I galloped Lindir for as long as he could manage; only stopping for occasional breaks to rest and let him eat. We made great time, because I could sleep while staying conscious enough to guide Lindir. I wore my Lothlorien bow and quiver strapped to my chest, two Elven daggers I had found in Haldir's room, and a Lothlorien cloak in case I needed to go incognito. Lindir was a lithe seal bay who melted through the woods like a shadow, and he had a temper that would put the Ringwraiths' mounts to shame. When he arrived in Lothlorien, he had trampled three Elves and bitten countless others so hard, he had to spit chunks of flesh out of his mouth. He used his tail like a whip, leaving welts on the skin of anyone he could reach. However, he was the swiftest horse I had ever seen, and the color of his coat and grace made it difficult for anyone without Elven senses to detect.
Lindir snapped his teeth, resenting the fact that I was checking his speed as we sped across the plains of Rohan. He longed to gallop as fast as he could, but I needed him to keep his strength. It was a long journey to Firienfeld.
I wanted to arrive before Legolas left for the Paths of the Dead, but my hopes weren't high. I missed him, but I wasn't about to follow him into that creepy place.
Sooner than I imagined, we crested a grassy ridge and thousands of tents came into view in the plains below.
"Halt, Lindir," I ordered. He did so with tangible reluctance, gnashing his teeth in distaste. Without dismounting, I slipped my mirror out of my saddle bag.
"Sydney," I croaked, my voice hoarse from several days of minimal words.
Her round Hobbit face appeared, large black circles under her eyes.
"Not again," she groaned.
"Sorry, Sydney," I grinned, trying not to laugh at her obvious exhaustion. "Where are you camped? I'm here."
"Go into the woods. We're near the tent with the white flag," she yawned. "I'll be waiting for you there."
"Ok, see you soon."
"Bye," she replied.
The mirror went black. I led Lindir to the tent with the white flag as silently as I could and entered the forest. My Elven eyes immediately picked out Sydney's shape in the dark.
"This way," Sydney said.
I followed them to a little clearing. Asfolath and Beleg were grazing together. When I let Lindir go, he walked up to them. After much sniffing, they accepted him and the three horses grazed together.
"It's great to see you," Erica said.
"Yeah," Sydney said, looking at her bed longingly.
"Where's Olivia?" I asked.
"She's still with the Rohirrim," Erica replied.
"Now let's go to sleep," Sydney said.
We all laid down on our bed rolls.
"Goodnight," Erica said.
"Goodnight," I replied.
Sydney just snored. I smiled and fell asleep.