[Bêthberry]

All the land was grey and still, particularly in the lowlands beside the Anduin, where cool mist covered much of the great river. The tracks of the horse thieves had moved towards the River and so the pursuers edged the River also.

Ælfritha rode next to Malienna and Maikadurion, in single file, followed by Currin, Béowulf, and Anglachel in the rear. Would they evade detection more easily this way? Who could tell? It was already quite beyond comprehension that the horse thieves could have preceeded them and not been stopped. Yet this had been the very case.

Ælfritha spoke quietly with Maikadurion. "Thrill-seeker, you have met your match here, for we can tell neither rhyme nor reason with these thieves. I would almost have been tempted to search for scouts of Gondor to tell them our tale."

"I would not have stopped you, but merely left you had you made that determination," spoke the young elf, "for I would have brought dishonour to your need."

"Never mind," said Ælfritha. "It is perhaps better this way, that we do not announce our presence." Yet she was perplexed. She could understand the desire to avoid the highway, the Great West Road, but were there really types in the White City who would steal horses of Rohan? Thinking about this possibility, she became lost in thought and the group rode on for several miles. She had never, ever, been this far south, this close to the White city, and she was tempted to loose herself in the old stories of the River. She was almost thankful for the wide plain below Cair Andros because her sight was better. Across the Great River all she could see was forest, brought even to the very edge of the River itself.

Movement up ahead caught her eye and she called out to Malienna and Maikadurion.

"What do you make out there, up ahead? I see shadows moving. And a barge upon the water. Come, ride!" she called out, as she feared her horses would be taken beyond her reach.

[ January 26, 2003: Message edited by: Bethberry ]