It was close to dusk the next day when she reached the ruins in question. Although she wanted the purge the location of whatever was causing the creatures, she knew better than anyone not to enter a location such as this in darkness. She set up camp far enough away that she could rest while still get the visual range of the surrounding scenery.

The ruins were of an old elvish castle that was still standing against a cliff. Her Nana had told her stories of the elves that lived here in ancient times. As she got older she began to suspect that this is where some of her tribe originated from. They apparently had strong control over faë and some were even known to control the elements.

It was said that the ruler was given a ring that could increase his power, to the point where is could manipulate others into doing his bidding. This caused discord among some of his people and they split into factions of those who supported him and those who didn't. Those who opposed him refused to fight their kin and instead moved north to create a home elsewhere.

The ruler's new thirst for power led to wars against those around them, isolating themselves further from their other elven kin. The Valar saw the strife they were causing and struck the city. When the earth shook it caused some of the land to be swallowed and turned into the treacherous cliff behind the now ruins. Those that survived were forbidden to leave in order to not spread their cursed greed and thus gradually faded, as some elves were known to do.

As dawn broke the next day, Faelyn and the panthers prepared to enter the ruins. She fully intended to stay in the shadows as much as possible and fight from afar but she was aware there would be times when she would need to fight in close quarters.

Using the desolate bridge would allow her to be seen too easily, so moving closer to the east of the ruins she was able to use the trees as camouflage and tree walk on to the outer stone walls. The walls were crumbling in areas and she was able to use this to scope out the lower levels.

She could see the spiders nestle into the shadows and made note of the areas of webbing, not wanting to get caught in those. At hearing a noise within the lower left area of the courtyard, Faelyn turned her vision towards it and realised that there were also orcs present. She would have to act quickly as she didn't know how many of those creatures could be here, but from the information she was getting from the panthers, there were about fifty in total, orcs and spiders included. Notching her bow, she would take out the spiders while Nikita and Ren would attack the orcs. Faelyn let a breath out and released the first of many arrows.

Time seemed to blend into one as they fought against the creatures, it could have been seconds, minutes or hours, it didn't matter. Unfortunately there were more spiders than arrows in her quiver, so jumping off a high bolder she flipped, landing with a sickening crack on a creature below. Blowing the wisps of crimson hair from her face, she grabbed her short swords from the sheaths at her hips and rushed into the battle. Ducking as the first orc swung his axe she used her blade to carve its way across its stomach. She darted around the next and sliced its neck open, hearing it gurgle as blood spilled from the open wound.

Picking up an axe she threw it at the head of one attacking Nikita. Using her speed, Faelyn darted around the others, cutting down as many orcs as she could. She was attacked by two orcs flanking her. The orc in front sliced through the air, his great axe aiming for her neck. Bringing both swords up she blocked, keeping her legs in a defensive stance she leaned back, absorbing the weight on her back leg while letting the momentum move her out of the path of the orc attacking from behind. Using his weight against him, she pushed him back, dropping him to the floor with a swinging kick that took his feet out from under him. With a quick flick of her ankle, the secret dagger in her boot popped out and she used it to kick the second orc in the head. As the orc crumpled, the other struggled to get to his feet, not quick enough though as she swirled and slit his throat, not bothering as she felt the warmth of his blood as it sprayed her face and neck.

Faelyn suddenly had to duck and roll as a large axe swung for her head, jumping to her feet she spun to see an ogre had joined the fray. She danced around the fight in an attempt to dodge his attacks but it moved with speed she didn't expect from a large axe wielding oaf. Ducking to escape a mid-air attack she flipped to her feet with only seconds to spare. She blocked the second hit from the axe but the force sent her backwards. The air flew out of her lungs as she hit the stone pillar. Black spots appeared as she head hit the cold stone.

Ren had just ripped the throat of an orc and jumped to latch on to the arm of the ogre in an attempt to distract it from Faelyn. Swinging its arm about it sent Ren flying into a stone wall, but Ren gracefully used the surface to send it straight back at the ogre, jumping back only to get into a defensive stance in front of the elleth. She was able to clear her vision just in time to see the axe slice through Ren's skin as he blocked another attack aimed at her. In a rage, she summoned the vines in the area to wrap around and restrain the beast. Normally she use this form of magic in battle as it took much of her concentration, thankfully the remaining creatures had been dispatched. As strong as the ogre was, it couldn't match with the force of the vines pulling at him. Down on its knees it was at eye level with Faelyn and with a roar she plunged her swords up through the base of its head and tore her arms outwards, thus completely decapitating the beast.

