Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lord of the Rings belong to their respective creators, Joss Whedon and J.R.R. Tolkien.

He saw her on the street of soap- and candle-makers.

She passed by quickly in the crowd, no more than a small, pale face, a white, clean head cloth, and a narrow waist wrapped in coarse, peasant wool. The bundles of laundry she carried on top of her head and at the hip hid the rest of her, and she disappeared again as quickly and quietly as she had appeared.

He stood his horse still, looking long after her, blocking the street and stretching his neck in a raffish manner before Mablung coughed to remind him of his person and place.

But, as he rode away, he could not help looking back.