I woke slowly and yawned. From the sunlight, it looked as if it were
midday. I got up slowly and smelling food, I got out of bed and saw a light
meal on my table near the patio. I ate everything there: fruit, cheese,
some hot soup and bread.
Dressing while I ate, I popped the last of the bread in my mouth and I quickly braided my hair back as I rushed down to Elrond's study. I knocked on the door, and Elladan opened it with a smile and bid me enter.
"Good afternoon Marie, Ada is in with Hennar, just settling her down."
I nodded and went to the arch and looked in. Hennar, pale and still asleep, lay against clean sheets and pillows. Lord Elrond was over at the window and turned with a smile as I came in.
I picked up Hennar's closest hand, and rubbed it some as it felt cool to me. "She hasn't woken up yet?
He just shook his head and turned to gaze out the window again. I looked back down at her and sighed. "Is she all right?
Without turning he said, "As well as she can be at this point."
While looking at her face, I said quietly, thinking of my dreamless sleep, "Thank you my lord."
"You are welcome."
Waiting for Hennar to awake I thought again how her life must have been with this husband, an older man she had said. I really wanted to get the bastard and make him suffer. He must have a heart of stone, if he had one at all. I really, really wanted to smash someone and I am by nature not very violent.
Thinking about him got me angry and I inadvertently squeezed Hennar's hand a little too hard I think, and she moaned slightly. Embarrassed, I let go.
Hennar woke up, and Elrond went to her side, closest to the window. I picked up her hand again and looked to the elf lord, who was smiling down at the sleepy young woman. He sat on the side of the bed and spoke to her in Westron. Mostly how are you and how do you feel as near as I could make out, Hennar tried to sit up and Elrond helped her get comfortable against the pillows.
Elladan stuck his head around the arch. "Ada, can I do anything?"
"Will you order her some invalid food? Very light."
"Of course Ada."
I thought a minute how Elladan had been waiting: He wanted to smash the cockroach too. Good, getting away would be that much easier.
Hennar squeezed my hand gently. "Good morning Marie. I am glad you are here."
I bit my lip and nodded, squeezing her hand back.
"Hennar," Elrond said gently, his eyes warm and intense. "You lost the baby last night. I am sorry. I did what I could, but her spirit fled."
I felt the grip on my hand intensify and I returned the pressure.
Hennar's head dropped and I saw tears dribble down her cheeks. She pulled both her hands from our grasp and brought them up to her face. And I felt tears tighten my throat. Before I could do anything though, Lord Elrond gently gathered her up and held her to him, letting her cry as he rubbed her back. I sat there, hands between my knees, trying to swallow my tears.
Wiping my face, as Elrond lay her back, I leaned forward and gave her a hug. I whispered brokenly "I am so sorry, sweetie." And I know that last didn't translate into Westron, but I hoped she got my meaning.
Hennar nodded silently and hugged me back as Elrond went back into his study undoubtedly to make her a cordial.
"I wanted the baby. I have no one else."
"But your family? Moma and Poppa? Brothers or sisters?"
Hennar nodded and said in a whisper, "But I am a bad wife. I-I ran away. And now, now I lost the baby and Loran will be even more angry. My parents will be unhappy."
I hugged her again and said. "No, no everything will be well. I shall see it so." My Westron was breaking down, and I was too, tears filling my eyes again. Humans! We could be SO disgusting sometimes!
I just silently held her, my heart cracking. Ohhh, we would get that bastard.
A light touch on my back, and I turned and saw it was Elladan. He looked serious. Pulling me up he said quietly, "Come let us have some tea. Ada will talk to Hennar and settle her mind."
Wiping my eyes, I let him lead me out into his father's study, where Elrohir was pouring us all tea.
The minute I was handed a glass, I said in an even voice. "That husband needs to be found, the weasel. Hennar cannot be left adrift like this"
"We agree," Elrohir said while his brother sipped. "We plan to leave at first light."
"I want to go with you. No, wait, I need to go with you. I must not only see justice done, but have a hand in it. Someone needs to talk to Hennar's family. It sounds as if no one cares about her...just what she is supposed to do, no matter the consequences!
The twins looked at each other and Elladan said with a heavy sigh. "We cannot allow you to Marie. It is too dangerous."
"Ada would have our skin if we did. " Elrohir added.
