Gondor

It had been many years since Anorieldis had taken up the studies of lore, herbalism and painting. The first two had been deemed proper by her parents. The last was of her choosing, having had the propensity toward art during the majority of her sixteen years. She spent most of her time in the Houses of Lore, studying little and great things by candlelight, in the darkened rooms of those vast libraries.

Isulril stood in her near-empty home, staring into the fire in the grate. The furniture had been covered in white sheets, and dusty. But there was not much of it. The home had not been used in some time, when she had arrived several months ago.

She thought about Handrynhad, who had spent part of his life in Bree-land, though much of it in Gondor. He was a minor noble, who had his hand in trade more than politics. He bred hounds, and made much gold off the selling of them.

A cry of a gull. The crashing of waves against weathered stone. The pit-pattering of rain. The sounds of her homeland accompanied her as she departed the shining city of Dol Amroth.

"Come on, strong friend. Carry me swiftly and do not falter." She whispers to the black stallion that would take her far across the lands of the world.

Aearrien spares only one last glance at her beloved city as her faithful friend whinnies and picks up his pace, cantering into a strong gallop down the path leading from the tall gates.

The captain and the young ranger stood hidden behind closed doors. Though the sound of swords clanging and men yelling orders at trainees could be hear from the halls beyond. An air of urgency and fear can be felt from both parties in the captain's office.

The captain paces back and forth behind the long wooden desk, a frown set firm on his face. Every few minutes he would pause, glance at the ranger, before continuting his pacing and muttering.

Why had she thought the journey would go more smoothly? Had she jinxed them by thinking such thoughts before? Dru had truly believed their little group was getting along much better. Yet somehow, one time she was not in Ost Guruth for a little while, it all fell farther than it had been before it looked better.