"There you are!"

Eladrion looked back and saw Idonea quickly following after. He had to smile at the tiny, yet determined, figure coming at him.

"So you found me." He returned as he stood waiting for her to catch up.

"You make it sound as if it was easy. Why did you come out here?" She asked.

Eladrion glanced around at his surroundings. The horse stable was bright and cheery. Fresh hay had just been laid out and the muffled crunch of oats being eatten could be heard faintly.

"You truly dislike horses?" He asked with amusement.

Idonea shrugged. "What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing besides the fact that horses are-"

"Vitale to Middle Earth. Yes, I get that often."

Eladrion said nothing but headed to the stall where his horse, called Tryhum, was held. Tryhum was a great battle horse. Strong, and powerful. Colored mostly black with white spots and mane.

"What is wrong?" Asked Idonea as she followed him, not entirely pleased being inside the stable.

"Nothing." He replied as he laid a blue saddle blanket over Tryhum.

Idonea stood just outside Tryhum's stall as she spoke.

"Eladrion, we are childhood friends. I know something is bothering you."

The prince glanced her way and gave a thoughtful look. "I suppose I never could keep things from you. Middle Earth is dying out quickly and painfully."

Idonea's eyes widen in surprise at such a statment. Middle Earth could not die out! Unless it's inhabitants-

"Tell me what is going on!" She said with an unsuccessful attempt to keep her rising fear hidden.

"That is all I can say. I am to meet with a secret council." He replied in a low voice as he lead Tryhum outside.

"Does your father know?"

Eladrion turned and looked hard at the girl. "No. And it is my wish that no one knows of this until I return. Is that understood?"

The lady looked down at her feet then back into the Prince's eyes. They seemed troubled.

"I want to help you."

Eladrion shook his head as he mounted Tryhum. "It's far too dangerous. Please, go back inside."

Before she could reply, Eladrion had urged his horse foward. The dirt path was stirred up beneath Tryhum's hooves.

Idonea watched him in the distance as he rode fast and hard. She ran her fingers through her short blonde hair, which was a habit of hers when she was deep in thought.

"Ok," She spoke aloud to herself. "What do I do now?"

From the stall behind her, a loud whinny was heard. Idonea turned, her green dress swished with the quick movement.

"No." She said firmly. "I do not ride."

"No shame in that, neither do we Shirefolk." A voice said.

Idonea heard the unmistakable accent and immediately hurried to see if her ears betrayed her. Glancing around the entryway, she saw The Prince of Halflings. His hand outstretched as he held a handful of oats to a light brown mare.

"Master Took?" Began Idonea slowly.

"Just Pippin please, or Pip, m'lady."

Idonea moved inside the stable and replied.

"Just Idonea, please."

Pippin turned to her and gave a smile. "Now what's all this about a secret council?"

Idonea opened her mouth to reply but stopped as the halfling continued.

"Your mother sent me to find ya. Would have sent Merry, but he was detained at the moment, he's not use to such rich pipeweed." He stopped and laughed at the thought.

Idonea was at a loss for words. "Well, I suppose, I mean..."

"Why is it that the easiest decisions are often the hardest to carry out?" He said as he dusted his hands off from the leftover oat crumbs.

Idonea looked at the halfing curiously. "What do you mean?"

"You should go after him. Why haven't you?"

She began to repeat the words that she so often fell back on, 'I do not ride'. Now they seemed so empty and pointless. While she mulled this over, Pippin was unlatching the door to the horse he had fed.

Idonea watched as he led the horse out. To her surprise, it was already saddled and ready for a journey. Pippin gave a smile as they stopped at the door of the stable.

"Her name is Arrow. Quite friendly too."

Idonea shyly walked up the the horse. Its eyes did look kind and its nose seemed so soft.

"You can pet her." Offered Pippin gently as he raised his own hand and rubbed the animal's neck.

Idonea slowly raised a hand and just as she did, the horse nudged her hand with its nose. Idonea smiled nervously but kept her hand still.

"She likes you." Pippin said happily. "Time to go now."

Idonea pulled her hand away and looked at Pippin in alarm. "Go?"

"If you want to catch up with Eladrion you had better hurry."

"Oh." Was all she could say. She looked at Arrow and felt her insides tighten.

"Put your left foot in this stirrup."

She looked at the halfling like he was crazy. He really expected her to get on the horse? Something her father had been attempting for over twenty years?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden loud and powerful blow of a horn.

"It's Merry's horn." Whispered Pippin, his eyes held worry and sorrow. His mind traveled back to the days of battle and the war of the Ring.

He looked at Idonea and spoke firmly. "Hurry! You have to leave!"

At the command, she clumsily put a foot in the stirrup. Her hands shook as they grasped for the saddle horn. Taking a breath, she pulled herself up and held on for dear life. The ground seemed so far away, or at least one bad fall away.

"Good, now ride! Far from here!" Shouted Pippin as he hurried the horse out of the stable.

"W-what about you? And my family!"

"I am a knight of Gondor, my place is here."

With that, Pippin gave the horse a good smack and sent Arrow galloping down the same path that Eladrion has used.

"Be safe." He whispered as he watched her go.

Suddenly a scream was heard from inside the halls of the castle. Pippin turned to see that small wiffs of smoke were coming from a high window. He unseathed his sword that had been at his side and raced inside to once again face the evils of Middle Earth.

A/n

The unbelievable amount of writers block that I faced during this particular chapter was both discouraging and exhausting, but here it is, a long awaited update.  Please give feedback!