This chapter will bring in the more "fantasy" aspect of this story, as you'll see near the end. Thanks to those of you who have mentioned the absence of Elboron, son of Faramir and Eowyn. He does not really come into this story right now because he is the eldest brother and not a contemporary of Gilraen. I created Barahir as a second brother because that would give him the freedom to leave Gondor and be fostered in Rohan. He would not have to worry about being heir to his father's title and would have more choice of what to do with his life.

I realize Barahir is also the name of Faramir and Eowyn's grandchild. Hey, it could happen! After all, Aragorn is not the only one. He is actually Aragorn II. Names do get passed down.

Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Beware the Red

Prince Elfwine of Rohan never enjoyed dressing for the day. His chambermaid would sigh in frustration at how he ignored the beautiful tunics she would set out for him. He would choose only from his well-worn chest of clothing. "I don't want to look like a prissy girl," he would say. Getting him to comb his hair properly was another challenge. His mother would try to catch him before he left for breakfast to see that his grooming was proper, but he had devised all methods of escape from that torture.

This morning, however, the Queen walked into her son's room and discovered a sight she had never seen before. He was admiring himself in his looking glass as the maid arranged his hair carefully. He was also well dressed and not complaining of it.

He spied his mother in the mirror and turned to look at her. "Well mother, how do I look?"

"You are a very handsome, younger version of your father," she smiled. What could have gotten into her son's mind today!

Elfwine smiled at her and turned back to the mirror. "Do you think I am handsome mother?"

Before she could answer, Barahir popped his head through the door and stared open mouthed at his cousin. A smirk came over his face as he slowly walked in. "For a moment, I had thought there was a girl in here."

Elfwine glared at him. "You are lucky I'm am in such a good mood today Barahir or I would make you a girl with the tip of my sword."

The Queen gasped, "Elfwine!"

Barahir laughed, "It is all right aunt. I am use to Elfwine's ill humor. Did you know that even Gilraen is ready before you are? She awaits us in the hall. She wants to see the stables before breakfast."

The Queen did not miss the expression on her son's face when Gilraen was mentioned. "Ahh..." she thought, "so this is what drives him today." She smiled at him and smoothed out a wrinkle in the back of his tunic. "You mustn't keep her waiting." she encouraged.

Gilraen stood in the hall admiring the banners and tapestries. There was so much of Rohan's history here before her and she wished that she had more time to study it. She knew that they would be leaving at dawn tomorrow, however.

The boys strode into the hall and caught sight of her. Elfwine suddenly felt very self conscientious. He slowed his pace as he approached so that he did not appear over eager. He gave a formal bow of greeting, "Good morn to you Gilraen." She inclined her head in acknowledgement.

Barahir looked at Elfwine as if he did not know him. "Come on, the morning wears away." He pulled them both toward the door.

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Outside, the cool crisp air of dawn was beginning to show signs of a warmer day. Legolas, King Eomer, captains from Gondor and Rohan, and the elven guard were grouped together in discussion. The three children passed them by on the way to the stables. Legolas glanced at them and then signaled a member of the elven guard to follow. King Eomer noted the exchange.

"The children are perfectly safe in Edoras. No one would dare harm them."

"I believe you." replied Legolas. "However, I can not let the king's daughter wander unchaperoned. Not while I am responsible for her care."

The guardian elf made sure to remain a discreet distance from the trio as they approached the large complex of stables. Gilraen was amazed at the beauty of the stables. She had heard from her father of these stables but it was nothing to what seeing them for herself did to her imagination. She thought that if she were a horse, this was exactly were she would like to be. Even the inside was painted with designs and gold leaf. When she stopped looking at the ceilings and walls, she noticed how beautiful the horses were. There were plenty of grooms around, tending to the needs of all the horses, brushing, washing, feeding, and braiding tails and manes. She stood watching with interest all the activity and she forgot her companions in that moment.

"Gilraen?" came Elwine's voice. She turned her head and noticed him. "Would you like to see the best horse of all?"

"Yes, please." She followed him and Barahir to the far end of the stables, her eyes filled with all the sights along the way. Elfwine stopped and unlatched a gate. He turned to smile at her like he had a well kept secret. She stepped slowly into the pen.

There was the most magnificent white horse she had ever laid eyes on. It's white mane gleamed in the morning sun. It nickered and stamped its front hoof lightly in greeting.

"Oh... she's so beautiful. What is her name?" she asked in awe.

"She is called Sunrise. She is a direct descendant of Shadow Fax. Heard you of Shadow Fax?"

"Yes, of course. I have been told many tales of Shadow Fax. Oh... Elfwine, she is magnificent!"

Elfwine was pleased that he could impress Gilraen. He smiled at her pleasure and started to think of other things he could show her. His thoughts were interrupted by a small servant boy who came running up to them. He bowed and said, "The Queen has sent me. She says you need to attend breakfast."

