The burn of rope cut painfully into her wrists and ankles, and a sharp hard piece of metal was jutting into her side, surprising her back into consciousness. A metallic taste lingered in her mouth from when she had been struck on the head, but the aftertaste of a sleeping herb was also lingering on her taste buds. Rough, itchy fabric had been carefully tied to her head, pressing on her eyes uncomfortably.

The dark, mouldy smell of Orc crawled insistently into her nostrils demanding to be smelt. There was a rhythmic thumping, and upand down motion which meant she was being carried, but there was no way to tell where or how long she had been carried. The large rough hands meant it was an Orc, Ava noticed with disgust, and by the broadness of the shoulders it appeared to be one of the cross-breeds.

She battled the urge to struggle against the hold and keep in the appearance of unconsciousness, even though with every passing minute the urge grew stronger. To her right she detected much lighter and more elegant footsteps, even lighter than a mans which meant there was another elf in their company. Now it was impossible to tell whether it was Chalion, a conspirator, or he had managed to kidnap a different elf.

Around the thudding of boots and clanking of metal, Ava was able to pick out a few hushed voices of Men. Though they're appeared to be a small number over them, the familiar voices of Ramen, and Tandel in the mix. Not surprising.

A small suppressed sob from her right had the Orc that was carrying her pivot in place, and a low growl was emitted towards whatever had made the noise. Then, the Orc marched back to its place, though still growling to himself, from her position Ava felt more than heard them.

Memories from the last time she had been captured by Orcs attempted to struggle their way up, bringing the terror and desperation with them. They had broken her, completely and utterly broken her; leaving her helpless as they continued to assault her for their own fun. It was the most terrifying five days of her life.

She had come so close to being lost last time, she was almost certain there would be no hope for a rescue, not when they were so close to Dol Guldor. At the time she had given up, too broken to fight anymore, she didn't even remember the ride she had taken with Thranduil back to the stronghold.

If she were honest with herself, everything from the last few days of her capture were fuzzy. The only thing she could clearly remember was the birdsong that the Archers used as a signal. Never had she felt as much hope as she had in that moment.

A second after the Orcs began dropping dead as arrow rained from the sky and embedded themselves into their necks and hearts. Next was the ground assault, led by Thranduil. The next part was blank, only she could remember the terrified screams of terror and anger as swords assaulted them from all angles. Never, had she seen Thranduil more anger than in that moment.

After that, she could remember feeling a tear on her face as she was lifted up into the safe, warm arms of her foster-father. She tried to murmur something to the effects of 'I'll be okay', but was fairly certain only a soft whimper came out. After that was when she first began sleeping in Legolas' bed on a regular basis, too scared to wake up in the dark alone. And nobody mentioned it, though she was sure they all noticed.

For what seemed like years, but was probably only a few hours Ava continued to fake unconsciousness since it was easier than being questioned for things she didn't know the answer too. There was a barked order from Chalion of "We will rest here for a while!"

Then suddenly, she was thrown unceremoniously to the ground, her hands being twisted painfully under her back.

"What part of be careful with her did you not understand, Orc?" She heard Chalion snarl in anger closer to her than he had been before

"If you want it treated with care, Elf, I suggest next time you carry it" The Orc bit back, before the thudding sound of his retreating footsteps were heard

A few seconds later Chalion retreated as well.

"Fine, go!" Tandels voice barked, giving somebody permission to do something. Though in her blindfolded and 'unconscious' state there was no way Ava could begin to guess what it was.

There was a sound of swift approaching footsteps, before somebody dropped to their knees behind her. Again, Ava resisted the urge to flinch or tighten her muscles as a pair of hands landed on her.

Though, instead of bringing pain as she had expected, they turned her over so her hands were no longer twisted behind her uncomfortably. Next, with all gentleness they hands threaded into her hair, inspecting the site where she had been struck.

She recognized those hands, they belonged to Elrond.

It was nearing sundown, the day after he had left the white walled city. His feet ached terribly as they hadn't had a rest since they left, Chalion seemed intent on putting as much distance from them and the city as possible.

