Disclaimer- Man, this thing is sooo annoying! We all know that the characters are not mine and never will be. Ariel and Leona are mine. No touchy! Lol. And I have no school today!! It got canceled!!! Yippee!!
Chapter 9
The next morning found me in a pair of long breeches and a red silk blouse. It was a little to fancy for my taste but it was comfortable. I was out by the stables and strolling by every horse. My favorite was a night black one with a white star on her forehead. Her eyes looked more intelligent than most of the others. I opened the stable door and stepped in.
"Hey pretty baby." I murmured quietly. The horse nickered and stomped a black hoof. Gently she butted her head against me. I laughed and rubbed her muzzle. This had to be the best-behaved horse I had ever seen. I stroked her face and jumped when a voice rang out.
"Lady Ariel! What in the name of the Valar do you think you are doing! Are you insane?" I winced and turned to the owner of the voice. Legolas stood leaning against the stable door of a gray stallion. His face was stunned and almost angry. "That horse is dangerous! She barely lets me ride her." He walked to me and held out a hand. The mare snorted and whipped her head out to bite him. He yelped and retracted his hand.
I smothered a giggle and sobered as quick as I could, a ghost of a smile still on my face. " Prince Legolas, I don't believe that she is taking kindly…" I laughed and continued. "Taking kindly to you. She does seem to like me fine. What's her name?"
"Her name is Dark Flame." He sighed and rolled his eyes in exasperation. "How she likes you so much is a mystery. Well, I am glad that she at least likes someone. Elrond wanted to sell her since she would not let anyone ride her. Do you want to try?"
"Yeah!" I exclaimed. I was surprised that he trusted me enough to let me ride such a horse. But I was not complaining. He got a saddle and bridle and began to show me how to saddle her. "Dark, please don't bite me…." He commented looking at the mare. She snorted and let him approach. Once she was saddled, he led her out of the stable. I followed them and he turned to me. " Do you want to go riding? We can go quite far down the road, plus there is the rest of the fellowship arriving. Perhaps we can greet them?"
"Sure. That sounds fun, I have always wanted to meet the hobbits." I said as I stroked Dark's side. Legolas went back into the stable and came out a minute later with the gray stallion I had met earlier. Only it had no saddle or bridle on. I frowned and watched as it obediently followed Legolas. "Uh. Don't you need a saddle and bridle?" I asked puzzled. He grinned.
"No, I am one of the best riders in Rivendell, and I do not require either of those things." He said smugly. I glared at him. "Well excuse me for breathing, your highness." I said while glaring at him. He smirked at me and mounted gracefully. I rolled my eyes and mounted Flame.
Legolas began a slow trot and smiled when I almost fell off. I righted myself and I glared at him and followed him. We walked down the deserted road and he led us out of the gate. Out side it was less humid than usual and when I looked up I saw the beginnings of a storm. "Hey, your Royal Highness! I think it is gonna rain!" I called up to him.
He glanced up at the clouds. " We have a good hour before it comes. Come let us ride. The hobbits and dwarf should arrive any time now." He nudged the stallion in to a canter and I mimicked him. Dark Flame was graceful and made long strides over the green grass.
I scanned the horizon and smiled with glee when I saw the figures of 6 people. I silently thanked my parents for being elves and for my astoundingly good eyesight. I could pick out the figures in the distance and I knew that Legolas could too. "That is them- right?"
"Yes! Tis' the hobbits and Gimli son of Gloin. One of my greatest friends and yet I know not who the 6th man is." He smiled at me and motioned for me to come. We galloped at full speed. I turned back to him and called over the rushing wind. "I shall race you! First one to reach The Company, and find out who the 6th man is wins."
"Faster Flame!" I urged. The mare quickened her pace and left Legolas behind- just not for long. He whispered words to his mount and it outdistanced me. We reached the small company and Legolas jumped off. He had beaten me by only a little. I narrowed my eyes at him. He simply rolled his eyes. The Prince turned to the people. The hobbits and a cloaked figure stopped. They stared in amazement or disbelief. Gimli let out a full-throated laugh and leaned on his battle-axe.
"You only beat me because-,"I was cut off by 3 of the 4 hobbits launching themselves on to Legolas. He was lost under a pile of hobbits. Gimli chuckled and said. "Over a year and they still have not changed. For many days we had to endure the pranks of these troublemakers. It is time for you to take the lot of them off my hands."
The hobbits had disentangled themselves off Legolas and were greeting him happily. I immediately recognized Frodo and Sam. But I got the two others mixed up. My attention turned to the cloaked figure. "Hello," I said cautiously…
Who is the cloaked figure? And will all of the Fellowship accept the journey? frankly I am not too sure myself. I am still deciding on who to send and who will stay. Please read and review!! Suggestions Welcome!!
Thanks!!!!!!!!!
~*~*~Crimson-Angel*~*~*~
