It had been a victory for Thingol and the eastern elves. Yet the damage made it feel less like one. The healing tents were filled and they had to use others, even the war tent was emptied and then filled with wounded. Thingol was among them, he healing as many as he could. There would be many more losses before the night was through. They had signed up for this and the realities of war were not lost on a single one of them.

Thingol healed many, he worked until he was nearly utterly drained and could no longer stand. He could barely walk from the tent when he was forced to stop. He looked around to see many kings at work. Even if they served under him now they were still kings none the less and the hands of a king are healing hands. Just as he was about to walk fully into the cool night breeze the loudest of all the patients called out to him.

"My Lord, please just a moment."

Thingol sighed and turned to see Glorfindel half naked hurrying after him.

"My Lord, I require your assistance. I have broken ribs yes but I have had worse and these healers will not allow me to leave with my wife." He suddenly turned around and locked eyes with a rather stern faced female a human no less. "No Minerva." He held up his hand then looked to the King. " Please my Lord she wishes to prod me more."

Thingol rubbed at the bridge of his nose with two long fingers then sighed deep and long. "Minerva is your name is it." He smiled pleasantly to her. "You are of the healers and this is your patient I will not interfere with your treatment."

The color drained from Glorfindel's face and he looked to the King in disbelief then anger. "Fine Thingol. I see where your loyalties lie. " He shoved a finger out and shook it. "One day you will be in a bad position just like this one and I shall give you no aid." Minerva was a rather stout young woman. Very tall for a human, soon she was ushering Glorfindel back to his cot. He protested the whole way.

Thingol leaned against Maedhros once he was outside. "I trust you to deal with everything Mellon, I fear I may sleep for 3 days."

"If you do all will be taken care of when you wake. If I did not do my best your wife might truly do harm to me." This made Thingol chuckle. He needed a bit of humor to make it easier to walk to his tent.

The mid day meal. It was the meal she often looked forward to the most. It meant she would get to be off the horse and on the ground. Juniper eagerly ate everything she was given and chatted with her companions. She overserved everything too. Like the fact Minol and Celegorm had gotten closer. They now stood off to the side talking about something. Curufin in the mean time sat down with Her, Elthian and Vorondil.

"Hopefully tonight we will have some fresh meat. That is if Minogos and Beleg are lucky." Curufin remarks as he looks at another strip of dry meat in his hand.

Celegorms attention was focused in on a point in the forest. Minol sprang into action and the screams and cries of something small were heard. Everyone stood up and looked towards the trees where Minol emerged and held up a young child by his pants.

Juniper ran forward quickly. "Minol be gentle its just a child."

Minol held the wriggling crying and fighting beast up to see that indeed it was a child. Suddenly he held it further out as if it were disgusting. "It stinks." He grumbled and placed the child down just as Juniper reached them. She threw her arms around then and pulled them in close. "Shhhhh shhhhh you are safe now." The child struggled for just a moment then realized they were being comforted and not hurt. It was not long before Juniper was being clung to and sobbed on.

The child was a boy and his name was Gyp. Gyp sat under a warm blanket by the fire and devoured everything he was given and he drank a near a whole skin of water. Juniper sat with her arm around him and listened as Turin spoke with him. He being the only other human there.

"The monsters came 3 nights ago. Big bugs and things with fangs and claws. Lots were hurt bad and they took everything. Please help us." Gyp begged Turin.

"There is a village not far away that we can take the survivors. We have coins so we can pay to help them." Vorondil said softly from where he stood near by.

"Just make camp here for the night and Vorondil and I will take a few horses and we will give these people aid." Elthian said with a look to Juniper.

"I will go too. They will trust a human more. The fewer elves that go the better. These humans are suspicious with good cause." Turin looked to them." Beleg is still off with Minogos hunting. Tell him where we have gone when he returns. We will be back later tonight. "

"Elthian I need you here tonight." Juniper said with a tremble to her voice.

"I need Elthian to go with me. I can not leave you here and take Curufin or Celegorm. The strongest need to be with you." Turin lowered his gaze .

"I will be back. If not im sure Minol will be thrilled but I will be back Melamin." He assured her but at the same time left a door open.

Juniper nodded gently and smiled to Gyp. "There you are little one. You were brave and you found us. Now you bring help to your people. Your mind can rest." She cupped his cheeks and then pulled him in for another hug.

