[Mithalwen]

Losrian had indeed spent the time between parting with the captain and sunset with her nephew and indeed with 2 little elf girls - the daughter of the woman who was caring for Gally in the wagons and another, an orphan whom one of the dwarves had found beside her mother's body.

The tale had touched Losrian's heart - this little maid had suffered more even than Gally. The numbers of survivors were so small and mainly women and children who had escaped before the city was ransaked, that it seemed unbelievable that her father or any other relative might be found alive.

If Galmir were old enough for such reflections he might have cursed fate for leaving him with the only member of his family who had not treated him as the centre of their world - but at least he had someone. And his aunt found him easier company now that he had the normality even in such abnormal surroundings of hot food, the company of other children, and something nearer to a bed to sleep on than a cloak spread on a nest of straw.

The children would sleep between the two women. Losrian sang softly as she settled the two orphans and was glad that they began to doze before she had to leave for her watch.

This was duller than she expected. The night was quiet and although her friend Skald was near the duty did not allow for caonversation. And Ondomirë was not there. Losrian felt a pang of disappointment that she chose not to examine to closely at the realisation, categorising as residual gratitude for his great courtesy to her. Her thoughts were distracted by the whispers she heard as her watch ended that Maegisil had been among a group of survivors and was even now ensconced with the lords and captains.

If the counsellor of Celebrimbor had survived, was there hope for the lady Narisiel and her family? Narisiel would surely have been at the palace too. Losrian did not dare hope that it would be the case but memories of her mentor, her husband who had indirectly saved her life this morning and their son whose gentle teasing she had found so disconcerting filled her mind as she slipped off her boots and slid into her bedroll as gently as possible to avoid waking the children next to her.

Losrian woke to find the night was beginning to fade into a clear dawn and a small elf boy had wriggled from his own bedding into hers and was now nestled in the crook of her arm. A tress of her silver hair was wound around his little fist which was held close to his face. Galmir had always loved playing with her hair but this gesture caused something to break in Losrian. In her determination to be taken seriously in the usually masculine world of the smiths she had avoided more traditional female roles and so she had not sought much contact with thechild. Her resistance shattered she. was overwhelmed by emotion and silent tears coursed down her face as she wept for her lost kin and bitterly for her coldness to their child. She gently stroked his face and drew him closer to express her love and to satisfy this new, almost visceral need to protect him.

Soon the camp was stirring and Losrian managed to stem the tears before Gally woke. She did not know wheter he subconsciously repaid her increased affection with cooperation but she soon was able to get him ready for the journey. Once loaded, the slower moving wagons and their escort would set out while the riders, who would soon overtake them, readied for departure. Hoping to use up some of their energy before they were confined to the wagons for the day, Losrian played with the children up until the time appointed for them to leave. Young enough herself not to mind crawling around on the grass with them, Losrian found herself pinned down by three very small elves when she heard a familiar voice " Will you be riding with my company today, milady or will you be other wise detained?"

The voice avoided sarcasm and Ondomirë's face was as calm as ever as he regarded her. It was all she could not to laugh at how ridiculous she must look.

"I will indeed my lord. This trio are about to depart" . She stood dusted the dirt from the knees of her trousers and shook out her hair which fell loose to her waist.

"Very good. Report as soon as the wagons set out", the captain answered before giving his customary short bow and striding away to deal with more important matters. Once her was gone the surpress giggle erupted and though it was a merry fairwell to Galmir, who waved to her as long as he could, the parting though temporary caused Losrian unexpected pain.

She braided her hair, neatly this time and once she had put hte mail back on she was ready to take her place among Ondomirë's "men".

The elf lord spoke little as they rode, he seemed absorbed in his thoughts which Losrian assumed concerned the discussions between Elrond and his captains and allies which had continued late into the night. Losrian concentrated on her staying on her horse - though like all elves she had good balance and an affinity with animals, her opportunities to ride had been limited lately and then to farm horses not restive warhorses. Behind the smoking remains of Ost-in-Edhil reamined in elvish sight at least and ahead the tree clad rise of Hollin Ridge grew nearer.