"Besides that we are uncivilized, aggressive, loud voiced and that even our women folk have beards?"

Borum asked with a sign of laughter in his voice.

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Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

Liran frowned at seeing her burst into tears, but, sensing her mood, kept to himself and tried to make sense from Rowen's onlsaught. Why in the world would the innkeeper have said he wasn't there? Might he have forgotten to give his assumed name? He shook his head and tried to concentrate on the important matters at hand. This was quite a bewildering situation..

"Now look, miss, I am dreadfully sorry your friend left, but.. Isn't this a little rash of you? Do try and calm down, how do you know she isn't just gone out for a stroll, or to get some water, or.. anything?

"The beards are the only thing that worry me!" Rhavaniel laughed. "You are not all unciviliesed, you have many talents."

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

Borum smiled.

"And in these talents we are better than you? Usually what I hear from elves is that they are always better than us for example an elf once told me that he needed more mithril than I did! Hah.."

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

Rhavaniel spoke, still smiling brightly.
"We are not...well that friendly with your kind. Some elves will blame dwarves for anything. You are only a small folk- excuse the play on words- but you have enough heart to be seen as equalls. I apologise for the elf that spoke so gruffly to you."

_________________



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

"Oh that`s not your problem and you don`t have to apoligize unless you your self insult me..."

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

"Thank you. But... I have already insulted you. At least let me apologise for that." the elf smiled, and held out a hand, riding closer to Borum "We could call it quits if you like..."

_________________



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

Borum shook her hand quickly and sighing he turned to look at the road.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

"Is there something wrong?" Rhavaniel asked concerned.

_________________



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

Airain was a natural sprinter, being an Elf and all, but the girl was not. She was a hard worker however and she did her best to keep up, Airain admired that in her.
"Are you hungry?" Airain asked.

_________________

Radiel thought for a minute. She was hungry, but she did not want the Elf to think of her as weak. She shrugged, while keeping up with Airain's pace. "Food is not needed on my behalf." she said. "However, if you are in a need of a brief breather, it's fine with me."

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^/^^ Thanks to tulk.

Airain looked at Radiel, a smile coming to her face.
"Do not worry, Radiel, if you are in need of food I will not think of you as a weak individual. I, however, am rather hungry. I have not eaten for nearly two days now, except for the piece of food I took from you. Now, follow me." Airain took off at a fast jog, the girl following her unaware of where they were going. After a while they came into a very small forest and Airain immediately slowed to a walk, Radiel followed suit. Airain slid her bow from off her back and drew an arrow. She slowly notched the arrow in the bow and let the bow hang by her side, keeping her finger on the arrow. She walked along the leaves slowly, her Elven eyes searching the wood. Then, in the blink of an eye she had swiftly raised her bow and released the arrow.

_________________

"nothing..."

Borum muttered as he blew smoke in the air.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

Radiel watched the Elf with interest. The arrow flew through the air, and in same second, a cry from an animal in fear was heard. Then silence.
Radiel ran in the same direction as the arrow had flown.
On the ground lay a deer. All sign of life was gone. The arrow had pierced its heart, showing now sign of pain.
For a brief moment, Radiel pictured how the deer's life had been. How many miles it had wandered, what it had seen and experienced. She saw the world from a whole other point of view. She quickly pulled her senses back to reality, though, and turned to Airain who had followed her with no hurry.
"How..." she began, pausing for a minute. "How did you do that?"

_________________


^/^^ Thanks to tulk.

Rowen, by this time feeling flustered and very foolish, deposted herself on the stone floor of the courtyard and tried to calm down. After a few moments, she spoke again.
"I'm sorry. Maybe I have jumped to conclusions. But I am inclined to think that the stories you told us yesterday were what caused my friend to run away. She has always wanted to travel, to go on an adventure, and last night, she disappeared. I can be sure that she did not simply go for a walk...she left a letter, informing her parents of her decision, and more than that she told me herself. I thought she was jesting, but it appears I was wrong."
She stopped talking and picked up her bag, embarassed. An awkward silence ensued.

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I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

Airain strapped the bow back onto her back and turned to Radiel as she spoke.
"Magic." She winked at her as she slid out an Elven knife and bent down next to the deer. Airain pulled out the arrow that was still lodged in the deer's heart and dropped it next to Radiel, who had bent down as well and was watching Airain with interest. Airain began cutting up the deer to get the meat.

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