A little update. The chapters are coming slowly but they are coming. Just expect this, I am sorry but it is what it is right now. Please stick around for the story though. I will finish it.

Trigger Warning: This chapter has some triggering material dealing with sexual assault without detail.

She stood in the stable, a cowl over her head. The horse she whispered too blew forth a steamy breath on the cool dawn hours. He stood in the door way, his eyes just drinking in the vision of beauty that was his kin. "Thank you for your hospitality my lady." He said softly and she turned just enough to peek over her shoulder. "You are quite welcome and I hope you will come to enjoy it more often." Arwen smiled and looked back to her horse. "I am beginning to understand my husband's enthusiasm with the things he has seen in the east. I have been feeling strange as of late. Strange because there is a sense of renewal all around me. Like the Arda is breathing for the first time in an age."

"That is because it is." Moravar stepped close and stood beside her. He eyed her horse and found her to be quite the lovely mare. It was probably very good that Undómë stayed behind.

"Have you met her?" Arwen asked and cast a glance up to him.

"Met who?"

"The Queen of Greenwood."

"No, I have been avoiding places with a large elf population. Though I hear she is something particularly special, I also hear she is the reason the Arda breathes again."

Arwen nodded gently and leaned against his side. "When you do meet her, don't hide who you are. She will know you're lying." She gave him her warning. Moravar mused over why she was telling him something like this in the first place. Then again foresight was strong in his family.

Soon enough Moravar was sitting beside Charlie as the wagon bumped along. She watched as the gates closed behind them. Somehow, she knew they would meet again very soon.

He and Gimli had been riding for days. The long days of summer carried them further and further into the east. There had been very little movement on the road the Dorwinion. It seemed most took the river these days. This was something he had not considered and the time that had passed since his last foray to the east was apparent.

The decision to gain passage on a barge was made. Gimli was happy with that. It meant that he could hurry back to his lovely dwarrow dam. Their story, well one of the oldest stories ever told. They were both about to be married and they were seeking adventure before the ball and chain were attached.

This story passed by most but there was, on occasion, one of those men that had been around far more than the others. One who would ask why an elf would seek pleasures beyond their own borders? Why would they sully themselves with filthy humans? Haldir was actually offended by the question and the tone. "Filthy human?" He said lowly. "You think yourself filthy? You know me not. The one I seek to wife is fairer than any you would find amongst the Malorn trees of Lothlorien. She is fairer than any you might see in the green gardens of the Woodland Realm nor is there a more beautiful face wandering the halls of Rivendell. She is kind and strong with the aim to rival Orome himself and she is very much Human. Do not insult her race or your own like that."

The man grinned a bit and crossed his arms over his chest. "If she is all of that Elf Lord, why are you seeking pleasures with anyone but her?"

"Because, I may be an elf but I am still male." Haldir laughed. "She awoke a curiosity within me that I intend to eliminate before she is my wife."

This made all gathered around them laugh including the questioning man.

They settled on the deck of the barge, the cheap accommodations. Small shelters erected all around them yet they slept under the stars and thankfully it did not appear like rain. Haldir began to only rest these days. He slept little and some of that was thanks to Gimli and his loud snoring. Haldir closed his eyes and began to bask in the bright starlight. Soon the snoring was drowned out by a gentle hum and he saw her. Hilda standing before him. Though they had not fully committed their relationship he still had a connection through her and the children she bore, His children. Thinking on them only made her face all the clearer to him. She was calm and comfortable. He imagined she was curled up in bed.

It was taking moments like this that kept him sane. He understood now how his lord felt when he was away from his lady. When his eyes opened again the sun was just peeking over the horizon and Gimli was nowhere to be found. He rose and smelled the breeze. There was the scent of smoke drifting upon it. Getting thicker the more they traveled.

Then he saw it. Grey in the morning light then getting darker. He moved slowly across the deck of the barge to the other side. There he found Gimli standing with the men from the night before. There in the distance one would see the shouldering remains of what had been a village the night before.

The people on the bank of the river. The sorrow and despair were cast upon their features like funeral veils. They tending the wounded as best they could. Mothers looking for children, calling for them in vain. Haldir scowled. "Raiders from the east." Haldir looked to see the questioning man from the night before. "Everything is in a bit of chaos after the war. Those that sided with Sauron and those that sided with Morgoth are lost and without lands. They push further west all the time."

Haldir said nothing as he turned and went to find the captain. Gimli watched as the tall golden-haired elf began to speak with the captain then argue with him. Then finally the captain began to yell to his crew and the barge began to drift towards the shore.

