<b>Looking up from her arm, Allassiel's eyes were blank for the space of a breath until she blinked. Offering Thorgan a nod in return, she replied, “Hannon le. It is … a long time past,” she stated. “But it is kind of you.” Wishing she could take her mind off of this newest problem, she glanced towards the house. <i>If I had my swords, I could find the training dummies, </i>she thought. However, she'd left them behind, feeling secure enough to wander around Greendale without them. <br/>
<br/>
Now, without her usual outlet for her frustration, she stared ahead at the walkways. “I wish to walk,” she stated, lifting her skirt over her ankles so she wouldn't trip on them. <br/>
</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen's eyes were bright as she gazed upon the large buck. He'd stopped pawing the ground, determining the pair was no threat, and lowered his head as though mimicking the nod that Lotharn had given him. Moving without sound, he strode towards the pair coming nose to nose with Pegawen, who could now see a glimmer of intelligent humor in the buck's black eyes. </b><i><b>'Be prepared, my children, for the road you travel is dangerous. Seek allies in unexpected places; do not separate. And in your darkest hour, call my name and I will come.' </b></i><b>The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, and Pegawen's mouth gaped open as she understood who stood before them. “Araw,” she whispered and bowed before him. <br/>
<br/>
The buck returned the bow, before nudging at Pegawen's chest and the necklace she still wore around her neck. </b><i><b>'Only in the darkness, can there truly be light,' </b></i><b>the voice spoke again, before lifting his head towards Lotharn. </b><i><b>'You are strong, but you will have to be stronger still before your journey is done. Protect the light. They will attempt to steal that which they dread most.' </b></i><br/><b><br/>
The buck lifted his head to smell the air and, before Pegawen could open her mouth to ask what he meant, he'd turned and with two graceful bounds had disappeared back into the thicket. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>I don't understand,” she stated, looking up at Lotharn. “But seldom do the Valar speak without riddles.” <br/>
<br/>
For the first time since the stag's appearance, Pegawen noticed Lotharn's hand running lightly along her stomach, and the warmth spreading through her body that had nothing to do with the cloak that covered her. </b>