<b>Pegawen was in the middle of wrapping a soldier's abdomen when Lotharn found her among the wounded. She had just raised her hand to pause him, when he told her what had happened. “Taken? What do you mean … oh Elbereth protect us!” she took his hand and stood, her eyes dark in her pale face. “Where is everyone else?” <br/>
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She shouted for someone to finish the soldier's bandaging before following Lotharn, and soon they were mounted and joining Thorgan and the others. Thoughts of what was happening to her cousin raced through her mind, none of them good and all lending swiftness to the small group as they set out to follow. But where were they? It was almost impossible to tell, except for the direction they'd fled. <br/>
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As they rode, Pegawen chanted in time with the rhythm of the hooves. “Araw, Yaaraer. Tua amin! Tua amin!” She had no clue if he was near, or if he would even answer her call, but the Valar had told her he would come. She only hoped it would be soon enough.</b><br/><br/><br/><b>They had stopped. Where were they? Allassiel struggled against the paralysis that held her, but still she couldn't move. She felt the orc push against her, found herself falling. Felt the sharp pain as stone dug into her side. She was going to relish removing that orc's head for his shoulders. Just as soon as she could.</b><br/><br/><b>But the move had left her able to see – something, at least, for the cavern was lined with torches. She couldn't tell how large it was, but it seemed to stretch on into darkness. Large enough for a small army, she estimated. Had they found it? Made it. Found, she decided. <br/>
They'd not have had time to dig something so big, even with their forces. That gave her a little hope, for if it had been created by them, there'd be no one that knew of its existence. <br/>
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Behind her, she could hear an orc arguing loudly, and she ached to cover her ears against the grating language. Instead, she forced herself to listen, seeking clues or anything she might use to help her escape.</b><br/><br/>“<b>You let the human injure you. You are weak.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>You think I'm weak? You dare to suggest one small stab makes me --” The voice turned into a growl and she could hear the sound of someone being knocked to the ground. “Imbecile!”</b><br/><br/><b>He'd been stabbed? She thought. Good. It'll make it easier when I … She attempted to focus on her hand again, trying to move it. The only effect was a heightened awareness of the sharp stones digging into her. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>We had them. They could not hold against us. Why run?” The other voice growled.</b><br/><br/><b>Just as Rakothûrz started to respond, she heard a voice nearby, and saw a pair of feet stop in front of her face. “Elf flesh. A treat …” The speaker bent down and Allassiel could smell the beast's fetid breath in her face a moment before it was jerked away from her view.</b><br/><br/>“<b>This one is mine.” Rakothûrz stood between her and the other orc. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Why should you get it?” The orc that'd been arguing with him piped up, low grumble of agreement echoing from the gathered soldiers, who'd paused to watch.</b><br/><br/>“<b>Because I am your commander, and that is all the reason I need.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>And maybe you aren't,” came the retort. She could hear the sound of a sword being drawn and cringed. As much as she wanted him dead, she knew that if he died now so would she, defenseless to put up even a token protest.</b><br/><br/>“<b>You dare challenge me?” Another sword was drawn, his she presumed. She listened as the two orcs circled each other, throwing insults back and forth. Never had she expected to be in the position to wish Rakothûrz to win.</b><br/><br/><b>But right now, it was her only hope.</b>