[Amanaduial the archer]

Atharen smiled wryly as he shook his hood free of the dew from the low hanging branches, wet with dew and with the light rain of the previous night. Behind him, Roryn emerged from the trees, similarly pulling down his hood. Atharen shook his lightened hair slightly and grinned ironically at Crystal as he replied. "Hopeful dream? No, just me - come, I was gone for a few hours."

"Why?" Crystal replied very quickly, and a strange, unexpected tone in her voice made Atharen stop, examining her face with his eyes. She blushed and looked away which, in a way, made him even more suspicious.

"Myself and Roryn had...some business to attend to," Atharen replied quietly, meeting Ferethor's eyes. The Gondorian nodded, understanding, and inclined his head more definitely in silent thanks. Del was laid to rest. Atharen sighed slightly, then stretched, clicking his neck sharply before he turned in the direction Crystal had indicated before. "Come, I must tell Maen we are back and then we must be on our way. We have dallied too long - the Haradrim bandits were far out of their way, but there are others who roam these places."

"But we have you now."

Atharen paused and turned back to Crystal, thinking he must have misheard. "Pardon, my lady?"

Crystal hesitated, then ammended haltingly, "You two. Rangers. It makes it...safer. You know." She hesitated, holding Atharen's gaze, then gave a small, frustrated noise and moved past him.

Atharen watched her go, slightly bewildered. Had he offended her again? Such behaviour...He glanced at Ferethor, but it seemed the Captain found something amusing as he was smirking very slightly, before he followed Crystal. "Come, ranger - we must get back. And...thankyou," he gave a small smile, then followed Crystal briskly.

Atharen paused, waiting until Roryn was equal with him, then raised his eyebrows at his old comrade. Roryn simply grinned and moved on.