[center][h2][color=silver][u]          [b]Kreneas Shadeweaver[/b]          [/u]
[color=silver][sup][sup]Current Location: Mirkwood Outskirts[/sup][/sup][/color]
[center][hider=The Outskirts]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/5rwBNHu.jpg[/img]
[/hider][/center]
[/color][/h2][/center]
[center][color=silver][i]"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." - J.K. Rowling[/i][/color][/center]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/i6fLcHF.png[/img][/center]

The encampment was on edge. Both parties, veteran and newbie, were a little tense after the orc incursion and Finrod's death. Despite his inexperience, Finrod still had the bravery to serve as a soldier. Kreneas opened his mouth to remind Irime as she reprimanded Luthien, but the magus had decided to keep silent. He knew this wasn't the time to interject, and that Luthien needed to hear Irime's words, or else the youngster might not fare as well as he did as now. Even with the injuries, the elf wasn't dead or on the verge of death's door. It was either luck or a god that was watching over Luthien during the battle, yet still, without consequences and reprimanding, there was no telling if the next battle would be the same.

As Irime laid her head down to sleep, Kreneas returned her smile. It wasn't much to ease the tension floating around the campsite, but Kreneas knew he had to do something. [color=silver]"Luthien. Grab your gear and set out a bed. Don't worry, I'll take first watch."[/color] The magus told Luthien, who quickly did what he was told. Truth be told, Kreneas preferred silence, and taking watch allowed him to recollect his thoughts, especially after when you could cut the tension with a hot butter knife. He gazed over to the orc corpses speared in the chest, and then to Finrod's body. Losing a soldier was rough on the elves, but the small party had killed double their encampment's size. A job well done, if only it wasn't for Finrod's death.

However, looking at the corpses, whether orc or elf, rose a question in Kreneas. What were they [i]truly[/i] fighting for? The orcs had invaded, and in return the elves fought back. They wanted to protect the Mirkwood and their families, and the orcs had polar opposite of their goals. Yet, all said and done, Finrod and Luthien were still young. The elves of the Mirkwood were wanting to protect their young kin by sending their youngsters to their death. Bravery aside, the thought sent a shudder throughout Kreneas. He reached in his pouch and pulled forth an oaken locket. His eyes gently looked over the picture of Kreneas' younger sister, Elhaelien. The magus hoped that she wouldn't have to see war, and he hoped even more that Elhaelien wouldn't have to fight in a war. Should the gods be good to him, perhaps they might grant his request.

[center][b][u]    Time Skip to Morning    [/u][/b][/center]

Waiting until morning, Luthien and Kreneas gathered as much dead plant life as they could find and covered the corpses like a blanket. They waited to burn the corpses until shortly before the group left the encampment. He glanced at Luthien, and then to Irime, who Kreneas smiled at. [color=silver]"Sleep well, Irime? A battle may tire one out, but the nap is the best part after."[/color] Kreneas said as he collected the party's gear and loaded it on the horses they had. Loading and unloading was a tedious process, but they had haste to make. Haste to make it back to the camp the elves were using as a front line headquarters.

[@Wick]