Nocking an arrow and trying to calm himself down, Galdorion crawled out from the mud and looked at the forest. He and his companions heard a crack coming from at least fifty paces away and considering the situation that they are in, they had every right to be concerned.
Not two days ago orcs had produced an unexpected flanking move which proved disastrous. Their camp was discovered and torn, forced the elves to retreat back to the lines closing to the shore and caused many casualties. Among them the captain Andalad.
He carefully drew the bow and a moment before the release, doubt surrounded his heart. He looked at the horizon carefully. His enemy was surely there behind the bush and he was there to kill him. Either an orc to kill him brutally, or a goblin betray his position to mightier orcs. Or a man with his enslaved mind. "Goldie" then faced with the crucial moment of decision where every soldier found himself in once in a lifetime. Killing an enemy without allowing him to defend himself whether it be an orc or not, tears the soul, and changes anyone permanently.
But Galdorion was no more soldier than a sculptor and he could not loose the arrow. Besides, he released his hand slowly, without making a sound. Then suddenly, his enemy leaped forward from the shades, In likeness of a woman rather than an orc. And she walked towards him without fear. The very steps of her squeezed his heart in pain. For he knew her.
-"Rainith" he cried. -"What madness is that? How did you come here?!"
But she made no reply, instead she kept walking towards him. Galdorion slowly stood up, betraying his position to anyone but he was beyond his senses now to consider details. Half of his soul, delighted at looking at fair Rainith once more under the moonlight. And the other half was rebelling in logic that it was pretty impossible for a lone warrior to come here, -and Rainith was no such warrior at all-. How come a bare feet friend of nature could passed through waves of orc sentries undetected then?
-"Rainith!"
And ten paces to him she suddenly stopped. And looked downwards. It seemed like to him that she was in grief. Or pain. He gasped. Then Rainith slowly rising her eyes, looked at him and there he noticed the blood that was covering her gown. Rainith seemed wounded. Badly. Blood was spilling from her hand and from her chest, and the sight alone was devastating to him. Then suddenly she spoke.
-"He's here!" she said.
Galdorion stunned in confusion. -"Who Rainith? Who is here?!"
-"On your feet!" she said in a strange distorted voice. And Galdorion felt that he was being pulled off. And opened his eyes he saw Carmacil. His face was wrapped and blooded. -"On your feet Goldie! We yet to move! They are closing"
-"For how long have I been sleeping?" Galdorion asked naively.
-"Ten minutes" said Carmacil. -"Boys said that they heard the voice of Captain just about. He might yet be alive! We'll see what is going on"
Then Galdorion stood up and nodded, rubbing his eyes. After the departure of Carmacil he stood still. Then he looked to westward for a while. Allowing himself a moment to think Rainith and Rainith alone. His mind was burning with the image he has seen just ago. And shaking his head he whispered to the winds
-"I must return!" he said. -"She is in peril."
