<b>Allassiel hoped that she'd be spared more than the jostling of feet. Orcs were ornery creatures to begin with, riled up and they'd not even notice or care if they trampled her in their attempt to get to each other. <br/>
<br/>
Who had shot the arrow? She wondered as a mace landed just inches from her face. If Pegawen was there, surely Lotharn was too. Her cousin, for all her faults, wasn't foolish and wouldn't have come alone. Would she? No, besides Pegawen hadn't shot that arrow and … A severed arm dropped into view and Allassiel inwardly cringed at the sight. As the mass moved away from her and towards the melee, she gave a sigh of relief. Focusing on them, she didn't hear the quiet footsteps behind her until she felt herself being turned. One of the orcs had come to steal her away! was her first panicked thought, until she saw Thorgan smile down at her. He cradled her in his arms as he slipped away from the fight. <br/>
<br/>
It didn't take long for Rakothûrz to notice him, however, the large orc having kept an eye on his prize through the fight. With a roar, he mobilized the remaining orcs – both for and against him – who took off after the fleeing group. She couldn't see what was happening but it didn't matter, so long as they could escape. <br/>
<br/>
The cool air of the night hit her and she could hear arrows flying past her towards the pursuing orcs that remained. Rakothûrz's angry roar told her that he'd been beaten – for now. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Pegawen was panting by the time they'd made their escape from the cave. The plan had work, though it almost hadn't. Still, as she looked over at Allassiel, being lifted up to Thorgan on his horse, she knew it'd been worth it. Her cousin was safe – that's all that mattered.<br/>
<br/>
The small group returned, having raced to get there ahead of any orcs that were able to mobilize and follow and, once safely inside the fortress, Pegawen tumbled down from her horse and raced towards Thorgan and Allassiel. “Let me tend her,” she demanded, <br/>
motioning for her to be set down on one of the beds. <br/>
<br/>
Crouching at Allassiel's side, Pegawen checked her over, asking questions of both Lotharn and Thorgan until they mentioned the dart. After hearing the description, Pegawen shook her head. “I've heard of this poison from my mentor in Lorien. It's made from the venom sac of a spider known in Mirkwood. Even if I knew the remedy, there'd be no way to get the ingredients.” She took Allassiel's hand, wondering how much her cousin could hear or understand. “It isn't fatal, but it will keep her immobile for several hours. Perhaps even days, it depends on how … how strong it was.”</b>