About to give them a long list of reasons why I needed to accompany them, I realized I couldn't. Certainly not here in their father's study with him only a few feet away. But believe me, I was going to do something.
Personally.
I nodded and finished my tea in silence. I would come up with a way. If I had to get up BEFORE first light and take off ......I......would...
I swallowed my smile behind my tea glass and when I was finished I thanked them and bowing slightly, hurriedly left the study.
I had some packing and planning to do.
First, I had to find where Hennar's family lived and I could take them a message. And perhaps I would cross paths with the nasty husband. I could give him a piece of my mind, and if I had to, the sharp end of my dagger. (I still had the one from my little adventures with Fingalan).
I waited until Elrond and the twins had gone elsewhere before I returned to Hennar's bedside.
She was sitting up in bed, half-asleep, head turned towards the window, her face still wet.
"Hennar, It is I, Marie."
She turned to me and hastily wiped her tears.
"Hullo Marie."
"Hi sweetie," I said, sitting down on the bed and holding her hand again. "Hennar, can you tell me where your folks live? I would like to take them news of you, where you are."
Hennar looked at me, biting her lip, "But Moma and Poppa will be so mad!"
"They need to know what's happened and what Loran has done to you! Your parents cannot wish this kind of badness on you." (My Westron was eroding again)
Hennar looked out the window again and then sighed heavily. "I will tell you Marie, but I have no hope of happiness from them."
Surely they could not be without any feeling for this poor woman!?
'Tell me then Hennar, and I will write it down to remember well."
Nodding, the young woman gave me directions to her parent's farm, which was off the East Road, near the foothills of the Misty Mountains.
Now, not only could I leave Rivendell, but I had a purpose too!!
And if I happened to cross paths with ol'Loran, well, he'd better beware!
Now, I have always had a decent inner alarm clock, so it was not impossible for me to get up roughly at three a.m. and take my supplies out to the stable.
What was nigh on impossible was leaving a perfectly warm comfortable bed and getting dressed in several layers of clothes.
I grabbed the full rucksack I had gotten from the kitchen telling them I was going to go on a picnic to celebrate my freedom from being house bound. Flattering Resaldil, the head cook, I even got an extra water skin filled with light wine. I took a thick extra blanket that usually lay folded up at the end of my bed and rolled that up tightly, tying it to the top of the rucksack.
I paused as I braided my hair back. But I owed the elf lord so much!! I could not just go like a thief in the night, he deserved better from me!
I lit the candle on my little table where I usually ate my meals and composed a long note to him. I thanked him for everything (gee my life maybe?) and apologized for taking the things I had with me, including, I winced because it had been his children's, The Lay of Beren And Luthien, my favorite. I even said goodbye to Hennar saying something general about getting better and all and be of good heart, etc.
But finally I was done, dressed and ready to go and went swiftly out of the House without a backward glance, because if I did, I would NOT leave.
Rushing across the courtyard, I went to the stables and told the night stable hand calmly I was going on ahead to meet the twins who would be joining me shortly. He made no demur and allowed me to saddle up Carenloth and take off.
As I went over the bridge that spanned the now mostly frozen Bruinen, I bit my lip and urged Carenloth into a canter. I could not weaken now, I had to let Rivendell go! Elrond had his hands full with poor Hennar and the twins being back and I was just being not only a fifth wheel, but old news, days old fish: I had to leave.
Okay, wait, reading the above makes me sound terribly egocentric....I did not really think I was the center of Lord Elrond's attentions. It was the reason I had made my resolution in the first place: He needed to be free of me and my second-guessing and my messes. There are other people and things, events in his life. I have no idea where I was on his list of priorities. But my reasoning was, I was trying to get off ANY list of his at this point.
I stared up at the stars through my frosty breath, letting Carenloth find her way in the dark, as I knew she could and tears crystallized on my cheeks.
I would really, really miss Rivendell!
So now I had all of Middle Earth before me to explore! Mirkwood! The Shire! Minas Tirith! Lothlorien...well, no, not Lothlorien. I would rather deal with the spiders of Mirkwood than the Lady of the Golden Wood. She gave me the willies just thinking about her, and Celeborn. They were way older than Elrond...Lord only knows what they were like or capable of. I shivered in my cloak and bent to Carenloth's neck.
Onward! I wiped my tears away quickly with a gloved hand. All right, now to figure out where I was going to meet up with the twins.
It was darn cold in the predawn hours. But I kept riding...I wanted as much mileage between Rivendell and me as possible.
So by sunrise, I found myself winding through the foothills of the Misty Mountains. Carenloth was getting a little tired and I was just about ready for a break.
Dismounting stiffly, I led Carenloth under a tree and pulled out some fruit and a roll out of my supplies, and sat huddled in my cloak near Carenloth while she nibbled the dry grass between patches of thin snow.
Once my quick breakfast was done, I sat there deciding that this was as good a place as any to wait for the twins. They would have to go by here on their way to find the East Road and the farmer. And I couldn't miss them.
Yawning, I put my head on my knees and closed my eyes.
The sun was over the mountain edges, but had done little to warm up the air temperature, when I stirred from my sleep. I was lying on my side wrapped in my cloak and I could smell a fire going.
Sitting up, I yawned and saw the twins by the fire heating water.
All right. "Good morning my lords. I have been waiting for you!"
"Good morning Marie," Elladan said as he lifted the kettle on the rocks. Elrohir smiled at me through the thin haze of smoke, as he stirred the fire, adding another small log. "Good morning Marie," he echoed.
Rubbing my eyes, I pulled my cloak around me and smiled at them. "Well, this looks like a fine day for tracking! No rain or snow."
"Marie, you cannot come with us!" Elladan said frowning as he poured hot water into three mugs and threw in herbs.
Elrohir stood and looked at me. "Marie, our father will not be happy if we let you come with us on this task."
"Would he be happier if I was left on my own out here in the Wild? I have never been this far from Rivendell, but I'll be damned if I go back while you to go after that despicable farmer!"
I looked at them both with a challenge in my eyes. They were not going to persuade me to go back. I shivered suddenly. I certainly hoped they didn't have the compulsion skills their father did.
The two remained silent and Elrohir looked at his brother. Elladan silently handed me the mug of hot tea.
We all took several sips in silence, and then finally Elladan spoke, looking at his brother with a sigh. " I do not think father would like us to leave you alone out here, but---"
"Do you really want to take the time to take me all the way back to Rivendell? Which lets the farmer get that much further away?" I swallowed some of my tea. "And do not think for one moment my lords, if you DO attempt to return me to Rivendell that I will not fight you tooth and nail the whole way back."
And of course, I also hoped they wouldn't think of the simple expedient of just knocking me out long enough to return. I was counting on them wanting to go forward. I was also counting on the fact that they had had no dealings with someone like me and did not know how far to push their positions. I knew they were not idiots, and they were older and more experienced than I. I was just hoping their vast experience did not include too many pig-headed women!
"I have gotten this far, I have packed supplies, even food. So I am prepared to take care of myself. I have a dagger."
I leaned forward, "Remember how frightened Hennar is? Just think of the nasty bastard that did that to her! And now she has lost the baby!" I sat back and finished my cup of tea, awaiting their verdict.
They too took their time over their tea and soon the little campsite was silent save for occasional movement from the horses.
I did not want to tell them of my plans concerning Hennar's family. That was MY little errand to fulfill.
I put my cup down in the dry grass and dirt next to my booted feet. I stared at the wisps of grass and pebbles. Damn it. They just had to see my side of it. But then again...they were not human.
Finally Elladan spoke. "I understand your feelings in this matter Marie, both Elrohir and I do," he paused and looked at his brother, who nodded. "And your arguments are sound. But this is just too dangerous." He rose and looked down at me, his eyes glittering like his father's, "You must turn back for Rivendell. The ride from here is safe and you can get back before nightfall."
About to counter his arguments, I took a deep breath and nodded silently.
"All right my lords, I shall do as you say, but under protest." Resignedly, I stood and looked at the two of them.
If they thought for one minute I was going to give up on this, they were sadly mistaken.
I handed back the empty mug and adjusting my cape, I remounted Carenloth and turned her head back towards Rivendell. I did not look but cantered out of sight.
And finding a convenient copse of trees, I sat for an hour or so until I was sure the twins had gone on.
Then spurring the mare into a trot, I followed the twins on their mission of mercy and mayhem.
Of course, what I didn't know at the time, was that shortly after I had left, two elves had ridden up to Elladan and Elrohir and told them of the avalanche close to where Elrond and I had been ambushed by falling snow. And this one was not only blocking the upper reaches of the East Road, but trapping a merchant's caravan.
The twins rushed off to help, assuming I was headed brisklyin the opposite direction.
