To Lossenhros : Congrats about your Latin! Hahaha yeah maybe there's some good in Ovid after all. It's strange how we always think that after everything is done with, and never during.

Chapter 38 : That Strange Feeling

Meren's laughter rang out in the air as she doubled over, her face red from laughing. Elboron was grinning at her, evidently feeling very pleased that his joke had amused her so. Elfwine just smiled awkwardly and helped himself to another piece of bread and cheese.

Elfwine had been excused from his training, and now they were sitting down for lunch after a morning of riding. Meren wasn't a good rider, and so they hadn't been able to race as they usually liked to do, but Elfwine felt that it was still an enjoyable morning. Having someone new in their company was refreshing, and Meren seemed to be brimming over with energy. In some ways Elfwine felt that she was very much like Elboron. For one, they were both seventeen. They were both energetic and bubbly, always out for fun. Suddenly Elfwine was struck with a feeling that he was old. It was a ridiculous thought, of course, since he was only nineteen, and the thought had never occurred to him when he was with Elboron. But with both Meren and Elboron together, he suddenly felt as if he was too serious, too matured… too old.

"What do you think, Elfwine?"

Elfwine shook himself, bringing himself out of his own distant thoughts. "What?" he asked. He had not caught the question.

Meren laughed again. "Honestly, Elfwine, were you lost in your own world? Elboron and I were talking about life and adventure. Would you rather have a life filled with adventure, or a steady one with certainty?"

Elfwine pondered over the question for a moment. It was actually one that he often asked himself. At times he had the urge to just take his horse and ride off into nowhere, just to see what would come his way. But he knew that it was not an option for him. He was an only child, and his father looked to him to lead Rohan in the future, distant though it might seem to be. What do I think? "Well… it would be good to have a balance, wouldn't it?" he said.

Elboron laughed. "Don't you know that it's almost impossible to have such a life? I'd rather have new adventures every day, not knowing what's going to come my way. I think one day I might just go off and explore Middle-earth for myself."

Elfwine shook his head. Another one of Elboron's fantasies. "You take care that you don't," he warned. "You're an only child too. You're going to be needed in Ithilien."

"Just a mention of the future and Elfwine gets all serious!" Elboron told Meren. "That always happens." He turned back to Elfwine. "Yes, I know I'm an only child. I wish I had a brother, more serious, something like you. Then he could go and become the Prince of Ithilien while I go and do my exploring!" Elboron lay down on the grass, staring up at the sky. "Anyway, Father's in perfect health. It's going to be a long time before I'll really be needed."

"You're always needed, even now," Elfwine said with conviction. "There's always a way for you to help. And you have to be prepared for the day when you'll be needed more than ever."

Elboron said nothing, but closed his eyes, just basking in the sun, a crooked smile on his face. Elfwine shook his head at his carefree, fun-loving best friend. Lifting his eyes briefly, he caught Meren watching him, a strange look on her face. He didn't know what it meant, but he could feel the heat rushing to his cheeks. Quickly, trying to find something to do, he held out the picnic basket to her. "Do you want anything?" he asked.

Meren stood at passageway that opened up into the kitchens, watching Elboron and Elfwine walk away. Elfwine was saying something, and Elboron nodded in agreement.

She turned and entered the kitchens, thinking about her two new friends. They were best friends, but she felt that they could not have been more different. Elboron went about free as a bird, his mind forever dwelling on fun and laughter, while Elfwine was quieter and more focused. Together, it seemed that they were perfectly balanced.

She thought about what Elfwine had said during lunch. He was so aware of his duties, and so determined to carry them out to the best of his ability. He was so certain about his life and his future. Usually Meren would have found such a person dull, but this time she felt a certain… admiration for this young man. It was clear, even now, that Rohan would be in good hands when the he took the throne.

Alanna called to her, waking her from her thoughts, and she went to get her work done. This was no time to be dreaming about princes.

Elboron brandished his practice sword in front of him playfully. "So, what do you think?"

"About what?" Elfwine frowned, not understanding.

"Meren," Elboron replied easily. "She's a wonderful girl, isn't she? So… warm and happy all the time."

"You've only known her two days," Elfwine said as they began their practice.

"Yes, but I already know that she's a remarkable amount of fun. Anyway, you haven't answered my question."

Elfwine dodged a blow. "I like her," he said. "She's a nice girl." Meren's face popped into his head, and he was a little too late to dodge another blow. Elboron's wooden practice sword smacked into his arm hard.

"Got you!" Elboron exclaimed with satisfaction. "The first time in a week!"

Elfwine tried pulling his attention back to the practice. It was important to concentrate. Éothain had told him that many times. His father had stressed it a few times more. For three years it had been built into his system. Yet why was it that he was so distracted now? He jumped aside as Elboron went on the offensive, ducking blows left, right and centre, and making a few feeble attacks himself.

Finally Elboron stopped, putting his hands on his hips. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Elfwine said, pushing his hair out of his eyes. "Absolutely nothing."

"Elfwine, I've known you fourteen years," Elboron said matter-of-factly. "I can tell you when there's something, and I'm telling you now, there's something."

Elfwine sighed. Elboron was right; they had been best friends for so long that they knew each other inside out. But he didn't know whether he wanted to tell Elboron about it. For one thing, he didn't even know what 'it' was. How could he possibly confide in his friend if he didn't understand it himself? "I don't know what it is," he said as truthfully as he could. "I guess I'm not feeling very well today. Maybe we shouldn't practice today."

Elboron gave him a strange look, but didn't press the matter. "All right," he said. "You just go to your room and get some rest, then, all right? I think I'll stay here, do a little practicing by myself."

Elfwine nodded. Keeping his practice sword, he turned and walked slowly towards his room.