"They are waiting. I do not know any other reason why they have not attacked again." Brand sighed in frustration. "The thing is what are they waiting for?"

Elf, man and dwarf stood together in the meeting. Something that was beginning to feel more normal and natural to Haldir. Strange as that was.

"They are scared." King Thorin Stonehelm boasted, "I say we charge in now and wipe them out. Use the wizard and put him out front. Where is he anyway?"

Haldir sighed and rubbed at his temples. "Lord Thorin, respectfully that would be suicide."

Gimli looked to his new friend then his King. "Cousin," He said gently. Knowing full well he was getting himself worked up. He was a dwarf after all. "I can't believe I am saying this. " Gimli then looked to Haldir and sighed. "I do think it best to listen to the Elf, this time. Scared they might be but dangerous they still are. Even more so."

The King looked angry for a second but he was reasonable. The more he thought about the warning the more he was pulled back into reality. He grunted and nodded to Gimli and let it rest.

"We need spies." Brand said softly. " We need eyes out there. I know we have scouts but they can only get so close. "

Then as if on cue Radagast entered the meeting. "Spies you say?"

Haldir watched Radagast seat himself and perhaps truly studied him for the first time since his return. Gone were the dirty brown robes and the filth. Sat there was an impeccably clean Ishtari clad in a deep blue robe. His absent mindedness seemed to be almost completely gone and in its place was this strange form of focus that showed in his almost ever smiling face. He could have sworn the Wizard was drunk on dwarven spirits though, His nose and cheeks reddened as they were.

"Perhaps I can help on such and endeavor." He seemed over joyed to help in this way.

"How?" Haldir asked.

The Wizard just smiled. "I will show you."

He removed the crystal from the top of his staff. As he released the staff it just stood there upright. It did not titter nor sway. He held the crystal in the palm of his right hand and began to chant lowly. His voice a deep base. The words in Quenya. " Tul a Melloneamin tena amin sii'. Amin yela no' lle. Auta n'e e' olin lasta ar' elea nyara amin ilya"

Haldir began to pick up on some of the words as the chant repeated. "hear me now. I call on you. Go out in secret listen and see tell me all." Haldir whispered. Then he looked around then down. The vermin of the city began to come out of the small cracks between stone. Mouse and rat converged around the wizard until finally one rather large rat crawled up Radagast's leg and settled on the table before him. The wizard lowered his hand and the rat sat in his palm.

The chanting continued as the wizard stared into the eyes the rat. Every backed away accept for Haldir. When King Thorin looked outside he saw more vermin arriving and everyone reacting appropriately and swatting at them. He even saw grown men standing on chairs. "Do not harm them." His voice boomed out from the door way. "Not one single rat or mouse, you hear me? If you do you will answer to the wizard."

Thurmog had successfully reentered the fortress. He behaved as casually as possible and navigated the corridors without incident. Then again he was also quite sneaky. For an orc who would have sold his mother to get out of trouble he found himself caring for his own kin far more than he thought he did.

He finds himself entering their area but it wasn't until he was almost to his own dwelling that he was noticed. There with his hand pulling the curtain back to his own alcove he was called out by his female. He heard her drop the baskets she was carrying, their contents spilling onto the ground. He turned to see her . Tears in her dark eyes. "Thira." He whispered and he fell into his arms. Her round belly pressing against him, the life within it moving.

"You are supposed to be dead." She said and leaned back. Both hands on his cheeks.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the alcove quickly where he embraced her once more . His words whispered against her ear. "Listen to me very carefully. Bring my brothers and prepare to leave. Take only what you need for a few days. " He pushed her back and held her shoulders. "There is more for us beyond this. A home of our own, with no dark lord who forces us to serve. I have seen this Thira. A place where our children can be free."

One at a time Thurmog's brothers came to visit. Each time they left with a look of hope in their eyes. Through his brothers word would get spread amongst them. Soon enough all would know what to do. Soon enough they would have their own rebellion.

