Hey guys! So I am under the impression that not that many people completely read the Author's note at the bottom, so I thought, "Why not put the important stuff at the top?" I know, I'm trying.

Anyway, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote on which fanfic I should do next! The poll is on my profile page, and a description of each one is farther below it. Only five people have voted since I last checked, and only one of them voted twice. Seriously, vote twice. That's an option. You should choose it. *jedi mind trick* You will vote on my poll.

Also, guests, I'm not sure if you can vote, so you are excused. :)

Dread shot through Elhadril as her elven ears picked up the news. Orcs were coming. The sounds of rushing feet and men panicking only served to prove her suspicion, and Legolas burst into the smithy to confirm it, "The orcs are approaching. We must move."

"WHAT!?" Eldandil screeched, tightening her hold on the baby bunnies she had been comforting and vice versa. Elhadril examined her sister, her best friend. Eldandil was sitting, legs to her chest and arms crossed, so that she appeared to curl around herself and the small animals. Her eyes flicked between Legolas and Elhadril, fearful, desiring good news but expecting none. Only one look was required to know what was on her mind.

"The orcs will not injure me or you," Elhadril promised with exaggerated calmness. "Nor will they harm Legolas or anyone else. I am sure that the village is being evacuated as we speak."

"Nay, there is no time," Legolas informed seriously. Eldandil began to panic again, "What do you mean by no time?"

"The orcs will catch them. They will perish if they run, and we do not have much of a chance, either," Legolas grimly explained. Eldandil began to breathe very quickly, her eyes shut and leaking tears. Then her breaths seemed to stagger as she buried her face into her pets, making small whimpering noises. Elhadril gave Legolas a withered look. He was not being helpful.

"Hush… Peace, Eldandil, peace…" Elhadril murmured softly, hugging her crying sister, understanding her fear. The last time they encountered orcs hadn't gone so well… She looked at Legolas for support.

"Mist is distributing weapons to the villagers. I feel that we have a fighting chance if we hold our ground," Legolas lied. Eldandil wasn't fooled and began to sob harder. Perhaps a change of subject…? Elhadril had to try, "What of Sarf? Was she found?"

Her heart sank at Legolas's obvious hesitation to reply. Eldandil quieted somewhat, or at least tried to, to hear the news. With a heavy sigh, the prince nodded, "She was found… by the orcs."

"Is she well? Do they have her?" Eldandil asked, innocently worried. Elhadril hid a small, endearing smile that threatened to show. It was a good thing that her sister didn't understand Westron, otherwise she wouldn't have been so concerned for the human woman. After all, Sarf had said plenty of mean things about Eldandil. Ah, the bliss of not knowing and chastity of still caring…

Again, the girls noticed Legolas's pause. They watched him think of how to say what he needed to and slowly shake his head, "She… is not…"

Legolas's eyes met Elhadril's, and he gave the tiniest shake of his head. Elhadril closed her eyes and let out a long breath through her nose. So Sarf was dead. How should she tell Eldandil? The death of a stranger won't affect her that much, but she was already upset about the orcs coming and news that had already killed someone wasn't going to help.

"The sooner we know how we will defeat these orcs, the sooner we will be able to give our aid," Elhadril evaded, avoiding Eldandil's watery eyes. She stood up and focused on Legolas, "How many orcs must we fight? How many villagers will be armed?"

"The orcs are at least a hundred strong, maybe more. Sadoc couldn't say. Only about fourteen men will be armed, and a few women wish to fight as well. Most of them are decent with a bow, but the ones with swords will need training."

'Training that we do not have the time to provide,' Elhadril knew. They all knew it. They were very well likely to die within the next few hours. And Elhadril couldn't stand that thought. Her Ada and Nana were gone, her brother never around, and her sister had too much potential to see Mandos today. She looked Eldandil in the eye, kneeled beside the elleth, took a hand in both of her own, and begged, "Look at me. We still have Tinnuroch. Please, ride to Rivendell. You will be safe there. For me, please."

"No… no! I shall never forgive myself if I left you! I will stay here. You go," Eldandil vehemently protested, swiping her hand away. "And take the bunnies, too."