"I had a feeling that'd be what he was doin," Gimli mumbled.

"Your friend has a good heart." The man said then thrust his hand out to Gimli. "I am Artamir I am an employ of the lady of Gondor." Gimli lifted a brow and took his hand. "Gimli and that would be Haldir." The man smiled and nodded. "Well, let's go help Haldir. He is going to need it."

Moravar had retrieved his horse and the dirk. He promised to return soon to see Gaveth and Charlie. As he rode along the road to Osgiliath he thought of the young lad and the circumstances surrounding how he came to live with Gaveth.

It had been a cold night. Unusually cold for that early in the fall. He came upon the wagon and the desperate father with his dying wife. They saw he was an elf and begged him to take the child ahead to Minas Tirith. The father explaining, he would bury his wife and meet him there. At the inn of the white tree, they were expecting him there.

Moravar took pity on them and agreed. So, a very young Charlie rode before him. Thrilled to be riding with an elf on a fabled meara. His enthusiasm touched Moravar. He took the boy to the inn and they stayed. He took care of the child in those early days. 2 days passed then it was 5. Charlie grew more upset, not understanding why his mother and father had not come.

Moravar had suspicions. The man abandoned the child after he buried his wife. He thinking an elf would do better. Perhaps he was right. They waited 10 days at the inn. He had to figure something out. Having a child along, no less a human one was foolish. He took Charlie to Gaveth not to leave him there but to see if Gaveth knew what to do.

He ended up keeping the boy, which was good for them both. Gaveth was lonely and Charlie needed someone stable. So, they became family and Moravar became family too. Now he was passing the gate of Osgiliath. Julian would have many questions. He hoped he didn't dig too deeply.

The river town was bustling with activity. it never really wasn't though, even in the still of the night business was always being conducted. He took Undómë to his favorite stable and as he paid for the stall, he heard a familiar snort. He turned to see Thalion bobbing his head over the stall door across the way. The mule curling his lip in an odd-looking smile it made Moravar chuckle as he reached on and scratched the mess of hair on his head. " Well hello Thalion, I see they have you here in the best livery." The mule snorted again and turned his attention back to the grain bucket.

He walked slowly towards the inn. Nothing seemed to be amiss, it was business as usual, yet he couldn't shake this uneasy feeling that was becoming quite noticeable in the pit of his stomach. He even paused outside to look around one last time before entering. "Welcome to the, OH, You did show up." The voice of Dan greeted the tall elf as he entered. "I will have you know mellon, your name is the only reason I let Julian in the door."

Moravar sighed and leaned on the counter. "I do appreciate that Dan, it is good to see you. I was just visiting the blacksmith in Minas Tirith, Charlie said to tell you that he has learned how to fit horse shoes and you owe him, it seems you had a bet."

Dan chuckled and nodded, "Aye, I needed to get the fire lit under that boy's backside. Money will usually do that. Gaveth is too soft sometimes." Truth was they were both rather soft on the lad but Moravar would never say such out loud.

"You got really lucky Moravar, that girl of yours is a keeper."

Moravar stared a Dan a moment. " My girl?"

"Yeah Selwyn, she's working in my kitchen. Told Julian to piss off about it too. She said she could contribute as well and asked me if she could work. That's a good sign, She will make a good wife."

Moravar was even more confused now but played along. "Indeed, she is great."

After a little more small talk Moravar made his way up the stairs to the room. His usual room, a place where he often found peace. Upon opening the door, he found himself in a sea of hanging laundry. Strung from twine stretched between wall sconces. Patsy was sitting in his underwear before an opened window, a book in his hand. He sighed a bit defeated and closed the door.

"Hello Moravar." He said brightly. "Julian, Moravar is here!" He called out and Julian walked from the bathroom. His hair twisted up in a towel and he was clad in a garish robe made of bright purple silk.

"Snake." Julian said lowly and eye's Moravar.

"Why hello to you too Julian. Charlie sends his love. Gaveth said, uh well let's not bring that up." Moravar said with a smug grin.

"Fiend." Julian hissed.

"I will take that as a compliment coming from you." He said and turned to put his pack down and find a seat in a chair covered in various articles of clothing.

"What promise have you made to Selwyn?"

"Promise?"

"Don't play stupid Moravar, there is some secret between you both and I do not trust nor like it."

Patsy put the book down and watched the back and forth. Moravar rose and stepped towards Julian and Julian did not back down.

