I looked over the host of men, aged and young but all holding the same determined look of war in their eyes. I shifted uncomfortably in my glinting armour and listened into the noises of those preparing for battle, most in a language that I do not understand. Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned. My eyes narrowed recognising the Lord Eomer. “Hail, Faith, daughter of Elrond! Shall we put aside our quarrel? At least I will speak no evil again of the Lady of the Wood.” I frowned. This was extraordinarily odd. “Nor of your kin,” he quickly added. “Well, that is good news lord. Because if you did so, you would find yourself headless,”# I spoke calmly and Legolas burst into laughter. Aragorn was hiding a chuckle and Gimli was simply confused. He smiled and replied, “Of course.” I recoiled and almost fell backwards. Quickly I steadied myself and stared at him. “You know Sindarin? How does a Lord of the Mark know Sindarin? This is madness! Complete madness! And I thought I was mad! He is mad! This country is mad! A Lord of the Mark knowing Sindarin…what is Middle-Earth coming to? Mad! Mad! Mad!”~ my elvish words were muffled and distorted from the speed at which I was saying them. Both Aragorn and Legolas were doubled over in their chuckling. I was still blinking furiously, trying to absorb the information. I composed myself and swiftly hit both the Ranger and elven Prince. They stopped instantly and it was Gimli’s turn to show his amusement. Lord Eomer was standing, confused beyond belief. I turned to him, “Do you know Sindarin?” He shook his head and I frowned, “Then what…? Mind not.”

Legolas grinned, “And a human has confused Faith!” I dropped all humour and turned to face the elf with a deadly stare, “All confuses me, elf. Do not be so rash to point that out. I am aware that I am most likely the only elf that knows nothing and having a family known for their wisdom does not help that much. All confuses me. Bring up that topic not again.” The smile left his face and he nodded curtly. I bit my lip and briefly closed my eyes. I would not show weakness in front of royalty…I would not show weakness in front of royalty… I opened my eyes and tossed my hair. “I agree to putting aside our quarrel, Lord. But if you dare speak against my family again, you shall not live to take another breath. Insult me, the unintelligent and stupid one, if you must. Yet say one word of offence about my kin, you shall most certainly feel it.”

He bowed, “Of course, Faith, daughter of Elrond. I have but one question.” I raised an eyebrow, “And what be that?” “Can you ride?” I gave him a look of complete disbelief, “Are you jesting?” He frowned, shaking his head. I put a defensive hand to my hip and glared, “I can ride as well as you, Lord Eomer. And if you think otherwise for any mad reason, I shall be forced to challenge you in a horse-riding tournament. What in Valar’s name made you think that I could not ride? If you dare say elf…” “No! No! I say not of elves, simply…” “Simply what?” I was throwing darts at him. He blinked and stuttered, “Merely I was informed that you were riding with Prince Legolas on your arrival of Edoras and I…” “You leapt to conclusions? Dear Valar, humans are more confusing than they first seem. Lord Eomer, I challenge you to a battle on horseback,” I clenched my fist and refrained from punching the Marshall in the face. “No!” I turned at Aragorn’s interruption and glowered at him, “And why not, Aragorn?” He looked at me in shock, “Can you not remember that last event…” “Aragorn! That was fifty years past! Surely you can understand that my riding would have improved since then! And I promise that I will not attempt any complicated tricks!” He grabbed my wrist and I scowled at him, “Let go.” His eyes meet mine in equal determination. I clutched my trapped right wrist and snatched it away from him before neatly stepping on his toes, with some weight of course. He winced and I faced the Lord once more. “I challenge you. Now.” He shifted unwillingly and my temper turned even fouler. I discarded my heavy pack and lightly leapt onto a horse’s back. With a single word, she sped away and I grinned.

I patted her neck encouragingly before taking a breath. Valar, please allow me to survive this. In a swift action, I jumped to my feet, spacing them apart to keep balance with the rocking motion. She increased her speed to a canter, then a gallop and we twirled in ringlets. I lost focus for a moment and slipped, grabbing the horse’s back. Defiantly, I rose once more to my feet and smiled. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw another horse and I gritted my teeth, determined not to lose my footing once more. “Lady Faith! Cease this madness!” I narrowed my eyes, “What madness?” I heard him utter something under his breath, most likely a curse. “I doubt no longer your abilities with horses. Get off the horse! Do you wish for death?” I shrugged, “I would not mind it or challenge it if it knocked on my door.” His expression was one of confusion, amazement and horror. “You are asking death to knock on your door! Get off the horse!” “Nay, Lord Eomer, leave me be!” “LEAVE YOU BE TO FACE TO YOUR DEATH? HALT!” the tone of his voice startled both my horse and I. She instantly stopped. I, myself, cursed lowly and flew over her head. I braced myself for sudden impact, yet instead my waist was grabbed. Breathing heavily, I muttered every insult known to elf to the human who was tightly holding me, galloping towards the others. I struggled but was refrained from movement. Our steed froze at the Lord’s command and I unceremoniously wrestled myself out of the Lord’s grip and plonked indelicately on the ground.

“Are you harmed?” I looked up, “Not physically, Aragorn, but my pride is harmed beyond description. Lord Eomer, there is nothing that I desire more than to have your head nailed to a platter and hung in the halls of Rivendell, but surely you can expect that, can you not? It would not be too difficult to carry because there is nothing in Lord Eomer’s head besides air and perhaps the odd spider web. Yet we all are aware of that.” I stomped over to my bag. “Aragorn, you have been officially replaced.” The ranger frowned, “As what?” “Middle-Earth’s most infuriating human.” And with that I threw my arms into the air, pounding the earth with angry footsteps. “Does the lady of Rivendell need any assistance?” a voice tinged with sarcasm flew to my ears. I let loose a shriek and fled from the idiot. “Well that was the shortest truce between man and elf that I have ever witnessed!” Legolas proclaimed. I rolled my eyes. Rohan was insane. And the one that was the most deluded of all was to be it’s next king. I pitied the poor country. More than words can tell.