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It was unfortunate that Mithalwen was on the far side of Snaveling or her swifter elvish reactions might have been enough to prevent the situation escalating. As it was she had to make the split second decision of whether to follow the horse and his most vulnerable rider on foot or on horseback. The latter would cause a delay but if the great steed had not chosen to bolt rather than explore the Inn's grounds, even she would not be swift enough on foot. She blamed herself already. she should have made clear to Marigold that all horses were not as Aeglos, trained to respond to the mind of the owner as well as the movements of the rider. This horse of Aman's was not elf trained and had responded to the kick as most of his kind would.
To the elf each moment seemed and eternity, but to Snaveling the elf movements were a blur as she sprang on to her own horses back. With no harness other than the head stall and lead rope, she was in pursuit of Marigold and Felarof and dreading what she might see when she found them. She trusted Aeglos absolutely, though the yard stones were treacherous in the the rain, that was falling steadily once more. she attempted to reach the other horse also with her mind.
Now it was Snaveling's turn for each moment to pass as an eternity. It seemed forever but it was a matter of minutes before he heard returning hooves. Felarof, riderless was following Aeglos, docile as anything, but Mithalwen bore Marigold in her arms and to Snaveling, the child was ominously still.
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