Amari’ felt a rush of guilt as Nilgaerien took off into the woods. Aragorn had been their leader since Valedhelgwath left, and he still was. Nilgaerien was too emotionally unstable. They needed someone who was reliable in all situations. Neither could they reveal to this stranger how important she was to the groupe and the quest. The chance that he was a spy was enormous!

Amari’ suddenly sat up. She heard something from a far. Arkentos sat beside her keeping one eye on her and one on his King and the stranger. She grabbed hold of his arm. "Horses!" she wispered. "Riders are comming this way." She sent the warning to Aragorn. Arkentos walked casually over to the dwarves to warn them too.

Lord Aelrics watched them with caution, he knew they were suspicious of him. Something seemed to be happening. But Aragorn was calm and revieled nothing.

... a smile played upon the black-clad stranger, Aelric's lips. He seemed to be expecting this company and made no secret of this revelation in front of the others. Delighting in their anxiety he motioned his steed toward Aragorn, "If i may speak with you," again a pause, "my lord" a tight expression was full wrought upon his proud features as he expelled these simple words. Aragorn gave him a measured look and narrowed his eyes, "Speak freely stranger, but be quick else we despatch the company that comes hence."
Aelric unmoved by the threat airily gestured toward the sound of oncoming horses, "those are my men, my escort if you will, and before you I am to declare a truce between us - You seek something out do you not? A Gem!"
Aragorn gasped; how could this man, his mortal enemy for nigh on three decades, know of the gem? Thinking quickly he resolved to question him further and not be too hasty in assuming his intent, afterall he had come freely and without open blade set against him. Although intrigued, he must take care to guard against his treacherous, black heart. "You have leave to speak Lord Aelric, though i recall you used a different name whenst last we met."
"Indeed I did, but speak now, I will not... I would prefer to keep my counsel for the moment" for all this time Aragorn and the stranger Aelric seemed engaged in a subtle battle of wills, it was plain for all to see that neither was going to back down, until the oncoming thunder of hooves broke through into the clearing, breaking the intense concentration of both men.

Nilgaerien smirked. "Captors? And just which one of us would be capable of such action?" Amarie started out of the corner of her eye and Aragorn's emotions suddenly swirled but this only urged her on. "Perhaps Roland? He'd probably trip on his way over to Lord Aelric. Or maybe Dorin? He couldn't reach high enough!" The woman cocked her head.
The dwarves growled just in hearing range and Roland stiffened.
Roth stepped up beside her. "What is wrong with you?" he hissed. "Stop it - now!"
Nil only grinned an evil grin. "Can't stand the truth Roth? Can't stand that maybe I'm right for once?" Her eyes blazed with a crazed look.
"You're not right - not anywhere, especially in your mind!"
This stopped Nil in her tracks. Her eyes glazed over with ice. "Don't...you...say...anything...about...that."
"Why not?" he asked, his eyes glinting. He wouldn't allow her to talk about the others this way, in front of those they still did not know were strangers or not.
"Roth!" Aragorn called in warning but now they were in their own world, eyes locked, bodies tense. Aelric watched all this and looked curiously at Aragorn. But Aragorn wasn't paying attention to Aelric. He was striding over to the two combatants and laying a firm hand on Roth's arm. Roth turned.
"Do not do this now. We cannot afford her mind falling apart while the twins are yet in danger," Aragorn said in a low tone. Nil's eyes widened in surprise of his defense and a very small portion of the ice fell away. Roth nodded, giving her an evil look before walking off.
Aragorn turned back to Nil and her defense went right back up. "No," she said holding up one hand while pushing the other to her forehead. "Just...don't." She walked over to a grassy spot away from the others and sat down, curling her legs up to her chest, the craziness slowly retreating into the gloom that always seemed to lay behind her blue eyes.

