A hesitant yet heavy knock sounded on Elrond's door and he looked up, a slight frown creasing his lips. He could sense who was on the other side, they rarely knocked and even more rarely were they hesitant.

"Enter," he called, already placing his quill down for he knew that something was afoot.

Glorfindel, as he suspected, entered. The golden-haired warrior walked with a hesitancy to his steps that was usually nonexistent. Glorfindel was always fiery passion, unbridled energy as he laughed and fought with the same easy confidence. Now, he walked wordlessly behind Elrond's desk and paused. Elrond allowed the silence to draw out, merely turning his chair so that he faced the warrior. After a beat of silence, Glorfindel dropped to one knee, his open palm against his chest and his head bowed.

"My Lord Elrond," he spoke gravely.

At this, any trace of amusement in Elrond's mind fell as he stared at the bowed head before him.

"My friend," he spoke gently. "You have not addressed me so since the day you pledged yourself to my service. What is the cause of this now?"

"My Lord, I beg leave for a task set forth to me," he replied, head still bowed.

"Ah, yes," Elrond realized what this was all about. "So the Master of Dreams has indeed sent you a message. Rise, Glorfindel."

The captain rose and stood before Elrond who looked him over carefully. Elrond himself had been visited by Lorien many times in the past. With his foresight, he was intimately connected with the Valar of Dreams and Desires. Most certainly over the past few months his visions had become more frequent, more violent. He knew much of what was to come, what could perhaps come. One distinct possibility was now staring at him.

"I must seek out Elenya, she has lost too much hope already and I fear what will become of her from it." Glorfindel spoke with care.

"It will soon be your duty to fetch the Ring bearer and journey with him to Mordor. The Nine are stirring and no other being in Middle Earth can complete this task." Elrond had good reason for concern. Glorfindel was among the oldest elves lest alive in Middle Earth. He was their greatest living warrior and one of the few who could plausibly face a Nazgul and survive.

If the proceeding events followed Elrond's plan, then Glorfindel would ride out to meet Estel and the Ring bearer, he would bring the group to Imladris where a council would be held, the council would vote to destroy the One, and Glorfindel would be sent to guide the Ring bearer on his task. There was no one even close to Glorifndel's strength and with just the two of them, they could travel with the upmost speed.

"I know my duty, and I will still seek to carry it out,"Glorfindel's tone now turned something close to desperate, his earlier decorum gone. "Please, Elrond, allow me to do this. Allow me to journey out I know not where and find Elenya. I will speak to her and I know that there is still hope left somewhere deep in her heart. Then, I will journey towards Bree and meet Estel and the Halfling. I will bring them here and go on this dreaded quest. But please, did you not say yourself that there was more to her than we knew?"

Elrond contemplated on his old friend's words. It was true, that he sensed something in Elenya... something wrong for a mortal, yet utterly right about her. The light in her eyes- brighter than Glrofindel's tree lit gaze, was trying to tell him something, but he hadn't the faintest clue what. He did however know that Glorfindel was right... Elenya, Raven, whatever they were calling her, was going to be important.

"I will grant you leave to go," Elrond watched as Glorfindel exhaled in visible relief. "But," he warned. "Remember your duty. Remember that the Halfling and Estel are depending on you."

"Of course," Glorfindel smiled, one of the first genuine smiles since the incident with Raven. "I shall not forget."

"Where will you travel?"

"I'm not sure. My instincts are telling me north, past the Misty Mountains and beyond the Woodland Realm."

"A strange place, but if your instincts are telling you to travel to the Waste, then follow them. I sense the Valar are once more attempting to interweave your fates."

Glorfindel nodded once and all but sprinted towards the door, pausing for a second to look at Elrond, that smile re-sparking the glitter of mischief in his eyes. He flashed one of his signature smiles towards Elrond and touched his heart.

"Thank you, my friend."

Elrond nodded in response and watched as his old friend slipped out the door. He knew that the warrior was likely already packed. He would run to change his attire and grab the saddle bags that he had prepared long before we went to seek Elrond's permission. Elrond chuckled at the thought before returning to his work.

