That day had a strange feel to it. Elthian could not quite put his finger on it. The weather was not particularly bad. It was a partly cloudy day. Warmer than it had been in previous days. New spring grasses and flowers had begun to bloom in the open patches of the forest they traveled through.

There were new buds and small leaves adorning the trees and she sat upon the horn of his saddle enjoying the fresh warm breeze and sunlight when it fell upon her. He began to notice the fauna of the land coming closer to them. They drawn to her and curious to see her. Though they did their best to stay at a safe distance.

"I am going to scout ahead." Narl announced and rode ahead.

"I wish I could fly." She sighed.

"You can not Melamin. You know that." Elthian spoke softly.

Her response was another sigh. Minol rode up beside them and looked at her from the corner of his eye. "Little Flower," He said with a smile. "In a short time you will be able to fly so much you will tire of it."

"I will never tire of it." She said with a frown.

Soon Narl came back at full gallop. "Orc heading our way. Not my kind either."

Elthian scooped her up and looked her in the eye. "No matter what do not go big. You find a place to hide and stay there. They can not see you. We do not know what manner of spies are with them."

She gave him a nod and with a flutter of her wings she darted into the thickest part of the trees. He untied the cart horses lead from his saddle and dismounted. Their horses under the command of Loratha now. The meara would do his best to keep his herd safe.

Elthian joined Finnola, Narl and Minol. They found hiding places behind large boulders and trees. They listened to the approach of the orc. Their scent beginning to fill the air. Narl had them in sight and with hand signals he told them how many he saw. There was 12 of them he could see and they were spread out.

Surprise would be their advantage. They prepared to attack but then they could feel the quivering of the ground. All of their eyes went wide. Narl took another look and just by his reaction they knew there was something large with them.

Juniper was desperately looking for a hidey hole. It was the chipmunks that lead her to their den high in a evergreen. She closed her eyes and felt the earth through the trees deep roots. She could feel the quivering and hear the song of the forest changing.

Minol who was closest to Elthian sighed and whispered. "I will take on the beast. You just make sure to kill every one of those filthy orc." With that he was gone. It was as if he just vanished right before Elthian's eyes. He had no time to think about it now. The orc were very close.

They heard a roar then then yells of the orc. When they burst from their hiding places to attack and they were greeted by the sight of Minol doing battle with one of the huge foul creations of the dark lord. Quickly the orcs attention was on them and they were in the thick of the battle.

Minol's battle began to move away into the forest. The large beast breaking through the trees and taking large powerful swipes at Minol with its large claws. The beast was at least 15 feet tall perhaps more. It was so hideous Minol could not really make out what it was created from.

Minol never carried a weapon. Though he was often seen using one he could grab from near by. He generally could dispatch a foe with his bare hands but every blow he made did not seem to even make a mark on this beast. He went to the forest floor and lifted a large fallen branch from the litter of the forest and with a few words the branch turned into a lance.

Once more he took to the air and now the blows he made left large gashes on the beasts flesh. The closer they got to the horses the more spooked they became. Loratha kept them together and moved them away but the cart horses was so filled with terror when the beast fell and shook the ground that it darted off away from the group and disappeared into the trees.

The beast rose again and roared so loud it would have burst the ears of a mortal, Minol was unfazed. It's movements became more erratic. Swinging it's arms and stumbling. Juniper had been peeking from her hiding place and as she saw the beast stumbling towards their tree. Quickly she scooped up two small nearly hairless kits and along with the mother and a few other chipmunks she had called on they carried them from the den just as the beast hit their tree and the trunk began to snap. They leap to a neighboring tree's branch and run along it as the large evergreen fell behind them.

Minol was aware of her and where she was. He got distracted for a second by her run for safety with the chipmunks and took a hard hit that sent him flying into the trunk of a large tree. Hitting it hard he slid to the ground but stayed upright. With his lance in hand he growled and with a mighty leap he took to the air and flapped his wings once for even more power. The lance was driven into the beasts chest piercing its heart and it fell with a loud thud. He then fell to the ground and rests upon his knees . His arm around his ribs and he coughed up blood.

Juniper looked down on him as she carried the kits and stopped. A gasp passed her lips as she watched him on his knees. One hand pressed to the ground. His fleshy wings slumped downward. His long dark hair shrouded his face from view but she could see the blood that dripped to the ground. She was looking for a place to lay the kits when he spoke to her mind. 'NO! Hide, hide now there is more coming. I am already healing Little Flower.'

Her lips tremble as she does as she is told and runs along the branches of the tree to hide with her forest friends.

Finnola splattered with the black blood of the orc's continued her fight. The sound of the fight had brought more of them and now much to her horror warg joined in the battle. She could not us dragonsfang in these conditions. Not with so many so close and her friends so near.

