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[gondolin_noble]

The air is sweet in the clearing Glorfindel had been using as a campsite, and the birds are singing a bright morning chorus. Asfaloth, grazing peaceably nearby, nickers a greeting as Glorfindel leads Sunshine through the treebranch doorway he'd found by accident.

There is no sign of habitation, human or otherwise - Glorfindel could have dropped them on an empty planet.

Comments

[gondolin_noble]

The dancers are a very obviously mixed group of skills, ranging from the ridiculously talented (the older elves, and those of Sindarian blood stand out) to the absolutely fumbling (the newest stable boy, a young human from a small town that is still recovering from the influx of lawless folk on the road), but no one seems to care one way or the other. They trade partners frequently and with a joyful abandon.

You should see them at Midsummer, Rae.

[sunbaked_baker]

Sunshine laughs, spun about in the dance full of color. She shouldn't have groused at the idea of dancing after all that food and wine - if she had known, there would have been no way in the world she'd have missed it.

The strange shyness she'd felt at being a human among so many elves has all but disappeared. Each new partner, whether human or tall elf, is greeted with a bright smile and a ready hand.

She's surprised to feel regret when the music draws to a close, and thanks her current partner, the silver-haired elf lord who had presided over the meal.

[gondolin_noble]

He is as polite as one might expect of someone who has been keeping a firm hand on the ruling and politics of elven lands for ages, and sees her safely to her seat - her golden protector has been somehow hoodwinked into helping a trio of flautists who are missing someone to play the harp in the piece they wrote.

[sunbaked_baker]

Rae is glad for the seat - the dance has left the baker rather giddy. Though she's not nearly as lightheaded from all the wine as she thought she would be, it's been a long day already.

The lights and beautiful music do their best to keep her attention, she soon has to fight to keep from yawning.

[gondolin_noble]

The music goes on, even though those responsible for it change frequently. Eventually, though, there is a light hand on her shoulder, and Glorfindel's voice above her head.

"There are more comfortable places to sleep - if you do not wish for them, however, I know of some places along the trail."

[sunbaked_baker]

Rae looks up at him. She is tired, there's no denying that, and her thoughts have been turning more and more towards the bed in the travelers' wing.

"... I just don't want to miss anything."

[gondolin_noble]

"They will be here until the dawn breaks, or later - and we start again soon. You will be asleep on the trail, which will be troublesome, as your horse may wander off."

Besides, think of all the other things she's missing - the Ents are probably having a meeting (for the last two weeks), there is feasting in Edoras, a diplomatic gala in Minas Tirith, at least one birthday party in the Shire, and a chorusing band of dwarves under at least one mountain. After all that, missing some elvish music seems positively minor.

[sunbaked_baker]

Those are things she doesn't know to miss. The music and dances of all the peoples gathered in Rivendell are right in front of her, and aren't likely to be ever again.

Rae stands, slowed by reluctance as well as tiredness. "You're right, though, of course. I should get some sleep." Knowing her body's internal clock, she'll be up at four a.m., thinking it's time to make cinnamon rolls.

[gondolin_noble]

He offers her a hand up, and escorts her back to her rooms, greeting all they pass politely. The valley isn't entirely quiet - the river roars over the falls, the wind tugs at the tree branches, and there are elves - singing, playing, generally enjoying the starlit night as much (if not more) than the warm spring day it followed.

"We leave early in the morn - but there will be breakfast, before, in the hall. Do you remember the way?"

[sunbaked_baker]

Rae goes with him, tired but still wanting to take everything in. In open, arched hallways, she looks out at the cliffs and waterfalls, the starlit night as bright as day to her eyes. She'll have to remember to take some photos if there's an opportunity before they leave.

"I believe so," she nods. Or, if in doubt, she can follow her nose and the urging of her empty stomach. "Which way are we headed, tomorrow?"

[gondolin_noble]

"Onward and upward." He smiles, fey and ancient and utterly ignoring the muffled sigh down the hall from one of the maids.

[sunbaked_baker]

"That's... entirely helpful, yes," she grins, though her words and her grin are interrupted by a tremendous yawn. Yeah, she's getting the idea that it's time for sleep. Thankfully, her room is soon reached.

"See you tomorrow, then. I'm going to go crash." While there's still time to do so.

As though the lateness of the hour at which she's getting to bed wasn't totally her fault. >_> Right.

[gondolin_noble]

The next morning dawns bright, and by the time Sunshine makes it to the dining hall, Glorfindel is already there, happily trading stories in rapid-fire Sindarian with a smattering of other elves.

It's debatable if he's just that early a riser, or if he ever went to sleep in the first place. Good luck on getting a straight answer with that question.

[sunbaked_baker]

Sunshine slept like a rock, it's true. No nightmares, no dreams at all. Just rest. Rae had almost forgotten what that was like. To wake up rested.

When she enters the dining hall, Sunshine comes in from the direction of the kitchens, chatting with a couple of people with whom she'd formed a rapport. She'd gotten turned around in the many hallways of Rivendell, early this morning, trying to get some good pictures of the place and the surrounding valley and waterfalls with the early-morning sun hitting them. Her plan was to take a few pictures, then find the kitchens, but she ended up having to ask the way. Thankfully, someone kindly showed her the way.

