[Arvedui III]

Rangar felt his grin would brake his jaw as they got closer to the hills. Even if it's for nothing, I'll still have the dreams. That's something, anyway. Enien's voice rang out, Rangar turned. A cloaked Haradrim was walking toward them, paying no head to the elf's shouts. Rangar rushed back, the man continuing to stride placidly ahead. Rangar gripped his sword hilt as the man finally came to a stop. Barodin?! Rangar thought, his mind panicking and racing wildly. His fears seemed to be confirmed when the figure coldly said, "Somebody who wants to kill you,"

That was it. Rangar drew his blade just as the man made a strike for Enien, but his hood fell, and he was unmistakable. Half the company gasped as one. Wren screamed, and Enien near lost her arm in the surprise. "Turthol!" Rangar shouted, and dropping his sword made a running hug for his friend that ended up being more of a tackle. Things couldn't have been better, Rangar decided as he grinned and pined Turthol's arms down while the man struggled frantically in what Rangar thought was mock-panic. "Where've you been?!" Rangar near sputtered, getting up, but to his utter bewilderment, found a cruel scimitar at his throat.

Turthol said nothing, but made his face hard, eyes full of a bizarre, quiet triumph."What are you doing?" Several of the company cried. And then, the look in his eyes was replaced with something else. A kind of lost confusion, a blankish stare. The hairs on the back of Rangar's neck began to rise. It was as if he was staring into a darker version of his own eyes. That look. What's going on? Gods, Turthol. He hasn't, but then, how. My friend, what's happened to you!? Suddenly voices brought him away from his thoughts and Turthol's eyes. "Turthol, that's enough." and then, "Are you alright?" It was either Calmir or Tareth, Rangar didn't know for sure; However, he did know they had to get away from Turthol, fast.

"Everyone, go on ahead. I need to talk to Turthol, alone." Please, please let this work. He thought as Bregand, Calmir, and Camalita began moving up the hill, smiles on their faces. But Enien, Wren and Tareth remained. Fools! "Now!" Rangar cried, gulping as Turthol blade inched against his skin. "Alright, geez, but Turthol, I have your fife, ok?" Wren laughed as she and Tareth began to follow the others. Rangar got the distinct impression she was crying, also. "Are you should you're ok?" Enien began, "No, he's far from ok." Said a icy voice from the right of them. Rangar's blood boiled as the figure coming toward them cast aside it's hood; And in perfect time to hear shouts from further up the hill. "Haradrim!" Someone cried, and blades rang as they were drawn. "Turthol," Barodin ordered as he drew his own sword. "Take care of the elf." With one look of hate that made Rangar want to scream, Turthol withdrew his scimitar and rounded on Enien. "Enien, go help the others!" Rangar barked while backing up to find his own sword. The elf nodded, and began moving slowly upward, Turthol's blade rushing her ascent.

Barodin laughed, and rushed Rangar as he bent to pick his sword up. He blocked, and the two circled each other like starving wargs. "You are disgusting, you know that right?" Rangar growled, looking for any opening in his enemy. "And why am I more disgusting than you?" Barodin spat back, complete malice in his eyes. "It's one thing to want revenge on me, but kill others? And then twist vulnerable men to lies that make them want to kill innocents!" Rangar shouted, about to see red. "I told him the truth." Barodin replied with a cold, satisfied smile. "You don't know the truth!" Rangar burst out. "And you do?!" Barodin laughed again. "I know enough." Rangar retorted, still searching for any advantage. "Then, you'll of course know how he died." Barodin said coolly. "No." Said Rangar, gritting his teeth. "Allow me to demonstrate, then." Barodin hissed, and lunged at him.