They were being over run. Narl covered in sweat and blood ended up back to back with her. "Use it." He said to her. "If you do not we will all surely die or be captured." He swung his axe cleaving one of the warg.

Elthian was fighting valiantly even with many wounds. His blood running down across his face and mixing with the black blood splattered there across his cheeks. Finnola still spearing her foes looked around. "If I do I can not keep you from being swept up too." Her voice cracked as she spoke to Narl.

Their situation was desperate. Even as Minol burst back into the battle it was obvious they were losing. She lifted the dragonsfang and Narl protected her from attack as she began to spin it.

The suddenly the orc turned and the sound of many hooves was heard. Mounted warriors rode around them. Their armor was elvish and the swords glowed blue. The four bloodied and beaten fighters watched with wide eyes as these elves slew orc and warg with ease. They also surrounded the four and held them at lance point. "Throw down your weapons." They were commanded none complied. The lances moved closer then and finally they lay down their weapons.

The circle of lances widened a bit as one of the elves rode forward. "Who are you?" He asked them. Minol was the one to answer. "That we can say unless we know you are friend and not foe."

"I am Caranthir and You are the demon." He said with a grin to Minol. Now Minol relaxed and Caranthir dismounted his horse and approached. With a wave of his hand the lances were withdrawn

"I am the Demon Minol. We are..."

Minol was cut off as the name that was given began to stir anger in Elthian. "Kinslayer," he hissed and with one sweeping movement his sword was lifted back into his hand and he was charging for Caranthir.

"Elthian NO!" Minol yelled but it was not heard by Elthian and within seconds Elthian's and Caranthir's swords clashed.

"Stay back I will deal with him." Caranthir commanded his troops.

Then began a duel. Elthian out matched by they returned Caranthir, who was blessed with strength and power by the Valar, was soon on the ground Caranthir's sword poised to end him.

Suddenly he was blinded by a great light and the word "STOP!" thundered forth pushing him back and making him cover his ears. The horses of his troops threatened to bolt and the troops winced back in pain and covered their ears some dropping their weapons.

His vision was haloed when he opened his eyes but he could see her. This small creature that would only come up to his hip, with her wings and arms out stretched standing between him and the insolent elf that dared attack him. "There has been enough blood shed today and I will not allow you to harm him." She regarded this extremely tall elf with dark hair and pale eyes. He would have towered over Thranduil had he been there but she showed no sign of being intimidated by him. The look in her lavender eyes was firm.

He stepped back as the fauna of the forest joined her. Deer, marten, mink, badger and even the smaller tree dwellers came to her aid. The growl of predators was heard in the trees announcing their presence as well.

"What are you?" He said softly and stared at her in wonder.

"For that answer you need to take us to your King." Minol said and smiled. "He is expecting us."

Finnola and Narl grinned to each other and picked up their weapons. A few of the elves were eyeing Narl. "You will do good not to even think about harming him." Finnola told them and now their attention was on the largest woman they had ever seen. Her height matching that of their Kings. "He is my brother and I will not take kindly to ill thoughts about him."

Elthian rose and sheathed his sword. Juniper leaned against him and wrapped her arms around him. Caranthir could only stare in wonder. Especially when right before his eyes she became even smaller and sat in the hand of the elf who attacked him.

"Lets get the horses." Elhtian said to her and his hard gaze at Caranthir finally turned away.

They went to find the horses. Stopping near the corpse of the beast Minol had slain. Elthian whistled loudly to call Loratha. Soon the meara returned with his herd minus the cart. "Where is the cart my friend?" Elthian asked to be answer by a grunt and the motion of his head to the left.

"We will go look for it." One of the elves said and moved away with 2 others. Finnola and Narl were sat down and having the worst of their wounds tended. Caranthir kept his distance but watched Elthian and the tiny winged woman.

Soon the elves were returning but with no cart. "I am sorry but your cart has been destroyed and the horse slain. It burns not far off. I hope there wasn't anything important in it."

Elthian shook his head. "Just our supplies." Juniper began to weep for the horse.

Now Elthian was being tended. He spoke with the elf that was cleaning his wounds. "How is it you came upon us?" He asked.

"We have been tracking and killing small bands of orc's and wargs for days. Trying to keep the way clear for our host. I am Vorondil. " He said and applied something that stung to Elthian's head wound making him hiss and wince. "Sorry."

"I am Elthian and this is Juniper." He said and lifted his hand a bit so she could be seen a bit better.

"It is lovely to meet you Lady Juniper." He spoke to her as he glanced from his work a moment.

"Like wise Vorondil." she said with a small smile and wiped tears from her eyes with the backs of her hands. "Where do you come from?"

