Sweet God, I never knew teaching somebody to ride a damn horse would be this much bloody work.

It would help if she'd been let near a horse, oh, in her ENTIRE LIFE. She hasn't even left Minas Tirith. Like, ever. I realize these are -- er, where -- dark times, but I cannot imagine being forced to stay within the walls forever. It must suck.

If Boromir ever tried to hold me prisoner in the castle I'd knock his teeth out, and he knows it. I am definitely not the quiet, docile type.

But I have to remember that Edana and I have only been out here for two days. She's learning. She can stay on the horse now. She doesn't tip off the side. And that's a plus. And every time she falls off, she swears. It's hilarious.

"Already set out to turn the nobility on it's ear, Kayli?" Faramir asks from the fence. Edana promptly turns red.

I give him a cheeky smile. "I try." I take the mare's lead rein and slowly walk over to the fence. "What's up?"

"Orcs. Near Ithilien. I thought perhaps you might be going as mad as I, locked up in this place." He grins at me. "Besides, it'll give Lady Edana a chance to rest."

"Oh, HELL yes. Faramir, I love you."

Edana laughs. "Any chance to get out of these walls! She's been complaining for two days!"

"Not a surprise, lass is always complainin' about something," Gimli adds.

He and Legolas are now standning at the fence, with two other Elves I don't recognize.

Faramir boosts himself up onto the fence as I help Edana off the horse. "Fear not, my friends. I'm leading the lady in a great battle."

"Skirmish," Legolas corrects. "There probably aren't that many of them."

"Are we gonna be outnumbered ten to one? Again?"

Faramir shakes his head, looking serious, but his eyes are laughing. He's always laughing about something. Him and Hal. "No, my Lady, not this time."

"Nice change," I mutter, and Gimli laughs. "And stop calling me 'my Lady.'"

Edana bows to us and smiles. "Excuse me, my Lords, Kayli, I have to go have a nice, hot bath."

I hop up on the fence next to Faramir. "So when do we leave?"

Faramir shrugs and drops an arm around my shoulders. "Tomorrow morning. And what of you, my Lords? Shall you accompany us, as well?"

Legolas and Gimli look at each other. "I could use some orc-smashin'," Gimli decides. "What about you, laddie?"

Legolas smiles. "Someone has to keep you alive."

"Just don't get killed," one of the other Elves says.

"Father would never forgive you," the other one says.

For a second there, they reminded me frighteningly of the twins. Finishing each other's sentences and shit.

Legolas smiles at them. "I think I'll be all right. I'll be sure to tell Father I'll be fine."

"Finally," I mutter. "I get to be OUTSIDE."

111

I never, ever thought I would be this happy to be back on a horse. The ride to Ithilien was a peice of cake. So much easier than being a lady.

We've found the orc camp. It's still daylight. Late day, granted, so we have to work fast so we don't lose the sun. Orcs sleep during the day. That's really very convenient. And all the Uruks died with Sauron, so we don't have to worry about any big nasties. All in all, shouldn't be too hard.

Faramir's rangers have completely encircled the orc camp. Legolas, Gimli and I are crouched in some bushes. We can see Faramir, which means we'll see it when he gives the signal.

Can I just say again how much better this is than being in Minas Tirith, pretending to be what I'm not? Yeah. Much, much better.

I glance at Faramir. He catches my eye and grins. We all start to creep forward.

The orc sentries are easily taken care of, since they're asleep. One of them has time to cry out, which is good. It's no fun if we managed to slaughter them all in their sleep.

The others scramble for weapons, but recently awakened orcs are even less organized than usual. It's fairly easy going. About half of them are dead before we hear the horn.

And reinforcements come running out of the trees.

Behind me, Faramir starts to swear. "It's an ambush!"

"How did they know we were coming?" Gimli hollers, neatly slicing an orc in half.

"How could they have planned this?" I wonder, bringing my blades up against another.

I see a flash of long blond hair, pale skin...

She's standing on top of a little hill, so she can be seen by the troops, and also so she can be attractively backlit by the sun.

That fucking bitch. I'm going to kill her. Slowly. In great pain. I bare my teeth at the orc in front of me and slam my dagger into his chest, neatly between the ribs. Then I start to hack my way to Leilanni's little hill. She has her bow in her hand, and she's smirking.

Yeah, that's the same bow she used to shoot Boromir. Maybe I'll break it over her head.

As I watch, she gives a regal little nod to the Orc at her side, and he starts bellowing orders in some harsh language that really, really hurts my ears. And that's not an Orc, it's a Uruk-Hai. Guess a few of them made it.

Then everything goes black.

TBC...

I am evil, aren't I?

Sylvia Viridian -- Don't argue. You are awesome. And he's right, you know -- Thranduil and Gimli are VERY similiar. Short-tempered, occasionally cranky, blunt, pessimistic, and very, very argumentative. Just don't tell them I said so, either. As for the movie thing...my friend Kennie tells me I talk way to much in the movies, and she's right. I'm nitpicky, too. Thank you so, so much.

Andrew Joshua Talon -- Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hmm, that's quite the interesting suggestion. And it would be kinda cool...hmm. Thanks again! You rock!

essence of popsicles -- Angst! I love angst! I think Kayli would kill me, though. And Gimli is awesome, isn't he? Thank you so much!

yuhi -- You're awesome too! Here it is, enjoy!

poolbum -- You've been a great help! Thank you!

Hanna M -- That's a total of FIVE votes for romance! Thank you so much!