<b>Allassiel entered her room and shut the door, listening as Thorgan moved up the hallway. </b><i><b>This is a nightmare, </b></i><b>she thought and lifted her sleeve to stare down at the bracelet wrapped around her forearm. His bracelet. But, as she had told Thorgan, he was gone to her. She ran her finger along the silver, still bright after all this time. </b><i><b>I should have ended him when I had the chance. I knew …</b></i><br/><br/><b>She closed her eyes, tried to picture him as he once was – the tall, brave warrior who she'd loved for so long. The image wouldn't come to mind, however, only a dark, blank space remained. Was she to be denied even that, the memory of him? Everything they'd shared? It tore at her heart, this helplessness, and left her feeling more alone than ever. <br/>
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There was no time to dwell on it. They had to leave fast to protect the elves here. Pushing off the door, she strode across the room to her bag, yanking her sleeve back down. It didn't take her long to pack her belongings, she'd brought little with her on the trip, and soon she was ready, her cloak tied around her shoulders and the bag slung over her back. The dress, still hanging over the chair, caught her eye and she debated before shaking her head. She'd have no need for such fineries on this trip. It would only take up space. Still, she picked it up and folded it neatly before setting it on the bed. <br/>
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After double-checking to make sure she had everything, she grabbed her bad, her bow and her quiver from the corner and headed to the door. Yanking it open, she found Thorgan waiting for her on the other side. “I'm ready,” she stated.</b><br/><br/><br/><b>Pegawen groaned at the knock, feeling the cool air replace Lotharn's body as he got up and went to answer the summons. Rolling into the warmth left behind, she listened as Thorgan relayed the news. The orcs had joined this Morgan? She wasn't particularly shocked by this news. Sitting up, she stretched and began looking for her clothes to dress. <br/>
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When she heard the name of the orc leading them, she cringed. She knew well who Rakothûrz was. Had she not been the one to comfort Allassiel on the long nights after it'd been discovered what had happened to Hadron? Held her in her arms as her cousin had sobbed as though her heart was dying? In a way, it had, for Allassiel had been wed to Hadron for over 3000 years. If it hadn't been for their children …</b><br/><br/><i><b>'She knows,' </b></i><b>she heard Lotharn speak as he closed the door.</b><br/><br/>“<b>It matters not,” Pegawen replied, as she sat to pull her slippers on. “I'm not a child and I've not gone about spreading myself freely. Besides, there are more urgent matters now, not the least is her safety. When he finds out she is with us, there will be nothing stopping him from trying to get to her. If that happens ...” Pegawen stopped, the rest of her thought hanging unspoken in the air. “I will go to my rooms and gather my belongings,” she said instead, giving Lotharn a brief kiss before heading to the door.</b>