<b>Allassiel shook her head at Pegawen's departing proclamation. Wasn't she supposed to be the one defending Pegawen? But no. She straightened up at the sound of footsteps and turned to smile at Thorgan as he offered her his arm. “Forgive her. It's hard sometimes, knowing we're the only family left here. I hope you won't be mad at her.” <br/>
<br/>
She took his arm and followed as he led them away from the garden, walking more slowly than the others. “I know we have to leave soon,” she murmured as they passed a pair of dwarves along the path, “but perhaps I should stay behind with your men, make sure the fortress remains secure so you can gain grounds.” <br/>
<br/>
On the way back, the group ran into the pair of hobbits and Allassiel grinned to see them. “Well, they look like proper little soldiers now.” She circled the pair, studying them. “All we need to do is teach them using real swords so they know. They might need this knowing.” <br/>
<br/>
Merry glanced up at her, grimacing as a dwarf tightened the straps of his tunic. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>No one back home's ever going to believe this!” Pippen exclaimed, spinning around in a circle for them to see. “I can't wait to tell everyone the adventures we've been on, and the places we've seen. And that our granddaddy's were telling the truth.” He puffed out his chest.</b><br/><br/>“<b>Indeed, they were.” Allassiel nodded in agreement. “I think hobbits forget because going off isn't something they do. At least, it's what your grandfather told me once.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>I want to hear more stories about our granddaddies.” Merry forgot about his discomfort and jumped down off the stool he was standing on. “Will you tell us? Was it true they saw giant eagles? And,” he lowered his voice to a whisper, eyes wide, “a dragon?”</b><br/><br/>“<b>I don't know about a dragon?” Allassiel looked to Lotharn to see if he'd heard of such a thing. “But yes, they did meet the giant eagles, I'm sure. At least, they must surely have met Landroval, who visited Pegawen's homeland often.”</b><br/><br/><b>As they walked towards the room, Allassiel described the majestic birds to the pair, telling them the story of how the eagles had rescued Samwise and Frodo from the fiery destruction of Mt. Doom in Mordor in the wake of the ring's destruction. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>But why did they take the ring there? Couldn't they have melted it in a forge?” Pippen asked.</b><br/><br/>“<b>No. It was a very powerful ring.” Allassiel shook her head. “It could only be destroyed at the place it was forged, unlike the rings the elves made.” She sighed, recalling Sauron's deception in getting the elves to create the rings of power. </b>