" You would not live after our absence was discovered."
It was humbling to know she would do such a thing for them but he would not allow it. His grip on her arm remained firm but gentle.
"We will all leave this place"

_________________

She nodded, knowing what he said was true. She could also tell he would take no argument. They remained there, and she was on edge as they tried to decide what to do. They were trapped right now, she didn't see any way out.

@Sorry I'm working an early shift tomorrow, so this'll be my last post for tonight

Rhavaniel shook her head "Eonwe, you above all of us must go free and tell you father of your brother's dealings. If anyone must stay, it must be me. Aradan was right, I may yet join you in the hills. It is my birthright to go silently if needed. Crixus can protect you if anything goes awry. I can tell he is a valiant warrior. If we hold true to his arrangement with Abrax and Eoman, we may all see tomorrow's first light," she sheathed her dagger and stood straight "At any rate, my purpose here is not yet fulfilled. Please do not hold my companion's actions against him. He traded for the good of Rohan."

The elf moved quickly past the human and stood in the stable-door, the rising sun at her back. Aradan looked up, at once grateful and stricken by terror;"Arwenamin-" he whispered surprised. Both Abrax and Eoman started surprised, but they recovered quickly; instantly recognizing that the elf must have had some idea of her companion's predicament.
"Good morrow, mylords. I trust you have come to some agreement?" she smiled calmly, ignoring Aradan's exclamation.
"Mylady! I trust you slept well?," Eoman answered, the first to recover his voice.
"I have made the necessary arrangement for your sister, mylord,"the elf said, stepping out of the glare "Aradan and your must successful fighter, Crixus, will escort her. Crixus shall remain in his service, for this was the nature of our first visit. I stay on the condition that the princess leaves. She has pledged to me to never return home," the lies were flowing quick and solid from her lips;"My people will be informed that I wish to stay a while longer."

Abrax nodded his consent, a leer in his eyes "You drive a hard bargain, mylady. But I shall see to it that you are comfortable here."
Eoman seemed less willing to consent "You will visit my father with me and explain that we found Eonwe dead and buried her?"
The elf bowed her head in agreement.

Aradan stood rooted to the spot. He felt such shame for bargaining the life of an elf away so easily and utter despair at the fact that she had consented to save his life. What had he been thinking? The way was clear to reunite Eonwe with her family, he merely needed to reach Edoras before Eoman- He would still be a hero. But he knew he was a coward- Would the princess and her friend still trust him? Even now after seemingly betraying the elf? Had he ever meant to? He was confused as she bade him farewell. An elvish blessing was all she could muster with downcast eyes. He did not want to be parted from her now.

_________________



. O r b i s N o n S u f f i c i t .

Eonwe turned to Crixus "I cannot go back to Rohan!" she whispered frantically, grasping his hands in desperation. "I cannot, please...help me..." it was the only time she would ask for his help.

He looked to her and seeing the fear and panic in her eyes he nodded.
''You shall be not be forced into anything. I shall make sure of it''
Squeezing her hand gently he began to think. Should they leave or should they wait?
He knew he would be hardput to convince Aradan otherwise. Yet Crixus already did not trust the man and was seriously considering traveling without him.

_________________

She brought his hand to her forehead, then kissed it "Thank you..." she was relieved. She knew he would keep to his word. "I want to leave..." she wouldn't be bought or sold again. She wouldn't accept that.

Nodding in response to her words he held her hand and led her around the stables to the exit, going as quietly as they could.
Where they would go, he did not know. He had some money, that he had earned when he fought and was able to sneak and wager on himself winning. He hoped that would be enough for now.
He found the entrance and softly opened the door and closed it behind them.

_________________

She clutched his hand as he led her, she hardly dared to breathe as the went around the stables. Once out the door she was able to breathe again, but quietly as possible. Her eyes were round as they went. Where would they go? What would they do? Who could they trust?

He pulled out his other cloak that he had brought and put it on her, pulling the hood over her head, before doing the same with his own.
They began to walk the path, he kept at a brisk walk moving further from the castle. Until they reached the edge of town. It was early and people were beginning to go about their daily business.
They needed to blend in and not look like slaves. Crixus had clothes yet as he looked to Eonwe and her tattered dress under her cloak, she stuck out like a sore thumb.
''Come'' he said to her, leading her to the dress shop as quick as he could, his head bowed,

_________________

She lowered her head inside the hood, grateful for the cover of it. "Thank you." she whispered. They walked along, and she noticed he looked at her dress, then he bid her to come with him. He headed in the direction of a dress shop, and her throat went dry. Did he mean to buy her a dress? She didn't want him to spend money on her...but she wouldn't argue. He had his reasons.

He led her inside and the shopkeeper greeted them.
''We are just looking'' he said subtly indicating that they would prefer to browse alone.
He looked at her and spoke, his voice merely a whisper.
''Pick any three dresses that are to your liking''
She would obviously need more than one outfit, just to be safe. He hoped that she would be able to find something that pleased her yet was not too expensive.

_________________

"Three?" she squeaked out. Shebeens to the cheapest section and pulled out the first three dresses she found with the cheapest prices. They were oversized and brown. "How about these?" she knew they were cheap, that's the only reason she had picked them, hoping to save him money. They were about four sizes too big for her, but she didn't even notice.

He looked and shook his head.
''These do not fit you, neither are they to your liking. Think not of the money, this is so we do not seem different from those around us.
Pick any three you wish, and do it quickly.''

_________________

She swallowed and nodded, actually looking at the dresses now. She picked out a green one, a blue one, and a black one. They were cheap, and would fit. "These?" she held them up.

He looked and nodded in agreement, he went and promptly paid for them.
''Would you like to put one on?'' the shopkeeper asked.
Crixus was now very glad that she was wearing the cloak, hiding her clothes. He softly lay his hand on her shoulder and led her to the back, to a curtain to change.
''Change, and we shall be on our way.''

_________________

She nodded again and went behind the curtain. She slipped out of her old dress, then into her blue one. Clenching her teeth as it hit her still torn back. Once it was on and the cloak was back on, she stepped out. "I'm ready now."