Miriel took the bandages of Fearan. After washing the wound, she made a tight bandage of the clean linen strips, ignoring the faces of Dernhelm. "There you go. Just check on it every day.." she said, taking place next to Fearan and Meleth.

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O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

"The women should be home sewing or taking care of children. You know the women of our time cannot fight! The elf women hav all left." He whispered to Fearan

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Meleth, who was, in fact, an elf, heard this and jerked her head up sharply. "Excuse me? I believe I am, in fact, an elf woman, and you know perfectly well that females can fight if they wish to - would you care for me or Miriel to show you?"

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"No thank you, i would not want to hurt you." He sniggered

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Meleth got to her feet, and looked coldly at Dernhelm. She glanced around at the others. "I believe you have just worn out your welcome, Dernhelm. Neither I nor any of the others will be assisting you in your suicidal rescue mission, because I find you to be irrational, impolite and a danger to your companions. I apologize for your loss, but we have bigger things to deal with." She stalked off, obviously expecting the others to follow her.

_________________

Miriel flamed with anger. "Do you still expect us to help you? After all women can't do any fighting, can they? It was my intention to accompany you though it would be dangerous or suicide yet I won't ride with any man with such views. You made a mistake Dernhelm." Miriel stood up, leaving Fearan an apoligising smile and said: "Why don't you take care of your own bandages?" Miriel threw the white, linen strips at Dernhelm's feet and left.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

"You stupid stupid man" Fearan smiled weakly. "Have you actually fought against those women?" He asked "They are quite a match, worthy of the blade they carry, and more, because they have to live through men like you taunting and teasing them for being a "woman". They are brave as you or me, and twice as honorable. I'd be careful, or one day you may find your head permenatley disconected to your shoulder, and for good reason." Fearan stared at Dernhelm with a cold, fierce gaze. He was just barely hiding his complete anger.

Miriel smiled as she heard the words of Fearan. She would thank him for that later. She strolled through the camp, searching for Meleth who'd ran off in anger. Miriel didn't understand Dernhelm, he was being hypocritical by first strolling into the camp and telling his kinsmen were in danger yet he couldn't ride out to save them. There was something he didn't tell them.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Meleth savagely poked the fire, jaw set. She put a hand to her forehead. Things were spinning wildly out of control and she wished she could wave her hand and erase Dernhelm's controversial, annoying and confusing existence. She forced herself to think back to what to do about the new threat in Mordor.

_________________

Miriel sat down next to Meleth. "So.. What do you think..?" She looked at Meleth from her eyecorners. "Do you think he can be trusted." Without even mentioning Dernhelm Miriel was sure Meleth knew where she was talking about.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Meleth did not look up. "I don't know," she said in a low voice. "Whatever he is, he has lost my assistance as far as his suicidal rescue mission goes. I have bigger things to deal with, especially when his story makes no sense and he wants to drink all night!" she was beginning to sound hysterical, so she was silent for a minute, still poking the fire. "Is Fearan still with him?"

_________________

"I think he is.."Miriel looked directly at Meleth. "He put Dernhelm back at his place.. We should thank him for his kind words. " She sighed and stared at the fire. "Men..."she mumbled "I can't understand them..."

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

"It's a good thing we don't need to, then." She stood up, looking decided. "I don't care what Beriadan says, I think we need a small group to go spy out the enemy's lands. If Fearan wants to come, he can leave Dernhelm" - her voice was derisive - "and do something that is actually worth his time."

_________________

Miriel nodded. "You know I'm with you. I'll warn Fearan then."

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.

Meleth nodded. "Do. We leave before dawn."

_________________

Miriel slowly strolled back to the fire where Dernhelm and Fearan were still seated. "Fearan.." She tapped him lightly at the shoulder, not looking once at Dernhelm. "Could I have a word with you..? In private?" She made sure she stressed these last words.

_________________


O children, lift up your voice, lift up your voice,
Children, rejoice, rejoice..



It doesn't matter you don't believe in God, He believes in you.