Allowing Glorfindel to journey out on his own right before his task was risky, but trying to get him to sit idle was perhaps more so. If the Valar willed for the Gondolin veteran and the strange child to meet again, then who was he to stand in their way?

Evelyn's grand plan had been to move to the Northern Waste, to live out her days with Nightshade in a region where no other conscious being dared to go. That plan... didn't quite work out.

The region was crawling with orcs, trolls, and goblins. They were everywhere at once and Evelyn and Nightshade never slept for more than a few hours at a time. Each time they laid down to rest, another hoard would be right on their tail. Day and night, they were hunted by foul beasts for they had no safety in numbers. The creatures themselves weren't too great of a threat for they were usually small groups, poorly organized clusters searching for a small meal. Each time they were beaten back by the pair, but the constant bombardment was wearing Evelyn's nerves thin.

She just wanted an end to the fighting, the running.

For that's what they were doing, always running, fleeing one nest or another. There was no respite for the weary travelers. As they grew weary, they started to make mistakes.

The errors were small; a slip down a ravine here, a drop in guard just long enough to get a small slash from and orc there, but they were a foreboding sign. Evelyn was no fool, she knew that her exhaustion was costing her and that she had to find a solution soon. But, she didn't know what to do.

The beasts constantly attacked her and Nightshade because they were always vulnerable. They had no permanent home, no crowd to gather in at night. A lonely pair was prime targeting material for a hungry band of orcs. Yet, there was nowhere for Evelyn to go.

She and the dwarf Gloin had created something close to a friendship. He seemed to wander from his mountain a bit more often than most dwarves, and every time he brought enough food to share. He would usually wander to somewhere close to their initial meeting place and Evelyn had grown used to finding him sitting on the ground, picnic halfway finished by the time Nightshade nudged her in the direction. Each time, they would share a meal. Sometimes it was done in silence, other times they spoke of nothing.

Gloin enjoyed talking about his son, Gimli. He gave Evelyn updates on what the dwarf lad was up to... how he was training hard with the promise that he would be allowed on Erebor's next diplomatic mission. In turn, Evelyn gave Gloin information about the movements of orcs and troll near the mountain. She made certain to alert him of any getting a bit too close for comfort, and she knew that he passed this information on for she often found dead orcs or raided troll hoards after their conversations.

With time, Gloin began to bring things, small gifts: a new whetstone, new hunting garb (suspiciously tailored to her size), a new cloak, and even a fine new dagger which he claimed to have forged himself. Evelyn attempted to refuse these items, but she was buffeted back by coarse hand waves and casual refusals. Gloin claimed that they weren't gifts, but payments for her scouting. She knew that the items were worth far more than her casual hints on the whereabouts of these beasts, but she didn't point it out. No matter the weather of the day, she made a point of wearing her cloak. Gloin certainly noticed this, but he made a point of not commenting.

They had a strange understanding.

Yet, at the same time, Evelyn simply couldn't bare the thought of returning with Gloin to his home. While she knew that he was fine with their unspoken agreement of no prying questions, she doubted that those in Erebor would feel the same. If she were to go with Gloin, she would have to answer to Dain who she knew was King Under the Mountain. He certainly seemed enough of the prying type to ask questions that she was unable to answer. Besides, who was to say that the dwarves of Erebor could be trusted, and how could she ever learn to live beneath a mountain? No, her home was the sky and beneath the stars. She couldn't seek safety in the fold of the dwarves.

With that sole resignation in mind, Evelyn and Nightshade continued with their nomadic lifestyle. They moved from place to place, never fully resting for they slept with one eye open. Their days were spent fighting and fleeing whilst their nights were spent snatching what rest they could or tending to the wounds which were becoming more and more frequent.

It was on one of those restless nights when she was awoken by that sense of dread and foreboding that tended to occur at the crux of each orc attack. Nightshade as already wide awake when Evelyn opened her eyes but something was wrong- it was silent. The night birds had quieted, the crickets didn't chirp, and even the wind seemed to have slowed to nothing. Now, orcs were many things, but silent they were not. It was something darker, fouler afoot.