Juniper stood with Minol and watched as Elthian along with Vorondil and Turin rode off with Gyp towards his village. Minol lay his hand on her shoulder and felt her lean against him. "He will be back tonight Little Flower. He would never leave you in my clutches." Minol chuckled.

She sighed and lowered her gaze after several moments. "I am more concerned about the people they are going to help. 3 days ago Minol. I am afraid they will find a hopeless situation."

The bag was tossed carelessly on the floor. Beside it was a pool of black foul blood. 3 weeks ago he had sent out 2 large forces to deal with the threat that was coming for him. To the north of his position he sent Grish Kragor with a most terrible force. Along with his General he sent His sword. Now his sword returns with less than half of his force and the head of his general in a bag.

In his powerful hand was the matted wet hair of Grish. "How is it that You have returned and brought me this?" Melkor hissed towards his pet.

"Was it your wish for me to die too Master?" He asked and his voice cracked a bit. His golden eyes widened their gaze upon him. When Melkor looked on him he paused for a moment to recognize the actual look of grief in those glittering orbs.

"Did I send you off with the design of killing you off? Oh my boy, my pet. Unfortunately you are mine and are bound to me deeply. You do not get the gift of death. Now tell me how is it you survived with as many as you did?"

Drannor looked down and sighed. A curtain of his flame colored hair fell to shroud his expression in shadow. "You told me they had their monsters. The only other Vala I have ever met was you Master. You the mightiest of them all. You did not tell me just how frightening they are. I watched as Orome took on the Balrog. He used Glorfindel and Gandalf like extensions of himself. When the orc were confronted with just great light they ran and I was forced to leave with them. Grish had gone a different path I was not even near when he fell."

Melkor stood there staring down into the lifeless eyes of Grish before he growled and tossed the head into the flames of the hearth. He seemed lost for words. It was as if suddenly he was putting puzzle pieces together. His eyes narrowed and he looked slowly towards the end of the corridor to his left.

"Zo Kordh (my sword) I think the real monster will be in the west. Thranduil needs to know fear doesn't he. That is what you wanted me to do. Send him what he fears. Take Gostir and meet up with the other troops. Send for yours as well. Lets make this a party shall we. " Melkor grinned to his pet.

Drannor for the moment was breathless. His brows arching at all the possibilities that were lain before him. "Gladly Master, The most bloody battle will be fought in the west. I take it you have idea's for these Eastern Elves? " Drannor was rising from his seat and preparing to depart.

"Lets see what happens, I will let you know soon enough."

Half way to the village the group split up. Elthian with Turin and Gyp. Vorondil would ride to the town and secure help for the people. They rode rather hard and fast and poor Gyp clung to Turin's chest. The boy clearly scared but relieved to be bringing help. They stopped on a hill that over looked a valley. Towards the other side of it lay the village. Even from there they could see the damage. Only a few huts remained standing. There was smoke from small fires and desperate humans looking towards the two riders on horses.

They urged the horses down the hill and into the valley. The people began to scatter and hide. Gyp scoot himself forward and lifted his hands in the air. "I got us help don't be scared. They are here to help." He called out and a few heads peeked from their hiding places.

Turin did most of the speaking. Elthian was gawked at. They found 20 people alive . 8 of them were wounded and needed better care than what they were getting. Turin looked to the young girls and boys that stood back from them. "I need Althelas. You might call it Kingsfoil." One of the girls found her voice. "What does it look like?"

Turin smiled and took a pouch from his saddle and opened it up as he walked towards her. Inside he had some dried Althelas. He showed her the leaves and the flowers. The other children gathered around and looked and soon enough he had a whole team out looking for it.

Elthian grinned as he found Turin to be wise. Giving the children a job made them feel important and helpful. "Etlthian get more wood and build up these fires. I need a lot of hot water. Boil it in whatever you can find. Can some of you help him? I promise he will not bite." Elthian smiled to the 2 young men and the lady that offered to help him.

Turin immediately began to treat the wounded. He was kind and gentle with them. His level of compassion was bar none. WIthin a few hours He had treated most of the wounded and done what he could. He had plenty of kingsfoil now and the people had some light return to their eyes. Vorondil arrived late in the afternoon. With him he brought a small cart and a healer with his daughter.

