On Patrol (Continued from Let's Go to the Prancing Pony)

[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel and Estelarion continued along the trail.

"I do not see them," Estelarion said, hesitantly, "Maybe we should turn back..."

"No!" Menelduliniel said, "They went this way, I am sure of it."

They pushed on, seeing no sign of anyone.

"Meneli...I'm going back to the Inn...come on," Estelarion sighed, turning Amanroch around.

"Why? We have time! We should stay out. Even if it weren't for them, I need to get out of that Inn! I was going crazy in there!"

With that, Menelduliniel clucked to Salkadome and he broke to a gallop. She galloped away from Estelarion.

"Meneli!" Estelarion yelled, spinning Amanroch and galloping after her.

They galloped for about an hour away from the Inn, through the woods. Finally, Menelduliniel pulled up, as she had gotten herself cornered: Estelarion behind her and a rock face about 8 feet tall in front of her. Salkadome spun and Menelduliniel faced Estelarion, who halted Salkadome.

"Now will you come back?" Estelarion asked as both the Elves and the horses panted a little.

"No...please no," Menelduliniel sighed, "Let us stay out here tonight? I cannot abide to be in another Inn...inside for another night."

"But, if they go back to the Inn...if they ever left: we still do not know that...they will not know where we are."

"We can go back tomorrow morning...early. Anyway, they will not bother us if they think we are still in our rooms...just...please?" Menelduliniel said, her eyes pleading Estelarion.

Estelarion sighed, knowing this was going to be a big mistake. Although things felt safe now, soon he had a feeling they probably would not be. But Menelduliniel would stay out here regardless of whether Estelarion remained, and he could not let her remain alone. Two of them had a better chance of surviving...

"Okay, okay, okay, okay, Meneli," Estelarion sighed, dismounting Amanroch, "We will stay outside, under the stars, just for this night. We must return tomorrow though!"

"Okay...I promise," Menelduliniel said. She dismounted and began gathering wood for a fire.

"Maybe we should pass on that, Menelduliniel. Who knows what the fire will attract?"

"It will keep more creatures away, probably, Estel. Anyway, I have my daggers...and you have the little knife I gave you about a year ago, right?"

"Yes, yes...but I don't know how to really fight with it, you realize..."

"You just stab them. Not much to it...we will be fine. I will be better than I could be at the Inn."

Estelarion sighed as Menelduliniel got a fire starting, still not feeling well about the fire...