Tolwyn changed into her brother's old clothes one last time, putting her necklace on underneath. She put on a belt and attached the dagger scabbard to it, and sheathed the dagger. She managed to climb out her window, but while descending the wall she fell near the ground. She got up, bruised, and snuck to the armory. She put on a small breastplate, and then chose a helm. She twisted her long, golden brown hair up and put the helm on top of it. Her hair stayed in, and the helm was tight enough to not fall. She made her way quickly to the stables and saddled Baldor. The horse was not familiar with her yet, and fussed and made trouble as she put the bridle and other tack on him.
Finally she was as ready as she'd ever be and led him out of the stable. She chose a small dirt path hidden from the main road and followed it to the gates. She snuck out into the fields and, after a few unsuccessful attempts at mounting Baldor, got on him and looked around. Her brother never told her where to go. An idea popped into her head- go to Minas Tirith. Of course! That is where they were sending her off to; they would never expect her to go there on her own. So she turned Baldor straight east, whispered in his ear "To the white city, and hurry!" and he did not do a thing. She clicked her tongue softly, whispered the same thing louder, and still the horse did not move. She tried whispering in Rohirric, still the stubborn creature did not move. Finally she kicked him in the sides, and with that he reared up a moment then galloped off east.
The journey took only a few days on the Meara. Baldor was swift, when Tolwyn could get him to move. He was a stubborn, wild horse, and Tolwyn got thrown off his back a couple times. But if Tolwyn was nice to him, letting him graze when he wanted, then he would obey.
The journey to Minas Tirith was also exhausting for Tolwyn. She was not used to strenuous exercise like this. Often she would feel like she was going to faint, or vomit, or both. The weather was hot (it being the end of June) and the terrain was harsh. She got dirty, and bruised, and sometimes scarred. The night when she escaped, she followed the Snowbourn River east, till it joined the Entwash River in the morning. One day after that she was still following the Entwash. By that night she had followed the Entwash almost to the Anduin River. She turned south, and could see Minas Tirith tall and imposing even from that distance. She rode toward it through the night, and stopped in a grove of trees hidden below the outer wall to rest. She tied Baldor up, lay down and fell asleep just as the sun rose in the east.
She awoke later in the day, not feeling any better. She ached all over, in places she didn't know could ache. She was not used to this at all. She was used to strolling around Edoras in clean dresses, bathing every night, getting healed when she was hurt. She left Baldor where he was, grazing on the sweet grass, and stumbled to the broken gate. She was recognized as an ally by the guards and let in. She looked around her. Everything was clean white stone and organized streets. She didn't like it, and wished she was back in Edoras. But the thought was soon dismissed as her growling stomach and aching head reminded her of her condition.
She wandered up the street awhile, going slow. Finally she saw a tavern, and went inside. She pulled herself up onto a barstool and ordered a big meal, practically drooling at the thought of it. Then the barkeep asked if she wanted wine. Tolwyn thought, well, I am away from home… and surely a simple drink won't harm me, especially if no one knows… so she ordered a glass of the finest they had. It was brought out before the meal, and she tasted it. At first she made a disgusted expression, for the alcohol made it bitter. But then she took another taste, and found it fruity. A few sips more, and it was refreshing. She eventually downed the whole glass quickly, and her mind became a bit dim.
But soon the food was served, fresh and hot. She ate nearly all of it. She stuffed herself till she could not eat another bite. She sat on the barstool for a while after, digesting. The barkeep kept looking at her, and she could not figure out why. Finally he walked over to her and said, "How will you be paying, sir?"
Tolwyn was taken aback. She had never paid for a meal in her life. She was also confused at being called "sir", because of the effects of the wine, but she finally remembered that she was disguised. She came to her senses, and, seeing the angry barkeep, said "Come back in a minute, while I find some coins." The barkeeper stormed off angrily to another customer. Tolwyn tried to remember where she kept money, and searched for any pockets or pouches on her clothes that she would have put some in. Then she remembered- she didn't bring money!
Tolwyn panicked. She couldn't think of anything else to do but run. So she got up as quietly as she could, made her way to the door, and ran up the street. It was only a few seconds before she heard a commotion and some curses in the tavern, and running behind her. The running slowed and stopped, and Tolwyn heard the barkeep yell at the gate guards: "Guards! That boy didn't pay! Run! Capture him! Get the thief!" She heard even heavier footfalls behind her, coming closer and closer. Why did I even do this? Why did I run from Edoras in the first place? She wondered desperately to herself as she began to get slower. She was still aching and tired, and had just eaten a huge meal. The alcohol in the wine, too, still affected her a little.
Tolwyn felt herself suddenly pushed down from behind. She was caught now. The guards kicked her once, cursed at her, and even punched her a few times. They picked her up by both arms and turned to the barkeep. "What should we do with him?" they asked. The barkeep, who was not as cold and heartless as he first appeared to Tolwyn, said "He deserves a fair trial, but take him straight to the King!"
Tolwyn's mouth was bleeding from the punches, and she was out of breath from being kicked in the ribs. She couldn't walk, so the two guards dragged her by her arms through the streets. It was a long way to the Citadel of Minas Tirith. Tolwyn groaned and moaned, but the guards ignored her and talked to each other. She could hear what they discussed. As they were nearing the Citadel, the guards began to talk about what they were really going to do with her.
"The King doesn't have time to deal with a pretentious barkeeper's problems," one said. "And no time for dirty little thieves like this one," said the other, shaking Tolwyn's arm a bit. "Who else is there? We have to satisfy that arrogant barkeeper somehow, and we just can't kill the boy." The first guard thought for a few minutes. "What about the Prince?" he said. "He's not busy during these hours. And I'm sure he would love to do something 'kingly'." The second guard thought about it for half a minute, then nodded. Then he turned and looked down at Tolwyn. "Well, it seems you're going to Prince Eldarion now."