Faelyn had left the ruins a little worse for wear. She had healed the deep wound Ren had sustained from the damn ogre and thankfully both she and Nikita were only in a desperate need of a bath. Unfortunately she had been unable to gather any information on where the creatures were coming from or why orcs had suddenly appeared in the area.

Intent on keeping her promise to the little elfling, she made her way back through the woods. When she reached a river she decided to stop for the night and use the opportunity to bathe and oil her armour.

Once clean she rested in her small clothes against an ageing tree. As with some elves she was able to communicate with trees and this one told her stories of the elves that lived in the forest, kind and caring, as they had taken her children and planted their acorns in other parts of the wood.

Faelyn lightly slumbered until the chill in the air fully roused her and using the last rays of sunlight she oiled and wiped down her armour before dressing. Unpacking some food for her and her panthers, they quietly ate before curling up together and slept undisturbed for the night.

Once morning hit, she donned her weapons and continued on her way to meet with Legolas. Chuckling to herself, she knew that the elfling had her wrapped around his finger from the first meeting.

Her journey was uneventful and as she entered the clearing on the ninth morning she was tackled by a delighted little elfling. Faelyn decided that this was the Valar's way of telling her that she needed some time to rest both her body and soul.

"You came back!"

"I promised you I would, didn't I?"

Looking up from his place on her lap when he had tackled her to the floor, his big blue eyes held uncertainty.

"Yes, but some times adults forget their promises. Then I thought you said those things just so I would leave..."

Lightly capturing his chin between her fingers, Faelyn gave his head a little shake before turning it a little further up so he would look directly into her eyes when she spoke.

"Las, I don't make promised I can't keep and I never forget them. So I'll make this promise right now, I promise that if you ever need me, I'll be right there."

Faelyn watched as the little elfling's eyes watered up before he snuggled into her, she suspected it was to hide his tears. Nikita then decided that it was her turn for attention and she nudged at Legolas until he was lying on his back on the grass and she ungracefully flopped on top of him causing him to giggle.

Faelyn watched the panthers play with Legolas for the next hour. They climbed trees, chased each other and then all three decided they would try sneak up on her as she had been sitting for far too long. Faelyn had initially been surprised by the panther's interaction with Legolas as they didn't like others but Legolas seemed to have captured part of their hearts, much like he had her own.

Faelyn observed Legolas from where she was squatting on a high branch, hidden by shadows. The wind gently tousled his shoulder length blonde hair as he braced himself against the trunk of the tree she was in and peered around, looking for her. Confusion suddenly marred her features as she could tell that the tree was trying to tell him where she was hiding but he showed no inclination of being able to hear the maple. Although he was an elfling he should be showing some signs that he knew the tree was trying to reach out.

Dropping silently down behind him, Faelyn quickly caught him off guard and lifted him to spin around, loving the childish sound of his laughter.

"Got you!"

"No fair Fae! You don't make any sound at all!"

Looping her arms under his so he was kept close but not touching the floor, she made big waddling steps towards where their bags were under the tree, causing Legolas to laugh some more.

"Come, let us eat something. I could hear your stomach growl louder than a panther's roar!"

Setting her cloak on the floor so they could sit in relative comfort, Faelyn proceeded to hand Legolas meat for him to give to Nikita and Ren while she took out the fruit and water skin for them. After Legolas ate a handful of berries and two apples before guzzling down some water, Faelyn thought it was time to ask a question that had plagued her.

"Las, do you know how to communicate with the trees?"

Tilting his head to the side, he simply peered up at her, "No. Can you do that? Should I be able to do that?"

Bringing her hand to her face, she covered her eyes with her palm.

"So I'm guessing you didn't feel anything when I was sitting in the maple tree and she was trying to tell you where I was?"

"I felt... something? That's why I thought you were hiding behind the trunk..."

"Has no one ever taught you about these skills?"

Looking down, Legolas simply stared at his hands before shaking his head.

"Grandpa is always very busy and Ada is away a lot. Aliniva is my tutor but she only makes me learn things in books. She's not very nice, so I don't ask her things."

"What about your Nana?"

"Ada said she went to a better place, somewhere safer..."

So his mother was no longer in Middle Earth, this was quite surprising for surely no elleth would leave her child at such a young age. Peering down, a question flew from her lips before she could stop it.

"Would you like me to teach you?"

Stunned and awed blue eyes suddenly stared up at her, "Would you? Yes! Please! I'll be the best student ever! Promise!"

Suppressing a laugh at his enthusiasm, "I have no doubt of that little one. We shall start tomorrow, for you should head back for now as some elves inside have begun to search for you."

"How do you know that?"

"The trees speak to each other and the maple from earlier just told me. Off you go, I will meet you here in the morning."

With that Legolas jumped up and gave her a hug before running back into the city.