She was fighting in her sleep, His shoulder soaked with her tears. Minol held her tightly and whispered to her. The nights were down right cold the closer they got to the mountains. He kept her warm against his flesh and wrapped in his wings. Her body was beginning to suffer. He could feel a bit more bone, he could see the sunken look to her eyes.

He managed to get her calmed and her breathing returned to that steady flow. He sighed as he held her. Something he had only dreamt of for so long. He looked up to see the moon growing full once again. She would be feeling its effects and. He stopped himself from thinking further on that. He held her a bit tighter in his arms and lay his head down on the top of hers and closed his eyes. Seeking her dreams.

He slowly opened his eyes to find himself in the ruins of a garden. Each step carries him deeper into the ruin and it wasn't until he reached the center of it that he realized this was Thranduil's garden. The fountain smashed and broken into large chunks of stone that lay scattered out before him, as if he was standing on the spot where the breaker of it stood.

The pillared hall was heavily damaged, with pieces of once gleaming white stone now torn asunder and blackened with grime. He moved slowly down the hall. Looking first to the Kings bedroom. Finding it burned, he frowned deeply and moved quickly now. He knew where she was . The door to the guest chambers was torn from its hinges. The room was very dark so shrouded from light that it was even hard for him to see within.

"Juniper." He said softly. He could feel her there but could not see her. "Juniper." He called once more. " Please allow me some light." Then in a corner, huddled down he saw a gentle glowing form. She was naked, her pale flesh smeared with soot and dirt. Her hair was a tangled matted mess and she trembled with her face to the corner.

Minol sighed softly and took a few steps closer and met no resistance. Very slowly and gently he knelt down and reached out to her. Her flesh felt cold and damp. He pulled her into his embrace and rocked her gently. "It is a very dark place you go when you grieve Little Flower." He said softly and stroked her hair. "I know little seems bright and beautiful right now. I promise Juniper you will have your happy ending. Even if it seems like the darkness is winning, You are far stronger than you think. I do not know what to say to make it all better, I do not think that any words could do that. What I can say is that you must hold yourself together. Then when its all over with. Then you can fall completely apart. Your family and friends will be there to put you back together."

He held her closely and pulled her out of this hell of her own making and into his own dream. She felt the warm sun on her flesh and she winced and buried her face against his shoulder. "The light is bright I know Juniper. You just need a little reminder of who and what you are. You are the light Juniper. Even if the sun and moon makes the fae's light dim Your light is brighter than the sun. You fight the darkness you do not hide within it."

She sobbed against his shoulder as he spoke. "There you go . Cry Little Flower. Get it all out." He looked over the field of yellow and gold flowers flecked with white. The stream ran into the pond near by and the breeze was warm. He was going to miss this place even if it was just a dream.

"Father, Father!" He was being shaken. "Father wake up." The words sounded a bit desperate . One of his eyes slowly opened and shift to see the face of his son. His expression filled with worry.

"I am awake." Minol grumbled and looked down to see Juniper still asleep in his arms.

"Where were you? You were dug in like a tick. I was starting to worry."

"I pulled her out of her own darkness. She sleeps in the light now." He said softly. "Here take her." His wings unfolded from around her small frame and His arms opened up. "I need a few moments to myself."

Minogos could tell he was weak. Though he never showed it in front of her. "Father, You need to slow down. You grow weaker everyday. I can see it. You may hide it from her but I see it. At this rate you will not make it..."

Minol held up his hand and quiet his son as Juniper was placed in his arms. Minol rose slowly and looked on them. "You're right." Was all he said and he moved off slowly.

The rat stayed with Radagast after that. The other vermin seemed to disappear through the cracks once more. The wizard assured them as soon as he knew more he would let them know. This left Haldir with the odd few hours with not much to do. He walked among the troops. dwarf, elf and human, all seeming to get along though a few small disagreements did break out here and there. Mainly during times like these, where there was a long wait and the fear of the unknown could settle into ones mind.

