Elara subtly raises her hand, a silent signal she's made before, understood by the group without the need for words. Her fingers spread like flower petals, a gesture signifying encirclement and approach from all sides. Each band member nods almost imperceptibly, their movements as fluid and rehearsed as a well-rehearsed dance. Thorbek is the first to move away, his boots gently crushing the fallen leaves as he attacks the right flank. His eyes remain fixed on the traveler, his mind calculating the best approach while remaining hidden among the trees. His years in the wild have made him adept at such maneuvers, moving with the silent confidence of a predator stalking its prey – not with the intention to harm, but to understand. Pippin, ever nimble and agile, slips to the left, his small stature making him almost invisible against the undergrowth. There's a thrill in his movements, a sense of adventure that always bubbles just below the surface. He keeps his eyes fixed on the traveler, wondering who they might be and what stories they carry. The halfling's mind races with possibilities, each more fantastical than the last.
Groth, meanwhile, advances with a deliberate step, his presence impossible to conceal, but his intentions clear. His broad shoulders cut through the foliage, and he uses his size to his advantage, a reassuring presence that maintains strength but offers peace. His Orcish instincts tell him to be cautious, but his heart, softened by the friendships he has built, encourages him to be open to new allies. Elara remains where she is for another moment, watching her companions take their positions. The forest seems to hold its breath, each rustle of leaves amplified in the stillness. She then steps forward, the leader of this enveloping formation, with light and sure steps. Her mind is a whirlwind of questions, but she knows she mustn't rush. Instead, she lets the forest guide her, the subtle path that leads her to the clearing where the traveler waits, standing as if conversing with the trees themselves.