[maikafanawen]

Annanoldowen deeply resented wearing the clothing of a shield-maiden, but due to the strenuous travel (and possibly warfare) she would endure these next few weeks, she reluctantly conformed to such attire. The elf stood in front of the mirror of a local clothe shop in the village of Alphirion. She eyed her new ensemble dismayingly. Dark brown riding pants were covered halfway to just above the knee by simple, tan colored boots. A crisp white ‘swordswoman’s’ shirt was worn under a tough leather jerkin. The jerkin tied up the front with a leather string weaving in and out of a dozen pairs of grommets. The wings of the jerkin were made of a tougher material adding protection to the elf’s shoulders. Her silver feather pendant was visible between the collars of her shirt. Strapped to her belt were her regular sword and a new addition: a dagger of fine make that she had purchased at the local smithy’s shop. Her long blonde hair had been brushed out of her face and pulled back into one long braid, and secured with a thin leather strap at the end. Over all, she looked the part of any regular shield maiden. If not for her pointed ears and sharp features, she could almost pass for a woman of Rohan or Gondor. The thought was amusing.

“Are you satisfied?” asked an anxious shopkeeper as Annanoldowen took in her new look.

“I do not like the snug feel of this jerkin,” she replied, trying to loosen it under the arms with her thumbs.

“It’s best for travel,” was the rejoinder. Sighing, Annanoldowen paid the woman generously and left the shop.

A warm breeze greeted her, twirling the silver chimes on the clothe shop’s porch. Her new boots made no sound as she walked down the three steps to her horse. A small group of children had gathered and were looking admiringly at Taurawaa. Smiling kindly at them, Annanoldowen mounted and spurred her horse away from the row of shops and down the road. She joined the rest of the group just in time to visit a man by the name of Havlor who was passing due to one of the poison darts.