Rhavaniel sniffed and turned her head away. She had been in battle for long enough to know what Nostariel was going to say before she had said it. When the words had been spoken, she turned her back on the small group and place two fingers on the bridge of her nose, pinching hard. She took a step towards the shadows, then seemed to think better of it.
"He was a valiant warrior," she said in a controlled voice and turned back with a tearful smile "He gave his life to protect his friends and family. He will join the heros in the Halls of Mandos. I am shamed that he fell without me," she sniffed again and offered her hand to the woman on the ground "Stand, sister, you have no fault in his death."
With what was almost a smile she nodded, then shook her head again to Naerwen "I hope so and I hope not. He was not easily swayed, and if he was I can think of only one whom he would have listend to. Ruscien was no traitor."

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

Nostariel felt a hand grasp hers and gently raise her to her feet. Her tears were spent now and she felt the heat of embarrassement at her outburst--she was not someone who let her emotions show form the rest of the world to see. But she was troubled by Rhavaniel's speech.
"It was my fault. If I had spoken sooner...." Her words trailed off as she rememebered that Linnadhiel was still there and she had no wish to hurt her new friend.
"He was shooting at us. There is no way he would have done that--knowing whom he was shooting at--unless he was a traitor." Swiping a hand across her eyes, she removed all traces of her tears before turning her attention to Naerwen.
"You had better let someone take care of that cut."

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Zirakzigil ai menu Duzhuk! Zirakzigil, at your service!
[~^!?]

Naerwen straightened and rubbed her shoulders to generate some heat. More blood spilled onto her hands. She looked down at her shoulders she found two deep cuts on her right shoulder. Must of been from the enemies arrows from the boat, she thought to herself. Her attention returned to Nostariel. "It's alright I have herbs to tend to them in my pack. Thank you though.." She gave a gentle whistle and soon Albus was by her side. Reaching into his sadle bag she pulled out some bandages and a small vile. She poured the mixture onto the bandage and wrapped it round her shoulder. Then, taking a small square of material she wiped the herbs onto the cut on her cheek. "They'll soon heal. Nothing to worry about," she smiled.

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(*Vial* Grr spelling mistakes. )

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( I hate spelling too!)

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Zirakzigil ai menu Duzhuk! Zirakzigil, at your service!
[~^!?]

@ Can I second that? XD

Rhavaniel watched the two women silently as they tended their wounds. She missed that sort of companionship. Quietly she turned back to her saddlebags and pulled out a small bottle of the bitter tasting alcohol that Greenwood produced for its Faradhrim. She took a gulp and inspected the bindings around her wrist. The orc had surprised her mid blow and grabbed her wrist with its claw like hand, then clutched and twisted its nails as deeply as it could. Ruscien had felled it with one swipe of his blade, and she had swirled to catch a blow aimed for his exposed neck.
And now she was to return home alone. She could not face that thought; her throat closed up and she took another gulp to clear her mind.
"Here, drink,"she smiled"It will dull the pain. We must set up camp if we are to stay here the night. There are fouler things than orcs that creep out of the shadows under the moonlight."

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

(Hehe )

Naerwen nodded to Rhavaniel. "Thank you," she took the bottle from Rhavaniel and took a sip and instantly welcomed the warmth that it brought. "Sleep is a good idea, but I think a guard should be set too..." she peered between the trees cautiously. "Then make for Minas Tirith in the morning?" she enquired into their plans.

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"It seems my plans have disintegrated, I have nowhere left to go, except with you. My services are the Royal House of Mirkwood. I shall go with you, and explain the circumstances of my partner's demise if I must. If I may be honest, I can think of nought else than offering my services to you on account of his treachery," she spoke the last word with careful neutrality "I can only apologize and take the night's watch whilst you rest. Sleep will elude me tonight,"Rhavaniel gave a terse smile and bowed her head.

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

(argh! Spelling again! )

"Wait!" Nostariel called after Rhavaniel's retreating back. She hurridly caught up to her.
"If you do not mind, I will share the watch. I doubt if I will be able to sleep this night any way."

_________________
Zirakzigil ai menu Duzhuk! Zirakzigil, at your service!
[~^!?]

"Would it be alright if I joined you all this night?" Her body ached with fatigue. It had been a long journey from Osgiliath. "My fate will be determined when we reach Minas Tirith and I have passed on my message. I assume I will be told to return to my post." She looked to Rhavaniel. "I will share watch with you. I doubt I shall sleep. This darkness unnerves me."

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"Then let us hold watch together, I should be glad of the company. I feel I have been wandering for so long. This world no longer seems to be my own," she sighed "But do not tire yourselves. I would never forgive myself if any of you fell ill on my account,"her eyes glittered with mirth as she winked at Naerwen, knowing how tired she must feel, but she caught herself again. She felt responsible for their plight, especially if Ruscien had been to blame. Could she have missed a change in his demeanor? Had he acted out of sorts? But no, she could not pin-point anything that had seemed out of character. She had been trained at Mirkwoods court, trained to spot evil and kill mercilessly- The dangers of those times had not vanished from the world, so why had she let her guard down? Or had she? Bile crept up her throat, but she pushed a smile onto her face. "Let us keep the others safe."

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

Naerwen nodded at Rhavaniel. "I know the feeling all too well." Her eyes narrowed in thought momentarily before looking back at her companions. Wandering back to Albus she pulled out a blanket and a flask. Again patting his flank, Albus retired to wandering nearby. His ears twitched listening to the surrounding area. Naerwen patted Rhavaniel on the shoulder. "Care for a drink of ale?" She could sense Rhavaniel's guilt, but knew no words to comfort her. Her keen eyes spied the fire and she made her way over to it. Setting down the blanket to sit on. Holding her hands to the flame, she waited for her new friends to join her.

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Ale sounded like a brilliant idea to Nostariel, she wished she could drowned her grief in the beverage, but knew it wouldn't help.
She made her way over to the fire, sitting down between Eleniel and Linnadhiel.

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Zirakzigil ai menu Duzhuk! Zirakzigil, at your service!
[~^!?]

Naerwen passed the flask over to Nostariel wordlessly as she watched the flames dance in front of her eyes. The light caused shadows to form over her hands and arms. "How long have you all been posted here?" she wondered out of mild curiousity. It was becoming clear that King Aragorn sensed something brewing or else he wouldn't have so many guards and definately not so widely spread. What was brewing? It had to be something big. The orcs behaviour had started to change. They were no longer afraid of wandering freely. They knew something, but what? Naerwen thought to herself as her eyes darted around the area, peering into the darkness the trees around them provided.

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( Dang it, you guys must be posting while I'm asleep! I'll post soon, sorry :S )

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Thanks to Lembas for the beautiful banner and avatar! <3

(That's okay I;m sure you can catch up. I tried to bring your character along.)

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Zirakzigil ai menu Duzhuk! Zirakzigil, at your service!
[~^!?]