As soon as it was confirmed that every Orc and troll were completely dead, the elves and the humans came together to account for everyone, tend the wounded, and count the dead. To everyone's relief, all the children were alive! A third of the soldiers of Gondor had fallen, as had three Mirkwood warriors, and six men of Rohan. It was a bittersweet victory. A small scouting party was sent back to search for the escaped prisoners, only to return a very short while later reporting that the prisoners had been slain by the Orcs.

"Thank you for coming, mellon nin." Elrond breathed in relief when Thranduil approached him. "We could not have achieved victory without you, though your gallant warriors are deadly dancers with their blades."

"I wanted to make sure my son and daughter arrived in Gondor alive." Thranduil said glumly.

"What else troubles you, my friend?" Elrond prodded. Ordinarily, Thranduil would be acting proud of the way he'd swooped in for the rescue.

"Bad news is spreading abroad, my old friend." Thranduil told him seriously. "I am afraid ugly scenarios such as this are only the beginning." Elrond sighed heavily. If what Alasse had visualized was any indication, along with her father's words just now, the free people of Middle Earth, particularly the race of men it seemed, were once again in danger.

"We will speak on this later. At the moment the most important thing to do is get these people back to their kingdom." Elrond said firmly. Thranduil nodded and ordered his warriors to assist.

Thranduil observed as his children, and his troops helped organize the chaos. Major injuries were tended, the wounded and dead elves and men loaded up for the journey into Rohan. Gimli was helping with the corpses of the dearly departed. Pippin was helping the ladies. Tatsu was helping the mothers with their children, Bellethiel standing guard and keeping watch over them like a hawk. Ahh, Bellethiel. How was she holding up? Thranduil was concerned about her and he hoped this new spreading of bloodshed hadn't reopened the wounds she bore of losing two of the people she'd loved the most.

Legolas, Gimli, and Alasse all felt lumps in their throats when the kingdom of Rohan appeared over the last hill! They'd made it! But their memories went back to when Aragorn had been with them during the War of the Ring. They keenly felt his absence right now and it only increased their worry for him all the more.

It was a bittersweet reunion when Legolas led the large procession through the city streets. The citizens cheered and embraced their friends and loved ones they'd thought they'd lost! "Where is Lord Eomer?" Legolas asked Andrew when he could find him.

"In the king's dungeons." Andrew frowned. "I know where they are. Follow me!" Legolas and Gimli trailed the young man inside the city's jail. But they were abruptly halted by some guards that were clearly not from Rohan.

"Let us pass." Legolas glowered.

"We are under orders by the Squire Bonwe of Gondor to not let anyone but himself inside." One of the guards replied dryly.

"You'd best listen to my friend, ye rascal." Gimli warned him. "Elves are very easily offended. Delicate ego system, you know." Legolas ordinarily would roll his eyes but did not this time.

"I am a personal friend to good King Ellessar of Gondor." He said. "There is no Squire Bonwe. I demand to see Lord Eomer."

"We really shouldn't..." The guards said apprehensively. Gimli and Legolas held up their weapons in a threatening stance. The guards quickly moved aside and let them in, after handing Andrew the keys. Andrew rushed down the dark, damp steps leading inside the dungeons. Soon they saw a tall, muscular figure sitting on a cot, hunched over, his long, blonde hair covering his face.

"My lord Eomer!" Andrew cried with joy. The man glanced up and his eyes grew wide. He marched to the cell door.

"Andrew, my good friend!" Eomer cried. "Prince Legolas, and Master Gimli! How..."

"We're getting you out of here, my friend." Legolas smiled. Andrew unlocked the door. Eomer stomped out and embraced all his friends.

"It is so good to see friends! How did you get here? And where is Aragorn? Why isn't he with you?" Eomer asked.

"We shall tell you in time, lad. But right now come outside, won't you? We have a most splendid surprise for you." Gimli smiled.

Eomer was overjoyed to see his people rescued, as were they.

A funeral was held that evening for the fallen. Then Eomer called Elrond, Thranduil, Legolas, Alasse, Gimli, Andrew, and Pippin to the council chamber to speak privately. Eomer filled them in on what had happened, how a complete stranger with official looking troops had just barged right into his city and started declaring policy. Then the elves informed him of their journey and how they'd happened upon the horseman's people. Once again, he expressed his thanks but was alarmed when they told him what had befallen Aragorn!

