She giggled, then felt guilty about the ring Markus had given her. She looked down at it. "So, Siriel, do you have a special person you are close to?" her voice was dripping with hints. Markus deserved a good woman. And Siriel was a good woman.

She looked back at Luna suspiciously. "No, not at the moment..."



(aha I have been saved from making Sirel and Elrohir be a couple! thank you Nienna! )

(Hehe if Markus agrees! )

Luna grinned, then walked up to her and whispered in her ear. "He would want you to have this.." she pushed the ring into Siriel's hands. He had said it was for a beautiful woman, and Siriel was beautiful. Much more so than her. It was only right.

"No, I couldn't," she whispered back. "If he gave it to you, he meant it for you - and I can see why he would do that. Keep it."

"No." she pushed the ring into Siriel's hand and moved away. He had only gotten it to thank her, and she had told him she didn't need to be thanked. He would grow to like Siriel, she was sure.

She raised her eyebrows. She could see that Luna cared for Markus, but she wasn't sure if the feeling was mutual, or exactly how much Luna cared for him. She tucked the ring into her pocket while she decided how to deal with this interesting situation.

Luna smiled. It would be good for him. Her eyes went to the ground as they walked, and her hands folded into her cloak. She was sleepy, she realized. A new feeling for her.

As she walked, she fingered the ring in her pocket. She now understood what Luna was suggesting, but she had not a clue what to do with this information.

She pulled her cloak over her face. She didn't know why, but she just wanted to. She watched the scenery go by as they walked, and couldn't help but wonder how long it would take to get to Lothlorien.

Markus smirked. "I am glad you think so highly of my Luna. " His brow remained raised. What was she playing at? Was there something he was missing? He shrugged his shoulders, assuming the mystery would unfold over time. His attention turned to Sirel as she questioned about his master. "Yes...My master or should I say ex-master. I was his slave for many years and his father and grandfathers slave before that. He is gone now though and I am free. The less said about the man the better." He shuddered slightly, the memory of the whips lashings still too sharp. He was pulled out of his brief revery by Luna's words concerning some loving care. It was starting to make sense. Luna was attempting to set him up with Sirel. He smirked, slightly amused by the notion. Love had become a distant dream to him. He never thought he would ever have the chance to fall in love. Suddenly he became aware of the two women whispering amongst themselves. He decided to let them get on with it.

_________________

Luna pulled back away from Siriel, her face hidden by her hood. She let Siriel and Markus walk together, falling into step behind them, her hand that had bore the rings still hidden. Perhaps when he saw it on Siriel something would happen.

"Perhaps we should think about setting up camp for the night?" He asked as he looked round at Luna and then Sirel. "Or do you feel like walking a little further first?" He knew himself that he could walk for days without sleep. Ever since he had been freed from his master he did not want to waste a moment of his new found freedom.

_________________

Luna could not deny she was getting tired, but she would let the decision making up to the experts. She didn't have a clue about it. "I'll let you two decide." she said with a smile.

Markus could sense that Luna was growing tired. "We shall set up camp. We have plenty of time to get to Lothlorien." He smiled faintly to Luna. Markus found a small clearing just a little way from the path. It seemed secluded enough to hide them from enemy eyes. Markus knew he would take up watch regardless. He set to building a tent for the women to sleep in and a small fire. "Are you both hungry?" Markus asked when his work was done.

_________________

She smiled in gratitude. She watched him, and sat next to the fire. She was about to say no, she wasn't hungry when her stomach growled rather loudly. She looked down at it in surprise.

"I shall take that as a yes," he chuckled softly. Reaching into his pack, he pulled out some cuts of meat, bread and water. He passed these to Luna and Sirel. "Eat up and then bed. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." He smiled to them softly before standing and scouting around the small clearing. He peered into the shadows of the trees, watching for danger.

_________________