The ground shook as the advancing group neared with war cries and weapons swinging. But no more arrows flew, it was then she knew Mirkwood had joined the battle though she saw them not at all. Her personal guard had fanned in front of her and she was in the shadow of the trees, protected, her stallion blending well. She had no idea where the Mirkwood warriors were or if there were even enough to come to their aid though she was thankful they had taken care of the human archers. But it was now time to face the foe or flee, and none of her guards or their mounts had it in them to flee. Noldorian blood ran hot and fierce and it was time to join her men and meet whatever fate deemed for them.

The sleet fell harder making it difficult to see, but she knew that in a mere heartbeat they would be engaged and then... they were. Horses and men screamed, and weapons clashed, steel upon steel the sound hurting sensitive ears. Ranewen shifted in a tight circle screaming his rage and reared low before forelegs struck the ground. There were too many and her guardsmen were four to one if not more. She could not let them put their lives before her own while they engaged the enemy no matter what her captain or men wanted.

Giving Ranewen his head the fierce black stallion bolted from the shadows as if born from them, his long legs tearing up the earth as he bounded towards the nearest humans. He slammed his huge bulk into the first horse, teeth tearing at another. Dreamweaver found the thigh of one attacker and bit deep into an artery as she passed, and as she spun Ranewen his heavy hindquarters knocked into the mortally injured man's horse causing it to go down crushing its rider.

Dreamweaver glinted like moonlight as it found purchase with yet another attackers sword even as she sought to make sure her men were all still in the battle and not watching her. This was clearly a well thought out and executed attack for they were clearly trying to separate them from one another. But why? This had to be about more than wine...but who knew they had traveled so far? Why would they divert from the wine raid when so clearly it had been the focus of numerous attacks? Another human dispatched by Dreamweaver she turned her stallion towards Sadron her Master of

Weapons and as she approached three more men engaged Sadron. Sadron seeing her approach grinned at her and quickly dispatched his three as if three against one were child's play and then they both rode towards Faeron and Erynion who also grinned upon seeing them quickly dispatching their own enemy. Clearly the humans had underestimated their foe, but still there were too many humans and not enough of her men. While they were clearly elite warriors having been trained by her atar, Elrond, Glorfindel, Celeborn and Haldir and their brothers they were unmatched. Unmatched and very overwhelmed.

Terel called out a warning and Durion who had been making his way towards Natulcien turned about to see Beleg take a sword to the shoulder causing him to lose his sword and fall from his horse and he quickly swung his mount back to assist him. Seeing Beleg fall she gave a harsh cry, her sword lodging in the ribs of another and once past the dying human she urged Ranewen past her guards and quickly caught up to Durion who was kneeling next to Beleg in the cold mud. So far it seemed as if her men were being engaged and mostly she was left alone. Another curious thing that crossed her mind as she tried to put the puzzle pieces of this attack together.

Before she could dismount the thunder of hooves warned her of another attack and she spun Ranewen about losing her hood in the process, eyes of the sea during a storm swept fiercely over her soon to be attackers. Though with the icy rain and sleet falling this battle would quickly take a turn for the worse for the battlefield was now icy mud and one wrong decision would cost a life or a mount. It was time to end this and end it now before any more blood was spilled from her men.

Ranewen screamed and rose high on back legs leaping forwards, a move that was unseen for thousands of years in war horses and their riders. Front legs striking the skull of one horse before teeth bit at the human's sword arm tearing the human from his horse as Ranewen shook him about like a rabid dog with a rabbit. His screams of pain quickly dying as the stallion dropped him trampling him into the earth. Screams of warning came from the human men about the demon horse and its witch of a rider, slowly spreading out, still trying to single her out. But not for death for they could have killed her with the arrow attack, the brief sword fights were halfhearted at best or had seemed so. But now anger glinted in the faces about them, and she knew this would be the last stand and they would make it their best one. If they died here today, they would be remembered. Natulcien sat still upon her mount as he slowly lifted his front body into a crouched rear, her men fanning about as they protected Beleg and Durion who were still upon the ground behind them. Durion urging and aiding Beleg to his feet and both rapidly mounting. Beleg's face gray with pain but he was not out of the fight.

"Cowards! Sír mín lothron bel- but limb -o cin will bel- with ammen! "she spat (Cowards! Today we may die but many of you will die with us!)

Golvan's group found a position from which to fight from. Being on foot, they had no chance of fighting on the ground with so many horses engaged so they had little choice but to fight from afar. They fanned out in the forest surrounding the fight and taking careful aim they were able to pick off those attackers on the fringe of the melee but were unable to even attempt to fire into the actual fighting for fear of injuring the elven party. Golvan watched as their leaders made quick work of several attackers. He cast his attention to the rear, wondering how much longer until their reinforcements arrived, but still continued to fire repeatedly at the attacking force. Little by little, they were cutting the numbers down.

