Part 9

They left the market square, turning east at the crossroads, and followed the narrow lane through a huddle of grey stone cottages—past a blacksmith’s forge, and a cabinet-maker’s workshop, where they paused to look at the frosty spider’s web stretched across the window—then out onto the common, where cattle and horses, their breath steaming, were waiting patiently for the thaw.

A little further on, where the road crossed a bridge, they came upon a handful of boys sliding excitedly across a frozen stream.

Melannen turned to watch them.

Eowyn squeezed his hand. “We must press on,” she said.

“We can spare a few moments, melmenya,” said Legolas, “if he would like to try it.”

Eowyn looked up at the elf in alarm, and mouthed, No.

But the biggest of the boys had already seen them, and came running along the snowy bank. “Does the little ’un wan’ a go, sir?”

“Do you, Melannen?” asked Legolas. The elfling nodded. “Yes, please,” he replied to the boy. “Just one.”

“Come on then,” said the boy, taking the smaller child by the hand. “Melanner’s ’avin’ the nex’ go,” he shouted to his friends.

Legolas wrapped his arm around Eowyn and they watched as the elfling attempted to slide, fell—Legolas held Eowyn back—was briefly coached by the other children (who mimed various techniques), and then, on his second attempt, slid gracefully across the full width of the stream.

Melannen threw up his little hands in triumph.

Some of the others cheered, and some laughed, good-naturedly.

“Come on, Melanner,” said the big boy, “yer Dad said jus’ one go.”

“You were right, Lassui,” Eowyn admitted, softly, as the children tramped back to the bridge. “It is just—he is so small…”

“I know, melmenya,” said Legolas, gently, “but a child must always be permitted the chance to learn. Thank you,”—he handed the boy the bag of spiced almonds he had bought in the market—“to share with your friends.”

“Thank yer, sir.” The boy bowed, clumsily. Then, eyeing the elf shrewdly, he added, “Melanner says yer takin’ ’im t’ the Forest.”

“Yes.”

“Yer don’t want t’ go i’ there, sir.”

“Why not?”

The boy shrugged. “’s haunted,” he said. And he ran back to his friends.