The feel of the saddle on Lothíriel's back was strange to say the least. It was tight and secure. Nothing she did would remove it from herself. It was somewhat humbling to say the least. She had been surprised when instead of Éomer, his sister Éowyn had taken it upon herself to prepare her. Across from her, Éomer and Firefoot were preparing as well. Éowyn smiled to Lothíriel before securing leather reins to Lothíriel's bridle and leading her out to the middle of the corral. With the ease of someone who had done it all her life, Éowyn lifted herself up into the saddle, sitting astride on Lothíriel's back. This surprised Lothíriel and out of shock, she took a few steps forward.

"Steady, Flower Dancer." Éowyn spoke calmly. "Let's see how well we get on, shall we?" She gripped the reins enough that Lothíriel was conscious of them, but they were slack enough that she could easily move her head. Lothíriel could feel Éowyn's body shift forward slightly as she brought her legs out before bringing them back into Lothíriel's body, gently on her back legs. Lothíriel moved forward slowly. Éowyn's feet pushed in once again, this time along with a steady squeeze from her legs, urging Lothíriel to go faster.

"I think someone as lovely as you can go faster." Lothíriel liked being complimented, but wasn't really focused on Éowyn's commands. Instead she wondered after the fortune teller.

'What is her plan? Perhaps she realized she'd made a mistake and has come to help me change back to a human! No, if that was the case, she wouldn't have convinced everyone that I had run away home.' Over and over, she tried to make sense of it.

"I don't know if she trusts you quite yet." Éomer's voice called. He trotted beside Lothíriel and Éowyn from atop Firefoot. "There's less of an ease about her movements."

"Oh, rubbish," Éowyn sniffed, "We'll be well enough acquainted to beat you easily enough within the hour." She clicked her tongue and gave a little more pressure. Lothíriel allowed herself to focus on what she was doing, understanding that there was nothing she could really do, no matter what the fortune teller had planned. She began to move from a lope to full canter.

"See," Éowyn pulled to a stop and bent forward, patting Lothíriel gently on the neck. "She just has to get used to me, that's all." Lothíriel turned her head and glanced up at Éowyn. She liked the rohirric woman. She had a kind disposition, but by the way she held her seat atop her, Lothíriel could tell that she was a steady and steadfast person. The two of them continued together, practicing various stops, runs and turns for several minutes before Éowyn guided her out of the corral.

"Are you prepared to lose once again, little sister?" Éomer's tone was teasing.

"I don't know about that," Lothíriel began to walk down the hill, towards the gate of Edoras. Éomer and Firefoot walked at the same pace beside them. As they passed, some men and women began to whisper to each other and several left what they were doing and followed behind their king and his sister.

It wasn't long before they were out on the plains along with half the city, ready to witness their race. At some point, Éothain had joined them as well, though instead of stopping, he gave a knowing look before riding onwards until he nearly out of sight only to stop and turn around from atop his own steed. Another rohir stepped forward, coming to the space between the horses.

He stood straight and tall as his voice called out, "Ready," Lothíriel felt Éowyn adjust herself, preparing for them to take off. After that pratice and overall warm up, Lothiriel was ready too. "Go!" As soon as the shout was given Éowyn let out a yell and Lothíriel leapt forward, into the open air. She could feel her feet pound against the dirt and grass. The clear sky above and the speed she was running made her feel as though she were flying.

'This is what I've been missing all these years? I've been riding like a lady of Gondor rather than like a bird taking flight! Never again.' With that thought, her pace quickened and she let out a neigh of joy. Within moments the two of them reached Éothain and turned sharply, beginning their return to the city. Lothíriel could see from the corner of her eye that she and Firefoot were running neck to neck.

"Let's go!" She heard Éowyn's voice and Lothíriel pushed herself as she saw the ending point for their impromptu race. Just as suddenly as she had begun, Éowyn reined her in, slowing her. Lothíriel heaved, adrenaline coursing through her, feeding her elation when she heard the shout.

"Éowyn and Flower Dancer win!"

A/N: Hello all, sorry for not updating yesterday, one of the babies got sick so what time there would have been dedicated to writing had to be prioritized elsewhere. Hopefully I can pump out another chapter tonight, but if not, 10 will be here by tomorrow.

See you next chapter!