The Aftermath

I slipped back into the shadows and watched in horror as the men removed the proof of what had just occurred. Why were there still such violent creatures? Why could the world not be calm, and good? I glanced at Elena, with Samdo, and Rosriel, with the new girl. If I could but help them....

I sighed. My skills didn't lie in healing. That is, if I had any skills to call my own. I shivered.

A blanket was placed over my shoulders. I looked up in alarm.

"Think you can get back to sleep, Ellarian?" Legolas asked softly. His hands and face were streaked with blood. His own? Please no.

I was staring. I blinked and looked away. Words wouldn't come.

Legolas gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze and left my side.

I could never get used to battle. It was too horrific...too painful...too..... I shivered again, the blanket not helping. Why am I so cold? Why do I feel so weak? I hugged myself...and felt something warm, and wet.

A New Companion

I lept forward to catch the girl as she fell to the ground.  Her sword slipped from her hand and her head rolled back.  She looked young, very young.  Elrohir bent over us.  "Is she alright?"

I looked over her briefly.  "I do not think that she is hurt."  I glanced to her sword and at the direction she had come from and could make out the fallen shape of a wolf.  "She killed one of the wolves though."

Elenatintil came over and knelt down beside me.  She looked the girl over closely.  "No, she is not injured. Anarion, carry her over to the fire."

Anarion gently took the girl from me and brought her over to the fire where Elenatintil began to examine her.  I looked out into the darkness.  It seemed as if the wolves were gone, but they had gone so quickly... and why had they attacked us in the first place?  I spoke to Aldarion in a low voice.  "Do you think they have left?"

He too glanced into the night.  "I hope so.  We will have to keep a guard for the rest of the night."  He touched my arm briefly.  "Are you alright?"

Try as I might, I still could not help trembling at his touch.  "Yes, I am fine.  And you?"

He nodded.  "The same."  He walked away from me.  "Elladan, Legolas, Elrohir, help me to dispose of the carcasses."

I looked over the rest of the company.  They all seemed to be fine.  But wait... where was Samdo?  I looked about again, thinking that I had missed him in the low light.  I could not find him.  I turned around as I heard a shout from Legolas.

"I've found Samdo!"

Elanor gave a cry and ran towards Legolas.  Picking up my skirts, I followed her and we met Legolas at the edge of the firelight.  "Is he alright?" I asked anxiously.

"He is alive," Legolas reassured us, "but he will need Elenatintil's healing."  We followed Legolas as he carried the hobbit and laid him down gently near the fire.  Elenatintil hurried over to us and bent over Samdo.  Her face was grave.  "Rosriel, would you tend to the girl while I care for Samdo?  I think she will wake soon."


I nodded, biting my lip and hoping that Samdo was alright.  I made my way to the other side of the campfire and knelt down beside the girl as she started to stir.




~ Rosriel

A Fight....

It was dark now. I had made my way down from the mountain side and followed the mountain's feet. Turmegil had told me that this was the way to the Redhorn Pass, by which we would cross the mountains.
Wha- what? I saw firelight, a campfire, burning just ahead. I shrank back against the rocks. The orc encampment? Turmegil, was he still alive? Maybe this was fate pushing me along to rescue him?
I dared to peek around the corner, and what I saw was the last thing I expected. There, sitting by a small campfire was an elf, tall and fair, wrapped in contemplation. Around him I could see, partially illuminated by the flickering firelight, the forms of sleeping people, elves..., and one, no, two men, and tents. And at the far reach of the camp I saw two dark-haired girls, sitting on their blankets and whispering. I stared in confusion. Suddenly I heard a strange and fearful noise.
"Ahwooooooh!"
The two girls sat upright with a start, and the elf by the fire leapt to his feet. I watched, frozen in place, while the camp stirred into action. The elves, one dark, and another fair one, readied their bows. Inside me I could feel my heart thumping, whether from hunger, sorrow, or fear I did not know. Soon all in the camp were up and armed, banded together. Then too quickly, the wolves came. They were upon the company in a pack and I knew I had made a mistake in waiting in the shadows. Seven of them, snarling and growling approached the company, and two ran towards me.
I drew my thin sword in readiness and held it out before me. Even now I could hear the shouts of the group on the other side. The wolves were upon me, and I flashed my blade. Not for naught were the hours Turmegil had stolen away from the Slave-masters to train me. They saved my life now. My first slash hit one in the neck, and he fell, whimpering and writhing on the grass, leaving the other to leap upon me. I ducked my head under his smelly neck, and drove my sword into his stomach. Suddenly I felt horribly sick. I crawled out from under the wolf and staggered to my feet, who bore me, stumbling, towards the company. Dimly I could see the battle ending. Somehow many more people had appeared. Why? What was going on? The figures blurred, were there three girls, or six? I was right next to them, why didn't they see me? I swallowed and shook my head. Then the younger of the two men whirled about and swung his sword at my head. I fell to my knees, bringing my sword up in one desperate parry....

Silence.
The blow did not hit.
"Elrohir!" a girl's voice exclaimed. And as the world went black I saw the surprised faces of half a dozen people staring anxiously at me......