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Dawn found three bedraggled girls and one un-bedraggled woman being rescued by the scouting party. By that time, everyone knew each others names, and the girls had toughened up considerably.

"I refuse to get on a horse," Meg said bluntl.

"Aw, come on hon, you can ride with... Orinathon," Layla coaxed, picking out a cute guy who had been gazing at Meg a lot, "I'm sure he won't mind... Right?"

"I'd be honored, milady," Orinathon said bowing.

"Charlotte and I can ride solo," Layla said firmly.

The leader of the scouting party looked a bit surprised, but he quickly regained his composure and called for two horses. Even Meg looked a bit jealous.

Layla and Charlotte squealed excitedly when they saw the horses. Layla launched herself at the black one, while Charlotte claimed the palomino.

"They are so beau... Wait, no-one were riding these, you drag them around everywhere you go?" Charlotte said.

"Miladies, they are elvish horses. They are born with the endurance to ride long journeys," the leader said.

"Elvish?" Layla muttered to Charlotte, "Are these guys, like, mentally disturbed?"

The leader looked up swiftly, "No milady, these are elvish horses."

"He heard you?" Charlotte whispered in astonishment.

The leader glanced at Charlotte and smiled faintly. Charlotte could have fainted under his gaze.

"I'll talk to you- later!" Charlotte told Layla softly.

Layla grinned knowingly at her.

The two girls mounted their 'elvish' horses and followed the rest of the group, riding on either side of Orinathon's horse to chat with him and Meg .

"So... where are we going?"Charlotte asked.

"We are going to Rivendell, milady," Orinathon said mildly.

"Also, why do you guys have pointed ears," Layla questioned.

"We are elves, milady," Orinathon replied in surprise.

"Um, you don't exactly fit the elf catalogue. Short, no. Stripy, no. Cute... Pass. Pointy eared, yes. Making presents, no. Freezing, no. Cheerful, no. And this place doesn't exactly match the scene in my imagination of the North Pole. It's green, not white. Warm, not minus, like, 45 degrees Celsius," Charlotte informed him.

"Wha..."

"Celsius, a measurement of heat," Meg explained.

"Short... Stripy..." Orinathon was in shock.

"You OK pal?" Layla asked, concerned.

"Oh... Fine, milady."

"You can stop all that milady crap," Layla snapped, "I'm Layla, she's Charlotte, and that hideous creature is Meg."

"Hey!" Meg protested.

"Oh I don't think she's hideous. I think she's quite-" Orinathon said earnestly, then stopped and a faint pink tinge came to his cheeks."

Layla winked at Meg secretly before asking sweetly, "What do you think she is? Stupid?"

"No, no. Of course not. Who would think that, milady?" Orinathon protested.

"Oh," said Charlotte, catching on, "so you like her."

"I-I-I need to ask Milamber how long it will take to arrive," an embarrassed Orinathon said before galloping to the head of the group, and Meg went with him. Clinging to the back of his brown tunic.