Satu decided to approach the Thane now, while her resolve held. Elgar had charged her with passing along a message, but she was afraid of Elves, having never spoken to one directly before. Transforming herself, she flew down from the tree and towards the head of the column of Elf soldiers with her heart in her mouth.
To her eyes the Thane was an imposing figure, riding on his great horse dressed in fine armour. She stopped a short distance before his mount and transformed back into her large, wingless form. The Thane stopped also, raising his hand for those who followed to do the same.
Stammering with fear, Satu said, ‘S- Sire, I . . . I mean . . . E-Elgar h-has ch-charged me with . . . he told me to give you . . .’
‘Perhaps you should take a moment to calm yourself,’ the Thane told her with a small smile. ‘Then you may begin by telling me of this Elgar you speak of, for I have never before heard his name.’
A little indignant at this, she blurted, ‘Why . . . Elgar is the leader of the Outcasts, Head of the Council of Elders!’
Smiling, the Thane said, ‘I see. Well, perhaps you should ride with me. That way your message will not cause us any undue delay.’