As they approached the rock slope, the majestic roar of the waterfall echoed in the distance. The fading light of the setting sun cast a golden hue over the landscape, bathing everything in a warm, ethereal glow. Despite everything, it was beautiful. It had been so long since she'd taken a moment to appreciate her surroundings -- she was so used to being forced to survive against the forces of nature, she didn't often have time to gawk at it. 

"It's okay," she replied softly to Finrod's apology, "We all have our secrets." [i]And our burdens,[/i] she added silently, the weight of her own past heavy on her shoulders.

But as Finrod asked if she was ready for the climb, Lyra's eyes widened in disbelief. [i]Ready for the WHAT[/i]? she echoed inwardly, a mixture of dread and amusement bubbling up inside her. [i]Climb[/i]? Her hands suddenly felt fragile and soft compared to the weathered ones of her companion. She'd spent her life becoming a swift fighter, and surviving the worst that nature could throw at her, but she'd luckily avoided scaling any mountainsides. She supposed to day was the day her luck ran out. She sighed, accepting her fate. "Ready as I'll ever be."