Thank you to my reveiwers, so kind of you! Well, here you go, another chapter. Since I would kill to ride a fresian (a dream of mine since I don't know when...I'm still waiting) I wrote Darwain to be a fresian, not that that really matters, but if anyone knows what they look like, that will help asses what he looks like. Ah, I want to ride a fresian...grrr. Well, time to get in the shower and go track down my professors...I need to schedule classes for next semester like now! By the way, be nice (hint: review) and I should be able to get at least one more chapter in today before I go out with my boyfriend (we're eating steak at a friend's yummy!) So, be nice, and we'll see what happens...now where's my shampoo?

A Looser Rein

She turned around quickly and put her best 'I'm not doing anything' face on just as the doorknob turned. The door opened, followed by the entrance of the prince. She could read no emotion, no expression on his face whatsoever. She longed so much to know what he was thinking, but he gave her nothing. She looked expectantly at him, but likewise said nothing. Finally he spoke.

"Get dressed and put your boots on. I will meet you out side in ten minutes." Then as quick as he came, he disappeared back through the door. Eriathwen didn't bother even wonder what was going on. She gave up trying to figure the thoughts of Mirkwood elves. But still, she couldn't help but get a little excited over being allowed outside. She felt like a little kid who had been severely grounded for the past few days.

She stepped through her door and looked at the guards. "I'm supposed to meet Leg…Prince Legolas outside." She said, hoping that they wouldn't shoot her for trying to escape or something like that. They nodded, apparently they knew of his plans already, and fell in step with her, leading her outside to where he was patiently waited. He was standing with his back to them when they stepped out into the natural light of the sun once again.

"What, may I ask, is going on exactly?" she put her hands on her hips and tried to sound important. He turned around and grinned at her.

"I hope you like horses." That was all he said. He motioned for her to come and led her to the palace stabling area. She still didn't know what was going on, but she had a feeling it wouldn't be good.

As the walked under the high roof of the stable she could see several horses moving around in their stalls, and the smell of fresh hay was strong in the air. Legolas didn't stop until he reached a stall near the back, where she could an abundant amount of noise be created from within is confinements. A large, well refined head was thrust over the stall door followed by an equally well built neck. She gazed over the half door to see magnificent black stallion, about five years old, who was pawing the ground and whinnying consistently.

Legolas reached up to pet him on the neck. The horse shied away at first, but seeing that the elven prince meant no harm, relaxed his head back down and allowed him to stroke his muscular neck. "He's yours, well to ride today that is. Is that alright with you?"

Oh goodness? Ride him, this gorgeous, beautiful, ridiculously handsome horse? How I would love to, but I can't. Its not that she couldn't ride, it was just that she hadn't in so long. Not since her last horse had gotten to old to ride and she had abandoned him in a farmer's back yard assuming that they would watch over him, making his last years pleasurable. But that was at least ten years ago and she hadn't gotten a chance to buy, or steal another horse since then. But there was no way she was going to let them know that she was nervous, even afraid, so she kindly thanked him, which was also something she hadn't done in ages, and reached up to stroke the horse herself.

This time he didn't balk away, he didn't even flinch. He even shook his head up and down as if to 'yes you may pet me please' and to their amazement, had stopped pawing the ground.

"That's amazing. He stopped pawing. We were beginning to think he would dig a hole and disappear in the ground!" He shook his head in disbelief. "He is usually pretty wild, but I think he likes you. I believe I picked a good horse for you." He handed her a halter and lead rope and indicated hooks on either side of the walkway where she could crosstie and brush him. "I am going to go get my horse ready. I will see you soon.

The taller of the two guards had his horse only two stalls away, and the other next to his, so she wasn't left alone. She gently brushed him and brought his coat easily to a glistening sheen, the light reflecting off his healthy gleaming coat. She found out by the guard nearest to her, brushing his horse, a golden palomino, that his name was Darwain. She scratched him behind ear, a sweet spot for almost all horses, and whispered softly into it, "Hello Darwain, may I have permission to ride you?" to her amazement, she actually got an answer; a soft nicker and a nudge on her shoulder, something like a nuzzle, but not quite.

After being given her tack, she saddled and bridled him with lightening speed, and, checking the girth to make sure it was good and tight, she placed her foot in the stirrup and warily pulled herself up into the saddle, which was quite unlike Legolas's light spring onto his own light chestnut colored horse. With her on her coal black horse, Legolas on his chestnut and the guards on their almost matching palominos, they set out at a walk to warm the horses up, and then moved to a brisk trot.

Eriathwen moved up and down gently as she posted to her horses smooth gait. She almost needn't post at all, only it was traditional, so she did it anyways. With a look at Legolas, and a nod in response, she nudged her horse gently in the side, urging him into a canter. The four of them went at a steady fast pace, but still she felt the need to go faster, to leave them behind, and get away. She looked at Legolas to see if he was watching her. She was sure that the guards would be, but somehow she felt that if he wasn't watching, one less person would make it that much easier.

He was looking though. And when he saw her glance over, he smiled. And to his and her surprise alike, she smiled back. He nodded to her, and in that nod, there was so much more than a greeting. Somehow, he knew. It seemed to happen in slow motion. He closed his eyes slowly, dramatically, and opened them again. That was the signal. He took off, Eriathwen at his heels, and two dumbstruck guards, left behind.

Eriathwen leaned forward and let the speed of the amazing animal beneath her take over. She moved her hands forward and back slightly with the bobbing of his neck as she leaned out of the stirrups to help the horse stretch out. Besides her, Legolas was doing the same. Suddenly he slowed slightly and veered off the trail and into the woods. She followed close in pursuit, unsure of where he was taking her.