Another sound suddenly captured his attention. Another mounted party was rapidly approaching from Lake Town. He glanced in the general direction of the sound, wondering who was coming.

Seconds later, Tran burst into view being followed by at least fifty riders. Golvan knew Tran from a few conversations but he had never trusted the human. He was uncertain which side Tran was on, but as they entered into battle they were clearly on the side of the elves and not the attackers as they quickly began to dispatch the other humans.

Within minutes the battle was over. Golvan's party had ceased firing when Tran had appeared. They came out of the woods, moving carefully around the fallen attackers, taking time to dispatch those who still lived. Cautiously, he approached Tran.

"That was provident that you were so close today," Golvan greeted the human.

Tran dismounted and turned to face the elf. "Actually, it was more a case of being at the right place at the right time. I saw the wine wagons depart accompanied by the elven party. I feared the combination would be too tempting to thieves," he glanced at the fallen attackers around them. "And it seems I was right." He looked pointedly over Golvan's shoulder, indicating that at least one of the elven party was approaching them.

Golvan turned to face the newcomers.

The fight now over had left milling chaos as the humans from Esgaroth had ridden to the rescue… but why then did something still feel off? Ranewen sensing her unease reared as a human male came too near and screamed causing the man to pull rein on his own stallion who seemed eager to fight. "Sorry miss…" he said as he turned his mount in a tight circle to better view Natulcien. Her beauty fascinated him, bold vivid blue green eyes swept over him haughtily before she turned away seeking Durion and Beleg, dismissing him.

Leering as she turned away, he quickly went to take a fistful of her red cloak, but a gloved hand caught his wrist most painfully. As he looked he took note it was one of the lady's guard. He jerked his wrist free with a smirk and rode quickly towards where Tran and the elves were gathered, another of the lady's guard already halting before them.

"Princ…. Lady Natulcien has need of the healing houses. One of our men is seriously wounded. But she also bids me to tell you your aid was most needed and to thank those that came to our aid." Captain Terel nearly mis stepped by saying Princess and Natulcien hated to be termed so. His lady had spent time with many races of middle earth from Hobbits to humans, from her own people to shadow spirits that lingered in the forests close to Nargothrond and the Silver Bowl at the top of the waterfall near their ruined home. Captain Terel understood how Natulcien felt about her rank for she was much more than just a Princess and she was more powerful than most knew. Her lineage indeed was most powerful and impressive, and she could be kind or deadly with either weapon or magic. But to them she was their Lady and Princess and would always be so.

Golvan nodded, choosing not to speak. His eyes darted towards Tran, wondering how he would react.

Tran grinned at the praise. "No need to thank me. Just glad I could help."

Again, thunder shook the earth and the rain and sleet fell harder when a keen screeching drew eyes to the heavens to see a lone hawk circling high. Then the drumming of hooves sounded, and the massive black stallion came to a prancing stop as the lady lifted her glove and the hawk dove to rest softly upon it. She crooned to him softly stroking his head as he preened for her before he rose again to the heavens and headed for shelter in the forest.

Natulcien went to ride towards Captain Terel who was still conversing with their hosts party when Durion halted her. His silver eyes gleaming and hard. Out of all her men Durion the Dark was the most menacing; he had a cruel cast to his features and while large he was not as large as Haldir. But he was a highly talented healer and most sought after in their travels. He was also her personal shadow more so than any of her men.

"Nay I have need of you when we reach the healing houses… your stitches are near invisible and will be needed." he said. Durion watched his lady for he knew she would have rode nearer to the humans, but he did not trust those he did not know and Natulcien was highly skilled with needle and thread, so his explanation was plausible. But she still seemed edgy as did her beast of a mount and while she was edgy he would keep her close.

She inclined her head and lifted her hood once more concealing her features as she looked to where Captain Terel still spoke with the elves and men. Then towards Beleg who was pale yet upright in his saddle though listing. "The wagon and Odo? Did they make it to safety?" she inquired of Durion as she watched the rest of her men scour the field looking for survivors who perhaps could tell why they had attacked. But the humans were quickly dispatching their own leaving no survivors. Dead men do not tell tales.

Sadron quickly approaching over heard and spoke "I watched the wagon reach the safety of the forest, but I have nothing further to report." He glanced at Beleg with concern who gave him a quick grin. "Durion says I am fit enough, but twill need stitches and rest." he called his voice tight with pain he tried to conceal. Though Natulcien caught it and frowned, the storm was growing ever worse.. they needed out of this weather and soon.