‘I think we’ll manage to survive’
Laurel jerked about to see Lanaey standing over her, looking rather urgently at her. By her fresh look, and fragrant smell, Laurel could tell she had found the BathHouse. She noted mentally that she should take a trip there herself. Seeing the Elf made her realise how tired and sore she was, and what a good soak would do.
‘Would you mind coming out and speaking with me for a moment?’ she asked her. Slowly standing, and looking at Cartil and the slumbering Jess, she said ‘I’ll be back later’
She was altogether taken aback when she left the Sick House to find Leena, Gorath and Galain standing waiting. All seemed very concerned, and Laurel did not blame them at all. But she was not expecting what was said to her. Gorath immediately stated he needed to speak separately with her, and this roused her curiosity. But she decided to deal with matters at hand first.
‘Do you want to start?’ she asked the Elf. The assessment was left to her. Stating it aloud seemed to further confirm her doubts. ‘Alright, here's what we have so far: a very weakened small army and us, basically. We saw their forces and they have quite a few numbers on us. Any suggestions?’ Lanaey was the first to say ‘We could run’ but Laurel did not let that thought pass any further through her mind. ‘That is not an option’ she started.
‘Why don't we get everybody together for a meeting and pose options there. More heads, more ideas’ said Leena suddenly. Laurel agreed with this thought, and set the time for tomorrow. ‘More time to think on what to do’ she said inwardly. As the Elf and the Gondorian woman left, she looked towards the brothers ‘Now, what did you want to talk to me about?’
Gorath did not mix his words at all ‘We came across an Elf, looking into that window, watching you and the boy Cartil. He was dangerous, both look and spirit. He means you and us all harm. He ran away before we could ask him any thing. We decided it better to tell you, than have after him’ he stopped for a moment ‘Do you know him?’
‘I do’ said Laurel quickly ‘His name is Cuor, and he is an evil creature’ Laurel thought on it for a moment.
‘Now I understand!’ she said, almost as an outburst that seemed to take the two back.
‘I will explain. He came to the Swan House, badly hurt, almost to Mandos said my grandmother. She cared for him and brought him back to health, but she regretted she did. She told me he was not a right sort. She warned me to stay away from him, not to talk to him. His words had evil workings…’ she paused, working her memory from fatigue.
‘There used to be guards set on watch about the House. That was when we could spare willing men. They found him, standing over my bed, saying odd things. They took him to my grandmother. She told him never to come back here, or suffer great pain. She told him she knew, I did not understand what she meant by it. He said she would not rule here forever. Then he was gone’
‘I think he meant that clearly. I think it possible that he has told the Wild Men where to find the House! I think that he has told them when we are the weakest, and continues to do so!’
‘Then we should not have let him go?’ asked Galain
‘No. He does not know we know his plans just yet. If we...if I find him...he will regret his actions. I will tell everyone at the meeting tomorrow of this. I thank you for telling me’ she said to the brothers. They nodded and were soon gone.
It was then that Laurel saw Jesslyn. She looked as tired and as worn as herself, but a smile was on her face. Laurel moved over and said. ‘You look as though you wish to talk Jess. And if you are as dirty and tired as I am, in need of a good bath as well. Shall we talk on the way?’
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