[Barodir]

Barodir lay in a deep sleep in his room. Though he was still asleep, the Elixer of Poppy that Pio had given him after his incedent with the theif was slowly starting to wear off, for his injured arm started to agitate him as he lie in his bed.

His thoughts and dreams that had, until this time, been about his glorious days as a loyal guard of Gondor and with his family, were starting to sour as well. Instead of glory, he dreamt of defeat. His dreams became about the punishment he would recieve for losing the treasures he was to retrieve, and what the punishment would be: Imprisonment? Banishment? Death?

Or perhaps his family would be forfeit? His wife that he had known all his life, and his son, still young but noble, training to become a guard as well. Were they to suffer for his mistake? Would they be tormented for his folly? Would they be forfeit for his ignorance?

Barodir woke with a start at this thought. His arm was numb, but still in pain. But he no longer cared for the arm, for that was the least of his worries.

"I must return to Gondor! I will not forfeit love for ignorance!"

He attempted to get up, but the Elixer caught a late hold on him, and he drifted back to sleep as fast as he had awakened.