Elidor: Russa is still forcing me to do the disclaimer... OMG she has Twilight Princess! Must play! Gimme gimme gimme!
Russa: Woah, Elidor, getting a little OOC there... you can play after you disclaim this story
Elidor: Fine. Russa does not own DL... even though the characters and plot all came out of her twisted mind.
Russa: (hands Elidor the controller) too bad I don't have a Wii... Oh well it rocks on Gamecube too. Enjoy the third chappie!
Elin awoke the next morning with a giant yawn. Someone nearby chuckled. A hand grabbed his shoulder and shook him playfully, "Wake up, sleepyhead!"
Elin groaned and flipped over. Suddenly, a bucket of ice-cold water was dumped over his head.
He sat up, gasping and spluttering, "What was that for?" He wiped the water out of his eyes to see Riishu rolling on the ground nearby, laughing so hard that tears ran her cheeks.
She eventually regained control and sat up, only to have Elin tackle her and knock her back down. They wrestled madly for a few minutes.
Riishu finally came out on top and sat down on her friend. He smiled up at her, "Alright, alright, you win. Did the water have to be so cold?"
Riishu giggled, "Yup." Elin snorted and shoved her off to the side. He wiped the wet hair out of his face, then glanced over at Riishu, who had picked herself up and brushed the dirt off her uniform. She walked over and offered him a hand.
Elin took it and his friend pulled him to his feet. They exited the cave to find the other elves lounging in various spots nearby.
Mieran walked up and flashed both a grin and a salute, "Well, you two certainly slept in!" Riishu snorted, "Nah, that was Elin. I've been up since dawn, waiting for him to rouse his lazy butt." Mieran laughed, "Of course, Captain."
The lieutenant headed back into the trees, and Riishu set to work unpacking some food for breakfast. She tossed Elin half of a loaf of bread and an apple. He quickly ate them, then headed for the stream to wash.
He dove into the water still fully clothed, but when he reemerged, a Kagonesti officer's uniform awaited him on the shore. He caught a glimpse of brown hair as it retreated through the trees.
With a knowing smile, Elin quickly stripped off his old clothes and donned the new uniform. He made his way back through the trees towards the cave.
Suddenly, Riishu dropped down in front of him. She eyed him from head to toe, a twinkle in her deep purple eyes, "Well, that certainly suits you better than those rags you were wearing before!"
Elin glanced down at the uniform: a simple brown tunic over a grey shirt and almost-black leggings. The only thing that distinguished it as an officer's uniform was the green vine pattern that wove its way all around the tunic.
He shot the captain a confused look, "Why an officer's uniform? Shouldn't I have a recruit's uniform?"
Riishu grinned, "As far as I'm concerned, you've earned that tunic. Welcome to the ranks, Lieutenant Elin." He looked at his uniform for another long moment, then grinned widely.
The new lieutenant started to say something, but Riishu put up a hand. She gazed into the woods, unseeing. Her elegantly pointed ears were pricked, reminiscent of a wolf listening to some far-off sound.
Suddenly snapping back to the present, Riishu gasped, "The knights! They're close! Very close! Come on!" She grabbed Elin's wrist and dragged him along in her headlong dash towards the cave.
They shot through the woods nearby, Riishu shouting the alarm at the top of her lungs. The other elves vanished into the forest in an instant.
Riishu pulled her friend into a bush, whispered, "Sorry!" and neatly tripped him. The captain caught him before he fell and clapped a hand over his mouth. She motioned with her free hand for him to be still. Elin complied, fighting for breath around Riishu's hand.
The Kagonesti noticed his plight and loosened her hold apologetically. She crouched over him, a shadow among the leaves, waiting with bated breath for something to happen.
She didn't have long to wait.
A/N: ooooooooh a short chappie and a cliffie too! I'm soooo mean to you... I hope you can forgive me enough to review... even though I haven't gotten even one review on this story yet... grr. REVIEW or I WILL SEND MY MOSQUITO ARMY TO EAT YOU!