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Firefoot · 09-05-2007, 05:17 PM

Léof was more relieved than he let on that Javan had let the subject of riding Flithaf drop. He supposed that it was no wonder that Javan should rivet on the lordliest horse in the stable – he himself had taken note upon his arrival, three months back – and it was not unlike Javan to be stubborn to the extreme. But Léof trusted that the excitement of the ride would be enough to drive the idea fully from his mind, and Herefola would be a good mount for him, steady and even-tempered (but with enough spunk to please Javan), and as he had told Javan, able to keep pace well with Æthel.

They led the horses out into the courtyard where Léof let Javan mount first as he watched discreetly. In this, at least, he looked competent enough, and Léof followed suit. He clicked his tongue and Æthel stepped obediently forward, and Javan fell into step beside them. After only a couple minutes, Javan proclaimed, “This is boring. Can we go faster?”

“Not through the streets of Edoras,” Léof replied. “Give Herefola a chance to loosen up, and get comfortable on her first.”

“All right,” Javan said, a hint of sulk back in his voice.

They reached the city gates shortly (but not nearly soon enough for Javan, Léof was sure). As they were heading out, they passed a man heading in, who by the state of his appearance seemed to have been traveling for a while. Léof nodded politely towards him and received a rather stiff nod in return, as if the man was unused to friendly greeting. But all thought of the man was promptly driven from his mind as Javan nudged Herefola into a trot without warning. Léof quickly caught up to them, mildly reproving Javan: “You might have said something.”

“You said we could go faster outside the city,” Javan pointed out.

“That I did,” said Léof, and he realized that he really did not mind. He wanted to observe Javan, of course, but he realized that he was actually enjoying himself; it had been some time since he had left the walls of Edoras. Seeing that Javan was doing just fine with a trot, he grinned. “Come on,” he said, and pushed Æthel into a canter as they passed between the green mounds rising on either side of the road.

09-05-2007, 05:17 PM	#876
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	Léof was more relieved than he let on that Javan had let the subject of riding Flithaf drop. He supposed that it was no wonder that Javan should rivet on the lordliest horse in the stable – he himself had taken note upon his arrival, three months back – and it was not unlike Javan to be stubborn to the extreme. But Léof trusted that the excitement of the ride would be enough to drive the idea fully from his mind, and Herefola would be a good mount for him, steady and even-tempered (but with enough spunk to please Javan), and as he had told Javan, able to keep pace well with Æthel. They led the horses out into the courtyard where Léof let Javan mount first as he watched discreetly. In this, at least, he looked competent enough, and Léof followed suit. He clicked his tongue and Æthel stepped obediently forward, and Javan fell into step beside them. After only a couple minutes, Javan proclaimed, “This is boring. Can we go faster?” “Not through the streets of Edoras,” Léof replied. “Give Herefola a chance to loosen up, and get comfortable on her first.” “All right,” Javan said, a hint of sulk back in his voice. They reached the city gates shortly (but not nearly soon enough for Javan, Léof was sure). As they were heading out, they passed a man heading in, who by the state of his appearance seemed to have been traveling for a while. Léof nodded politely towards him and received a rather stiff nod in return, as if the man was unused to friendly greeting. But all thought of the man was promptly driven from his mind as Javan nudged Herefola into a trot without warning. Léof quickly caught up to them, mildly reproving Javan: “You might have said something.” “You said we could go faster outside the city,” Javan pointed out. “That I did,” said Léof, and he realized that he really did not mind. He wanted to observe Javan, of course, but he realized that he was actually enjoying himself; it had been some time since he had left the walls of Edoras. Seeing that Javan was doing just fine with a trot, he grinned. “Come on,” he said, and pushed Æthel into a canter as they passed between the green mounds rising on either side of the road.