~Memories~

By Ola

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A/N~ really really sorry about the wait. This is also a short chapter, so I'll post two, ok, and it will be sort of a Christmas present =) but I do have an excuse! First, I had finals, and so when I had some free time, all I wanted to do was sleep. Then, I was too busy buying/making/ finking of Christmas presents. But here I am now. And I hope you enjoy it!:

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Part 15~ pride and morning mist.

"Hey, where were you two? We were about to go looking for you. You're all right Lan? You don't look that well."

"I'm fine. I'll live sir."

"What happened?"

"Got into a scrap with…dunno who they were. Not from Valdemar. Didn't speak any language I know of. One's dead, two are wounded. From what Sindarin told me, they probably were an offshoot of the group the rest of you met with, sir."

"Were you hurt?"

"Not much sir."

"We're leaving in five minutes then, fast walk for the rest of the day. I wanna get as far as possible from here." He clearly saw the pained look on Lanea's face, and the way it lost the little color it had. "That's what I thought." He grumbled.

"All right, listen up everyone! Change of plans. We have two wounded who need rest. But we can't stay here. Everybody else, burry those three men, then help the wounded carry their packs. We're moving a mile south."

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He woke up to the sound of someone softly crying into a blanket. It was still dark out, except for the faint flickering of firelight.

"Lan?" he whispered. The crying stopped, to be replaced by shakings, barely visible in the dark, and a muffled sob from time to time.

"Hey, Lan, what's wrong? Are you in pain?"

"N…no. L…leave me a…a…lone. I'm o…o…kay" Sniff.

"No you're not okay. Tell me what's wrong." Another sniffle.

"Why do you always want to help me? Why are you always there when I have a problem? …and sometimes even when I don't? the fact that I am a girl doesn't mean I have to be constantly looked after. I can take care of myself." the last part was barely audible, but whispered fiercely.

"Sure you can, but even little brothers need help from time to time. And it's okay to cry."

"I wasn't crying." A sob escaped her, then another.

"Ssshh, it's all right."

"I hate you…" she whispered in between two sniffles, then broke down and let her tears flow freely, not resisting him when he took her in his arms and rocked her back and forth.

"I…I c…can see them in m…my d…drea…eams. They're c…coming a…after me…e. (hiccup). I didn't want to kill them. I didn't kill them. I promises I didn't. but they're coming at me, in the dark…"

"Sssh, they won't come anymore. I'm here. Don't be afraid. They won't come."

It was still dark, except for the flicker of the fire.

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It was barely light enough to see; the western part of the sky had turned a shade lighter than the rest, drawing silhouettes and half recognizable shapes in the light mist that slithered around the dark trunks of the trees. At least that's what one would think them to be. The morning had turned quite cool again, a change from the warmth of the several previous days.

A slim form, in no shape similar to any bush one would have heard of, was crouching over two bags, on the outskirts of the camp.

"Sindarin." The form jumped, visibly shaken by the unexpected, although low, sound right behind its back.

"Yes sir?"

"Is there an explanation for whatever it is that ya are doing?" A moment of hesitation.

"There is sir."

"And that is?" silence. "I am not trying to get ya in trouble boy, but I am responsible for this company and don't wish for anyone to suffer wrong doings." The young man glanced at the dark tarp outline by the sky, then again at his captain.

"I am lightening Lan's pack." A raised eyebrow, waiting for further interpretations.

"He was hurt during yesterday's attack…slashed in the stomach. The wound isn't very deep, but will take a few days to heal properly… He is too proud to complain, and would carry his share, reopening the wound and slowly bleeding himself to death." For a moment, he wondered whether he had done the right thing.

The old man tightened his lips. "Pride is a dangerous thing."

"Sir? Would it be possible for you not to mention to him this little…conversation?" a nod. He was about to leave.

"Errh, sir? One more thing. Could I have something against inflammations and cuts?... I understand the consequences and am ready to bear the effects." The captain looked at him for a long time before nodding, and walking away into the morning mist, becoming just another form in the milky whiteness, then disappearing completely.

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A/N~ thinking that Sindarin is a bit overprotective, and getting annoying? Well, so does Lanea. =)

As always, please review! =)

~Ola~