Title: Mornie Utùlië

By: Yukito Kinomoto (grissom500)

Email: grissom500@yahoo.com

Rated: Pg-13 Some violence.

Summary: Aragorn and Luincrist are on their way to Rivendell to tell Thranduil and Elrond of Legolas' recovery, but of course with Strider around it can't be peaceful for long.

Spoilers: For Mornie Alantie.

Chapter one: Run!

"Arwen speaks highly of you. She is not easy to impress."

Aragorn gave a half shrug, his grey eyes glazed and staring as he looked at the fire.

"She loves you very much," said Luincrist.

Another shrug.

"What is wrong with you Estel?" Luincrist asked.

They were maybe three days from Rivendell and had decided to rest a bit before finishing their journey. They had stopped just before the high pass over the Misty Mountains. The next three days would be bitter cold for Aragorn and hard going for both. They had taken no animals for just that reason.

The Ranger had tied back his mass of wavy dark hair and fiddled with a twig as he stared at the flickering flames.

"Estel! Do you mean to be rude or does something plague you? I beg you to speak your peace."

He was silent and she was just about to suggest they leave when he spoke, "Nay Lady, it was not bad manners and please don't take it as such, I just had to think this through."

"What is it that consumes your thought?"

"Legolas is lucky to be alive, but I can't help wondering...if I was Thranduil, and he hadn't made it..."

Luincrist smiled at him, "You were wondering what it would be like if you lost a child?"

Aragorn nodded, "And humans cannot simply sail away from their pain, we must stay and bear it."

"Yes that is true," she put her hands over his, "But I really believe that humans carry in them more Hope than anyone gives them credit for. You are aptly named my friend, for Hope is what makes humans human. Elves and humans both have love and joy, and both carry their share of sorrow, but humans hope when there is no Hope, they hope when oppressed, they hope when content. If a human loses Hope he is no longer human, so you must hope you never lose a child prematurely and cling to that hope." Luincrist stood, "Come, if we must take this road then let us begin."

He stared after her for a moment, stunned. This elven woman had just taught him something profoundly simple about himself. He shook his head in amazement, doused the fire and followed after her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

That day passed much in silence, though it was not for lack of anything to say, it was hard enough to traverse that country with no talk and total concentration. The way was perilous and Aragorn kept reminding himself of his promise to Megilian, he would protect Luincrist with his life. Aragorn blinked against the snow, what had brought that thought on all of a sudden?

The night found them nearly over the pass. Aragorn never could recall how they traversed it so quickly.

"Have you ever been to Rivendell Luincrist?" he asked.

"No, though I have heard tell it is wondrously fair."

"It is, though I suppose anyone would say that of their home."

"Home? You live in Rivendell?" Aragorn helped her step deftly over a fallen tree.

"Yes, or I used to anyway. My real name is Aragorn." In the light of the moon he could see the shock in her face.

"You are Aragorn, son of Arathorn? Isildur's heir?"

"One and the same dear Lady."

"Well that's a surprise," she said.

"Not what you expected?"

"No that's not it at all, I just never imagined that I would be tramping through the wilderness with the savior of Middle-Earth."

"I'm no one's savior yet, just Estel, son of Elrond of Rivendell," he smiled, "And friend of Luincrist of the Greenwood."

Luincrist shook her black haired head and continued on behind him. She nearly ran into him when he stopped suddenly, sniffing the air.

"The wind's changed," he muttered.

"So?"

"Smell that?"

She sniffed, "Orcs!"

"RUN!"

He pushed her ahead of him and they tore through the woods. Luckily the moon was full and they could see well. The orcs apparently knew their quarry was escaping for arrows began to fly around their heads.

I shall guard her with my life.

Aragorn stopped and drew his sword.

"Luincrist run to Rivendell, It's strait west, keep running!"

"But Estel...?"

"Fly! Send me back reinforcements."

She started to run but fell with a cry.

"Luincrist!"

He crouched down by her. The arrow was in her shoulder, it wasn't deep. He took it and pulled it out as gently as he could, she screamed.

"Shh, you're all right," He stood her up, "Fly, Elrond will heal you!"

She stumbled away and not a moment to soon. The orc company ran into Aragorn's line of sight. The wind whipped up and blew stray strands of black hair in his slightly smiling face. He stood, sword in hand, ready to meet them.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Luincrist stumbled into the courtyard of Rivendell. The gaurds helped her to her feet.

"Lady? What is wrong?"

"Estel..." she struggled to get her words out, for she was winded from her unexpected sprint through the woods.

"What about Estel?" said a guard.

"Lady, you're injured," said the other.

"Get Lord Elrond Imcamian," the first guard dashed off.

"My name is Himberaid Lady, are you all right?"

"Yes...my um..." she swallowed hard to try to clear her throat, "My shoulder...hurts a bit...but Estel's...in trouble...orcs..."

"Orcs! Where did you come from?"

Luincrist sat down hard, "Strait that way," she pointed back where she had come.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"My Lord," Imcamian found Elrond in the library, "Lady Luincrist has arrived. She is injured I'm afraid."

Elrond stood, worry lining his face, "Take me to her."

They rushed together to the courtyard where Luincrist still sat. Himberaid was crouched in front of her, talking to her quietly.

"Luincrist!" said Elrond as he approached. Himberaid made way for his lord, "Where are you hurt?"

Luincrist showed him her shoulder, "Lord Elrond, Estel is in trouble," she said.

Elrond paused his ministrations, panic in his deep stormy eyes, "What happened to him?"

"We were attacked by orcs. Please, send some of your warriors out to aid him!"

"Himberaid, ready some riders and search for him, bring Arwen with you for she will follow anyway when she has word. Guard her."

The elf nodded and ran toward the stables.

"Your shoulder will be fine, it is not poisoned."

"And Estel?"

Elrond sighed, "Pray for him Lady, pray for him."