While her guest was asleep, Evelyn took the time to escape the confinement of the cave and gather more supplies. She left Nightshade to guard the sleeping elf and knew that the faithful wolf would fetch her if he seemed to be in distress. Evelyn spent most of that night gathering more herbs as she had a feeling that this patient would severely deplete her stock. On her way back to the cave however, she spotted a hare darting across her path. With one smooth sweep she notched an arrow and let it fly, granting her and her guest fresh meat for the night's meal.

When she arrived back at the cave, the elf- Glorfindel, was still asleep. She sent a reluctant Nightshade out to hunt for her dinner as Evelyn's hare was hardly enough for all three of them. The wolf seemed uneasy about leaving Evelyn with the stranger, but a quick sniff informed Nightshade that the elf would not be waking anytime soon.

Evelyn then set about preparing a thickened soup and another does of herbal tea. This time she made the tea with painkillers and fever reducers, but no tranquilizers as she knew that his last dosage had been much higher than it should have been. The soup was a necessity as she was under the impression that the elf would need to be eating liquids for at least a little while. She had literally stitched his intestines back together and thus was under the impression that solids might be a bit much.

She then set about the task of cleaning up the elf. She had already washed the ilk of battle off of herself in a stream whilst collecting herbs, but Glorfindel still had thick globs of black orc blood caught in his hair and splattered across his fair skin. Evelyn was careful to wipe the foul substance from his skin, drying it to prevent a chill- of course, if elves get chills.She then set about combing through Glorfindel's hair with water and soap, gently removing the tangles and globs of blood and other substances that she had no desire to investigate. As she finished, she paused for a moment to redo the braids that he wore in his hair before she combed them out, the same braids that he wore in the dream- memory, from long ago.

Over the next several hours, Nightshade returned to the cave with a hint of blood around her jaws, indicating a successful hunt. Evelyn finished eating her portion of soup, and upon realizing that the sedative dosage was indeed strong, left the second half of the pot and the tea close enough to the fire to keep them warm through the night. She then curled up on her sleeping pelts, using Nightshade's warm side a a pillow, and fell asleep with her hand on the hilt of one of her blades. Evelyn found herself sleeping surprisingly easily for having a stranger in her abode.

The next morning she awoke to a large, furry head placed over her own. Nightshade had curled further around Evelyn and laid her head across the girl's, blocking her sight. Evelyn laughed lightly and pushed Nightshade's head off of her, only to lock eyes with her newest houseguest.

Glorfindel's bright blue eyes shone in the dark of the fading embers of the fire and Evelyn found herself lost in them for several moments as her mind wandered back to that night when her dream felt all too real. For a split second, Evelyn wondered if this was a dream. Then, the events of the previous day and the sting from her arm wound reminded her that Glorfindel was indeed sitting across from her. She sighed lightly and went about her chores: stoking the fire, stirring last night's broth, and washing her face in a nearby pitcher of water.

Evelyn then scooped up a small cupful of water and offered it to the blond elf who drank it without a word. If we're playing the silent game then I hope he knows what he is getting into, Evelyn thought wryly. She continued to care for the elf, checking his wound, changing the bandage, and feeding him his broth. Just when she thought that she would indeed be left in peace for the rest of the day, Glorfindel spoke up.

"I see that you have another cup of tea prepared for me," his voice was quiet with pain, but he spoke with a spark of mischief glinting in his eyes. "But, I would request that you please reduce the dose of Bitterscorn in it as I do not think an elf, even of my height, is meant to consume so much."

"This batch has no sleep inducer," Evelyn said as she brought the cup up to Glorfindel's lips. "There are easier ways to kill a bound elf."

"Ah, so she has no name, but a sense of humor."

Evelyn did not dignify the quip with a response, but did send him a glare that hinted that she was not quite joking. After she finished administering the tea, she left the grinning elf under the care of Nightshade. She needed some air.

As soon as she left the bounds of the cave she launched herself into the sky, flying high above the rolling plains and forests until it looked like she was gazing down on a miniature diorama, until she brushed the bottoms of the chilly clouds and could easily be mistaken as a bird from far below. It was at this height that she could ride the currents of the wind, soaring with ease as if she were born with wings on her back. Sometimes she would join with flocks of geese or other large fowl. The birds had a tendency of merely accepting her, of not noticing that she was not a being of feathers. They would fly together as a flock and Evelyn would feel the tugs of warmth through companionship pulling at her heart.

This day however, she sought out solitude. She needed only the open air, biting wind, and blazing sun to sooth her soul. She needed the crispness of the open sky to remind herself that even when in the presence of an elf, she was not in danger. She was not about to die at the fiery hands of a flaming beast, nor was she locked away in a cold dungeon by beings of uncaring nature. She was free.

