[Lyra Greenleaf]

"Sauron may have created a big army. But he has not chosen the best allies. Orcs and Easterlings hate eichother and will take every chanse to kill eichother too. I have managed to get my hands on an Orcish arrow. They have patrols every three hours. I will shoot one of the Easterlings with the arrow. The Easterlings will attack the Orcs. In the chaos that is created there, we will attack. They will never know what hit them. Anyone else?"

Telpeheled listened as Bordarigorn explained what they were going to be doing. It fit with what he knew of orcs, though he had little or no experience of men. He looked around his companions, though he did not know them he realised he would have to trust them with his life.

Durelin stood up to speak.
"I have one. Could we go now?"
This Elf was obviously a hardened fighter, much respected. Yet he was not too...noble. Not too high above the reach of more ordinary Elves.

Then there was Melcildir. He seemed similar in many ways to Telpeheled himself, and perhaps slightly overawed by the situation they faced.

Then Maeralagos seemed a strange mix of self-confidence and humility.

Lofinnaes seemed eager to fight. While Telpeheled could not share this feeling, it was perhaps admirable considering what they were to face.

Erdamineon made another member of the group. He seemed mysterious, not as easy to read as others. He seemed solitary. I shall not joke with him over much, I fear! thought Telpeheled with a smile.

That was all, against an army of Orcs and Easterlings. Little hope there seemed to be, despite the doughty fighters and clever plans.

I shall spend who knows how long with these companions thought Telpeheled Once we are more comfortable in each others company, I must try to cheer them out of their reveries. Despite the seriousness of our quest, this is my own mission.

The party broke up as the Elves wandered off in their own directions. Telpeheled walked away, lost in thought. He wandered under the trees and said his own version of goodbye to them. I am doing this for you, and for everything else I wish to protect he told them wordlessly. Already he had broken the news of his departure to family and friends. And of course the ladies of the city, who were despairing, he liked to think. Soon enough he realised he should be making his way back to leave, perhaps for ever.