The team sets out on their rescue mission! It's a bit short, but it'll set up the next chapter nicely. Normally I post Wednesdays and Saturdays, so I'll try to get Chapter 50 up on Friday, but no guarantees because RL is busy. Enjoy!

Chapter 49
Candaith brought his horse alongside me and dismounted lightly. He took my hands in his and kissed them, smiling and looking at me warmly with his expressive blue eyes. Fighting the urge to pull him into a kiss, as we were in a very public setting, I instead gave him a hug, and I felt the familiar safety I always found in his arms. After we pulled apart, I noted Radanir walking nearby. He smiled at me and I could tell he was happy for Candaith and I, even though he may still be working through his conflicting feelings.

"Hello Gwin," Candaith said softly. "It sounds like you want me to come along on another adventure?"

I sighed, "Yes, and it is not a safe one." He frowned at me, and I explained the situation.

"You say Nona will be guiding us?" Candaith asked, glancing over my shoulder to see the Dunlending woman gathering her supplies.

I nodded, "She agreed to it, in exchange for Halbarad allowing her to journey with us for a time."

He raised an eyebrow, "I admire her for her negotiation skills."

"I am glad she will be with us, to be honest," I admitted. "I know where to find Lhaid Ogo, using a map, but getting there safely will be tricky; thankfully Nona can help. She is also skilled with a sword; she handled herself well against some foes when I was with her in the mine with Nar."

We had moved towards my horse, as I needed to get her saddled to leave soon, and I busied myself with getting everything ready. I had to admit I was worried about this mission; we were going to break into a place full of undead creatures to rescue a stranger, who may or may not still be alive. Now, I had seen my fair share of undead and unspeakably evil enemies; the Great Barrow in Breeland had been only a taste of what I would be facing in my future. However, I did not relish fighting them; it is unnerving watching my knives cutting into bones and looking into the gaping holes where eyes should have been.

Suddenly I felt hands covering my own, and I realized that I had been tying and untying the laces of my bag over and over, as I was lost in my thoughts. I looked into Candaith's concerned eyes and sighed. "Thank you meleth, my mind is elsewhere it seems."

He squeezed my hands and asked, "Are your thoughts dark?"

"It seems like they usually are these days," I replied. I looked down at our hands, which were still together, and then up into Candaith's face, "But you always seem to find a way to make me smile."

"I do my best," he murmured. He paused, and glancing around to see if anyone was watching, he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. Sure enough, it made me smile and my spirit lightened. I could tell he would have rather kissed my lips, and he gave me a rueful grin. "When will we be leaving?"

"Within the hour I would expect. Everyone who will be coming is already here; we just need to gather as a group and make a plan." Sure enough, I saw Halbarad motion over to us, and we walked together and met the others near the fire.

"Now," Halbarad began, "Do all of you still agree to this?" After we all nodded in the affirmative, he continued, "Nona will be your guide, but Gwinthilnel, you are the leader. If at any time you feel like it is too dangerous to continue, I urge you to return. I would not have you lose your lives." He had a confident expression on his face, but I could also sense some nervousness.

"I understand Halbarad," I answered gravely. "We will be as cautious as we can, and I pray we are able to find this messenger and rescue them. However," I motioned everyone to move closer, and I lowered my voice, "We must be aware that this could also be a trap. It is possible this Ergothorn is trying to ambush us and stop our efforts against Saruman." I looked at Nona and she straightened, focusing on me. "Nona, will you fight for us if Dunlendings attack our party?"

At this, she almost looked offended. "Fight for you? I will fight alongside you, but I am the only Uch-luth in this group." I had to prevent myself from rolling my eyes at her phrasing. "If another tribe attempts to kill us…I will not let them." I could tell it was difficult for her to say such things. The thought of fighting against another group of Elves because they had sided with the enemy made my stomach turn. I glanced at Elrohir, and noted he perhaps was having the same realization.

"Very well," I said shortly. "Let us gather our things and mount up. Make sure you all have your lanterns; we will likely need them where we are going."

Radanir, Lothrandir, Candaith, Elrohir, and I followed Nona as we began to ride south. The moon was bright, and the sky cloudless. Candaith was staying close to me, and I felt comforted by his presence. No one spoke much; we wanted to be careful and not alert anyone we wanted to avoid. There was little to no tree coverage along our route, and I felt uncomfortable being so exposed. The stars were out in their full glory, but I was too anxious to let it relax me.

