Undisciplined Hearts

Legolas : As the dwarf and the hobbits entertained all, Legolas glanced toward Ren in time to see her trotting off. His first instinct was concern, yet he recalled how eager she was to explore the world, and it seemed she was setting tot he task of doing just that. He would be able to see her up to several leagues away, so he had no real reason for worry. He would just keep a watchful eye over her, racing across the field on her mare. If it seemed she would go a little too far, he would go after her, but otherwise would not disturb her. She needed this time, this moment to be alone, unguarded, in the wilds of a bright new world, free of boundaries and obligations for a time. Well, free of most boundaries. She couldn't be lost to the group completely. Casting glances to her now and then, Legolas left Shadowstar to graze at will while he walked to the front of the column to speak with Eomer about where they would make camp when the time came.



Alatáriël: Eomer, a quizzical brow lifted as the female elf thundered past, started to send out riders to retrieve the woman, but a glance from his sister halted his orders. Shrugging a shoulder, he returned to conference with Gamling, nodding at Legolas as the other elf approached. Eldarion was pointing to a spot on Eomer’s map and making a logical argument. “The trees pose little threat now, King. And even with this many riders, it would be unwise to camp in the broad open with little refuge and shelter. Summers in Gondor are frighteningly treacherous. One moment, scaldingly hot, the next, storms abound.” Eomer nodded. “Indeed. We’ll reach the border of Druadan by evening and set up for the night there, within easy reach of shelter. I’ll not offend where I can help it.” Eowyn chuckled and earned a brotherly scowl. “Shouldn’t you be minding your charge?” he asked grumpily. She smiled. “Fear not for Alatáriël, brother. There is naught on the plain that will harm her. Let her enjoy this taste of freedom. I doubt not we’ll find her round the next bend.” Her husband smiled, but it turned to a thoughtful frown as he stared over the plain. “…where has she gone? I cannot see her, Eowyn. Surely she couldn’t have gotten that far ahead in such a short time.” Ahead, Ren had diverted from the plain, possessing a burning curiosity for a small wayward passage she’d spied between the mountains. Hm, she thought to herself, steering Vanya towards the small outcropping, that must be the entrance to Stonewarn Valley. At the top of which sat the watchtower of Amon Din, last beacon from Rohan to Gondor. A few pebbles rattled as she passed, but she kept going, the mare alert and ears pricked.



Legolas : A small frown etched itself upon Legolas' smooth features, his brows drawn together. She had veered for the mountains, and now seemed to forget that behind her sat a group of worried people fully in charge of keeping her safe. Legolas answered Faramir's question, his eyes still looking in the direction she'd gone. "She has taken a route towards the mountains... and nears Amon Din." He looked and saw the worried look on the faces of some, and the rather grumpy scowl Eomer divided between he and Eowyn. Legolas caught the almost eager gleam in Eldarion's eyes and cut him off just as his mouth opened, "I will go and bring her back. Freedom has her enraptured in the landscape, I'm afraid, though I would agree with Eowyn that likely there is nothing to worry for. Still, she must be kept within the reach of help, should she need any." He waited only for the nod and approval of Eomer before turning to fetch his horse, who had wandered a few feet from where he'd left him. He mounted quickly and was off to see just where she'd have found herself by the time he arrived. He hated it, in a way, spoiling her time of joy and unbridled curiosity. Yet he was sure she'd understand their concern, especially being that it was the first day of the journey and she held almost no experience in the wild.



