[Saurreg]

One of the elves had deliberately slackened the pace of his horse so that he would fall behind the train. It was not difficult for Thaurbar to figure out why, given the former's sluggish movements and flushed face. It seemed that rumours of the Mirkwood elves' love for wine were true after all.

Findereg had also noticed the actions of his fellow companion. He smiled to himself as he shook his head.

"Ah! I see the illustrous Fin had caught your eye! He is one of the younger courtiers of the Mirkwood Kingdom and a favorite among the elven maidens. He has a flirtatious personality and a sharp tongue. But I assure you that he has a good heart and a pair of steely hands."

"That I am sure of sure of, friend Findereg." Replied Thaurbar still eyeing the drunken Nandor with much interest. Never had he seen an elf so "unfettered" before.

Just then, Thaurbar noticed that the young Atani was staring at him with her large black eyes. When she realised that Thaurbar had caught her peeping, she hid herself behind the female elf.

Taking leave from Findereg, Thaurbar rode towards the female elf and the child. The urchin clung even tighter to her travelling companion as Thaurbar approached.

"Child, my name is Thaurbar. Tell me, what is yours?"

The large bright eyes continued to stare defiantly. Silence.

"Where do you come from? Where are your parents?"

Still silence.

Thaurbar knew that another approach was needed. He noticed that some of the wounds on the child's body were still raw and blood and just clotted by the side of the cuts. As the elf reached out to examine the child's wounds, she instinctively recoiled in horror. Trust had not been established.

"Tell me child, do your wounds still hurt?" Inquried Thaurbar earnestly.

He then reached into a inner pocket on his tunic and pulled out a small packet wrapped in cloth. Unwrapping the packet, he extracted a few pieces of dried leaves and offered them to the child.

"This is Athelas, your people would know it as Kingsfoil. If your wounds hurt, simply chew on one of these leaves and apply the pulp on the wound."

The child hesitated but she then reached out and grabbed the leaves before withdrawing quickly.

[ January 13, 2003: Message edited by: Saurreg ]

[ January 14, 2003: Message edited by: Saurreg ]