The leader of the Orcs rode forward and gestured for Rhavaniel to rise. He looked like the personification of every nightmare of her young life, and she thought she would become sick with fear.

Vehiron put a hand on her shoulder, keeping her seated on the ground. "Let the girl go, and I will lay down my sword. She will take word to our King Thranduil, who will ransom me and my fellow Guard from you for a handsome price."

"No ransom," the Orc named Naur stated, "not unless he will trade two more girls for his Guards."

Vehiron turned pale.

"Did not think so." Naur smirked. "Not very pretty, is she?"

The Orc that Rhavaniel shot in the leg rode closer as well, joining his leader and said in Orcish. "She will be less pretty when I pull this arrow from my leg, AND CARVE HER FACE WITH IT!"

"I only meant that I prefer fair-haired Elves. No one is going to make her bleed, not even you, Ronkûr. Get that wound tended to, and keep your distance or I will put an arrow in your other leg."

Naur was much smaller than Ronkûr, but he was obeyed. His sharp mind and cruelty made up for his lack of size, and propelled him to leadership at an early age.

Ronkûr backed his Warg up slightly, and shoved the broken arrow out the other side of his leg with a roar and a spurt of blood. He ripped off a ragged piece of his clothing to bind the wound, and rode back to the circle's outer edge.

"One of us must reach home, Vehiron." Rhavaniel whispered. "Do not wait for me. I will be in the hands of Ilúvatar. If you see a break in their circle, take it and run."

"I will not dishonor the Guard or my family name by leaving a child to the mercy of Orcs." Vehiron insisted.

"We will fight, then." Rhavaniel stood up on wobbly legs. She had slid Glennodad's glowing sword behind her, beneath her jacket. She had also hidden the Orc spear, but more clumsily, at her side. She hoped that if they easily found one weapon on her, they would not search hard for a second. Vehiron also stood, but did not lower his sword. The Orcs would never have believed an Elf Guard would make this easy.

As she approached Naur, he held up a hand to stop her. He called to one of the smaller Orcs, and pointed to Rhavaniel's side. The Orc foot soldier walked up to her. He barked at her, and laughed when she jumped.

"Give it!" the creature hissed at her.

Rhavaniel heard the familiar whiz of an arrow, and the wet thump of pierced flesh. Naur screamed, and his lifeless body pitched forward. She saw the arrow protruding from his back, adorned with orange fletch - it was Kili!

All eyes were on Naur as he crumpled off his Warg. Rhavaniel pulled out the hidden spear and impaled the Orc soldier in front of her. The spear sunk deep, and she was unable to pull it out. She pushed the shrieking Orc over and ran past him.

Vehiron had also leaped at the distraction, and charged the Orc line, creating a break for her.

Rhavaniel looked over at Vehiron, and he shouted at her "Run!"

She did, heading in the direction she though Kili was hiding.