The Last Light of the Star

20 - A girl like her should wear a warning. Really, she's a menace.

Thranduil was so impressed by the 12th and 13th sectors' success during the hunt that he decided to continue the mission by creating an additional section in the Mirkwood Guard. This force of warriors would be the primary group for diminishing the spiders and orcs in the Kingdom. They would train together and fight as one. Basically, this was just a fancy way for Thranduil to combine these two sectors to create a small army with a singular purpose. However, that meant no basic guard duty anymore—only training while they waited for patrol parties to report in locations of spider nests and orc armies! And once this was done, the 12th and 13th sectors would be sent in to slaughter them.

Arryin was quite fine with this arrangement. She hated basic guard duties and she loved killing—so it was an ideal setup.

It was early morning when the Elven Ranger strutted into the mess hall and sat down for breakfast. So far, Belanor, Beyla, Rowan, and Faelynor were the only ones at their usual table. Arryin was clothed in her everyday, simple, black, training gear with most of her weapons strapped to her form. Her hair was not tied back and, to be honest, it looked as if she had not brushed it. In addition to this, her eyes were bloodshot and the dark circles that hung under them were prominent. Her expression was one of a scowl and irritability, for frustration seemed to radiate off of her.

Immediately after plopping down, the Ranger pulled out a medium sized bottle, half-filled with clear liquid, from the Valar knows where. She took a big swig from it, before letting out a long exhale. As she did so, the smell of sweet booze filtered through the other elves' nostrils and enveloped their sense. Arryin then grabbed a bright red apple and bit into it as if her behavior was completely normal.

The warriors across from her exchanged worries looks. However, her three friends knew her well enough to not bring up the obvious—especially if they wanted to keep their heads attached to their bodies. Faelynor, on the other hand, was not aware of that notion.

He raised a dark, bushy, eyebrow at her. "Drinking? At seven in the morning?" By his tone they all could tell that he was mortified but also clearly impressed.

The Ranger shrugged in response. "It's never too early to drink."

He frowned. "We do have training, you know that right?"

She nodded with the corners of her mouth slightly turned upward. "Indeed, I am aware."

"How can you fight if you are drunk?"

Arryin chuckled. "Ahh Faelynor, you underestimate my abilities." She paused. "Do you even know how many bar fights I have won while intoxicated?! All of them."

He cracked a smile at that comment before replying. "And if Prince Legolas finds out?"

"Legolas isn't gonna find out," Arryin stated with a smirk as she stood up and pressed her palms against the table. "See you guys at training."

With that, she left and made her way to towards the training fields.

Soon enough, the other fifty or so warriors arrived as well. They all stood in a group while Legolas positioned himself in front of them. He then began to explain the King's plans for the two sectors and how they would execute it.

All the elves expressions were stern and deliberate, but still they seemed tired and worn down while they listened to him. However, they were not the only ones with a dejected attitude. The Prince in particular seemed especially grumpy. His lips were pressed together in a tight line and his body was tense as he spoke. He basically emitted stress.

Arryin, observing this, leaned closer to Beyla and lowered her voice. With a snicker, she spoke, "That frown seems to be a new permanent addition to his face."