Radiel was amazed. The elf had shot the deer, before Radiel had even noticed it. She picked up the arrow and looked at it. She had never learned anything else but the history and geography of Middle-earth, and how to read and write. But this was what she had always wanted to learn. Something that could not be found in any book written. She looked back at Airain and said slowly: "Do you think, perhaps, you could teach me this?"

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^/^^ Thanks to tulk.

Liran frowned thoughtfully. It did make sense, in a rather odd and unusual way. He'd never thought a story would set someone afire the way Rowen believed it had happened. Suddenly, he noticed that she was all packed and appeared ready to leave on a journey. He motioned to her bag.

"And you look all ready to go. You aren't thinking of.. following her, are you?"

Rowen responded without returning his gaze.
"Yes, I'm following her. I don't know what else I can do. She has no experience, she doesn't even know much about the places she wants to visit. And I cannot just sit around and wait for her to come back."
Sighing, she hoisted her bag up on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry to have bothered you..there's no sense waiting around here. I'll go now."

_________________
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?

"Perhaps." Airain continued cutting up the deer, and putting the pieces of meat in the pack bag.
"But not now. We should keep moving. I'll show you the basics tonight while this deer is being cooked. Now, do you have any salt? It'll be rather pointless for me to carry all this and have it go bad." As Airain said this the girl pulled out a small canister of salt and Airain salted the pieces of meat she had cut up. She continued cutting a few more before she slid her knife off the deer carcass and into the grass, hoisting herself up with leverage from it. She sheathed the blade and slung the bag over her shoulder.
"Let's go." Airain said turning.

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"No you don't!"

Liran moved to keep her from leaving the courtyard.

"She doesn't have any experience, you say? Well. By the looks of you, you don't have much either. Besides, if you think she's in danger, there's no point getting yourself in it too.. and how are you even going to find her? I really don't think I can let you go off like this all alone."

Rowen shot him a frustrated look.
"Either you let me go or you come with me. You can't change my mind. At least I've read about the lands outside the city, I know more than she does. I'm not going to simply sit around and wait for her to get hurt, or attacked, or eaten."
Pushing past him, she continued, "And the least you can do is tell me your real name. I'm not stupid. The reason the innkeeper didn't know who Alyan was is that you gave him a different name."

_________________
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?

This was rather unusual, Liran thought, he'd never before given the wrong name to anyone. Yet, from what Rowen was saying, he really must given his true name to the inkeeper..

"Frankly, I think not. My name is mine to give or not to give, as I choose. However, I will admit that I would not have given it the inkeeper either. My tongue must have slipped." He shook his head slightly. Minas Tirith was a fine place, but he would enjoy being out in the wild again. And he wasn't about to leave this girl to herself, no matter how sure of herself she seemed. He shifted the bag on his shoulder. "And if you will be going regardless, I suppose I have no other choice than to come along. Lead on, he added, smiling"

Rowen stared; words failed her. It was strange to be going out beyond the city, but the idea of being accompanied by a young man she hardly knew was...disconcerting. His smile threw her off further.
After a few seconds of internal indecision she made up her mind. She'd just have to let him come along. It wasn't as if she could stop him; she needed someone who knew what he was doing, anyway. But despite his gesture, Rowen was reluctant to trust him.
She began to lead the way through the city, hoping to avoid anyone who might be looking for her.

_________________
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?

Liran followed her down the streets, keeping a little ways off. A voice in his head seemed to say this was folly, and another argued that not going was folly as well.. He shook his head and moved closer to Rowen.
"So where do you think your friend might have gone?" he inquired, keeping his voice low.

(Appologies for being offline so long, my comp broke on me)

Rinkemen looked at the bickering pair and shook his head. He began to hum to himself and occasionaly look behind him.
As the sun began to set on the group he smiled and patted Borum on the shoulder.
"When do you wish to stop my friend?"

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"Rock N' Roll is the only relgion that never lets you down!" ~ Lemmy Kilmister

[!*#_:]

The two, Airain and Radiel, had been walking in a quick pace for hours. Both of them had remained unspoken. Radiel wondered why, however, after a while she came to the conclusion, that neither of them could find a fit topic to discuss. At last, Radiel spoke out the thoughts of her mind, something she had often wondered about. "What's it like being an Elf?"

It was not until a few seconds after that, she realized how stupid her question must have sounded.

_________________


^/^^ Thanks to tulk.

...Airain made sure to contain her laughter at that question.
"Well, it's the same as being a human. We're people too, just we're.." Airain had never really contemplated explaining what it's like to be an Elf to anyone. She had never been asked that sort of question in all her living years in Middle-earth.
"Well.." She paused, again, pondering what to say.

Rowen's reply was equally quiet, but curt.
"As far as I know she's headed for Rohan. Several times she has mentioned her wish to travel to Helm's Deep...I've no doubt that she'll not make it so far as the border of Rohan..." She stopped at the realization that she must sound very foolish indeed to this young man, who had already spent much of his life traveling. Slightly embarassed, she added rashly, "A bit like me."

_________________
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?

Liran chuckled. Yes, a bit like her. Well, at least Rowen seemed to see it. She certainly was strong-willed, and it relieved him to see that she accepted she was not as exerienced as she might have been. He nodded and took his distance again. So Rohan it was, then. He'd never been further north than Minas Tirith, but travel was still travel, where ever you might be. Unfortunately, he had no skill in tracking. They wouldn't be able to follow Radiel very well. As he was pondering this difficulty, he suddenly noticed that they were already on the lowest level. When they walked past a fountain, he called to Rowen, "Best have a drink before we're out!" and set about refilling his bottle..

Rowen's bottle was already filled, but she stopped and cupped her hand for a drink. As she drank, she pondered her situation. They would need to get as far as possible by nightfall, and it was still several hours until noon. They should have time to get fairly far. I'm not physically well prepared, either, Rowen acknowledged wryly.

_________________
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?

As she drank, Liran leaned closer to her.
"Rowen, he whispered. They do have guards by the gate. This is when we should stop looking like strangers. Try playing my sister, if you will. I strongly doubt they would let a girl your age go out of the city alone, especially if word's gone around already of your friend's disappearance. What do you think?"

He sat back and corked his bottle. Tying it to the strap on his belt and rearranging his cloak, he waited to see if Rowen would agree.