Snarky and Mushu

[Snarky]

The sun was only just beginning to set, and its rays were now brilliant hues of orange and red. They seemed to shimmer in the passing heat, the days horrid warmth being swept away by the promise of a cold night. As a last ray reached over a building and hit the town square fountain, a 19-year old girl blinked. She looked up and saw the sun for the first time that night, although she wouldn't be seeing it for long. It was about gone.

When Arlen glanced up from the weaving in her hands to see the setting sun, a lock of dark brown hair slipped over her shoulder to tickle her exposed neck. She jerked at the contact, it was unexpected and had scared her, before settling back into her spot and calmly attempting to finish her work. She was weaving an intricate pattern of leaves that even the oldest and strongest of elven healers would not dare try at night, but she was working strongly and without fear. She had inherited elven gifts from her mother, including the crystal blue eyes that now concentrated on her weaving.

It was getting harder to concentrate as various sounds erupted around the silent village; the hooting of a lone owl, the chirping of crickets, but still she pulled another leaf through the open space for it. All the while she muttered in elvish, her annunciations perfect and unspoiled by her half and half blood. Although her dad was full blooded man, he spoke fluent and well mannered elvish. Her mother was an elf, so there were no problems with the language there. She had learned it as a child.

She looked at the herb in her hand. It was finally complete, and she smiled in the last of the light.

[Mushu]

Alena was walking through the town next to Hawk as she noticed a girl weaving. She looked like she was really concentrating so Alena tried to walk around her silently so she didn't disturb her. But as Hawk rounded the first part of the fountain he stepped upon a tree branch that was lying beside the fountain and it made a loud Crack as it snapped in two. Knowing the girl probably will look up to see her she decided it would be best if she didn't look like she was sneaking. Even though she was, but not for any reason she might assume. So Alena quickly walked from behind the fountain with Hawk's reins in hand, over to the girl and introduced herself. "Hi my name is Alena."

[Snarky]

Arlen's ears picked up footsteps, and beside them the heavy clonking of horse shoes. It was helpful, sometimes, this extra elvish hearing - but other times it could be horrible. At this time it was a fair warning to the girl's approach. Glancing up, her crystal baby blue eyes blinked at the woman. Alena? Mentally scanning the list of names in her head that were associated with her father, she did not recognize this one. It made her a bit nervous.

She rose to her feet, which were clad in brown, moccasin-like slippers, and brushed off the dirt she was sure must clung to the back of her legs. She gently set the herb on the side of the fountain, straitening back up and trying to appraise Alena. She didn't look dangerous. Arlen knew better than most that looks could be deceiving, so she discarded that route of decision. Finally finding her voice, she spoke with a slightly elvish lilt, and a young, feminine tone.

"I am Arlen, daughter of Arwen. May I ask what you do here in Minas Tirith?"

She cast a fleeting glance to the black stallion that was currently reigned in by his master, and she mentally compared him to her dainty mare Bambi. He was certainly bulkier and probably much stronger, yet this girl seemed to have no problem controlling him. Was she from Rohan? They were known for their work with horses, and some could even train them without speaking. Next to elves, people from Rohan had the best horse touch.

[Mushu]

Alena wasn't surprised to hear her ask what she was doing here. "Well I am looking for work and a cottage with a stable outback. You wouldn't happen to know where I would find such things around here would you? If not I need somewhere to stay at the least, so where would be an inn with stables for my horse here?" She said as she rubbed Hawk on his nose. Alena turned toward Arlen and this time noticed that she was elven. Maybe not a full-blooded elf but perhaps a half-elf like herself. Then it hit her, she knew Arlen seemed like a familiar name. In her assassin days she was sent to kill an Arlen, but she never did yet she is probably a different child. Because even if she didn't kill her someone would have been sent in her place. And this Arlen didn't seem like a fighter to her, so she wouldn't have survived.

[Snarky]

Arlen blinked in surprise, her blue crystals disappearing for a second behind fair skinned lids than appearing again to stare at Alena strangely. Arlen couldn't remember the last time she had spoken her name, or not had a reaction when she had. She might not be from Rohan, but she was definitely not from Minas Tirith. And probably not from Gondor. She had not even reacted to her mother's name. Suspicion began to over-rule her mind.

"There is an inn down the road on the way to the castle, Lady Alena. It has a suitable stable for your stallion."

Tilting her head slightly to the right, she again contemplated for a moment the strangeness of not having her name recognized. It was odd, but not unpleasant. She grabbed her herbs and turned toward a road that lay silently paved to her left. She began to walk, her slippers silent on the stone as she headed to where she could see the inn's sign above the building tops. Perhaps she could learn a bit more of this woman as she walked.

[Mushu]

Alena ran up to Arlen. When she caught up she told Arlen not to call her lady, it was weird. "Arlen, don't call me lady Alena. Alena will do just fine." As she walked beside Arlen she thought more about her. *Daughter of Arwen, seems familiar. Could she be the queen of some sort. Hmmm...* "Arlen would you happen to be part evlvish?" Normally she wouldn't ask such a question but it would give them something in common.

[Snarky]

Arlen turned at this, her dark hair all falling over one shoulder as she faced Alena. She gave the woman a small smile and a slight nod, enough to indicate she was before she turned back to face the road they walked. She knew that some people despised others of half blood, but this girl didn't seem the sort. There was a certain question laying in Alena's eyes...Arlen guessed she was trying to place her heritage. Looking up, Arlen realized it had gotten even darker since the fountain and guards from the castle would be sent for her soon.

"My mother is an elf. My father is not." She paused here, turning to look at Alena again. "I need to be going home soon."

They had reached the inn. A sign swung on rusty hinges that showed a seal on a rock, sunning himself in the face of a new dawn. Above it was written 'The Sea Lion' in thick, black letters. The stables were out back, and a sleeping man sat folded over himself in a chair by the entrance, waiting to take customers. Arlen smiled.

"Maverick, could you take Lad..Alena to the stables?"

The man jumped awake, on his feet even before his eyes were open. He had a thick white mustache, but a friendly smile as he nodded vigorously. "Of course, Princess Arlen."

Arlen winced, but Maverick didn't notice as he stepped forward to take Alena to the straw stables in the back.

[Mushu]

When the keeper mentioned 'princess' Alena knew it. This was Arlen, no Princess Arlen, the King's daughter. When Maverick tried to take the reins Hawk snorted and Alena shook her head, and told the keeper to give her and the 'princess' one minute then she'll take Hawk to the stables. When he left Alena faced Arlen. "Princess Arlen? Well you aren't exactly what I imagined you would be." She smiled sweetly at Arlen before talking again. "I am sorry princess Arlen, I shouldn't be holding you up." And with that she motioned for the keeper to show her where the stables were and she headed toward the direction he had shown her. But not before he looked back to see Arlen and gave her a sad look then turned back around and continued walking toward the stables. *She could have been a good friend, to bad she's a princess...*

[Snarky]

Arlen watched her go, and gave Maverick a sad smile a his questioning look. Some people just couldn't handle her status...it was really too bad for them. She waited until Alena was out of sight before turning and going back the way they had come, hitting the fountain and picking her way up to the castle. She met a guard half-way, and he finished escorting her to Minas Tirith. She ignored the concerned glances of her father, hugged her mother, and went to bed.