This is my first attempt to write a tale set elsewhere in time...I guess this about somewhere in the middle of the Second Age in Lindon putting it in Silmarillion territory. I have made up a fictional capital city of Forlon for the High King...I have no idea what I am doing here canon wise...so please excuse my boo-boos...this after all is a Berfday fic for Littleshebear!! I hope you enjoy it....

Laitaine and her companion Afarna glanced through the hawthorn bushes as three men ran past below them with four hunting dogs, chasing a wolf pack into a dead end. There were beaters adding to the chaos on either side of the ravine that the two she-elves were perched on the edge of.

The wolf pack, finding itself not only cornered but confused by the sounds the beaters made by bashing on metal and wood, circled and yelped in confusion.

Laitainel gasped, Afarna quickly covering her mouth. Then the two saw the carnage begin. Three elves and three men took out their bows and in a very short time, seven wolves lay bleeding from arrows from carelessly aimed shots. The hunters ruthlessly went through the yelping animals slitting throats of those not yet dead.

Laitaine got noisily sick in the dry leaves around them. Afarna looked about nervously and then pushed her friend's head down as she noticed two of the elves looking about. Afrana swiftly pulled Laitaine to her feet and the two elves left, missing the fact that one of the elvish hunters silently ran up the ravine wall and watched their hasty departure with narrowed eyes.

Once the two she-elves caught their breath, they re-entered the city of Forlon, capital of Lindon and residence of Gil Galad, the High King. They walked swiftly through the evening crowds to their rooms above Afarna's woolen shop.

Afarna looked at her friend's pale face and immediately put a kettle on the hob for tea.

"Oh Laitaine, I am sorry. That was a nightmare. An utter nightmare. I think now we have enough evidence to bring before the king's justice. What do you think?"

"I am-I, yes, I think you are correct. And I would like to do my presentation during the large gathering of furriers at the palace next week. We must make everyone in Forlon aware of this horror."

"That meeting sounds really dangerous. The furriers are not your friends. Surely you have done enough. The pamphleteering, the speeches..."

"I cannot do enough. I only have a week more to save the wolves and other animals of Lindon from a winter of slaughter."

Laitaine put her head on the table, her shoulders shaking with sobs. She had never seen anything so horrible. Those poor wolves. And she knew that similar horrors were visited on other fur-bearing animals like mink and fox. They too were trapped or poisoned.

How could elves and humans be so evil?

Sightlessly taking the tea her friend made her, she resolved to continue on with her protests. Even if it jeopardized her job at the Royal Library.

"Last but not least my liege, Gilfarian has brought me a curious report regarding a she-elf and some companions who are protesting throughout the merchant's area against the use of animal furs."

Gil Galad, the High King of the Noldor looked up from a pile of parchment before him with a puzzled expression. Most of his other advisors, their business concluded had left the large study where the king held his morning council.

Only his Vice Regent Elrond sat at the end of the table facing him.

Standing in a rustle of soft gold velvet, the king picked up his mug of tea, kicked aside the trailing robes and went to the window. It opened over an inner garden of roses, whose soft scent filled the warming air. Sparrows chattered from the roof edge among a small flock of white doves.

A shaft of sunlight limned the king in a warm glow, sparking off the jewels in his circlet, casting rainbows on the tapestry behind his tall form.

Elrond rose, wearing deep blue brocade and a much simpler circlet than his king.

"It appears this young she-elf Laitaine of Tillinist has been protesting the use of wolf, mink and marten fur as clothing."

"Is her family in the woolen trade?"

"Apparently not. She just feels strongly about the killing of animals for their fur."

"I see. I imagine with winter coming on, her stance is probably not very popular."

One of Elrond's eyebrows rose in amusement. "The merchants have protested in return saying she is actually influencing purchases."

Gil Galad sipped at his tea, looking at his Vice Regent. "My dear Elrond, would you look into this for me?"

Elrond smiled down at the table. "Of course my liege. Discreetly I assume. Do you wish to accompany me?"

"Not at the moment. But keep me informed."

Elrond bowed. "As you will my liege."

Gil Galad grinning waved his Vice Regent away and went to the window, still smiling.

Laitaine glanced once more into the furrier's shop. There were two women admiring wolf pelt cloaks and an elf adjusting a fox fur collar around his neck. