Back in Minas Tirith, Aragorn looks up to see the now peaceful sky on top of his throne as Arwen approaches him.
"Are you worried about Legolas?" She asked.
"Not as much as I should be. I am sure that Legolas can handle himself on his own, but I do wonder whether he can find his way in the new world and maybe successful enough to gather an army to fight against the last of the Orcs."
"You and Legolas have been at odds before in your previous battles against them. I am sure that he can find his way around them."
"I think so as well. I am just not used to having Legolas gone for long periods of time. There are a lot of mysteries in this world and outside that nobody knows about."
"Maybe we can do something for Legolas when the time comes."
"And when it does, we will be ready. I got a feeling that the Orcs won't be the only obstacle he faces in the new world." Aragorn took the matter very seriously and left the throne, worrying Arwen.
The next scene switches back to the Continent where Annelotte, Nathan, and the rest of the group attempted to fight the Orcs, intending to destroy the town. They find themselves heavily outnumbered and slowly overwhelmed, despite creating a massive delay to allow people to escape. Before the Orcs were able to fight back, two female warriors came down and knocked a small group of Orcs that were in very close distance to the group. Everyone immediately recognizes that one of them is Nowa, while the other warrior calls herself Maria.
"Hey everyone, did you all miss me?" Nowa asked.
"You have no idea." Nathan smiled at Nowa's presence.
"Never mind the formalities for now. We still have a city to safe." Legolas told them as he dodges one of the Orcs sneaking behind him and shoots him with an arrow in response.
"Come on, let's finish them off." Maria takes out her sword and easily disarms her opponents.
Alleyne and Nowa begin fighting together again and watches each other's back as more attempted to ambush the fighting duo. Nathan and Airi had no problem taking down their foes as he can read his opponents possible moves due to his martial arts background. Annelotte, Yui, and Vante had the same result as the rest, especially due to Vante's superior firepower.
It took about less than half an hour before the surviving Orcs retreat, leaving the group somewhat exhausted.
"Well, most of the people have already retreated from town. Anybody want to go back to the fortress to get some rest?" Nathan asked.
"I wouldn't mind, but we are already this far so I think it is better if we just find a spot in the forest to rest. It won't be dangerous since the Orcs have already retreated from the area due to heavy casualties," Nowa answered.
Alleyne nodded at Nowa's suggestion. "Agreed. We have just left the fortress not too long ago and it will be pointless to start all over by coming here."
"We will do it your way, but we better get more supplies while we are still here." Nathan and Airi immediately move to empty restaurants and stores to restock their inventory, with the rest eventually following.
They finally make a stop in a forest next to a lake with a small waterfall. Apparently Nowa still shows attachment not only towards Alleyne, but Nathan as well.
"So good to see you again Nathan." Nowa immediately jumps to Nathan and gives him a hug, much to Airi's dismay.
"You better not act too friendly towards him Nowa."
"I think Nowa is just excited to see us again. It has been a while since we last saw her." Nathan attempts to cheer Airi, but to little avail.
"Then why is she only hugging you?" Airi becomes even more jealous as she continues to stare at Nowa hugging Nathan.
"Aw, what's the matter? Is your lover getting a little jealous?" Nowa continues to tease Airi.
"You are doing this on purpose aren't you?" Airi gets up and pulls Nowa out of anger.
Before a fight can ensure, Nathan intervenes. "I don't want to see any fighting so you two better calm down."
Seeing that Nathan is serious, the two backed off from each other, although that doesn't seem to stop them from going against each other in more minor confrontations.
"You are getting quite popular, aren't you Nathan." Annelotte teases Nathan about his situation.
"I really hope that things don't turn for the worst if anymore girls we reunite with suddenly do something unexpected out of excitement. It is really a pain sometimes when arguments happen over such little things. Why don't we all take a swim to calm ourselves?" Nathan sighs.
"Agreed!" Nowa yelled.
Only the girls changed into their swimsuits, although Legolas allows himself to take off his armor to lessen the weight on his body. Nathan goes to the waterfall to wash his face to rid himself of fatigue. From behind, Airi approaches him in a shy manner as she attempts to speak with him.
"Hey Nathan…" Airi blushes.
"Yeah?" Nathan turns around to see Airi wearing a white bikini she got from one of the stores.
"I wanted to get a new swimsuit for a while, but I didn't want to show you until we go swimming again. What do you think?"
Nathan was briefly mesmerized, but quickly snaps out of it. "Wow, you look really cute in that one."
Airi immediately raises her head after hearing Nathan's answer. "You really think so?"
"Makes me wish I had my camera with me now."
Airi blushes even more at Nathan's comment. "Don't be such a pervert."
Nathan laughs at Airi for taking him seriously. "Don't worry, that is just what I think about how good you look in it. Even if I do take a picture, it will be a good memory to both you and me."
"Then I wouldn't mind having a picture in this if you would be in it with me."
"I have a camera inside my bag. Do you want to take it now?"
Airi becomes surprised. "You actually brought a camera for this? You really are a pervert."
"Don't misunderstand Airi. I didn't even know we are going to swim until now. I was hoping that I could have some picture of my friends before saying goodbye again, although knowing them; they would probably find a way to get to London again just as it was done last time. Still, there is no way I would leave here without making a memory."
"If you put it that way then I guess that's okay. Let's go get your camera for the picture."
Nathan and Airi immediately reach for the bag and took out the camera. As Nathan promised, he puts himself in the picture on holds Airi by the shoulder while holding the camera in front of them before clicking. After the picture was shot, both Airi and Nathan looked at the camera to see how it came out.
"What do you think Airi?"
"It came out pretty good. Looks like that is one memory we made here."
Before their moment could continue, Nowa splashed water towards Airi and gets her entire body to be wet.
"Are you going to continue your love act or are you going to swim? Swimming is what a swimsuit is used for when you wear it."
"Nowa, I am going to get you for this." Airi immediately jumps into the water and starts splashing Nowa, while the other does the same.
Seeing that all of the girls are having fun in the water, Nathan lays down on a large boulder to relax, although he still feels anxiety towards his friends as he fears what may happen to the rest due to Claudette's tyrannical rule.
Legolas notices that although Alleyne has changed into her swimsuit, she still trains as if there was a nearby threat heading her way.
"Why are you training so hard by yourself instead of being with the others and enjoying yourself?"
"How can I relax? A lot has happened to be in my recent history. What it did was made me feel weak. I wanted to get stronger so I can avenge my tribe's genocide. Nothing will get down if we are here just to relax."
"I thought we have already talked about this. I know you haven't completely got over what happened to your former tribe, but we got to focus on what is happening now."
"You don't think I am aware of that? I was unable to protect my tribe with my strength and I don't want my friends and students to end up like them, which is why I am training to make myself stronger. If I lose everyone here, my life will only be filled with pain and misery and I will have no one to turn to for that. I already almost lost you once and I don't plan to have the same thing happen again." Alleyne starts lowering her head and sheds a tear from her eye.
"You need to have more faith in your friends Alleyne. They can handle themselves and we can also protect you the same way you promised to protect us."
"I don't want to keep relying for help or else I might get too dependent on them."
"There is nothing wrong with getting a little help every now and then. It will be just as burdening to you if you act alone. I want you to believe that your friends are trustworthy to help Alleyne. We all had the same feeling of regret at some point and we want to help you overcome yours."
"The past still lives within me. You can't get rid of it as it is now a part of you."
"That doesn't mean you cannot overcome it. We all did and now is your turn. Don't think about the past too much and focus more and the present and future."
Legolas turns around to see the rest of the group relaxing happily. "They all helped each other in dealing with the pain of their past. Let us assist you in doing the same."
"You are just like Nathan."
Alleyne takes a look at the group and realizes how much she stands out among the rest. When she finally sees how Legolas' advice can help her, she smiles and walk towards the group.
"Thank you." Alleyne said as she passes Legolas.
Nowa was the first to take notice of Alleyne's presence. "Hey Instructor, what are you going to do?"
"I am probably going to relax a little with my friends first, then I will head into the water to spend time there."
Nowa laughs in response. "You seem a lot more relaxed today. Is everything okay to you?"
"Everything is fine for now. I don't want to dwell on the past too much so I am going to relax for a bit."
"Okay." After Nowa turns her attention back to Airi, she got splashed again on her head.
Airi apparently hasn't let go of the fact that Nowa ruined her moment with Nathan, although she has become more playful with her instead of being competitive. Nathan moves towards Alleyne, seeing that her behavior has changed a bit since they got to the lake.
"I am guessing that Legolas was the one who helped you learn how to relax, right?"
"You're not far off. Legolas did help me deal with some of the stress I have dealing with my past and it is though both him and you I learn to trust my friends more."
"I am glad to see that some things are still progressing in this world. A lot fell under Claudette in the way I see it."
"I feel the same. What has actually regressed was the entire Continent itself, including most of our friends and allies. What has progressed, however, is our ability to make new ones and our desire to protect them. The only person I ever cared about before I met you was Nowa. This is no longer the matter we are all together fighting for each other. I want to protect everyone here if I can."
"So do I. Glad to see that Legolas helped you put through and I wish you two the best."
