<b>The new room Lotharn had procured for them had been rather nicer than the previous one, however Pegawen hardly noticed. In her mind, she went over everything that had happened, alternately pacing and muttering to herself. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Would you please stop that,” Allassiel grumbled from beneath the covers. “At least sit down. Nothing is going to change in the next few hours.” <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>And we weren't expecting anything to happen to start,” Pegawen retorted. She headed to the door, checking the lock before turning and joining Allassiel on the bed. “The sooner we go, sooner we meet the elves here …” She paused. <i>Then what? All we have to go on is the word of a strange wizard. And that stone. </i>She pursed her lips as she sat back. Lotharn's shocked expression was enough for her to know that he'd had no idea he had it, but how had he come by the piece, and how did everyone seem to know? <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>It's strange.” Almost as though she'd heard Pegawen's thoughts, Allassiel mumbled and leaned, leaning up on one elbow. “Why do they think we have this stone? It's impossible, none of us have been here. Our ancestors neither.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Hopefully we'll have answers tomorrow. If anything, I think the wizard will tell us more – or tell Lotharn more.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Hmm.” Allassiel laid back down and stared up at the ceiling. “I've seen him before, in the ranks of elven soldiers at Helm's Deep.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Who, the wizard?”</b><br/><br/>“<b>No,” Allassiel snorted. “Lotharn. It's been a long time, but … yes. I'm sure it was him. He drew his bow well.”</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen lifted an eyebrow at the off-hand compliment. “Well, I don't recall seeing him there ...”</b><br/><br/>“<b>You don't recall your repast from the previous day half the time. Besides,” Allassiel added, “You'd have been busy tending the sick and wounded. Now, we should get some rest before the sun rises.”</b><br/><br/><b>Although she was hardly tired – elves didn't really need sleep after all – Pegawen closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the bed beneath her. It was decidedly nicer than the bedrolls they'd been using. <br/>
<br/>
<br/>
The sun was peeking into the window as the cousins finished gathering their possessions together. Allassiel had changed into her sturdy, but lighter leather armor, while Pegawen had changed from her robes into her traveling gear , her cloak already secured over her shoulders. When she heard the knock, she went to the door and opened it a crack. “Mae g'ovannen … well met,” she stated and opened the door to let Lotharn inside. “We've finished packing and are ready to depart. How was your rest?”</b>