"We won't learn anything back at the village. Unpleasant as it is, I vote for staying out here overnight."
Mandraiv replies, "I agree with you. We'll just have to build a fire and make do as best we can. After that it's just a question of who gets which watch."
Aredhel gazes out into the rain with an ironic smile. "Agreed. Perhaps at the very least we'll serve as bait to this monster. Draw it out and by doing so simplify things."
She wriggles a bit to get out from under the rain - her chainmail clearly being her primary concern. "Let's make a better camp, however. I'll cramp up if I sit like this all night under a piece of canvas."
So saying, she throws a cloak over her shoulders to cover her mail, and then darts out from under the protection to begin building their camp.
Mandraiv aids Aredhel's attempts to improve the camp. He says to Aredhel, "My armor might not be as good as yours for protecting me from swords and arrows, but on the plus side I don't have to worry about it rusting and it provides partial protection from the rain."
"Have you seen how long she spends fussing over that armor and sword?" Artius asks as he also helps the others make their camp more comfortable. "Aredhel loves removing rust. Makes you wonder just how dull that forest of hers is, hey?"
Mandraiv replies to Artius, "Do you know any women who don't pay attention to their appearance?"
Aredhel drops her end of the tent canvas and straightens, hands on her hips, chin raised.
"One's armor is one's protection against the slings and arrows of life's vicissitudes. My chain is of the finest crafting, a gift from the High -"
She cuts off at the sight of both men's grins. For a moment her impeccable elvish poise falters, and then she gives a lopsided smile, smooths a curl of wet hair from her forehead, and picks up her end of the tent again.
"Remind me never to take either of you seriously again." Her tone, however, is now only mock severe. She shakes her head. "Men."
Mandraiv chuckles and says, "Well, you don't normally find that many women in this line of work."
You bed down for the night after you make yourself a more rain-proof shelter. After a brief discussion, Aredhel picks first watch while the rest try to get some shut-eye.
A few hours later the rain has let up a bit, transforming into a light drizzle. Everyone besides Aredhel is still asleep when the elf hears a branch creak somewhere off in the woods, perhaps 30 to 50 feet distant. By the heft of the "snap!", it seems to be a creature of at least human size.