He was finding that most of these disagreements did not cross species. Humans argued among humans, dwarf with dwarf and elf with elf. He had just been party to one such argument which had him sending two of his own off to latrine duty.

Back within the walls of the Palace he wandered the halls seeking a quiet place to rest while he could when much to his surprise he felt himself being pulled rather rudely into the darkness of a closet. His back forced against the wall he felt a smaller lighter frame press against his and felt small hands tugging at his tunic.

"I feel like I am being taken advantage of." He said in a low voice that dripped with humor. He knew who this was and was quite surprised at her boldness and his own willingness to allow her to do as she pleased.

"Oh shut up and help me." She whispered with a small laugh bubbling forth.

"As you wish Lady Hilda." His hands already undoing his belt and placing it carefully to the side.

She kissed him then and practically climbed up his chest. He was shocked to find her already disrobed just enough to do this in the confines of the small closet. The tunic he wore slides off his shoulders leaving just the fabric of his leggings in the way. He turned quickly and kicking something. He thought it was a bucket . It slammed against the wall with a thud. He pressed her against the wall now. His hand seeking a place against the wall found itself pressed into a mops head.

He didn't care at this point. She had reached down between them and found his flesh and began to stroke and tease him until nearly all the sense left him and he wanted her with near animal lust. She was not quiet when he entered her trembling body. Her moans growing in timbre as his hips picked up pace and she wrapped her arms and legs around him.

In the hall Gimli paused in front of the closet. He looked at the door and listened as things wre jostled around within then he heard the moans. He grinned and leaned back against the opposite wall and crossed his arms. Brand was heading towards his rooms when he came across Gimli standing in the hall staring at a closet door.

Brand looked at him curiously as he asked. "What are you looking at my friend?"

Gimli shrugged a bit and pressed a finger to his lips before he pointed to the door. Brand listened and now he heard the distinct sounds of pleasure coming from the closet. He joined Gimli against the wall and watched the closet door.

The more frequent the sounds of pleasure became and the more things were kicked about in the closet. Making brows lift and attention to be drawn to the King and the dwarf who stood in the hall staring at a closet door. Brand waved them off quietly . His curiosity about who was inside was piqued to say the least.

It was sometime before the moans and cries ceased. Followed by whispering and giggling. Brand wasn't sure who he expected to see come out of the closet but it certainly not who stepped from inside. The smirk that Brand had on his face slowly faded into wide eyed shock. Gimli gasped and looked from the 2 guilty parties then up to Brand.

"I think we have a few things to discuss." Brand spoke lowly. So lowly than Hilda cringed and held onto Haldir's arm tightly. She held on even as they walked down the hall towards Brands office.

Within minutes Hilda and Haldir stood in front of Brand's large oak desk. Brand behind it, Gimli had attempted to just go with but Brand stopped him at the door and closed it. Much to Gimli's disappointment.

Brand lowered into his seat and looked between them. Hilda looked down but Haldir looked Brand right in the eye. "How long has this been going on?" Brand asked.

Haldir did not think that what was happening between he and Hilda would be seen as wrong. Different perhaps, but surely not wrong. Yet he also knew Hilda was Brand's family. "For a few week. I would like to point out that Hilda is the one that pulled me into the closet."

Hilda loosened her grip one Haldir's arm and looked at him. "Way to throw me under the cart. You did not have to stay if You did not want to. I am not strong enough to keep you against your will."

"That is not what I am doing." Haldir sighed and looked down into her eyes to see the disappointment. He looked to Brand then and took Hilda's hand into his. "The point I am trying to make Lord Brand is that I am not forcing her to do anything."

Hilda relaxed then, now understanding. "No he is not forcing me. I forced him, in a manner of speaking."

This all made Brand cringe. He held his hands up and shook his head. "I do not need details. Please Eru do not give me details." He sighed and lowered his forehead to his hand and rubbed at it. "What are your intentions with my niece Haldir?"

