<b>Pegawen opened her eyes slowly, the sounds of the forest awakening around them bringing a smile to her face. It reminded her of the nights she'd lay beneath a canopy of mallorn trees, watching the stars until the sun came up. She hadn't realized she missed such things until just then and she sighed wistfully as she sat up. Her thoughts were interrupted as she found herself staring into Lotharn's eyes just a moment before he brought his mouth down to capture hers. <br/>
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When he lifted his head up, her smile returned. “Good day, hir vuin.” She struggled to her feet, using his offered hand to help her up. Once she was steady on her feet, she looked across to where Allassiel had been during the night and, upon seeing her still there, let out a breath of relief. <br/>
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Allassiel seemed unaware of the scrutiny though, sitting up and rubbing at her eyes. She'd polished her second dagger until her fingers were sore before finally giving up and laying back to watch the moon dance through the night sky. Forcing herself to focus on it, she'd gone into a meditative rest, forgetting her worries for a moment. As she looked around, she noticed the others seemed similarly rested. <i>Good. We'll need all the rest we can get once we face the orcs, </i>she thought. <br/>
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During her rest, a plan had come to her. If it worked, she'd be able to easily lure Rakothûrz out of hiding. She wouldn't speak of it just yet, still working out the finer details in her head. She glanced over at Pegawen, standing with Lotharn and shook her head. And if <i>she </i>found out … <br/>
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Well, she wouldn't. Not until it was done.</b><br/><br/><b>As she started to her feet, she heard a commotion in the trees and grabbed one of her daggers. But it wasn't orcs. It didn't even sound remotely dangerous. In fact … the voices sounded strangely familiar. <i>But that's not possible, </i>she thought.</b><br/><br/><b>Pegawen turned at the sound as well, in time to see a familiar pair of hobbits stumble out of the undergrowth in full argument. She watched, her shock turning to delight as the pair gaped at the small company of travelers.</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel sheathed her dagger at the sight, her mouth gaping open in amazement. She'd not seen those two since … she thought back. Why it was at Cerin Amroth, and they'd come in the company of Ellesar and Mithrandir. Her expression changed to one of sheer delight, for she'd been rather fond of the small hobbits. Unlike most men, they'd displayed a child-like curiosity about everything and had had little ambitions beyond seeing Frodo to the end of his arduous task – that and food. She recalled when they'd been given lembas – bread made by the elves to take for long journeys. One bite could fill a grown man for a full day, and those two had eaten several of the flat loaves each. <br/>
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When Merry handed the wand to Timberlane, Allassiel approached the pair. “Mae g'ovannen,” she greeted them, bowing in the respect they had earned for their part in the war of the rings. “I had never thought I should see the two of you once again, and certainly not in such a place as this.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Indeed,” Pegawen agreed, nodded as she smiled down at the pair. “It's been much time since you were in Lorien. I am glad to see you both well and … just well.”</b>