"There is no promise." Patsy spoke up.

Both elves turned to look at him.

"She made it up. It worked, didn't it? It convinced the inn keep to let us stay. Sheesh, Julian aren't you supposed to be some super talented con man? I could see it was a con from a mile away." He smirked and picked up his book again.

Julian stepped back from Moravar and cleared his throat a bit. "It's good that Charlie is doing well. I should have gone with you to see him."

He turned and meandered back towards the bathroom. Moravar watched him for a few moments as Dan's congratulations began to make more sense.

"Patsy, you need to start getting things packed. We need to leave soon. Have you been able to book passage?"

Moravar had left the inn in a slight bit of anger. Passage had not been booked. None going north would take them. He had feared this would happen after the news of what happened downstream reach further north. He had one card to play in Osgiliath and he hoped it played. The streets of the port city while repaired, were still in a state of being rebuilt. So long after the war that had seen it taken over and put into ruin.

He walked past piles of stone and men with shovels. Detouring around completely closed paths. He made it eventually to the docks themselves. He pulled his cowl tighter over his head and did his best to blend in with the men that worked the docks.

Finally, he saw the sign. Full Rudder Transport, it read and Moravar ducked inside. There were several men inside having a conversation. Which was steadily turning into an argument. Moravar stood quietly in the corner.

"You said it would be here today, Phairdor."

"That was what was planned however, There was a raid in Stanmere a few nights ago. Just feel lucky your cargo survived." Phairdor snapped at them.

Moravar felt a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. Stanmere had been raided, he immediately began to worry about Fulgar, Maggie and Yana. The sound of the men leaving brought Moravar back from his thoughts. There was a long sigh then an apology. "I am sorry about that sir; how can I help you?"

Moravar pushed his cowl back and approached the rather portly man with the bushy grey beard. He took one look at Moravar and shook his head. "I will tell you like I told you friend. I can't afford to give either of you passage. I heard what happened hunter."

Moravar looked at Phairdor a moment then pulled a square golden tolken from his pocket and placed it on the table between them and slowly slid it towards the man. Phairdor's eyes widened as he looked down at the token and the coiling snake upon it.

"Your family has an obligation, does it not?" Moravar said lowly.

Phairdor frowned and nodded. "I had hoped I would be like my da and never have to look upon such a thing." He whispered.

"The only reason you even exist is because of the oath made that day."

Phairdor looked up into elves eyes. "Aye and I will fulfill my family's oath. You want to go north, right? I have a small barge going to Cairlorn, that is as far north as I go. There will be no accommodations on the way. It is a small barge, you will have to make do on deck. It leaves tonight."

Moravar nodded and picked up the token before the man could. "I will give this to you when we board and then I will count your oath fulfilled."

At first Haldir found it strange that there were so few young among these people. He found himself tending to many older humans and several peredhil. Fairly young for them and fast enough to escape the snares and nets, yet not strong enough to fight back. Especially with no training or weapons to speak of.

Artamir was fairly well adept at healing arts. He worked seamlessly along said Haldir and Gimli. Several of the passengers from the barge volunteered their help as well. Those that were already treated and well enough to move were being loaded onto the barge. They carried what they could scavenge from the ruins of their homes. They carried their wounded. Haldir felt a deep pang of sadness of these people and the suffering they had endured and been enduring for far too long.

"Why are there so few young?" Haldir asked in a whisper. Artamir shook his head slightly as he wrapped up the woman's arm. The one he had just stitched up. "Slavers, Raiders from other villages looking for mates. They take the young men too. They usually don't even bother killing the rest of the villagers because it would be too much of a hassle but there are those that will. These people are lucky it was the latter."

Haldir scowled at this, He was helping the woman sit up slowly and carefully. "Who was it this time?" He asked Artamir, then looked into the woman's eyes and smiled gently. They did not speak the same language but he could give her a sense of calm using his magic, magical sedation. "Probably slavers. They even took the infants. The market for young slaves is growing. They will even sale babies to to rich childless people or to those that raise them as slaves."

Haldir rose without a word and walked towards the shouldering ruins. His eyes slowly scanned the ground before him. His eyes seeing the difference between raiders and villagers by the shape of their footprints. The ground wet from the recent rains told the story. Raiders wore better shoes. The villagers in sandals or barefoot. He traced the raiders back to where they entered the village.

