[Nogrod]

The two paused after they reached the peak of the hill. It was only then they realised they had been climbing slowly all the time as they ran. They were both panting heavily.

Embla looked at Fastarr questioningly and still frightened. Fastarr set his arm on her shoulder and nodded trying to look as comforting he could. "No... we're safe now... for a while." He glanced backwards and then continued his breath still heavy. "It's gone, it flew away...somewhere... And they're gone as well... They rode to the town. I heard them."

"Look! It's the elves!" Embla hissed suddenly pointing downwards.

In the distance below them they saw a wain pulled by two horses carrying Lacharandir's body and the other elf was riding slow behind him. Two men at arms were escorting them.

They followed them with their eyes until they disappeared behind a ridge.

"Do you think we should have tried to get the message to him?" Fastarr asked a bit confused nodding to the direction where they had gone.

Embla was silent for a moment still staring to where they had disappeared but then turned her head and met Fastarr's gaze. "No... he wouldn't have believed us... I'm afraid he wouldn't have even listened to us..." She frowned but still tried to brave a smile. "What a twisted world we live in..." she sighed and sat down.

Fastarr sat down beside her. They eyed each other feeling uncertain. They both knew they would have to make decisions but neither dared to open on the subject.

Finally Fastarr broke the silence.

"There's a war brewing and Borrim villages should be warned... and your village…and I should join the fight..." he almost whispered.

Embla looked at the man.

"Didn't Khandr already sent one of you to warn people? And how would you join the fight without a horse to get you there in time?"

Fastarr didn't answer. A light smile spread over Embla's face as he looked at the man trying to avoid the obvious discussion. And she decided to pre-empt it for good.

"And Thorn is not anymore within our reach either..." she added softly. "He's alone in that town of treachery and if he will be saved it's not his or our doing but that of the Song. And all the others we know are away already."

She laid her hand on Fastarr's and pressed it gently. "It's about what we will do now Fastarr. It's about us now. We can't do anything here or anywhere... don't you see it? There's nothing for either of us anywhere, but..."

Fastarr lifted his face and looked at the woman she had fallen in love with holding his hand and begging for him to say what he needed to say. There were tears forming in his eyes when he finally managed to open his mouth.

He put his other hand over Embla's hand holding his and pressed it firmly looking at her eyes through the tears already running.

"I love you Embla." he said silently. "I'm a failed retainer and bodyguard... and I have killed a man... but if you..."

"Of course I will you dolt!" Embla laughed and threw herself on him wrapping her arms around him. She moved her face close to his ear and whispered softly "I know that the men of your village are quite slow and simple but you must be a special one in that regard..."

Fastarr wasn't sure whether he should have taken that as a pun or as flattery. But he didn't care now. He took hold of her pulling her tight to his body. Their faces met just a few inches away from each other and their eyes were fixed. He felt her breath on his lips and opened his mouth slightly leaning an inch forwards. Their noses touched each other softly. His hand was shaking lightly as he gently stroked her hair.

"Would you love me forever?" Embla whispered her lips touching Fastarr's slightly. "Would you?"

*~*

Embla awoke to the sound of someone approaching. She turned quickly around grasping for Fastarr but he was not there beside her.

"I'm here and we're ready to go!" Fastarr said dropping the sack to the ground and kneeling down to kiss her.

"You shouldn't scare me like that... And what is that sack anyway?" Embla protested leaning away from the man.

Fastarr glanced back at the sack and smiled. "Oh, that?" He stole a kiss from her before continuing. "There's a smoked leg of a lamb, some dried meat, a few loafs of bread, a small cask of wine... hmm... were there something else? Some dried fruit, a few cabbages..."

"Now where did you get that... and where have you been? Leaving me in the first night just like that..." Embla tried to look irritated but failed as her smile shone through her eyes.

"Let's say I visited a farmer and... well I didn't dare to wake him up for such a minor bussiness" Fastarr flashed a smile and tried to steal another kiss.

Embla withdrew from him her eyes slightly startled. "You mean you stole it?"

Fastarr laughed now openly. "No. Good heavens no! I left some coins to his storeroom... I was quite generous as I had my payday just a few days ago."

"You men..." Embla sighed but then the laughter took her as well.

*~*

They walked away from the vicinity of the Ulfing town that morning after a generous breakfast and disappeared into the woods never to be seen or heard again around that part of the Middle-Earth.

Whatever happened to them is not told in this story.