[maikafanawen]

The elven warriors came from nowhere, blowing their horns proudly. Weapons drawn, and bows ready, they killed off most of the orcs and sent the rest running back into the woods. Ani Dao slumped down in her saddle, blood soaked the right side of her body. Tears streamed from her eyes, the pain was relentless. Arlome ran over to her as she sat there, her head tilted back, trying to ignore the excruciating pain.

"Ani Dao! What do you need?!" Arlome yelled up to her. Shuddering violently, she pointed towards her saddlebag. The elf cut the clasps attaching it to the saddle and fished through. He dropped the bag as Ani Dao slid off her horse in a faint. He caught her and laid her down gently. He tore the sleeve of off her arm, exposing her wound. It was grotesquely deep, and the blood loss was extreme. Rinsing it quickly with his canteen, he applied the kingsfoil and tore a piece of his own tunic, wrapping it securely around Ani Dao's arm. He then sprinkled water on her face, trying to relieve her. After a moment or so, her eyelids fluttered and she regained consciousness. The kingsfoil had worked quickly and the pain was slowly receding, though elven medicine would be needed later.

She sat up and viewed her situation. Aside from her immense gash, she was relatively fine. A cut or so on her legs, Uesse had a nice slice on his side that he was trying desperately to clean. Einen noticed it and washed it off quickly before moving over to Arlome. Ani Dao stood up and looked around for Burzdol. He sat in his saddle, his eyes dark with pain. She made her way to him and helped him off his horse. Situating him off the side of the road, against a moss-covered tree, she then called to the healer. The man hurried over to Burzdol and began reapplying herbs and bandages to his wounds. Forgetting all thought of responsibility to the company, she huddled close to Burzdol, grasping his hand as the healer prodded through his wound, plucking out things that would cause infection. When he was done, Burzdol sighed as the kingsfoil began to relieve the pain.

“We’re a good team,” said Ani Dao, referring to the company as a whole. The two elves watched the dwarves greet the elves, forgetting all differences as they tended to wounds and other damages. Ani Dao took attendance of the company and found Belegond and Hathalas missing. She mentioned it to Burzdol.

“I don’t know …” said Burzdol confused as well.

“Can you stand?” asked Ani Dao. The elf nodded. Previous healing on his wound had repaired a lot of damage, and his wound was better off than Ani Dao’s. Hurrying as fast as their malconditions would allow them, they reached Bali.

“Where’s Hathalas?” asked Ani Dao.

“And Belegond?” added Burzdol.

“Hathalas was shot with a poisoned arrow, Belegond is taking him to Rivendell to get –” Bali explained but Ani Dao interrupted.

“They won’t make it! I have a poison antidote in my bag.” Burzdol stepped forward at once.

“Come, we’ll catch up with them.”

“Both of us?”

“Atop Belock. We’ll make it.” The two nodded firmly and mounted Burzdol’s steed. Spurring his horse into the night, they made chase for the Ranger and the elf. It was crazy riding after them in their condition, but Ani Dao had the luck ... they'd make it.

[ March 14, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]