Why am I doing this? Glorí thought to herself as she led along the horses. Because they're innocent elves who got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had decided that she would aid the elves by supplying horses for travel. Most of the uninjured elves would go over the mountains to Imladris and return with help. Elrond would go with them.

Glorí stopped her thoughts as she came within sight of the clearing. She continued until she was on the edge of the glade before dismounting from Armon swiftly. She turned to find Elrond and Glorfindel approaching her with two other elves she did not know.

The other elves stopped a few feet a way and let their gaze fall onto the animals.

"These are magnificent horses." Said one standing close to Elrond. "Especially the stallion." He added, whispering into Elrond's ear, though not quietly enough as Glorí overheard him.

"He is mine." She said pointedly in reply. "Bred from the horses of Rohan, swift as the wind and dark as night. He will serve Elrond."

"'Tis a great honor. Are you certain?" Questioned Elrond, approaching the horse with a shocked expression on his face. "Yes. He will serve you well. His name is Armon."

Armon nuzzled her cheek as she hugged his broad neck. "I don't use the saddle or reigns myself, but if you need I can find you some."

"No, we have little use for them ourselves. Bareback is fine." Glorfindel spoke as he looked over the other horses.

"Good. Now let's get you ready to go."

An hour later they were ready to leave. Sixteen of the twenty-three elves would be leaving. The rest, including Gil-Galad and Glorfindel would remain with her. Glorí looked upon the elves sitting on her horses. Ten of hers would be used, the swiftest and strongest she had.

"We will return within a fortnight." Said Elrond as the others spurred the horses away. He stayed for a moment longer, "Thank you, my friend."

"Ride fast and well. Do not worry, we will await you."

She stayed and watched as the horses faded from sight before turning into Gil-Galad's tent. His fever had subsided only slightly and she feared for him. She looked upon his still frame. Even in the dark she could make out the handsomeness of his face. He had the look of nobility written over his features; his dark hair flowed over his shoulders.

Kneeling next to his bedside she placed a cool cloth on his sweaty brow. She was rewarded when he turned his head to side and gave her a feeble smile as he succumbed to the dark once more. If the fever did not break by night he was going to need further treatment, beyond the dismal clearing.

With only her thoughts to keep her company she fell asleep still clutching his hand in hers.

"Glorí… Glorí!" A voice was whispering in her ear as she awoke.

"Wha.. what?"

"You fell asleep." The voice was not as close but a bit stronger than it had been. Sitting up she rubbed the sleep from her eyes to see Glorfindel looking at her, a look of worry on his face. She glanced at the still sleeping Gil-Galad and withdrew her hand from his replacing it upon his brow. The skin was covered in sweat and the skin burned her hand.

"The fever is getting worse!" She cried in dismay.

"He's going to make it, isn't he?"

"I don't know but there is nothing more we can do for him here. We must move."

"Where. The nearest town is hundreds of miles away!"

She hesitated for a moment. "We will take him home to my cabin. It is not far and we can reach it by night fall, if we hurry." Glorfindel quickly nodded his agreement. He was still cautious about following a stranger further into the woods but he had little choice of Gil-Galad was going to live.

They exited the tent to find the others standing near-by. "We have to move Gil-Galad. It is his only chance." She said. "Make a bier and pack-up camp. I will get the horses ready. Move, now!" Elves darted in all directions to fulfill the duties as Glorí herself gathered the remainder of the horses she had brought that morning. They had been grazing in a nearby field. There were only six of them, but they were strong and willing to aid her.

Returning to the clearing she found Gil-Galad on the stretcher, the tent was being taken down and the equipment in a pile. They put what they could on the horses, holding what was left in front of them. It was arranged that Glorfindel would ride the fiery red mare that was pulling the stretcher while she walked beside it. The rest would ride the remaining horses.

Once they left there was no telling that they had or any others had camp in the clearing, and they covered the tracks of the horses.

It was a few hours after nightfall when they arrived.

"Get him inside!" Glorí cried as she opened the door to the cabin. Pointing at the bed she indicated that that was where Gil-Galad was to be laid. She turned to the shelves behind her and began to pull medicines and herbs from the shelves. Placing the bottles and leaves on the desk near her bed she went to Gil-Galad's side. He was burning to the touch and shaking slightly.

As gently as she could she pulled his short off down to his waist. Then she tenderly removed the bandage from his side to reveal the wound. It was still fresh and didn't seem to have started to heal at all. It had started bleeding again from moving and it bleed black, a tell all sign of poison at work.

"What can I do?" Asked Glorfindel from beside her.

"Get some clean water and clean the wound as best you can. I will mix a poultice to draw out the poison."

"I thought Elrond did that?"

"He did, but he did not have as many supplies as I have here. Nor did he know the type of poison used. I think I do, but I can't be sure until I try." She answered as she set to work mixing athelas and other herbs into a bowl. Once finished she applied the poultice to Gil-Galad's wound. Then she tightly wrapped his shoulder again.

"Now what?"

"Now, we pray."