Feredir turned and raised an arm to fare Beleg well, secretly praying he would leave the force at the next village and make his way back to his family. The young man raised a hand and waved, being called back to his friends as he did:"Be well, uncle!" he called.
The ranger swung on to his horse and rode forward. The creature danced for a second, getting used to its new rider's weight and then settled: "If we take to the woods we should bear in mind that whilst we have more cover, so will any enemy we encounter,"Feredir said quietly.

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"Indeed, but we can use the cover of darkness to our advantage just as well. Would you rather be out in an open field with no protection?" on second thought...she thought of the mage...maybe it would be better...she wasn't sure now.

Caran pondered for a moment. "I do believe we are safer in the woods...But really I have no preference..." She looked from Lona to Feredir. "Seems that either route we take we face danger, what difference does it make?"

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Feredir looked at the two women "If we are being watched by something other than orcs then perhaps we should ride through the woods. With two rangers in our midst," he glanced at Caran "we should be able to camp without leaving a trace. We may also find a trail that someone thought no one would find for the exact reason of the woods being more secluded," he turned to Lona "If we rode through open country we could be spotted by both orcs and, well, anyone else." He pulled his bow into a more accessible position on his back and shrugged "It is your choice, ladies."

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Caran nodded to Feredir, smiling faintly. "I do not doubt our abilities, but being out in the open makes us easy prey. I do think we will be better off in the woods."

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Lona nodded, she knew her decision had made sense. She turned her horse and headed for the woods. Once they were out of camp, she didn't feel so tense, and her face and whole demeaner relaxed.

Caran lightly nudged Argo in his flank. Argo fell into an easy canter beside Lona's horse. Caran laid one hand on the hilt of her sword while the other hand held Argo's reigns. Her eyes narrowed as she looked around the area, her demeanor becoming slightly more tense and wary.

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"There is no one about yet, Caran. If you become too tense you will mKe your horse uneasy." it was just some advice. She was so tense that her hair even seemed to stop blowing around.

Caran grimaced, knowing Lona was right. She couldn't quite pinpoint what was making her so nervous either. Caran inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. "I don't know what came over me.." she murmured as she lightly stroked Argo's neck. Argo's gentle nature seemed to relax her. However her eyes still peered around, keeping a watchful eye on their surrounds.

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"This is your first mission of this particular sort, it's natural." she replied, she was alert, yet she was not tense. She rode her horse easily as they entered the wooded area.

"I wouldn't say that. Being a ranger I have worked several missions of the sort...I think it's just lack of sleep. Nothing to worry about." she murmured quietly as they entered the woods. The less attention they drew to themselves, the better.

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Feredir chuckled to himself as he followed the two women into the woods. He felt more at ease now he was out of the crowded camp away from the unnecessary noise and boisterous behavior of his fellow men. The two women; one blond, one red-haired seemed an odd couple to be riding towards danger with. As they breached the tree-line he looked up at the canopy, suddenly concerned about something dropping on him. He had recollections from Mirkwood, where giant spiders lived in webs spun across acres and acres of wood-land.

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She laid her hand on the hilt of her sword as they rode. Her eyes scanning the trees for any signs of movement. She saw none, yet kept herself wary. It seemed as though it was night in the forest, so dark that it was compared to the daylight outside. Andreus prances a bit, and she patted his shoulder. He was a big, roan colored horse. Long slender legs built for speed and agility, a slightly dished face, and he was very intelligent. She was proud of her steed. They kept riding, and Lona pondered if she should tell the other two of the Mage.

Caran, too, gripped the hilt of her sword. She slowly began to feel at ease as they breached the tree line. Much of her childhood had been spent in the woods with her sister. They would play for hours on end until they had to return home for supper. Caran's shoulders relaxed. Argo however became uneasy, taking little solace from his new master. Caran patted his neck gently.

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As the entrance to the woods became a bright speck behind them, there was a snap in the undergrowth behind them. Feredir stook a sharp breath and spun around in his saddle, jerking his horses reins. His hands found his bow and notched an arrow with lightning speed.
"Show yourself!" he called out loudly, his horse dancing on the spot.

There was another crack and a creak and then a young rider on a snow-white horse appeared: "I'm sorry, uncle."
"Beleg," the ranger growled as he lowered his bow "what are you doing here?"
The young soldier urged his horse forwards as he simply said; "My place is with you."
"Your place is with your captain, boy." Feredir said in his deep voice, his eyes stern.
Beleg gave a funny half-smile "You are my captain, sir."
"Fool," the older man said, obviously annoyed.
"I am a Dunedain. I have fought many battles- Surely my help is not so unwanted here," he replied, the stubbornness in his voice apparent."I am a good fighter."

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Lona rolled her eyes and urged her mount forward "You don't realize what this mission is, you cannot just ride out against orders!" she said firmly, but not unkindly. Although he was a young fool. "You cannot ride on this mission, you have notthe experience needed, she said quietly.