[Elora]

Ah, so therein lies his doubt. Uien was silent as she allowed Falowik to speak, her own thoughts running swiftly in many directions. She watched him struggle with the words and then bow his head as if he expected judgement of some sort. Judgement, from she! Uien began to shake her head slowly and her grip on his hands became stronger. He stared unhappily at where they hung between them in the night.

Of a sudden, Uien released his hands and Falowik glanced sharply at her again. She siezed that moment without hesitation.

"Yes, it could be said that you should have charged in.... by brash fools with more thought for high tales of derring do than the reality of strife between Men."

There was a note of some fire in her voice. She'd heard such debates during the War, listening to the warriors debate long into the nights before they set out to battle. She had not understood those who counselled for them to rush in immediately, and here she found herself struggling with that again.

"Many men, Laurëatan, and you without sword or weapon aside from your wits... You could have fallen upon them, or attempted an escape, but methinks those courses would have been of little avail for Eodwine.

For grim and fell men are not easily thrown aside by one man. Had you fallen in such an attempt, then who now would bring tidings of Eodwine's fate to those who may be able to aid him?"

Uien paused, for the idea of Falowik falling gravely injured or dead was a cold and unwelcome one that chilled her.

"Eodwine is fortunate that the Man who witnessed his attack had the wits to bring news so as to gather a party able to assist him... and the honour to speak of what happened knowing that some less clever would see only what brash false glory they would like to think of how they would acquit themselves.

Soon enough they will know, those rash fools, for we will find Eodwine and they will have their chance to prove their merit against their hasty words."

Uien quietened as Falowik followed her reply. He watched her closely, looking for some hint of disappointment or withdrawal from her. It did not come. A little doubt remained still in his handsome features. Uien leant towards him.

"Far better that you carry word so that something can be done, then fall alone in the wilds - two needless deaths that could have been averted."

Uien's voice carried a ring of certainty. Her brow furrowed a little as another thought chimed within her.

"Must there always be the sword? Would that you did not need to pick one up. Swords bring only pain and death."

Uien looked down at her own hands. They were the hands of a healer, a carver. She remembered then the clever hands of her father and brothers and how her mother's hands had shook so slightly when the news reached her of the men she loved so.

"What then would you have me pick up?" Falowik's voice thrummed through her. Uien smiled quietly at her hands and then up at the man who shared the stars with her, and her heart.

"Only that which would bring you joy, Falowik. Man of honour, clever and true, such things would I have you hold, love."

Never would she wish to see him cleave about with a weapon, for her. She saw the scars such things left once the battle was gone, wounds of the mind and soul. No, never for her. A resolution formed within her as she stood, gazing at Falowik with her gentle smile playing on her lips.

She would never give him cause to pick up a sword and, further, she would bring such joy that he had better things to set his hand to in this life. Uien spoke nothing of this, yet it shone within her face. Falowik, who had expected her to turn away, was instead studying her as she turned towards him, feet unshaken from their path. Far from diminished, he only stood the taller and fairer than before.