(Untitled)

[a_lioness]

*Alanna is in the paddock, riding Mithros bareback. Humming softly, she puts him through his paces; the dull, rhythmic sound of his hooves striking wet grass is remarkably soothing. The cool breeze is enough to warrant a sweater, and she occasionally gives Mithros his head long enough to tug the sleeves over her chilled fingers

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[witchy_rebel]

"I didn't know he was your horse. He didn't say," Morgan says from where she sits in a tree watching. Her voice is serious, thoughtful.

[a_lioness]

He is ornery that way. Mithros, why are you keeping secrets? *She leans forward and rubs his ear, head tilted toward Morgan.* I think it is because he insists he is his own horse, and he merely tolerates me.

*It makes perfect sense to her. Glad of the distraction, Alanna bites her lip and rides over.*

How do you fare, Morgan?

[witchy_rebel]

"Well. As well as I can. Raven made me a charm, so I don't feel so ill." She smiles at Mithros.

"He's a prince, and he knows it. They like keeping secrets, just to annoy us all."

[a_lioness]

Did he? Good. I am glad. *Alanna laughs quietly.* Aye. He once belonged to my King, and I think his head is still swollen. Men.

*She looks up, smiling.*

I am glad to see I am not the only one fond of trees. How long have you been there?

[creator_raven]

Some things make sense, yes.

And then there is Raven.

Or rather, a Raven, perched in a nearby tree.

He is preening.

[a_lioness]

*Of course he is preening, for he is a pretty bird. Interest captured, Alanna tilts her head and rides over. Mithros snorts and paws at the ground. After a few moments of watching Raven, Alanna whistles.*

Hullo.

[creator_raven]

Raven continues to preen, a moment, then he looks up.

"Hello, Alanna."

Watch as the vain bird goes back to preening.

[a_lioness]

*She smiles, pleased.*

Ah, a lucky guess. *head tilt* It is good to see you. I don't think I've properly thanked you for glittering Thom.

*Swallowing, she glances toward the bar.*

[elrond_healer]

Elrond watches, almost smiling, from a distance. He settled and took care of a number of horses back at Rivendell, holding them for need's use.

His eyes admire the horse and the way Alanna sits him, nodding, glad that the skill of riding is present here as well. He wears casual clothes today, but still distinctly Elven in make and design. His circlet is on his brow and sword at his hip, while Vilya glows softly on his hand.

[a_lioness]

*With a soft clucking sound, Alanna nudges Mithros into a canter, then a full gallop, turning her face into the wind. Grasping the reins with one hand, she steers him with her legs and draws her sword from the sheath strapped to her back, neatly slicing off a tree branch as they ride underneath. She pulls up with a smile, letting go of some of the tension in her shoulders. Whacking off a tree limb makes her think fondly of Meg.

She pats Mithros neck and lifts her head, scanning the lake front. Noticing the man a fair distance away, she watches him for a moment before lifting her hand in a tentative hello.*

[elrond_healer]

Elrond watches with his not!smile and nods, seeing her skill. he has seen better, but he has also seen far worse. Her skill does her and her teachers proud.

When she raises her hand, he folds his in front of him and gives her a slight bow, and that not!smile.

[a_lioness]

*Irrevocably curious now, she rides over and nods her head, studying him from beneath lowered lashes.*

Good morning, sir. Enjoying the fresh air?

[theyounger]

There's a Gary standing near the door to the inside leaning against the wall, grinning at her.

[a_lioness]

*Alanna blinks at him, turning her head when Mithros changes directions so as to keep him in her line of sight. It takes a minute to accept that he's really there, but once she does, she canters over.*

Gary.

*She stares, unable to say much else quite yet.*

[theyounger]

The grin slides away as he figures out somethings wrong and then he's walking towards Alanna and the horse.

He doesn't ask, but he gives her a questioning look and nods his head in a 'want to talk about it?' sort of way.

[a_lioness]

*Alanna continues to watch him steadily, finally nodding. She hops off Mithros, tying him to a small tree with a slip knot. He grazes, totally unconcerned. Wiping her hands on her breeches, Alanna bites her lip, not quite sure where to start. Eventually she gives up on words and launches herself at her friend, sniffling.*

[prone_to_panic]

It may be noted that as of yet, Archie's never really had reason to venture out to the stables, he knows they're there, but he hasn't got a horse, and it's been an absolute age since he did any riding at all. But he's here now, leaning on the fence, watching Alanna ride.

[a_lioness]

*The ride with Morgan and subsequent conversations with Raven and Gary have gone a long ways toward calming Alanna down. She's still worried, but an odd sort of numbness has replaced the worst of the anxiety. She smiles wearily at Archie when she notices him and walks Mithros in his direction.*

Hullo. It's a pretty day, isn't it?

[prone_to_panic]

He smiles.

"It is indeed, I've always loved this time of year."

His expression sobers a bit.

"How did things go last night?"

[a_lioness]

*Alanna laughs harshly.*

Gods, Archie. I'm not sure how to answer that. *She swallows, quickly dismounting and walking to the fence.* The talk with Anthy went... a bit better than expected. She answered a few of my questions, if not all. Only... it seems Thom was there. In the greenhouse. Cuthbert later told me that he saw Thom enter the greenhouse after the shot, so hopefully we won't have to hold him or anything.

*She rests her forehead against the fence.*