Disclaimer: I do not own anything dealing with Lord of the Rings.

Italicized words means elvish is being spoken.

Chapter 2:

Elarinya sat up, shoulders slumped and turned her horse around to face the riders rushed on their horses towards her. Tears flowed down her face like water breaking through a dam. Her body shook with fear and sorrow. There were no words in any of the languages of this earth that could express the depths of the void that replaced her heart. Her heart told her that it could not be real. It happened so fast. She would wake up soon from this nightmare. Ada would be there eating breakfast with the bright smile he always greeted her with every morning. Cuilwen and Turin - Turin They would ask her if she wanted to go to the archery range or horseback riding. Everything was going to be alright. In the depths of her mind, she knew otherwise.

Two of the riders hurriedly jumped off of their horses and approached Elarinya, but she sat on her horse enraptured by the horrors of her mind in shock. The elves spoke to her, but all she could see were their lips moving, their words drowned by her thoughts.

A male elf lifted her off her horse and set her on the ground. She looked him straight in the eyes.

"We must get the arrow out of your shoulder. It could be poisoned"

Reality came back to her and pain seared through her shoulder. She nodded her head.

The ellon pulled the arrow out, when he did, she cried out in pain. Another elon handed her a cloth to cover he wound up until they reached.

"It is not poisoned" The first ellon said.

The sound of horses' hooves became louder as another group of elves came closer. At their lead, were the two unmistakable faces of Elrohir and Elladan. Elladan jumped off his horse and went over to the other elves under his and his brother's command and Elarinya.

"Many summers have come and gone since I last looked upon your beautiful face Elarinya." Elladan softly spoke, touching he her cheek with his hand in a comforting way, as he got down on his knees beside her. "Though this is not the manner I thought we would see each other again my dear friend. Tell me what has happened."

"There was an orc attack on my village - bodies slain everywhere…"

"Was there anyone else?" urged Elrohir.

"I don't know, I don't know… Turin and I left and…" Elarinya started to break down again.

Elladan looked up from Elarinya, and ordered 30 of the elves in their company to go search the village and the surrounding areas.

"The rest of you stay and patrol the border. There is still time yet before sunrise and they could strike again." Elrohir commanded.

"We need to make it back to the city. Elarinya needs to get her wound attended to lest it become infected. We need to alert everyone." Elladan said to Elrohir.

"Are you alright to ride your horse Elarinya?" inquired Elrohir.

"Yes." she responded nodding her head.

Elladan ripped a part of his tunic off and better wrapped Elarinya's to stop it from bleeding out before helping her back up onto her horse. "That should hold until we arrive back." Elladan said.

He swiftly got back onto his white horse and lead the way back. "The sun will already have long been risen by the time we arrive. Let us make haste." He kicked his horse off.

Elarinya followed behind him with Elrohir in the back.

Elrond was waiting for them when the arrived through the gates. "The day has only just begun and already the day is filled with the grief. My heart weeps for you young Elarinya."

"Thank you Elrond." Her eyes were bright red and watery.

"Come Elarinya." Elrond bid.

Elarinya came off of her horse and followed Elrond to their house of healing. She took a seat on the chair he gestured towards. Elrond undid the wrap tied around her shoulder. Elarinya winced as he took the last of it off. The cloth was no longer white, but a deep crimson red.

"You were lucky." Elrond told her as he put a paste on her her wound. "This should heal up in no time." Elrond wrapped it back up with a new cloth.

Elrohir and Elladan had walked into the room. "Come, we have much to discuss." Elrond said evenly.

They followed him to a room where none of them would be disturbed.

"Elarinya, I realize the events that have taken place this last night are so fresh, but I need you to tell me everything you know." began Elrond.

"There was a bonding ceremony, the entire town was in attendance. After the ceremony we went to the Great Hall to celebrate. My friend Turin, he and I went out to the plains we were there for some time.. When we came back the entire town was under attack. So ´- so many were dead. My, ada - he's gone…." Elarinya said with a cracking voice, tears resurfaced. She tried to conceal them by wiping them away, but there were too many.

"We sent 30 elves to the village for any survivors. The rest were left on high alert on the boarder." Elrohir told Elrond.

"It appears to be getting increasingly darker with everyday that passes." replied Elrond. "Elrohir and Elladan, alert the other patrol areas to the east, north and south. We must keep passage to Imladris safe visitors will soon be arriving here soon."

"We'll leave at once." Elladan replied. The two of them left immediately to ready their horses.

Elrond watched them leave before tuning his attention back to Elarinya. "Ill show you to a room you can stay and call your own. I'll have someone bring you food. You can get some rest."

Elarinya nodded her head and let Elrond show her to her room. After Elrond left, she laid down on the bed and did not wake up until the next day. When she did, she realized the horrors of her mind were not just a dream. Elladan had come back to give her the news that no one else from her village survived. Elarinya stared back at him emotionlessly taking deep breaths, trying to comprehend what he was telling her. He gave her a hug. She stood there for a moment before responding and wrapping her arms around him and cried into his shoulder. She believed that the void of a heart she had could not grow any larger but she was wrong.

For four weeks, she stayed within the confines of her room. Save for the funeral of her village. Most of the time she spent sleeping. When Elarinya was awake, she ate very little and her eyes were always red from the tears that came down them. Nor did she speak a word to anyone, though they did try to get her to speak with them. Many were beginning to become worried that she'd fade.

Only when she felt she could not cry anymore tears did she finally leave her room. Her heart still mourned the loss. Yet, she did not have the will to fade either. Elarinya walked out of her room, her deep blue eyes looked wearied. Her deep chestnut brown hair seemed to fall limp, and her fair skin was paler than what was healthy. She had lost weight too from when she first arrived.

"Elarinya?" Arwen asked in shock of seeing her out of her room.

Turned and gave her a small smile. "Mae govannen, mellon nin"

Arwen hugged her. "We - I have been worried for you."

"I'm sorry for that." Elarinya replied slightly downcast. "Even though my heart is still grieving, I promise to not give you cause to worry for me."

"Come, join me for breakfast." Arwen gestured. Elarinya followed closely behind her and at her first real meal since the night of the wedding.

Next chapter will have the other familiar faces we have come to know and love. :)