Only when the sun had past its highest point did Evelyn reluctantly turn and fly back home, folding her wings behind herself as she entered the cave. There she found her guest slowly waking from an after meal nap and her faithful friend standing guard.

"You seem better," Glorfindel spoke with a small smile. "Where were you?"

"Out."

"What were you doing?"

"Flying."

"Oh lovely! Where to?"

"Nowhere."

"Well I myself do often enjoy riding for the sake of riding," he still held that ridiculous grin on his face. Perhaps I have been too generous with the Warthwarn fungus, Evelyn mused as he continued his pleasant chatter. "However, sometimes Asfaloth does get annoyed when we seem to be going nowhere. I do enjoy a chance to clear my head however."

Evelyn made no reply and simple set about chopping hearty root vegetables to create another thick soup. Nightshade growled lightly in protest and Evelyn sent her out with a flick of her wrist. She had a feeling that the wolf would be bringing back a larger piece of game that night and so also pulled out her skinning knife, a jar of salt, and the other tools she would need for preserving some of the meat. As she worked, Glorfindel seemed determined to cajole her into conversation.

"You have a lovely home here. How long have you lived here?"

"What is your real name?"

"What are you, if you don't mind me asking? I have only ever seen a being like you once, centuries ago and she looked so similar to you."

"What do you know of your ancestry?"

"You are quite skilled in healing. Where did you learn such things?"

"Perhaps more importantly, where did you learn to fight thusly? I have never seen a creature, save very few elves of great renown, fight with such speed and precision as you."

"Do you intend to answer any of my questions?"

Evelyn acted as if she could not hear him as she worked on her preparations. Soon enough, Nightshade did return and signaled that she wished to be followed. Evelyn took her skinning knife and found Nightshade standing above an elk carcass. She praised the wolf lightly and quickly set about field dressing the beast, pulling forth and tossing aside the organs that she had no intention of eating. She compiled the scraps into a large pile and tossed them onto a large tree stump knowing that within a few hours, the bests of the nearby forest would completely consume the scraps.

She washed her hands in the stream and allowed Nightshade to drag the carcass into the cave where she continued to ignore Glorfindel as she set some of the meat over the fire to roast and preserved another chunk with salt and a slow flame. The rest, Nightshade enjoyed with great gusto.

Glorfindel was in and out of consciousness this entire time as his cheerful interrogations earlier had worn him out. He was still healing and his body was struggling to keep an infection at bay. Evelyn, for her part, was glad for the reprieve as she had grown increasingly frustrated by his chatter.

Just when she thought that she would be able to settle in for the night and sleep, Nightshade bolted upright, ears perked and a low growl emanating from deep within her chest.

"What is is Shade?" Evelyn whispered, hand already straying to her sword belt.

The wolf turned to look Evelyn in the eyes and, through the unspoken understanding that the two always seemed to share, Evelyn knew.

Orcs

She strapped her belt on, tossed the hood of her cloak back up, and sprinted out of cave. Nightshade was close at her heels and continued to sprint in the direction of the orcs whilst Evelyn took to the sky to survey from above. They were far enough from her home that she was not too concerned with them nearing, and so she set about to observe their presence. Nightshade, knowing her part well, dissolved into the shadows of the woods which the orcs were approaching.

Evelyn landed lighting on a tree branch, perched like a bird as she watched the orcs trudge through the forest. The beasts were as stupid as they were clumsy and so they jostled amount each other. They were heading away from her home and so Evelyn planned only to follow them until they were far enough away for safety. However, then she spotted him.

She didn't get a full view of the creature, but saw from the corner of her eye an orc that was far larger than the others. It was taller and stood with the straight back of a man, far up at the front of the orc-band. She immediately knew that she needed to get a closer look and so hopped lightly from tree branch to tree branch. The trees seemed to know that discretion was necessary and as such held themselves firm, not allowing the girl to slip, nor shaking their branches to create noise and draw attention.

As she neared the front of the pack, Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. She was right in her instinct that is was no normal orc leading the group. No, it was indeed taller, broader, and moved with more grace than any of its fellow beasts. The creature's eyes were unsettling as well. Unlike the orcs with their dull and listless gazes, this beast's eyes were bright and clear, they held a sharpness which begat intelligence.

An Uruk hai, Evelyn's mind supplied. Going back to her knowledge of Tolkien's works, she noticed that this beast lacked the which handprint mark of Saruman. It also chose to travel at night with the other orcs and thus was likely not immune to sunlight yet. The Uruk-hai of Sauron... but how long until Saruman crosses them with man to make beasts even more foul?