And good ol'Marie was left to deal with the farmer and carry the message to Hennar's parents.
Alone.
Dressing while I ate, I popped the last of the bread in my mouth and I quickly braided my hair back as I rushed down to Elrond's study. I knocked on the door, and Elladan opened it with a smile and bid me enter.
"Good afternoon Marie, Ada is in with Hennar, just settling her down."
I nodded and went to the arch and looked in. Hennar, pale and still asleep, lay against clean sheets and pillows. Lord Elrond was over at the window and turned with a smile as I came in.
I picked up Hennar's closest hand, and rubbed it some as it felt cool to me. "She hasn't woken up yet?
He just shook his head and turned to gaze out the window again. I looked back down at her and sighed. "Is she all right?
Without turning he said, "As well as she can be at this point."
While looking at her face, I said quietly, thinking of my dreamless sleep, "Thank you my lord."
"You are welcome."
Waiting for Hennar to awake I thought again how her life must have been with this husband, an older man she had said. I really wanted to get the bastard and make him suffer. He must have a heart of stone, if he had one at all. I really, really wanted to smash someone and I am by nature not very violent.
Thinking about him got me angry and I inadvertently squeezed Hennar's hand a little too hard I think, and she moaned slightly. Embarrassed, I let go.
Hennar woke up, and Elrond went to her side, closest to the window. I picked up her hand again and looked to the elf lord, who was smiling down at the sleepy young woman. He sat on the side of the bed and spoke to her in Westron. Mostly how are you and how do you feel as near as I could make out, Hennar tried to sit up and Elrond helped her get comfortable against the pillows.
Elladan stuck his head around the arch. "Ada, can I do anything?"
"Will you order her some invalid food? Very light."
"Of course Ada."
I thought a minute how Elladan had been waiting: He wanted to smash the cockroach too. Good, getting away would be that much easier.
Hennar squeezed my hand gently. "Good morning Marie. I am glad you are here."
I bit my lip and nodded, squeezing her hand back.
"Hennar," Elrond said gently, his eyes warm and intense. "You lost the baby last night. I am sorry. I did what I could, but her spirit fled."
I felt the grip on my hand intensify and I returned the pressure.
Hennar's head dropped and I saw tears dribble down her cheeks. She pulled both her hands from our grasp and brought them up to her face. And I felt tears tighten my throat. Before I could do anything though, Lord Elrond gently gathered her up and held her to him, letting her cry as he rubbed her back. I sat there, hands between my knees, trying to swallow my tears.
Wiping my face, as Elrond lay her back, I leaned forward and gave her a hug. I whispered brokenly "I am so sorry, sweetie." And I know that last didn't translate into Westron, but I hoped she got my meaning.
Hennar nodded silently and hugged me back as Elrond went back into his study undoubtedly to make her a cordial.
"I wanted the baby. I have no one else."
"But your family? Moma and Poppa? Brothers or sisters?"
Hennar nodded and said in a whisper, "But I am a bad wife. I-I ran away. And now, now I lost the baby and Loran will be even more angry. My parents will be unhappy."
I hugged her again and said. "No, no everything will be well. I shall see it so." My Westron was breaking down, and I was too, tears filling my eyes again. Humans! We could be SO disgusting sometimes!
I just silently held her, my heart cracking. Ohhh, we would get that bastard.
A light touch on my back, and I turned and saw it was Elladan. He looked serious. Pulling me up he said quietly, "Come let us have some tea. Ada will talk to Hennar and settle her mind."
Wiping my eyes, I let him lead me out into his father's study, where Elrohir was pouring us all tea.
The minute I was handed a glass, I said in an even voice. "That husband needs to be found, the weasel. Hennar cannot be left adrift like this"
"We agree," Elrohir said while his brother sipped. "We plan to leave at first light."
"I want to go with you. No, wait, I need to go with you. I must not only see justice done, but have a hand in it. Someone needs to talk to Hennar's family. It sounds as if no one cares about her...just what she is supposed to do, no matter the consequences!
The twins looked at each other and Elladan said with a heavy sigh. "We cannot allow you to Marie. It is too dangerous."
"Ada would have our skin if we did. " Elrohir added.
About to give them a long list of reasons why I needed to accompany them, I realized I couldn't. Certainly not here in their father's study with him only a few feet away. But believe me, I was going to do something.
Personally.
