A Fight Within - One Lucky Man

Tur Elisbeth Starfire looked down on him, her expression as warm as always. It almost annoyed him. He opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it. Behind her, Khalis Imieran emerged. Thendryt groaned as he saw the Captain. Everyone needed to see him in this state, it seemed. Lilleduil bowed, yet again.
“Arrow wound to the left shoulder.” Lilleduil began, as she rose. “He pulled that one out.” She looked down at him and their eyes locked for a moment.
“Arrow wound to the abdomen.” She continued, rising her head. “I cut that one out. Didn’t hit anything vital.” She gestured towards Thendryt’s arm. “Slash to the left arm. I stitched and poultice everything. No sign of fever so far.”
“Of course I had to carry him.” Khalis snuck in, before the report was concluded. Thendryt gave him a glare of dismay and grunted.
Elisbeth looked up towards Lilleduil.
“That is good work Lilleduil, you have my thanks.” Lilleduil bowed her head slightly. Elisbeth kneeled slightly beside Thendryt, seemingly scrutinizing him.
“Postoneth was most helpful with teas.” Lilleduil responded. “I just fed him one for blood loss and he’s had some regular tea. His mouth still works.”
“How are you feeling?” Elisbeth asked.
“Still alive.”
“I am pleased to hear that, Thendryt.” She replied with a slight smile. “It would sit ill with me if you were not. Thendryt didn’t reply.
“Saves me the burden of carrying you all the way back to Imladris then!” Khalis said and chuckled, as Elisbeth rose. Lilleduil began to move away from them.
“I need to stretch my legs.”
“I would prefer if you stay for the moment, Lilleduil.” Elisbeth said, quickly. “I would like to know what happened with the attack and how Thendryt came to be so wounded.” Lilleduil sat back down and took up her cup.
“His skills were not up to the task, Elisbeth.” Khalis said, with a light tone. Thendryt rose slightly and tried to reach for the Elf’s legs, but didn’t reach.
“My skills… Are fine, Captain.” He snorted, throwing his mug towards the tall Elf. Khalis gracefully dodged it.
“Judging by his temper, he’s well on the road to recovery.” Khalis commented.
“Please stick to the report on what happened, Khalis.” Elisbeth said. “For now.”
“The encampment was much better prepared than we expected. There were solid crafting areas and many supplies. So it was not a case of them bringing weapons and armour in. They’re in fact making them there. They had 3 well-built forges, with bellows.” Khalis said. “That means steel”
“There were well made weapons there already.” Lilleduil looked up from her cup. “And supplies of good quality ore.”
“I would like to know all that passed and how much much damage we did to the camp.” Elisbeth said, turning her head towards Khalis. Khalis nodded.
“Thendryt agreed to burn the tents while I led others and went about the heavy task of destroying the forges and rendering what forged metal work there was back to its molten state. Then we withdrew by way of the river.” Khalis looked down towards Thendryt. “We would have been here sooner but we allowed time for Thendryt to recover his breath. Then he walked towards the river as we were speaking, and fell unconscious.” Thendryt’s expression darkened.
“I had asked him if he was injured. He told me he was fine.” Lilleduil said.
“Luckily Lilleduil head his fall and his life was saved.” Khalis replied. “That’s twice he’s dodged a watery grave now. The man is lucky.”
Lucky? No childhood, imprisonment and torture. LUCKY?
“So if I am to understand your report correctly three of you attacked the forges and Thendryt alone attacked the tents?” Elisbeth asked. Thendryt didn’t hear it. He stood up. The abdominal wound started bleeding more, his bandages grew even redder. He was standing right beside Khalis and turned his head slightly.
“I am many things, Captain.” He said with a low voice. Lucky is not one of them.”
“Time will tell Thendr…”
“If you’ll excuse me.” Thendryt said, interrupting Khalis, and walked away.