"I will forgive myself less than you. If you will not flee, then we both stay," Elhadril informed with a small shake of her head. The dread that had shaken her earlier solidified into a tight knot near her stomach. She turned towards their leader, their prince, whom they were obligated to protect not only because he was the Elvenking's son but because he was their friend. "Legolas, you need to go. If your father-"

"My father is not of importance now. He has suffered much, yes, but word of my mother's death will spread with or without my own," Legolas insisted. He appeared sad, and Elhadril knew that what he was saying was heartfelt and meditated. "Mirkwood will survive. Now, we must aid this village in any way we can."

"That was beautiful," Eldandil commented somberly. Bunnies still cradled in arms, she suddenly stood up and proclaimed with a raw voice, "Stop moping around, we must teach these children how to use a sword without cutting themselves!"

Elhadril and Legolas chuckled, despite the ever-growing sense of imminent death. Elhadril suddenly remembered something and, blushing, ran to the far corner of the smithy. She ducked behind the anvil, grabbed the flute she had been working on and ran back. She handed the misshapen instrument to Eldandil before her resolve died. Eldandil accepted it and immediately smiled, "I love it!"

Elhadril squinted at her with mock suspicion, "You do not even know what it is, do you?"

"Not at all."

This time, Legolas laughed outright. Elhadril glared at him until he quickly excused himself, still chuckling, and hurried out to help Mist. Then she quietly explained, "I attempted to carve a flute last night, during my watch. It… did not end as I would have liked. But I still want you to have it, just in case."

"Oh, Elhadril!" Eldandil exclaimed, hugging her (a very awkward maneuver with four squirming rabbits in her arms). "I do love it! I shall treasure this forever!"

Elhadril smiled and quickly returned the hug. When they released each other, Eldandil looked at the stick and laughed, "It looks like one of those worms we put in Elladan's bed. Remember?"

Elhadril did remember. Elrond's son squealed like a proper elleth. But then an idea struck her, an idea equally desperate and insane and just might possibly work. An idea that they needed with odds so against them…

Eldandil knew that look on her sister's face and smiled knowingly, "You have a plan, do you not?"

Elhadril nodded, a large smile on her face, "We have to fight, but we don't have to fight them all."

"What do you mean?" Eldandil tried to ask, but it was too late. Elhadril had already sprinted outside, euphoria coursing through her. This just might work. They might just stand a chance!

As she ran towards the group gathered near the storeroom, she declared at the top of her lungs, "I have a plan!"

And there you guys go! Short, but on time. I actually finished this Friday, and so I'm really proud of myself. Also, I reread a few of the previous chapters (like, chapter 6)... Ych! It... *shiver* I'm partially sorry that you had to read that. I really need to work on characterization. So thanks for sticking with me this far! Only six more chapters to go!

AAAANNNND I need your help. So, *spoiler warning turn away now if you do not want to know Elhadril's plan skip to next paragraph this is your last warning ok here we go* Elhadril plans on defending the village using good ole ingenuity and the resources around them, aka Home Alone style (DON'T YOU DARE PRESS THAT BACK BUTTON!). The only problem is, I've only come up with one defense. It's a pretty good one that I won't spoil, but I need more. So, if you can come up with random traps, that would be great. Even if your idea is bad, I want to know it. Thanks! Some examples of materials they can work with are burned wood, animals/cow carcasses, cloth, axes, broken clay jars, stones, etc. Anything that has a remote chance of surviving that fire will do.

With that done with, thanks to Guest, Guest2, ccandy, Uruviel Phoenix, and Lord Illyren for reviewing! I love you people! :D Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

To Guest: Yay! You won't have to wait too much longer. I'll try! :)

To Guest2: So do I, Guest2, so do I.

To Lord Illyren: Oh yes, it certainly is. Hehehe, but Elhadril has a plan... those orcs better start running! :) I hope that they are exciting, and I plan on building my skill on humor (but it probably won't work). I guess we'll just have to see.

So, as always, thanks for reading and I hope you have a great day!