The pompous looking Captain turned out to be the commander of a battalion from southern Gondor. He wasn't as regal as he made himself seem. He escorted them back to the camp, for safety's sake according to him, and informed them the entire way of his strategies on attacking Moria. The sun was just beginning to set in the west. Kale, Eldarion and Laurelin were still soaking from the little incident at the stream. Laurelin shivered in the growing chill of twilight, riding Belle between Eldarion and Kale.
Kale chuckled and looked over at the maid, "You remind me of someone," He said softly.
Laurelin looked over at him puzzled, "Who?"
"My sister, Myrcie. She actually visited the camp recently,"
"Oh, is she a soldier of sorts?"
"Yes, in a way," Kale answered looking off into the deepening light of dusk, "If you wish for some dry clothes I believe she left some here. They are gowns though. I hope you won't mind?"
Laurelin smiled, "I would be honored to wear a gown of your sister's, anyway I am cold in these wet things."
They made it back to the camp in once piece. Kale went to his tent and retrieved a beautiful yellow dress with a green girdle.
She slipped the soft fabric over her head and tied the green leather belt around her waist. She noticed she had lost weight over the few weeks. She ran a soft brush through her hair. Her hair had lightened to a dark red now from being out in the sun all the time. If her hair was already this light, she wondered what it would be like in a couple of months.
She stepped from the tent into the dying light of the sun, the sky stained pink and blue. She began to walk toward the fire where all the rest of the men were. As she neared she saw Eldarion and Kale talking together. Kale noticed her and smiled.
"Hello there, Morwen!" Kale called running over to her, "I was just about to go around over to your tent and see if you needed escorting, considering you are now a Captain." He teased holding out his arm.
Laurelin took it with a laugh, "I believe an escort could be arranged."
They walked back over to where Eldarion and some other men were. Eldarion smiled.
"How does it feel to be a Captain now, my dear Morwen?" He asked.
"I am quite enjoying it," She answered, "Though I fear I not may look like one in this dress."
Eldarion was silent for a moment then smiled, "That may be correct, Lady Morwen."
"Sir Hiran! A song for the Lady's pleasure, if you do not mind" Kale called to a man with a lute standing nearby.
Hiran nodded and began to blow a joyful melody on his flute. Another man nearby picked up his own fiddle and began to play only to be joined by another who drummed a beat upon a table with two wooden knives.
"A dance for the lady Captain?" Kale inquired holding out his hand.
Laurelin laughed and took it as he led her into the outer circle surrounding the large fire in the middle. They were soon joined by others, dancing inanely about, just drinking in the sensation of being alive and happy and all the good things that come with being human. Kale swirled her around, Laurelin laughing as the beat quickened. Laurelin looked over into the crowd of onlookers, clapping and laughing. One was not. Eldarion stood awkwardly in the middle of them, his big hands hung clumsily from his belt, looking about. Then Laurelin felt something for the prince she had never felt before. Pity.
"Will you excuse me Kale?" she asked her dancing partner.
"Course!" Kale answered jovially, "I was going over to get a mug of ale as it was."
Laurelin smiled than walked over to Eldarion. The Prince grinned back as she approached.
"Come dance with me!" Laurelin urged with a smile.
"Oh, I don't know," Eldarion began, looking about uneasily, "I'd probably trip you up or something,"
"Trip me up? My dear Eldarion; if the case of tripping up should arise I would probably be the one doing the tripping." Laurelin retorted with a chortle, taking Eldarion's hand and starting to drag him in, but Eldarion pulled back.
"But you see, I," He started again, "I can't dance."
Laurelin looked at him then laughed out loud, "You have to be kidding! You're the prince, you were born to dance, and give speeches, and go into battle and such. How can you not know how to dance?"
Eldarion withdrew his hand, "I just don't,"
He suddenly looked like a hurt little boy, recoiling at Laurelin's harsh reply and laughter. Laurelin suddenly felt guilty for teasing him.
Laurelin took his hand again, "I'll teach you then." She said and dragged him into the rotating circle of rejoicing dancers before he could say anymore.
"Now all you have to do is do what everyone else is doing," Laurelin instructed.
Eldarion looked about, "Considering half of them are drunk, that would be bouncing about without a care."
"Exactly," Laurelin agreed putting one hand on his shoulder then taking his fingers in her other hand, "Now you just spin in circles!" She said with a chuckle.
"Oh like this?" Eldarion inquired, wrapping his free hand around her waist and lifting her so her feet just grazed the ground.
Twirling about, Laurelin felt weightless, Eldarion's arms holding her from the ground. She wondered why she did not feel repulsion anymore when she was around the prince. She remembered back to when just looking at him gave her a stomachache. Now, dancing with him, she didn't feel revolted at all, even with his hand in hers.
Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a horn; it was the look out's signal. Something had been seen.
Everyone stood still, the music had stopped now. Laurelin looked up at Eldarion. He stood silent and tense. This was serious. The other company was not scheduled to come in till the day after tomorrow. This was not the company.
Suddenly, a winded man ran into the camp. Agitated soldiers soon surrounded him. Laurelin and Eldarion drew closer to the crowd. Questions were shot at the poor soldier faster then he could breathe.
"Back up men!" Kale said, coming up and pushing everyone back from the panting look out.
"Orcs," The man sputtered, "Orcs this way,"
"Get to your posts men, get your weapons!" Eldarion called, suddenly taking charge, "Go get you sword Morwen," He said turning to her, "You may be more skilled with a bow but the sword will protect you better in hand to hand combat."
Laurelin nodded and sped off in the direction of her tent, blood coursing through her veins. Battle always made her feel dizzy, even though she had only been in it once. Suddenly, as she reached the tent, a barrage of arrows flew out from the sky, flaming bright red and orange. She saw one hit the roof of her tent. She thought she heard someone call her name as she ran into the tent, the roof beginning to go up in flames. She had to get her sword; she would not be in that long.
The tent was filled with smoke. A wave of it hit her face making her eyes sting, nostrils and mouth fill with the rancid smell of it, and lungs recoil at the taste of it. Putting her hand in front of her eyes she fought her way through the tent. She grabbed her sword and started back when she heard a crack. She looked up to see the supporting beam begin to fall. Laurelin screamed as the wood hit her, and everything went black.