This is not fun part two

A group of villagers find an unconscious elf near some of the rock formations, her horse was found in a frenzied run earlier and it had taken a few men to calm the black mare down. The local physician checked her for wounds, so far only a few scrapes. The old man looked her over carefully noting the light armour she wore over her deep purple dress and riding boots. Her sword was laying off to the side along with her supplies she had with her. The man moved her head gently and checked her scalp for anything he may have missed, he wondered just how old this elf was. Then again he often wondered that about elves in general with their eternally youthful appearance and stamina. He left her alone after finishing his examination, she did not wake up til the next day.

"Luca?" Toniele opened her eyes and found herself in a stone walled room with several papers, liquids, her weapons and supplies. Her head ached from falling off her horse, no thrown from her horse. She tried to sit up and winced, everything hurt, I suppose it would I did hit my head. She thought, "What happened?" she asked herself aloud not liking the silence of the room she found herself in. Toniele ran through events of recent memory in her mind and her blue eyes widened, "Luca" now she remembered a group of unknown riders were closing in on the bear riding hobbit who was humming a traveling song what was it? "The road goes ever on and on…." The song Luca sang sometimes on their travels. She sat up this time and ignored the throbbing sensation in her head and stood up quickly. A dizziness threatened to take over from the sudden change in movement but she shook it off. As she went for the door it opened revealing a small old man, he looked up at her surprised.

"Oh, I am glad to see you up" he says with a genuine smile.

"Where am I?" she said urgently

"Its a small village in Rohan my dear, you took a nasty fall I do not think you should be up yet" the old man's voice was etched with concern, he gently patted her shoulder and ushered her back to the bed. "Let me look you over, are you hungry? Thirsty? What am I saying ofcourse you even elves need sustenance." he said jokingly.

Toniele forced a smile, the man was being really nice and hospitable but she was deeply worried for her young shire friend. What would those men want with her? She asked in puzzlement but then it hit her like hammer would hit a sword, The One Ring…..they think she has it….She remembered very briefly hearing of the fellowship that left Rivendell for Mordor but that had been some time ago. When the fellowship was formed Toniele was actually only arriving from Lorien, she did see Bilbo briefly but from afar she had been too concerned with sharpening her sword and speaking to Elrond about her mother. This thought she now had made her blood boil, Sauron had many agents apparently so of course he would exercise his resources to get ahold of what once was his. Her gaze darkened when thinking of the evil that had awoken in Mordor once again, she needed to get to Luca and fast. She felt sick with worry, Luca might be brave and bold but dealing with men with greed in their hearts was dangerous. I promise I will find you Gwathel. She wasn't sure when she started seeing the young hobbit as a sister maybe it was the few months they had already been traveling together, whatever the case she felt like the older sister who is supposed to look after the younger; even if the younger is a hobbit from the shire.

"Excuse me, would you like me to get you something?" he asked gently coaxing the silent and thoughtful elf.

Toniele was brought back to earth with those words and nodded, she was indeed hungry. She was used to the snacks and constant meals Lucania had subjected her to over the time they had known one another.

"Alright, I will get you something. Mind you we dont have much here but I will find something" he told her.

"I understand" she finally managed to say with a genuine smile this time, "May I have your name mister?"

"Oh its Eocred, I am the town physician" he gives a little bow of his head.

"I am Toniele, its lovely to meet you Eocred." She said politely.

"What a lovely name" he says and then leaves to get her something to eat.

Left alone with her thoughts she began to worry again, I have been training her a little in swordsmanship, shes good with a bow she hunts often enough. But this isnt training or hunting, these men could kill her. What would I tell her family if that were to happen? She put her head in her hands and tried not to think of the worst scenario, at 48 luca was nearing middle age of a hobbit but compared to the longevity of the elves she was still a child in comparison. The rivendell native would have to trust in Lucania's ability to be disarming and clever, hopefully she would get to her before something far worse happened.

Eocred came in with some bread and some dried meat and a few carrots, "here you are, I wasnt sure what you liked so I got three things" he says with a nervous laugh.

"I like all three good sir" she said taking the plate of food in front of her.

"So Lady Elf are traveling alone? Its been rather dangerous these days what with all the orcs traveling in these parts" he said checking her head again.

"I had a friend, a hobbit. Incase you do not know what that is they are small folk out of Eriador, they prefer to stay in their lands so seeing one would be rare. They would be children to your eyes, they are wonderful people." she said fondly.

"They sound interesting, I am far too old to travel that far I'm afraid. Where is your friend?" he asked curiously.

"I don't know, my horse was startled by a snake and the last thing I saw was a group of riders heading towards her" She recalled as best as she could though much of it was hazy.

"Oh dear, there have been a group of riders that are not from around here, I think they have camp in some ruins though I would be careful in your state you probably should not be doing any rescue missions if that is your intent. I cannot stop you but I will advise you" He says in a tone of a healer to their patient. Elf or not she needed rest in his mind.

"I will take caution Eocred and I understand your concern, but I must find my friend. I will rest a little more if that is your wish but at first light tomorrow I ride." she says considering his words and offering a compromise.

"Your steely resolve is to be admired Lady Elf atleast return and introduce me to this hobbit. I am getting on in years and before I die I would like to see one." he said resigned to the fact that she would ride off into the sunrise to rescue a friend when she probably shouldnt.

"Ofcourse and what do you mean getting on? You look the picture of health" she placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at the old and weathered man.

"To you maybe, us menfolk must look like children to you elves." he wonders.