I nodded and finished my tea in silence. I would come up with a way. If I had to get up BEFORE first light and take off ......I......would...
I swallowed my smile behind my tea glass and when I was finished I thanked them and bowing slightly, hurriedly left the study.
I had some packing and planning to do.
First, I had to find where Hennar's family lived and I could take them a message. And perhaps I would cross paths with the nasty husband. I could give him a piece of my mind, and if I had to, the sharp end of my dagger. (I still had the one from my little adventures with Fingalan).
I waited until Elrond and the twins had gone elsewhere before I returned to Hennar's bedside.
She was sitting up in bed, half-asleep, head turned towards the window, her face still wet.
"Hennar, It is I, Marie."
She turned to me and hastily wiped her tears.
"Hullo Marie."
"Hi sweetie," I said, sitting down on the bed and holding her hand again. "Hennar, can you tell me where your folks live? I would like to take them news of you, where you are."
Hennar looked at me, biting her lip, "But Moma and Poppa will be so mad!"
"They need to know what's happened and what Loran has done to you! Your parents cannot wish this kind of badness on you." (My Westron was eroding again)
Hennar looked out the window again and then sighed heavily. "I will tell you Marie, but I have no hope of happiness from them."
Surely they could not be without any feeling for this poor woman!?
'Tell me then Hennar, and I will write it down to remember well."
Nodding, the young woman gave me directions to her parent's farm, which was off the East Road, near the foothills of the Misty Mountains.
Now, not only could I leave Rivendell, but I had a purpose too!!
And if I happened to cross paths with ol'Loran, well, he'd better beware!
Now, I have always had a decent inner alarm clock, so it was not impossible for me to get up roughly at three a.m. and take my supplies out to the stable.
What was nigh on impossible was leaving a perfectly warm comfortable bed and getting dressed in several layers of clothes.
I grabbed the full rucksack I had gotten from the kitchen telling them I was going to go on a picnic to celebrate my freedom from being house bound. Flattering Resaldil, the head cook, I even got an extra water skin filled with light wine. I took a thick extra blanket that usually lay folded up at the end of my bed and rolled that up tightly, tying it to the top of the rucksack.
I paused as I braided my hair back. But I owed the elf lord so much!! I could not just go like a thief in the night, he deserved better from me!
I lit the candle on my little table where I usually ate my meals and composed a long note to him. I thanked him for everything (gee my life maybe?) and apologized for taking the things I had with me, including, I winced because it had been his children's, The Lay of Beren And Luthien, my favorite. I even said goodbye to Hennar saying something general about getting better and all and be of good heart, etc.
But finally I was done, dressed and ready to go and went swiftly out of the House without a backward glance, because if I did, I would NOT leave.
Rushing across the courtyard, I went to the stables and told the night stable hand calmly I was going on ahead to meet the twins who would be joining me shortly. He made no demur and allowed me to saddle up Carenloth and take off.
As I went over the bridge that spanned the now mostly frozen Bruinen, I bit my lip and urged Carenloth into a canter. I could not weaken now, I had to let Rivendell go! Elrond had his hands full with poor Hennar and the twins being back and I was just being not only a fifth wheel, but old news, days old fish: I had to leave.
Okay, wait, reading the above makes me sound terribly egocentric....I did not really think I was the center of Lord Elrond's attentions. It was the reason I had made my resolution in the first place: He needed to be free of me and my second-guessing and my messes. There are other people and things, events in his life. I have no idea where I was on his list of priorities. But my reasoning was, I was trying to get off ANY list of his at this point.
I stared up at the stars through my frosty breath, letting Carenloth find her way in the dark, as I knew she could and tears crystallized on my cheeks.
I would really, really miss Rivendell!
So now I had all of Middle Earth before me to explore! Mirkwood! The Shire! Minas Tirith! Lothlorien...well, no, not Lothlorien. I would rather deal with the spiders of Mirkwood than the Lady of the Golden Wood. She gave me the willies just thinking about her, and Celeborn. They were way older than Elrond...Lord only knows what they were like or capable of. I shivered in my cloak and bent to Carenloth's neck.
Onward! I wiped my tears away quickly with a gloved hand. All right, now to figure out where I was going to meet up with the twins.
It was darn cold in the predawn hours. But I kept riding...I wanted as much mileage between Rivendell and me as possible.
So by sunrise, I found myself winding through the foothills of the Misty Mountains. Carenloth was getting a little tired and I was just about ready for a break.