"It would seem that sarcasm is beyong the wit of elves." Vaeltira dismissed the elf from her thoughts, mad or not she was still an elf and Vaeltira wanted as little to do with elves as possible. "My Lord", her words were for Lord Aelric alone, "Surely you do not intend taking up with this group? The dwarves I can stomach, but elves? " "Aelric", she lowered her voice, "Are you intent on following this course.? Despite the counsel given?" He did not reply, merely held her gaze in those unfathomable eyes. She already knew the answer. She sighed, "No matter, my Lord, where you go I will follow, no matter what. You have my loyalty. But elves...." She shuddered. Dismounting gracefully she tended her horse, leaving him to crop grass on the edge of the clearing. She could still hear the hysterical rantings of the elf. She smiled at the thought of any of them overpowering Lord Aelric. She had seen him fight - singleminded, unyielding and seemingly indestructable. The smile faded; for her own sake she hoped that he was indestructable.

The other elf had seen her pendant. She ran her fingers over the exquisitely fine detail, her link to the past. No matter, to the elf it was probably just a trinket. She turned her attention back to Aelric.

Vaeltira looked at the elf, snivelling alone on the grass, her eyes darting from one man to the next, her fingers tearing at the cloth of her dress. Every so often she flinched. She flinched as the one called Roth walked too close, she flinched when the other elf maid moved towards her. What madness gripped this elf?

For a time Vaeltira concentrated on the discussion between Aragorn and Aelric. What fool's errand was Aelric taking her on now? She turned from them, intending to check her provisions and saddlebags but the mad elf was now watching her intently. Well, they had no reason to trust either her or Aelric. She watched the elf flinch again as the others moved to watch the two men. Again the elf turned her staring gaze to Vaeltira. This was not right. A prickling sensation within her head puzzled her - faint but irritating like a midge's bite. "Of course", the thought came to her, "She mindwalks, the filthy elf. She takes from our minds and our dreams and uses it against us." Angry at this Vaeltira held the elf's tormented eyes with her own and thought "Then take this, elfmaid, if you want it" the words screamed in her head "Take the pain of Mordor, the stench, the vileness, the grief! Do you know what it is like to live there? Do you, elf maid? Do you want to share my guilt, my despair, my loss. my hate?" The anger took her and she moved as though towards the elf the hatred bubbling into her throat. Then she saw the elf cowering on the ground, scratching her face with her fingers. Vaeltira stopped; this was not a good thing to do. She took a deep, calming breath. Aelric felt they needed these people and an elf driven out her mind by whatever devilry she had within her was a danger to them all. Turning abruptly she moved back towards the horse. The elf maid was rocking herself, sobbing. Vaeltira had heard that sound before. It was the sound that had echoed in the pits of Mordor for many ages.

She would go where Aelric directed. She would suffer the company. She would eat, sleep and fight with them if Aelric ordered it. But she would not, under any circumstances, (she told herself sharply) feel pity for an elf.

Nilgaerien ran, her chest heaving with renewed sobs. But these were not from the horrible images - images she had recognized - from Vaeltira's mind. These were sobs coming from her wounded heart that Amarie was somehow bringing back to life. How could she? Why was she trying? Nil didn't want her heart back - her pure heart had caused the trouble in the first place, had damaged it to smoldering black. But beyond her will, it was warming, mending, healing itself. And if Nilgaerien had stopped long enough to admit it, she was enjoying the feeling of her own emotions again - no matter how much they hurt.
She finally stopped, gasping for breath as the sobs subsided. A whinny behind her; Gondolin had loyally followed her flight. She reached behind and stroked the horse's soft nose thoughtfully. Even when she had tried to embarrass her companions in front of strangers - spies they could even be, to spot the company's weaknesses - they had protected her, fought for her in words and thoughts. Amarie had been fighting for her even when Nil would have liked nothing better than to kill her just to get her emotions out of her head. Suddenly, a determination hit her, a determination she had not felt in ages. Could she do any less for them? Her chin rose in defiance of the curse she held within - it may destroy her but she refused to allow it to destroy anyone else. She swung onto Gondolin's back and raced back to camp.

