[Orual]

Ravion barrelled towards the monsters behind the women, muttering Rohirric and Gondorian battle prayers. The hilt of his sword felt hot in his hands, and he gripped it tightly to give him strength.

"Ravion?"

His eyes met Mellonin's, but he only let them linger for only a brief second. He could not allow himself to be distracted. Unfortunately, he already was.

"Aeron! Flank them left." Ravion did away with the merlock directly behind him in short order with a vicious swipe of his sword. The merlock did not even have time to cry out. "Watch their claws!"

"Ravion! What of Gwyllion?" Aeron cried, dodging a blow from a merlock. His youthful face was contorted with worry, and blood tinged his cheek red. Ravion could not tell to whom the blood belonged, but hoped that it was a merlock's.

"She will not be well served to have these monsters let free around her, Aeron! Do away with them, and you will be taking care of her!" Ravion shouted.

The battle seemed a whirlwind of sword thrusts and blood, with Mellonin always just out of his eyesight. He came out of his trance when he received a deep cut to his left arm. His only thought was that it was not his sword-arm, and that he was grateful for that.

Finally, his chest heaving with ragged breaths, he looked around himself and saw that all of the merlocks were dead. His sword dropped to the ground, and he bent over double, catching his breath and attempting not to be sick.

He straightened up after a moment, picked up his sword, and began cleaning it. The dark blood was already beginning to dry, and he took his skin of water and wet the rag he was using. He could feel the gash on his arm bleeding, and the open air stung it. A sudden rush of air startled him out of his second stupor, and he opened his eyes and saw Aeron with Gwyllion--and Mellonin, weeping. He stumbled over to her and fell to his knees.

"Mellonin."

My love.

"Mell--"

Speak to me.

"Mellonin."

I do not know if my heart can stand before your silence.

He put a gentle finger beneath her chin and tilted her head up. Tears streamed down her face, their salt surely burning her own cut. He wanted to put his hand to the wound and take it from her, put it on his own face, stop her pain, whatever the cost. All he could do was what his training had given him, though. He took out a clean rag and squeezed the sap from a few leaves, mixing it with water. He pressed it to her face. She recoiled briefly, then let him be. Her hand met his at her face, and the same lightning passed through him that he had felt that long night ago at the Seventh Star.

"Ravion," Mellonin said quietly.

Yes. Ravion said nothing.

"Gwyllion...tend to her." Ravion looked at the siblings, and started. He had hardly noticed. What was happening to him? A Ranger always cares for the most badly injured first. He could not even tell if Gwyllion was alive.

He turned to Aeron. "Aeron. Gwyllion...is she..." He could not bring himself to finish the question, but left it open.