(Sure, why not!Hop right on in, Vaniel! )

Nostariel saw the figure--an elf--step out of the surrounding darkness and call out to them. Relief flowed through her veins for an instant only to be replaced with an unfamiliar wariness brought on by Ruscien's treachery.
"How can we know that you were sent by the King?" She called out to Naerwen.

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

Naerwen searched for the source of the voice. She stepped forward once more. "I have the King's marking on the hilt of my dagger. I got it when I was initiated into his guard." Her eyes scanned the trees searching for a sign of where they were. "Who are you? Friend or foe?" she asked her hand tightening around her dagger.

_________________

Rhavaniel pulled sharply on the reins of her horse. Who are you, friend of foe? . She held as still as she could. Those words had not been meant for her- But for whom? With a curious glance behind her, she slipped of her horse's back and crept closer. The King's guard? Memories of King Thranduil swept over her and she slipped out of the cover of the trees taking her chances with the elves she had spotted. She had ridden so far on her own.
"Mae Govannen, friends," she said smiling "What brings so many of my kin to such dangerous a place?"

_________________



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

Naerwen gasped in surprise as a fifth elf joined the group. "Suilaid," she stammered looking round at the newcomer. "I am here to make these parts less dangerous. What brings you to these parts at such a late hour?" Her arm relaxed momentarily.

_________________

Rhavaniel shouldered her bow "Suliad indeed. I confess I have been wandering of late, and off the beaten track too- I am not used to these parts. Only in my younger years did I peruse them with my mentor, but I have not many memories of that time. I was hunting orcs with a friend and he was seperated from me some miles back. Have you seen him? I sadly lack the patience to track him."
She smiled again warmly.

_________________



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

Taking a deep breath, Nostariel was just about to step forward into the light when another voice hailed the group. She nearly jumped out of her skin, but had the presence of mind not to move; if she moved now with the stranger's attention on the new arrival she could well and truly be killed for it. Sliding the arrow back into her quiver, she called out.
"We are friends of this land and of King Aragorn, Nostariel Greenleaf is my name and with me are three companions: Linnadhiel, a messenger under the service of the King, Eleniel, and Raelyn, daughter of the King!" Silence followed.
"I am coming out now." And she stepped out into the flickering light of the dying fire.

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

Naerwen listened to both of the elves stories. "Alas! We are all on the same team. May we lower our weapons?" She ducked down and placed her dagger back in her boot. Once back to her normal stance her hand lingered by one of her twin blades. The other hand wiped the blood off her cheek, she winced slightly. "Have you had much trouble from the orcs?" she asked.

_________________

All four companions stepped out of hiding and Nostariel strode forward and clasped Naerwen's forearm in a gesture of welcome.
She noticed blood on the elf's face and wondered what had befallen her.
"We have had some trouble with the enemy, but more so with traitors to the King." Peering over at the other elf, Nostariel squinted. The figure seemed to be familiar, but she coouldn't quite place her.

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

Naerwen surveryed the four elves. It was clear that they had had a long night. "I had heard there were traitors...forgive me for my earlier mistrust." She placed her hand over Nostariel's hand. "I myself have had trouble with the enemy. They seem to be massing. A ship, under their colour, attempted to pass under the bridge. My companions and I stopped them, but we fear there may be more to come."

_________________

"Greenleaf!" Rhavaniel exclaimed with a laugh, but it seemed slightly strained "In such royal company!," she lifted a water flask from her saddle and took a sip. "Tell me, have you spotted my companion? Ruscien, his name was. We were parted by fate some days ago- I have been hanging back for him ever since, but he has not appeared." She offered her water to Nostariel with a slight inclination "He took offense to a comment of mine during a scuffle with some stray orcs- My family owns nearly as many jewels as yours," she winked conspiratorially. "Anyway there were not many of them, and I saw him go off after those few who ran- I stayed seated, you understand, "she held up her bandaged wrist "A few inches deeper and I could no longer be called Mirwoods finest archer! At any rate, I would not return to court without him."
Her cheerful demeanor had frayed continuously once she had spotted the blood on Naerwen's cheek, and beneath what was left of it was clearly an undertone of fear; at the mention of traitors she herself had blanched and stared, unshakable as she normally was by such news.

_________________



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

Once the elf started speaking, Nostariel at once recognized her, but at the mention of Ruscien she felt herself turn pale and took an involuntary step backwards. She had the strongest desire to glance at Linnadhiel and see how she was taking the news, but refused to turn her head.
"Sulaid, Rhavaniel. Ruscien..." She nearly choked on the name before gaining control of her emotions.
"Ruscien is the traitor of whom I spoke."

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

"You jest,"Rhavaniel said flatly. She lowered her offer of water and locked all emotion away behind the mask she had trained to wear, but it too was weakening "He cannot be the traitor of whom you speak. You think I do not know him at all? Where have you left him?," her hand wandered to her sword-hilt "You cannot expect me to believe such claims of madness and treachery- No, I will not. I am Rhavaniel, daughter of Melda the Fair!"
She stood straight and tossed out her hair, not letting her anguish show. She was scared and shocked, yes, but she was her mother's daughter indeed. They had always traded freely with the dwarves, owned a private force to rival Thranduil's own and had always been highly favoured. She had known Ruscien since her training at his court began, and she trusted him implicitly. "Nostariel, he is no traitor. Take me to him."

_________________



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

Nostariel felt as if she had been slapped. She kept her hands away from her weapons lest the anger of her new companion overcome her common sense.
"Rhavaniel, I cannot take you to him for it would do neither of us any good...he is dead." The grief crashed over her in waves, forcing her to her knees on the green turf.
"Valar, help me, I loved him and he is dead!" The tears came then, coming out in heart wracking sobs. Hugging herself and rocking slightly, Nostariel no longer cared if anyone saw her agony.

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

Naerwen had watched the conversation between Nostariel and Rhavaniel. At the sight of Nostariel dropping to her knees, she too knelt beside her. Gingerly she placed an arm around her fellow elf. She ventured to say something comforting, but changed her mind. What words would comfort someone when they have lost someone. Someone, by the looks of things, who had been dear to her.

_________________

(Wow! Okay, it's funny how I can write something about love with such feeling when I've never been in love. Go figure!)

Nostariel felt someone place their arm around her. She didn't know who it was nor at that moment didshe care; she was too wrapped up in her misery to care about anythin much less the scene she was creating. It just hurt so much!

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

"Rhavaniel, you said that Ruscien had disappeared for a few days. Could it be possible that he perhaps met someone on those few days that could have persuaded him on to the enemies side?" She rubbed Nostariel's arms gently. "My friend, try not to think of how he ended and think of how he was when he was here and with you. None of us can tell what happened to him..." she bit her lip nervously, hoping she had not caused offence to either Nostariel and Rhavaniel."

_________________