Amarie watched as Nil galloped back through the trees, a strange light in her eyes. Swinging down, she walked straight to Aragorn, where he was still conversing with Lord Aelric. Then Nilgaerien did an extraordinary thing: she knelt on one knee in front of Aragorn, no sarcasm in any of her movements.
"King Elessar...if you will continue to accept my services, I will accept you as leader...and my lord." The entire company was gaping at the elf. She had never shown such deference to anyone! Then she lifted ehr head as if hearing something and looked at Amarie. Amarie felt like jumping up and down in joy. There in Nil's eyes lay a calm, an eager warmth that outshone the craziness...but therein was the catch - she may now be determined to make things right but Amarie could foresee that craziness eating away even now at Nil's defenses and would only get worse. Amarie looked at Roth, who was also gaping at Nil. If only she could work a healing between them. Then maybe the disease - not of body but of mind - would be banished from both of them.

Aragorn had smiled at her! Not the forced one but a warm one that reached his eyes! Nilgaerien thought she would burst if she wasn't careful - first Amarie, now Aragorn. Was this what she had been missing all these years? He had helped her up from her kneeling postion and accepted her services then his attention was again focused on Aelric.
Nil had then cautiously walked over to the dwarves. "Um, I..."
"Not a word, lass!" Mori said, holding up her hand. Dorin nodded gruffly. "Yes, not a word. You know we're grudge-keepers." But she could see the tiny twinkle in their eyes so she let them be.
Picking up her bag, she pulled the water can out of it and looked at Amarie, The healer gave her a smile, warm and accepting. Nil gave a short nod. She may be experiencing emotions but they had been long buried and she was not used to them....she also suspected that maybe she had forgotten how to smile.
Suddenly something caught her mind's attention. Vaeltira was running to Aleric, whispering urgently. Nil's eyes narrowed and her mind automatically picked up the woman's thoughts...well, some. She had a mind like the dwarves and it took effort to pull things out that did not come naturally. Thinking that brought Nil's thoughts back around to her headache. Her mind was getting used to being around people again but that did not make their emotions away nor did it lessen the pain. She shook it aside and concentrated...there...orcs...Vaeltira flipped her head around and gave her a dark look. Nil's eyes went wide as she relaized that the woman was going to try her former stunt again. Then Amarie was beside her, her mind protecting Nil's. But all Nil could think of was that pendant shown in Vaeltira's thoughts...

"Amarie, stop!" Nilgaerien whispered furiously. Surprised, Amarie did as she was told, not even realizing she had obeyed. "She's not trying to hurt me! At least, I don't think she is." The healer frowned and Nil sighed. Ah yes, and here would start the downfall because of her madness - no one would ever be completely sure whether it was her or the darkness inside her speaking.
She went back to gathering her things, sensing that as soon as Aragorn and Aelric could stop arguing, they would be on their way. And Nil knew which way that would have to be but she shuddered at the thought of crossing over dark lands. She glanced at Vaeltira then got it. The pendant! Of course - no wonder it had looked familiar! A family heirloom she had seen in her childhood, among those that often passed through her people's lands. More interested now, she studied Vaeltira. Could she have met her somewhere before? No matter - all was fog from childhood...the Gem had insured that much.

Vaeltira looked at the proffered hand. "My apologies, Amarie of Rivendell, and I thank you for making this trust but where I come from it is death to touch an elf and habits beaten into us do not die easy." She saw the surprise in Amarie's eyes. "I have seen a husband ordered to execute his wife for daring to give an elf water," she continued "and those things stay deep."

"I am Vaeltira, loyal until death to my Lord Aelric. While he commands it I will be loyal to this company. Should you have doubts then the oncoming orcs may well decide for you. Are your fighting skills as good as your healing?"

Vaeltira smiled suddenly, her face lighting up, years and sorrow diminished, "Come Amarie of Rivendell, let us fight with our Lords and together. What say you?"