Hearing that surprises Alleyne as she immediately gets up and turn towards Nathan. "What do you mean by wishing us the best?"
"I often see you two together often so I assumed that you have made a relationship with him. Sorry if I caused a misunderstanding."
"It's not that. I had never thought of us being in a relationship before. I often see Legolas as am important friend and ally. I didn't really think past that point."
"I guess that makes sense since the only guys you are close to is me and Legolas after living so long. Those who had never been in a serious relationship before tend to be confused about it. They don't know what they feel about it or what is considered as a real relationship among those they love or care about. You are not alone in this Alleyne. I met a few people in London who faced the same ordeal."
"Then what do you suggest I do?"
"Give it some time, your own feelings will become clear eventually, especially when you are already around the people you care about."
"It makes sense. You are the second person I have to thank today for helping me through my ordeals. I swear that if this continues, I will become too dependent on you and Legolas to help me fix my personal problems."
Nathan laughs. "I guess. I better head to the water or Nowa and Airi will never stop fighting."
Nathan tries to separate Airi and Nowa, but he got splashed instead and now plays along with the two girls as Alleyne watches.
Unknown to them, Nanael is currently sitting on top of the waterfall watching them play and relax, much to her frustration.
"Great, the whole group is playing and I am stuck giving updates of their situation to the Chief Angel as well as finding Laila. WHY DID YOU JOIN THE QUEEN"S ARMY WITHOUT PERMISSION? I wish I could go play with them. It has been a while since I have talk to some of them. Why am I stuck here?"
Nanael drops her head down as she continues to complain about her job.
In the meantime, Annelotte sees Maria falling asleep as she lies below a tree, not knowing that Maria often experience sudden cases of narcolepsy when traveling.
"Maria? Maria?" Annelotte gently shakes, but received no response.
"Jeez, how many times can you sleep a day?" Annelotte gives up and heads back to the group.
"Where were you at Annelotte?" Nathan asked.
"I was checking on Maria. She tends to sleep very often, even when we are on the move. It's hard to wake her up most of the time."
"Based on what you told me, it seems as though Maria has narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder that is characterized by excessive sleepiness and sleep attacks in inappropriate times due to abnormal daytime sleep patterns."
"Maria gets a full night sleep yet, she often gets more sleep during the day than during the night."
"That is what narcolepsy does to you no matter what. Do you know how Maria got this disorder?"
"I have met her only about two or three times and she never tells us too many stories about her adventures. I don't really know if anyone has knowledge of what happened to Maria during her travels."
"At least she has good fighting skills. They are similar to Leina's in a way when I saw her fight those Orcs. As for Maria's condition, I think I can treat it, but I can't cure it. When my mom left, my dad's stress causes him to have the same disorder, which took him five years for him to get over. My bag has a small first aid kit, which is where I keep most of the medicine in case dad accidentally falls asleep during one of our trips, though using it now when she is asleep might not be a good idea."
"Then let's wait until she gets up. You know, sometimes I think of you as a problem solver Nathan."
"I am from a different world. You have no idea how much there is compared to here."
"Really? Think I can make a trip there?"
"Can't say for sure, but we will see."
After their brief conversation is finished, Annelotte goes to the lake while Nathan turns towards Maria to get a closer look.
"I already know who you are Leina. Don't worry, your secret will be kept safe until you are ready." Nathan told Maria even though she is asleep and cannot hear.
After Yuit lost a splash battle with Nowa, she decides to use Vante to make a bigger splash, only to accidentally send everyone out of the lake upon impact.
"We were only playing and yet you went as far as to send us out of the lake?" Annelotte becomes angry with Yuit.
"Sorry big brother. I accidentally got out of control with her."
"Never do that again." Airi said as she gets up from the boulder she landed on.
As the group attempts to relax, a few mercenaries slowly approaches Rana's house as he and his family are making weapons for the store. Nathan senses the disturbance.
"Is something wrong?" Maria asked after she finally wakes up.
"I need to do something for a bit. I won't be too long so I want everyone to wait here if you don't mind."
"No problem. I will just go back to sleep again."
"Wait." Nathan grabs his bag and takes out two bottles of Xyrem and gives it to Maria.
"I almost forgot, this medicine will help treat your sleep attacks temporarily so I expect you to take one every morning. Any more than that will be dangerous for your health."
"I guess you knew of my condition. Thank you for being concerned."
"Right. Anyway, I have to go. See you in a bit." Nathan left as Maria examines the medication, not knowing what to think of them since it was brought from London.
I decided that there was not enough character development in this story so I kept the action minimal in this chapter. Please leave a review if you can.