As the sun blossomed above the horizon, welcoming the first day of Linnah's training, Aragorn made his way through the torchlight of Thranduil's Halls. He had a slight headache from the night before, but his weapons were strapped to his body and he was battle ready. Aragorn smiled to himself as he thought about the dreams that filled his night. Arwen had come to him again, as she had so many times before. It was a gift of elven magic that allowed her to do this. In his dreams they spoke, loved and held onto the hope that one day soon the sun would shine upon their union.

Just as he was walking through the Great Gates, he noticed the dungeon guards he had met previously with Legolas. They were now crossing the river bridge and heading towards him. At first, it looked as if they were walking a large dog, but on closer inspection, the ranger realized it was Gollum tied loosely about his throat on a long leather leash. They slowed as they approached and respectfully bowed to the ranger.

"My lord," said the senior guard. "We are just finishing the prisoner's morning walk, as ordered."

Aragorn looked at the creature, who paid no attention to him. Gollum seemed preoccupied in his thoughts and was looking behind them as if he waited for something or someone.

Aragorn addressed him directly. "I see that the elves are treating you kindly."

Gollum continued to ignore him. Aragorn tried again, but it was to no avail. The creature would not speak.

"Carry on then," said Aragorn bowing his head slightly to the guards.

They bowed as well and pulled Gollum along, back into the castle. Aragorn knitted his brows together in thought. Gollum was behaving unusually and there was an eerie calmness about him. His thoughts were interrupted when Legolas and Linnah appeared out of the woods and began to cross the river bridge as well.

Aragorn noticed that Linnah was still dressed in the gown she had worn the night before, though her hair was undone.

"Does my lady think this is proper training attire?" asked Aragorn, in jest.

Smiling as she approached him, Linnah responded, "Nay kind Sir. I awoke late this morning and have not had time yet to change. Can you forgive me? I will go and change quickly."

"Of course, but make haste and change into something a little more sensible, please," said Aragorn. Then looking at the prince still grinning said, "And I would advise you to change as well my lord."

Legolas looked down at his clothing and realized he too was dressed in his formal wear. "Oh, I see your point. I will away quickly as well."

Aragorn bowed his head to them and Legolas and Linnah, replying in kind, continued together into the castle.

"Meet me at the stables," Aragorn called after them. Legolas turned his head and nodded.

The ranger turned and made his way toward the stables. The first task of the day would be to see if they could teach Linnah to ride a horse.

The stables were located outside the castle to the West, hidden in a secluded grove of trees. Unless one knew the way through the unmarked path, it would be impossible to detect its location. Besides the river that ran through Mirkwood, the forest itself around the castle was blessed with elven magic. Horse tracks on the forest floor were immediately grown over with new foliage as soon as they appeared.

Aragorn had arrived on horseback with Gollum and he had only visited his horse once since his arrival. Now entering the stables, he was greeted by a young squire. It was Ethas, the same one who had been late with the prince's weapons.

"Good morning, Sir," said the squire bowing.

"Good morning to you."

"I guess you've come for your horse, my lord. He's right over here. I've taken very good care of him," said the squire excitedly.

"I'm sure that you have," said the ranger kindly. Aragorn walked over to his horse and patted his neck. He spoke softly to the animal and the horse shook his mane, seemingly understanding every word said.

Not long after the ranger's arrival to the stables, Legolas appeared. The prince was now dressed in his usual attire; green and brown with his weaponry strapped securely in place. The squire immediately bowed to the prince, as Aragorn stepped towards him.

"The speed of your kind will never cease to impress me," said Aragorn.

"Apparently our she-elves are not as quick to make ready," noted Legolas lightly as he scanned the stables for Linnah.

Aragorn mused silently to himself that it was the same for his kind as well. "Shall we pick out a horse for Linnah?" asked the ranger.

"She will ride mine," answered the prince decisively.

"Are you sure about this Legolas? Will you have time to train another horse before…?" Aragorn let his words trail off. It was unpleasant to think of the Wood Elves involvement in the impending war. These were fair minded people and he had been treated with nothing but kindness and respect since his arrival. The thought of any more darkness descending on this land made him shudder.

"I will have time. Aragorn, I am very serious about this. Linnah will ride Lagorthelo¹ and I will have it no other way."

"As you wish."

The squire prepared Aragorn's and Legolas's horses for riding. When he was finished, they took the reins and walked the horses out of the stables and around toward the front of the castle.

Upon approaching the gates, they saw Linnah exit the castle. Meena had helped provide her with proper clothing. She was wearing dark gray boots, gray leggings, a light blue tunic and dark gray vest. Her hair was tied in braids on either side of her head and once down the back. She looked more like a warrior then a handmaiden and both Legolas and Aragorn were taken aback.

Gillel had surprised her before she left with a light sword of her own that he had found in the castle's armory. "This should serve you well, Linnah," he had said to her, smiling. Linnah had been so thankful for the present she impulsively hugged Gillel, who in turn allowed himself to briefly hug her back.

Linnah now approached the ranger and the assassin prince. Her sword was strapped to her side, feeling awkward and banging against her thigh as she walked.

"I believe this should be appropriate attire for training," she said bowing instead of curtseying to them.

"I believe you are right," answered Aragorn. "Your outfit suits you well."

Legolas could say nothing for a moment. He just stared at Linnah in wonder, blinking a few times.

"Yes, my lord?" asked Linnah to the prince. "Have you a comment on my attire?"

Legolas smiled and said, "I agree with Aragorn. Your outfit suits you very…" he allowed his eyes to roam over her body and continued while exhaling through his nose, "mmm, very well."