Roth watched the bickering of Aragorn and Aelric. "this is what leads us" he muttered to himself
"a fool leading a fools errand." He then noticed Amarie talking with the one called Vaeltira. And the anger grew within him and he felt the rage upon him once again....and all he wanted was to squeeze the life out of the Black Numenorean...
He walked from the trees and held his axe in his hand.....
"First the mind witch and now....." his hand went white as he gripped his axe and all his rage came upon him and his eyes shone red..." and then you allow this murderin'......" he raised his axe and roared as it smashed into the ground..." he lifted his axe from the broken ground and strided over to Vaeltira....
"I'll see you dead when this is over...." as he stood face to face with Vaeltira his eyes only full of hate.

She could feel Roth's breath, panting with the exertion of keeping so much hate and anger under control. His words were laboured, "You... curse you.... curse you all" His knuckles showed white as his strong hands clasped the axe handle. For a moment Nilgaerien thought he would swing it against her; she stepped back allowing herself some measure of relief from his incessant emotions. With a roar Roth wrenched the axe from the ground and swung it above his head. Nilgaerien staggered back, fear evident on her face. Looking at her, Roth swung the axe round and flung it towards the trees. The first orc died with a look of surprise on its contorted face, the axe blade buried in its chest. Roth ran to retrieve his axe. He growled at the group of orcs now leaderless and looking more than a little afraid of this howling elf with an axe. One more fell before they turned and ran, scattering through the trees.

Roth rested on his axe handle, breathing hard. The anger was still there, the hatred for these people but he was in control. As for Nilgaerien.... he could not believe she would protect one of them. He felt the rage again...... saw the dead orcs lying bloody on the ground..... and for a moment he thought that could have been Nilgaerien lying there. He clasped the axe handle tighter. He must learn to understand what it is about her that has such power over him. What he can understand he can control. But so far he had failed to understand anything about her. He looked over at where Vaeltira stood, her fighting knives drawn ready. Would she have fought the orcs or fought with the orcs? At least he now had someone else to focus his hate on.

Roth held his axe in one hand the blood dripping from the blade he looked to Aelric.....
"I'll be waitin' for you Aelric....." but before more could be said Aragorn rushed in.....
"This is not the time, soon the main orc party will arrive, me must make haste. I know of a better defensive postion not too far from here. And that is where we go.
And with great haste they gathered their belongings and set out. But already the roars of the orcs could be heard behind them.
"So where it is you take us Aragorn?"asked Arkentos
"We go to a refuge once used by myself and other Rangers. It will be sancutary for a short time."
"Hopefully that is all we need"

...Still fixing his piercing gaze upon the raging elf, Aelric heeded Aragorn's request lowering the lance, "I suggest two outriders cover our withdrawal to this sanctuary of yours Elessar, there may be warg-riders at the head of the orc column, we can at least cover our flanks affording those on foot some time and protection. Vaeltira you go with them" Without waiting for his decision Aelric urged Zhukanaic hastily forward toward the sound of the oncoming horde that would soon reach the ridge no less than half a league behind them.
Aragorn, it seemed, took this to be a challenge to his valour, making after the Black Numenorean he readied his bow knocking an arrow comfortably whist in the saddle. So far his bullheaded nemesis had behaved quite nobly and restrained himself to mere threats, maybe there was a chance afterall to redeem the traitor.

