"Ealdred son of Eorlaf," The boy filled in the silence as Gilrien trailed off her sentence.

"Few? Only if you're not looking to participate, if you'll excuse me saying so your highness. 'Course events of such magnitude aren't particularly common, but I could bet you my lucky shoe that between Rohan, Dale and Gondor there's likely to be a flat-race somewhere every week or so- " He said cheerily as she waved off the idea. A look of disappointment briefly flashed across his face but he was quick to replace it once more with a bright smile as he looked to Gilrien.

"I'll give you this for nothing though- I've spent my whole life around horses and I wouldn't want to change that at all, but even if I hadn't it's plain as day that you have great horsemanship your highness. It'd be a shame not to catch you called out at any more of the races, I have a feeling you'd be winning them in no time with the right boost." He continued before pausing for a moment.

"Then again, I imagine someone of your rank would be far too busy traveling to and from all these wondrous realms and governing to have all that much time off." He quickly added before he went on for too long.

"Ealdred. It is lovely to meet you." She gives a polite smile and allows him to continue to speak. He seems to be rather good at speaking, perhaps he's just rehearsed what he was going to say or he's genuinely just gifted in that area. Gilly was never really one for long sentences, she was more practical. Get it said and get your point out and you should be okay. Perhaps thats why she wasn't a diplomat or politician, she left that sort of stuff to her older sisters and brother, she had enough of them that she wasn't forced to embrace that sort of lifestyle and she was quite lucky with the fact she could do whatever she wanted that made her happy, which ended up to be with horses.

Girlies stated to think about what the young man had to say, he was quite right, it wouldn't hurt her to learn a bit more about this sport and as a good horse person she should really itch at the chance to learn more things about the sports that where out there even if they did not originate in her home. Perhaps this would be an opportunity to broaden her horizons a little. Perhaps not right at this minute but in the future.

"Your words compliment my greatly, I am glad that you find me a good horsemaster as I do try my best." She bit her lip and though about it, if she did return to Rohan to buy a horse, she would be there for a number of days before even making a decision, and having this gentleman to help her and educate her on flat racing, it could be a good connection to have in the future for her,

"I do not believe I will have time to learn much on this visit as I am heading back to my homeland tomorrow. However I do intend on buying a horse bred here in Rohan at another time, perhaps then I could take up your offer."

Lyra got distracted by the voice behind her as she turned around abruptly. Putting on a smile as all minstrels do with everybody, she found that she recognized the face of the knight. From where she could not remember, but this person was definitely at the tourney - and it came to her. He was one of the winners at the tourney.

They were on horses and she was on foot. Lyra quickly swept her eyes through the and his companions. Something about them - their appearance, perhaps - suggested that they were of a noble birth. Could be some minor noble's son. She thought with curiosity. They must be also heading to the celebration. Squinting her eyes, she managed to pull out the winner's name from the long list of new people she met.

"Evening Sir, it's an honour to meet you. Your name would be Gimilzôr, if I remember correctly?" She replied, still with her official smile on her face, "In fact I am." Subconsciously she looked down to her dress before looking up to talk again, "You and your companions too?" She asked, with a friendly air. A minstrel should be nice to every stranger, for in every stranger dwells a potential patron to her art.

Edlothia was lost in thought of warm hearth fires and Lothriel and Nana's cookings at home when she heard the voice. Strange, who would call out to her at this hour? Shouldn't everybody be grooming themselves for the evening to come? This was the first thought that struck Edlothia, though the lighthearted elleth neglected to think about the reason of why she herself was outside. Turning around, she found a face that she recognized. The one in the Single Combats, the famous elf of Rivendell who sailed to the Undying Lands and came back to Arda, the elf who had defeated a balrog and was a legend told to children -

- yet Edlothia was still unable to call out his name, despite that the other had knew hers. ("I'm famous now. Yay!" was her first thought) All elves seemed to have a talent for remembering names, yet the skill of name-remembering was quite beyond her. So she stood there with a half smile. "Ur..." She scratched her chin. All children of her generation has heard his story half a hundred times but still... "Ur..." And it came to her. "Lord Glorfindel! Mae govannen!" She smiled and walked closer, offering to shake hands, and Edlothia was so very proud of herself for accoplishing the feat of remembering a name.