They decided to only move the wounded first . Those that were able bodied would stay behind for now. However, In the cart was supplies and they would be warm and well fed that night. The town was coming together to help them and soon some men from the town came to help and guard the survivors until the next day. The sun was dipping low on the horizon by the time they were half way to the town with the wounded.

She watched the sun lower in the sky and the colors change to dusky pinks and teal. It was a beautiful sunset. Curufin was trying to distract her, he telling her stories about his childhood under the light of the trees. To be honest it was working and she found herself hanging on his words and the smooth gentle flow of his voice soothing.

He watched as the color of her hair began to change as the suns light faded. His words trailed off for a few seconds as the beauty he was witnessing hit him. Her lavender eyes shift to look at him. "Forgive me my Lady." He spoke softly and lowered his gaze.

Now she bore an incredulous look and shook her head. "What for Curufin? Looking at me? Goodness everyone would do nothing but beg forgiveness if looking at me was harmful. Curufin.." Her light hearted banter shifting a bit into a more gentle tone. "If Elthian does not make it back before the moon rises and..." She was cut off by the audible gasp from his lips.

"My Lady we still have time before we need to consider other options."

"Curufin, the time we do have is little now. Minol may not be able to because of a promise he made and I think Celegorm will be busy with him. "

Curufin was not new to this act. He at one point had a wife and a child. She was alluring and attractive to him. Yes he wanted to say loudly yet he held back.

"We will cross that bridge once we are there Mellon. "

She turned and began to wander back towards the camp. Curufin following her. She changed the subject thankfully and began to talk about Valinor again. They settled near the fire and for once she seemed uninterested in eating and the conversation seemed to drift away. Her silver hair spilled down around her . She lay her cheek against her drawn up knees.

Gently Curufin began to sing to her and slowly he began to weave a spell of calm about the small fae. The sky grew dark and the stars began to shine brightly down on them. The sing helping her to remain almost serene in the moments before the moon would begin to rise and everything she felt became intense.

"Minol told me that before the sun and the moon rose in the sky we fae were not affected like this. Those born under starlight were not bound to the moon. That he and I were among those last children born here because of that. Apparently even to my own people I would be strange." She spoke without lifting her head or moving.

"I will Juniper. I will help you if it comes down to that. It would not be something horrible nor distasteful . I would be honored to be honest. I just did not wish to seem too eager. Now do I find you strange? Yes I find you strange. You are curious and kind, beautiful, gentle, genuine and I am drawn to you. Every elf that lays eyes on you Juniper is drawn to you. Even Celegorm and Thingol. It would not surprise me if Maedhros forsook Elrond for you. Yet you seem to feel as if you are not worthy. You seem to think You are not beautiful nor kind. I have watched you since the moment you arrived." Her eyes lifted and she looked at him and watched his expression as he spoke. " Every single one of us is jealous of Thranduil and Elthian. What makes them so special? Then here I am being offered a dream and I managed to make it sound as if I was repulsed and I apologize for that. I find that age does not always mean wisdom."

She pushed herself up and smiled at him as his head tilted back and he looked up to her. Her small soft hands cupped his cheeks and she lowed her lips down to press them to his forehead. "I was not offended by your being cautious Curufin. I was not offended at all. So peace be to your mind mellon." She stepped back the turned. She rocked her body from heel to toe and sighed. "I'm going to go to the stream. I feel the need to cool off a bit. I should be fine without an escort. Minol and Celegorm are meandering about."

Curufin nods and smiles to himself as he watches her gentle glow move off towards the stream. The sound of hooves hitting the ground made her stop but she knew it was not Elthian. She watched Beleg and Minogos return with several rabbits and a a few plains hens. As she turned to continue on her way she could hear Beleg apologizing and telling Curufin about how far they actually had to go to hunt. That it was as if something spooked all the animals away.

Her bare feet stepped into the cool flowing water of the stream. She gasps softly then lowers to a crouch the ends of her dress floating on the water about her legs. The moon was rising she could feel it coming and the knots began to form in her belly. When she looked up there it was. Bright and full, it peeked at her through the trees. Its light made the white stones along the streams bank sparkle and cast dancing shadows on the ground. Cupping her hands she pulled water to her face. Clear droplets fall from her jaw line to her thighs. She opened her eyes and turned to see Minol standing behind her on the bank.