Aelric had guessed correctly, already there could be heard the wild growls and grunting of wargs not far ahead. With Aragorn on the faster, lighter horse he quickly raced to within yards of Aelric's mount and seeing the first goblin-rider emerge over the crest, he let loose his arrow finding the mark between shoulder and neck. The orc protested in agony and crashed to the ground - dead. However, the warg was still charging hungrily toward the barded Zhukanaic, but it was skillfully dealt with in one blow, Aelric thrusting the lance deep into the warg's right flank finding its heart. The beast rolled right across the path of the two riders forcing them to adjust, but this was only the first of many.
Aragorn finding another arrow, shouted a warning, but the great helm and thunder of hooves made it impossible for Aelric to take heed. As immediately to his left another warg-rider had checked its charge toward the main group and veered in behind the outriders. Unsighted and intent upon those enemies that were ahead of him, Aelric was ignorant of any threat. In spite of his better judgement Aragorn drove his horse to ram and unbalance the warg, dropping his bow as they collided. He found Anduril quick enough to unhorse the rider and in the same movement brought the heavy blade down upon the warg's unprotected neck slicing effortlessly though flesh and tissue. The momentum of his horse slowed, Aragorn was only a helpless spectator for what was to transpire ahead of him.
Lord Aelric's charger was at full speed now, and dauntlessly steamed into the frey. Orc, beast, horse and man exploded upon the ridge, the irresistable force of heavy warhorse versus the lighter wargs proved no contest, melting away in fear or else dispatched ruthlessly by baleful strikes of the lance. In moments that seemd like hours Aragorn caught up to his side in time to join battle and assist in the slaughter. However, this first success was undone when they realised that no less than half dozen riders had escaped they're onslaught and now headed south toward the rest of the questing band.
Dropping his lance and drawing a black bladed falchion, Aelric cried aloud in despair "Vaeltira!",and Aragorn in response grimaced in dismay.
"You have the faster steed Elessar you must do all that you can to deflect them from their quarry, Zhukanaic and I will do what we can to slow down any others in pursuit."
Without futher ado, Aragorn sped away south only to glance behind hearing the ancient war-cry of the Men of Westernesse...

Vaeltira wheeled her horse round to face the oncoming orcs. The dragon burned at her throat. Touching it she trained the energy as she had been taught onto the ground before their enemies. It wasn't much but it would serve. The ground misted before two of the charging wargs, they lost footings and fell, knocking into each other, their riders thrown, one despatched by the hooves of other wargs. The other fell near to where the dwarfs stood, axes ready. Vaeltira drew her sword and sliced into the neck of the nearest warg. She could see Roth, his great axe swinging at the riders as they sped past him. Amarie of Rivendell, her sword raised had already slain the warg that was heading for Nilgaerien. The orc rider fell heavily, rolled and lept to its feet, crude sword in its hand. Vaeltira rode between orc and elf and swiftly sliced deep into its shoulder.She saw Aragorn charge from the trees, his sword shimmering as he wielded it around the neck of the last remaining orc. Between them, the three races, they had held off the onslaught. But what of Aelric...?

...Aragorn frantically gathered all together and led them up a steep channel at the foot of a scree-topped hill, here cover could be sought from arrow or dart, and it would be easy to fend off any potential assault from below. He knew the path that would eventually lead to an abandoned quarry and there he hoped to find the mineshaft which could provide a temporary shelter.
Upon reaching the summit of the hill, the far off cries of the dead and the dying issued from below, feeling a twinge of guilt at abandoning the Lord of Umbar to his fate, he turned to scan the base of the hill, in hope rather than expectation. A brace of dark oppressive cloud gathered above the valley, lending greater strength to the belief that Aelric had indeed perished. This man he considered a perilous and implacable foe, had given his life to save his ward, Vaeltira, remembering this he resolved to at least attempt to reclaim the body before the orcs had opportunity to defile it. "Roth, Arkentos, Roland, come with me - you too Amarie, we may have need of your herblore & healing hands. You dwarves, make and secure a perimeter, anything that resembles Orc, slay it! Nilgaerien and Vaeltira provide support with whatever you can." Nilgaerien with a grim determined look, readied her bow once more. Vaeltira seemed bewildered and afraid, but gradually brought herself to draw her keen knives.
They began to descend the hill cautiously, every now and again an arrow would glide over their heads, bouncing harmlessly off the rocks about them. They had moved little more than thirty yards when, there was a shrill cry, and below a large tall figure garbed in black battle plate and wielding a great dark blade stumbled out from behind a rocky outcrop, clutching his thigh. Aelric it was, and wounded by many fell arrows, a great Uruk lay at his feet spasming in its death throes. But, there was no mistaking the origin of the cry of agony. Again it was heard, but this time it was apparent that Aelric was the instigator. Ploughing his blade into another dying Uruk, a hiss and scream was spent from the body and its lifesblood drained sickeningly into the slick, glossy blade in Aelric's hand. The Numenorean Knight shook at the effort, but nowv seemed to stumble forward less awkwardly toward the base of the hill...