Then it was Thranduil's turn. "When Legolas and Alasse set out with their company, I made my way to Dale to pay our condolences to good King Bain for the death of his father, King Bard the bowman." Thranduil began. "As we came upon the city, a band of Orcs swooped in from the south. We smeared them into the ground. I made my visit then departed." He looked at his son and daughter. "I was not about to let my children return to Gondor alone, not after losing my daughter once! I assembled troops, made arrangements for care of the Wood until I return, and rode out.

'We've passed a few small villages on our journey here. We ran into caravans leading numbers of people away in chains, drafting men old and feeble and young children alike into an army, and in one such village we passed through, an auction was being held, selling its own citizens!'" Everyone gasped, appalled and horrified.

"And here I had thought the beastly barters we'd stumbled upon were one of the most vulgar crimes I would encounter on this journey." Elrond said flatly.

"So, it is happening in other places?" Pippin asked the king, his small face struck with disbelief.

"Yes." Thranduil said dryly. "We set the prisoners free. And it turns out that the master of that place was also imprisoned in his own cells!"

"Whoever the dirt bag is, who is conspiring this kind of evil, he surely isn't wasting any time!" Legolas scowled.

"We also came across more Orcs on our travels." Thranduil glared. "I had hoped that with Sauron dissipated, we had seen our last of those fell creatures. But someone is trying to regroup the ones that remain."

"What the h- is happening?" Andrew growled, balling his fists.

"Aragorn would never allow this to happen." Alasse murmured sadly, holding her stomach. Since her last attack, her middle had been hurting more than usual. So, it's true! Oppression is coming! She thought, remembering her all too recent vision. The people's hearts will be deceived into thinking Aragorn has betrayed them. And they will be backed up against the wall so hard they will be forced to give into this tyranny. She glanced at Elrond who gazed at her darkly, as if he was thinking the same thing.

"We must find him, and soon!" Pippin exclaimed.

"Naturally, little one." Thranduil huffed. Master Obvious.

"If Aragorn our good friend is truly in danger, then Rohan will come to his aid." Eomer declared.

Later that night, hardly any of the rescue party slept, unable to shake off the words that had been uttered that evening. Alasse found her father outside, standing on the city's citadel. He was gazing up at the numerous stars. "Here." She touched his arm and handed him a glass of wine. Thranduil nodded and took it. "Ada, I...I'm sorry about today, with the troll. I am so sorry you had to see that." Alasse said lowly.

"This is why I did not want you back on the battlefield." Thranduil said in a scolding tone without facing her.

"I know. And it isn't as if I wasn't afraid. I was! But..." She placed a hand on his arm, "think of how many lives we were able to save!"

"You almost died, Alasse! Again!" Thranduil faced her, his face burning with anger and pain.

"I know." Alasse nodded softly. Thranduil had to force himself to breathe deeply so as not to completely lose his temper. He'd just caught up with his children, and thanks to him, they were alive! He didn't want to ruin that. "But I didn't, Ada..." Alasse murmured, and reached up, turning his chin so that he had to look down into her eyes and face her, "...because of you!" She smiled, kissing his cheek.

Thranduil stared at her and tears filled his eyes as the words sucked up every corner of his heart. It had been too close, again! She'd nearly died in front of his eyes, again! But she didn't, because he had saved her...this time! Thranduil slept more peacefully that night than he had for days.

The next day, Elrond and the company were preparing to leave for Gondor the next morning. Elrond was very concerned about little Ruby and was checking in on her and her parents a lot, as was Bellethiel. He was worried about nightmares he knew would come and the remaining shock the family was still dealing with. He spoke thoroughly with the town doctors in Rohan on what they could do for Ruby, and thankfully one of them was studying the ways of Elvish medicine.

Legolas was anxious to get going, but first he wanted to make sure Eomer and his right hand men had everything in order. Gimli was helping the men of the city replenish their armory that had been ransacked when that scum Bonwe had come through so the people wouldn't be able to fight. Pippin was asking Tatsu questions about living in the Woodland Realm.

Alasse was outside by herself, sitting on a wood stump near the stables. Her middle was bothering her and it was only increasing her worry. She was an elf, not a human, and elves did not suffer physically like this from blade wounds. But what made it worse, was that as far as she could remember, every time her pain became worse during a major flareup, it had meant worse news for Aragorn than the one before! Why was this happening to him, to his people? None of them deserved this! "Naneth?" Alasse whispered. "Why? What is happening? Why did it have to be Aragorn? I...I love him so much! And to know that he is in great peril, suffering, in pain...and to see the hearts of his beloved fellow allies and citizens to ever think that he could do something like this to them...Naneth, it hurts! And it doesn't make any sense at all.