Vorondil chuckled. "That I am sure will be answered when you meet with my King."

Elthian sat there listening to the chatter but his eyes were on the kin slayer. He had many questions as well. One of them being where they were from as well as how is it a long dead kin slayer was their rescuer.

"Elthian." Vorondil said softly and lay his hand on his shoulder. "I can understand your disgust but hear me out." Elthian looked into the green eyes of this elf with golden hair that was twisted into locks and tied back from his face. "Caranthir is returned and forgiven by the valar. Just as I am. Please give us a chance to make amends for our wrongs. Our past actions disgust us too."

Elthian's eyes widened as he now looked on Vorondil in a different light. He wrapped Elthians head then and helped him to his feet.

They rode with the elves for most of the day. Juniper laying on Loratha's mane groaned softly. "I am hungry Elthian." He looked on her then looked to Vorondil a bit ahead of him. He urged Loratha forward and slowed beside his new friend.

"She is hungry. We have not eaten since the morning meal very early today." He said as lowly as he could.

"We will be there soon but in the mean time." He reached into one of the saddle bags and pulled out a small package wrapped in cloth. "Share this." He handed it over to Elthian. "Though she may need to be a bit bigger to eat it. "

"Thank you." Elthian said and Juniper rose and walked down along Lorathas neck to the saddle and she lowered down before Elthian. His cloak pulled around her She grew in size hidden away. The package pulled within the cloak.

"Oh Vorondil this is amazing thank you so much." She said and he could only hear her but not see her. "What kind of cheese is this?"

"It's made from the milk of the mountain goats. We have tamed them down enough so we can milk them but they remain wild and free." He answered and chuckled as she made sounds of pleasure within Elthian's cloak.

A small hand poked out and held a bit of the cheese up to Elthian's lips. "Try it Melamin." She said softly. He took the cheese from her finger tips and her hand disappeared back inside.

"That is good." He said and felt her wiggling happily against him as she ate.

"Melamin?" Vorondil asked and looked over with an arched brow.

Elthian felt a bit of heat in his cheeks and cleared his throat. "Yes well, it's a long story. Perhaps I will tell you someday."

The sun was beginning to lower in the sky when the first sign of the elven host was seen. It was a dark line the stretched for as far as Elthian could see as he looked right and left. He arm tightened around the small warm form hidden inside his cloak.

"Are these all elves?" He asked Vorondil.

"Oh no there are men and peredhel there too." He was watching Elthian's reaction from the corner of his eye. He gazing a bit slack jawed at what he saw.

Finnola rode up beside him now. "This is a huge army Elthian. Perhaps bigger than the Kings." She said and looked to him. "How can this be?"

Elthian shook his head. "I suppose we will be finding out soon enough." He shook Juniper gently." Melamin, look."

Her small head lifted just barely from his cloak. She rubbed at her eyes with small fingers. "What is that?" Her voice rose just barely.

"That is an army." He lowered his lips to whisper against her ear.

The army was stopping for the night and had begun preparations by the time they began to ride amongst them. Caranthir's company stopped and several elves and men came to help them with their horses.

Juniper went small and crawled into her pouch and trembled nervously. Her small head peeked up as Elthian and the others were being lead through the camp by Caranthir. She did not recognize any of the banners she saw. The one that was most prominent looked like a pinwheel surrounded by 4 large stars to her thought she could not get a good look at it. The one Caranthir and his troops wore looked like a star on fire.

Her ear turned towards the sounds on conversation. Many of them she decided were in quenya. She only understood a few words of quenya, melamin being one of them. She even heard the language of her own people being spoken but now it was called easternese. the most common tongue she heard was westron. It seemed to be the common language for all of these people.

Her eyes drifted up over the back of Caranthir. Elthian called him a Kinslayer. This meant he was somehow involved in the killing of his own kind. The kin slayings she had learned about happened very long ago.

He was very tall. Much taller than even Elthian which meant he was taller than Thranduil. His hair was long and dark and she watched it swish against the bottom of his armor. They all stopped and he turned to his side to speak with another ellon. His words were in quenya so she could not understand what was being said.

She looked over his profile. His face was long and masculine. His cheekbones were high and his eyes while light like Elthian's and Thranduil's held a fire to them she had a hard time finding the words for. To say he was fair would be an understatement. Now he turned towards them and was speaking to the guards that were around them. His words she did not understand but the tone was tense. Then his gaze fell on her. They way he looked at her made her uncomfortable and she found herself ducking back down into the safety of the pouch until she felt Elthian moving once more.

She peeked out again. They were passing many tents in various stages of construction. The men and elves worked together and were quick about it. Watching the camp being set made her thoughts drift off to Thranduil. She could feel him of course. Yet what she felt from him was rather non emotional. It was as if that part of him was cut off. It was hard to tell how he was doing other than being alive, which was a blessing but she had to wonder how he really was.