Nilgaerien, her lips a thin line, cast her gaze to the side. Vaeltira was intently studying those on the ground, her eyes mere slits...she could not see every detail as Nil could and for that, Nil wanted to tell ehr to be grateful. But that would only worry her more, so the elf kept silent.
The bowstring was stretched taut, her knuckles white as she carefully studied the activities of her companions. Just as Aragorn reached Aelric, Nil loosed the long arrow held back by the string. A small gasp from Vaeltira as it soared just past Aelric's ear and hit a large Uruk in the left eye. Aragorn turned and gave her a short nod of acknowledgement while Aelric gave his own nod of gratefulness and Vaeltira's emotions showed the same...but Nil frowned. She had aimed for the space between the eyes. It did not matter that it had killed the creature regardless - with Nil, it was all or nothing.
Another arrow was put to her string and stretched back. This time she would not miss that specific mark. What she did not know - could not see - was a cold, cruel glint in her eyes not unlike the one in Roth's during his battle rage.

"He tells me what ta do!!!!! I'll rip him ta pieces" Roth patrolled the outer im of the hilltop keepin watch for any orc who tried to venture into their paths.
"I remember her face.....Vaeltira I remember her from somewhere.....but that Aelric he needs ta be kicked off his horse."
He watched as there shadows flickered in the small fire they had lit.
He watched as the orcs darted between the trees....."they're comin' and there not ready."
"I wasn't ready" he thought to himself......."when they came....." and he remembered...he remembered like it was yesterday. How his father..his father who had iron runnin' through his veins stood against him and fell and how he never cried again.
How they ripped his body to shreds and then he felt it...slowly within him burning. Burning like the fires of hell itself.
The orcs moved ever nearer while Roth was lost remembering....."my father.....my father they killed him."
He sat on the rock lost in his own memory while the goblins slowly surrounded him....."and they shall pay"
And suddenly awaking hesaw their eyes and teeth and reached for his axe. But when he reached for it he found it was gone......"Damn..this is gonna be harder than I thought."
And with that he poked the first goblin in the eyes and then headbutted the next in the stomach. The first one grabbed him from behind, Roth then elbowed him in the gut and ripped off his his head.....
"YOU LOT" he roared
"A BIT OF HELP"

Aragorn swung of his horse and gave it to Amarie, as the men kept the evil horde away for while, Amarie grabbed hold of the wounded Aelric. With the strenght fear brings you when arrows sings past your head Amarie got Aleric on the horse, got up behind him and urged the horse to run like he had never run before. The bloodloss was severe, he was pale and dissy and starting to slip away. Holding on to Aerlic left her no hands for either bow or sword. A darkfeatherd arrow struck her in the arm, but she barly noticed, she saw the safety of the mine ahead and two proud dwarves with bloody axes and pile of dead orcs. But she felt Aerlic slip away into darkness. "Vaeltira!" she cried. "Vaeltira!"

Roth staggered into the mine. His axe dragged along beside leaving a trail in the dirt....
"Ya sure took yer time there....." as he fell back against the wall and rested. His clothes were in tatters but even now the wounds had begun to heal themselves leavin nothing more than scars which joined the others of fights long forgotten.
Amarie watched as entered and approached him...."Let me ease your pain Roth." but before she could Roth stopped her. "Others need it more than me, go ta them" and with that Amarie visited the two dwarves.
He lay there half sleeping but was ever watchful of Vaeltira and Aelric especially Vaeltira. She reminded him of someone but for the moment it was lost to him.
"This place will not protect us Aragorn!" "This I know Nil and as soon as the others can move we make for Ethring. I know of some there who may know of the gem this is our destination."
"If you would ready the others we must make haste." asked Aragorn.
Nil went to tell the others when suddenly her mind screamed. The pain was intense but she gathered her thoughts before she was overwhelmed...."So much pain..." she looked round and noticed nothing out of the ordinary.
But then she noticed Roth at first she thought he was asleep....but then she knew he was watching Vaeltira her every move he watched. "So there is someone he hates as much as me" Roth then awoke and he stared at Nil his eyes bored through her, she shuddered and left him be.