Just as Evelyn came to that conclusion, a pit of dread formed in her stomach. She recognized that feeling. It was a feeling that she had only had one other time in her life, and she almost missed it for the amount of distress she was in at the time.

"I know you're there Sauron," she called out to the empty night. "Show yourself."

"Ah, I see you are growing more perceptive as your powers grow. Well done little one," a chilling voice floated through the air. "You have indeed grown in power since we last met."

Evelyn's hands were out as she turned sharply. She didn't bother to reach for her blades as she knew that they would be useless against the shadowy projection of Sauron, but she could feel her powers crackling beneath her skin.

"What do you want? I completed my end of the bargain and I told your minions that I never wanted to hear from you again."

The cloaked figure continued to move, floating just above the ground as it swirled round and round Evelyn. She gave up on following it and instead planted her feet. She could hear Nightshade's paw steps as the watchful wolf kept her eyes trained on Sauron's figure.

"Yes, the bargain. And how many of my orcs did you get slaughtered during that?"

"That's on you. You never told me that I had to return the army you gave me." At her words, she heard a dark rumble that she took as some sort of twisted laugh.

"Clever child. You are right. Perhaps I should be more specific in my requests."

"Now that that's settled, leave," she pushed as much force into her words as possible and was pleasantly surprised when a sudden gust of wind buffeted the shadowy cloak backwards.

"Not so hasty," he whispered, all at once behind Evelyn. She surpassed the urge to shiver. "I have another offer."

"I'm not interested."

"Oh but I think you are... last time I gave you what you wanted most in the world... your friend. Now I offer you something just as good-"

"I said I'm not interested," she heard Nightshade growling beside her.

"Ah," the figure crept closer and Evelyn felt every join in her body locking up with the darkness exuding from Sauron. "But what I offer you is- a home."

Evelyn turned her head sharply. Though she spoke no words, the dreaded Maiar took that as enough of a cue to continue to speak.

"Just imagine... a home of your very own. A place with real walls, a roof, and windows open to the sky. Room enough for you and your wolf friend. I'll even keep the surrounding land clear. Not a single one of my spawn or allies will ever set foot on the land for it'll be yours."

"I won't- I won't serve you," he voice held the slightest tremor in it as she spoke. For, truthfully, what he said was what she wanted dearly. A home- a place where she could finally rest and find peace. Oh how she desired that. No more battling orcs or running from trouble... no more running. She and Nightshade could finally sleep in peace.

"Oh no, I wouldn't dare to even attempt to poses you," his voice was a delicate hiss... so serpent like and serene. "No... you would never serve me. Instead I offer... and alliance, between- a King and Queen. I offer you a truce where your land will be yours for as long as you draw breath. I will not interfere with the affairs in your land so long as you do not interfere with the affairs of mine."

"Me or Nightshade," Evelyn slowly lowered her hands and raised her chin. She wouldn't cower when making deals with the devil.

"You or Nightshade?" The tip of the shadow tilted to the side, as if he were cocking his head in question.

"The land is mine so long as me or Nightshade draws breath. If I die first, she gets to keep the land... and it has to be healthy land. Nothing tainted by your filth."

"Fair enough," oh Evelyn could hear the smile.

"But, I haven't agreed yet," she cautioned. There was a price... there always was a price. "What do you want in return."

"I want an elf's head."

"I already burned Thranduil's halls. You want his head as well?"

"No no no," the shadow was back to swirling around Evelyn in a move that she figured was something akin to pacing. "I want the elf that you've marked."

"Marked?"

"The one who you've claimed," the voice was now an angry- no, furious hiss.

"What do you mean by 'claimed?' I haven't claimed any elf," she responded, genuinely confused.

"The legendary 'Balrog Slayer' whose soul you've marked as yours. I want his head."

"Why does he matter to you?" Though Evelyn was thoroughly confused as to what he meant by her having 'marked his soul,' she knew exactly who Sauron was speaking of. As much as she hated him... as much as she despised the elf who she was trusted... she didn't know if she could bring herself to killing him.