Artamir watched from a distance. He did not want to disturb the elf lord or further disturb the tracks. He reached out to stop Gimli from just walking through. "Let him work Lord Gimli." He said gently. Gimli sighed and nodded. Having been around Legolas long enough to know that when he was on the tail of something he did not give up. Seemed most elves held this same quality.

They watched as Haldir moved so delicately his steps did not disturb the ground. He was tracing the raiders through the streets and then when they gathered, where the captives were held. Then where the left. He turned to look at his companions. His head lowered as he walked back to them and Gimli could clearly see the distressed look on his friend's face.

"The left on the eastern side heading towards the scrub. What is that way?" He looked to Artamir.

"A few small rat holes and back waters, depending on which way they went out there. Either way it isn't much at all." He shrugged a little. "Though it's been a few years since I went very far east." He admitted lowly.

"There are maybe 10 of them. They are very skilled and knew exactly what they wanted and where to get it. The raid was precise. The chaos was controlled from the start. The fiends are skilled. I cannot abandon these people to whatever fate is in store for them and I cannot ask either of you to come. That being said I hope you will." He looked to Artamir and Gimli.

Artamir grinned and held up a finger. "Just a moment please my Lord." He turned and began to walk away. Haldir wand Gimli watched him roam towards a small group of men. Suddenly there was a flurry of activity among them. "The Captain wishes to speak with you." He called out and waved them in.

Haldir gave the Captain a small gold bar as payment. One of a few he had in case of an emergency and this he believed his Lady would understand. The Captain agreed to transport all of the people to the nearest city where they could get care. Another gold bar was given to the refugees' representative to help get them started once more. The Captain also agreed to meet Haldir and the others a bit further of the river to take them back.

Artamir was the captain of a small party employed by the Queen of Gondor. Their job was to report the goings on in the east of her kingdom and to provide aid when needed. He knew all too well the goings on in this country. He had done what they were going to do many times. Rangers of the east they were called in polite company, to the raiders they were death.

The raiders had a day on them, at least. They found where they me up with the wagons. Then they went north towards the Rhun. They were moving fast as well. They did not care about their captives to stop at all and when they did it was not for long. The captives were kept in the wagons.

The next day they found where the group split up. A small group went towards the east and the wagons went north again. They stayed on the wagons trail. The next day the wagons did not stop. Then as the sun began to set and the night began to dot the sky with brilliant stars, they found the raiders.

The trees had grown thicker as they entered the piney woods on the coastal plain of the Rhun. There the raiders made camp for the night. Feeling confident they were safe. Artamir began to have an idea of where they were going. A backwater in the swamplands on the edge of the Rhun. A den of scoundrels, murders and thieves. A place where slaves are sold. It was notoriously well defended and would take far more men than they had to take it. They had to free these people before then.

Haldir crouched high in one of the trees. He could see great distances and even saw better in dim light. He had to force himself to stay as he witnessed the horrors of these people's lives. A young girl stood in the center of them. She was being forced to strip naked for their amusement. He heard the cries of a young boy pleading with them to not touch him anymore. Artamir soon joined him on a lower branch.

"You do not need to torture yourself Haldir. It will all be over for them soon. Come down and help with the plan." He said softly to the tense elf. They both climbed down. The rangers where now coming back with details. A plan was made that was rather simple, being as their targets were being rather lax. They seemed to believe themselves in the clear.

The attack was silent at first. The rangers moved in close and silently. They deployed silent killing skills. Slitting the throats of the guards they came across and soon they were guarding the wagons filled with people. Those locked inside holding their breaths and not daring to make a sound.

Then they sprang upon those taking place in these atrocities. The captives screamed and ran, some were too terrified and tortured to move. They huddled down in tears as chaos erupted and crescendo into a clatter of noise then silence. Haldir took particular pleasure in the slaying of these monsters. Knowing full well these could be his children from Dale. Now their nightmare was over. He turned to look on the face of the young boy he had heard earlier. The lad lay on his side in the fetal position. His eyes wide with terror.

Haldir put away his sword and began to approach the boy, who screamed and tried to crawl away the closer Haldir got. Haldir gently reached out to the naked boy and whispered softly to him in Sindar. The fluid language and the words spoken called the boy. He was able to get his cloak around him to cover him and carefully he simply hugged the child and whispered to him until he became relaxed and calm.

Artamir watched the elf deal with this traumatized boy with gentle care. Even as he carried him towards the wagons where the others were already letting the people out to see what help they could give them. He began to find himself impressed with this elf. This elf who was beginning to see humanity as his equals.