"I am growing more and more fond of her with each passing day Lord Brand. I know it seems as if this is all happening perhaps a bit backwards but everything is off right now and You have to admit that. Courtship among my people can last decades before they decide to marry and then after they announce their intentions there is another year sometimes more to wait but not always. I could consider her my wife now if we so choose to. Among my people that is. " He added that last bit when Brands expression began to turn a bit sour.

"I am unsure what the protocol is for humans. I know I do not have decades to woo her and the idea of being without her is unsettling. My intentions? I am unsure, I do not know how far my feelings would be allowed to go. If things were allowed to take the course I would like. I could see myself married to her and her walking among the tree's of Lorien with me."

They were staring at each other then. It didn't matter what species it seemed that being smitten was universal. Brand leaned back and looked at them. He was about to speak when Gimli threw the door open. "Sorry but the Wizard is calling for us."

Haldir looked then to Hilda. Her eyes were wide and her lips parted slightly in her shock. Had he really just said what he had. Her mind was swimming now and she had no words. "We will talk about this later." He whispered to her and without even thinking about it lowered his lips to her and kissed them softly before she was left alone in Brand's office. She stumbled back and lowered into a chair.

Once they had all gathered in the study a very solemn looking Radagast lowered his head and sighed. "There is no easy way to say it, I know why they wait. Far in the east they were summoned forth once more, the harbingers of doom. Shadow and flame. They are coming for Dale and then Erebor."

Haldir's expression said so much. The elf lost all the color from his features and suddenly felt a wave of nausea come over him. He stumbled a bit then steadied himself. "They?" He asked and looked to Radagast.

"They." Radagast answer lowly.

"They who?" Brand asked and looked to these battle hardened warriors around him. Even Gimli and The King Under the Mountain looked pallid.

It was Haldir that delivered the bad news to the King of Dale. "Balrogs."

Brand now felt the sudden weight and shock of the revelation. "How many?"

"I have seen 2." Radagast sighed.

Brand sucked on his teeth and turned away from everyone. His mind whirling, he suddenly spun around. "Will a black arrow kill one?"

Gimli hurried along side Haldir and Brand. "We recovered it from the dragons corpse." Brand spoke as he lead them towards the Armory. Once inside he used a key to unlock a large heavy door at the back . Inside was one wind lance and one large black arrow. Thorin stepped inside and walked to the arrow . He looked it up and down.

"Send word to Erebor. Tell them to fire the furnace and forge more black arrows. They will need to build another wind lance as well. We are going to kill balrogs." Thorin said to Gimli rather loudly. The King Under the Mountain was actually smiling. The message was sent with a thrush to Erebor.

"One week at the most. "Brand stood with his back to them. He stared out the window towards the east. "Gimli be honest. Do you really think this can be done? Can your people really make enough arrows and another wind lace in less than a week?"

"Aye, I do. Though I do not envy those who are working on all this right now. We can only sneak so many back at a time without them seeing it. That and we can not afford to lessen our presence here. Those back home will suffer and they will suffer gladly." Gimli said in a low manner.

Haldir who had been quiet in the back lowered his head and uncrossed is arms from over his chest. He turned and left the room with a heavy feeling in his chest. He found himself climbing the stone steps to the turret and once at the top, he saw her familiar form perch atop the stone wall of it and looking out towards the sea of small fires in the distance.

"If I didn't know what was sitting around those lights I would find them pretty to look at from here." Hilda said softly and turned to look at him from over her shoulder. "Did you mean what you said or were you just trying to save your ass with my uncle?"

He sighed and moved from the doorway and across the the floor of the turret towards her. His arms wrapped around her and he held her closely. His chin on her slender shoulder and his lips rested just a breath from her ear. "I have no need to save my ass." He spoke softly and smiled. "I meant every word."

She twisted about in his arms and turned completely around until he found himself resting between her thighs. "That is a lot to take in Haldir." He hands pressed back against the rough stone and she tilted her chin upwards and looked up at him.

"Please don't tell me you are only using me for my body." He grinned.

This made her start to laugh. "No no it's not like that." She held up her hand before covering her mouth with it to hide her laughter.

