Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[peony_foxburr]

Hurrah! only 3 miles to the second campsite.

Had an interesting encounter the other day. I passed an old gaffer sitting by the roadside with his pony, so I greeted him and asked why he was looking so dejected. "I'm not feeling well," he replied. "This pony is too strong for me to ride today, and I'm too tired to walk home." I offered to see him there, so up he went into the saddle with me in front to control the stubborn beast. All went well till we came to a little downhill run ending in a stone wall--and didn't that pony take the bit in its teeth and gallop off, clearing the wall nicely! I managed to pull him up, and neither of us fell off. But then next I heard a great hallooing behind me--a Shirrif, on ponyback himself! He gave me a great scolding about reckless riding and endangerment, and hinted he might have to take me into custody, but the old gaffer spoke up and explained I was doing a good turn, that it wasn't even my pony and--here he whispered: "We always take this stretch at a gallop, and the pony knows it! but don't tell my wife or she'll have my head."
So after that the Shirrif let us ride on.

I have only passed one Black Rider--he barked in an unfriendly manner, but let me by nonetheless without giving chase.