Chapter 4
Three weeks after her arrival, the she-elf, now known by the elves as Lady Ronyo, found herself once again in the library studying under Gandalf's tutorage. She was progressing well in written Sindiran as well as a little written and spoken Common. Even though Gandalf had explained why he had placed a spell that could have backfired on her, Ronyo accepted his explanation and took to studying, but something told her tat Gandalf's reasoning was not quite true.
'Ronyo,' His words brought her out of the page she was copying, 'I will be leaving tomorrow.'
'Tomorrow?'
'Yes. I have some business to attend to but I will return to check on you. I am pleased with your progress here, but you must expand your knowledge. I have spoken with Celeborn and he agrees that you should learn some basic protection skills from the Guardian of Lorein, Haldir. Celeborn has requested that you also learn to ride. Your first lesson will be this afternoon after lunch.
'Gandalf, why so soon? I'd love to ride, but what about my studies?'
'You've gone farther than most and you must know how to ride if you are to go to Imladris, or anywhere else for that matter.'
'Imladris?'
'Yes. You will be taken to Imladris to learn herblore from Lord Elrond when Celeborn deems you ready. He is, as you've heard, a Lore Master who can give you further instruction. I will check on you then.' He paused for a moment to allow this information to be process before continuing, 'And also I thought a riding lesson would be more relaxing after my final lesson.
'Ronyo you know as well as I that 'ronyo' means fox. But your given name is Merkacurm, Wildheart. Child you know the basics of elven culture, but you do not know of yourself. Phoenix brought you here, but must return to the Valar for she is only a messenger. I am your guide on this journey, but I must depart, for now. To find the answers to you past, follow your heart.'
'Ronyo Merkacurm, is my name. But who are my parents? Gandalf, please.'
'Child you must find them on your own. I honestly do not know them, personally, only something of them. I know that the Valar directed me to help you find your heritage in this fashion. They gave me some knowledge to give to you once you prove that you are ready for it. Even Galadriel cannot foresee your path in her mirror, for that is Their wish. But I can tell you this: Race the wind to where it lingers and fades into the shadows.'
'I don't understand Gandalf, but something tells me to trust you. Thank your for everything.' He nods and steps forward into a hug. 'So Phoenix is already gone, then. You are to follow?'
'I am not to follow her directly, but her departure coincides with my own that I have been postponing until she deemed you ready. But how did you know?' He asked his blue eyes twinkling under his bushy brows.
'I……. I just did. The way she acted last night; she licked my face before I went to bed and I assumed she had slipped out for a run after breakfast. She said goodbye last night. Gandalf, how DID I know that?'
The wizard merely smiled and picked up her book asking some questions on the passage she had just finished.
That afternoon Ronyo and Celeborn headed out to the stables. Celeborn headed out to the stables. Celeborn had requested tack for both their horses though it was unnecessary for elves, it would be easier for the beginner. His mount, a sturdy grey stallion, Kotumo (Adversary), snorted and pranced in his stall as he selected a mount for Ronyo. Settling on a bay mare Maquissar (Minstrel), they groomed and tacked their mounts, heading out into the Forests.
They rode out at a walk Celeborn giving Ronyo instructions on the basics of riding which according to him for a beginner was more about listening to the horse. The mare Maquissar was a patient teacher obeying only when Ronyo gave the correct aids or voice instruction. She threw in a few steps at the trot and Kotumo would have joined her if not for Celeborn's reprimand. Seeing how the sudden increase in speed did not disturb Ronyo, Celeborn felt that she would be able to hold conversation, while still continuing to ride correctly. It has been some time since they had had time to spend with each other due to Celeborn's duties. Ronyo still felt a deep connection with the Lord that had rescued her. Kotumo pranced beneath him throwing in a few small bucks indicating that his patience with this pace was growing thin. Taking his own advice and listening to his mount, Celeborn simply stated 'We're going to pick up the pace to a canter. Maquissar will stop if your seat feels too far off. She will not let you fall.'
'Wait, but what do I do whilst I …canter.'
'That is what I want to see. Just do what feels natural to you.'
With that Celeborn gave Kotumo a gentle nudge and the stallion took off into a gallop for a few strides before settling into a steady canter. Maquissar picked up a slow canter allowing Ronyo to adjust to the rhythm. Feeling the elf-maid tense, then relax, Maquissar picked up the pace a little more until they were even with Kotumo and Celeborn who had circled back for them.
Ronyo's face broke out into a smile as she flew across the grass toward the stream. Celeborn prepared to halt Kotumo, but felt the stallion collect his strides as they headed to a narrow part of the waterway. Before he had a chance to voice an objection, they were airborne, with Ronyo following suit and back on the ground before he realized his body had automatically adjusted for the jump and landing. For the elf-maid, the jump over the stream was an eternity and the landing was a shock. Her seat had shifted upon impact of Maquissar's hooves with the ground, but a few small bucks from her mount helped her regain her seat as they cantered on. Celeborn reined Kotumo to a sudden halt. The stallion complied, for it was rare for his master to ever use that much pressure on the reins save some extreme danger. Ronyo and Maquissar continued past them, Maquissar slowing immediately upon the realization that Celeborn had halted Kotumo. Ronyo barely applied any pressure to the reins, but pulled the mare into a sharp turn around a tree and trotted back to Celeborn.