He pulled her hand away from her lips. "Please do not hide your smile from me."

Her hand lay in his now and choked back a few more giggles. "It's just that I never considered anything like Marriage. Is such a thing even allowed?"

"You do know the King of Gondor is married to an elven princess right?"

"He isn't exactly human either as I understand it. Mortal yes but most humans do not live hundreds of years Haldir." She was beginning to realize he was serious.

He studied her for a moment in the low light of the turret. The moon dimmed by thin clouds. "Are you frightened?" He asked and continued to study her expression and the way her eyes reacted to certain questions.

"Of course I am frightened. Behind me is the thousands of reasons why I am frightened."

"That is not what I meant and you know it Hilda." Her gaze widened and her pupils constrict just a little. "Are you frightened of what it might mean to marry me? Your mortality or perhaps even the idea you would age and die and I would not change? These are all very valid reasons to be frightened Hilda."

Then he saw it. The moment her pupils dilate and the truth of her fear was revealed. "You are afraid I would stop loving you as you age." She nodded gently and uttered not a word. "Give me 10 years Hilda. Live with me as my wife. Maybe even have children. After 10 years if you still have this same fear then leave me. You will still be young enough to find a new life or find love again. Just 10 years but if you stay then you truly wed me and spend the remaining years with me . I will love you till the end. Elves do not love easily Hilda."

"Why me? I am nothing special." He hushed her then with a finger pressed gently to her lips. "We call it mela ie' yeste' elea, It happens sometimes with children. They grow up together and are devoted to one another long before they marry. Sometimes it just sneaks up on you when you least expect it. I felt it the moment I gave you your first message to carry. I was drawn to you. So when I said I could see you walking among the trees of Lorien I mean that. Your beauty will rival that of my Lady's and I want to see that."

Haldir couldn't understand why he was so drawn to this mortal girl but it was there and it was real. "Let me think about it." She said with a smile. "of course." He answered and then kissed her tenderly.

There was a scent on the breeze. His ear twitched and he pulled his lips from hers and looked out into the darkness. Hilda turned too and narrowed her eyes. "It's a raid." she whispered.

Just then the palace sprang to life and He could hear Radagast below. "The south wall." He was saying loudly. "I will go warn the men at the south wall." SHe kissed him once more and leapt from the turret to one of the lower rooves. Then with a twist she was off across the roof tops. No he had never met anyone quite like her. He ran down the steps and into the palace. Guards were already gathering outside

She could move along roof tops much quicker than on the streets. She had done so her whole life. and from where she was she could see beyond the wall. The clouds began to break away from the moon and there below in the bright light she could see the goblin force that was approaching but now she was watching them divide. One group heading towards the west wall.

"There is a raid coming. You must ready now. " She cried out to the commander as she dropped down from the roof. She drank the water she was given quickly and looked to their runner. "Go tell Lord Haldir that they split up and their is a group heading to the west wall and that I am going there." The runner nodded and took off into the dark streets. "There are reinforcements coming." Was the last she said to them before she too disappeared.

It only took her a few moments to find her way back to the roof tops. There she could see the goblins rushing towards the west wall. She pushed herself harder and harder. Flying over any obstacles that found their way into her path. She could see the watch fires below and began to call out . "Raid!" The elves and men tasked with guarding the wall were now at full alert. The arrows followed. Dark arrows that whizzed across the night sky and found their marks.

Hilda slides to a stop and watched as the first dark creatures began to breech the wall and an all out battle began right in front of her. Something began to stir in the heart of her. She drew her dagger and it glowed brightly in a blue hue. Drawing the attention of several of the goblins that had breeched the wall first. From her roof top perch she locked eyes with them. They several feet up and away from her on the wall. She began to grin.

"That's it, you want me. Come get me." She whispered to herself. "HEY! You sawed off sallow looking piles of pig shit. I'm your girl! " she shouted loudly then giggled before turning and running across the roof top. She held the blue glowing dagger over her head like a beacon.