Vaeltira turned to go, not wanting to embarrass Lord Aelric further in his weak moment. He watched her go, remembering how she had cradled him earlier and the desire rose again. But not now! he told himself sharply. There were other matters to take care of rather than pleasure.

She walked to where the remainder of the horses stood, uneasy at the smells of blood around, their heads rearing, hooves pawing the ground. There was no sign of Aelric's horse. Quickly she mounted her own horse, Pathniel ,and trotted down into the scrub and trees around the hill. Already crows and other carrion feeders had found the orc corpses. She guided Pathniel through the trees, listening. Within a few hundred yards she found Aelric's horse, sweating and snorting, his huge head tossing at the bridle and reins caught in a thicket of twisted branches. Dismounting her own horse she walked towards Zhukanaic talking softly. When he calmed enough she untangled the reins and led him back towards Pathniel. She heard movement, faint but enough to tell her that someone or something was between her and the others. Either someone had followed her or she was now in danger. Mounting swiftly, she drew one of her knives and turned in the direction of the movement.

"Watching?" Vaeltira queried. Nilgaerien moved further away, fingers rubbing her temple. The Numenorean's underlying emotions whirled in her head. She needed distance from the woman.

"Yes, but not you." She nodded towards a dark figure on the other side of Vaeltira. Roth stood there in the shadows, his axe raised to shoulder height, balanced in his hands. Moving towards Vaeltira he spat the words "Mordor Witch" at her before turning swiftly back towards where the others were gathering.

Nilgaerien watched him go. Her head throbbed but the danger was over - for the time being.
"Get back to the others. There is more safety there than on your own. I will not always be watching him."

With that, Nilgaerien melted back into the shadows leaving Vaeltira to lead Aelric's horse back.

...That night Aragorn and Aelric awkwardly delegated among themselves as to whom should go on watch. There could be heard raised voices between the two, but ultimately it ended in some sort of uneasy compromise that suited both parties. It was apparent that neither was trusting in the other in spite of all that had happened. So Aragorn elected to go on the first watch with Vaeltira & Roland, the darkest watch was to be Aelric's with Amarie and Roth, the last watch Nilgaerien, Moori and Arkentos.
The horses were stabled as best they could be in the recesses of the dilapidated mine, Aelric watched the elves carefully as they busied themselves with making a spartan camp and fire. He felt on edge in these quiet times, and knew only too well that in the deep of night in company such as this, his dark desires and innate paranoia may cost him dear. He had to keep his focus, and knew that to do so would mean that sleep was not a viable option. However, he could not stop thinking about the brief moment of tenderness Vaeltira had shown him, it was the first time she had admitted any true concern for him. Afterall, she had hitherto displayed only fear and contempt, ultimately blaming him for the tragedies that had befallen her. Watching her, the once broken and pitiful outcast of a dead noble house - now she seemed proud, serenely confident, a peerless lady of Westernesse.
Aelric chastised himself for such trivial thoughts, "remember she is the chain that binds you to this fool's errand, awake from childish musings and harden your heart." he thought. Looking in the direction of Roth, Aelric was glad he could at least observe this strange afflicted elf, there was something altogether wrong about him. He seemed uncharacteristically maniacal and possibly even tainted by the Great Dark, if this was so, then maybe this elf could prove useful in future days.

