[Aylwen Dreamsong]

"Get the women under cover! If they can, let them wield the weapons we brought!" Thelian cried back to Dorlas, who stirred from his daydreams into immediate action. Thelian and Arthain rounded on their horses as seven or eight orcs scrambled into view, and Dorlas moved even quicker to get the women hidden in the brush. Some fled their mounts, running to where Dorlas had ordered them to hide, others galloped over to Dorlas, who was herding the women under the cover of several bushes and trees.

"Ladies, please discard your mounts and hide," Dorlas pleaded, in no mood for valiant but foolish heroics. Then he remembered Thelian's original orders. "Unless you can wield a weapon well! If you can, go over to the cart and find yourself a suitable weapon!"

Dorlas hid the horses in nearby shrubbery as four of the Elven women rushed to the cart to get weapons. One of them was Anwenelme, but this was only a fluttering thought to Dorlas. Menelya had scrambled faster than any of the other women to get to the hiding place in the trees. Dorlas drew his sword, fumbling at the sheath with nervousness. He had never seen real fighting action during his time as squire, and had never been personally involved in a skirmish.

He did not have time to think of his inexperience any longer as soon the Orcs were upon Arthain, Thelian, he, and the four women.

~*~

Jaheira rolled her eyes. Perhaps Khalad was right and the Elf...Melost...really was losing his mind. What was he blabbing about? Who was Annatar? Jaheira was a pickpocket and a theif, not a historian or a storyteller! The Elf must have had a serious knock to the head, rambling on about High Kings and such. Or perhaps Jaheira and the rest of the outlaws had just been away from civilization for too long.

"We should not waste our food on this Elf. He is hardly sane or worth questioning," Jaheira murmured audibly, dismissing Melost's question despite the fact that it was directed towards Khalad. Why had the Elf backed away? Jaheira had never met a live Elf before...she was from Rohan! She had done nothing but heal the Elf and tolerate his ignorance! And still Melost eyed Jaheira with anger and hostility.

Khalad took a step to the Elf, as if readying to protect Melost should a conflict arise. This was equally troubling to Jaheira, knowing that any minute Khalad could and probably would turn on the outlaws. Not that she wouldn't do the same, however. It was such a delicate balance...

Jaheira stepped slowly to where Vlad stood, tensed and ready to kill the Elf should it make a move. She wound her arm around his, her grey eyes on the Elf as if Melost would attack if she broke the gaze.

"Vlad, he is an Elf. He will regain his strength quickly. He will rebel when someone like Khalad is on watch and they will flee here after killing us all," Jaheira whispered into Vlad's ear. It was true! Jaheira did not trust the handsome stranger, and she didn't trust the unfaithful Khalad either.