The more of them she could get to chase her through the empty city the better. This was her turf. She could pick them off at leisure and the more she was able to get away from those charged with the cities defense the better and Save a few lives she hoped. Once she was sure she had a good many of them after her when she turned a corner she sheathed her dagger and slipped into darkness. Virtually disappearing from them. Watching them run right by her as she crouched in the shadows.

'The hunt begins.' She thought and listened as more foot steps ran past behind her on the other side of the wall. With silent steps she crept along the wall. Her ears and nose on alert. Her eyes could not be trusted in darkness. Suddenly she stopped and went completely still. Over head she heard movement. Her body pressed against the wall and she now stood under a small overhang.

They stopped right above her. "Keep your eyes on the roof tops. She seems to prefer them." She listened as more foot steps joined him and then they all began to move away quickly. She slipped inside one of the houses and hid in its darkness. Working quickly to pull her hair back and tie it with a leather strap she then covered her golden hair with her dark cowl.

Then she heard foot steps on the roof. She moved like the breeze silently through the house. Most had a roof hatched that could be used as escape if needed. She listened as the steps stopped and she knew exactly where they were on the roof. The hatch was easy enough to find and very slowly she pushed the hatch open just a few inches and she could see the dark form of her prey.

He was searching for her. The hatch pushed back suddenly. She sprang out without a sound and moved with quick sure steps. When he had heard her it was too late. She had already cut his throat and sheathed the small non glowing dagger she carried. As he fell she simply turned and ran off to find the next one to fall.

It did not take her long to find him. He was on the ground. His smell of nearly over powering to her sensitive nose. A group of three stopped at the end of the alley and called out to him. She did not speak their language but she could understand tone and inflection. They did not consider her a threat apparently.

The goblin entered the home then, intent on plundering what he could. After a few minutes she listened at the opened door and heard him in the rooms beyond the kitchen. Loudly he riffled through the owners belongings. Moving through the house casually but quietly she found the room he was in and watched him from the hall. Then as she took a step to enter she stepped on a creaky floor board and he spun around.

"You found me." She said with a wide grin. In her hand she held her normal dagger and he could not see it.

"I makes a deal with you wench. Gimmie the knife and submits to me. I will keep ya safes I will makes you mines. You don't needs to dies."

She appeared to actually consider this offer for a moment then spoke. "That now that there is a right nice offer. I don't plan to do die or be yours." She then sprang forth and zigged to the left and onto a table then to the top of a small book shelf. The goblin trying to turn so she did not get behind him found his feet caught up in the things he had spilled onto the floor.

She leapt at him and hooked one arm around his throat . Her body moving towards his back as she lifted her dagger and sliced through the soft skin of his throat. He moved erratically and gurgled, he threw himself back hard against the wall. She braced for the crushing force that was coming and within a few seconds of the impact she plunged the dagger through his rib cage and up threw a lung.

He then fell forward with her on his back. His breath stopped and he lay still and silent. The struggle had pulled the curtains away from the window and in that moment the clouds parted and the moon light shone through the window. There on top of a shelf was a bow. A nice well crafted bow and beside it a quiver filled with arrows. She pulled her dagger from the dead goblin and rose. A grin on her lips as an idea began to form.

Her first kill had finally been found. The goblins search for her in earnest now. Any ideas of taking a slave were gone. She slipped through the shadows towards the west bell tower. The bell removed months ago and the whole building condemned. It was going to be torn down and a new one built . It was falling apart but it would serve her purpose tonight.

She killed her third goblin 2 blocks from the tower. It was just one of those moments of opportunity. His companions walking away and running down another street. He relieving himself. His throat was cut and he was dying mid stream.

The tower had been boarded up securely long ago but this was her city and she knew all it's secrets. From a second floor window she entered the building. It's board was loose and she was small enough to slip past it. With stealth she moved through the building. While it had been a while since she had been inside, she still remember its layout. Once at the tower steps she moved up them quickly and managed to skip all the ones that she remember to be weak.