I felt a chill start to creep upon me, and noted my companions shifting uncomfortably in their saddles. A fog had settled around us, and it reminded me of the Barrow Downs. Only Nona seemed unbothered, and she led us without hesitation. I could see the shapes of skeletons in the distance, and spirits were floating eerily, but Nona guided us around the mounds and suspicious-looking ruins, so we did not cross their paths. Eventually, she led us further off the road and up a few small hills, and we stopped under a large tree that was next to a curved rock face. It provided good cover and would do well for our temporary camp.

"Nona," I asked, having dismounted. "I assume we are close to Lhaid Ogo?"

"Yes," she said shortly. "Let me show you." We all left our horses and carefully moved towards the road, staying up on the hill. She pointed to a tomb right across the road from us. It had two stone pillars, and a strange smoke was coming from the door. "There is Lhaid Ogo; said to be the tomb of the great Dunlending chieftain Ogo. I do not wish to desecrate it, but if there are foul creatures that already taint it, we must defeat them."

"I agree," I replied softly. "We will be as considerate as we can." However, if something was trying to kill me, great undead Ogo or not, I was going to defeat it.

Moving back to our camp, I looked at the sky. It was still dark, but I could see the beginnings of dawn start to form. It would be a good time for our rescue attempt; still dark enough to find cover, but if we had to flee, it was light enough for us to easily find our way back to the camp.

Elrohir wandered over to me, looking serious and a little uncomfortable. I eyed him with concern, "Mellon nin, what is it?"

"This mission makes me uneasy, Gwin," he said nervously. I had heard this and thought this more times than I was comfortable with. "We must be quick in finding this messenger. I…I do not do well in the dark." He looked much younger in that moment, and I could visibly see his fear.

I turned his face to mine and said, "Elrohir, if you do not wish to come, I would not hold it against you."

"I am ashamed to be afraid," he whispered. "I wish…" he paused, and I waited patiently for him to finish. "I wish 'Dan was here." It broke my heart to see him like this.

I joined him on the ground next to the rock wall, and he leaned his head against my shoulder. I took his hand and he held it tightly. "I may not be your brother," I murmured, "But I am your sister, and I am here for you always, as you have been for me." I repeated what he had said to me up in Zudrugund, "Let me chase away the shadows."

"Hey, that's my line," he joked, but his voice was shaking. We sat together for a few minutes, and I felt Elrohir start to relax. Finally, he took a deep breath and leaned away from me, giving me a small smile. "Thank you muinthel…I think I just needed some encouragement."

I returned it, "Of course, muindor." He stood, and pulled me up with him. "Will you be coming?" I asked. "Like I said, if you wish to stay at the camp, I will not judge you for it. In fact, we probably should have someone stay here to watch our belongings."

"Who will look out for you?" Elrohir replied softly. Before I could say the others would be able to help with that, another voice chimed in. "I will, of course." I felt Candaith put his arm around my waist. "I will keep her safe, Elrohir."

"I can keep myself safe, thank you very much." I said, trying to lighten the mood. Elrohir smiled, and I could see some relief on his face.

There was not much privacy to be had in this little camp, but I wanted to make sure Candaith knew how much I loved him before we went off into peril once more. Before I could do anything, he began to steer us away from the others and we went to the other side of the very large tree. He then hugged me tightly, and I returned it, my head tucked under his chin. I breathed in his familiar scent of grass and pipeweed, and felt him kiss my hair.

I pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Candaith, I…" It seemed as if I could not find the right words.

He smiled at me, his gaze full of warmth, "Le melin, Gwin."

"Le melin," I whispered, and I kissed him gently. If we did not have something very important we needed to do, I would have continued on with this pleasurable activity. Unfortunately, it was not to be. I pulled away with a sigh, and we shared another smile before returning to the fire Lothrandir had started.

Gwin and Candaith unfortunately didn't get as much alone time as they would have liked, and Elrohir decided to stay behind and guard the camp. I'm not a fan of the dark either, so I don't blame him one bit! Thanks for reading, and write a review!