A fiction scene

Dawn was breaking across a narrow plot of grass between Collette creek and the woods that ran north. Chilled air carried smoke, from smoldering ashes of a campfire, into the dark barren trees. Morning had laid down a glimmering frost.
Nathaniel awoke with a sharp pain in his side. He grabbed his double headed axe and rolled into a crouching stance. His eyes widened at the sight of the tall slender elf watching him.
“Better get the horses ready, Nate, We leave after morning meal.” Elgin glanced at the fire William was tending and the wind pulled at his long black cloak. Lengths of blond hair blew across the grey slender features in his face.
Nathan stared down and spat on the pressed grass where he had fallen asleep on his watch. He stroked at tangles in his long bushy beard. “That’ll not be happnin’ again.” He swore to himself. He gathered his gear and headed to the mounts tethered to the tree line,” No Sir, no time soon.”
He inspected a tear in his grey mare’s haunch. A small skiff had been sunk where they had crossed the river and a splintered piece of wood tore into the horse’s backside. “You’ll be as right as a bright new moon,” He gave the mare’s ear a scratch and threw a saddle up onto its back.
Elgin strung his bow, as he sat cross legged by the fire. His father had given it to him on the thirtieth year marking his conception. Made from a Juniper tree, in the Loranthe woods where his people lived. They were skilled archers, all of them, and craftsmen among them made some of the finest examples of long-range weapons known to exist. This one in particular was made by Galion Lightspear. It was his last attempt at perfection before he died at the hands of a Giant Mountian Orge that had come out of the hills; half starved, and found Galion unawares as he hunted material for his next creation.
Strips of rabbit meat that William had speared with a large branch were hissing and dripping grease, where he had leaned it across the crackling fire. Nathan appeared suddenly and grabbed at a crisp piece. He plopped down, looking out between the two of them.
“Thanks for the extra hour of sleep, Nate.” William blurted. His flat cheeks hung down below his jaw. Nathan’s face ran red and his leg began to bounce.
Laughter erupted, as Elgin fell back with his legs in the air. Nathan shoved William hard enough to put him on his back. Nate tried not to, but couldn’t help having a laugh at himself as well. “Bugger ya both!” He choked, chewing on his meat.
Falling asleep on the watch was serious, but they weren’t soldiers; they were friends.
By mid morning the sun had warmed the air as the horse trotted along the dirt road heading east. Elgin spoke.” We should reach the road south by nightfall. Maybe Inga will have some roasted pork left from supper.” She was the innkeepers wife at the “Wooden Cup” tavern set at the cross roads. It had been there as along as any of them could remember, Serving anyone with a coin, as long as they used their manners.
“I’m partial to fowl.” William licked his lip as his mouth watered, remembering th“I’m partial to fowl.” William licked his lip as his mouth watered, remembering the grouse hens his aunt would fix at the farm he grew up on. She had a way of aging them first and rubbing herbs inside and out. They baked in a nice crust and juice would pour out when she cut them to serve with potatoes and sweet goat’s milk pudding, filled with dried berries. .”But pig’ll do.”
“Aye,” added Nathan,” A pig’s arse is good enough for the likes of you.”

The road turned sharply as did the river when suddenly Elgin reined his black stallion to a halt. William and Nate did likewise as Elgin stood up in his stirrups. He could see something in the road at the far end of the curved road. “Looks like a carriage of sorts. Might be trouble?”
Men were standing next to the stopped carriage, looking under and beside it. The trio moved closer and could see a banner on to top by the driver. It was a yellow star on blue. Nate squinted though his bushy eyebrows “Lord Talbert’s men from the looks of it, must be they’ve broken a wheel.” He kicked he mare into a trot and stopped short. Four men suddenly stood abreast, Guards no doubt. One dressed in a long heavy blue cape, covering a ring mail shirt. His beady black eyes peered out under a metal skull cap. He stepped forward with a hand on the hilt of a longsword hanging sheathed at his side. “What business have you here, Dwarf? None I would say!”
As his companions rode to his side, Nathan could see that the iron that was held to the wooden wheel had loosened from the pin holding the ends together. The shade of silkcloth covering the small window in the carriage door made a slit and white gloved fingers could be seen grasping the wood frame of the window.
Nate greeted them with a big toothy smile.”A hammer n tongs and I can have ya on your way.” He spoke with arrogance that took William by surprise. The guards were still warily eyeing the riders when the driver swung down from the front of the carriage, a worn leather bag in hand. He addressed the guards.”Sounds fair enough to me. We’ve been scratchin our arses for an hour!” He laid the bag by the broken wheel and stood with his hands on his hips. The guards looked at each other and stood aside.
Only then did Nate dismount and introduce himself. “Nathaniel Forge at your service. Purveyor of blacksmithing services.” He stretched his arm out from his side and gave them a bow.” He gestured at his dismounting companions.” My apprentices, Elgin and William.”
The Guard glared at them,” Ye say ye can fix it? Then be at it!”
Nathan opened the bag and found a rusted pair of tongs, and a hammer as well. William helped him inspect the damage. The driver was showing some interest, peering over the head of the dwarf as he fought to pull the ends of the iron strap together.
Elgin was having no part of it. He approached the guards spoke to them about the goings on in the town of Bolta, south of the Wooden Cup. The Guard that had addressed them earlier spoke to him with ease. “Lord Talbert sent for his daughter, Vivian, North of here in Carn by the foothills of Shankspur Mountains.” Elgin’s eyes were wet and seem to draw the guard in. We are taking her to Bolta to meet her father and uncle there. They are holding a meeting there for representatives from all over Bristol, to discuss some matters happening in the far west of Bristol.”
A banging from under the carriage startled the guard and his demeanor suddenly changed.”Mind yourself elf, else I’ll pin those ears back for ya!” Elgin stepped back and looked down at Nate as he pushed himself from under the carriage, struggling, he raised himself up in a huff and wiped the dirt from his stiff woolen shirt. “I got the pin flattened out again and she ought hold till ya get to someplace that can fix it proper.”
The door of the carriage opened and a woman appeared. She stepped cautiously down the step and took the hand of one of the guards. She wore a light blue dress laced at the collar and waist. Her golden hair curled down to her ample breasts. A shawl of white wool was around her slender shoulders and pinned with a garnet clasp.
“My thanks to you ser!” Her voice was sweet to all that listened.” I was beginning to think we were lost to the wolves. Can I repay your kindness in some way?”
Nathan stood staring at the young woman speaking to him. He mouthed a response but his words were tripping over his tongue. “What my comrade means to say, My Lady Vivian, Is being in your service is reward enough.” Elgin drew near and bowed his head. “May your journey end without further interruption and you find your father in good health.”
Vivian’s blue eyes meet Elgin’s green and he felt as though he had looked into the sky. He caught his awkward pause and nodded again.”m’lady”
As guards helped her into her carriage, Elgin was still wondering what had happened to him."I am the one who has that effect on others."
The driver gave them a wave and slapped the team of horses.Dust blew from the rutted road, until nothing could be seen of them.