Deep Within
The three riders took off into the darkness at a brisk trot, though Maura couldn't see the path ahead, she trusted Folly to tread carefully and knew that Legolas and Daeron wouldn't lead them astray. It wasn't completely black, where the trees thinned; Maura could make out Legolas's and Daeron's silhouettes not too far ahead of her and Folly. The one-two beat of Folly's hooves on the hard ground was comforting, the motion lulling Maura into a day dream.
"Mom!" signed the little dark hair girl frantically to the woman beside her; she pointed to the pony ride on the path ahead of them. Five ponies wearing kid sized saddles were walking sedately around in a sawdust covered circle as children of all ages dug their heels into their furry sides, asking them to go faster. The little girl's hands fluttered through the air, she couldn't sign fast enough to match her excitement," I want to go ride a horse!" Her mother smiled down at her and signed back," Which horse do you want to ride, Maura?" The little girl came to a halt so she could think, her pigtailed headed tilted to the side while she contemplated and studied the animals in front of her. There was a little brown horse with a long black mane and tail, its saddle was decorated with pink leather embellishes. Maura simply pointed, her eyes glazed over with the look of wanting. Her mother smiled at her and started walking toward the little bay pony. Maura's heart skipped a beat! There was nothing more beautiful than that pony and she was going to get to ride it! She had to wait in line with the other kids while she waited her turn to ride. Maura watched the children's mouths move as they talked to their parents, but heard nothing. She was different and she knew it. By the time it was her turn to ride the pony, she was determined to do ride just as well as the other children, it didn't matter that her ears didn't work and that she didn't communicate in the same way. She could do everything that a hearing person could do but hear; Maura was going to prove it. Her mother lifted her into the pink frosted saddle and the moment that Maura picked up the reins and held them tightly in her hands, she knew that she would be the best rider ever. The pony didn't care that she couldn't hear or talk, he also communicated by touch and movement, this, Maura could do! She tapped his rounded sides gently with her heels, the pony knew this meant to walk on, no words or sounds needed! Maura was in heaven…
" Mellon?Maura?" Legolas had slowed his mount to trot beside Folly on the narrow path. Maura looked at him sheepishly in the dark, embarrassed that she had been caught not paying attention to the task at hand.
"Sorry Legolas, I was just thinking back to the first time I rode a horse. To the first time I found out that I could do communicate without horses without having to use my ears or voice."
"I do not understand what it is like not to hear the sounds of this earth, but I do understand what it is to ride a horse for the first time," Legolas replied softly," Horsemanship comes easily to elves, the bond between beast and animal strong from the very first moment. When I am on a horse, I can feel their breath, their strong legs, their heart; I need not my ears or voice."
"This is exactly how I feel when I am riding," replied Maura strongly, "I can do anything that that a person with working ears can do except hear, it's just that horses are easier to work with than people!" she stopped for a second and then chuckled. 'Though, I guess now I CAN hear!"
"You have a strong heart, I would never have doubted your strength and determination, in this world or yours, it shows in your character, it shows who you are," said Legolas softly. He squeezed his mount into a faster trot and took the lead again, leaving Maura with her thoughts.
They rode until the sun crept over the horizon, touching the sky with a bright sliver of orange kissed with a faint blush. They had cleared the trees of Lothlorien and were now traveling over barren land, only grass and rocks for all to see. Legolas pulled his mount to a halt and gracefully swung his leg over the horses' back and dismounted. Daeron and Maura followed suit, dropping until their feet touched the ground for the first time in many hours. Maura groaned at the aching pain on the insides of her thighs. No matter how often a person rode a horse, they will still be sore after sitting on one for hours!
"We will sleep here today; we are less likely to get attacked in broad daylight. I will take the first watch and we will rotate every 3 hours." Legolas started to untack his horse, dropping bags and leather to the grassy earth.
Maura unfastened Folly's girth and slid the saddle and pad off his back. Sweat darkened his bay coat and left it glistening wet in the sun. She unbuckled the throat latch and chin strap, sliding the leather headstall down his face, rubbing away the marks with her hand as she worked. "You are my sweet boy Folly, you did good," Maura murmured in his ear as she rubbed his forehead, his majestic head bowed toward hers with appreciation. Maura was tired, but Folly came first. She gave him small squirts of water from her skin canteen and a carrot from her bag. While he grazed on the tender grass shoots, Maura used a rough cloth to help work the sweat marks out of his glistening coat. Only when Folly was comfortable did Maura collapse to the ground and shove a bag under her head for a pillow. She was out in 5 seconds flat.
Legolas had watched Maura care for Folly before she took care of herself; he realized how compassionate of a person she was. Not only for her horse, but for all others around her as well. He had watched her interact with the elvish children in Lothlorien, introducing them to Folly and giving short pony rides to the smallest. He had seen her listen to Daeron talk about his betrothed and the life they hoped to live after his journey to Rivendell was complete. She was evidence that there was good in this world despite the evil that Sauron had placed upon Middle Earth. Love still existed; that was worth fighting for.