[Amanaduial the archer]

Dawn

Aman, horse mistress of Rohan, sped across the plains of Rohan, a dark, wild steed beneath her, his warmth right against her legs, no sadle stopping her from blending completely with the magnificent animal, newly broken in, another of her proud, early triumphs...

Sitting, her back against the side of the windowseat in her room where she had gone to sleep still clothed, Aman, Innkeeper of the Green Dragon in the Shire, awoke with a start as her cheek slipped off her hand, her elbow slipping from her knees (her feet were on the window seat) where it had rested. Looking around the lightening room, Aman took a moment to realise Meldo, the dark steed upon whose back she had sped through her dreams, was nowhere near. Rubbing her warm cheek lest her hand had left a red mark, the Innkeeper leant her head right back against the side of the window seat, letting it loll slightly to one side so she was looking up and out at the sky. The stars had gone in now, and the sky was alight with the beautiful hues of the slightly cloud streaked sky, impatiently awaiting the sun as it came up over the horizon, letting the light of the new day pour like liquid wonder over the Shire. But it wasn't Rohan.

Letting her legs fall from the window seat over the side, Aman turned away from the window into her room, standing with a sigh whilst rubbing the errant sleep from one green eye. The night had passed all too quickly, and with it the dream, the dream of Meldo, the beautiful bay, her pride and joy. A wild one he had been, one of the geldings who roamed, untrained, across the plains until one of the horse masters dared to try to capture them. Her first stallion...

Shaking her head, Aman began to prepare for the day. The dream had been too brief, it was true, but maybe it was better that it hadn't come at all.