[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Elwing trudged into the inn, exhausted. She had been riding her pony, Gil-collo, all day for many, many days. Making her way from the Shire to Rohan took a lot out of herself and her pony, but luckily Gil-collo was of a hardy nature, obedient and steady. She smiled wearily as she thought of him, sleepily munching on hay in the stable.

She stepped up to the bar and ordered a pint of ale and a bit of bread and cheese. Carefully carrying her makeshift meal to the nearest vacant table, she sat down with a sigh of relief.

Elwing surveyed the new and unfamiliar inn. Looking around, she saw a man sitting by himself, sipping his drink. He looked quite bored. Elwing suddenly grew self-conscious of herself, being (she assumed) the only hobbit in the White Horse Inn. She looked about warily, and although her experience with Ferri and Crystal in the Green Dragon had helped to prepare her for dealing with strangers, she still startled easily. She felt like a grain of sand next to the Big People and Elves that were all around her.

Elves...they sparked memories of her dark past. No, not again. Not again. She bent her head over her mug of ale, eyes stinging.