On the way

[The Witchking]

Tamuril walked along the dusty track upon her steed, Elyndell, her grey stallion.
They had been trecking along this long, straight road for a long time - about a month (with breaks in between of course ) - the road was the Old South Road on the way down towards Isengard.
She was a traveller, and she came from Rivendell; pure elven descent. She didnt like staying in one place for long, though she still loved her homeland. She had longed to escape her home after only 16 years of her life in Rivendell, and then, on her 16th birthday, she had been given her very own horse - Ellyndel. So she had set out at once to travel Middle-Earth - a bit like Gandalf who was a constant traveller too. Funnily enough, (a long time after she had first set out on her journey) she had met Gandalf and knew him well and the pair were great friends though they rarely saw each other. She smiled at the memory of her old friend, then she looked up at the road ahead. She was very low on supplies and was hoping to find an inn before sunset, and Ellyndel was getting slightly tired from a day's long trekking, as was Tamuril.

[Arien]

Arien was on the side of the road just before a village. She was a ranger of the east and she enjoyed it so. Her travels had brought her here and she had been lucky enough to stop a bully from disfiguring the face of a young boy. She had stoped it and scared the boy and she chuckled as he took off running, but as this stranger passed on the road, she could be seen practicing swords with him. He was no older than 8 years old and he was trying to get at her furiously with a wooden sword she had made from a stick. Arien of course giving him some direction in his footwork and how to parry an attack. Yet something was on her lips that had not been there in such a long time. A smile played across them. She had never done this before, but she had felt compassion for the boy. In this world for a boy not to know how to defeand himself was unheard of for orcs and far worse still wandered over the land.

Arien of course was holding back slight laughter as she taught him. It was an enjoyable time seeing his poor little face turn red in the sun. It was not hot, but he was working hard. "Alright, alright young one...I think you've learned the basics, and well at that." She gave him the wooden sword she was holding. "Now...run along and challnge him to a duel of swords, first one on the ground looses." She smiled placing her hand on his shoulder and then seeing his face light up as he ran off to find where the other one had gone. Arien shook her head as a light chuckle escaped her, walking over to Erendil and placing her daggers in the saddlebag. She went to him and rubbed his neck for a moment as he grazed on the green grass. Her eyes looked up though and she saw the girl coming up the road. She watched for a moment though and then looked away for it was rude to stare.

[The Witchking]

Ellyndel trudged along the track, head held high and his arched neck and silver mane gleaming in the sun. Tamuril, sitting astride looked up at the sounds of the woman and the boy. She smiled from beneath her grey hood as she watched the boy being taught how to fight. She saw the woman look up at her as she was approaching. Tamuril saw that she was a human, though as beautious as the elves. She stopped her horse who pawed the ground. She threw back her hood so her face was visible and her hair was revealed, shining silver-blonde as her steed's mane. She looked down at the lady (for Ellyndel was a tall horse) and said "Hello stranger, may I ask if you know of anywhere where I could refill my water supplies? I'm afraid my supplies are very low." She inclined her head in polite greeting and smiled.

[Arien]

Arien looked up to the woman who had approached her. Her hair at the moment was up in a messy bun for the boy had given her a run for her money, if she had any that is. It was entertaining though. Her hands went from caressing the horses' neck to unstrapping the saddle that was on him, just to give him a small break. As she worked, she spoke to her fellow travelor, placing the saddle with the saddle bag on the ground. "Actually, there is a small village up ahead, it should have all the things you should need to continue you're journey." Her voice was friendly enough, she was in an unusually good mood and slightly more open than a Dunedain should have been.

She could feel the gentle drops of sweat going down her back. It actually felt cool seeing as the soft breeze made it a bit colder. Lastly, Arien took of Erendil's bridle and shooded him off, happily he trooted a little ways away and started to graze on fresher grass. She chuckled for it had taken him a moment before he left her side. She shook her head and hung the bridle on the saddle neatly. She looked back up to the woman though, she was an elf? What was an elf doing so far off from home? "Travelling home?" She asked in a curious tone, but she thought home was the opposite way, whether she was from Lothlorien or Mirkwood, they were in the same direction. Curiosity always got the better of her no matter what.

[The Witchking]

Tamuril heard her answer and smiled "Thankyou" but she didn't move - she hadn't seen company for a long time. She saw her give her a curious look and heard her ask the question. Tamuril smiled mysteriously "No, I'm a traveller - I haven't been home for a while now" the words shocked her slightly. How long had it been? She looked up the lane towards where the village was - she longed for a bed and food, so she said "I'll be off now - thankyou again, stranger" pause "What's your name?"

