I'm going to get through as much of this story as I can until I go back to class on Wednesday, then my updates will slow down a bit. Don't forget to check out my other silmarillion works :)

Here is the character list, the italic ones are new to this chapter.

Alaco, Noldo- Ecthelion's second in command

Caladhel, Noldo- Rookie member of Ecthelion's team

Alalme, noldo - Team healer

Ivor, Sinda- Teacher in the village

Caran, man- child from the village

Helce, noldo- only surviving member of the guard

"I will keep watch, my lord."

Ecthelion looked up at the source of the nervous offer. Caladhel. "It is alright, I do not mind keeping watch. Thank you."

"I offered," Caladhel said, his face flushed, "because I do not think I will be able to sleep tonight."

Ecthelion smiled, "then we are the same tonight. Why not keep watch together?"

Caladhel smiled and sat next to him. He set his sword and bag down next to him, and sat a safe distance from Ecthelion and the tree he leaned against, as if he expected either to bite him at any moment. "Tomorrow we arrive at the village?"

"Yes. It is in a valley, surrounded by deep hills and rolling pastures."

"Is it elvish?"

"Yes, it is a Noldorin village. Our patrols are trapped there along with a few scouts we sent out to keep an eye on Angband." Caladhel nodded. Ecthelion turned his head to look at him, and Caladhel was pulling apart a dead leaf. "What makes you so nervous? You are a fantastic warrior."

He shook his head, "it is not the fighting." He said quietly.

"What is it then? I wish to ease your mind."

"It is just-" He looked up at Ecthelion, his eyes nervous, "I am afraid to fail you, my lord. You have spent much time training me, a timid blacksmith's apprentice. This is my first mission. I do not wish to disappoint you or Alaco- or the team."

Ecthelion smiled, "Caladhel. You are on the team because you are very talented, and work very hard to do what is expected of you. I believe in you, if I did not you would still be making horseshoes. This is not a test. You proved your worth to me time and time again, and now nothing can shake my faith in you. Everyone makes poor decisions sometimes. I have, Alaco has. Making a mistake will not disappoint me, or the team. You have nothing to fear."

Caladhel smiled, and Ecthelion patted his shoulder with a smile. "Please get some rest."

Caladhel nodded and returned to his bedroll with improved confidence in himself, and in his leader.

Ecthelion was nervous as they neared the village. These guards, scouts, villagers- they were counting on him. Caladhel rode close behind him, looking around nervously. He was nervous the young elf would panic in the face of true battle. Alaco was laughing behind him with another soldier, and Ecthelion smiled to himself. Maybe it would be successful. They neared a large hill, and Ecthelion knew the village was on the other side. He saw no evidence of battle, of struggle, and his stomach churned nervously. As they peaked the top of the hill, the bitter wind blew Ecthelion's hair into his face. He pushed it away, eagerly searching the land before them. There were bodies strewn around burned down homes, smoke chasing into the sky. They were too late, and judging by the smoke, just barely.

His mouth fell open, and his heart slammed against his ribcage. He started toward the field. Bodies lay around, frozen in terror, blood spattered over their armor and faces. They littered what was once a village of families, filled with joy and laughter.

"By the valar-" Alaco said, his face grim. Ecthelion got off his horse, and approached the charred field. Gondolin's soldiers were scattered among the dead.

"This cannot be," Ecthelion whispered, his eyes wide in horror. Alaco walked into his field of vision, his gaze one of concern. "Search for survivors." Alaco nodded, and the men solemnly began their futile task. It was unseasonably cold, even for a winter in the north. An injured elf would quickly succumb. He caught Caladhel as he approached the village. "Start a fire. We cannot bury the dead in the frozen ground."

"Yes, sir," he said quietly, and left him to his thoughts.

Alaco calling to him broke him from his reverie. "My Lord!"

Ecthelion ran toward the frantic call, and followed the road that ran through the destroyed village. He spotted Ecthelion and a sitting soldier, and ran over to them. The soldier's face and leg were bloodied, and his color was pallid. He was leaning heavily on Alaco, but was alive. That was what was important.

His light brown hair was soaked in blood, and Ecthelion took off his glove and touched the back of his head. His hand came away bloodied, and he sighed and washed his hand in the snow. What's your name?" He asked the soldier.

"Helce," he choked, "My lord."

Ecthelion turned toward his second, "Make camp, we stay here for the night."

Alaco nodded and ran off. Ecthelion took off his cloak and wrapped it around Helce before lifting him into his arms. None accompanied them on their walk back except the sound of Ecthelion's footsteps in the frozen snow and Helce's ragged breathing. Once they were in sight of the other soldiers, they rushed over to help. Alalme, the group's healer, had a stretcher put together. He set him down, and Alalme stuffed a rolled up tunic under his head. Ecthelion sat next to the soldier and watched the others search. He spotted one of his men coming toward him, and he stood. It was Caladhel and he came over the hill with a young boy in his arms, and a woman walking by his side. Ecthelion watched as they grew closer, and Caladhel set the boy down on another stretcher.

"He is not of the eldar, my lord." Ecthelion's eyes widened, and he knelt down and moved hair from the boy's ear. He was a man. He touched the boy's bare wrist, and it was ice cold to the touch.

"Get blankets, Cloaks. As many as you can." Caladhel nodded and dashed off. Ecthelion knew little of men, only that they were fragile and susceptible to getting sick from extreme temperatures. He put his ear to the boy's chest, and heard the weak pitter pat of his heartbeat. He dragged the stretcher closer to the fire, and rubbed the boys arms. Caladhel returned with blankets, and he swaddled the boy in them the best he could. There was not much more he knew, they would have to simply try. He remembered the woman and looked up at her. She was an elf, unmistakably. Her clothing bore the crest of Doriath, and her long white-blonde hair was falling out of its elegant braid. Her arm and face were both bleeding, and Ecthelion's Sindarin was a little rusty. "Please, sit." She did, and he wrapped one of the blankets around her. Her steel blue eyes pierced all they fell on, and Ecthelion swallowed sharply. "Were you in the village when it was attacked?"

She nodded, "I taught the children here," she said, her voice deep with sorrow.

"Was this boy here too?"

"Yes. He was a servant of a wealthy family here, I do not remember their names. He attended school, and was a good student."

"What is your name?" Ecthelion asked curiously.

"Ivor, and his is Caran. I do not know how he ended up here, instead of with his people, but I know little of caring for the children of men."

"I am Ecthelion, and we will help you how we can."

Thanks for reading as always! Please review/subscribe- something to let me know its being read! :)