"And yes I go by that name." She grinned before pointing to the tall building not far away, "You mean there? I wouldn't mind at all. In fact, I'd love to." Starting to walk, her mind wandered free to elsewhere. Meeting Glorfindel was certainly something else that she could brag at home... and already was Edlothia drafting a list of questions she was going to ask after she got over formalities. But for now, she was going to start with this one. "The tourney was spectacular, is it not?"

As she spoke of Rohan, Fíli was glad that he could now count to Dwarves who had enjoyed themselves in Rohan- he wasn't so sure whether the others were enjoying Rohan or the drink more. But he would be glad that at least they were in high spirits now, even if they had been slightly disappointed by the Rohirric Tourney. And as a merry band they half-walked, half-staggered on the path towards Meduseld.

"I'll certainly say that the people of Rohan have outstanding bravery and courage- inviting so many Dwarves to their homeland." He laughed lightly as he and Tahlaia spoke of the Rohirrim. "Though they have a nice way of life over here- it's... well it's different for sure but not necessarily in a bad way."

"There's still an entire Mountain to pack for tomorrow morning, I think I could do without the pavilion being turned inside out." He commented in reply to the sarcastic quip by Tahlaia. Keeping half an eye on the Dwarves as they proceeded along the path. The Dwarves were certainly rowdy to say the very least but they kept to themselves and aside from the occasional outburst were on fairly good behaviour. Fíli trusted that they would stay like that throughout the night- the Dwarves were very keen on feasts and celebrations but they were an honourable people as well and wouldn't repay Fengel's generosity with disrepect.

"Well if ever you are interested your highness, you'll find my sister and I in the house down the lane." Ealdred pointed to a small, humble shack along over in the distance. The home itself looks to be in need of several repairs but it boasts a long line of decent and well-cared for stables. "It's not much to look at, breeding doesn't always pay for much 'round here but I can assure you that we care greatly for each of our horses and train them to their full potential."

"We have a couple of mares due over the next few months so if ever you're around you can feel free to ass by and check on how the young ones are doing." He said to the Elven princess, before a girl a few years older than him calls him away and he turns away.

"It was my greatest honour to meet you, your highness. I do hope our paths cross again at some stage." He bowed before running off to join the girl.


----

As the Dwarves make their way up the path, they pass a group of Mirkwood elves. The two groups exchange a couple of glances but they say very little. However a couple of the elves seem to recognise Tahlaia and immediately turn to one another, whispering amongst themselves about the half-breed.

The Dwelf raises an eyebrow and smirks at his comment, shaking her head slightly the Dwarrows where a rowdy bunch to begin with, but she thought that Fili was perhaps over stating that a little bit, they weren't to bad, they showed respect where it was required unless in involved the Elves, then things got messy and Tahlaia stayed out of it for as much as she could so that things didn't get too complicated, like they weren't already complicated.

She shrugged softly to his reply, it was true, she guessed for him the idea of living here was a little strange, a stark contrast from the halls of Erebor where he lived now, or whichever Dwarf settlement he had been born in before the retaking of Erebor. Tahlaia was sure it felt something like how she felt the first time she walked in to the mighty halls of Erebor, looking completely lost and slightly bewildered,

"It's a nice enough place, the people of Rohan are decent enough folk. The only issue you would have was if you where afraid of horses." She laughs at the very idea of a man of Rohan being afraid of the very animals that are painted on to their banners and flags and halls.