"Actually no, though you have only been around a shorter time than us elves you have accomplished much and show as much resolve and tenacity as we, it is to be admired." She said.

The man smiled at her kind words and left her to rest, he held his chest briefly. Hiding his ailment from his patient had not been easy, she reminded him of his late daughter. I hope she finds her friend. He thought and sat down outside in his chair to watch the sunset, it was always his favourite thing to do when thinking.

When dawn broke Eocred and a few of his apprentices helped her with her horse and directed her in the purported direction of the captors, he watched her ride off into the sunrise. He felt a tear roll down his cheek as that was what he saw when his daughter left home and never returned.

Toniele looked back once at the man in a silent promise to return, his little village reminded her of the inn in the Lone lands that she sometimes looked after. She would take this man to Rivendell to live out his days with the elderly hobbit if it helped his heart. She sensed it had lost a great deal.

She followed the map given to her and mentally prepared herself for what she might run into also to make sure her emotions would not get in the way for it would be very easy to make a mistake in this situation. She glanced at the blade at her waist as if it would fall off whilst her horse ran, "Keep going Luthien" she encouraged her black horse, she named her after the elf maiden Luthien which was perfect for the white stallion Beren. In their honour I named my swiftest horses after them. She thought keeping her spirits up as she rode.

Eventually she saw a ruined fortress, with two guards at the gate which had long lost its doors, the walls were worn with time and elemental battering no doubt as the winds blew hard as the elf rode closer. The men had heavy armour that looked like it was randomly put together and looked like it needed a good polish, they had broad swords at their belts and small daggers beside. Their helms showed little of their faces which were alert and battle worn with scars from previous fights. They stood unmoving against the wind that tossled toniele's luxuriant locks from side to side. She got off her horse and watched them and looked for others, she would need to subdue them first, she took into account their armour, their expressions, their graying beards told her they were veterans no doubt and though they did not have youth on their side they had experience. Dont underestimate them because you are old enough to be their ancestor 2000+ years of being alive doesnt make you the expert. She told herself, last time she underestimated a grizzled veteran she got injured and nearly killed, it was a lesson learned and one she would never forget.

Toniele continued to watch them closely for any sign of weakness or fatigue with men their age they had to have one or two as they were not as young as they once were. Though she estimated they could still put up a fight if they had to. One of the men put his hands on his knees and winced, his lower back hurts. She kept that image in her mind and watched the other for signs, should it come to fighting she could also find out then.

She slowly approached and straightened up to her full height and soundlessly approached, the men spotted her, "what do you want She-elf?" The first man said gruffly. The second man had his hand on his blade ready to unsheath, he was also leaning against the stone wall.

"Just entry, move now and I'll spare you" she said confidently.

"Arrogance will get you nowhere elf" the second man said.

"It's not arrogance, I know that atleast one of you is in no shape to fight and the other is fatigued. It won't be an easy fight granted but I'd rather fight you two at full health" she says with a cold smile.

They looked at her stunned as she continued, "you, for example have a bad back. Probably from a fall or previous fight and you have dark circles under your eyes which would inhibit your reaction time. Need I say more gentleman?" She asked looking between the two of them.

They looked at her uneasily then let her pass without a drop of blood spilt. Won't be that easy next time. She reminded herself and took a breath before spotting two more guards who rushed her, she ducked and twisted away, she quickly draws her silver blade and stabs one man through the inadequate armour and rolls out of the way of the second man. It's then that she decides to bring out her surprise when he charges towards her with arms raised above his head, she brings the back end of her sword to his gut and activates the small hidden lever, the man's eyes widened as the hidden second blade enters. She pulls it out and pushes the mechanism again and the blade retracts back into the base of the hilt.

She sneaks into the drafty ruins to search for her friend and traveling companion. She listened for the alto tones of the young hobbit and breathed a sigh of relief when she heard broken sindarin singing the ley of leithian. Toniele peers into a cell where the bruised hobbit sat, oh no! What have they done? Her blood boiled again and anger rose, she pushed it back and whispered, "Mae Govannen Mellon!"

"Toni!" Lucania whispered loudly and hobbled over to the barred window, "I tried to fight back they took my weapons." She laments, a year came down her cheek.

"They melted it down and took the emeralds, then they destroyed my bow and arrows and are demanding I give them a ring, I don't have a ring Toni" she adds wiping away tears.

"I'm sorry Luca I'll get you out I promise and I'm sorry about Garloinin's daggers." She said knowing how quickly the hobbit grew to like the elf.

"It's ok, he's happy in the undying lands and that's all I could ask for" she smiles wearily.

Toniele smiles back and slips her a metal rod, "try breaking out I'll distract the guard."

"He had some ale and longbottom leaf in his pipe, not sure how he got it though that's in the southfarthing." She arches a brow when saying this to Toniele.

"You told me about that, odd. So drunk and unconscious?" She asked, lucania nods.

Toniele wastes no time in grabbing the keys and unlocking the door to release her friend.

They are able to sneak out with only a few skirmishes and setting a few traps. Toniele carries lucania to her horse and they ride in a different direction so as to throw off those men should they pursue.

Before nightfall they arrive at the small village where lucania is looked after and given food. Eocred is overjoyed to see a hobbit for the first time and later that night dies in his sleep. The next morning a funeral and farewell is held for the old man and the two travellers.

"Where will we go next?" Luca asked tiredly.

"Rivendell, and don't worry about Taky he's probably headed there anyway. Let's go" Toniele says and they ride away to her elven home.

Back at the ruined castle a man fumes over the hobbits escape and redirection. "I'll find her and that meddlesome elf…..