<b>The questions rang in Allassiel's head, through the shroud of anger and fear she felt. She paced, as she collected her thoughts, the long braid swaying back and forth with her agitated movement. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Orcs were … the first orcs were once elves. Tortured and mutilated by Melkor until they no longer knew themselves, or anything but hatred. They bred, multiplied. Mostly in Mordor, where Sauron fled. Then as well at Isengard, where the traitor Saruman reigned.” She pressed her fingers to her forehead, rubbing it as she continued to speak. “They are fierce creatures, bred for war, but do not mistake them to be dumb. They aren't. They are capable to make great machines. If they are here, they will seek dark caverns underground or dig them, for they are also skilled miners.”</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel stopped pacing and stared up at the sky. “To fight them, you must be cunning, strong. They fight well under a leader. Find that leader, kill him. The others will become … disorganized. But be warned – what they lack in that, they make up for in strength and numbers. They are ruthless fighters that do not stop and will step over their dead if they need. Do not think to treat with them, they are fueled by only one emotion - hate. My Hadron … he was captured by them. By the time we found him … what remained ...”</b><br/><b>Choked, her voice trailed off as she rubbed her arm, feeling the bracelet resting beneath her dresses' sleeve. </b><br/><br/><br/>“<b>Hannon le,” Pegawen murmured as she felt the cloak drape over her, still warm from Lotharn's body. She tugged the fabric over her shoulders further as she gazed up at the evening sky. To cover up her embarrassment at being caught unawares, she explained, “When I was in Lorien, I often went to the waterfalls to clean. It was peaceful, quiet.” She motioned towards the waters and leaned back against him – <i>for warmth, </i>she told herself. With the back of her head resting against his shoulder, she watched the final colors of evening fade into purple. “This reminds me of one such place there.”</b><br/><br/><b>Being close to him sent a prickle of excitement up her spine. Even in this open space, his presence seemed to fill and dominate everything and Pegawen chewed on her lip as she considered that. Though she'd been sought after often in the long years since her betrothed's death, she'd easily been able dismiss even the most ardent of hir from her presence and her mind. Yet Lotharn lingered there and it puzzled her as to why.</b><br/><br/><b>She'd not been truthful with Allassiel, for she <i>had </i>seen him at Helm's Deep as she went from station to station, doing what she could to heal the wounded, offering what comfort she could to those that were too far gone to be saved. She'd not known his name, or where he hailed, and in the chaos of battle she'd not had time to consider why her thoughts had often turned to one lone warrior. <br/>
<br/>
As she stood with him, trying to figure this out, a figure broke free from the shadows of trees and bushes and stepped forward. A buck stood before them, easily as tall as Pegawen herself, sheer white with antlers that stood proudly above his head. He stopped and studied the two elves, pawing the ground with one large hoof, unafraid. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Oh!” she whispered, her eyes growing wide. “He's magnificent.”</b>