Tíreserke* - Guardian of the Bloodlines (Q)

Fínieohtar* - Cunning [War]Stallion (Q)

Emme tyáravá tana - We do not exercise the use of that behavior here (Q)

Updated: 7/8/15

Sorry I was away at Anime Expo for 4 days so I couldn't really put this one up until now. Please leave a review for what you think about it.

Boisterous Elves

Tearing a small piece of lembas from a greater portion, I placed it between my lips to liberalize my hands for repackaging the food. Despite the somewhat jolting movements of my body swaying gently back and forth in time to Araela's careful footsteps, I was able to perform the task without demolishing the fragile leaf packet.

However my current stability was not present at our temporary camp, not five hours past.

By the Valar, I have never been so clumsy. At day break, not five hours past the present, I could not even assemble Araela's gear properly without confusing the girdle with the sash or one buckle from another.

Agilely turning in the saddle, I carefully deposited the preserved food into a leather saddlebag.

"Ithilia."

Quickly curling my lips so the food made it safely into my mouth, I promptly ignored the one who wished for my attention.

"Sister."

"Someone seeks your notice." Haldir muttered from his place beside me and I spared him an amused glance. Regardless of the unpleasantly inappropriate events last night, Haldir and I's common interest and love for the sword had brought us closer as friends. Given to me by subtle hints he dropped within our conversations, I learned that he fancies the sword and the sword alone. Its brothers, the dagger and the larger sword that had to be wielded by both hands, were completely disregarded and banished from his mind.

It was a stark difference to my interests for although I can make use of the spiritual power slumbering within me, I would rather not exercise the use of it unless I had no other choice. I fancied the sword as well, for my father had been the one to teach me its secrets. Finrod had taught me the art of the dagger and his influence had left a large impact on my combat techniques. The training would come to be useful if, in a fight, I ever lost my sword while battling an enemy. I would be able to draw my dagger and finish the fight. But despite my warnings, Haldir is adamant that he will not lose his weapon, Tíreserke, at any given moment.

"For the love of all that is holy, will you spare me a moment of your time?" Aegnor cried in exasperation as he rudely made his place between Haldir and I, resulting in Araela and Fínieohtar losing their footing. With my heart pounding in my chest, I fumbled for a secure grip on my mount so I wouldn't tumble head-first into the icy ground. I was thankful when the mare regained her pace, though her steps were far more cautious than before.

Veryaer, on the other hand, appeared quite smug as he strutted proudly in his new position at the head of the column. Noticing her kin's look, Araela became aggravated and violently bit at the stallion's shoulder, teeth barely missing the clean white hide. In response, the stallion whirled his head toward her, nostrils flaring and amber eyes flashing in warning.

"Araela! Emme tyáravá tana," I scolded. An irritated whicker was my response. Shaking my head in wary exasperation, I turned to Aegnor. "What do you want?"

"Sing hey!—"

My patience wore thin. "Rúmil, do not start on another one of your ludicrous songs or I will force your mouth shut!"

"That, was what I wished to speak to you about."

The Valar help me.

"I advise that you do not discuss such a topic or the imbecile behind us will surely begin anew." Haldir warned, sending me a pointed look.

"This imbecile also happens to be your brother!" Rúmil cried in protest, sounding mildly offended. "Orophin, dearest brother, will you not say any words?"

"We have passed the worst of the cold." He stated factually.

"You are of no use."

"Aye, I've been known for that."

A chorus of protesting neighs and creaking saddles followed by Orophin's laughter filled the air.

"Save your games, the both of you." I snapped, whirling Araela around to address the brothers as I regrefully halted our travel progress. From her place beside a stiff Ionwë, Artanis interrupted me with a petulant scoff before I had even completed my sentence. A brow shot up involuntarily. "Is there something wrong?"

Waving a dismissing hand, she provided a deceivingly serene smile, "Nay, quite the contrary." From her tone, I knew she had a trick up her sleeve.

"Sing hey! for the bath at close of day
That washes the weary mud away!
A loon is he that will not sing:
O! Water Hot is anoble thing!"

"Rú—" I started, but Aegnor hushed me by propelling his empty lembas leaf onto my face. I glared at him as the packet floated down onto my lap, and he grinned over his food, revealing things that I would rather not see. Thoroughly vexed and disgusted for the day, I tossed his item back. Ultimately, I chose to ignore Rúmil and his song as I gently maneuvered Araela back toward the right direction.

Alas, my halfwitted brothers and Draugthal strove to irritate me by choosing to take part in the musical event.

"O! Sweet is the sound of falling rain.
and the brook that leaps from hill to plain;
but better than rain or rippling streams
is Water Hot that smokes and steams.

O! Water cold we may pour at need
down a thirsty throat and be glad indeed;
but better is Beer, if drink we lack,
and Water Hot poured down the back.

O! Water is fair that leaps on high
in a fountain white beneath the sky;
but never did fountain sound so sweet
as splashing Hot Water with my feet!"

As the last musical note faded into silence, Rúmil released a giddy laugh that caused him to sound as if he were going mad. Draugthal spoke up and I could hear the grin in his deep, silky voice, uncommon among other elves who bore light sing-song voices.

"Did you not like the song, Lady Ithilia?"

"I did not." I replied airily as I placed my hands on the saddle in front of me at the base of Araela's neck, scanning the plains for any potential signs of a threat.

Draugthal released a harsh laugh as I attempted to rein in what patience I had left for Haldir's brothers. "If what you seek are foes, I sincerely doubt there will be any. My brother's voice has a tendency of doing that."

Turning to look at Haldir across Aegnor's impossibly strong chest, I tilted my head in a curious manner. "Doing what?"

"Petrifying any and all that hear him."

"Hey!"

Amused, I turned forward as Rúmil began to deliver a lengthy lecture on how his voice was of the highest order, offending Draugthal and several others who were decently well off with their own. That resulted in him being shoved off his horse by Meldarion.

"Alright, I am convinced that we all agree on one thing." I sighed as I halted the company with a raised hand, wishing to end the dispute before it could escalate into a matter in which I would need to take extensive measures. "Rúmil is a mindless elf."

With his arms over his mare's back and a foot in the stirrup, the said elf whipped his head toward us with a pout causing most of the group's members to chuckle. Gracefully swinging himself back onto the saddle, Rúmil hurriedly made his way over to us. I wondered how long we would last without encountering a being created by Morgoth.

I must've voiced my concerns, for Meldarion spoke directly toward me.

"Orcs won't be seen this far north, m'lady." He said, cerulean-hued eyes warm before they turned wicked with humor. "I presume their hindquarters would freeze before they lasted a day in this climate."

"He is right." Imrathon murmured his agreement, brushing his blonde hair away from his fair face.

"Even so, we must be careful. The spawn of Morgoth are always ever finding a way to advance their techniques in warfare. Who knows what may be situated within these foreign lands." I frowned as I looked into the distance where the clouds floated innocently on the horizon. "Let us hurry. The light on this land is diminishing and we must cover as much land as possible before we stop for the night."