'That was incredible. Maquissar should have known better; it was risky giving you a shock like that, but still incredible.'
The mare simply shook her head and snorted as Kotumo was angled closer to them.
'Are you alright?' Celeborn asked concerned.
'I'm fine. It felt…….so……so natural. Maquissar knew what she was doing. I just was jolted a little when we landed. She corrected me though.'
'Good. I've never seen anyone with such a seat, even an elf. We are almost to a good place to practice. Let's move on. Perhaps you would do well with a bareback lesson on her.'
Ronyo smiled and said, 'Lead on.'
They walked a while further through the growth of trees into a large clearing with good footing and a decent landing surface. It was the riding training grounds for the guards after they had progressed past the stages of the stable training yard. It had a stream nearby for watering horses. Guards were sent here to test their skills on horseback. Although it seemed to be out in the open, a ring of trees around the perimeter provide a natural barrier and a good place for instructors and others to sit. Walking Kotumo across the clearing to the north-side stream, Celeborn dismounted and began to un-tack the stallion. Ronyo dismounted followed suit removing Maquissar's saddle and bridle. Celeborn set the tack on a log specially made for that purpose.
Turning around to hand Ronyo a cloth to wipe her mount down with, Celeborn nearly ran into Maquissar.
'What is she doing that for?' Ronyo questioned.
'Did you ask her to remain in place?'
'No.'
'Well that explains things. She IS under your command. She proved that at the stream. Maquissar was testing you and you passed. She trusts you enough to want to remain close to you without a lead. That will be extremely beneficial when it comes to bareback riding. Watch. Kotumo.'
The stallion walked over and nuzzled the silver haired elf, playfully nipping him. Celeborn wiped down one side of the horse, stepped back and Kotumo turned so he could do his other side.
'Horses are creatures of habit and trust. An elvish horse will pick its owner. Go ahead and wipe Maquissar down and we will let them graze a bit. I have some snacks from the kitchen that we will enjoy.'
Walking to the banks of the stream with his pack, Celeborn sat down as did Ronyo. They sat in silence for a few moments, Ronyo stopping to think about all she had learned that day, with her thoughts turning to Gandalf's statements that morning. She opened up to Celeborn and the elder elf sat in silence listening, not as Lord of Lorien, but as a father would. At that moment he wished he possessed some foresight that could aid in reassuring his young charge that was quickly becoming like a daughter to him. They had similar temperaments and mannerisms, where his own daughter, Celebrian, had been more like her mother. Here was a maid that he could teach like he would a son in the ways of a diplomat and a warrior. Leaning back to look for something in the pack he had placed near a tree, he found the package he was looking for presenting it to her.
'How did you manage to procure these? I thought they were for Gandalf's farewell dinner?
'I'm not the Lord of Lothlorein for nothing,' he said smirking playfully as they ate the sweet spice cakes, his favorites since he was an elfling.
Laughing they ate the cake and drank some fresh water from the stream. The horses came up to see what the elves were eating and if they were sharing. All four enjoyed the last two cakes and another long drink of water. Kotumo nudged Celeborn and the lord allowed the stallion to pull him up from his seat by wrapping his arms around the grey's neck.
'Let's get started, but somewhere a little more level.'
Maquissar followed Ronyo back up to the center of the training ground. Celeborn gave her a leg up to start and quickly vaulted on to Kotumo's back. Ronyo was a quick study in bareback with a solid seat. After a brief trot, Celeborn deigned that it was time to head back so they could prepare for the banquet. Re-saddling their mounts, Celeborn allowed Ronyo and Maquissar to find their own method for mounting. It wasn't exactly pretty, but Ronyo managed to get onto Maquissar back on the first try without aid.
'Well Maquissar seems to enjoy your company,' Celeborn stated as they headed out of the clearing. 'I can only request that you ride her for your lessons. She's of elvish descent and very old lines at that. Her grand-dam (grandmother for non horse people) was my mount in the Last Alliance.'
'Wait, so you're giving her to me'
'No, she's chosen you; I've just gone along with it. Maquissar is quite picky about her riders. She's been simply a riding horse since she was first gentled.'
'Thank you, Celeborn. Or well thank you Maquissar.' The mare whickered in reply and they continue homeward.
As they dismounted near the stable to groom their horses, Celeborn was approached by a groom with a question concerning one of the horses. Telling Kotumo to remain there by Ronyo, he followed the stable hand. Ronyo continued to groom Maquissar and walked the mare back to her stall; no lead was necessary. Heading back to where Celeborn's mount stood, Ronyo waited hoping the elf-lord would return quickly. She felt something gently tug at her hair and realized the Celeborn's mount had moved closer to her. The grey began t o nuzzle her from head to toe and she leaned into his neck stoking his mane and scratching his withers. Celeborn stopped dead in his tracks when he returned to put up his mount.
'Kotumo has never done that with anyone other that me.' He whispered not wanting to ruin the moment.
Ronyo remained in a trance like state communing with the horse.
'I didn't realize elves had such a strong connection with nature.'
'They do but it varies in degrees. You seem to have a special talent with them.'
'Everyone here has said that. I'm just good with them, nothing special.' Ronyo replied giving the stallion a final pat as Celeborn lead his mount into the stable.
TBC in Chapter 5