"Come." said Barahir. "Archery is to follow breakfast. Let's hurry and finish." They closed Sunrise's pen securely and left the stables at a quick pace.

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Gilraen sat on a log bench that was set to the side of the archery field with the other ladies and young girls in attendance. Her mind started to wander as she saw contestant after contestant shoot at the targets. She knew how to use a bow. Why could she not participate? This did not seem fair to her. Elfwine and Barahir would wave to her occasionally from across the field.

Behind her bench she could hear the gurgle of a brook and the chirping of birds. She thought what a lovely day it would be to wade in the water and sing. She had not sung for the birds since she had left Minas Tirith and she missed that private time.

Then she noticed Prince Legolas had stepped up to the mark for his turn and she gave him all her attention. Everyone seemed to take more notice, as they wanted to see the legendary elf in action. Someone near the farthest target drew a small dot with a coal and Legolas took aim.

Gilraen stood and clapped when he hit the mark on the first shot.

Elfwine saw Gilraen's reaction to Legolas and anger began to build. King Eomer said, "Elfwine, your turn will be next."

Elfwine spat out, "Yes father." and stepped up quickly to the mark behind Legolas, he notched his arrow in a hurry.

"Wait! Elfwine, not yet!" the king lunged for Elfwine, but he had already released his arrow before Legolas had left the field. The arrow zinged passed Legolas, tearing a hole in his sleeve and causing a deep scratch. Legolas whipped around and stared at Elfwine. Elfwine looked very angry and Legolas had no idea why.

Everyone stared at Elfwine, wondering what would transpire next.

Elfwine was not the only angry one. King Eomer strode up to his son. "What is the meaning of this?" Elfwine did not answer but looked at his father. "To your rooms. You will remain there until I decide what is to be done. Do you understand?" The king was very angry and Elfwine knew he had gone too far. He spun around without looking in Gilraen's direction. He strode quickly back towards the hall.

King Eomer turned to face Legolas. "I do not know why he would do such a thing. I hope you can forgive him for his childish moods."

Legolas did not understand it either. He tried to think of what he might have done to offend the young prince but he could think of no reason. "There was no real harm done. A shirt is easily mended." he replied as he could see the king was very disturbed over Elfwine's behavior.

The king nodded and gestured to the other contestants to continue the games. He then turned towards the hall. Elfwine had better explain himself he determined.

Barahir, who stood silently by and watched, had lost his enthusiasm to continue the games once his cousin had left. He did not know what came over Elfwine. He knew Elfwine was competitive, but he never thought he would do something as foolish as shooting the competition. He walked over to where Gilraen was sitting, she too looked stunned at what transpired. He was at a loss for words.

Gilraen finally said, "Let's go to the brook. The sun is now too full." Barahir was glad to be able to leave the field. He quickly agreed to her plan.

The two children had pulled off their footwear and started to wade in the cool, refreshing water. The water lifted their spirits as they looked for the most colorful pebbles.

"Why does Elfwine dislike Prince Legolas?" Gilraen inquired after a while.

"He has never said anything to me about it. I do not know why he did that." Barahir replied as he picked up a pebble and tossed it up into a nearby bush. A large brown crow flew out of the bush in surprise and flew off behind a huge boulder.

"Did you see that Gilraen? That that big crow was brown! I thought all crows were black." Barahir exclaimed.

Gilraen had missed the sight and only shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps it was not a crow." She started to walk off to a place of privacy. Barahir began to follow.

"Stay there Barahir. I need to do... ladies business."

"Oh..." the young boy blushed. "All right. Try to hurry."

She came around the large boulder that would hide her from view and was startled to see the large brown crow sitting on a rock. "You do seem like a crow. But you are strange... for a crow," she said to it. The crow seemed to turn his head away while she took care of her business. She smiled at it when she finished, "Thank for that." She laughed at the odd bird. She bent to the brook to wash her hands. When she straightened and turned around a very old man in brown robes sat on the rock where the bird used to be. He had long white hair and a long white beard but a kindly expression he wore on his face.

Gilraen gasped in surprise. "Where did you come from sir?"

"I was here first," he smiled.

Gilraen made to go back to Barahir. She did not like this surprise.

"I wanted to meet you child. Are you not Gilraen, daughter of King Elessar and Queen Arwen?"

Gilraen stopped and turned to him, "Who are you that should be so bold?" She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

He stood up and bowed. "I am Radagast the Brown my lady."

Gilraen had never heard of him before and frowned. "Very well, Radagast, we have met. Now I must return to my friend." She turned and started to walk away.

"Gilraen, beware the red," she heard him say. She spun around but he was no longer there. Only the strange brown crow sat on the rock. It cawed a single loud caw at her. She looked around for the old man, but he was no where to be found. She turned and hurried back to Barahir.

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Please review me if you read this. Writing is infinitely more satisfying if someone is reading it! Let me know. Thanks!

To be continued...