There was nothing but the sound of the wind as it blew through the trees. No words were spoken. He looked down on her wing covered back and watched her begin to tremble. If there was a moment in time where Thranduil would forgive him for breaking his word it would be then. Elthian gone and the moon rising. In fact he would be more angry if he were to allow her to suffer. Then suddenly she sprang up and ran across the creek and into the trees.

He watched her do this. He watched as her glow disappeared into the shadows. He could feel her though. He could feel the growing need within her and the pain of her realizing that Elthian had not made it back in time. She had begun to cry as she ran aimlessly past the rough trunks of evergreen trees. Then suddenly she was grabbed and pushed hard against one of those trees. She went to scream but found it cut off by an aggressive kiss from familar lips.

She was thrust into the warmth of him and his musky scent. His wings coming around to lock her away in the shadows they create. She lifted her hands and began to struggle. They press to his chest and she pushes against him but finds him like a stone against her. The kiss broken when she tried to slap him and he captured her wrist and moved them over her head.

"This is no dream. The weight of just how real this is would crush anyone else. You feel it now. Just how different reality and the dream are. In the dream when we have had the opportunity to be more intimate you always felt in control. Yet now when we are this close. When the moon is becoming full and our instincts kick in You do not feel so in control." He breathed in deeply and found her scent to arouse him even more. He shudders slightly and grins. "You are drawn to me in ways none could understand and this is what it is like for me every waking moment of every day. "

She had stopped struggling, she waited for what was to come next. He trailed a finger along one of her arms then down over her neck and between the swells of her breast. The touch was so soft and the pace so slow. Her flesh burned along that trail and she had never desired anything like she wanted him in that moment.

"Elthian! Finally , She is at the creek."

Minol pushed himself from her and growled. He forced himself to stand straight and his purple gaze became flecked with green. "Go to him. NOW!" She looked to Minol and did not want to move. Her hands lowering to lay at her hips. "You are in pain." Her voice trembled forth. "Go Juniper I will be fine." He sighed. "GO!" The word ended in a growl and she pushed from the tree and ran towards the sound of foot steps on the needles of the trees.

"Interesting is it not?"

Minol turned to see Celegorm walking through the trees towards him.

"How I knew you would have need of me. I do not think I could have stopped myself and sent her away. You have some resolve demon. In an honorable way no less. That is very stimulating." The fair haired elf smiled to the demon and held out his hand. "Now come with me. No one need see the beast you really are but me."

She flew into Elthian's arms . Her light frame nestled against him. She was trembling, cold and wet. "You were nearly too late." She cried against his chest and he wrapped her in his cloak

"I ended up having to leave Turin behind. The people are being taken care of. It was good what we did today Melamin and I am here. " He carried her along with him. Her emotions flooding his mind . There under the low hanging branches of an old ever green he found a secluded place. The branches blocking the wind and giving them some privacy.

He lay her down and began to concern himself with warming her up. Her little toes felt like ice against his flesh. "You are frigid Melamin." He said softly and lifted a small foot in his cupped hands and began to blow warm against against her tiny digits.

He looked up into her eyes. They were wet and shimmering in the beam of moon light that shown through gnarled branches. Her breathing was quick and deep her flesh flushed with a bit of pink against the pale tone made her arousal even more noticeable.

His hands left her foot and trailed along her calf then down over her soft thigh. Her heel rests lightly against his shoulder and his touch gravitates to warmer flesh Her light eyes holding her gaze the more his fingertips explore and the more ragged each breath becomes.

He begins to shed the leather armor he was wearing the pieces removed fairly easily. She was sitting yo helping. It was like a game of unwrapping a gift and seeing just how much of the soft warm flesh under it all she could caress. She loved him and he loved her as his wife, such a love with no bond was unheard of but this was real and it consumed him with an unquenchable fire.

Her hands were seeking the skin under his leggings and he was happy to oblige. With a deep kiss to her lips she was pushed back against the forest floor. His hands roaming along her curves and over her hips. The kiss only broken as his lifted his head and looked down on the most beautiful face and with quivering lips she did moan his name as they became one.

