Elrond shook his head at the letter in his hand and the maiden before him. "My daughter has pledged herself to the Heir of Isildur when he comes into his own."

"Father!" Elladan and Elrohir burst into the room, voices and feet tripping over eachother as always. "Silvan - badly wounded - horse dead – orc attack – hills – poison?"

Elrond sighed. "Where is this Elf?"

"The healing wing," two voices answered in unison.

"Take me." Elrond followed the rambunctious twins to the Elf's side. "What were you two doing by an orc attack?" He glanced over her wounds. "Curubor, treat her wounds with athelas!"

"Hunting – Dunedain – Glorfindel – found her."

Elrond nodded and felt the Elf's forehead. "She is very near to death."

A gasp sounded behind him. "That is Tauriel, captain of the guard!"

Elrond turned to see Menelwen.

"Rumor is that Ernil Legolas fancies her, but the King refuses to let his son pledge himself to a Silvan."

"Elladan, Elrohir, bring Glorfindel to me."

Soon, the golden-haired Balrog-slayer stood before his lord, holding back the overcurious twins. "Yes?"

"Escort Menelwen to King Thranduil's halls. Tell him I decline his offer and his captain is wounded."

Glorfindel nodded.

"Speak only to the king."

"I understand."

Legolas turned over the bodies with his foot. "Eglan yrch."

Ardan moved carefully through the wreckage."Talans above." He and Legolas swiftly climbed to the top to see the small village had been thoroughly plundered and all had been killed.

"Some got away, then, with their loot."

"Ai, Legolas, Ardan!"

The Ellyn turned to see Meluial had climbed higher. "I see two headed for the road!"

The three ran through the trees to the sound of screeching orcs. When they came to the road, they found Glorfindel just slitting the last orc throat.

Legolas grinned. "Thank you, Balrogdagnir. What brings you from Imladris?"

"I have a message for your father." Glorfindel whistled. "Asfaloth!" The white stallion came, leading a grey mare and her rider.

"Menelwen?" Ardan asked. "The King said you would be gone much longer, gwathel-nin."

"Things went ill to his devices."

Glorfindel nodded at the explanation. "Escort us to Yrndaerond?"

"Wait." Legolas frowned. "What of my father's devices?"

"I was told only to speak of it to the King. Will you escort us or no?"

Legolas nodded slowly and began walking. "Menelwen, are you under any such oath?"

Menelwen bit her lip nervously. "One of like kind."

"Explain."

"I was told not to tell you, Ernil-nin."

Ernil(-nin) = (my) Prince

Eglan yrch = Accursed orcs

Balrogdagnir = Bane of the Balrog

Gwathel – nin = my sister

Yrndaerond = Hall of Great Trees, my name for the Elven King's halls