With difficulty, Ailith liberated the small book from her pack. Rare Plants and Fauna of the Westfold was just about legible on the cover. She winced when she saw the condition of the book and made a mental note to make Léonere a new copy. With a sigh, she opened to the scrap of cloth she was using as a bookmark and started to read.
She lifted her eyes from the page as Éowyn sat down next to her. "I thought we could make some stew for the men," her friend said brightly. Ailith looked around. They had paused for an hour or so to allow those without horses to rest.
"I think I will sit this out. I am not much of a cook," she said. Éowyn shrugged and began to light the fire and heat a pot. Ailith tried to return to her book but she ended up watching Éowyn. Her mouth twisted and untwisted and several times she opened her mouth to make a suggestion but her voice failed her.
Eventually Éowyn slammed her knife down and glared at her friend. "Is there a problem?" she asked icily.
"I don't think you are supposed to use that part of the meat," Ailith said weakly. Éowyn dropped the meat into the pot with a glare and continued with her decidedly ham-fisted attempts to cook. A spoon was eventually thrust at Ailith.
"Taste," Éowyn commanded. Ailith obliged and tried to avoid choking on the insipid liquid. She nodded and Éowyn smiled. "I told you it would be fine!" she said and swept off with the pot to find a new victim. Ailith quickly turned her head and spat the foul mouthful onto the grass. She unplugged her water skin and rinsed her mouth out a few times.
"Are you well, my lady?" Legolas asked her, pausing as he walked past.
"Don't eat the stew," she warned him. He laughed.
"May I join you?" he asked and sat down when she nodded. "Forgive me, Lady Ailith, but I find myself slightly confused. Your people have been welcoming enough to me but I feel a slight chill come from them, yet I don't feel it from you. Have I done something to offend your people?"
"No, they are just unaccustomed to your race," she explained. "I have met Elves before, albeit very briefly, so I know you can be trusted."
She smiled and looked down as the memory of her previous encounter with Elves opened as easily as the book on her lap.
She was tiring. Her little legs were sore from the walking and her dress still felt heavy from crossing the Limlight. Her pony had refused to ride into the waters so she had let him return South as she braved the unknown North. It was a great shame; she would have liked a companion.
She was not going to Edoras. Father was silly. Yes, Mother was gone and she and Father missed her with all their hearts but there was no need to wrap her in wool like a babe! She was six, for the love of Béma!
Well, he would see. This wood looked like a good place to make a home with its golden light and silvery trees. It had a nice feeling. She would be a Wild Girl; she would hunt and forage and wear the skins of her kills!
A hand touched her shoulder and a silvery voice said "Mae govannen, Rohiril." She screamed and tried to bolt but the hand held her firmly. She was turned around and found herself facing three tall and stern-looking men dressed in grey. Her face automatically assumed its innocent expression and she peeked up at them through her lashes in what she hoped was an appealing manner.
"It is not often that we discover one of your people in our lands; never mind one so young," the one who held her said."What shall we do with you?"
"She is but a child, Haldir. Let us take her to one of her father's scouts; there is no reason to bother anyone else with this matter," another said.
"Please, please don't hurt me," she whimpered. Haldir smiled.
"Do not fret. We merely want to ensure you reach your father safely," he said.
"They took me back to my Father's scouts and then I came to Edoras. Haldir and his companions seemed friendly so I see no reason to distrust you," she finished. He nodded.
"I am a Woodland Elf, my people are different to those in Lórien, as yours are different to those in Gondor," he said.
The call to move on rang out and they both moved for their horses, both slightly better for their short conversation.
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