The small child they had bribed his compliance with walked steadily beside him, her small hand grasped in his much larger one. It had taken her a long time to cease crying, since Elrond hadn't been allowed to comfort her in anyway, but now she simply walked in a terrified silence.

His silver-grey yes flickered away from where they had been staring hatefully at Chalion, to Ava's limp form currently slung over and Uruk-hai's shoulder as she had been since he set eyes on her. Still, they had felt the need to tie her arms and feet in tight, clearly painful ropes, with a ripped sack over her eyes. He had still not found out what they had done to her to leave her in such a state, but he assumed it included a head injury.

There was another, older, human child walking with the group. Her lip had been split and her black hair look similar to a rats nest, and her dress was torn in several places but other than that she appeared to be fine. Though she wasn't tied and bound, it was clear even if she wanted to run she wouldn't get far, and she didn't have enough strength to fight back to any effect.

Raman, who unsurpsingly appeared to be one of the leaders, walked near the rear of the group accompanied by his nephew. Elrond had met the lad briefly, he had seemed nice enough at the time, it seemed hard to believe he would be related to such a man. His bound arms, and the rope held firmly in is Uncles hand attested to the fact that he was here too against his will. Though the purpose of all the children, Elrond couldn't guess.

The littler girl beside him heaved a sob as finally the sun dipped behind the hills, submerging them into darkness. Instantly, the Uruk-hia that was carrying Ava marched closer to them, and Elrond fought back the instinct the pick up the child and hold her close. The disgusting creature let out a low, threatening growl, scaring any further noise from the child, before returning to the middle of the path.

"We will rest here for a while!" Chalion barked sometime later, when the moans from the men had become to much for him to bear.

All around the small clearing they were currently inhabiting men, and a few Orcs, dropped down to the ground gratefully. A moment later Elrond watched in horror as Ava was chucked carelessly to the ground, landing in awkward and painful position a few feet away from the Uruk-hai. Still, she did not move.

Elrond made to rush to her side, but stopped short fearing what might happen to the child if he were to take any rash action.

"What part of be careful with her did you not understand, Orc?" Chalion angrily demanded, stomping closer to where Ava lay motionless on the ground.

"If you want it treated with care, Elf, I suggest next time you carry it" The Orc bit back, before stomping away to join the rest of its kind huddled at the edge of the clearing.

Elrond suppressed his own remarks and a select choice words, and instead turned his eyes to Tandel who had collapsed nearby. Even though it was clear Elrond had no power here, his stern angry gaze still caused the man to shift uncomfortably, and with a slight gesture in Ava's direction he was given permission to check on her with a rushed

"Fine, go!"

Immediately he crossed the clearing and dropped heavily to his knee's beside her, reaching out and carefully repositioning her, pulling her arms free from the awkward angel they had been at. Though she gave no sigh that she was awake, her heart beat was slightly too fast. There was no doubt in Elronds mind that none but a trained healer would have noticed, though he didn't know if it were because she was awake and scared, or due to an injury she might have sustained. There was no way for him to know, not yet.

Instead, he gently threaded his hands into her hair, carefully feeling a spot on her skull where he had noticed blood oozing from yesterday. He found a rather large gash, that had already been scabbed over, and the feeling of a broken skull bones. Meaning, they had knocked her out before they took her. Probably an easier route to take.

Quickly, he glance around and found Tandels eyes resting on him. So he continued his search for any injuries. He inspected both arms, and legs, all her fingers which she remained perfectly limp like a heavily sleeping person might have. Next, he check her torso, and found no sign of injury other than large bruises.

Again, he glanced around but found nobody paying any attention to him, taking his chance he quickly muttered as quietly as he could "Are you awake?" In response there was a small tightening of her arm muscle, where his hand was currently resting.

He knew he was pushing his luck, but her fast heartbeat still pumped under his hand and his fatherly instincts couldn't stand the thought of her being terrified and blindfolded without so much as a small comfort "Everything will be fine" He murmured again, before he retreated away from her still form with one last comforting squeeze

..