Carefully she moved onto the tower deck and crawled to the edge were she looked down and could see the goblins as the moved. The moonlight revealing them to her. She set the quiver beside her and lifted the bow. "Please let me keep the moons light." She prayed quickly as she nocked her first arrow and drew the bow. She loosed the arrow and it flew true. It struck her target in the neck.

She had already gotten her second arrow readied as the goblin fell, she loosed her second arrow and it too found its mark. She knew they would figure it out soon so she planned to take as many as she could. She drew the bow so many times her arms were beginning to shake and grow weak. Her shots becoming sloppy with each passing one. The goblins had figured out where she was and she was down to her last arrow. It was a different arrow. She held it and felt that it was a thicker more hearty arrow. It was red in color and the fletching was from a bird she could not identify. With a sigh she lifted up and nocked the arrow. They were almost to the tower. She drew the bow and took aim. She let the arrow fly and it struck its mark with such force that it knocked the goblin off its feet . Then something amazing happened. The arrow flew back to her hand.

She looked at it wide eyed. Then nocked it again and drew, it was as if her strength was returning and she took aim and fired the bow one more time. The arrow again knocked the target down killing him and then it returned to her hand. She could hear them beating down the doors to get inside. She took her bow and her magic arrow and left the tower to seek refuge in the vastness of the dark building.

"She is in the tower." Hilda could hear them hissing at each other. She was now on the second floor and moving to the third. The floor there was the weakest and she could move across it fairly easily. She found a dark corner to hide in and listened. The moon moved behind clouds and she watched the light, that leaked through the cracks in the boards over the windows fade.

"She's gone." The words reached her ears and now they began to spread out through the building. She remained where she was and silent. There were foot steps in the hall and she watched the open door. A dark shape moved into it and sniffed the air. "I smells you." It said. Then slowly it moved into the room. She just grinned and watched it moving closer and closer then with a loud crack the goblin disappeared as the floor gave way.

The sound attracted the others and they moved to the third floor. Another goblin appeared in the door way. He saw the hole in the floor but her smell was strong in here. He too began to move inside. He more careful than the other, each step carrying him deeper. If he felt the floor to be too weak he stepped back and choose another path. She saw shadows pass before the door and move down to other rooms then another stopped in the door way.

They talked to each other in their own language. Then below she heard more noise and it got the goblins attention too. She could hear the familiar sound of elvish being spoken and then the sounds of fighting. She wrapped the bow around her. The arrow in the quiver at her back. Her dagger in hand. Then the second goblin rushed inside. He turned to engage his attacked and that's when she saw him. It was Haldir, she would know that form anywhere.

Haldir stopped as the creaking began. Then there was the sound of many cracks, she looked up as the floor began to give way along this a good portion of the building itself. The roof began to crumble down on the goblins sending moonlight spilling over the room. The goblins fell and disappeared. She was standing on a very small piece of floor that only held up because of the corner.

Haldir's gaze lifted and fell on her. She sheathed her dagger and exhaled a deeply held breath. She was safe finally and he he had found her. "Hold on. Just stay still. I will come get you." He said.

For once she listened and did as she was told. He called to other elves who arrived and tied a rope around his waist. There was a bit of floor that clung to the crumbling walls. Haldir stepped out onto it and began to carefully make is way around to her. The elves constantly spoke to each other. She was beginning to wish she could speak other languages. He was just a few feet away from her when she could feel the floor beginning to finally give way.

"Haldir hurry." She cried as she shifted her weight towards the wall.

He lunged for her as the floor gave way from under her. His arms wrapping around her. The elves brace and wrap the rope tighter around their hands. She had her eyes closed. Her body tensed. She bracing for an impact that never came . Instead they swung back and forth. She opened her eyes and saw Haldir's chest. Then felt herself being lowered down gently.

Her eyes slowly lifted, first she saw the strong line of his chin. Then the soft flesh of his cheek. "Thank you." She whispered to him. They swung lower and lower and he couldn't help but grin. "You can thank me by giving me those 10 years."