Elowen trotted excitedly beside her father as they walked along the dusty, tree lined path to the village. It was Saturday, market day, the day when all the outlying farms and orchards would come to the village to sell their produce. And in her case, it was the once-a-week chance to hang out with her friends. Claire and Raven had apparently been "meeting up" with a pair of young boys, and, though Elowen was happy for them, she couldn't help but feel a sting of jealousy when they told her. Living as she was on a rather isolated farm, she herself didn't get to meet anyone interesting. Sure, there was Martin and his brothers, but they were the farm hands and they were practically family. Anyway, even if they hadn't been, she didn't think she would fancy any of them.

However, now, with the August sun shining overhead and a wagon stocked with good food, these worries were far away. As they continued on, she began straining her neck for a glance of the town, protected by the stout wooden wall, which itself was strengthened by towers positioned along it. At last! She caught sight of it just above the horizon; it would be fully visible when they reached the top of the next ridge. She grinned and her father looked at her for a moment, then said teasingly, "Now what's making you so happy?" He winked at her and she blushed.

"Well, it's just so nice to see my friends, that's all." He gave her a playfully dubious look, then abandoned his line of inquiry.

She practically skipped the rest of the way; she was so happy!

When they reached the gates, they greeted the guards with friendly nods and smiles. It was not a large town, but it had suffered it's shares of trouble, and knew that it was always best to be prepared. That was why they always kept a guard there. In fact, according to some legends, this was the place where the Dragon Riders had been revived long ago. She broke out of these thoughts as they arrived at the market square, which was alive with farmers. landowners, and merchants setting up their various stalls. But Elowen's observant eyes were searching the crowd for two faces in particular. It took her less than a minute to find them, which was pretty good, considering the size of the crowd. First checking to be sure her father and the boys didn't need her with anything, she hurried over to her friends as fast as the shifting mass would allow.

"El!" called the pretty chestnut-haired girl, her face lighting up with a smile. Elowen responded in kind, saying as they hugged,

"Claire! How are you?" Claire nodded her head to indicate that she was fine and Elowen turned to give her next hug, which was to a raven-haired girl with bright blue eyes.

"How are you?" she asked again, her face beaming with pleasure at her friends affection.

"I'm fine," said Raven with her mischievous grin. "You?"

"Oh, I'm good," said Elowen. "Soooo, how are your . . male companions?" Claire blushed slightly, and Raven said,

"They're fine. Would you like to meet them?" She spoke calmly as always, but she obviously was excited. El nodded, and the three of them darted away. Her two friends led a crowded street and toward a tall building. El began to feel a little nervous. This house belonged to the captain of the village guard - an important man - and she couldn't fathom that he might be married, let alone have children! But her friends led her right up to the front door and Claire knocked on it, not too loudly, not too softly. The door swung open and Elowen saw a tall man dressed neatly in a cotton vest, grey trousers, and finely polished brown boots, his face graced with a welcoming smile.

"Hello, girls," he said, bowing slightly as they entered.

For a girl who had grown up on a small, homely farm, the place was breathtaking. They had stepped into a large room with wall of cut, polished stone, lit by several window and decorated with portraits and flowers set up in pretty clay vases. The butler - for that was what he was - said to them, "Wait here a moment," then left the room.

He clearly knew why the girls were there.

Minutes passed, and Elowen wondered if he was ever going to come back. Then, the large door through which he had left swung open, and in walked two of the handsomest young men she had ever seen.

Unfortunately, she could't keep in a gasp.

* * *

So here's the first chapter of this. I hope you like it, but I'm not going to write anymore just yet because I want to finish my fanfics first. Thanks for being awesome, guys! :)