Telmir looked up at Evren's face as she set him gently on the ground in the trees. "Stay here." she told him in a hushed voice, but Telmir didn't obey. He'd heard something, a sound in the woods, a voice he recognized. As Evren staggered back into the battle, Telmir wearily dragged himself to his feet.
"Emilia!" he called into the forest, his eyes peering through the dense undergrowth as he staggered in the direction of the sound. "Serra! Arrin!" It was Emilia's voice Telmir had heard, but where Georelelia's daughter was, his sisters would be also. Telmir was certain of it. He wasn't entirely sure where he was, or how he'd been separated from the rest of the group. But it didn't matter, he'd found them again.
Pushing a branch aside Telmir caught sight of a tiny golden head in the distance. "Arrin..." he said hoarsely, breaking into a run and stumbling toward the small group of children. Emilia's face broke into a wide smile when she saw him. Telmir stopped short, stunned, looking at the group.
"Where are my parents?" he asked in a soft voice. "Where are your parents, Emilia?" The girl clutched the baby she was holding tighter and shrugged her shoulders, choking back tears.
"Dead."
Telmir's eyes filled with tears, but he dashed them away quickly. He couldn't cry like that in front of girls. "Well." he said in a strangled voice, "We'll have to find our own way back then." Serra passed him the young child she held in her arms, and Arrin took his other hand. "I think there's a village this way," he gestured with his chin. "We'd better get going."
Emilia smiled and nodded, and the small group of children filed off silently in the direction Telmir had suggsted. A group of tiny survivors leaving in search of safety.
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The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!
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