[Arien]

Arien's eyes gazed back to the woman on the horse before her. She thought about it for a moment. My name...should I? I dont' know, I don't think it's time....but..then again... She was thinking to herself now all this this happening in but a few seconds. "My name...is Arien.." She said somewhat hezitatly. She wasn't sure if this woman knew, it had been years since that battle. It was not something she wanted to remember. She was picking up a few of her things until she sat down on a rock taking another rock in her hand she started to sharpen the blade that had been up against the rock she was sitting on. She did it swiftly so that a few sparks came from it, doing one edge at a time with great ease. It had been a while since it had been sharpened. Her blade had become so dull that it probably couldn't run anybody through at this moment. The sword gleamed a brilliant mirror like silver. It was one of a kind and she took incredible care of it. Yet she noticed that she had been slightly rude. "And...what of you? Have you a name?" Arien asked this as she sharpened her blade. Her daggers were next of course. And pretty soon she would have to restring her bow. She had been in that forest too long. She was thinking now that it made her soft, for she was not like that before. She was always so serious.

[The Witchking]

Tamuril heard the name of her old friend, and she gazed down at Arien in amazement. It had indeed been many years, though she didn't think that she would ever meet her 2 companions again after... what happened. So she had not expected to meet Arien on her travels again, but now she could see. She jumped don off her horse and walked over and hugged her in greeting "Arien my old friend - I'm Tamuril!" she was so happy to see her again. She thought they had left her for good

[Arien]

Arien looked at her old friend in shock. "Tamuril? how did you...I mean.....I don't know what to say...it's been so long. Too long" She was smiling as she left her sword on the ground and returned the embrace. "I thought you would have gone back to the elves? Why still the road?" She was only curious. They had been through much and could have been enjoying the comfortas of home.

[The Witchking]

Tamuril was shocked too - she answered "I haven't returned to Rivendell.... because, well," she pulled away from the embrace "It has been far too long to call Rivendell my home - the world is my home really. Travelling is what I do" she chuckled sadly - it was a shame that Rivendell wasn't her real home, but what she had said was true "I did return home for a month I think, but I got bored staying in the smae place!" she said and smiled at her old friend "What of you? Where did you go? Have you been here all this time?"
Ellyndel had spotted Erendil in teh field not too far off. He snorted happily - he too was happy to see an old friend. He trotted over to him and joined him in eating the grass.

[Arien]

She smiled seeing the horses eating together now. She shook her head for a moment though. "I've done so very little. I've seen everyone, and guarded the forest. And yet still battle runs through my veins. I love it. It gives me that sense of power that not many can posess." She looked down. "I honestly don't know what to do with my life anymore. It seems as though I've seen every corner of Middle Earth and know at least one from each race. There's nothing more anyone can ask for." She sighed softly for a moment, adjusting her belt as she spoke.

[The Witchking]

Tamuril smiled back at her old friend and said "You deserve a break, Arien - you have done so much. I still, however, haven't travelled enough for my liking. I am still on my travels to Gondor. I love the White City - it is so beautiful. I wish to see it again." she looked down at her feet and asked "Arien, would you, I mean if you wanted to of course, come with me to Gondor? One more journey?" she looked up waiting for an answer

[Arien]

Arien looked up to her friend for a moment. "Tamuril, you know I've not been their since the battle of Osgiliath. If I go back, who knows what talk will be stirred up." Arien did want to go with her friend, only...Gondor was not the place. "I as well love the white city, but they think me improper and unfit to belong ot their kindom anymore." She was thinking about it though.

[The Witchking]

Tamuril sighed and looked at the ground again. She wanted to go on a journey with her old friend again now that she had found her here. She didn't have to go to Gondor, she could go anywhere! She looked back at her again "Well, I suppose we don't have to go there, but have you been to Rivendell? I would love to introduce you to my family, if you will..."

[Arien]

She smiled warmly at her old friend. "Tamuril, you seem to still want to peirce something with your sword this instant.." Arien chuckled lightly. "Of course, as usual, I've nothing better to do. So I will join you." She couldn't help it, she honestly had nothing else to do, and her blade was freshly sharpened and ready for use. "It would be good to go back to Rivendell.."

[The Witchking]

Tamuril smiled and embraced Arien once again. "To Rivendell! But first I must eat... Shall I meet you in the inn in the village? We should have a meal together" she was getting a bit excited now, as was her nature. She whistled and Ellyndel trotted over; Tamuril stroked his muzzle before mounting him, then looked at Arien for a reply.