Part 14

Next morning they rose early; and, whilst they breakfasted on porridge, toast and strawberry jam, the landlord of The Two Ways secured them a ride on the cart that delivered milk to the houses on the western slopes of the valley.

“Now, Melannen,” said Legolas, lifting the elfling onto the back of the cart, “this is going to be an adventure.”

Eowyn climbed up beside the boy. “Yes,” she said, arranging his heavy cloak around his shoulders, “it will be lots of fun.” She gave him a little hug and, when he clung to her, she looked up at Legolas, and the elf sat down with them, and pulled them both into his arms.

The carter shook his head, smiling at his passengers’ antics.

Then, with a click of his tongue and a smart jerk of the reins, he signalled to his ponies, and they pulled away.

…

Slowly, the little cart meandered up the hillside, stopping at each dwelling so that the lady of the house could come out with a cloth-covered jug and hand it to the carter to be filled with creamy fresh milk from one of the churns.

And, without exception—after passing the time of day with Legolas and Eowyn—the women would ask the carter to wait, and would run indoors, and return with a gift for Melannen—with sweetmeats, or cake, or with a pair of woollen mittens—and the boy would thank them, shyly.

And, for the rest of their lives, the women of the valley would delight in telling their families and friends of the unexpected visit they had received from the beautiful elven couple and their adorable little son.

…

The carter left them near the foot of the cliff and, after waving him off, the trio quickly retraced their earlier path up to the rock wall, and found the passage.

In moments, they had crossed to the other side.

“Niben!” cried Melannen, suddenly. “I have lost Niben!” He hung his little head.

“Oh, sweetheart,” said Eowyn, crouching down beside him, “do not worry. Your Gwanur Legolas will find him.”

“Did you have him when you got off the cart?” asked the elf.

“Yes.”

“He must have dropped him in the rocks, Lassui.”

“Wait here,” said Legolas. “I will go and look for him.”

…

The elf ran quickly through the narrow pass and, to his immense relief, immediately found the stuffed rabbit, lying spreadeagled on the ground, just a few yards from the foot of the cliff.

As he stooped to pick up the toy, his gaze swept across the valley…

He frowned.

The narrow road still ran the length of the valley bottom; the Forest still spilled down the slope at the far side; small holdings still peppered the landscape; but the town in which he and Eowyn and Melannen had spent the last two nights was now nowhere to be seen.