They stopped again and the flap of a large tent was pulled back. Soon they were moving inside. She ducked down a little and braved to take a peek when the light level changed to dim.

Several elves were bent over a table looking at something and her eyes fell on one she knew and was so happy to see. "Elrond!" The name passed her lips before she realized she had blurted it out and she squeaked and slapped her hands over her lips.

Every elf turned to look at Elthian who put his hands up palms out and he shook his head. "Wasn't me." He said softly.

Elrond's gaze was wide eyed as he looked on Elthian, Finnola, Minol and Narl. Then slowly His gaze lowered to see the gentle glow of the pixie peeking from a pouch Elthian wore. "Juniper? It is a joy and a relief to see you all have made it."

"Oh Elrond I am so happy to see you..." Her words trailed off when she realized now all the eyes that had been on Elthian were now on her. "Oh I am sorry. I.. uh sorry." She lowered down out of sight.

"We found them being attacked by one of the enemies parties. They were almost over run when we arrived." Caranthir explained.

"I see." The voice that now spoke was rather deep and one she had never heard before. "You might as well come out little fae and meet us." The voice said and Elthian opened the pouch up making the light within much brighter. His was looking down on her with a comforting smile. Then his hand reached in and she crawled onto his fingers.

She was lifted from the safety she felt and out into a world of strangers who looked on her with shock and maybe even a little awe. She rose up and stepped off Elthian's fingers and when she landed she was at her full height. Stepping back she pressed against Elthian who's hands rested on her shoulders and squeezed a bit.

Now all these elves gathered looked on this strange mismatch group. A giantess, an orc, an elf, a demon and something that was not supposed to exist. The tallest of them stepped around the table and walked towards her. She pressed even harder against Elthian. He had to steady himself as he looked up to this mountain of an elf.

He smiled to Elthian then lowered his gaze and crouched down so that he was a bit more on her level. She looked into the light silver of his eyes finding kindness within them. His long silver hair framed his gentle features. There was much about him than reminded her so much of Thranduil. Upon his head was a circle of silver filigree that held several sparkling white jewels.

His voice was the deep one that she had heard before. He took her small hand into his very large hand. "I am Elu Thingol my Lady. I am the King of Cuivienen." He pressed soft kiss to the back of her hand. "I must say You are far more fair than any words could have described."

She swallowed hard as her purple gaze saw no darkness or deceit in this ellon yet she felt so small next to him even with him lowered down as he was. In fact all these eastern elves were so tall. There she stood in her simple plain white dress, her bare dirty feet with her golden hair all a mess. There was a bit of dirt smeared across one cheek and she inhaled deeply as she worked up the courage to speak to this great king.

"I am Juniper Queen of the Woodland Realm. I am very pleased to meet you, Elu Thingol."

She smiled then and his smile widened. He released her hand and rose then stepped back. His hand sweeps out towards those gathered. "This is Inglor Lord of the House of the Golden Flower." The tall golden haired elf smiled and bowed his head to her. Finnola's eyes widened and she stared at him. His title making her gasp.

"This is Fingon my chief advisor." He motioned to a dark haired elf with deep blue eyes. That name made Elthian gasp softly and his hands tremble upon her shoulders. He bowed his head to her as well.

"Captains Curufin and Celegorm," He motioned to the elf with the chestnut hair then the one with golden hair. These names brought out more tension in Elthian.

"and this is the General of my armies Maedhros." He motioned to the second tallest elf in the tent. The one standing beside Elrond. He felt everything then from Elthian. His unease, his disgust, and the want to leave yet he forced himself to stay. She gathered than these were kin slayers as well by his reaction to them.

"Nice to meet you all." It was Rowena's influence that she was feeling. Giving her strength and courage to do her duty as a Queen in those moments. She smiled to them then looked to her companions. "The fellow on the end with the wings and horns is Minol. I will call him the Mastermind." Minol chuckled and Elrond could not help but roll his eyes.

"Now the fellow on the other end is my dear friend Narl of the first orc. I would appreciate it if your people did not harass him or treat me badly for being an orc. I assure you he is quite different from the enemy." She smiled as eyes shifted to Narl who stood rather proudly.

"The tall and lovely lady to my right is Finnola my guard and wife of Glorfindel." Now much made since to Inglor as he looked on her and nodded.

She reached back and lay a hand atop of Elthian's. "This is Elthian he is, " She paused as she thought for just a moment then smiled. " he is King consort."

This made those present gasp and look to each other. Even the King's brows raised and he looked with wide eyes on Elthian. Elrond groaned softly and pressed his palm to his face. Things had just become complicated.