"He is an... obstacle," the words came out harsh and reluctant. "I will not have him interfering with my plans and I would prefer to not assassinate one who you have a claim on. We are not enemies, Child."

"You're scared of him," as she spoke, Evelyn smiled at the realization. Glorfindel was likely the oldest warrior left in Middle Earth. He was among the elves who once stood and fought against Sauron's master, the strongest of the Valar. He was a legendary hero of greater proportions than most could possibly comprehend.

"Do we have a deal?" He hissed, surging toward Evelyn and causing Nightshade to release a very dangerous growl.

"I- I will not kill him," Evelyn decided.

She couldn't.

Even after everything, after the betrayal, the pain, the hurt that he caused. She just couldn't imagine ending his life. Late into the night, when her dreams were not filled with nightmares of prisons, of cold hearted elves, or being lost in that endless pit of despair... she still dreamed of him. She still felt the heat of the Balrog's flames and still saw that gold-framed head in her lap as his breath ran out.

She hated him... but she couldn't kill him.

"I thought you'd say that... fragile hearted," his voice was filled with contempt. "You're as weak as you're-" he paused. "Never mind, a new deal. You do not kill him, but you keep him."

Evelyn didn't speak.

"I will add a few... adjustments to your home. You find your little elf and you keep him in chains. So long as he doesn't escape, our deal stands. He can be your- pet." There was the slightest hint of a chuckle in Sauron's voice.

"No, I am not a jailor," her words were firm and her eyes blazed with their light. It was in that moment that she realized by Sauron's shadowed form kept moving. He was avoiding her gaze.

"I come here for courtesy," he hissed back, once more behind her. "If I so wished, I could send a hoard of Uruk-hai led by my Nazgul to slaughter him. It is more work than I would like, but I would do it. You know he is not indomitable, you saw him nearly fall before."

As the words sunk in, Evelyn ran through her options. Like so many times before, she was trapped- boxed in between two impossible choices. She had no doubt that Sauron would go through on his threat, she knew that Glorfindel indeed was not invincible. Why he bothered to come to her first, what he meant when he said that she had 'marked him' was unknown to her. But, she did know that she just couldn't imagine the elf dead.

"And the rest of the deal," Evelyn's eyes closed slowly as she felt the dread setting in. Imprisonment... the one crime that still hurt her more than anything. Could she really to that to another? "Does it still stand?"

"Yes," the voice was much calmer now. "So long as you or your wolf draws breath and the elf remains locked away, the land is yours."

"I would see the land first," she suppressed the turmoil boiling inside her.

"Of course..." the figure began to float backwards, withdrawing from their conversation. "East of the Lonely Mountain... you will find it surrounded by woods and isolated from all others. Game and fruit is aplenty. It's yours if you uphold your end."

"I shall make my decision when I see it."

"A pleasure doing business," that dreadful chuckle rumbled through the earth once more, and he was gone.

As soon as she was certain that he was gone, Evelyn took a deep breath and collapsed onto Nightshade. Every cell in her body was strung tight. She could barely contain her pent up emotions.

If she went through with this... if she agreed to this deal... she would be becoming what she despised most. She would be what she hated. Yet, at the same time, didn't he deserve it? After everything that she had done for Glorfindel, after all the times she saved his life... he swore to always stand by her side. He made a promise to her, and he broke it. He betrayed her trust, he sided with the the one who did so much to her. It would be justifiable for her to kill him... yet she couldn't.

Isn't this fitting punishment though?

Evelyn couldn't find herself bothered to seek out shelter for the rest of the night. Instead, she curled up right there, leaning against Nightshade's warmth. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply the scents of the night's air. She could taste the thunderstorm rolling in, the light tinge of smoke from a campfire several miles away. The owls were once again calling out and the crickets sang their praises to the moon. It would be a calm night, but a stormy day.

Evelyn would make her decision in the morning's light.

"Is it worth is?" She asked Nightshade who was still wide awake, unwilling to rest after their encounter with the shadowy cloak of Sauron. "Another deal for the sake of finally being free of this mess?"

Before Nightshade could reply, a warg's howl in the distance seemed something close to an answer.