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"Of course." ~ She flashed a girlish smile at him, then Aragorn ~ "My childhood was not that deprived." ~ For a moment, her lips parted as if to speak more, but she hurriedly clamped her mouth shut, evading the paladin's gaze. Walking towards the flap of the tent, she grinned at the half-elf ~ "I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be here."
Aragorn glanced around the room and located his packpack with satisfaction ~ How thoughtful they've been. ~ Ursula and Fantine. Would he return to meet them, ever again? His facial muscle tensed as he thought of the proud fighter whom he had relied on all this while to get the troops geared up ~ A pity that we part on such unhappy circumstances. ~ Then the unassuming, gentle Fantine ~ She'd do well with someone else. ~ Unsure of what she actually meant to him, he shook his head and swung the pack over his shoulders ~ "Let's go." ~ His tone crisp and urgent.
One by one, the three companions emerged from the tent and Aragorn signalled the nearest soldier ~ "Saddle our horses ready, Soloman." ~ The youth was off in a jiffy, eager to please his superior. Hasty footsteps aproached the group and they turned to see Arthur, Ursula and Fantine.
"You must be the one who teleported us in." ~ Fantine's cheeks paled somewhat at the sight of Eilonwy ~ "Thank you for your assistance." ~ The light in her blue eyes wavered and she toyed with her quarterstaff.
"... and not to mention that you have saved Aragon." ~ The fighter's eyes appeared greener than ever ~ "Aragorn, why does she go instead of myself? For I see you planned to leave without me." ~ Displeasure written all over her dark face.
"I..." ~ He stared at the two ladies, suddenly speechless, silently cursing the boy for not returning with the horses sooner ~ "... you'll be safer here." ~ He managed feebly at last, avoiding Ursula's furious glare.
"Safer? Is that all you have to say?!" ~ Her tone was scornful now, tinged with anger ~ "I did not come out here to be safe, Aragorn! I came to prove myself worthy of being a successor. The successor to the female fighting society!" ~ Furiously, she demanded ~ "Who are you to decide whether or not I am staying here? My father is your superior!"
Too late did she see the error of her actions. The heat came to the paladin's face as his voice grew icy ~ "While in battle, you'll follow Brenner's orders! And in his absence, you'll follow mine!" ~ Wounded pride wore on his masculine face ~ "Do you mean to defy my orders? Or will you once again suppress me with threats of your advantaged position?" ~ He clenched his fists, struggling to keep them from trembling with rage.
"I did not mean that..."
"Oh, look! The horses are here!" ~ Eilonwy have an incongruous cry of delight, swinging herself up deftly and gazing down upon the group ~ "Come on, Aragorn! Kiss and make up, and we're off!" ~ Her cheeks were radiant with excitement.
He scowled at the sorceress, his expression softening as he realised her intention ~ "You're right." ~ Turning back to Ursula ~ "Let's not part in such unamicable terms." ~ He offered a formal handshake ~ "I need you to take care of Fantine for me, anyway."
Ursula looked up, her eyes glistening and blinked several times before she found her voice again ~ "I will do that, Aragorn, but you will come back to us as soon as you can. That is your duty." ~ She walked away, without accepting his offer. Resignedly, he turned to Fantine and gave her a weak smile ~ "Goodbye, Fantine."
With that, he, too, leapt onto his horse as Cyrus did so. The three companions thus began on their journey.
The journey to the dragon's jaws...
[ 05-17-2002, 11:34 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]
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