Eressëa POV

"Wander!" Ainion yells after me. I keep running. I hear footsteps behind me, probably not hard to keep up with the girl with a limp.

"Wander!" He shouts again. I don't stop. I can't hear his footsteps anymore. He must have turned back. I run for a little while later, then slow to a walk. I walk for a while, aware of every noise. A branch cracks. I am off agai- oof! I smash into something.. or... someone...

"Wander." Sigh. Ainion. "I caught up with you."

Well... this is awkward... it's something you see happen to other people, but you never expect to run into somebody and be on top of them. I start to pick myself up, Ainion pulls me back down.

"No. You aren't going anywhere." The Orcs... They said that. 'you're not going anywhere'. I almost shriek in fear, but then I harden myself. "Not until we talk"

"We can talk standing like normal people." I say, as a command, not a question.

"If you promise not to run the moment we stand up." He says.

"Fine." I say. My cold tone may have offended him, but it is the only thing I can do to keep my fear controlled. To harden myself, until I feel no emotions at all. I get up and wait for him to also pick himself off of the ground. He gets up and stares. At my scar, I am certain. The ugly reminder will always be there, scaring children and striking fear in the hearts of many. I pull my hood up.

"What did Thanguriel tell you?" A wild terror is struck within me, then I harden myself once again.

"What concern is it to you?" I ask... kinda, not much of a question, more of a statement that it isn't of his concern.

"I just want to help." What were Thanguriel's words? Something about a love... And... oh no... please no... I look at Ainion and see that look I have seen on so many. Even myself once. How could I have been so blind? I am stupid! How do I tell him that I'm not... that I don't.. oh dear... "Wander?"

Oh, yes, I got lost in thought. "I don't need any help." The wind blows and my hood falls down. Ainion's eyes open wide, struck by a fearful love. I pull my hood back on as quickly as I can.

"Why won't you tell me what happened?" He asks. I can almost feel the Orc's whips. "Please."

"It is none of your business." I say.

"Please, just tell me."

"No." I say firmly and try to walk around him. He blocks my path and grabs my arm.

"You aren't leaving until you tell me." He says. Memories flash through my mind, a wave of dizziness comes upon me. Oh no, not again. I stumble a bit, but Ainion steadies me.

"Are you okay?" He asks. No, I am very much not okay. He looks around, like he heard something. I didn't hear anything, but I am not an Elf. "Would now be a good time to mention that this isn't the best-guarded place?"

"What?!" An Orc jumps out from behind a tree.

"Run!" Ainion shouts, and pulls me along. Several more Orcs follow us. I trip after Ainion as quickly as I can. Ainion goes jumping over a log, without giving me warning. I smash into it. I hear something crack, very loudly. No pain. Well, no pain except that on my one good leg's shin from smashing into the log. Ainion pulls me up and keep running. I take a running step and fall. No! I glance at my left.. boot. It is in a very... uh... the wood broke when I ran into that log. A glance behind us, several Orcs are running towards us. One has a knife. My eyes widen. I scream.

The Orcs get closer.

Ainion throws his hand over my mouth.

"Shh! Come on!"

"I- I can't walk!" Admitting it hurts. I can't walk again. My freedom has flown out the window and Orcs are coming to kill me. So this is how it ends.

"Then I'll have to carry you." Ainion swoops me up, bridal-style. I am too shocked to say anything, too terrified to care. Ainion runs.