Tahlaia was somewhat distracted by the Mirkwood Elves that they where coming close to as they walked by, she did her best not to look directly at any of them but she knew that they had seen her and that they knew exactly who she was, she chose to speed up a little just to get past all of them without confrontation, she had a bunch of drunken Dwarrows to take care of never mind having to fend off a bunch of Mirkwood Elves, never mind what sort of comments they might have come out with about her.

Gilrien said her goodbyes to the young man she had been speaking too. She made a mental note of everything that he had told her and the home that he had pointed to, she also took a look t the woman who seemed to be standing nearby. Once she had mentally stored everything she made her way over to the small bunch of Mirkwood Elves that had gathered a little while away from her while she had been speaking with her new friend. They greeted her like they always did, she smiled and nodded in return. She still however couldn't see her brother or sister in the mix. They should be around some time soon else she'd have to go out and search from them herself.

She noticed that the Elves had been distracted by something behind her, she turned to watch as the bunch of Erebor Dwarrows made their way up the path. She said nothing as the drunken rabble made their way through, however she was quite sure that her facial expression said everything that it needed to.

What Gilly also noticed was the half-breed that had come to Mirkwood some time ago in search of answers, while some of the other Elves turned and spoke in hush whispers to each other Gilrien chose to stay quiet, in some ways she felt sorry for the half-breed who had only come to seek out answers about her mother, what Gilrien's father told her she had no idea but she left the Mirkwood realm the same day and that had been the last of it to her knowledge.

"Indeed I am Gimilzor, would I have the pleasure of knowing your name?" Pip asked of the girl, his pride happily given a small boost as she recognised him on site. He recalled the most important lesson he was taught when he was still a squire: Talent and skill mean nothing if you people don't remember you- if they don't have a name worthy of a First Age hero to shout or a face that would send all the maids in the Kingdom going mad, then you might as well give up on having your name sung and written about or even being remembered.

And Pip was certain that he wasn't going to end up as some washed-up failure of a knight. No he was going to be known by all the Kingdom for his noble deeds.

"My friends and I," He spoke kindly "-would be delighted to accompany such a fine maid to the celebrations, if of course you would have me." He smiled politely and offered her his hand respectfully.

"You know I don't believe I've seen you before at any of the more formal functions around these parts- surely a Lady with such taste would be requested at far more higher events!"

"It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, I must admit that I was most anxious to meet you-" Glorfindel admitted as the young elf beamed brightly at him. He made a note that he should certainly try and spend time with the young guard during his stay in Mirkwood.  "For I do not think in all my years that I have seen so many people rendered speechless as their champions were defeated by a young Silvan guard." He quickly went on to explain, giving a small chuckle as he did so.

"You do me great honour," Glorfindel bowed as she happily accepted his request to accompany her to the celebrations.

"I must say that for a man aged 74 he still manages to put on quite the tourney and no doubt tonight's celebrations will be exquisite! Why I dare say we ought to invite him to Rivendell to liven things up at home." He jested light-heartedly, though he was honestly considering taking several of the Rohirric minstrels back to Rivendell so they might teach Lindir a thing or two about livening the mood at a feast.

As Gilrien joined the group of Elves, the chatter amongst them lessened slightly. Several turned to greet her as she joined their group. Ahead of her a couple of Elves who had started a little earlier with the wine were discussing louder than the others about the halfbreed that had passed them, and was still within earshot.

"-Do you think they'd be seen with it, if they knew? Of course not! They're obviously too unobservant to see what it actually is." A dark-haired ellon argued rather indiscreetly to his friends.

"Gilrien, are you not arriving to the hall with your brother and sister?" An elleth approached the princess.

"I don't care much for the horses- big, highly strung creatures that will happily trample you if you don't watch your step-" Fíli admitted as Tahlaia brought up the love that the Rohirrim had for their horses. But before he could finish, the halfling beside him suddenly sped up and walked away from him.

