The Twelve Days of Tolkien - Drabble Series

On the twelfth day of Christmas my dear muse gave to me

Vain Asfaloth

Glorfindel sighed as he carefully stitched another gem onto the leather. How had it come to this? Oh yes, Arwen and her brilliant idea of sewing bells and jewels onto her mare’s bridle. Now half the horses in the stables absolutely refused to budge from their stalls unless similarly bedecked. Asfaloth, of course, fancied himself king of the stable, and would settle for nothing less than extravagant.

Asfaloth’s hot breath blew into his hair, making him look up.

“Patience, Asfaloth.” The vain creature had already rejected eight previous headstalls, and Glorfindel decided it would make matters easier if he did his work where the horse could see it.

He added the last stitch and held the bridle up to the light. It glittered so much his eyes hurt. Asfaloth whickered in approval and lowered his head for Glorfindel to fit the bridle on.

“I hope you are happy,” said Glorfindel as he adjusted the straps. “I shall look like an utter fool, and that is half my fortune on your pretty head. Now, what about a ride?”

Asfaloth was only too pleased to comply, and before long the sound of elvish laughter and silver bells were ringing through the woods.