Alatáriël: A frown of pure consternation crossed the countenance of Gondor’s only heir, but he quickly smoothed his features and bowed slightly, returning to his horse, back stiff. About five miles now ahead, Ren was humming quietly to herself as she explored, taking in the majestic beauty of the mountains, the natural rock formations the likes of which she’d never dreamed existed. Snow capped some of the taller peaks, dazzling her eyes with blinding whiteness. Vanya picked her way carefully through the rubble, Ren giving the mare her head as they went ever upwards. As quickly as a cloud covering the sun, a feeling of dread swept over the elf, stealing her breath and causing her to rein the mare in. Vanya, too, threw up her head and snorted. Jade eyes quickly swept the outcroppings of rock and found nothing, yet. But she couldn’t shake the feeling of pure evil that was seeping from this valley. Her nervousness transferred itself to the mare and Vanya began to back up, jittery and twitching. Ren’s quick ears then heard the low growl that froze her blood and she caught sight of the predator that waited just out of striking range. A massive beast, nearly as large as her horse. A Warg, one of the dreaded wolves of Isenguard. Yellow teeth dripped with saliva and the wicked claws raked over the stone. Vanya, seeing and scenting the beast, would have turned and bolted, thus sealing both their dooms, had not Ren’s shaking hands kept firm on the reins, steadily backing the mare down the trail. Her lips were dry; she was nearly frozen with fear. But just get away, her brain cautioned. No sudden movements. The thing growled again, flat eyes never leaving its prey.



Legolas : A feeling of unease wormed its way into the elf-prince's heart. It came from years of battle and struggle, leagues upon leagues of travel in strange lands and harsh conditions. He had no real reason to worry, save for the fact that the outcropping now hid her from his view. He spoke soft Sindarin to Shadowstar, urging him to make haste. Instantly he felt the stallion lose all inhibitions of speed, putting even Mirkwood's finest horses to shame. In short moments he rounded the bend she had turned and started up the trail. It was then that he saw there was true cause for alarm, in the large, brown and black Warg that stalked toward her. His heart caught in his throat. What a curse to have such an encounter moments into her first outing alone! Leaving the task of picking a careful but hurried way to Shadowstar, Legolas unslung his bow and drew an arrow. Though still out of range, he sighted it on the beast and prepared for the shot. Or at least he intended to, yet his shot was blocked as Ren's steadily moving horse backed down the trail toward him, only to have the Warg continue to close the distance. He wanted a clear shot the instant it came within the right distance, yet it seemed he would not have it. Realizing she was equally armed, he shouted, "Aim for the head! Move slowly!" Wargs were not known for high intelligence, yet if she moved quickly it would almost certainly kill her. Still, she had a far better chance of killing it right now than he did. Yet she was terrified, her back rigid and her hands gripping the reins instead of taking aim with her bow. He could only hope she would recover enough courage to listen to him, or at the least she could ease her mount to the side on the narrow trail.



Alatáriël: Dimly Ren heard the clatter of hooves against stone and she realized they belonged to another horse than Vanya. Only when she heard his shout did she register Legolas some distance behind her. The Warg lifted its snout and roared, seeing this new threat/prey approaching. Her eyes locked on the beast, Ren did try to loosen her fingers grip long enough to draw her bow and nock and arrow, but several things happened at once. As she managed to uncurl one hand, slide the bow from her arm and reach slowly for an arrow, the Warg decided it’d waited long enough and pounced. The mare screamed and instinctively lurched to the side, her rider sliding to the broken earth. The Warg missed its killing stroke, lethal claws ripping the air where Ren’s head occupied space a heartbeat before. The ravine was small enough to keep it from turning quickly, thus it crashed into the rock face and thudded to the ground with a tremendous impact. Scrambling to her feet amid the flashing hooves, Ren finally fitted her arrow to the string and fired, the shaft sinking deep into the Warg’s shoulder. The beast yowled and whirled, sending shrapnel flying in all directions. Vanya had long since bolted up the canyon in terror, leaving her rider to face her fate. Ren reached for her arrow quiver, only to encounter…nothing. With a sinking heart, she realized the fall had sliced the strap and it now lay some feet away from her, in the wrong direction, forward. She started to turn, but another lunge from the Warg halted her and she knocked it alongside the snout with the bow shaft, gaining enough leverage to duck under the head and dart away, but the creature was relentless. Darting back across the ravine, she had a point to her flight; it would follow her, thusly giving the prince a clear line of sight.



