Melost smiled and told the messenger that he and Arthain would be along directly. He then turned to Arthain. "My king is not very patient, my friend, therefore we had better join him soon. He will also have something pertinent to tell me regarding our movements if I know him, for he is not one to waste his time in idle conversation."
Arthain stretched out his arm and they clasped hands. "Be off with you then! Dorlas and I will see if we can sleep before we get the order to break camp." He pulled Melost aside, "Will we see you before then?" Melost spoke briefly to Thelian, bidding him prepare to present himself to the King. Thelian nodded, grinned at Dorlas and left. "I will be sure to speak with you before we march. Sleep well!"
Melost strode away into the darkness to make himself presentable to his Lord and kinsman. He respected no one more than Gil-galad and he had determined that if he must die, it would be in his King's service. He shook his head, trying to escape his dark mood. He thought of his betrothed. How was she and did she still begrudge the fact that they had not wed before he had had to leave?
He drew back the flap on his tent to find Thelian waiting for him, whetting his sword. Melost squeezed his shoulder as he passed by, then stripped out of his tunic and hose after finding a pitcher of water and a cloth waiting for him. As he cleansed the grime of the road from his body he thanked the Valar for Thelian's presence. They balanced each other well in combat and he had come to depend on the younger Elf to watch his back in all situations.
Melost dragged on fresh clothes and threw his best cloak around his shoulders. "Come! We would do well not to keep our lord waiting."
|