[Daniel Telcontar]

Khalad took a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine from their few supplies. Some of the others muttered angry words at this, but Khalad ignored them. Vlad had ordered them to let the elf allow to rest, and with that to back him up, Khalad felt his courage rising.

He sat next to Melost and offered him the food. The elf accepted it, and though he had to be starved, he ate slowly, with graceful movements.

Khalad watched him, amazed, and knew beyond doubt that he was more akin to Melost than the outlaws. This knowledge strengthened his resolve to help the elf.

His only dilemma was which course of action to take next. He wished he could simply sneak away with Melost; it should not be to hard to find the army, considering its size.

But he knew it wasn't easy, and if they were discovered, then Vlad would no longer be merciful. And Khalad felt, after all, that he owed Vlad some loyalty still.

He decided to stay in the camp, and let Vlad get his information from Melost, though he would not allow the brigand to torture the elf. And then, he would try to convince the outlaw to let them both go. He knew the chance wasn't great, but he felt it was the only way he could be loyal to both Melost and Vlad.

Melost had finished eating, and Khalad decided to try some conversation.
"Is it true, that Sauron has returned? And that Elendil and Gil-galad has formed an alliance to defeat him?"
The elf nodded, though it seemed he knew little more of this matter; he did not elaborate further.

"What were you doing here, in the mountains?"
The elf shook his head, but this time his melodic voice spoke:
"I do not know, mellon nin. I wish I did. But I wonder why you are here. It is easy to see that you are of the noble race of the Númenorians. Indeed, you remind me of someone dear to me, though his name slips from my mind. Why are you here, and not at the army?"

Khalad did not answer, though he guessed who this Arthain was; A Númenorian, in the army, who was a close friend of Melost. Perhaps this friend was dead? If indeed Melost had been attacked. Now that Khalad looked again, it didn't seem like it.

These puzzles filled his mind, and he knew he had no answers to them. And as long as Melost could not remember his past, they would not be answered.

Khalad wished he could forget his past; but such mercy was not bestowed upon him. He hoped he could find some rest in his sleep, knowing that it was Vlad who stood guard, and that he wouldn't allow the others to harm them while they slept. But deep down he knew, that even sleep offered only temporarily comfort.