Legolas : With wide eyes and fear for her safety did the prince watch her. She did well to injure it, for it slowed the ugly thing enough that it did not catch her as she ran toward him. As the beast opened its massive, deadly jaws to lunge for her again, Legolas loosed the arrow, firing a second the instant the first embedded into the Warg's throat. The second arrow landed just beside the first and as the creature gurgled and tumbled, he fired a third for good measure, this one sticking into the left eye. Now quite dead, it rolled down the hill a ways, no less a threat to Ren as its momentum kept it close on her. Legolas released the breath he'd unconsciously been holding. By the Valar and all that was good and green, this was a terrible way to start a journey. Barely into her adventure, the last thing the girl needed was such a frightful creature, which could slay even a fine warrior, choosing her for its supper. He only hoped no more would come forward, though concerning Wargs, where there was one, there were most often a few more.



Alatáriël: Ren saw Legolas fire one arrow, it zipping right by her ear, another following suit, but she didn’t deter her course. She trusted him not to hit her; besides, there was nowhere else to go. The massive roar behind her told the arrows had hit their marks and the third arrow whizzed over her shoulder, but no sound emanated from the felled beast. Pausing for a mere whispered heartbeat, Ren spied the other danger; the massive body was tumbling down the pass. Weighing nearly as much as a warhorse, the body was its own device of destruction. The elf kept running, fleet of foot as were all her kin. Natural agility allowed her to glide over the broken ground, instinctively avoiding the ankle-twisting death traps of the passage. One branch extended across the path slapped her neck and shoulder, tearing the skin slightly but she never slowed. If she could just reach the passage-! The warg’s body was too broad to fit and would slam against the rock. A flying shard of shrapnel shot from the tumbling mass and struck her in the back, making her gasp with the sharp pain. Almost there…Ren lunged through the narrow opening, nearly sliding beneath Shadowstar as she snatched a saddle strap to slow her wild flight. Jumping, using her momentum, Ren’s feet left the earth and she twisted in the air, landing behind the Mirkwood prince atop his white stallion as the dust and debris settled from the huge hunk of flesh slamming into the gap’s opening. Wide-eyed and slightly shaking, Ren couldn’t yet speak or move, just remained where she was, both hands firmly clenched to Legolas’ sleeves. She was alive.



Legolas : He realized quickly the danger was not passed just yet, and only when she sat behind him did he relax a little more. Only a little, because she now dug her slender fingers in the sleeves of his tunic and pressed hard against the firm muscles beneath. Exhaling heavily, he turned to look at her over his shoulder as she stared wide-eyed at the corpse of the Warg. "Are you alright?" Only a second after he posed the question did he catch sight of the thin line of blood across her neck. His brow creased in worry but it was nothing serious. He feared more for her spirit rather than that scratch. He glanced ahead to the path; her horse was nowhere to be seen. Should they risk another encounter to find it? She could ride back behind him, but the journey ahead was long and she would likely want her own mount. That was, if she wished to continue at all. He dearly hoped this incident wouldn't daunt her too much. "Shall we look for your horse?" he asked quietly, a little unsure of what to do. She was probably too frightened to remain here for long.



Alatáriël: Her breathing slowly returned to normal, though she licked overly dry lips before daring to speak. Quite reluctant to release her finger’s grasp or even move, Ren could only nod her head to his anxious question. Clearing her throat of dust and the remnants of fear, she managed, “…I’m quite fine, thank you.” Credit to her, her voice only sounded a bit breathy and quavering. Swallowing, she forced herself to answer the second. “If you would be so kind as to accompany me, Prince. It grieves me to think what ills Vanya could suffer alone. Besides, I have no other mount as such and all my possessions are still strapped to her saddle.” She kept her own ignorance and stupidity behind her teeth; surely she’d receive a tongue lashing soon enough for her folly. Finally realizing her nails were digging harsh creases into the fabric of his sleeves, she forced her fingers to unclench and dropped her hands, flushing hotly as her head lowered. Only then did she become aware of the scratch along her throat. It stung, but examining it with her fingers, she deduced it nothing serious. Forcing the words out, she whispered, “I am sorry,” very quietly.



