[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Silver clouds wisped their way across a bright moon as a young man gave a bored sigh. They should have reached the Inn hours ago, but then Odessa had seen something off in the distance and, as usual, insisted upon investigating. Now, as Faleron wanted nothing more than to be home in the White City with his beloved Maerlyn, or to at least be asleep in a warm bed with a high, crackling, and warm fire beside him... he was riding through Rohan upon a finicky mare, with an even more finicky 15-year-old beside him chattering happily. He hid a yawn, nodding occasionally when it seemed that the girl spoke directly to him. Mostly, she was content with his occasional nod and "mhm", but now she seemed to want an actual response.

"Are you listening, Faleron?" she asked, suddenly serious. His eyes were closing. He hoped he would not fall from his horse... Odessa would never let him live it down. He'd known her since she was born, becoming her brother in everything but blood when her own siblings died. He knew that if he fell, she would be certain to relive the moment before his betrothed. He could not wait to return to his pretty young love, but with Desi bringing stories with her, he thought he could dally awhile longer.

"Faleron, I asked if you knew the healing properties of evermind." He looked blankly at her. The stars reflected in the girl's honey brown eyes as they rode on lazily.

"Desi, I do not know a blasted thing about plants, nor do I care to learn. That's your dream, not mine." He regretted the words as soon as they emerged, seeing the hurt look in his charge's eyes. Tears welled as he tried to make it right. "Desi, I'm sorry. I did not mean for it to sound... I... I'm just exhausted, Desi. We've been travelling for weeks, from inn to inn, inquiring everywhere for a healer, a midwife, or even a lame begger whose great grandmother, once removed and twice forgotten, once knew the use of roses in spring-time!"

The pretty young girl looked at her brother with wide eyes. Once she saw that Faleron wasn't truly angry, she smiled her charming little smile at him and began chattering away again. He sank back into his waking dreams, picturing his joyful reunion with Maerlyn. He pictured her flushed cheeks, her blue eyes. Her waves of sandy colored hair. She was beautiful, and he hadn't seen her since they had left.

"Faleron, do you think there will be a healer here? I do so wish that I could heal... it would be just like King Aragorn in the stories." Faleron sighed as Odessa's voice took on a dreamy quality. If he could get her mind away from unobtainable men for a fraction of a second, the long trip would be worth it. It was his greatest desire to see Odessa happy and prosperous, so when she expressed interest in healing and herblore, he'd packed his saddlebags and rode off without question. Now, he regretted not taking a moment to pack cotten for his ears. Odessa's boy-crazy nature was enough to drive a man to drink.

"Faleron... Do you think there will be any handsome men at this inn? Aunt Ioreth says that I should never close my mind to the thought of a good husband." He groaned, closing his eyes. He put all of his faith in the fact that his mare was inclined to stay near Odessa's placid gelding. Finally, she yelled. "Faleron! That's it! It's The White Horse!"

He opened his eyes to see the lamp-lit sign swaying in the breeze. Finally, he thought. Please, Eru, let there be a healer?

Leaving their mounts with the stable-master, Faleron led Odessa into the Inn. Taking a deep breath and praying, he swung the door open, taking a moment to adjust to the light and noise. Odessa pushed past him as he tried to regain his reflexes in time to stop her. Most rudely, he thought, she cried out.

"Is there a healer in the house?"