'I keep trying to come up with answers, but cannot, they are empty and illogical. Did you send me back, to know of Aragorn's suffering, only to find him dead and or scandalized in the eyes of the people he loves, unable to redeem himself? If this is my destiny, I...cannot do it.'" Tears spilled down her face.

"Hello. Why are you sad?" A small voice interrupted her. Alasse turned and saw Ruby! She quickly wiped her eyes.

"Ruby? What are you doing out here? You've been badly hurt, child." Alasse sputtered. "You should be in bed!"

"That's why I came to see you." Ruby said. Alasse patted a smaller stump next to her and Ruby sat down. "Papa and Momma and Lord Elrond are going to keep me in bed for a while they said. And that you are leaving tomorrow. I wanted to see you and say goodbye before I am not allowed out of my room."

"Oh." Alasse sighed. "They'll be looking for you."

"I know." Ruby said sheepishly.

"I am so sorry you got hurt, Ruby. That should not have happened to you. You know something? I have a scar too."

Ruby gaped at the princess. "You do? Were you attacked by a monster animal too?" She sputtered.

"No. I was wounded in battle, several months ago. It was very bad. I am better now, but I have a still have a scar to show what happened." Alasse explained.

"Where?" Ruby cocked her head. Alasse pointed to her stomach. "You too? Does it hurt?"

"It is not supposed to, but yes it does."

"Why?"

"Because I am very burdened for good King Elessar's well-being. We have reason to believe he is in some deep trouble, and that is why your friends were taken from home. The king of Gondor would never have sent someone to take you all away, you have my word on that! We are going to try to save him."

"Lord Eomer said that the king of Gondor is very good, and kind."

"That is right." Alasse smiled sadly.

"I will pray for him."

"Thank you, Ruby. And we will pray for you. I do hope you will completely heal and soon." Alasse squeezed her hand.

"Can I...can..."

"Yes?"

"Can I see your scar?" Ruby asked nervously. Alasse was taken aback.

"Why? I do not think that is a wise idea."

"Please. I did not know someone else had one. It helps me feel braver, knowing I'm not the only one." Ruby said. Alasse reluctantly nodded and carefully lifted her bodice so the child could see. Ruby grimaced sadly and Alasse quickly fastened her clothes back up. "That looked awful!"

"I did not want to scare you, Ruby. I should not have shown you that."

"I'm glad you showed me. You're a grownup. You're brave. It makes me feel brave too." Ruby smiled.

"Not as brave as Bellethiel." Alasse murmured.

"She is really brave! She saved me!"

"Yes, she is. I think she is really worried about you. Her sister died months ago, and she misses her. I think her being able to save you, helped her."

"It did? She lost her sister? That is terrible! I'm glad that I can help her. I want her not to be sad. Do you think she would like some flowers?"

Alasse smiled warmly. "You know something? I believe she would very much. But first, let me take you back to your house." Alasse said. Ruby was hurting and tired from her walk, so Alasse gently carried her back to her home.

"Ruby! Oh, thank God! There you are!" Ruby's mother gasped in relief when she opened the front door.

"Where have you been?" Her father demanded. "We were worried about you! Lord Elrond said you were to stay in bed!" Alasse passed Ruby to her mother.

"I know, Momma and Papa. I am sorry. I will not do it again." Ruby said contritely. "But I wanted to see the princess because I can't tomorrow because I will be in bed."

"You should've asked." Her father added, too relieved and saddened to be angry at her.

"Momma, can you help me pick some flowers before I go to bed?" Ruby begged.

"Why?" Her mother asked.

"For Captain Bellethiel, the elf lady who saved me. She is very sad because she misses her sister. I want to cheer her up and thank her by giving her a present." Ruby said.

"No walking. I will carry you." Her mother said firmly.

"Thank you for bringing her back, Your Highness!" Ruby's father smiled. Alasse nodded.

"I will go with you." Eomer insisted to Legolas and Gimli and Pippin.

"Nay, my good friend. Your people have just suffered a cruel blow, and you were just set free." Gimli argued. "They need you more than we do right now."

"Gimli is right, mellon." Legolas agreed. "But should we need your aid, we will call."

"And you shall have it." Eomer told them.

When Bellethiel wasn't organizing the troops or reporting to her royals, she was lost in her deep, troubled thoughts as she kept watch for any danger. Tears filled her eyes as she thought of little Ruby and what had almost happened, and what did happen to the poor child. Bellethiel was thinking about her sister and her sister's lover. The ache in her heart was still so sharply acute and sometimes she thought it would knock the very breath out of her! If not for her job, and her friendship with her king and his family, she still felt the longing to easily just fade and stop hurting. The desire was still there. Her job was what got her out of bed in the morning. Her goal was to save lives, and that was what she would do. But right now she still felt like she needed someone to save her!

