Elidor: Russa, do I have to do the disclaimer?

Russa: Well, of course! That's why you live in the nice closet!

Elidor: It's dark in there...

Russa: Just do the disclaimer!

Elidor: Why don't you?

Russa: Cuz it's repetitive and pointless. (conjures up a PS2) I'll let you play Kingdom Hearts II...

PS2: Is conjured

Elidor: Oh goody!

Russa: Do the disclaimer!

Elidor: Fine, fine. Russa does not own me or anything else remotely recognizable as Dragonlance. Or KHII. However, the characters and plot in this story are made up by her.

Russa: Very good. Here you go.

Elidor: YAY!

Russa: Wow, this was long... story start now!

The first thing Riishu heard the next morning was Kuran's voice. Still half-asleep, the captain couldn't pick out any specific words. The lieutenant's tone was angry, and after a moment Riishu heard a calmer response from Mieran.

She opened her eyes surreptitiously to see the two elves standing near Urea's unconscious body. Carine was sitting next to the human, watching the argument go back and forth. The sight woke Riishu up enough for her to catch a few words.

"-cannot understand why we are harboring a human! A Solamnian recruit at that!" Kuran was yelling. Mieran folded her arms. "Are you questioning our captain's orders?" she demanded calmly.

Kuran quieted somewhat at this. "Of course not," he assured her, "It's just… they side with the Silvanesti! We're going beyond simply sparing her life; Carine's healing her! Since when have we taken care of enemy soldiers?"

Riishu chose this moment to sit up and clear her throat. The argument broke off abruptly, all three elves turning to her (in Carine's case, jumping to her feet) and saluting. Riishu stood up and saluted back.

She turned to Kuran. "I understand your concerns and suspicions. They are well-founded. Would it help if I explained?"

The lieutenant turned a light shade of pink, but nodded. Riishu sighed. "There are two reasons really; one: she was helpless. I just couldn't kill her in cold blood. Two: I have a feeling she was in the same situation that Elin was. That is, press-ganged unwillingly into service. As you said, she is simply a recruit, not a fully-fledged knight. We may find a valuable ally in her."

Kuran scowled, but bowed. "I respect your decision, Captain." He straightened and grinned wryly, gesturing towards Elin's sleeping form. "Besides, I have been wrong before."

At that moment, Elin woke up. He stretched and got stiffly to his feet, looking from one elf to the next with a considerable amount of confusion. Mieran punched Kuran lightly on the arm. "Come on. We need to go organize some foraging crews." Both lieutenants headed off to attend to this. Riishu watched them go, noting how much more relaxed Kuran seemed; he was chatting amicably with the other elf as they wove through the camp.

Elin came up beside Riishu, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "What was all that about?" He gestured at the two departing elves. The captain sighed. "Kuran was wondering about the prisoner, that's all." Elin glanced at her concernedly. There were dark bags under the elf's eyes and her face was drawn and serious. Her frame, though still lithe and wiry, drooped slightly as if some huge burden was weighing down on her. The sparkle that was normally present was gone from her eyes.

The half-breed felt a pang of worry for his friend. He put an arm around her shoulders. "Something wrong?" Riishu shrugged off his arm and forced a smile. "No. I'm fine. I'll go get us some breakfast." Elin frowned at her back as she walked off. Something was definitely wrong. As he watched her putting on a strong front for the other Kagonesti, her long brown hair shining in the sunlight, Elin felt a jolt of something else.

When the captain returned, Elin took her arm and led her off through the ravine. Riishu protested, "Wait, where are we going?" Elin didn't answer, just guided her around a bend. He pulled her into a small, dimly-lit cave. Only then did he release her arm and suggest, "Let's eat away from the others for once." They sat down and ate in silence.

Once they were finished, Riishu started to get up. Elin jumped to his feet and grabbed her shoulder as she turned to leave. "Rish, what's wrong?" he asked. The captain smiled weakly. "Nothing. I told you, I'm fine."

Elin wasn't going to take that dismissal so easily that time. He refused to let go of her shoulder. "Rish, I'm not just another soldier. I'm asking as your friend; what's wrong?" Before she could repeat herself, Elin added, "Don't tell me nothing's wrong; I've known you too long to fall for that."

Riishu regarded him for a long moment, then sighed and dropped back into a sitting position. Elin plopped down in front of her and waited patiently. The captain buried her face in her hands for several minutes. When she finally raised her head, Elin was astonished to see a tear glistening on the oak-leaf tattoo on her left cheek.

"I'm so tired, Elin. I can't keep doing this. Trying to keep everyone happy, fighting battles constantly, avoiding ambushes and invasions. I'm tired to the very core of my being. I can't seem to find any energy anymore. And the worst part is, we aren't making any difference. The Silvanesti are just too strong. No matter how many of them we kill, no matter how many battles are fought, it won't make any difference. They just keep coming. We may as well not even be fighting."

At this point, tears were running freely down Riishu's cheeks. She put her head back in her hands, shoulders shaking. Elin scooted over to her side and pulled her towards him. He hugged her shaking shoulders tightly, lending her silent support as she quietly cried.

"I'm tired of death, of killing… of war." she choked out. Elin just held her, just like he'd done when her brother died all those years ago. When Riishu's sobs trailed off into sniffles, he still held her. She looked up at him through her tears. "You must think I'm such a little girl, crying like this." She attempted a watery smile.

Elin held her shoulders at arms length and gazed into her deep purple eyes. "I think you're the bravest elf I've ever met." he said quietly. She let out one final choked sob, gazing back into his serious brown eyes. Elin felt an electric tingle run through his body. Riishu smiled; a true smile rather than a façade. "I'm glad you're here, Elin." she said.

Riishu's entire body shuddered as he pulled her in close into another hug. She laid her head on his shoulder, needing the support. "I know it may seem pointless at times," Elin whispered hesitantly, "but you know it's not. You're fighting for something you believe in. No, it's more than that; you're fighting for your people's freedom from the Silvanesti, and for your way of life. It will never be pointless."

Riishu pulled back so she could look up at him. Wordless gratitude shone out from her tearful eyes. She started to speak, but Elin placed a finger on her lips. He carefully wiped away the tears from her cheeks, with all the delicacy one would use with a fragile flower.

A single tear welled up and wove its way over her oak-leaf tattoo. The two elves gazed wordlessly into one another's eyes. Elin found himself leaning forwards, and Riishu was doing the same.

Just then, they both heard footsteps from outside the cave. Elin leapt quickly to his feet and intercepted the elf outside the cave. It was Carine.

The healer stopped and saluted her superior. "I was just coming to inform you that the human is awake." Elin nodded. "Thank you, Carine. Please get her some breakfast. The Captain and I will return in a few minutes." Carine saluted again and strode off back towards camp.

Elin headed back inside the cave and knelt in front of Riishu. He picked up her untouched water bowl and pulled a cloth from his pocket. Handing both to the captain, he stood back and gave her time to compose herself.

Once she was done and looking almost like her old self again, Elin smiled at her. "It'll all be okay, Rish, you'll see. You ready to go back?" Riishu drew herself up and nodded. They walked off side by side, heading back towards the camp.