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Inzi continued to run, looking around for where the Khôr n'Karbû kept their steeds.

While most of the horses had been killed or injured in the initial fight, perhaps a dozen still wandered about across the battlefield.

Inzi swore quietly, wishing that there was a broad river with a dozen Corsair galleys waiting to whisk them away...

She shook her head, trying to formulate a plan. She signalled to the Master-at-arms. "Take the men." she sad. "You know this area. Scatter, into the mountains. Send men on the horses to lead the Uruks on a merry goose chase, while you escape." She put her hand on his shoulder, unceremoniously transferring command.

She wasn't stupid. Guerrilla warfare would be worse than ineffective with a foreign commander.

She motioned to those she had come with initially, the Halflings and the Elves and the Bards. "With me!" She said, sprinting for the horses.

Sherry hobbled towards the horses. When she got there, she swore, realising that she can't get into the saddle.

Inzi whisked Sherry up onto the saddle, and jumped on ahead of her.

The master-at-arms nodded, but within that simple gesture he conveyed acknowledgment of Inzi's resignation, as well as acceptance. "Ride strong," he said simply. He turned to his comrades. "Horses! Six of you get one, attract the orcs, ride west! When you hit the mountains, turn south! We'll meet you."

The men obeyed his command without question, the half-dozen he had indicated heading towards the farthest steeds, leaving the nearer for their former commander and her companions. The master-at-arms saluted Inzi and led the remaining force away.

Inzi saluted back, rearing her horse, trying to decide on a destination.

Where would the Uruks never follow them?

Where would be safe?

She swore to herself quietly.

Agath-Inzil.

Lorien.

Sherry grabbed the horse's mane. "Could ye please no' do that?!" She exclaimed. "I nearly fell off!"

"You won't fall off with me here, Sherry, I promise." Inzi said automatically, checking to make sure that the rest of her companions were mounting up.

Linanden quickly sprinted up to a horse and put the fat hoobit (filbo) on the saddle, he quickly jumped infront of Filbo and managed to ge the horse behind Inzi; "Let's go." He stated.

Inzi checked to make sure that Gideon, Articus and Ranen had likewise mounted.

Gideon mounted a horse and led it galloping over to Inzi. "What's the plan?"

"As much as I shiver at the thought of it, these Uruks will stay twenty leagues clear of Lothlorien if they can help it." Inzi replied melodically. "We ride north."

Linanden smiled. He missed places where his brethern thrived like Lorien and Rivendell. With delight he got his horse to gallop behind Inzi.

Sherry nodded. "I should hope not!" She said, grinning.

"Excellent," said the bard. He spurred his horse after Inzi.

Inzi galloped north, in the lead, mulling over the route to take If they tracked further west, into the foothills, it would be harder for the Uruks to track them over the stony ground. Further east, they could make much better time on the smoother plains nearer to the Great River.

She decided to take the middle ground, heading due north toward the heart of the forest.

As the party drew near the woods of Lorien, the golden plains began to give way to green trees. It was only when they had fully lost sight of the open range behind them that they began to feel the true presence of the forest.

Gideon shifted in the saddle. "I don't like the looks of this place," he murmured.

Filbo gazed in amazement.

"This is beautiful, so natural."

Linanden took a deep breath in, filling his lungs with the forest air; "Lorien is a good palce..." He leaned towards Filbo and whispered to him; "But Mirkwood is better."

"Bilbo went to Mirkwood. He said it was disgusting and filled with beasts and darkness." commented Filbo.

Linanden chuckled; "Depends on the person I guess..."

"You're mad, elf." Inzi muttered, slowing her horse to a trot as she looked around. The hairs on the back of her neck were sticking up, her heart pounded. She had heard stories about the evil magocs that inhabited this forest, and it's older cousin Fangorn to the south.

She was one of the loyal daughters of Numenor. As far as the forest- and it's inhabitants- knew, she was the enemy.