Galadhad watched the tall man from the shadows. The self-mocking smile he ever wore melted for a moment into one of genuine gratitude. If he must be guided on his way by a man, it was kind of the Lady to send one with such an elvish air about him. He stepped from the shadows and approached the place where the man and his horse stood. Coming up silently behind him, he said gently,
" Na vedui! Mae l'ovannen, mellon..."
Galadhad paused for a breath, then continued in the Common Speech, forming the words carefully but fluently,
"I am Galadhad of Lindon. I am told that the Lady has sent you...?"
The tall man did not immediately turn around, but became very still at the first sounds of Galadhad's voice, assessing where and how far away the one who addressed him was. Turning, the one cloaked figure faced the other. Galadhad lifted the hood from his head, his hair falling about his shoulders like a lengthening shadow in the evening's light. He bowed his head respectfully for a moment before raising his head to regard the tall man with clear, green eyes. The tall man bowed his head in return, saying,
"I am known as Andufion."
Galadhad bowed once more, " Êl síla nan lû e-govaded vín"
Gilvendir smiled beneath his hood.
Galadhad continued, using the Common Speech, "But you have only just come from travelling...you will need rest?"
At that, the horse which stood by Gilvendir's side tossed his head and pawed at the ground restlessly. The tall man laughed and placed a calming hand on the horse's neck.
"Suldal says not. I understand you are anxious to reach our journey's end. If you desire, we can start even now. I have asked for a horse for you..."
At that moment the one named Dagoras approached the pair, leading a lithe chestnut horse by the bridle. With a smile of acknowledgement towards Gilvendir he then held out the reins to Galadhad.
"His name is Sador....he will bear you safely, mellon."
Galadhad took the reins and stepped close to the animal's head. With his free hand he stroked the neck of the animal and began speaking softly to it, reaching behind it's ears to lift the bridle from its head and allow it to spit out the iron bit in its mouth. Running his hand down the beast's neck and shoulder, he placed his hand on the saddle's girth and, with one deft motion, loosened it. Lifting the saddle easily from the horses back, Galadhad turned to Dagoras, offering both saddle and bridle to him. Dagoras took both with a smile and a nod that meant "I should have known" and bowed to the elf.
With a graceful motion, Galadhad leapt upon Sador's back and, leaning forward, whispered into the horse's ear. Sador tossed his head and pawed at the ground, much as Suldal had done.
"Friend Andufion, if you are willing...let us depart. My heart flies to this place already, and what remains of me longs to follow."
Gilvendir gave a nod of assent and mounted Suldal. With a gesture of blessing and farewell they both rode through the crumbling gates, turning southwards. And the stars watched....