Time stood still for them. Each of them praying for a never ending night locked in the most intimate of embraces. He saw orbs of light dancing about him and the scent of 1000's of wild flowers filled the air.

They both rode the same waves of pleasure and passion climaxing in a sea of color only to ride along the same path again and again. Every inch of her body tingled with delight and her hips rocked to meet him. She eager for every moment of ecstasy and he more than willing to give it to her. Then as she collapsed to the ground one last time he came to rest behind and and pulled her against him and covered her in the warm weave of his cloak.

The lightening of the sky woke him and he moved without waking her. The space was just big enough for him the kneel in so getting dressed was interesting but he managed. It was as he was laying on the ground pulling his leggings out that he realized he was laying in a bed of soft sweet smelling clover and as it grew more light he could see the clover bed expanded out from under the tree and about 6 feet out . The more he looked he realized it was in a nearly perfect circle around him.

"Well at least we make beautiful things." He chuckled softly to himself.

"Juniper, Melamin we must get breakfast and get on the way." He was waking her as gently as he could.

"No lets just sleep a bit longer. Then you can do that thing you did last night again. You know the thing." Her mumbles rolled from her lips and she sighs.

He paused a moment then sighed. "No Melamin. You must get up."

Curufin watched as Elthian carried a still sleeping Queen back to camp. Clinging to his hair was the pink and white blossoms of wild clover. Curious thing about the clover was that it was far too early in the spring for it. They smelled of it too. When Juniper was sat by the fire she was given some breakfast and tea by Curufin and he sat with her and watched them both. Elthian casually plucking clover blossoms from his tresses.

"Have you seen my brother?" Curufin asked them and looked from one to the other.

Juniper just shook her head and ate another spoon full of porridge. Elthian dropped another clover blossom to the ground before him. "I haven't seen Minol either so You can bet they are together somewhere."

"hmmm" was all Curufin said then he went to drinking his tea.

She was lost in her thoughts. She watching the tea leaves float on the top of the warm liquid. It was good tea but she began to think of her tea and how it had been lost before they had reached Cuivienen. The sound of approaching riders finally shook her from her thoughts. Riding into camp with the first sunlight of the day was Turin , Vorondil and Beleg.

"How is everyone?" Elthian asked them as they came to the fire for tea and food.

"We managed to not lose anymore." Turin looked to Juniper. She looked a bit disheveled. So did Elthian. "The others are being moved this morning, Gyp is well. He was reunited with his father. He has a broken leg but it should heal." Her eyes were now locked on Turin's. That was the first time she had smiled that morning.

"Oy Mellon nin you have finally returned. " Celegorm called as he approached the gathering. He looked perfect. Not a hair out of place and as beautiful as ever. He hugged Turin and Beleg before clapping Vorondil on the shoulder. Minol slunk into the group from the side as if he had always been there.

Juniper finally got to her feet now that she felt awake. Her cloak was lifted and draped over her shoulders and using the hem of her slightly dirty dress she gathered up cups and bowls. Figuring she would be useful for the moment as her friends talked and laughed. Her steps carrying her to the stream so she could wash dishes up and the sun smiled down on her.

With care she lowered to her knees and began to set all the dishes out before her. Bits of porridge floated away and she watched as small fish ate them. She wanted to reach out to him when she was alone like this. Her thoughts filled with memories of how his touch felt against her cheek and the way he smells when he holds her.

She missed him yet she tried not to let this show. She was determined if anything to hurry back to him. Yet when she reached out and searched for the familiar touch of Ryu she often found her sister weakened and unable to connect. There was no fae for her to commune with to recharge herself quickly. She imagined her use of Shadow and Shade took a lot from her.

With her eyes closed she sighed and strangely felt alone and cut off as well. She remained there on her knees. Her head lowered and her small hands pressing into the mud and rocks of the creek.

"I brought you a clean dress Melamin."

Her spine straightened and she looked back quickly to see a smiling Elthian. The sun at his back making him appear to have a golden halo about his head. "I tried to reach out to them. Ryu is too weak and needs to rest or a spring like the one back home." She watched him as he moved to settled beside her on the creek bank.

"The try again later. She is still alive you know that so be hopeful. You know Thranduil is well you can feel him." Elthian started to pluck clover from her hair though it seemed to suit her well. "Now go wash off." He placed a sack down where is was a bit drier and plucked some soap and a cloth from it. It was placed in her hands and he unbuckled her cloak and with a wiggle the dress fell off her body leaving her bare in the morning sun.