Legolas : He nodded to her answer, though he knew she was battered somewhat. To her request he answered, "Certainly. I wouldn't leave the task to anyone alone... not with such creatures lurking these hidden places." He saw that they would have to leave Shadowstar behind, for the carcass now blocked the way for the horse. If they could find Vanya, perhaps they could use her to pull the body up the wider side of the path just enough to clear it for her to make it back down. He was just about to dismount when he heard her apology. Looking back at her again over his shoulder and seeing her downcast eyes, he spoke softly, "There is nothing to apologize for, Ren. You followed my advice, and in this case it was a small mistake. One that even I could have made. Don't feel sorrow when there is nothing to regret." He eased off the horse and offered his hand, not because she'd need it to dismount, but for encouragement. "I'm afraid our search will have to be on foot, since Shadowstar cannot climb over the dead animal. Come, we'll retrieve your arrows and find your mare. She can't have gotten very far on such a treacherous path." He gave a small smile, his eyes holding only kindness. He would not admonish her for this; knowledge came as anything did, with time and experience. She had learned a lesson, he knew, and it was well that she had taken it with enough fortitude left to go in search of her wayward steed.



Alatáriël: She blinked, not quite believing her ears as he slid from the horse and extended his hand. With a bit of puzzlement and confusion, she took it, following suit and landing lightly on the broken ground beside him, but a long moment passed before she released him. Glancing at the dead thing with obvious distaste, she said, “Yes, let us make haste, for they will miss us at the company and I dare say the mountains are no less treacherous in the late evening.” Since he wasn’t going to scold her, she could square her shoulders and learn from her mistakes and be more cautious in times to come. With an energy that astounded even her, Ren steeled herself and lightly but carefully climbed over the hulking mass of flesh and fur, brushing debris from her clothes on the other side. “By the Valar, what a monster,” she commented with a wrinkle of her nose at the bloody stench. Spying her quiver, she fetched it and went about reattaching the strap so she could carry it. Shouldering it and the bow, she waited for Legolas, having well learned her lesson not to go off alone. “Vanya,” she whispered, staring up the trail, “halt your flight and come to me…”



Legolas : He felt almost proud at her resolve as she climbed a bit awkwardly over the animal. Speaking softly to Shadowstar, he gave the horse a pat on the neck and left it untied, knowing it may have to flee should anything present a danger before they returned. With any luck, they would quickly find the horse and be back to their group shortly. He would say nothing of this if she preferred. The scratch on her neck could be hidden in the long locks of her chestnut hair, if she chose. He would ask her of her wishes after they found the mare. He followed her quickly, taking the lead up the path with quick, precise steps and a tireless pace. His bow of the Galadhrim remained in his left hand, ready in case another threat found them. Quietly, he spoke as they made their way swiftly up the trail, "You will encounter many quaint creatures and peoples in this journey, Ren. Unfortunately, for as many good folk and beasts there are in this world, there seem to be as many evil ones..."



Alatáriël: Matching his pace perfectly, though two steps behind, she answered, “So it seems. The folly was mine, for not being more attentive,” she chided herself. “A mistake I do not intend to repeat. That thing was a creature of Sauraman the White, a Warg. I have read of them in my studies. Although I never fancied to cross paths with one. A learning experience for all,” she said bitterly, brushing a stray limb from her path. She had disappointed herself; been too eager and hasty, thusly her near fatality with the Warg. Gazing at the ground, she could see but faint impressions of steel shod hooves; unfortunately the shale was hard and barely chipped. “She must have been frightened indeed, to make such haste over this ground. I dearly hope we find her sound and safe. It would vex King Eomer sorely were I needful of another mount.”



Legolas : "Sometimes an enemy or danger will present itself unexpectedly, no matter how closely you watch your surroundings. The best you can do is to be prepared for an attack at all times. We have time aplenty between here and our destination for you to learn such things. Considering your sheltered upbringing, you did well enough." He offered a small smile over his shoulder. They came to a bend in the path, at which Legolas drew an arrow from his quiver and readied it against his bow. He could hear something scuffling around just around the bend, mixed with the deep breathing of a large beast. Knowing it could as easily be another Warg as her horse, he looked to her, made eye contact and nodded towards the bend. With a signal to be careful, he placed his back to the wall of rock and peered around the edge to the path beyond.



