<b>Allassiel wiped the troll's blood on her neck, which only served to smear it along her skin and wrinkled her nose. The smell was foul, like the creature itself. She watched Thorgan march back to the stream for his clothes, grateful that the darkness hid the redness of her cheeks, and sighed. Wasn't worried? He'd just fought several orcs, baited a troll – naked. And he wasn't worried? She turned and gave the troll a swift kick, before studying it. She'd seen plenty of trolls near Dol Guldur, but none like this one. And it wasn't one of the mountain trolls either – it was too small. Puzzling over the beast, she listened as Lotharn and the others joined them, letting their words wash over her. It didn't surprise her that Rakothûrz brought the wargs, and Flagdon was right. They would return to the others. <br/>
<br/>
Noticing that Pegawen and the hobbits weren't with the others, Allassiel sheathed her sword. “I'll go check on the others.” After one last glance at Thorgan's back, she made her way back to the camp. <br/>
<br/>
Pegawen and the hobbits were busy dragging one of the orc bodies away from the camp into a pile. She looked up, hearing footsteps, but it was only Allassiel. Seeing the blood covering her, Pegawen dropped the orc's legs and rushed to her cousin. “Are you alright?”</b><br/><br/>“<b>I'm fine,” Allassiel snapped, then glanced down at her armour. “It's not mine. They brought a troll with them.”</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen's shoulders slumped in relief, though her expression grew more worried. “And wargs too,” she added.</b><br/><br/>“<b>I heard. Flagdon mentioned them.” Allassiel dropped the sword from her back and grabbed another orc, gagging at the smell of burnt flesh as she started to drag it away.</b><br/><br/>“<b>And Thorgan? Is he alright?” Pegawen prodded, grabbing the other end of the orc.</b><br/><br/>“<b>He's fine. He was attacked by several orcs but he handled them.” Allassiel's tone suggested she was in no mood to speak right now.</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen heard Allassiel's reticence but ignored it. “He wasn't hurt then, good. You're covered in troll's blood,” she pointed out as they dropped the body with the others, before going back to help the hobbits who were arguing over the best way to get the last orc there.</b><br/><br/>“<b>It wasn't one of the trolls we've seen before,” Allassiel snorted, following Pegawen. “It died like one, though.” The two grabbed each end of the last orc, the hobbits grabbed each of the arms, and talking came to a halt as they dragged it to the others.</b><br/><br/>“<b>That's the last one,” Pegawen noted, wiping her brow. “Did you see Lotharn before you returned?”</b><br/><br/>“<b>He was with Thorgan. As well as Flagdon and Timberlane. I'm sure they'll be alright,” she added. “That was likely an advance scouting party that stumbled on us. Not enough of them to be an actual planned attack.”</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen nodded, heading back towards the fire, followed by the others. “Why don't you two get some rest. It's been a long day.” The hobbits nodded and headed off to a bedroll together, both seeming excited and exhausted at once. Once they were alone, Pegawen studied Allassiel. She knew that her cousin was probably right, after all Allassiel knew fighting well. But she could tell something else bothered her, beyond the attack. “So, what now?”</b><br/><br/>“<b>We'll have to be more vigilant. Stay on our guard all the time. You, stay near Lotharn or one of the others. All the time.” Allassiel turned to glare at Pegawen. “Is that understood?”</b><br/><br/>“<b>And you too,” Pegawen retorted, annoyance entering her voice. “You should stay near Thorgan. Or do you think no one cares what happens to you?”</b><br/><br/>“<b>It's my duty to protect ...” Allassiel broke off as she heard the others return.</b>