The Fourth Age: The Meaningful Conversations.

Forngarmo knew that this would be the last battle with her current allies but she did not wanted to abandon neither Aelwynna nor Thandanar in this situation. Especially with him being captive. She stood at the ruins on top of the city and watched her surrounding as she remained deep in her thoughts. That was until she heard a familiar voice coming from below her. 
- Oh! Hello up there. - She looked down to see Aelwynna calling out to her from below. She had her broken promise in mind but was happy to see her nonetheless. 
- Hello down there... - She answered towards her calmly. The healer looked happy to see her as well. 
- How did you get up there? - Aelwynna then asked and then attempted to climb up to join the ranger, which she has succeeded to do soon after - Nice view. - She said as she looked around with a smile. 
- It is, really. How are you faring? - The Forngarmo then asked and answered her at once. 
- I'm...alright, I guess. How are your wounds? Would you like me to check on them? - She then answered and checked on the ranger as she got allowed to. Forngarmo stayed silent for a while. 
- Thank you for saving me back then. - She then said towards Aelwynna, being grateful regardless of her feelings. 
- Don't mention it, Forn. As for feeling numb...I know that feeling all too well myself. Times are difficult these days... - She then answered and deep down they both new it is true. 
- They are. And will be even more. At least one of us watched out for other one... - The ranger woman the sighed deeply, as a sign of being disappointed with herself. 
- Forn, there was nothing you could have done. And you helped get me out. And look, I'm ok, aren't I? - The woman then answered throwing her hands up. 
- Should have been there, though... - The ranger then said silently. 
- I can take care of myself. Don't put this weight on your shoulders. I have chosen this life, as we all have. - Aelwynna then answered, taking the ranger's hand into her own and giving it a gentle squeeze. Forngarmo nodded at her words. 
- I know. But I take my promises seriously. - She then answered, looking at the woman for the first time since the last events. 
- Well then be a little less serious. - Aelwynna then answered, looking into the ranger's eyes and smiling at her. She seemed to really want to make the rogue smile. 
- I can't. But maybe can be a little less protective... - Forngarmo said smiling briefly at her. The two talked for a while about the ranger's possible departure but as she saw her friend getting worried, she looked back at her. 
- That is why we do not leave before this battle. I cannot leave Thandanar there. - She started and continued to look at her - I care deeply about both of you. - The ranger then confessed. 
- That means a lot, thank you...I care for you too. - Aelwynna then answered, suddenly looking down - I am sorry I acted strange when you invited me into your family. That was a very kind gesture. I...I fear I am unfit to be in a family though. I hope you understand. - She then answered, going back to the conversation they had back in the day. Forngarmo hid her pain of being refused but decided to accept her decision. She did all she could to keep sounding natural. 
- If that is your decision, I accept it. - She said calmly. Her friend seemed relieved as she suddenly hugged the ranger. 
- You are a good friend. - She then said. 
- So are you. - Forngarmo nodded at her. The woman seemed down anyway, despite how many lives she had saved. The ranger sighed at her. 
- Here... living example of how good you are... - Forngarmo then said, throwing her arms to the sides. Aelwynna giggled at her and so the ranger continued to stay in that position looking like a scarecrow. 
- Stop that! - The woman started to laugh, trying to make the ranger put her arms down. Forngarmo chuckled. 
- Finally... got you laughing! - She said towards her friend. The two remained there for a while before Aelwynna got back to her preparations and Forngarmo left to get herself in the right terms with her own feelings. 

As she entered the keep once again, she spotted a familiar figure nearby. 
- You're back. I'm glad you made it safely. Would be nice to fire our bows beside each other though, sister-in-arms. - She heard Padrasul's voice. Forngarmo looked more like a broken person than like a warrior she was. 
- Thank you for the encouragement, sister... - She said with a very sad tone, unlike her normal one - You understand why I left right? - Forngarmo then asked looking at her soul sister. Padrasul pulled her kin into a hug, letting her know that she was not entirely sure but started to understand. The two talked again about the broken promise. 
- How about we go and get a drink? - She then asked. 
- I will not turn that down. - Forngarmo answered and soon enough both rangers were seated within the keep, sipping ale from their tankards. 
- Rangers usually do not have luck with people... - She continued then took a long sip of her ale. 
- No. We're better suited to the wilds. The animals like us better than people. - Padrasul answered, agreeing with her. - They don't need us anymore, but plenty of folks do. Well, then maybe you and I can find our own mission. - She finished her thoughts. 
- Maybe it is the time to go back to who we are...We are better off alone.. - Forngarmo then said calmly. 
- No, not completely alone. - Padrasul said resting a hand on the ranger's shoulder. 
- I am so glad to have you... - Forngarmo said silently, resting hand on her kin's hand. As they continued to talk, there was one question that she was still curious about. 
- I think that I may know the answer but... why trying to find me? - She looked up at Padrasul. 
- You're my soul-sister. Really the only person I have. And you seemed to be struggling, so I didn't want to leave you alone. - She answered. 
- Guess you got to know me better than I thought. And even if I did not wanted to be found, I am glad you did... - Forngarmo answered, offering a smile to her soul sister. 
- Well, you seemed to know me well pretty immediately. I guess we both did that to each other, in the end. - Padrasul grinned back at her. 
- Well, to the soul sisters! - Forngarmo then exclaimed, raising her tankard for a toast. 
- To soul-sisters! - The ranger then repeated and soon both were done with their drinks. There was a hard day ahead of them so they laid themselves to rest soon after.