Marian sat stiffly, uncomfortable for two distinct reasons: she was on a horse for the first time, and she was on a horse with Legolas.
Not that Legolas was doing anything in particular to make her feel unsettled- no, it seemed that all he had to do to get under her skin was nothing at all. She tried to shake her nerves and focus on the people around her, Arod's twitching ears, the sky, anything but the elf's arms reaching around her to grip the reins-
Marian found herself blushing again.
"Oh, for heaven's sake," she grumbled under her breath, and felt Legolas' oncoming concern before he even spoke a word.
"Are you well?" he asked.
She shifted in the saddle. "This is- is this the best way for me to learn? I don't even have the reins."
Legolas seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then he held the right side of the reins out to her, still keeping a hold on the left. Slowly, somehow fearing she would hold it wrong and cause Arod to fly into a frenzy, Marian took the leather strap in her hand. She reached down with her other hand to adjust her seating, keeping a wary eye on Arod's attentive ears.
"Be sure you do not-"
"AHH!"
Legolas was cut off as Marian's hand slipped off the saddle; her arm holding the rein jerked to the side before she could catch herself. Arod picked up speed and veered to the right, almost careening into another horse just before Legolas seized both the reins.
Marian gripped the front of the saddle with both hands, apologizing profusely to their neighbors as Legolas righted Arod.
They rode in silence for a few beats, Marian biting her lip anxiously. That had been a disaster. He probably wanted her off his horse, and rightfully so; both he and everyone around them would be much safer for it- Marian braved a look over her shoulder at his face.
He looked back at her. "If you wish to go faster, or in a more… easterly direction, you need but ask."
Marian's mouth dropped open. "You- you're teasing me!" she said accusatorily, and he broke into a smile.
She crossed her arms and faced forward, straight-backed and silent. And after a moment: "Well you ride like an old man, so excuse me for trying to liven things up a bit."
Legolas sighed. "Ah, do you think?"
His hands tightened on the reins, and without warning, Arod shot forward. Marian shrieked, half fearful and half laughing, as they pulled off to the side and raced along the outskirts of the crowd.
Éowyn's head flew up sharply as she heard a woman let out a screech, but it was only Marian.
She was riding with Aragorn's friend, Legolas. The pair had broken into a gallop, Legolas leaning around Marian's flying mass of curly hair, grinning, as he steered them outside the throng.
For a moment Éowyn looked on, smiling at the sight- and then, just as quickly, a wave of wistfulness broke over her.
She glanced at Aragorn, who walked beside her. He was a fine man. Very honorable, and brave- and yet sad, somehow. There was more to him than most people she knew, and Éowyn longed to understand.
And she wanted- oh, so many things. To prove herself, to fight for her land, for something of her own…
But deep down, Éowyn feared that no matter how much she wished for these things, they would always be just out of her grasp.
"You- idiot!" Marian gasped, hitting Legolas on the arm as they slowed to a trot, having pulled ahead of the group.
He was laughing, and Marian realized it was the first time she had truly heard him laugh.
"I am sorry, but I believe you left me no choice- not after those comments about my riding."
Marian snorted, turning to look at him as she combed her windswept hair over one shoulder, eyes glittering with exhilaration. As he met her gaze, shouts rang out ahead of them, accompanied by a horrible snarling.
His head flew up. "Stay close," he said- rather unnecessarily, Marian thought, seeing as they were on the same horse- and urged Arod forward, drawing his sword.
They burst over the top of the ridge, and in the valley below they met a horrible sight: a huge, ugly, wolf-like animal, ridden by what Marian now recognized as an orc, attacking two men of Rohan.
Legolas rode toward the animal as Marian shrank back against his chest, squeezing her eyes shut- she felt his arm swinging and heard angry yelps, roaring, the orc hissing- and then silence.
"Mari," Legolas said urgently. He let go of the reins and gripped her arm with his free hand.
When she didn't answer, he sheathed his sword and grabbed her with both hands, hoisting her off the saddle. Marian registered, a little late, that she was standing on solid ground at Arod's side.
"There are more coming, Mari. Run back to the others and make for Helm's Deep as quickly as you are able."
Marian shook her head, eyebrows drawing together. "Wha- no, I can't just leave! What about- what will you-?"
Legolas cut her off. "Now, Marian! You must run!"
He took up the reins again, but Marian caught his wrist before he could turn away.
"Just- come back."
And with those words, Marian released him. Legolas held her eyes for a brief moment before turning Arod toward the sound of the other wolf-animals, springing forward to meet them head on.
Marian gathered up the skirt of her dress and ran in the opposite direction, breaking over the ridge just in time to see Aragorn sprinting down the slope ahead of her, yelling, apparently having seen the attack. The men of Rohan immediately readied themselves for battle, and Marian stopped short on the hill, staring down at the chaos below.
Who would return? Would any of them?