[maikafanawen]

Wren had been in a giddy mood when they entered Rohan. It had been a nice ride and Wren had become suddenly attached to Culfin—the name for her new red-golden haired horse. She had every now and then steered her away from the path to gallop along the side and back again, just to feel the rush. The noblewoman did it so often that soon Aerin had cried out to her to get with the group again and stop running the poor horse. Wren had laughed and tossed back her hair, catching Turthôl’s eye and giving him a playful wink before falling in line behind Carmalita next to Rave.

Haudhbar was a very cute town with small rustic houses and dirty-faced children. Wren smiled and nodded a fair ‘Hello’ to everyone she past, leaving a foolish smile on many of the people’s faces. Culfin was indeed a grand horse in Wren’s eye, though next to the fine horses of Rohan, he seemed but a pony. No matter, thought Wren, her smile ever wider. I don’t see any fire-manes on any of these horses! A light breeze toyed with Culfin’s mane and tail, making them flicker like amber flames in the air.

There was no inn where they stopped, and the Hall was crowded with the villagers who came to speak with and hear news from the travelers. Wren vastly enjoyed the attention. “People’s taste in friends seem to improve the nearer one is to Gondor,” she whispered to Rave, who rolled her eyes jovially at Wren’s good-natured quip.

“It’s very hard to believe you’re nearing your thirty fifth birthday,” the maiden answered back. “You act half your age.” Wren waved the jest away and turned to entertain a new group of young men—oh yes, and there were some ladies.

As the night wore on, the people began to grow sleepy and the Hall began to get larger it seemed as the villagers left. The few that remained were those closest to the traveler’s age and were carrying on level conversations. Finally even they tired, and the company was invited to homes and into warm beds. Wren, and Rave bunked with a young couple and their three daughters. In the morning they woke and made the family breakfast as a thank you and left around mid-day with the rest of the company.