When Will the Sun Shine Again?
Chapter 9- Race
A.N: Wow! You guys totally rock, so many reviews and such great support from you all, I'm so appreciative that you like my lil story, it makes it totally worthwhile.
In response to reviews: Cheekychick, Lisseyelen aka Lady V, Catrina, hermioneG89 and SpaceVixenX you are all closer to the mark than you think, and you're right there is more to Astalder than meets the eye, but you'll soon see, mwahahaha I love being suspenseful! Thanks also to all my other reviewers, I love your feedback, so keep it coming! You guys rule, thanks again!
Oh and I know that there weren't elf colonies in most of the other places which I used in this chap, but we had to have more competition and who knows where the elves went to live at one time or another, after all this is fanfic, so just don't pay it any mind, my stories never claim to be intellectually stimulating or well thought out, blame my muse on her periodicals to Jamaica. Oh and thanks to those who corrected me with the spelling of Elladan, it has been corrected in this and last chapter, I just saw it spelled Elledan on theonering.net so I thought it was right *blush*. Anyway, enjoy, and review!
*
After lunch had been cleared away all the visitors had assembled in the large field a little away from the Homely House, awaiting the beginnings of the competition.
A competitor from each group was encouraged to take part, and most groups had indeed agreed to take part, each wishing to show the skill of their own warriors.
Of course Elrohir, with his affinity for horses had volunteered to represent Rivendell, Haldir would represent Lorien, Astalder would of course be representing Eryn Vorn, the elves of Harlindon forest at the foothills of the Blue Mountains would be represented by Heleghwest, the new elf colony in Fangorn had chosen Colbrethil and lastly the elves of Firien Wood had chosen Miluimen as their competitor. These chosen six stood by the gates of the paddock, watching the six wild stallions charge around the enclosure. The rest were assembled around the sides, all cheering for their representatives and making bets and wagers among each other as to which group would be victorious overall.
"Care to make a wager sister?" Elladan appeared behind Arwen and startled her somewhat.
"Why, what have the three of you planned, I would not risk my money on you or Elrohir dear brother, I know you too well."
"Perhaps Haldir then? Or are you rooting for your new friend Astalder perhaps? Blood is thicker than water Arwen." He tutted.
"Keep your delusions and perversions to yourself sweet brother, lest I dent that handsome face of yours." Arwens voice was laden with sarcasm and Elladan shook his head and smirked.
"We'll see, I'll be listening to who you cheer for, and if you will not enter into a friendly wager, I will go and find someone who will, perhaps grandfather would like to." Rubbing his hands, Elladan walked off and Arwen sighed, looking after her sad excuse for a brother.
Elrond stood on a slightly raised platform at the start/finish line for the impending race and held up his hands for quiet.
"My fellow lords and ladies, esteemed guests from lands near and distant, our first contest is about to begin. Just so we are all clear about what this competition involves I will in brief outline it for you now. Over the course of our festivities we will hold several competitions, to test the skill of our finest elves. Each contest will have a representative from each group herein." At this he motioned to the assembled melee of elves before him, then continued.
"Each representative will be awarded a placing and the points that go with that placing after every competition, at the end of Sheelala and our trials, the group with the most points and the highest placing will win a prize, to show the skill of their people. Our first test here this day will be a test of skill with our equine friends, first with our competitors befriending our fiery creatures, and then riding them round a pre-determined course through these very woods, and whoever reaches this line first wins the task. To make sure there is no foul play, every competitor has been checked for foreign objects, and the choice of which horse for which rider was chosen by fair lots earlier, which has been approved by an independent judge. Now, are we all clear?" He addressed the audience and the competitors and was met by a cheer from all.
"Very good, in that case, representatives, approach your steeds."
The six riders slowly and cautiously moved towards the animals which were running around the other side of the paddock. Elrohir was closest to his, which was an ebony dark stallion who seemed wildest of all. Elrohir let out a low, melodious whistle which stopped the horse from its rampage around the paddock. Slowly he approached the large creature, still whistling in his sweet tune and the horse bowed its head to the dark elf, almost in agreement and stood still allowing the representative of Rivendell to mount him.
Haldir was having a little less luck, considering the horse seemed to be keeping as far away from all of the elves and the other horses as possible. This resulted in the blonde- and usually dignified- elf having to chase the horse to the corner before he could start to calm it. Astalder was having good fortune as his chestnut steed had also let him on and was now cantering after Elrohir. Soon all the elves were mounted and charging into the forest to catch up to the leaders. The assembled audience watched with their keen eyes as far into the woods as they could see until the trees became too dense for even elven eyes to breach.
Elrohir cantered ahead, self-assured in his strides, he knew the trail better than anyone and was confident he would break through the trees and leave the rest far behind with no trouble. He chanced a look behind and his sharp eyes made out Astalder and Miluimen closing in behind him. Increasing his speed to a gallop he weaved through the low, twisting trees, trying to make out the finish line ahead.
When he looked back again he saw only Astalder following and could just make out Haldir and Colbrethil leagues behind. He briefly wondered how Miluimen had fallen so far behind but did not pay any more mind to it and sped onwards.
As he broke through the trees and saw only a straight dash to the finish line he could hear Astalder galloping close behind appearing as if out of nowhere.
Arwen did not want to cheer for Astalder because Elladan would never let that go, so instead dropped her ladylike approach and cheered and hollered loudly for Elrohir. With amusement she saw her father doing the same, his usually cool and stern exterior dropped as he enthused for his son. Even the composed Galadriel was cheering loudly for both Haldir and her Grandson and Celeborn was cursing in elvish as he had placed a large wager in confidence of Haldir.
