Author's Note: I'm so sorry this has taken so long to update. Well, by my standards. I really have completely lost my ability to write. This update is short. I mean, very short, a page and a half. I just can't do it anymore. I dunno why, I've lost all ideas for writing, all motivation, I can't come up with any concepts of events or a storyline. I just can't write anymore. And it's driving me crazy.

I'm leaving home for the first time in my life and moving to a new city for university in a week and a half, so I'm a bit stressed, I think that may have something to do with it.

Basically, I'm not convinced I can keep updating this. I might have to do something that I really will regret, and can't apologise enough for. I may have to give up. Let the story die.

I can't express how little I want to do this, because I have readers, and I really hate myself for letting you guys down. I can't believe I left you waiting so long and then give crappy little updates anyway, let alone giving up altogether. I'm going to try my very hardest to finish this. But this has taken my five days (I think) to get done, it's a page and a half and I've only finished at 3.00 AM in the morning because I simply can't write. And I don't normally stay up very late, but I had to get something done.

So I dunno what I'm gonna do. I plan to finish it, and I'm not giving up. I desperately want to finish it before I move away, because I can't see me getting it done at uni, but I'm finding it so very hard at the moment for reasons I don't know. And I've had difficulty writing before, but not like this, not so bad I simply can't do it.

Anyway, I'm really sorry everybody, I will do my very best to finish this, and it only won't update if I'm completely defeated. I will keep trying, and hopefully get back into writing. I might just write short chapters for a while, maybe I can handle that…

A FATEFUL MEETING

The fire flickered in the usual hypnotic way fires do. Leine was huddled up close to it, shaking, with a blanket wrapped around her. She wasn't cold, it was fear, but the blanket still helped. Maialin sighed, turning away from the fire and looking out across the promptly darkening mountain.

"Sometimes I wonder how we get into these situations." Maialin sighed. "Huddled on a mountain, fire blazing, one of us sobbing…"

"Sorry." Leine sniffed. "I'm such a coward."

"All heroes are." Vahlahn smiled.

"What?" Leine asked, confused enough to stop crying.

"No hero ever wants to fight. It's always the ones that don't who become heroes. People forced into situations they don't want to be in, forced to do things they don't want to do, and people who come out on top, achieving their goals and helping others. Heroic, simple." Vahlahn explained.

"You're calling Leine a hero?" Maialin laughed. "You didn't fall down a mountain too, did you Vahlahn?" Vahlahn smiled, and even Leine seemed to snicker slightly.

"You're just jealous you're not the hero." Vahlahn mocked.

"Hey! I'm a hero!" Maialin cried, flicking her hair back. Vahlahn rose an eyebrow, seeing the scar over her eye in a neat pattern. It had previously been hidden by the long purple hair draped over her eye. It was the same as her father's. Characteristic of necromancers, some thought they were tattoos, but they were much more like scars. Vahlahn forced a smile, to keep the light hearted mood and to attempt to cheer up Leine.
"Yeah, I can see your heroism in your nicely dyed hair, there." Vahlahn joked.
"My hair is natural, dammit!" Maialin protested.

"It's purple!" Vahlahn pointed out. Leine smiled, turning around. Maialin subconsciously reached for her hair.

"Well, yeah." She blushed slightly. "What about Leine?"

"What about her? Is there any doubt she's a natural blonde?" Vahlahn sniggered.

"Hey! That's not funny!" Leine argued, despite clearly finding it very amusing.

"Oh, so it's not natural then?" Vahlahn laughed.

"That's not what I meant!" Leine protested. Vahlahn smiled. She had stopped shaking, and was stood, glaring at him.

"No it wasn't." He stated simply before turning away. Leine blinked in confusion, before realising her shakes had gone. She smiled to herself, slightly surprised by how much better Maialin and Vahlahn had made her feel.

Thankfully the night passed without incident, and for the first time in a long time, Leine felt safe, sleeping by the warm fire. Maialin and Vahlahn's jokes had made her feel much better, and realise there wasn't anywhere else she'd rather be.

Other than in the past. But sadly Ascalon was gone. She found herself strangely accepting of that. And what's more, she felt like a hero. Camping out on the rough mountain, facing monsters, not letter her traumatic experiences phase her. She smiled to herself. She was getting used to the adventuring life. She was brave, and she was heroic.

Leine woke up with what could only be described as a 'girly shriek' and all illusions from before she fell to sleep were shattered. She had been having nightmares about being trapped by the rocks again, and found herself shaking and cold. She felt arms wrap around her and sighed, allowing herself to rest in their comfort.

She was a little surprised to discover it was Vahlahn. He never seemed like the hugging type of person to her, but it was nice none the less. It made her feel better, but she was still shaking.

"It's okay." He said in a monotone voice, which ruined any attempt at being comforting he was trying to achieve. "It's natural to have bad dreams after what you've been through." Leine didn't quite manage a reply, and she let out an incoherent stuttering. Maialin passed her a small bowl of beans.

"Breakfast." Maialin smiled. "Eating makes people feel better. It's a proven fact." Leine's lips twitched into a smile for a moment, taking the bowl.

"Only because we half starve to death out here." She moaned.

"Well, there's a dwarves town up ahead. You can get some rest there." Vahlahn suggested. "You know, the type that's nice and safe. The Stone Summit don't cause problems there and we've left the Charr far behind us."

"Sleeping safely?" Leine repeated, her shakes stopping for a moment. "That does sound inviting."

"So it should. C'mon." Vhalahn gestured towards the mountain path.

The three travellers entered the town and each stopped, taking a deep breath. The dwarves gave more than casual looks at the sight of three humans within their home, and even Vahlahn felt slightly out of place. Eventually the dwarves began to get back about their business, and Maialin felt the urge to do something, rather than stand in the entrance.

"Perhaps we should find somewhere to stay." She suggested.

"I dunno if the dwarves have inns. I don't think they're used to visitors." Leine observed.

"I suggest we split up." Vahlahn decided., rather than suggested. "We need some new clothing and armour for these colder climates anyway, so Leine, you gather materials. I'll look for the inn and Maia can search for food."

"Is this just so you can lie down?" Maialin asked. Vahlahn smirked slightly.

"Of course it is." He grinned.

Leine wondered around the small dwarven town in confusion. It was odd. She spotted an established tent and wondered in, figuring the sign labelling it 'materials' was a good one.

"Urm, hello?" She asked. It was fairly dark, and she wasn't the most confident girl when it came to that.

"Hi." Came a reply. "Unusual to see another human around here."

"Another?" Leine half whimpered. A figure stepped out of the shadow.

"Yes." She replied. "I'm Arziel Roth. Who are you?"