[Amanaduial the archer]

Faerim was glad to be paired with Rôsgollo as they mounted up and followed the frozen stream south, travelling at a trot father than a faster gallop, so as not to miss anything vital along the way. Rôsgollo unexpectedly offered to take one of the horses that Faerim had brought along, so the boy would have less trouble leading two than three, and he took up the offer, surprised but glad: it was a sign of companionship or appreciation or...something, he wasn't sure exactly what, that he was glad of from the elf. It meant that Rôsgollo really didn't regard him simply as a burden.

But as they travelled in silence for several minutes along the banks of the stream, the steady sound of the hooves on the hard, frosty ground drumming out an almost sopophorically relaxing beat, Faerim could not help the unease that had been growing in his mind. He thought over what Hirvegil had said, the captain's words spinning over in his mind again and again.

"Who do you serve, the king or the elves? If you reveal what I have said to the Elves,I will have no choice but to charge you with treason and, as a soldier, ill conduct and espionage, as far as your little escapade earlier..."

Treason...

"What did you say?"

Faerim's head jerked up guiltily as his neck snapped around to face Rôsgollo. For a moment, a panic seized him: elves could not read human minds, could they? Sneak through his thoughts without his realising... Rôsgollo's wording caught up with him and he realised he must have said the dreadful word out loud. Shaking his head, he replied hastily, "It was nothing. Just...just nothing."

The words were on the tip of his tongue, threatening to spill out of his lips any second if he spoke any more to Rôsgollo, so he fell back into an unhappy silence. Hirvegil had placed a terrible burden on him here, for what was he to do? The Captain had said that his men would follow them even if Faerim did not light the torches when they camped; but how would they know where to go when even the elves, with their tracking skills, were not sure? Without their help, the firstborn would likely not stand a chance; yet if Faerim lit the torches, he would risk killing them all anyway. Unless he told Rôsgollo why he needed to do so...in which case Hirvegil would try him for, among other things, treason! He nearly cried out in frustration. Faerim was not even sure what the penalty for treason was...at this alarming thought he frowned in worry: surely the death penalty could not continue when the king of Arthedain did not even have a city any more? Unless he was to be made an example - and so much for honour then, if he was executed for treason! What was he to do?

Who do you serve, the king or the elves? Hirvegil's words taunted Faerim and he remembered how much he had wanted to answer at the time. The king had seemingly abandoned them, leaving in a different train along with his ministers and his court. The legends of the kings of old told of monarchs who would follow after their people to the very end, leading them wisely all the while - how could Arvedui do that when he wasn't even within several miles of his people?! Yes, as a soldier, he served the king of Arthedain - but right now, trotting beside Rôsgollo with only elves within at least a five mile radius, it was the elves, not the king, who he had to get along with.

"What is the matter, Faerim?" Rôsgollo's words once more interrupted his thoughts. Realising his frown had been ever deepening, Faerim smoothed out his expression and shook his head, brushing his hair distractedly away from his face. "It...it is nothing," he replied, for once unconvincing in his pretence. But as his frown began to form once more, he sighed and asked the rather worrying question that had been nagging. "Rôsgollo, can..." he hesitated, unsure of whether this would strictly be polite, then carried on regardless. "Can elves read the minds of men?"

Rôsgollo gave him a very strange look, then actually laughed, a joyful, musical sound that, though quiet, seemed to echo joyfully. Faerim felt a little foolish but found himself smiling slightly at the sound anyway. The elf turned to him with a sidelong grin and replied, "Do not worry, Faerim. Neither myself nor my kinsmen will be probing your thoughts, never fear." He laughed again and shook his head, then grinned slyly and added, "Why, should we try?"

Faerim felt his blush stand out against his pale skin and didn't try to brush his hair from his face this time, so it was at least partially hidden. No matter what the elf said, Faerim felt sure he could somehow read his thoughts! Taking a steadying breath, he forced a smile and shook his head. "Of course not, Rôsgollo. I simply wondered whether you felt any clearer on what Captain Hirvegil wanted that I do."

The elf snorted derisively and for a moment more they rode in pensive silence before Rôsgollo spoke again, his piercing grey eyes facing straight forward as if it did not matter much, although his curiosity was evident. "What was it that Hirvegil said when he took you to one side, Faerim?"

Faerim replied instantly with a nonchalant shrug and a casual tone. "Merely a few words of warning - try not to get myself killed. 'Can't think why he should actually care particularly, but then, I suppose it would not bode well for any of the parties concerned if the captives were not rescued and a Dunedan was killed, all because Hirvegil did not instantly send his troops with enough haste."

Rôsgollo nodded slowly, thoughtfully, but only gave a short reply of, "Indeed."

Faerim felt almost faint with the realisation of how close he had come to telling the elf. However much of a rebel he may have been in the city, he could not help the anxiety of these consequences that Hirvegil posed to him, however baffling they were. Why should it matter so much if the elves knew that Hirvegil simply wanted to know how many men he needed to send? One of the horses slipped and staggered forward as his foot fell into a hole in the icy ground and Faerim reigned him in quickly, soothing him softly to stop him or the others from bolting. Concentrating on that, he tried to force the thoughts of Hirvegil's hidden threat from his mind, and concentrated on following the path.