[Eladain Moruviel]

Del sat down at the table where Maen told him too, moments later a tall, dark, man walked through the door. “An Easterling.” Del decided, “I’ll have to watch my back.” He watched as the man handed Maen a letter, and a package. The former she read quickly, and the latter containing a dagger.

He noticed out of the corner of his eye, that a man had been listening to the conversation, and now had walked up and whispered something into Maen’s ear; but he couldn’t quite make out what it was. He was seemed to have the air of a ranger about him, “perhaps an ex-ranger?” he mused.

Then Del turned to study the others that had gathered around the table. The ranger, he had already seen, but who were these other two? The seemed strangely out of place somehow, and yet; strangely familiar. It puzzled him, but no matter. He would keep an eye on them though, he would have to keep an eye on everyone for that matter. Then there was the other girl, he had seen her face in Rohan before, but he wasn’t quite sure where.

Del turned his attention back to the table. “I am Maén Il Galoth. Please, take a seat. I would like to speak to you all.” she then noticed that Crystal had drawn her sword and quickly said “Peace! There will be plenty of time for taking blood Miss Heart, Sirs, once again I ask you to please sit.” Del chuckled to himself “what could that fiery little redhead do, the sword was almost half as big as she was!”

Maén now pulled out almost every skerrick of information which she had bothered to bring with her. Her father’s letters, Lysia’s research as well as her letters from the king. She placed her cloak upon the table.

“Firstly.” She began taking a deep breath. “I will thank you all for expressing your interest in my little venture. As you all know The Widow Il Galoth has posted a reward of twenty thousand pieces of gold to each of those who accompany me to find the Traitor of my family.” She then told of how her relative had betrayed his kin, and all of Gondor, but Del had already heard this from Eladain

. “Not only is he a kin slayer, and a traitor to my family, but he was a Gondorian, as are most of you. That makes him a traitor to you as well.” She paused letting this statement sink into the minds of those around her. I cannot assure your survival. We have to trust to Illuvatar - and hope. Estel.” Then Ferethor spoke. "What if our hope fails us and our houseless souls tread the path to Mandos? Whither then?"

“heh!” thought Del “my time hasn’t come yet, but when it does, I’ll meet it with my boots on!” Maén shot ferethor a piercing glance, but continued.

“ Aye, I am coming to that. If you should die, twenty-five thousands will be paid to your family. If I die, you get only half of that. These are the conditions of Lysia Il Galoth. Take them or leave them.”

For a while there was stunned silence throughout the company, and gradually each gave their approval. it was a fair enough deal, Del couldn’t foresee anything going too terribly wrong. “Yes, all in all this should work out nicely.” He thought too him self. “But you never can be too sure of anything” he quickly reminded himself.

“I suggest now that you all get to know one-another, for my part, I will introduce Carathir, he is my aunt’s young squire and he is chosen by her to accompany me. Yes, he is and Easterling, but I hope that none of you will hold it against him, anyone who does will answer to me. My other companion here is Atharen, a ranger who has kindly offered to assist me. As for myself, you all know who I am, and I will tell you this, just because I am a woman, does not mean I cant kill you in the night. Go now, I will give you time that you need to set your affairs in order and collect your things, meet me out the front in an hour we leave.” And there it was that the company formed.

Del walked quickly to the door, but stopped when he heard Crystal say "I won't hurt you. I just want a truthful answer. What dealings have you had with General Dorian of Rohan?" "I just want a truthful answer. What dealings have you had with General Dorian of Rohan?" Del could tell her temper was just barely held in check.

"With Dorian of Rohan? I faced him in a chance meeting, if it be chance, at the edge of the field of Calanedhron. I've come to value his valor and loyalty to the realm of Gondor." Came the reply, and now Del saw that it was Ferethor with whom she was speaking.

General Dorian! Of course, that was where he had seen Crystal’s face before, on a wanted poster at Edoras. Her father was offering a large reward for her capture, Dead Or Alive… But Del realized that he couldn’t very well go and turn her in now, he would have to wait for the opportune moment.

Del then casually walked out the door, and headed toward the inn in which he was staying. he would have to pick up his things and return in an hour.