"Nil!"
Nilgaerien cracked one closed eye to the hushed whisper. "I'm trying to rest, Roland," she grumbled.
"But you elves don't sleep! I need to ask a question."
"You've come to wrong person. Remember the last time you got too close? You spun my mind in circles." She half-groaned and tried to scoot to the side without really disturbing her body. "And you're too close now."
Roland went on as if she hadn't said a word. "Have you noticed Vaeltira and Lord Aelric? They seem...close..."
Nilgaerien turned her head, both eyes now closed again, to rest her cheek on the cool stone behind her. "I've noticed - your point?" Suddenly, both eyes came open and she sat up, looking him in the eye, her ehad swirling with his emotions. "Don't even think - "
"They could be!"
"They aren't."
"But -"
"No Roland."
He looked about to argue some more but then his shoulders slumped and he went back to his spot. Nil waited until he was asleep, his thoughts calming to a slow crawl. She studied the dark shape of the woman at the entrance to mine. "They aren't spies, Roland. I can feel it." Nil's eyes glinted i nthe firelight. "They're too messed up to be spies. Like me in a warped way."

But Nilgaerien continued to stare at Vaeltira's turned head. Her watch wasn't for another two hours and Nil had gotten all the rest she needed anyway.

Love. Why had she asked about love? Why couldn't she just let it alone? Perhaps it was her newly re-opened mind...it was still much too foggy to see clearly but she remembered her love...remembered the times they had before the destruction...Nilgaerien shivered. "You are not the only ones cursed, my lady," she said softly. Vaeltira suddenly turned and Nil started. From her quiet emotions, she had thought the dark woman asleep. In her eyes was a question and a careful pondering. Nilgaerien quickly stood and backed to another corner of the mine before Vael could ask. She felt Aelric turn and watch them but she ignored him as she sank to a sitting position against one wall.

Love...she had no more chance left for love. Her mind was broken, her heart destroyed. No, there would not be another chance...

Nilgaerien rarely slept but she must have this night for soon a hand was on her shoulder and emotions were jolting her to her feet. It was Roth. "Your watch," he said simply and turned to go.
"Roth," she said. He turned back. She opened her mouth then thought better of it when she saw the darkness lingering in his eyes. Her frown deepened and she turned to the entrance. What did she think she could accomplish? Amarie was wrong - there could be no healing between them.

Mori was already staring off into the night when Nilgaerien found a perching spot on a large stone. Arkentos soon joined them. "Did you sleep?" he asked them. Mori gave a short shake of her head and Nilgaerien simply stared, her eyes giving her "no." He sighed. "Neither did I...this night is...dark..."
Nilgaerien turned to look out across the trees - the mine was on a slight rise - and saw mist creeping in. "Night is always dark, Arkentos...especially when it is held inside one's mind."
A hesitation, then, "Is that how it is for you?" he asked.
She nodded, her eyes on the forest before them. Why was she doing this? Why was she allowing herself to get close to these people? It would only destroy her in the end. She met Arkentos' gaze. That was why. The fellowship, the care - hesitant thought it was and why not after their rough start? - lingering there awoke something in her that had not been there for many years. And with it, she coulld feel another piece of her mind slipping away.
"Yes, Arkentos. And it will always be a part of my mind."

"It is time to move." It was the first words Nilgarien had spoken since she and Arkentos' conversation some hours before and the first time her eyes had moved from the trees below.
Arkentos turned and looked at her and saw she would have no argument so sighed and moved back into the cave to help wake the others with Moori. Nil could not physically touch anyone so gathered her bag and waited by the entrance while everyone was wakened. Breakfast was a literally a hurried bite and quick gulp of water as all seemed to feel the same urgency Nil had at first.
Gondolin had again pulled loose from his tethers but only to be close to his mistress, whinnying softly in the cool air of early dawn. Other horses that Nil had found in the cave with Gondolin were assigned to each member of the quest, Moori behind Amarie and Dori behind Arkentos.
Nil pulled herself onto her steed's back and tried not to wince. Her foot was nothing but pain this morning and she could feel something wet inside her boot again.
"Move out!" Araogrn called.