[Mithadan]

Mithadan stood on the foredeck watching Khelek drill the Hobbrim and Rose on the use of weapons. Cami had declined to participate, saying that she would carry a weapon if need be but would not use it save as a last resort. No amount of reasoning or cajoling could change her mind. He would have Piosenniel speak with the Hobbit when she returned.

Piosenniel...he thought back to their conversation the night before. He had forced himself not to make the instant emotional reaction of denying her wish to scout the caverns. He had wandered away to think and allow the internal debate to resolve itself. She was right, of course. The caverns needed to be seen by one familiar with their strategies. He could not do this. Not this time. The Hobbits would not trust a man. But the legendary Piosenniel...

And, for the first time he bemoaned his weakness. How he had failed to follow his decision to not reveal his love of the Elf to her. How that night on deck her closeness had consumed him, stripping him of his resolve until he revealed himself to her without hope that his love would be returned. If he had not done so...but no. That would not have altered his feelings or concern this day, save only to make them more private. And to him she was altogether precious, even more so because she had returned his love. But they had other concerns and responsibilities. And he owed a duty to Cami, Kali and himself to see this thing through to its end.

So he returned to their cabin and stood before her and ignored the cries from his soul to deny her this task. "Go," he had said. "And take care for yourself. When you return, we shall discuss our assault on the patrol ship."

He sighed. He had not slept the previous night and would not do so again until she returned. Duty. He swept out his blade and leaped down into the midst of the Hobbrim...