The next day, the elves, Gimli and Pippin said goodbye to the people of Rohan who were deeply grateful to them. Ruby's father strode up to Bellethiel. "Captain? This is for you, from my daughter. She would be here if she could, but..." He said.

"I understand. She needs her rest." Bellethiel nodded. "I am so sorry for what happened. And I will pray for your family. I hope your daughter heals."

"Me too, my lady. Me too! Thank you for everything you and your people have done!" He beamed. Bellethiel gave a small smile. She looked towards Ruby's house and saw the little girl through the window, lying on a bed but waving. Bellethiel hurried over to the window.

"Goodbye, dear one. Be well." She said.

"Goodbye, Belle. Thank you for saving me. May I call you, Belle?" Ruby asked.

"If you like."

"You are my hero. I hope I see you again."

"You too. Bless you all." Bellethiel told her mother.

Tatsu was also weeping as they departed for the White City. It had been so hard for her to say goodbye to the children she'd grown so attached to and protective of the passed few days, and vice versa. "Cheer up, lass. I'm sure you'll see them again." Gimli encouraged her.

"I pray so, but I doubt it." Tatsu sniffled, wiping her eyes.

"Come, come. Can't have a fair lady like you looking like that." Gimli offered his handkerchief. Tatsu smiled and accepted it and returned it to him.

"Thank you, Master Dwarf. You are most kind."

As she rode along, Bellethiel opened the envelope and package Ruby's father had given her. There was a letter in Ruby's childish handwriting,

"Dear Belle,

You are so brave. I hope I can be like you someday. I'm glad we're friends now. I am so sorry you lost your sister. I do not have one, so I don't know what it feels like. It must be awful. Princess Alasse said that you miss her very much and it makes you sad. Well, I don't want you to be sad! I hoped you like the flowers. I picked them just for you! I'll miss you, my Belle, my hero. And I can't wait to see you again.

Love your forever friend,

Ruby"

Bellethiel wept reading the kind words. She opened the package to find lovely wildflowers of all kinds of colors. She nearly lost it altogether! The child's kindness touched her deeply, embalming the heavy ache in her heart. This was what made life worth living. For little Ruby's sake, she would strive not to fade, but to go on and save others like Ruby and make them proud.

Thranduil was not as pleased as he tried to appear. Yes, he'd given Alasse permission to go to Gondor. But he still wished nothing more than to keep her safely at home with him. He'd accepted that wasn't going to happen, but that didn't mean he had to be happy about it. Why should he be? She was his little girl and he loved her so much, her and Legolas with all that he was! Love could be such a killer at times.

Nearly everyone was serious-minded as they hurried to Gondor as quickly as possible. The sooner they arrived, the sooner they would find out what truly happened to Aragorn! Or...would they? He most likely wasn't even there, but being held a captive in another country thousands of miles away, maybe already dead! But they couldn't allow themselves to dwell on those ugly thoughts, at least not until they knew more. But it did not squelch the worry in their hearts.

Later the second evening, Alasse sought out Legolas. Her middle was beginning to nag a bit and she didn't want to tell them about it just yet. She finally found her brother, sharpening his white knives under a tree. It was the only way he could physically vent off his frustration and anxiety over his best friend. "Legolas?" She spoke softly.

"What is it, sister?" Legolas looked up glumly. His face of brooding turned to concern when he noticed she was hugging herself. "Alasse, what's wrong?" He asked worriedly, standing up. "Are you having another episode?" He didn't want to go through that again!

"Nay, gwuindor." Alasse reassured him. "But it does ache still. And...and more than before. Do you any herbs on you?"

"Yes." Legolas nodded warily. "But, darling, I think you should go see Elrond. Have you told him about this?"

"After my last episode, yes. But now, no."

"You should!" Legolas insisted.

"I will, Legolas. Just not now. Right now I just need something for the pain. To hold it at bay." Alasse said.

"Alasse..." Legolas started to argue.

"Legolas, I promise as soon as we reach Gondor and settle, I will go to Elrond and let him take care of me. But we have to get to Gondor first. I promise!"

Legolas glared, torn. "Here, these should help for a little while." He reached into his pack and handed her some pain-killing herbs.

"Thank you, brother. I will see Elrond, Legolas. But for now, I will bear it. Just, please don't tell Ada!"