[Tevildo]

Leod had finished applying salve to the gash on Fion's head and carefully bandaged his wound. He had helped the man sit up, encouraging him to swallow a few mouthfuls of hot tea. The brew contained herbs that were intended to combat the pain so that he would hopefully rest easy when nightfall came. For the moment, however, since Fion wanted wanted to stay awake for a bit, he kept talking and asking questions.

Leod's hands moved deftly to tighten the bandages and to examine a small bruise on Fion's left side. Despite his dazed state, the injured man was alert enough to stay on guard, being very careful not to say too much about who he was or why he was here. Leod had tried to set his patient's fears at ease by explaining that he was from the nearby village and that the travellers had been welcoming and respectful, taking time to lay the dead to rest despite the urgency of their mission. But still the man was curiously silent. Leod began to wonder if perhaps the pair had something that they wanted to keep to themselves.

It was only when Athwen walked into camp with the other strangers following behind her that Fion's eyes had lit up in recognition and relief, and a torrent of words poured forth. For one moment, Leod felt a pang of yearning. If only a few of his neighbors could reappear in such a way that these folk had just done! But, alas, that was not to be. Their best hope was to get quickly on the road, to waste no more time in this distant glade, but to let the King know that a great new danger threatened their beloved land. If these strange folk were going to get in the way, it was best that their own party took off in the morning, leaving the others behind.

While Fion and Osmod were still talking animatedly with the strangers, Leod sidled over towards Brand, Athwen, and Dorran, who now stood in a small clump. Apparently forgetting that he himself was a relative newcomer to the band, Leod grumbled, "Is this all, or are there more? We seem to be encountering a surprise behind each bush and tree. And what are all these folk doing here? I never knew that romping through the woods could be such a common occupation for the young men and women of Rohan. In my day, young folks stayed put in their villages and minded the words of their elders! If we've a mission to carry out, perhaps we'd be better off splitting the group in the morning, and leaving these strangers behind. If our party gets any bigger, we may never make it to Edoras since the tramping of our horses' hooves and our loud jests and conversations will surely waken every miscreant between here and the king's palace."