hurry to get over here, after that wagon passed by. After such a close game I thought I deserved a rematch. I turned for a second and there you were, off down the path. But what does it matter, even with todays win that still puts me one contest ahead of you."

Said Legolas with a grin.

" Don't worry you'll get your rematch, and I'll win again. And I was not in a hurry I just needed to see about something here in the marketplace that is all." He said as they walked back towards the wood. Either of them was seldom seen in the marketplace.

"Well did you at see about it? Did she at least give you her name?" Asked Legolas

Deciding not to argue, Arthion gave in and shrugged " Anneth, that is her name. But I learned little else, just that she lives less than half a days ride from here. She hurried away so fast when her father came out of the store. I barely got out goodbye."

"Yes I saw that. Well, he is getting very old and it looks as if his mind is slipping. I knew him, years ago when he was younger. Rynan is his name. He was a rider of Rohan, and during the War of the Ring we fought beside him. He was young but fearless, and a great warrior. After the war was over, with the permission of King Eomer, Rynan and a few others stayed to help get Minas Tirith, back to its full glory. He was known for his skill in battle, and was appointed to the guard. So he made his home in Minas Tirith."

" I had thought I had seen his face before, though I don't think I was ever introduced to him. I must have seen him during a visit to Minas Tirith, but it must have been many years ago." Said Arthion.

"Yes, because he has not lived in Minas Tirith for about fifty years." Said Legolas." What else do you know about them? What about her mother, he must have met her later.

Who is she? Why did he leave Minas Tirith?"

Legolas gave his friend a look of surprise, he had never seen him so inquisitive. Arthion had never really shown this much interest in a maiden before. Knives and arrows were usually the only things that held his attention. "I will tell you everything I know. Anneth was born in Minas Tirith." He said noticing the look of surprise on Arthions face. " Her mothers name was Maeriel, she was an elf maiden."

"Anneth is an elf !" Said Arthion with surprise.

" Yes, but I doubt she knows much of elvish ways. She was raised by only her father." And so Legolas told Arthion the whole sad story.

At the end of it Arthion couldn't think of anything to say. So Legolas left him to his thoughts.

Arthion spent the rest of the afternoon pondering the girl he had meet that day.