<b>The women waited for their food, making small talk in the unusually quiet dining hall, for many of the elves were still at the meeting, Lotharn included. Pegawen checked the doorway and Allassiel shook her head at the telling movement. “He'll still be busy, I imagine. We've some time before he can join us.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>I wonder what we'll find when we go to seek these other stones.” Pegawen chewed on her lip as she pondered the question, giving the server a quick nod as a tray of food arrived for them. <br/>
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Allassiel grabbed a chunk of bread from the tray, humming to herself as she considered. “Wraiths, from what Timberlane said. Reavers. Soldiers of the enemy. No one has mentioned orcs.” Both of them shuddered at the mention. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>There's something I would gladly not see again,” Pegawen agreed.</b><br/><br/>“<b>There'll be preparations to make. Food, horses. Shelters … a map ...” Allassiel mumbled out her list. “Have you seen a map of the area in all of those studie –“</b><br/><br/>“<b>There you both are! I thought to catch you after the meeting, but you'd already disappeared. Lotharn was kind enough to tell me where to find you.” Meliadriel flopped down in a nearby chair to catch her breath, her gaze darting between the two hiril curiously. “It's been too long since we've seen such a council of the races.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Or perhaps not long enough,” responded Allassiel sardonically. “But I imagine you didn't run here just to tell us that.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>No I didn't,” Meliadriel grinned, and reached into a small bag to pull out a leather pouch. “Here, this is for you.” She handed it to Pegawen then grabbed a small chunk of cheese and sat back. </b><br/>“<b>For me? But haven't you given me enough?” Pegawen asked as she opened the pouch and turned it over. “I … oh!” <br/>
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Into her hand had fallen a necklace, the fine roped chain a twisted mixture of gold and silver. She held it up and watched the pendant fall, stretching the chain taut as it swayed back and forth, the stone shimmering in iridescent shades of copper, moss, and grey, the rune painstakingly carved into the surface then polished. “My new rune-stone!” Pegawen exclaimed, and looped the chain over her head. The necklace settled around her neck, the pendant coming to a rest over her chest. She looked down, reaching to grab the stone, then nodded in satisfaction. “Turmiel did wondrous work on it.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>He'll be pleased to hear it,” Meliadriel smiled. “He told me to caution you though, the rune he put on it is perhaps not same as you wished, but he felt it was the more powerful as it means both light and fire. You'll be able to heal with the stone as well.” <br/>
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Pegawen brought the stone up to her eyes and studied it. “Oh, I should test it before we leave. There has to be some place, a training area, where I can –“</b><br/><br/>“<b>Sit down and relax.” Allassiel put her hand on Pegawen's shoulder and pushed her back down. “We won't be leaving tonight, or for a few days yet. And we've yet to see Lotharn.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Last I saw of him,” Meliadriel offered, between bites, “he was speaking with the wizard, as well as a human and dwarf. I daresay he'll be a while longer.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Then we'll return to him,” Allassiel decided, standing up. <br/>
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Pegawen looked up from gazing at her new stone. “It would be fitting to meet those that have chosen to go with us,” she agreed. “Would you come with us?” she added, motioning to Meliadriel.</b><br/><br/><b>Meliadriel nodded and rose from her chair. “Of course.”</b>