[TheLadyAerowen]

Alearindu had just finished a conversation with a young girl when she turned around and found the Ranger Tane walking towards her. Alearindu was slightly startled and was going to ask what he was doing here, but she quickly stopped her question as Tane explained;

“I need you to come with me. There's been an upset and I must meet with the leaders at once."

Alearindu had heard nothing of some sort of upset and was struck with surprise as Tane finished speaking. She was going to ask what had happened, but was once again stopped Tane jerked his head signalling that this wasn’t the place to discuss it.

“We could ride Mornen,” Alearindu suggested, thinking Tane may have been in some sort of hurry. Tane shook his head, and told Alearindu to just walk him. Alearindu nodded, and pulled Mornen’s reins over his head. Tane set off at a brisk pace weaving through the few people, and Alearindu followed with Mornen, her head buzzing with many questions, but she refrained from asking any. She was sure, with time, most of them would be answered.

Soon, the thin crowds of people had diminished to none. Alearindu glanced over at Tane, and noticed he seemed to want to say something, but couldn’t quite find the words. Finally, he spoke;

“The upset… Alearindu, Thorgil is dead.” Alearindu stopped abruptly in her walk. Grief, anger, and shock flowed through her. “How? Tane…” Alearindu asked, her voice almost in a whisper. Tane then explained that Thorgil and another creature seemed to have killed each other. The only other information he knew, was that a villager had found him. The reason Tane was going to the leaders was to talk with them and get Thorgil’s body. “I need you with me, can you do it?” Tane asked, and Alearindu found herself staring into his eyes as he gripped her arm.

Alearindu nodded, and managed to answer yes, before facing the direction of the tent and starting off at a quicker pace than before. She blinked her eyes a few times fighting back tears, but three tears slipped from her eyes and began to roll down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away, but noticed Tane had glanced over. She said nothing, and continued towards the tent.

Not long after Alearindu had been told the news from Tane, they reached the brown tent. Alearindu noticed a man standing outside, but then, she noticed the body covered by a blanket. Her throat tightened into a knot, but she was able to hold back the tears this time; she just hoped she didn’t have to talk. Alearindu tried hard not to completely focus on the covered form, so as they neared the tent, she set her gaze upon the man who was standing, who explained that he was Borgand. He asked them to come inside, and held the tent open.

Tane asked Alearindu to stay and guard Thorgil’s body. She nodded, and Tane went inside. Alearindu stood with her knees locked in front of Thorgil, her arms crossed. What would it be like without Thorgil? He may not have been the most supportive of Alearindu being in his group, but there was still a lot of grief flowing through her. He was a very experienced Ranger, whom she had looked up to despite some of his actions such as leaving her in the settlement and not any of the other male Rangers, save Awyrgan who had volunteered. With this thought, anger pulsed through her as well. Alearindu’s arms dropped to her sides, and she clenched her fists together tight, digging her nails into the palm of her hand. A tiny trickle of crimson streamed from her palm, but she unclenched her fists as Tane walked out of the tent. He said he was going to go get his horse, and that she was to wait there. Alearindu nodded, and watched his back as he ran off. Now, Tane being Thorgil’s second-in-command would become their leader. Alearindu had no doubts whatsoever about if Tane could take up this responsibility. But still, how would the other Rangers react? What if they didn’t want Tane as their new leader?

Not too long after he left, Tane returned. They placed Thorgil’s body on a stretcher, and hitched it up to Mornen. They set off at a slow pace towards their camp, speaking quietly.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 5:59 PM December 20, 2003: Message edited by: TheLadyAerowen ]