Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any characters and/or places
thereof
*****
Though he loved his own mare, Legolas decided to borrow (with explicit permission) Elladan's horse, referred to simply as Rokko. Another ride without a decent calm would be overtaxing for the mare. She carried him from Mirkwood, and deserved her rest.
Approaching Rokko, the prince was slightly surprised. Elladan hardly seemed the type to ride a white-and-brown speckled horse, yet here he was, not particularly tall yet tall enough for an Elf to ride, looking quite like a docile child's mount. With an exclamation of surprise, then a responding shrug, Legolas approached Rokko, slipping the bridle higher over his shoulder.
Rokko pushed against Legolas's chest with her head. Caught off his guard, he recoiled, stumbling away from the stall. When he regained footing, there was a smile on his face. "You amazing fiend," he muttered, amused and pleasantly surprised. It was a while since any horse had thrown him, or knocked him off his feet. Here was a pleasant challenge.
Singing a soft song of Gil-Galad, the Elf gently approached the horse. He rubbed Rokko's neck softly and groomed the horse with great care. All the while Rokko stood, his nostrils flaring, warning the Elf to keep his cautions aware. "I know," Legolas murmured. This was a wonderful horse, truly. Stubborn and suspicious as his master, but, like his master, wonderful nevertheless.
Over occupied with the horse, chattering gaily as he brushed out Rokko's coat and cleaned his hooves, Legolas was unaware of Estel's presence. He did not hear the mortal child enter the stable at all. When Estel caused a slight clinking of the bridle as he gathered it up, Legolas was too absorbed in his horsing activities to notice. When Estel walked to the far end of the stable and approached a horse he knew better than to ride, Legolas did not notice. When said horse stomped his foot in protest, Legolas did look up.
"Estel?" the Elf called. "Are you out there?"
Upon the return of no response, Legolas was satisfied that it was just a horse acting up. He returned to Rokko, ignoring the many snorts and stamps as disquiet spread through the stable. It was only natural for horses to cause a racket. They would calm in their own time, be that a short or long period. Horses were not as intelligent as Men or Elves, yet it seemed--to Legolas, at least--that they resolved their discontents much better.
"You are of a sensible breed," he told Rokko, tightening up the cinch on the stallion's saddle. "With your kind, you do not even need weapons. Now, I do not approve of violence. No Elf does. After the kinslayings, even before, it simply was--is--against the nature of Elves. But Men--Estel? Is that you?" Legolas broke off and called out to his friend. No response came. This was somewhat strange.
The Elf hopped out of the stall. For a moment he stood, looking first one way then the other until he had scrutinized the entirety of the stable. "Huh." He could have sworn he heard something. . ."Estel?" Legolas called again, louder. It was suspiciously quiet. A mouse burrowed into a pile of hay, and a breeze rumbled among hanging bridles. Something was wrong. . .
Then it occurred to Legolas. He remembered what Elrond had told him, the amazing warhorse new to the stable, the one who always caused such a stir among the other horses. . ."Estel!" In a rush Legolas mounted Elladan's horse and broke out of the stable at a canter. When he caught that adan. . .
*****
To be continued
Author's note: Okay, I know this one was short. That may be trend for a while. Yes, I know most people prefer long chapters, but I cannot meet that standard. I'm sorry.
Daw the Minstrel: Well, I'm glad you like it. By me it's an awful cheat. Writing characters free of conscience is a great difficulty for me, so I tend to just add in that bit. But then, Tolkien did stress moral principles. So one might argue that he would support the idea!
Star-Stallion: What's awful is the bit about being ill. But enough on that topic, eh? I'm glad you're reposting, because that was an enjoyable story.
*****
Though he loved his own mare, Legolas decided to borrow (with explicit permission) Elladan's horse, referred to simply as Rokko. Another ride without a decent calm would be overtaxing for the mare. She carried him from Mirkwood, and deserved her rest.
Approaching Rokko, the prince was slightly surprised. Elladan hardly seemed the type to ride a white-and-brown speckled horse, yet here he was, not particularly tall yet tall enough for an Elf to ride, looking quite like a docile child's mount. With an exclamation of surprise, then a responding shrug, Legolas approached Rokko, slipping the bridle higher over his shoulder.
Rokko pushed against Legolas's chest with her head. Caught off his guard, he recoiled, stumbling away from the stall. When he regained footing, there was a smile on his face. "You amazing fiend," he muttered, amused and pleasantly surprised. It was a while since any horse had thrown him, or knocked him off his feet. Here was a pleasant challenge.
Singing a soft song of Gil-Galad, the Elf gently approached the horse. He rubbed Rokko's neck softly and groomed the horse with great care. All the while Rokko stood, his nostrils flaring, warning the Elf to keep his cautions aware. "I know," Legolas murmured. This was a wonderful horse, truly. Stubborn and suspicious as his master, but, like his master, wonderful nevertheless.
Over occupied with the horse, chattering gaily as he brushed out Rokko's coat and cleaned his hooves, Legolas was unaware of Estel's presence. He did not hear the mortal child enter the stable at all. When Estel caused a slight clinking of the bridle as he gathered it up, Legolas was too absorbed in his horsing activities to notice. When Estel walked to the far end of the stable and approached a horse he knew better than to ride, Legolas did not notice. When said horse stomped his foot in protest, Legolas did look up.
"Estel?" the Elf called. "Are you out there?"
Upon the return of no response, Legolas was satisfied that it was just a horse acting up. He returned to Rokko, ignoring the many snorts and stamps as disquiet spread through the stable. It was only natural for horses to cause a racket. They would calm in their own time, be that a short or long period. Horses were not as intelligent as Men or Elves, yet it seemed--to Legolas, at least--that they resolved their discontents much better.
"You are of a sensible breed," he told Rokko, tightening up the cinch on the stallion's saddle. "With your kind, you do not even need weapons. Now, I do not approve of violence. No Elf does. After the kinslayings, even before, it simply was--is--against the nature of Elves. But Men--Estel? Is that you?" Legolas broke off and called out to his friend. No response came. This was somewhat strange.
The Elf hopped out of the stall. For a moment he stood, looking first one way then the other until he had scrutinized the entirety of the stable. "Huh." He could have sworn he heard something. . ."Estel?" Legolas called again, louder. It was suspiciously quiet. A mouse burrowed into a pile of hay, and a breeze rumbled among hanging bridles. Something was wrong. . .
Then it occurred to Legolas. He remembered what Elrond had told him, the amazing warhorse new to the stable, the one who always caused such a stir among the other horses. . ."Estel!" In a rush Legolas mounted Elladan's horse and broke out of the stable at a canter. When he caught that adan. . .
*****
To be continued
Author's note: Okay, I know this one was short. That may be trend for a while. Yes, I know most people prefer long chapters, but I cannot meet that standard. I'm sorry.
Daw the Minstrel: Well, I'm glad you like it. By me it's an awful cheat. Writing characters free of conscience is a great difficulty for me, so I tend to just add in that bit. But then, Tolkien did stress moral principles. So one might argue that he would support the idea!
Star-Stallion: What's awful is the bit about being ill. But enough on that topic, eh? I'm glad you're reposting, because that was an enjoyable story.
