[Cimmerian]

Bulvard was amazed at the way Tumnaooriel took charge. She seemed so much different now. No more did she cower in fear and reach out for protection. Instead, she moved with rare self-assurance, something, which he had not seen in her since the time they had first met. Gwyn appeared to be recovering rapidly.

Harolas and Tumnaooriel helped the lady of Rohan to her feet and walk a few steps. There was no sign of their horses; they had to follow the rest of the trail on foot. As the party trudged onward, a sudden rustling in the bushes ahead startled them. Bulvard drew his sword in a flash, followed by Culloth. Harolas had already drawn his bow and nocked an arrow. Tumnaooriel held onto Gwyn by herself as the Lady of Rohan weakly tried to reach for hr sword.

Then suddenly an elf, his fine robes and armour a tattered mess, stumbled out of the undergrowth and collapsed in front of the wary travelers.

“Calixto!” Harolas, Tumnaooriel and Bulvard shouted in unision.

“Help… me…,” the elf lord whispered hoarsely.