That night I stood, sat, and leaned, near Beleger. I didn't let anyone come near him say Aragorn, who came out at dawn with a bucket of hay and an apple. I frowned. What, no food for me? But that was as far as my thoughts went, because Beleger began snorting and whipping his tail. Aragorn, I saw, stopped, and watched on as I patted Beleger's neck and face.

"Shh, hey, he's a good guy, honest." Aragorn began nearing again, and I kept soothing the huge animal. Eventually Aragorn was having his hand sniffed too. But Beleger was being stubborn and wouldn't even eat unless it was from me.

"Your horse seems to only like women. I dare say it trusts me enough to tolerate me. I have spoken to Lord Elrond, Jessica. He will let the horse live but you must train the horse on how to control its rage towards men. I can see, as can any other that this horse has been badly treated and ill favored, but something must be done, and I do not think one as young as you knows how to properly train a horse."

I found myself smiling. It was a chance. And I had an idea, but would it work? I didn't know. "Aragorn? Do you think that you might help me? Well, if Beleger allows it, anyway . . ." I looked doubtfully to the large horse.

"We shall see. It depends on if he will try as well, and if he even wants to be trained. For him, training seems to be by whip and cruelty, and that, I fear, is what he may expect."

"Look, Aragorn, I trust almost everyone here. Only ones I don't trust are the ones I haven't met yet. But If Elrond is Lord of this House I believe he'll send someone kill something if he says to. I'm glad he'll let Beleger live, I just want to make sure he'll keep his word. Do you think he will?"

"I'm sure of it. I was raised here in Rivendell, by the Elves. If they say they'll do something, they'll do it. That means promises as well."

I nodded. I was tired and didn't really feel like arguing with him. I went off into the 'food place', as I had dubbed it, or cafeteria, and got some food. I was happily eating a very tasty apple when someone sat beside me. I looked up, and to my surprise, it was Elrond. I looked away slightly, biting my lip.

"Hey, Elrond . . ." I said, looking down, then back up. I set the apple on the table.

"Quel re, Jessica. Do not look so aggrieved. I understand that you want to go home. This is not your place. Though I must ask you to try to train that . . . huge animal. It hardly seems a horse, it is so large . . . I cannot endanger my people. I am sure that you understand."

I nodded and smiled. I did. I understood but training that animal seemed close to impossible, even in retrospect. Yet I was very willing to try. Would it work? I hoped so. I almost needed it to.

"He's a Clydesdale. In my time, they are indeed horses, but they're so large they have to be kept specially. I think Beleger is either half-breed or still young. He's going to get bigger if he's younger than he seems. Clydesdales are some of the biggest horse breeds on Earth, though there are a few that are even larger."

Lord Elrond took a drink from his cup, looking thoughtful. He was looking at me a moment later when I looked back up. I smiled. "They're as smart if not smarter than regular horses. I'm sure I can tame him with Aragorns help. Beleger let him come close this morning."

"I've given my word not to slay the horse, and I will not. But he's counting on you, Lady Jessica. If he goes wild, you cannot expect my mercy again if he hurts more people."

"I swear to God I'll do my best," I said, meaning it, and ferverently hoping that I could.