As Elrohir gained on the finish line so too did Astalder gain on him, galloping forth until they were almost neck and neck in their race. It seemed as if they were the only two competitors, the others were not yet through the trees and the two were so evenly matched the spectators all but forgot about the rest of the racers.
Then as Elrohir pulled ahead his horse suddenly reared in the air with no warning, and whinnied loudly in discontent, throwing the dark haired elf to the dusty ground. The stallion reared again, neighing loudly, and looked as it he were about to trample the Rivendell elf in its terror. Astalder pulled his own steed up suddenly and leapt from it, rolling through the dirt to push Elrohir out of the path of the frightened horses hooves and then standing by the creature, whispering softly to stop its rampage. It calmed quickly and stood in peace once more.
"Are you alright my friend?" Astalder asked, helping Elrohir up.
"Aye, well enough. Thank you for your assistance Astalder, it happened without warning, I have no idea why."
"Do you wish to take my horse or will you continue with your own?"
"Nay, I picked this horse so I will ride it, something simply must have alarmed him, he seems to have recovered now."
"Very well my friend." Astalder leapt back on his own horse and as soon as Elrohir was mounted once more the two set off again, this time Astalder in the lead, and it was he who made it to the finish line first, Elrohir a close second.
Arwen, Elladan and Elrond all rushed to Elrohirs side, barraging him with questions and checking he was safe.
"I am fine father, worry not. I took a fall 'twas not as bad as it may have appeared. I feel no discomfort, thanks to Astalder."
Arwen walked over to Astalder who was now being congratulated by the rest of the assembled. Arwen stood aside and he came over to her.
"I told you I had a few tricks up my sleeve after all. Though how I managed to best your brother is quite beyond me, he is a skilled rider, 'tis a pity his steed was startled, he would have beaten me for sure."
"Thank you for helping him, you saved his life."
"Nay milady I did what any honourable elf would do and helped another in need, I ask for no thanks, for any in my situation would have done the same."
"But they were not in your situation, and you were, and I do thank you, and so does my family." Arwen leant up and kissed him on the cheek, smiling gratefully.
"You honour me with a kiss Arwen, it means more to me than you know."
"None is more deserving."
"Of the kiss or the win?"
"Both." Arwen smiled and hugged Astalder in thanks, as they broke apart their faces were only inches apart and Arwen blushed, pulling away quickly.
"I will see you at dinner, and you can share with me the tales of from whence you learned to ride like that." Arwen turned to go and Astalder caught her arm and pulled her back, brushing her lips with his own quickly, then letting go and walking off, not wanting to face her after that.
Arwen stood frozen in shock and confusion, trying to register what had happened. When she finally caught up with herself, she set about trying to figure out whether it was a good or a bad thing. She decided it was a good thing. She was rather attracted to this Astalder, he was growing on her more and more. His bravery and charm had got through to her, and he certainly liked her too. She decided she would get to know him more at dinner, and see if he was worth her efforts.
Elladan walked over to her, an accusing look on his face.
"Do you want me to say that I told you so?"
"No." Arwen said, touching her hand to her lips and staring after the blonde elf.
"Then I will restrain myself. I just want to warn you Arwen, be careful. You know little of this elf, I do not wish to see you hurt again. Be wary around him, until you know him better. Your heart is a far too valuable thing to give out so hastily."
"I know what I am doing brother, worry not on my account."
"I must, that is what older brothers do."
"And I am thankful for your concern, but my business is my own, I will not have you meddling."
"And I will not. Just be aware little sister. Now come, we have a feast to arrange." They turned to leave and Elrohir walked over to them looking a little weary.
"Brother, what ails you?"
"Our dear grandmother, just making assurances that I am well. She was concerned, and apparently grandfather lost quite a pretty penny on Haldir's defeat, but he came in fourth, so it was not too great a loss."
"Poor Haldir, and I was convinced you three had concocted some plot to assure your victory."
"Sister! We would not do such a thing!" Elladan said in mock astonishment.
"Of course, why would I ever think so?"
"Do you have any idea what happened to your horse Elrohir?" Elladan asked.
"Nay, it happened from nowhere, I would think that something on the road or in the woods I would have seen, but there seemed no reason for it. It must have been a premonition or some such thing. It matters not, im sure Rivendell will catch up on points in the archery competition. Speaking of which. Arwen before you get too enamoured with the 'valiant' Astalder, get your head from the clouds long enough to listen to me. It seems Mirkwood may not be out of the competition completely."
"What do you mean?" Arwen asked in confusion.
"I mean, simple sister, that friend Legolas is riding hither at this very moment. One of our scouts out on a patrol has seen him a few leagues from here yet, but he is coming, accompanied by two guards, it seems Mirkwood is free of Orcs rather sooner than anticipated."
Arwen grinned. "My dear Legolas, how good it is to know he will come. When does he arrive would you say?"
"By nightfall or thereafter I would deem."
"Then he will be here for the archery tournament tomorrow, how exciting it could prove yet."
"Keep your excitement in check yet sister, what would Astalder say!" Elladan teased and was met with a slap on the arm for his trouble.
"He wished to meet Legolas anyway. This is glad news indeed. Come then we must still help prepare the feast. Tomorrow could prove interesting indeed, a little healthy competition is always good."
*