[Mithalwen]

Losrian heard Maegisil's call - the sound but not the words; it was too distant for even Elvish ears that were not focused on listening. She looked down and from her vantage point she could see the courtyard gates unexpectedly open and people starting to mill through them. Eager to see what was happening she sprang from her niche and ran lightly along the city wall to the nearest steps. She passed Artamir who seemed deep in conversation with his friend but something about her manner must have alerted him.

"Losrian - why are you running - have you left that forge alight and unattended? " he teased.

The girl paused and fixed him with her bright, grey eyes and did not rise to the bait. "The palace gates are open.. something is happening, I want to find out." She waited no longer and continued but was aware of the two young soldiers following her. She looked for her brother in the crowd but the space before the palace seemed full of strangers, all grim faced and anxious. She was glad when she turned to find Artamir next to her, a familiar face in strange times.

She felt that the moment had finally come, the storm was about to break and there was nothing they could do but face it. Neither her brother, the new father, nor Artamir, barely of age would be spared from the ranks and for herself ... for all her hours of practice and arrowmaking she wondered how she would cope if she joined the ranks of the archers. Could she really take a life? Even an orcish one. But she knew the enemy would show no mercy and expect none. She glanced again at Artamir who was staring at the palace. She wondered if he already knew what was to pass - for Narisiel, his mother, would surely be within. She had spent so much time there latterly.