<b>Pegawen was too tired to argue with the wizard, so she offered him a smile – more grimace-like than anything – as she gratefully accepted Allassiel's help getting settled before the fire. She'd known the spell was powerful, certainly more than the healing and protection spells she had honed over several decades. What she wasn't prepared for was what it would take out of her. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Are you alright?” Allassiel asked, after returning from the horses with their bedrolls. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>I'm merely tired, that's all,” Pegawen replied with a shrug, before crawling into the covers. “It's no wonder Hiril Galadhriel oft looked like she could sleep for a day after performing the protection spells.” <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>At least it kept Lorien safe, still does somewhat, for all that she's sailed west.” Allassiel settled on top of her own bedroll and stretched out. “It's fading though, as is much of the elven magic.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>She said it would, that those of us who wished to remain should prepare ourselves for it.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Much as the Greenwood has already.” Allassiel's voice was wistful as she mentioned the old name of her home, and Pegawen knew that she still missed the way it had been before Sauron had spread his dark influences through the once fair land. “But,” Allassiel added, laying down, “Enough talk. You need your sleep.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Yes mom,” Pegawen muttered under her breath in Sindarin and Allassiel snorted in reply before turning on her side.</b><br/><br/><b>As Pegawen lay still, watching the flames flicker, she rubbed her runestone. It had served her well for a long time, a gift from her mentor who had said that one day she'd learn to make her own, more powerful runes. At the time, she'd not really needed it, the small gray rune had suited her. But after this night's events, she knew that her mentor had been right. She fell asleep, wondering if she'd find the facilities to make what she needed in Greendale.</b>