Disclaimer: No, unfortunately I do not own any of Tolkien's amazing work or characters. I do however own Laurelin, Aldarion, Neldorlin, Ranen, Anna, and Telperion. Any other characters you do not recognize are mine as well.

' ' stands for thoughts (in case italics don't show up)

Italics will also be for elvish words and dreams or flashbacks (hopefully they will come out!)

Summary: When tragedy strikes the Royal Mirkwood Family, how will the members handle it? Will they come together and stand as a family? Or will they let their grief slowly drive them apart?

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Chapter 1: Just a dream?

Rustling noises from behind a cluster of leafy bushes sent birds twittering into a startled flight. An elf woman suddenly burst through the thick foliage, stumbling forward on wobbly legs. Hair, tangled and matted with dirt, floated after her. She came to an unsteady halt, looking wildly about her surroundings.

Her ocean blue eyes were nearly black with fear, a haunted expression etched into her thin, flushed face. Scabbed, bloodstained lips moved rapidly in a silent prayer as she staggered forward once more. She was so focused on her escape she never noticed the rock planted before her path. Her bleeding feet connected with stone. With a cry of pain and surprise, she tumbled to the ground and fell hard on her right side.

White hot pain shot from her shoulder down her arm, causing her world to spin into a dizzying blur of colors. Fair-lashed lids squeezed shut and teeth were clenched as a scream of agony threatened to spill past her lips. After a moment had passed, pain-glazed eyes opened to stare up at the graying sky, silver tears falling down dusted cheeks. A grim smile lifted the corners of her mouth.

She had her answer now. The arrow was poisoned.

Angry roars made her startle.

"Look tracks!" shouted an annoyingly high-pitched voice.

She pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, her face a sickly white.

The sound of loud snuffling reached her ears. Her eyes widened in horror when she realized what the creature was trying to do.

There was a loud snort that was followed by a satisfied growl. "She's still here!" declared a deep, guttural voice. A chill ran down her spine at the unpleasantly familiar sound. "I can smell her!"

The creature's rumbling laughter was joined by others and seemed to morph into a harsh, dark melody. The woman cringed as the sinister harmony washed over her, her pointed ears burning in remembrance.

"This way!"

Heavy footfalls began to come in her direction.

The trees around the trembling elleth began to shake and moan, urging her to get up, to run.

Their warnings fell on deaf ears. Fear had gripped her heart at the creature's words, rooting her to the spot where she lay.

She had been found. She was going to die...alone.

Familiar faces of the faithful and of loved ones and friends swam within her mind's eye. She was never going to see them again. Her fate had been sealed.

She frowned at this thought. "No." The whisper was rough and hoarse, lacking its usual melodious tone. She would not die on the ground, not like this. "No," she repeated, her voice louder, stronger.

Another cry of pain was forced back as she slowly pushed herself up on her knees.

The faint boom of iron boots vibrated beneath the palms of her hands.

If she was going to die, she would die fighting.

A shaking hand reached inside her torn boot and the glinting silver-gray blade of a dagger was revealed as she slowly rose into a defense stance.

The familiar overwhelming stench of rotting flesh crept into her nostrils.

Scratched and dirtied fingers gripped the hilt of the weapon.

Grunts and growls were heard before dozens of orcs spilled through the bushes.

The fire than burned in her dark blue eyes only intensified when they met a pair of yellow eyes that were bright with malice.

The orc captain's ugly mouth curled into a wicked grin. He pointed a clawed finger at her, growling, "Kill her!"

Roars of twisted glee and delight were heard as the grotesque creatures charged at her, swinging their crude schimaters and notching their black feathered arrows into their bowstrings.

Fresh tears gathered in her eyes as she whispered, "The Valar's will be done!"

Then with a war cry, her deadly strokes fell as a volley of black feathered arrows flew her way.

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"Nana!" A small elfling bolted upright in his bed with a loud gasp. "Noro!"

His golden hair was damp from sweat and clung to his flushed cheeks. Deep blue eyes were wide and round with fear as they darted frantically around the dark room. Small, yet slim fingers gripped the soft fabric of the bed sheets so tightly his knuckles turned white. The child shut his eyes and tried to concentrate on catching his breath.

There were no orcs. There were no arrows. His mother was safe. It had only been a dream.

"But it seemed so real," he whispered, breathless.

A loud boom from his closet sent the elfling scurrying out of bed and running for the door. Whimpering, his panic only grew when he struggled with his doorknob. His hands were too slick with sweat to get a secure grip. His fumbling grew worse as he imagined the ugly, deformed creatures pouncing on him all at once, scratching at his face, tearing at his clothes-

With a startled squeak, he latched onto the knob, gave it a hard twist and stumbled out into the hall.

The young elf would have been lost in total darkness if not for the lit torches that lined the stone wall of the hallway. He looked quickly to his left, looked to the right, and then left again, unsure of which to go. The only home he had ever known suddenly seemed very huge and frightening to him. And this made him feel lost and very alone. He shivered and hugged himself, glancing nervously about his darkened surroundings.

He didn't want to be alone.

At that thought, he whirled around to the right only to run face first into something hard.

The first panicked thought that came to the elfling's already panicked mind was, 'Orc!'

TBC…

Here is the repost of chapter one. I'm sorry it took so long. You guys will probably see a repost of chapter two and then chapter three. Still welcome constructive criticism and extinguish flames.

Elleth: female elf

Nana: Mom/Mommy

Noro: Run