Dismounting stiffly, I led Carenloth under a tree and pulled out some fruit and a roll out of my supplies, and sat huddled in my cloak near Carenloth while she nibbled the dry grass between patches of thin snow.
Once my quick breakfast was done, I sat there deciding that this was as good a place as any to wait for the twins. They would have to go by here on their way to find the East Road and the farmer. And I couldn't miss them.
Yawning, I put my head on my knees and closed my eyes.
The sun was over the mountain edges, but had done little to warm up the air temperature, when I stirred from my sleep. I was lying on my side wrapped in my cloak and I could smell a fire going.
Sitting up, I yawned and saw the twins by the fire heating water.
All right. "Good morning my lords. I have been waiting for you!"
"Good morning Marie," Elladan said as he lifted the kettle on the rocks. Elrohir smiled at me through the thin haze of smoke, as he stirred the fire, adding another small log. "Good morning Marie," he echoed.
Rubbing my eyes, I pulled my cloak around me and smiled at them. "Well, this looks like a fine day for tracking! No rain or snow."
"Marie, you cannot come with us!" Elladan said frowning as he poured hot water into three mugs and threw in herbs.
Elrohir stood and looked at me. "Marie, our father will not be happy if we let you come with us on this task."
"Would he be happier if I was left on my own out here in the Wild? I have never been this far from Rivendell, but I'll be damned if I go back while you to go after that despicable farmer!"
I looked at them both with a challenge in my eyes. They were not going to persuade me to go back. I shivered suddenly. I certainly hoped they didn't have the compulsion skills their father did.
The two remained silent and Elrohir looked at his brother. Elladan silently handed me the mug of hot tea.
We all took several sips in silence, and then finally Elladan spoke, looking at his brother with a sigh. " I do not think father would like us to leave you alone out here, but---"
"Do you really want to take the time to take me all the way back to Rivendell? Which lets the farmer get that much further away?" I swallowed some of my tea. "And do not think for one moment my lords, if you DO attempt to return me to Rivendell that I will not fight you tooth and nail the whole way back."
And of course, I also hoped they wouldn't think of the simple expedient of just knocking me out long enough to return. I was counting on them wanting to go forward. I was also counting on the fact that they had had no dealings with someone like me and did not know how far to push their positions. I knew they were not idiots, and they were older and more experienced than I. I was just hoping their vast experience did not include too many pig-headed women!
"I have gotten this far, I have packed supplies, even food. So I am prepared to take care of myself. I have a dagger."
I leaned forward, "Remember how frightened Hennar is? Just think of the nasty bastard that did that to her! And now she has lost the baby!" I sat back and finished my cup of tea, awaiting their verdict.
They too took their time over their tea and soon the little campsite was silent save for occasional movement from the horses.
I did not want to tell them of my plans concerning Hennar's family. That was MY little errand to fulfill.
I put my cup down in the dry grass and dirt next to my booted feet. I stared at the wisps of grass and pebbles. Damn it. They just had to see my side of it. But then again...they were not human.
Finally Elladan spoke. "I understand your feelings in this matter Marie, both Elrohir and I do," he paused and looked at his brother, who nodded. "And your arguments are sound. But this is just too dangerous." He rose and looked down at me, his eyes glittering like his father's, "You must turn back for Rivendell. The ride from here is safe and you can get back before nightfall."
About to counter his arguments, I took a deep breath and nodded silently.
"All right my lords, I shall do as you say, but under protest." Resignedly, I stood and looked at the two of them.
If they thought for one minute I was going to give up on this, they were sadly mistaken.
I handed back the empty mug and adjusting my cape, I remounted Carenloth and turned her head back towards Rivendell. I did not look but cantered out of sight.
And finding a convenient copse of trees, I sat for an hour or so until I was sure the twins had gone on.
Then spurring the mare into a trot, I followed the twins on their mission of mercy and mayhem.
Of course, what I didn't know at the time, was that shortly after I had left, two elves had ridden up to Elladan and Elrohir and told them of the avalanche close to where Elrond and I had been ambushed by falling snow. And this one was not only blocking the upper reaches of the East Road, but trapping a merchant's caravan.
The twins rushed off to help, assuming I was headed brisklyin the opposite direction.
And good ol'Marie was left to deal with the farmer and carry the message to Hennar's parents.
Alone.