Aragorn cleared his throat loudly and said, "Shall we begin?"

"Of course, Aragorn," said Linnah seriously, tearing herself away from Legolas's lecherous gaze.

"The first thing you have to learn Linnah is how to ride a horse. Now this should be easy, as it is only a natural thing for elves."

"Aye, but do not forget that I am not fully elf kind and it is possible I will not be able to manage," replied Linnah looking uneasily at the horses. The horses seemed to sense her apprehension and as she stepped closer to them, they both whinnied and backed up a little.

Linnah looked worriedly at Legolas, who only smiled at her and said, "Come here Linnah." He motioned for her to come up to Aragorn's horse, who was a little less spirited than his. He plucked some grass from the ground and offering it to the horse said, "See? It is a very gentle creature. You have nothing to fear from this animal." He handed some grass to Linnah and had her take his place in front of the horse.

Linnah took a tentative step forward and held out the grass on her palm. She closed her eyes as the horse bent its head to eat what she offered. Linnah felt the tickle of the horse's lips and tongue on her hand and opened her eyes, one at a time.

Legolas and Aragorn stood silent, trying not to laugh at her seemingly ridiculous fear. After a second or two, Linnah cautiously lifted her other hand to pet the horse gently on its nose. With the grass consumed, the horse nudged its head forward into Linnah's chest. She at first stepped back and then when she realized the horse was not trying to knock her over, moved again closer to the animal. The horse allowed her to pet it again on the nose and along the side of its neck.

"See Linnah? You have nothing to fear from the horse," said Legolas lightly.

After a few minutes, Linnah moved carefully over to Lagorthelo and repeated the process of acclimating herself to the creature. Aragorn stepped forward and placed a hand lightly on Linnah's shoulder. "I think it will be best that you remove your sword for the riding lesson."

"Oh, of course," said Linnah. She unbuckled the belt that held the sheath and sword and handed it to him. After he placed it carefully inside his own pack, he asked Linnah to mount the prince's horse.

Linnah was told to place a foot in the stirrup and throw her leg over. She did as the ranger told her and over she went. Completely misjudging how hard she should fling herself over the saddle, she ended up landing hard on her bottom on the other side of the animal.

Legolas immediately offered his hand, laughing in spite of himself. Linnah gave him a sour look and ignoring his outstretched hand, stood up unaided. Without so much as a word to the prince or Aragorn, she brushed herself off and walked back around to the mounting side of the horse. Placing her foot in the stirrup once again, she threw her leg over and this time managed to stay on the saddle.

"Well done Linnah," said Aragorn genuinely. "It is good that you do not stop trying," he then glanced at the prince, "even when others may mock you."

"Nay! I did not mean to mock you, Linnah. Please forgive me," said Legolas apologetically.

"You are forgiven," replied Linnah, looking down at Legolas seriously.

Legolas easily mounted the horse behind Linnah and placed his hand over hers, showing her how to hold and manipulate the reins. She leaned back against him briefly and continued under her breath, "But I will get you back for that, my handsome prince."

Legolas retorted silently, "Be sure that you do, my lady."

Aragorn mounted his horse as well and the three went riding off into the woods in a North-Westerly direction along the Forest River. Linnah felt the warmth of the prince's body behind her and the power of the animal beneath her thighs. As if this wasn't enough to arouse her senses, the horses whizzed through the forest at break neck speed, almost as if they anticipated the placement of every tree. Linnah felt quite anxious and sensing her tense, Legolas whispered into her ear, "Trust your instincts and the horse's as well. You are an elf, Linnah. Speak your commands to the horse, it will understand you."

Linnah leaned over and simply said, "Slower." Miraculously the animal began to slow.

"That's it, Linnah," urged Legolas. "Try it again."

Aragorn pointed toward a clearing and made a motion for them to follow him. Linnah once again spoke to the horse and understanding her wishes, Lagorthelo followed Aragorn.

"Yes, Linnah! Very good," said Legolas happily.

Linnah was amazed that she had succeeded; not realizing it was her binding with Legolas that had made it possible.

The three reached a large clearing about a league from the castle and Aragorn turned to them and said, "This is a good place to stop for our next lesson."

"Agreed," said Legolas. Aragorn and Legolas dismounted their horses and Linnah, as gracefully as she could, swung her leg over and much to her delight, landed on both feet. Aragorn unrolled his pack and removed Linnah's belt and sword. As he handed them to her he said, "I will show you some basic defensive moves and then Legolas can show you some of his."

Linnah strapped on her sword and walked a little a head of them. The day was bright and the sky was a clear, pale blue. A frown touched the corners of her mouth. All around this clearing was unchanged forest; the castle was nowhere to be seen. She had never been this far outside of the castle grounds before and though it was a beautiful day and she was in the company of two great warriors, she felt uneasy. She could reason that they had not traveled far, but the world seemed too large and the weight of her sword against her hip seemed to make this moment even more unreal. "My journey begins right now," she thought to herself ominously.

Aragorn snapped her out of her thoughts. "Now Linnah," he said as he moved towards her slowly. "I want you to unsheathe your sword and stand with your feet comfortably apart."

Linnah did as he instructed. The sword was light, but she nervously gripped the leather handle with both of her hands.

Legolas stood off to one side of the clearing and watched her thoughtfully, his brow slightly furrowed with concern.

"Lift your arms higher," the ranger instructed. "I am going to show you what to do if you are attacked from the front."

¹ Sindarin name meaning "swift purpose"