Elenriel urged her mare into a canter to catch up with the rest of the group. As she rode alongside the others, she caught bits and pieces of their conversation, but she was content to ride in silence, drinking in the beauty of day.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Luthien watched the scenery contentedly for a while, getting used to the rhythm of the horse beneath her. Pulling out of her thoughts back into reality, Luth realized that she had drifted towards Melda, who looked slightly lost. Nudging her horse closer, she smiled brightly and said, "Hello Melda, how is your horse doing for you? I thought you had hardly ridden before, yet you seem to be riding just fine."

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Thanks Haldir and Gil!
"You said: I know that this will hurt, but if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse..."

Pandora saw sight of others who sat in silence and rode towards them, one being her AU sis.

"Beautiful isn't it." She spoke softly to Elenriel, eyes looking around at the wonderous plains and trees.

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The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

"Yes. It's lovely." Elenriel answered, smiling back at Pan. "I have always wanted to visit Middle-earth-to see the home of the Horselords, wander the forests of Mirkwood and Lothlorien, visit Minas Tirith, and now it seems to be coming to true." Elenriel looked off into the distance at the plains and trees then. "So how have you enjoyed your travels thus far?" she asked, turning back to Pan.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Melda smiled and shook her head. "I still don't know what I'm going to do if it decides to speed up," she laughed. "You're right, I haven't ridden before - have you?"

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Pandora smiled at the description Elenriel stated for she felt the exact same.

"My journeys have been an experience. I traveled with Gandalf from the shire to Rivendell, went through bree and the old forest, crossed the Bruinen. It is an experience I will never forget" She pet her mare before looking to Elenriel

"How have your travels been?"

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The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

Luth nodded in response to Mel's question, "Yes, I took lessons for quite a while, and my uncle owns horses. I love them, but I don't know how well I will get on after weeks on the back of one though!" She laughed, despite it being an unpleasant thought, "You doing well for a greenhorn, just sit back a little in the saddle and hold the reins looser. Make sure he knows who is boss."

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Thanks Haldir and Gil!
"You said: I know that this will hurt, but if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse..."

"I think it's a she," said Melda. "I've never ridden except for pony rides at fairs where all you do is sit on the pony and someone else leads it." She settled experimentally back in the saddle and grinned. "I am holding them tightly, aren't I? I guess I got nervous."

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Luth smiled back, "That is totally normal, and," she bent forward to look under Melda's horse, "yup, its a mare." She sat back up and looked at Melda, "Now for your first non-pony ride lesson. As you already know, a good kick in the ribs should start her going. Don't be afraid to kick hard if she is stubborn, it won't hurt her. That was my first hurdle, I didn't want to be mean by kicking too hard! To slow down, just pull back on the reins and say 'Whoa' or 'easy'. Horses should respond to your tone of voice and body language."

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Thanks Haldir and Gil!
"You said: I know that this will hurt, but if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse..."

Melda nodded. "I guess I pull - er - these - to make it - her - turn?" she asked, moving the reins experimentally. "How do I get off without looking like an idiot? Just for future reference, you know." She laughed.

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"My journeys have been memorable as well." she replied. I landed in Mirkwood and from there traveled with Prince Legolas and a small company of elves to Rivendell." Elenriel smiled at the memory. "My companions were wonderful. I shall always treasure the times I had with the prince...though I would like to forget the orc attack." she added ruefully, a small chuckle escaping from her.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

"Indeed," Gwen said to Larael's comment, her eyes moving forward again. "We should probably slow down for a while."
Calling forward to Ellie before breaking to a trot, she dropped her heels, sat back, and pulled the reins back. Gwen leaned down and rubbed the horse's neck with her hand.

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^Thanks Gily!
<By Bubble Black

[Ack, I can't get on over the weekend, and you guys all go haring off. 4 pages! Well, I'm gonna present our first problem. As I can't ride, it stands to reason that the me in this tale can't either, so...]

Darrell looked at the horses and groaned inwardly I thought we were going to be walking. Before he knew it, all the others were mounted, and riding out through the gate.

As the last horses behind disappeared Darrell was left standing on his own. Suddenly something nudged into his back. He turned sharply, and found himself looking straight into the face of a bay stallion, the horse that had not been chosen by one of the others. Darrell stroked his nose and spoke quietly "Well, this is good isn't it. I've got a horse, but can't ride. And all my companions have ridden off without me. I guess I could try following on foot, but they would outdistance me easily and I'd end up lost somewhere in Hollin."
"But in a couple of hours we can have you following after them, borne swiftly by the horse that stands beside you"
Darrell started at the sound of the voice that came from an elf a short distance to his right. The elf smiled
"I am the Lord Arthion, and I can teach you the rudiments of riding, such that you can follow after your young friends who left you behind in a fit of impetuousness" He walked over to Darrell and the horse, "And to start we will get you seated on him"...

[Hmm, that reminds me somewhat of my first ever RP, when the character I played could not ride, and was almost left behind. If fact I stole the name Arthion form that story *Slaps wrist* Still, I should here all week, so I hope I won't get left behind like that again]

Caunion shook his head rapidly and looked around his surroundings. He had no idea where he was. I guess I must have dozed offhe thought as he gazed at the trails for tracks. Though he was a horribly tracker, he could tell that horses has been here, a large group of horses. That could only mean the A-Uers He hastened his horse to a faster pace to catch up with his companions. "Wait!" he cried. "Wait for me!"

(I have no idea what is going on!)

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I was cured all right.

(We've departed from Rivendell and we're riding, I guess, to Rohan)

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Ellethwen looked around her, admiring the scenery. It was all so different from what she had seen in Iowa, yet very much alike.

Wait, that doesn't make sens, she thought. But it's true, I suppose.

It was. There were fields and lots of open space, like in Iowa, but there were no roads, and no cornfields, which was probably the most jarring to her poor, overworked mind. Having lived around cornfields most of her life, Ellethwen was used to them.

Ellethwen found she was lagging behind, and brought herself out of her reverie, urging her horse on further. She paused with Gwen and Elegost. "Hello," she told them.

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i've got a jar of raeg
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