[Amanaduial the archer]

Aenara leant against the pack horse's side, making sure everything was in place. She gave one of the straps holding a bag in place a final tug before stepping back. The horse regarded her through dark, heavily eyelashed eyes, everything about its long face telling her it was not impressed with the entire set up. The elf laughed and stroked the moody pony's nose, and felt in her pockets, coming up with some pellets she had placed there for this very purpose. The horse forgot its misgivings and munched on the pellets, apparently deciding that, alright, it supposed it could put up for this, but only if there were more pellets. Aenara smiled, continuing to stroke its nose with her free hand.

"Ready to go, Aenara?"

Aenara turned her head at the sound of Finderereg's voice. She let the pony finish off the pellets and turned to face the other elf. "Yes indeed, Findereg. Ive secured everything in place on the horses, and I think everyones ready to go, once we've- what?" Findereg's expression made her stop. "What?" She inquired suspiciously. Fin simply beamed at her, then shook his head.

"Never mind, Aenara, dear. Im just pleased for you and Fin, thats all."

Aenara felt her cheeks grow hot but she couldnt help the smile that crept onto her face, and she was soon beaming as widely as Findereg. "Thankyou Fin."

"My pleasure. Anyway, are they all coming? We should be going, we are expected back at the palace."

"Yes, yes, we're here, Findereg. Dont worry." Fin rolled his eyes, an expression of fake annoyance on his face as he approached. Aenara smiled at him as he approached and reached out her hand to squeeze his lightly. The rest of the group came also. Taurion and Youlielle were close behind, Taurion with his arm around the girl, and both beaming as happily as Fin and Aenara. Now it was Findereg's turn to roll his eyes. "Honestly!"

Aenara swung onto her own horse, making sure the packs on her saddle were secure; the little ponies alone had not been enough to carry all of the goods, and besides, Findorfin still hadnt regained his horse. He sat with the look of a man who knows he looks a fool and knows everyone else knows it as well, an air of hurt dignity surrounding him. They hadnt had time to attain a new horse for him, so he had no choice but to ride one of the pack ponies or walk. The pony was looking equally unimpressed with matters.

Aenara looked around the crowded square outside the Prancing Pony once more. Quite a group had come to see them off, along with Derek, the trader with whom them had done quite satisfactory business. The old man had a smug little grin on his face and men behind him were packing the goods he had attained into bags and onto a wagon; no doubt he would go on and sell most of it on again. The elvsih traders had done good business with the man, both parties coming out with good deals, but the leaders of both sides seemed to think they had come out with a better deal; Aenara noted the same smug grin on Findereg's face.

The little town was so full of life, but Aenara longed now for the palace of Mirkwood. Turning her horse, careful not to let her proud stallion tread on any of the children playing nearby, she started down the lane behind Findereg. Several of the children waved at the procession of elves as they passed, and the new, improved Aenara waved back at them as the group made its way out of the town of Bree and back to the forest.