PART FOURTEEN ~

"What'd you mean?" Responded Thoros as Arien let herself slip back under the canopy of leaves, heaving a sigh as she began leaping from branch to branch in a somewhat clumsy manner.

She didn't reply until she got to the last branch, several meters from the ground.

"I mean we're never going to reach Fili."

Thoros' eyes clouded with disappointment as Arien eyed the ground warily, her hands clutching at the bark fiercely.

Thoros caught her uncertainty and held out his arms awkwardly, shrugging slightly. Arien raised an eyebrow, trying to conceal the rush of emotions she felt as she remembered her last evening with Fili, when she had jumped from the ledge.

She nodded and carefully began to lower herself from the branch, her hands trembling slightly, and finally let her body slip off completely.

She landed on the ground with a light thump, clumsily stumbling forward into Thoros' outstretched arms.

He let out a chuckle as Arien hastily pulled away, her cheeks flushing crimson. That hadn't happened with Fili! She pushed away the sudden onset of emotions and brushed the dirt from her legs, refusing to meet the dwarf's gaze. Why was she feeling like she was? Awkward. Embarrassed.

She let out another distressed sigh, unsure of what they would do now.

"When you're done, shall we set off?"

Arien finally met his hopeful gaze and frowned, shaking her head. Then she abruptly let out a strangled laugh, spinning on her heel and throwing up her arms. "Where to!? We're lost! We have no idea which way they're headed and no Sun to guide us!" She slumped to the ground in exasperation. "We might as well just stay here and let the orcs slaughter us," She muttered, burying her head into her hands and drawing her knees up to her chest.

Thoros stared at his friend with sorrow and pity; he knew how much she longed to see Fili again. It was in her eyes. The hole he had made by leaving her was slowly dragging her down into the darker depth of her heart; she was faced with a heavy burden.

"Arien," He said softly, moving slowly to sit next to her. "We will find Fili. I know we will. I promise."

Arien let out a muffled sniff and nodded solemly, her harsh gaze not softening as she raised her head. She felt Thoros collapse by her side and let her head fall on his shoulder. She felt his body stiffen with surprise, then eventually relax as she buried her face into his warm hood.

"We shall rest here for tonight and set off early tomorrow. We'll take it in turns to keep watch though. Where there is one Orc, it's pack can't be far behind."

Arien nodded, her eyelids suddenly heavy.

"I'll take first watch."

Arien nodded once more, lifting her head  warily from his shoulders. She met his soft gaze and her lips tugged into a small, but steady, smile.

"Wake me up when you begin to feel tired."