<b>As they waited for the longboat to return for them, the hiril gathered by the railing and looked out over the water. Pegawen stared ahead with a quiet intensity, as if trying to read the shore, while Allassiel's eyes never stopped moving. Only Allasea seemed relaxed, Ari and Ani playing at her feet like young kits.<br/>
<br/>
"Ellyah was right about it being hot." Allassiel wiped at her forehead, not taking her gaze off the coastline. "Even my leather feels like lead."</b><br/><br/><b>Allasea glanced over and looked her up and down. "I've a spare set of robes. Should fit you well enough and leave you free to move."</b><br/><br/><b>"I'd make it quick," Pegawen added. "The boat is returning."</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel gave a curt nod and followed Allasea down. </b><br/><br/><b>Even as the boat came alongside the ship, they returned. Allasea had been accurate - the robes fit well, with close fitted sleeved and slits up both sides for freedom of movement, showing glimpses of leather leggings. </b><br/><br/><b>"That green looks good on you."</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel snorted. "It'll be dusty brown after a few days." But she studied the detailing on the sleeves. "This isn't elven design."</b><br/><br/><b>"No. It was a gift from a young Harad woman I rescued from slavers. She'd been a journeyman crafter and had insisted I accept it."</b><br/><br/><b>"You've been to Harad?" Pegawen asked as she was helped down to the boat.</b><br/><br/><b>"No. A vicious land, from all accounts. These slavers were headed through Gondor when I came across them. Remnants of those loyal to Sauron."</b><br/><br/><b>"No better than wyrms," Allassiel muttered.</b><br/><br/><b>The trip to shore was filled with questions and warning from Ellyah and his men, and well after they'd landed and unpacked the supplies. </b><br/><br/><b>It wasn't much after they were off again, the men having shed their armour, that Thorgan fell into step with Allassiel. </b><br/><br/><b>"Have you ever seen a place like this before?"</b><br/><br/><b>She ducked under a thick vine, chewing her lip as she considered the question. "There are many wondrous sights in our lands, but I don't recall any such as this. My own home had many trees, so thick you could hardly see the sky from beneath their boughs, but it was much cooler than here."</b><br/><br/><b>"I've seen much of Arda," Allasea added, pausing for Thorgan to point out the strange animals in the trees. "They're interesting creatures. Perhaps you'll tell us more about them?" </b><br/><br/><b>Haldir spoke under his breath and Allasea let out a laugh and paused to pat his cheek. Behind her, Jax growled and snorted then leaned in to nuzzle the back of his mistress's neck. "Guard," she said, and the bear resumed his watchful stare.</b><br/><br/><b>"If there's time when we rest, I'll be honored to share what I know with you," Ellyah stated. "But now, we must keep vigilant. There are things here that even myself and my crew know little of, save that they are dangerous."</b>