A/N: It will probably help to read my other stories. Some parts might be a little confusing if you don't, but you can probably put 2 and 2 together.

If you have read my other stories, the main character is a seasoned warrior. Takes place after "Comforting Trees." might not make sense if you haven't read it.

xxxx means change in POV

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to the unparalleled Tolkien.

Bold black ink, dark as midnight when the stars fear to show their faces. Plain print, unlike the looping swirling font in letters I usually receive. Because the writer of this letter didn't want to write it. Each stroke of the quill was forced out, by sheer will of mind. If it weren't for lack of choice, the quill would have broken many times. Because no one, no one with a heart or a soul would want to tell a person that someone they loved with all their heart was dead.

Nothing could prepare me for this. No number of fights, no matter how many creatures I killed, no matter how many people died beside me, not even if I died myself. The letters swam before my eyes.

No. It couldn't be. Its just not possible.

The room spins. My head reels. I-. I fall. The first battle that I fall in.

xxxx

"How will she react? She is strong, so strong. But she just... she is just too hard on herself. The first time she was faced with death, even if it never truly came..." He briefly explains the night in the forest, how long the poor girl had cried.

"I can't let her lose herself. She is my responsibility, as one of my warriors, and as a friend. You need to check on her." the prince begs. He is desperate, and worried, and frankly, I am too. The poor elleth. I probably know her best, aside from her sister. So if I know her, she is not doing so well. Ai Valar...

I take off at a run, not even excusing myself from the Prince's presence, as was formal and proper.

Well, screw formalities, I have something important to do. They'll get over it.

I reach her current residence, kicking open the locked door. The letter falls to the floor. The elleth does too. Still graceful in her grief, time slows as her head get closer and closer to the floor. As the impact is made, I snap out of the trance.

I dash over, cradling her in my arms. I lift her, taking her over to one of the beds in the small room. 486, and still shares a room with her sister... I could tease her about that later, now is not the time.

The poor elleth...Janrean was a friend to us all, but still, to us he was just a friend. He was Alehia's brother. She spoke to me often of him. He was a person to talk to when she needed advice, or just a shoulder to lean on. He was often absent during her childhood, because of his training. But that just made her love him more. I had met him many times, sometimes on patrol, sometimes in areas he was guarding, sometimes in battles, or sometimes on social occasions. He seemed to be a big brother to everyone, so wise and caring, and I was quite fond of him. I know death, everyone does. But not this close to home yet.

Her eyes are only half open, moving visibly in their sockets. Grief can kill an Elf, but she is strong, so strong. One of the best I know. But, as the prince pointed out, she takes it as a physical blow to the heart. I know not if she will be strong enough...

A/N: Okay, I know its not clear in the text, but first POV is Alehia, main character, and 2nd POV is Rosechilan, her best friend and mentor. I am working on multiple POV stories, as seen in The Wanderer, and the Heros of Olympus series. I am working on another story that might have 4 in total... I also tried leaving a cliff hanger!

So, what do you think? PLEASE review, I really want feedback.

If you liked this, read my other stories!