The next day started out interesting. Gilraen was up early and didn't look like she had gotten any sleep whatsoever. Her hair was a matted rat's nest. A brush from the Valar themselves probably couldn't tame those locks.

"Get ready girl, we will be leaving shortly," I told her before heading off into the woods to go to the bathroom.

With my back turned to her I relieved myself near a tree.

When I was done, I covered myself and turned to go back to the camp. To find the girl had fashioned reins with Cherry's lead rope and was upon her back.

"Hey!" I called out, Gilraen looked me dead in the eye before laying her heels into Cherry's side. The young filly took off into the woods at a bolt, carrying the young Dúnedain maid.

"Damn it!" I cursed, quickly slipping on Kitten's bridle before swinging upon his bareback. There was no time for a saddle.

I tore after her through the trees. Ducking under low hanging branches and dodging thorn bushes. I could see her long dark hair whipping behind her head in front of me. She seemed to be having trouble steering Cherry.

An advantage.

Gilraen looked back at me for a second before veering the young filly to the side. I quickly changed my course to follow. Kitten was taller than Cherry and had longer legs. We were gaining ground.

Our horses lept over a fallen log on the ground and both of us managed to stay on despite having no saddles.

The young girl could ride. I had to give her that.

I chased her down towards the river at the very base of the mountains. It then just occurred to me that Cherry didn't like water much.

Please stop. Please stop.

The filly came to a skidding halt at the bank of the river. Somehow, Gilraen stayed on. As I approached, she desperately tried to get the horse into the water.

To no avail.

When I pulled Kitten to a halt, Gilraen looked at me with wild, terrified eyes. She quickly swung down from Cherry's back, abandoning the horse altogether.

The girl splashed into the river. The current proved difficult for her to cross. It came up to her knees and the pressure made her steps sluggish.

I swung down from Kitten's back and splashed in after her. My long legs caught up to her. Gilraen tripped and went under the water, prompting me to pick her up by the arms. She fought and squirmed in my grasp like a wild lynx.

Her feet kicked at my legs as I lifted her higher up into the air.

"Let go!" she screamed.

"No." I retorted, swinging her up over my shoulder and hauling her back towards the horses. The young girl pounded on my back and head but I refused to put her down just yet.

"I don't want to go back!"

"I don't care."

I emerged from the water with Gilraen still throwing a fit.

Finally, I granted her wish.

To be released.

I plopped her down on the ground in the mud.

She glared up at me, soaking wet and now caked with fresh mud and sand.

"Listen well now lass," I said, "you're going home." My tone was harsh and cold, quite even.

"No!" she shouted up at me, those silver eyes of hers alight with a fire of rage.

"Why? What's there that you don't want to face?!" I demanded loudly. The girl looked away before breaking down in tears. I watched her sob softly in the mud for a while. My anger was still hot from within my chest. I sighed heavily in annoyance and knelt down beside her.

"My home isn't that far away from here…" she looked up at me, tears washing some of the mud from her cheeks.

"...my family will take care of you until you decide what to do."