”Are you awake yet?”
He was, but he did not feel like getting out of the bedroll. Khalis looked down on him, seemingly suspicious.
“Perhaps I have to speak louder…” Khalis leaned in. “ARE YOU AWAKE YET?”
Thendryt frowned as he opened one eye.
“I see that you are, good.” Khalis said and stood back up. Caleniel’s head popped up behind the Captain. Thendryt saw her and made a poor effort to wave.
“I thought you might be planning on joining the garrison here, you seemed so comfortable in that bedroll.” Khalis remarked.
“Don’t be ridiculous, the food here’s terrible.” Thendryt replied, his voice low and tired.
“The Tur is here, get on your feet.” Khalis said and kicked the side of the bedroll. Thendryt moaned but got up.
“Good to see that he’s awake.” Caleniel said to Khalis.
At that moment, Elisbeth and Lilleduil walked in. The room went quiet. Elisbeth looked at the group before talking.
“Caleniel has news deduced from the orders she found.” Caleniel stood slightly straighter as she was addressed.
“From what I can tell, the supplies are coming from further downriver.” Caleniel shrugged, slightly. “The orders are scrawled, and difficult to make out I’m afraid.”
“So even though we have made a dent in their current supplies, it is only temporary.” Elisbeth said.
“I fear so.” Caleniel replied.
“Is it our role to march upon and destroy armies?” Khalis said, obviously frustrated.
“There are certainly some who believe it is within our power.” Lilleduil said, looking at Khalis.
“That has not been suggested, Khalis.” Elisbeth quickly put in. Thendryt smiled at Khalis. I wish, Captain. Khalis noticed his smile, but said nothing.
“If we were to follow the route of the supplies, we could hamper the supply chain further without taking on an entire army, surely?” Caleniel asked.
“Guerilla warfare.” Lilleduil said, seemingly to herself.
“I would have thought so, Caleniel.” Elisbeth replied.
“Hit and run.” Lilleduil looked up. Caleniel shifted her weight from one foot to another, uncomfortably. Lilleduil continued. “They have to portage goods up past the falls. In some ways, this is not the most convenient of routes. A lot of obstacles.”
“South of here is Enedwaith. The route is well known to us, we could make swift passage through there.” Khalis said. “Beyond that area lies Dunland, where we do not tread into often.” You don’t. But I did, once. Thendryt thought. “Also, we have one who is not fit to ride for long, let alone battle in sustained combat.” Khalis nodded towards Thendryt. “In my opinion, of course.” Thendryt didn’t look amused, but remained silent.
“What would you suggest as an alternative then, Khalis?” Elisbeth asked.
“Thendryt remains with the garrison here until fit enough to travel back to Imladris, where he needs to be looked at by our healers. The decision is of course yours though, Tur.”
“You make it sound like I’ve lost limbs, Captain.” Thendryt said, with an annoyed tone. Elisbeth looked at the two men. Thendryt turned his head and met her look.
“Tur.” He said. “I have a flesh wound to the left arm, that's healing nicely. I've got a couple of arrow-wounds. None of them stopping me from riding nor fighting, to a great extent.” He looked back at Khalis. “Naturally I will accept any decision.”
“I would ask then, what made your mind close down and cause you to fall into the river, if your wounds are of such minor nature Thendryt?” Khalis glared back at him. “I have seen you suffer far worse wounds with lesser effect upon you many times in the past.”
“My point.” Thendryt growled. “Exactly.”
“So what happened this time? Why did you fall into the river with your mind asleep?”
“Apparently blood loss.” Thendryt shrugged slightly. “Being set on fire and then swimming in cold water.”
“The decision is Elisbeth’s.” Khalis said and broke eye-contact. Thendryt didn’t argue with that.
“Lilleduil!” Elisbeth suddenly said, with a loud voice. Thendryt looked up. It seemed that, while he and Khalis had been talking, the female Elf had begun to withdraw slightly. He didn’t blame her.
“Tur?”
“Return to the group please.” Elisbeth voice was calmer this time, warmer. That didn’t last long, though.
“The dissension within this group has gone on long enough.”
“I was listening.” Lilleduil said, as she rejoined the others.
“You walked away from a group decision.” Elisbeth replied. “It is not mine alone to make.”
“I have not had the care of Thendryt for the last couple of days, so I cannot make a proper assessment. I am assuming that he is feeling much better after you have had the care of him.”
“In its present state, since everyone seems fractured and unable to support and work together.” Elisbeth said. “I am setting you all on one task.” Khalis looked up at her with a curious expression.
“I will travel to Echad Dagoras, I know the route well and it will not pose a threat to my own wellbeing.” She continued. “All four of you will travel together and do whatever it takes to ensure that you all make it there in good health.” Elisbeth sighed. “Our motto used to be stand together or fall divided.” Elisbeth looked around. “Well, we are divided and we will fall if this continues. And if it continues, I will have to take drastic measures.”
“Used to be?” Khalis said. “When did that change?”
“When you all seemed to lack trust in one another!” Elisbeth exclaimed.
“I lack no trust in you, nor the others Elisbeth, but Thendryt is not up to his full strength. I would say that is plain to see.”
“Enough!” Elisbeth looked sternly into Khalis’s eyes. “I’ve heard all sides, this never used to be a problem. In the past, we’ve all fought with wounds.” Khalis didn’t look happy as he buckled his sword to his belt. Caleniel coughed.
“May I speak, Elisbeth?” She asked, looking nervously at the Tur.
“Speak freely.” Elisbeth replied, meeting her gaze.
Calaniel nodded and turned to Thendryt as she took out a feather. Thendryt recognized it, chuckled slightly and turned his eyes away.
“This was a gift from you.” Caleniel said. “And if protected me. Take it, and come with us south?”
“That.” Thendryt pointed at the feather. “I just a feather I didn’t even know I was carrying at that time.”
“It will protect you. I would rather have you at our side than not, my friend.” Caleniel replied, looking seriously at Thendryt. Thendryt walked over to her, slowly. He leaned in close, so only she could hear him.
“Keep it.” He whispered, as he closed her hand over the feather. “I’ll come.” It was more of a statement than anything else. Thendryt let go of her hand and backed off, glancing over at Khalis, who were watching him, carefully. He looked back at Caleniel and was met with a bright smile.
“That’s my vote on the matter.” Caleniel said, smiling at Elisbeth. Khalis walked over to retrieve his helmet, seemingly aware that the matter had been decided.
“Alright, it is up to all of you to decide how you make it to Echad Dagoras.” Elisbeth said. “I will await you there.” She walked over to her horse, mounted and rode off. The group was silent for a moment before Khalis spoke.
“Right. Gather your horses, we ride fast.” He looked over at Thendryt. “Thendryt, move at our speed or find a way back to Imladris. The choice is yours.
Thendryt grabbed his mask, looked Khalis in the eye, pulled his hood up and walked past him. Towards Bovad.
