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The last of the sun's light was fading slowly over the hills. Tane and the two Rangers he was staying with had long ago built up the fire for the small dinner they'd eaten and the light that was now needed.
Tane had momentarily thought of riding back to camp, but it was too dark now to go back in the safest way. A slightly pressing weight of his duties had started coming back to him. Sighing, the new leader put his face in his hands, though he let his eyes peak out through his fingers at the flickering flames.
Tane had never expected to take command of the Rangers so soon, if ever. It was always a slight possiblity since he was second in command, but Rangers shifted groups constantly and he could well have been in another part of Middle Earth when Thorgil finally gave up his command. Tane hadn't been trained properly for dealing with all the responsibilities. He did know how to logistically run the camp, but all the politics and ethics were things you couldn't learn unless in deep leadership training.
Giving his face a slight shove with his hands, he leaned back into a stretch and finished with wringing his arms a few times. Darkness had truly set in now and unless the three decided to make idle banter they'd be making bed soon. As soon as he woke, he'd return to camp and resume command, but right now he had to wash the dishes he had used for dinner.
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