[Lumiel]

Falowik and Finewen neared and she whispered to them. "Stop!" In surprise, they turned to her. In the near dark they had almost passed her by. In a glance, she took them in. Falowik and Finewen were unhurt for the most part, and Uien was riding with Falowik. Looking at the elf, she saw that she seemed to be in a trance. There was nothing she could do about that. She turned back to the other two. "Where's Falco?" she asked with concern.

"He went that way" said Falowik, pointing towards the dark horizon, "towards the area that the company came from. They've left the land unguarded." explained Falowik. The decision of the stout, stubborn hobbit surprised Lumiel.

"The others are trapped in the copse, the brigands have surrounded them. There are about twenty of them, I think. We've got to come up with a plan." she whispered in explanation of the situation.

"A distraction would work." Finewen said softly. "They can't see in the dark and they don't know how many of us are in the copse and how many are not. They won't know where we are. Numbers won't matter."

Falowik nodded agreement. "It's probably the best chance we have to save them. But we have to do it very soon, before they start watchfires and patrols. They won't take any chances."

An idea clicked in her mind and her eyes widened in hope, a small, unseen smile accentuating it. "I have a plan. You two can draw them off. Start off a good distance away. Get their attention. Give a show of bravado." she said in short, staccatto sentences as her mouth tumbled over the words in an effort to keep up with the pacing of her mind. "We've killed most of their company, they'll want revenge. They'll think that just two of you are easy pickings. If you can draw enough of them off and keep them busy, I'll sneak up on them. I can see them in the dark, but they can't see me, like you said Finewen. I'm sure that I can take out a few of them before they even realize that they're being attacked. Once the others within the copse realize what's going on, they can help me pick off those that remain." she finally finished. She looked at the man and woman, wondering what they would think.

"But what of Uien?" asked Falowik. "I won't be able to fight them and protect her at the same time." Lumiel hadn't thought of that. Her brow creased for a moment in thought and she spoke again quickly.

"We can leave her with my horse. I've found that he's loyal and smart, he'll protect her. Not having him might make it easier for me to attack the brigands as well, since I'll be a much smaller target." she said. It might not be the best idea, but it was the best that she could come up with. She trusted her horse, he had saved her life and she believed he could save Uien's as well, if it was necessary. The idle thought came across her hurried mind that she had not yet named him. Well, maybe after the danger was past she would get around to it.

Falowik seemed to consider this, looking at Uien with worry. Could a horse be trusted to protect the woman he loved so much? "Alright. So long as she's safe." he said. Lumiel dismounted and convinced her nervous horse to lay on the ground. Falowik eased off of his saddle and carefully took Uien down. It seemed she could barely stand and Falowik gently supported her as he led her to the horse and helped her sit down, leaning her upper body against his dark, shining coat. Lumiel rubbed his nose and whispered to him encouragement and hope. "You're sure he'll stay with her?" asked Falowik, his face filled with worry. Lumiel nodded.

"If our plan is to have any chance of success, we need to hurry." said Finewen. "Their attention won't be distracted entirely by the copse for very long and as quiet as our voices are, they carry too well in this land." By way of agreement, Falowik mounted his saddle with one last look at Uien. "Good luck, Lumiel."

"May the Valar protect you." she whispered in return as she turned and headed towards the copse. Her feet swept quietly over the bent grass as she weaved between the dead bodies. The smell of decay was beginning. She ignored it and kept her eyes on the copse, making sure that none of them saw her. As she neared, she crept on her belly. As she approached in an almost snake-like manner, she could feel the cut on her back opening up again, oozing blood slowly. But the pain only seemed to push her on and she finally stopped about fifteen feet away. She would wait for the signal.