Alatáriël: You did well enough. How she longed to hear her father say those words. Not that Valandil every chastised her harshly, that would be absurd. But Ren ofttimes felt him ever disappointed in her, no matter the task. But just a hint of frown marred her brow at his “sheltered upbringing” comment, only to be smoothed away just as quickly. It was truth, no matter how she disliked it. Her own sharp hearing picking up the minute noises around the rock face, she fell still as death and in the same fluid movement, nocked an arrow against her own bowstring. Gone was the tediousness of searching for tracks along the barren trail, the sometimes dangerously precarious rock formations that threatened to teeter and crumble at the slightest pressure. Nearly two miles they’d trekked tirelessly upwards but now were poised just out of looming danger’s reach. Ren met Legolas’ eyes and nodded, holding her breath as the prince peeped around the outcropping. More than willing to follow his lead, she was on the verge of doing so herself when she heard his relieved sigh and saw him visibly relax. Daring a look, she saw it was indeed Vanya, sweaty and trembling, both reins tangled around a nest of thorn bushes. The saddle was scuffed and marked, but the mare didn’t seem to be hurt, merely caught and frightened. Ren immediately put away her bow and hurried to her, making soothing shushing noises in Sindarin. Vanya’s eyes rolled and she stamped restlessly, trying to free herself. Whinnying in fright, she finally fell still under Ren’s steady petting. It took a bit, but she finally untangled the leather reins from the two-inch thorns and, still comforting the formerly terrified horse, gently turned her and headed her back down the trail. Looking back to Legolas, she reported, “She doesn’t seem to be hurt, just frightened. I think she’ll be all right.” A delicate hand stroked the dark grey neck and the horse whickered quietly. “The saddle’s still usable, merely a few scratches. All the packs are still intact.”



Legolas : At seeing a frightened horse rather than a large, ugly dog-like thing, Legolas relaxed and put the arrow away. He waited patiently for her to soothe the jittery mare, and finally they were on their way back down. "Good," he replied to her words. Eomer truly would have been vexed if the horse had been lost. People of Rohan, especially their king, were not called 'Horse-masters' without reason. When they reached the Warg that had attacked her, Legolas took the bit of rope Ren had been instructed to pack and tied it securely around one of the dead animal's legs, then to the Vanya's saddle. After several minutes of the horse tugging on one side and him pushing on the other, then moved the stinking thing aside enough for Ren to ride her back down. Each now sitting astride their own mount, they rode at a quick pace until they were in view of the rest of their party. Legolas felt a little uneasy as to what to tell the others. Lying was naturally out of the question... but he didn't really want to elaborate on everything and cause her more trouble. A hint of concern touched his voice as he spoke to her, "The others will wonder what happened..." He trailed off in hopes that she would have an idea.



Alatáriël: After dealing with the disgusting beast once more, Ren was more than happy to leave the mountain pass. Vanya seemed to feel the same, for she snorted and tossed her head as they once more emerged onto the plain. But Ren was quiet, once more withdrawing into her ‘correct’ shell. As Legolas hinted at the coming explanations, she merely stared straight ahead at the oncoming group and answered quietly, “I will explain what happened and receive what is due for my folly, Legolas. I can do nothing less.” When the humans in front spied the two riders heading back, Eomer, Eowyn and Eldarion rode out to meet the two returning elves. As the ranking lord, Eomer spoke first, voicing concern for elves and animals alike. Before he could demand an explanation, Ren straightened in her saddle and gave him one, low voiced and demure, but she met his gaze steadily, not once offering excuse or denial. When finished, she lowered her eyes and stared at her hands, saying in apology, “The fault was mine, King Eomer. I was lax and careless, which could have needlessly cost lives. I shall not be so unthinking again.” Backing the mare a few steps, she turned and rode back to the column, taking her former place in the flank of soldiers. Eowyn glared at her brother, but could find no fault with him. He had not been harsh, he’d in fact said nothing. Eldarion, his face stony, looked as if he might snap something, but kept his lips closed and turned also, heading back to the column.