The only thing Fíli could think upset her were the Elves... but not even the drunken herd had reacted at all to the Elves. Fíli looked to Tahlaia slightly confused, raising a brow to ask what was wrong. Studying the group of Elves, they seemed to chatting about something to themselves- but then again Elves always seemed to be doing just that. "You know I don't think Dwarves aren't the only things on the minds of Elves, I highly doubt they're paying much mind to us."

"Besides whenever have I ever seen you care what others have to say?" He added.

The preparations for the night’s celebration were almost finished; the hall had been cleared, the floors swept, rushes laid, tables polished, platters of food laid out. Brightly coloured banners hung from the walls in a violent clash of colours, they fluttered slightly in the breeze like butterfly wings and seemed to come alive. A large fire burned over on the far side of the room making the room hot and sticky before any of the party goers even reached the hall.

Cora took all of this in with wide eyes. She’d never seen such extravagance, such opulence and lavishness, before. It was new and alien to her and it took her breath away. The colours of the room were dizzying in their brightness, the aroma of the food filled her senses and made her mouth water, the heat from the fire made her feel light headed and giddy.

She couldn’t stop smiling.

It was the banners that made her smile the most. Some were familiar, they belonged to the great families of the surrounding area and she’d seen they flying as standards often enough. Others were not. The ones that Cora found most interesting were the ones she’d never seen before, the ones which had been hung specially to honour their guests who’d travelled great distances to compete in the tourney. Men, elves, and dwarves…. Cora had never felt the urge to travel but the idea of seeing these people from far flung corners of the world….

Shifting the weight of the jug she had been given so that it rested against her hip, cradled like a babe in her arms, Cora turned her eyes towards the doors, waiting impatiently for the first people to arrive.

---

Hope it's okay with everyone I've set the scene inside a little

Gilrien gave a dark look to the loud Elves in the far corner. They'd only start trouble, besides, Mirkwood Elves should have all been above that childish sort of thing, let the Dwarrows do as they will with the half breed.

The blonde haired Elf turned to the man beside her who had begun to address her with a question. She was quite sure that she had seen this Elf before at the stables back home and smiled politely, his name slipped her mind for the moment,

"I had funny intended on arriving with my brother and sister however they are making it incredibly hard to find either of them." She explained with a gentle sigh "You haven't happened to come across either of them in your walk here have you? I can't think of anything that would be keeping them so long, we will have to go in without them should they not show up soon."

The past few days had probably been some of the best days of Kíli’s life. He’d loved the hustle and bustle of the tourney, the sound of laughter that seemed to echo from one end of the grounds to the other, the odd sights and the smells that seemed to come from everywhere, the thrill of competing. He’d particularly enjoyed the archery competition. He’d refused the long bows the Men had adapted specially for the visiting dwarrows (perhaps having sensed that the handicap they had put in place for the elves might be more than a handicap for their shorter guests) and had instead chosen to experience the real long bows.

Of course that had meant taking a little bit of a different approach to the other competitors.

The strange looks he’d received as he’d scrambled up on to Fíli’s shoulders (and the minor cuts and bruises he’d received when he’d fallen off) had been worth it. Kíli didn’t think that they’d laughed as much as they had done then in a long time…. Apart from when they’d dressed as… no, he still couldn’t think of that and keep a straight face.

And he supposed that was what he had enjoyed the most; being able to spend time with his brother, being able to laugh with him and joke with him.

When they were in Erebor they had duties to fulfil and lessons to attend and, whilst they still spend a lot of time in each other’s company, it never seemed like much compared to how much time they’d spend together before they’d gone on the quest. Kíli didn’t mind his duties overly much and he was proud of the role he would one day fill but sometimes he couldn’t help but feel as though he was being stifled, suffocated….

Just then Kíli caught sight of his brother and Tahlaia in the distance. Today was supposed to be a happy day, not one where he dwelt in his troubles and moped.

“FEE!”

He broke into so that he could catch up with them.