A/N: I am intent on completing the last four chapters to this story in the next few days! Here is a continuation of the 'wolf saga'.

Lifeline

Eleniel and Miluiel: 15

Eleniel and Miluiel stood totally transfixed. They were in the gardens, a peaceful quietude surrounding them as they watched the scene unfold ahead.

After the 'problem' with the wolf pup, Elrond had taken them – and Glorfindel – to Arthion, the stable master. Apparently, some days before, Arthion had found an injured wolf on the outskirts of Rivendell. She'd been bleeding and clearly hungry, and, as any elf would, he had taken her in to care for her. The wolf wasn't tame, but she was kind enough, and Arthion had found that letting her roam the small fenced-in part of the field near the forest gave her space to both heal and still feel that sense of freedom.

She'd been antsy, though, and Arthion was experienced enough to know the difference between discomfort due to injuries and pacing because of stress. This wolf was definitely the latter. She whined and howled occasionally. It was only after the four elves had brought him the wolf pup that he had realised she was antsy because she was missing something. Or, rather, someone.

Both animals were curled up on a pile of straw now, the mother licking Eressë's coat and the injuries Arthion had already tended to, content as anything, no longer pacing or crying for her baby.

"Do you suppose there are more out there?" Glorfindel asked. He was stood behind the children, Elrond and Arthion on either side of him. He crossed his arms over his chest, watching the wolves intently.

Arthion hummed. "There very well may be. Wolves tend to have litters of at least four, if not more. Eleniel, you said you found the pup alone?"

Eleniel nodded distantly. She didn't turn around. "Yes."

"Perhaps the pups were scattered after the mother disappeared," Elrond suggested. "Have you any idea what happened to her?"

"She must have gotten in a scrap with another animal, perhaps even another wolf. She was likely searching for food and had left the babies behind. No doubt they became tired of waiting for their mother to return and went off exploring." He shook his head, breathing a sound of amusement as the pup twisted onto her back, legs in the air. He reached forward and put a hand on Eleniel's shoulder. "Either way, well done for helping her." He directed that at both ellyth, and they glanced at each other with pleased grins.

"She looks so happy," Miluiel said quietly.

"She has her child back," Elrond said. "That is a feeling like no other."

"May we go and search for the others?" Eleniel turned finally, her friend following her lead, to give her father pleading eyes.

Elrond rose a brow. He glanced at Glorfindel. "Go and find your brothers," he said, and the children shot up like arrows from a bow, racing off in search of Estel and the twins.

Glorfindel audibly sighed, letting his hands drop to his sides. "You know they are going to want to keep them all, yes?"

"Yes."