The water was cold but the sun was warm and she washed quickly then wrapped herself in her cloak and sat so the sun could warm her . "Dress and hurry back." He leaned over and kissed her softly before gathering the dishes in the sack. Her dress placed neatly beside her. She watched his back as he moved away and felt her belly grow warm . She ran her hand against the flat flesh on instinct.

Thranduil was well into the 4th day of hard battle. He had battled the orc horde for 3 days now and at the end of each day they retreated and he pushed forward. They were well equipt and trained for what they did. Yet they lacked heavy artillery and too what war machines they had was destroyed days earlier.

Elrohir's fist slammed down on the table making all the pieces scatter on the map. "They are drawing us in Thranduil. There is something dark and foul on the other side of that ridge. We need to stop now and draw our lines. Dig in and brace for it." His voice turned from angry to pleading. His gaze shifting to Elladan looking for back up. He needed his grandfather there but Celeborn was far too busy in the healing houses. Elessar pursed his lips together to try and keep from being overly rude in his response. Thranduil was his friend and he was driven for other reasons.

"Lord Thranduil. Please listen to your council on this. We know what he has and if its any of those things how pe proceed needs to be well thought out. You know better than any on this." Elessar's manner of diplomacy won over his hot headedness.

"I concur. We will stop and dig in here. I need to speak with Yarth. I know he is very busy, Feren could you arrange for us to meet somewhere I do not care where."Thranduil did not let the out burst from before shake him in the least. As the kings and generals left the war tent Feren was alone with his King.

"I agree with this Mellon nin. The air feel static just as it did that day." His words were low and trembled slightly.

"You noticed too then." Thranduil sighed. "Though she took most of it away the scars that are still there ache as if in memory."

"I will go find Yarth. I will send for you when the arrangements are made my Lord. "

Thranduil nodded to him and finally he let out a deeply held breath and exhaled all the emotion of the moment. She was seeking him. He could feel the distant caress of her. Yet it was so faint. He felt blessed for what he experienced and worried over Ryu. She was pushing herself too hard. He could hear the camp coming even more to life outside. They preparing to dig in and defend. With a wave of his hand and a few words he no longer was able to hear the noise outside.

He poured himself a goblet of wine then lowered into his chair and stared at the dark liquid in the goblet. "Manwe my lord if I ever needed help it is now. I know I am but a speck on the map to you. I am most unworthy of such a request but I am trying to save everyone and everything. You know the evil of Morgoth. You know it well. I need your help." He took a drink of wine and felt as if could weep.

A guard poked his head in and told the king that the meeting with General Yarth was arranged. He drained his goblet and rose from his chair. The goblet placed on the table before he turned and moved for the entrance. His armor shimmered in the torch light. He moved with such fluid grace . Each step taken was filled with the readiness to spring into action. He was a beast always ready to pounce.

Every elf that was standing there felt it. An unusual sensation that started at the base of the spine and moved up along to the base of the neck. They all turned towards the east. Watching a glow in the fog of war ride slowly towards them. He did not feel fear but instead he had a sense of awe. For these elves they had never seen the light of the trees nor lived among them. This was the first time seeing them.

Thranduil's eyes were blinded and he lifted his arm to shield them. Then slowly the light began to dim and his vision adjusted. When he looked he finally saw them. One stride the largest meara he had even seen. Pure white with blue eyes. Thranduil first gazed into the eye and found himself trembling at the raw power of the beautiful stallion.

His rider was the largest person he had ever seen. Muscular yet he smiled. He smiled happily and chuckled gently. "Thranduil Oropherion, why do you gawk at your guest? Your adar would be horrified at your manners." He scolded him yet smiled merrily.

Thranduil just fell to his knees before them. How else does one greet the Champion of the Valar. " Please forgive me my Lord. I am afraid I have been rendered into something entirely useless at the moment."

There was an amused groan from his companion. "Oh Thranduil do get up. There will be a time for proper welcomes and all that but now is not that time. We have a war to fight do we not?" Thranduil looked to the voice and felt the same sense of awe and utter disbelief.

" I am Eönwë perhaps you have heard of me?"