Having seen enough, Evelyn sounded low whistle that to any other would seem but a night bird. It was however all the signal that Nightshade needed to turn around and meet Evelyn back at the cave. As Evelyn lept from tree to tree, she had enough time to think and mull over that the presence of the Uruk-hai meant.

I suppose it is about time that we have a chat... Evelyn pondered in regards to her guest.

"Ada!" a voice screamed from below the window of Lord Elrond's study. He recognized the voice immediately and was on his feet in an instant. Having reached their majority long ago, it had been centuries since he last heard one of his sons cry out such.

The Lord of Imaldris raced to his window and saw the small patrol band send out several days ago racing across the bridge. At the head rode Elladan, blood, both red and black could clearly be seen coating his clothing and the horses looked as if they would collapse any second. A quick glance informed Elrond that his younger son, Elrohir, was lingering at the back of the party to support a wounded elf. With the reassurance that both of his sons returned, Elrond quickly grabbed his healing satchel and raced down the stairs to greet them.

"Ion-nin," Elrond called as he neared his eldest's horse. Said elf lept, or more so collapsed, from his steed into his father's arms as he had not since they lost his mother many years ago. "What is the matter, where is the rest of the patrol?"

"We lost Canrion and Sadriel is severely wounded," he managed between gasps. "But Glorfindel, Glorfindel stayed behind. There may have been 40 orcs, all riding wargs who gave chase. We rode here as fast as we could. He told us to warn you."

With those words Elladan pitched forward once more, a deep gash on his arm was still spilling blood as he swayed unsteadily.

"It was three days out, between the two hills," Elrohir, appearing just as exhausted as his bother supplied.

This was all the information that Elrond needed as he immediately snapped into action, waving his hand for the healers waiting nearby to approach. Two elves immediately lifted Sadriel from the front of Elrohir's horse and placed her on a litter in order to carry her to the healing halls.

"You did well my son," elrond whispered into his eldest's ear before passing him off to another elf to help him to the halls. Elrond then did a quick check on all the elves present and barked out orders to the healers on which order to treat their patients. Both of his sons were exhausted, but none in the party has life-threatening injuries save Sadriel. Once he was certain that his patients would be cared for, he turned to Cuhador who was in Glorfindel's second in command.

"I want you to organize a party of your fasted riders to follow their path and find Glorfindel."

"It will be done my Lord," Cuhador said with a fist planted across his chest and a quick bow. He then turned and raced towards the barracks, no doubt to collect the warriors that he would need.

Elrond stayed behind for a few moments longer until Lindir could arrive and organize the equipment and horses as the warriors were far too exhausted to care for their own mounts. Upon Lindir's arrival, Elrond escaped back to his study where he found his faithful counselor Erestor already waiting.

"The healers had to sedate both of your sons to prevent them from racing back out after Glorfindel half crazed from lack of rest," Erestor's voice was as stoic as always. "However, Sadriel is safe and will likely make a full recovery in the next week."

"And the search party?"

"Already underway. They will leave in the next half hour as soon as their packs can be readied." Erestor paused for a moment, watching the way worry etched its way across Elrond's brow. "They will find him my Lord."

As he said these words, Elrond stood and abruptly walked out the door, followed close behind by Erestor. The Lord's path took him to his chambers where he threw open the door and walked directly to an old, wooden chest. He pulled up the lid and removed a light armor along with a leather tunic.

"My Lord," Erestor spoke cautiously. "I would advise against..."

"We will find him," Elrond spoke, ignoring Erestor's attempts of protest. "I will join the hunting party. Have my horse readied. You will be in charge until my return."

"But the diplomats from Erebor are set to arrive in seven days," Erestor prompted.

"If we do not find him before then, I shall return and let the party continue without me." Elrond spoke stiffly, not giving voice the fact that they both knew; if they did not find Glorfindel within seven days, then it was likely that they never would.

"Be safe, mellon nin," he spoke with a resigned sigh.

Elrond nodded his head and finished changing and strapping his weapons on. He raced to join the party waiting in the courtyard. Swinging onto his horse, he looked at the warriors accompanying him. The party of thirty all wore light armor and had minimum supplies in order to keep their horses swift. Unlike the scouting party however, these warriors were heavily armed with bows, spears, swords, and knives.

"We ride to the twin hills, we ride to find Glorfindel and the pestilence that plagues our land," Elrond cried before giving his horse a kick and thundering across the stone bridge of Imaldris's main entrance.

We will find you, Elrond thought, determination darkening his brow.