<b>They traveled along the wooded path throughout the day, stopping along the way to allow the horses to drink from a nearby brook. At one such stop, Pegawen pulled Allassiel away from the others, telling Lotharn she needed to heed nature's call. <br/>
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Once they were out of earshot, Pegawen spoke quietly. “I've been watching the human. He rarely takes his eyes off of you.” <br/>
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Allassiel looked up from studying the ground and shook her head. “He watches everyone. I think he's no more accustomed to elves than I am to humans,” she stated.</b><br/><br/>“<b>It's more than that Allassiel, and you'd know it yourself if you would but open your eyes.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>More than what? We're all watchful right now. With the threat of Rakothûrz and this Morgan it pays to be cautious. Would you be quick? We need to keep moving.” Allassiel paced the ground.</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen rolled her eyes. “I'm going as fast as I can,” she muttered beneath her breath. Louder, though, she retorted, “He's watching you as much as he watches where he's going. His look is not that of a man merely keeping track of his companions.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>What are you speaking about? Of course he's simply keeping track of everyone. That's what ...” Allassiel paused and pursed her lips. “For the love of Valar, you aren't suggesting that he … no. You're seeing things. You think that because you and Lotharn have … mated. <br/>
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Thorgan doesn't even know me. He only sees what is outside.” She paused as Pegawen finished and pulled herself back together, scanning the area for signs of trouble. “He knows little of elves, and less so about me. Besides, humans and elves do not --”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Arwen did,” Pegawen pointed out.</b><br/><br/>“<b>Arwen was different. And she gave up her immortality to stay with Ellesar. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>And Beren and Luthien?” Pegawen prodded. “Or Tuor and Idril?”</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel paused at this. It was true that elf maidens had, on rare occasion married humans. And even been accepted so much as to be allowed passage to the Eternal lands, as Tuor had been. <br/>
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Pegawen pressed on, seeing Allassiel pensiveness. “So humans and elves do. He seems honorable, for a man,” she added.</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel's lip curved up, recalling how Thorgan had allowed her to test his sword the evening before. “Be that as it may, there are many reasons he'd be much better suited looking to a woman of his own people. I am much older, for one.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Oh yes, and you look every century of it,” Pegawen teased.</b><br/><br/>“<b>I'll remind you of that one day, when you get this old.” Allassiel responded and reached out to playfully swat Pegawen on the back of her head. “I'm sure the man has plenty of suitors though. He's heir to his kingdom, and fair to behold.” Realizing what she'd said, Allassiel turned bright red.</b><br/><br/>“<b>He is,” Pegawen nodded, pretending that what Allassiel had said was not out of the ordinary. “I'm sure he has many fine maidens vying for his attentions.” She motioned towards where the others waited.</b><br/><br/>“<b>There is that.” Allassiel should have been relieved by Pegawen's easy agreement of her statement. Instead, it left her feeling uneasy. “Besides,” she blurted out. “I'm married.”</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen stopped. “Allassiel, love. He's gone. You know this. I know this. Hadron will never come back. Even if he could be restored, he is kinslayer now. How do you think he'd feel about that?”</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel didn't have a reply for that, so she strode ahead, reaching the clearing just ahead of Pegawen as the both mounted silently to continue their journey.</b><br/><br/><b>After a time, Timberlane called a halt and everyone dismounted to set up camp. Pegawen, after setting out the bedrolls, lowered herself to the ground and watched as Allassiel helped prepare the fire, as much to ward off beasts as for heat. They'd not spoken since the stop, though Pegawen could tell that her cousin was still struggling with what she'd said. As Lotharn sat next to her, having volunteered for the first watch, Pegawen turned to him. “She carries much sorrow in her,” she told him, her own voice laced with regret. “It didn't used to be thus.”</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel had finished tending the fire and sat down, stretching out before pulling her braid from beneath her. The flames highlighted her pale hair, casting shadows along her face. She pulled out one of her daggers and began to clean it, quietly singing an old elven song as she worked. Lotharn had taken the first watch, but she'd agreed to take the next one. Perhaps it'd keep her mind off of other things. <br/>
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As she worked, she listened to the conversation around her, picking out one voice above the others. Refusing to look up from her blade, she furiously polished it with a piece of old leather.</b>