The woman on Sunshine's left, listening to the discussion, seems to have her doubts about vegetarianism, but she isn't anywhere as vocal about it as the dwarf on Sunshine's right. Rae and the dwarf don't see eye-to-eye on the inclusion of greenery in cooking, much less vegetarianism, but both of them know that the discussion is more of an exchange of ideas than an argument. Sunshine is doubtful she'll make any more headway on the issue of fresh vegetables in a healthy diet as the dwarf will make in his insistence that a diet without meat is an unnaturalness and a tragedy. She'd be willing to bet money the dward knows it, too.

But it's an enjoyable discussion, anyway, and it continues through breakfast.

[gondolin_noble]

By the time the two maids have hustled Sunshine away from the breakfast table, Glorfindel is outside, with two saddled horses - Asfaloth, and an unfamiliar mare. Neither of the two are being held, as Glorfindel and another elf chat quietly.

[sunbaked_baker]

Sunshine thanks the two maids for their help - and their patience with her. She still has her camera with her, just in case, though it's currently hidden in her pocket.

She also - because occasionally the times when she pays attention overlap with the times she manages to think ahead - has two honeyed rolls snagged from the breakfast table.

"Good morning."

[gondolin_noble]

"Good morning." Both elves return, though Glorfindel is shoved out of the way a moment later by his horse. Asfaloth developed a love for sweets years ago, and no amount of convincing on Glorfindel's part has yet broken the habit.

The mare follows reluctantly, snuffling warily. The not-an-elf is strange to her.

[sunbaked_baker]

This baker isn't the person to ask to help you break someone, even a horse, of their love of sweets. Sunshine grins as she feeds one - only one! - of the honeyed rolls to Asfaloth. She suspects that very few creatures are allowed the privilege of shoving Glorfindel aside. Even fewer would try.

The other roll she holds out to the approaching mare, hand held flat, as smiles as it is accepted after a moment of curious snuffling. Introduction and peace-offering in one.

[gondolin_noble]

Glorfindel quietly chides his horse when Asfaloth moves to investigate the second roll as well - there's being a greedy guts, and then there's being rude, and Glorfindel only tolerates one of those things.

"We ride far and fast from here - and you will be able to become accustomed to a horse before meeting the folk of Rohan."

For some reason, this idea is hilarious.

[sunbaked_baker]

"I'll do my best not to embarrass myself," Sunshine remarks with a slight smile as she strokes the mare's withers, where her neck meets her powerful shoulders.

She's a city girl, yes, but she'll be paying close attention. Rarely does she have trouble learning something when she puts her mind to it - the trouble, her former teachers would point out, is getting her to put her mind to subjects she feels no need to learn - but this is something she doesn't want to mess up. If she does something wrong, Rae doesn't want it to be because she hadn't been paying good enough attention.

[gondolin_noble]

He smiles encouragingly, as more elves quietly bustle around them, adding the last few supplies to their packs. One of them hands Glorfindel a cloth-wrapped bundle. He waits until she's done feeding the horses and getting to know her own mare before coming closer and unwrapping the bundle.

"I pray you will not need it, but it is necessary this close to the mountains." Exposed under the wrap is a long knife in its scabbard, the belt wrapped neatly around it.

[sunbaked_baker]

Sunshine's eyebrows rise slightly as she accepts the knife and belt, holding them carefully. That knife... is a lot bigger than her familiar little pocketknife. Bigger than the knives she's used in her bakery and kitchen, too.

Not to mention a lot more ornate and probably older than the recorded history of her world. That practically goes without saying.

"Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it," she nods, understanding. Curious, she slips the knife partially out of its well-fitted scabbard to look at it.

[gondolin_noble]

The knife shines coldly in the early morning light, the delicate tracings down the back of the blade balancing against the wickedly sharp blade. Glorfindel nods at the sentiment - there has been enough traffic through the Gap of Rohan of late to keep the risk of raids low, but... well. He knows all about unexpected attacks.

All too soon it is time to leave, and Glorfindel swings up into the saddle before waiting for Sunshine to do the same.

[sunbaked_baker]

The belt fits all-too well over her traveling clothes, the unfamiliar weight of the knife by her side a point of awareness in her mind. Rae figures she will grow accustomed to it after a while, but for now it is like a new pair of shoes in an unfamiliar style.

Her ascent into the saddle this morning is better than her first attempt had been, days ago, but still lacks grace and ease of movement between the ground and the saddle. Soon, though, Rae is situated on top of the mare, stroking the horse's withers again in a tacit apology.

"Ready when you are, I think," she nods.

[gondolin_noble]

There is little fanfare, leaving Elrond's home. Those days are gone now - except maybe, for one day in the future. Horns would sound the day Elrond's sons leave for the West, if that day ever comes. Asfaloth turns and heads out of the courtyard, shaking his head and setting the tiny bells sewn into his tack chiming.
"Our next warm bed is on the other side of the Misty Mountains - I truly hope you have enjoyed yours last night!" He calls cheerfully over his shoulder as he heads for the bridge.