Chapter 2:
As the girl was withdrawing some money from her money purse to pay for the loaves of bread she had purchased, she looked up and saw a delegation coming from the palace. The villager who ran the stall squeaked in fear and ran to her house where she ducked inside. In seconds, the village was deserted save for the lone elf standing with her sword now drawn. Placing her sword in front of her in a wordless challenge, she raised an eyebrow as the men surrounded her.
Nodding at the men, the leader began to walk back to the Hall as the elf lowered her sword prudently and let the men drag her up the hill and into the palace. They entered and threw the elf roughly in front of the throne, upon which sat a middle-aged man. As the elf attempted to stand, a man pushed her back onto the ground with his boot as he growled "bow in front of the King, insolent stranger."
Bowing, she wrenched the man's heavy body off her as he fell soundly and then rose. Glaring at the fallen man with flashing eyes, she sent him a look of utter contempt and then faced the king as she spoke in a fury.
"Do all your people, Eorl King, attack a stranger for no reason? I would think that the Eorlingas would show themselves worthy of the faith that others put in them. The treatment I have received here today has simply reinforced the lies that the Enemy has circulated about your honour and your horse skills. I see now that the spies of the Enemy speak truth when they say your people have less manners and sense than that of a rebellious Orc, Eorl King."
"Who are you, stranger, and how do you know my name?" spoke the King finally as he bristled at her words.
Removing her hood, she shook out her hair as the company gasped at the sight of a woman before them and then placed her hand in warning on the pommel of her sword. As she seemed to grow taller and more imposing, the men behind her backed away in terror and hid in the shadows. "I am the niece and envoy of Elrond Half- Elven, Lord of Rivendell. I know many things, Eorl King, which most mortals would dare not speak of. I came here to refuel my supplies and renew the energy of my horse when I was dragged here on your orders, I presume. But this unsupported assault has cancelled out any respect that my Uncle may have of your people. "
As Eorl was about to fire back with an answer, a beautiful young girl burst into the throne room and climbed on the man's lap. "Father," the girl spoke in a sweet and musical voice, "Brego won't let me ride on his horse. He says I am but a girl and need no training like that and that I should stay inside with mama. Please tell him to let me; the new foal's mother wanted me to take her for a ride."
As the girl caught sight of the elf, her face lit up with amazement. Hopping down, she crossed to the elleth and curtsied with wide blue eyes. Looking at the sword in wonder, the girl smiled and put her small hand in the elleth's bigger one. Looking up, she spoke to the elf innocently.
"My name's Berwyn. Would you like to come with me and see my horse?"
As the elleth looked guardedly at the King, he smiled briefly at his daughter. As he nodded at the elf regally, she let Berwyn walk her out the door and to the stables to see this mysterious horse....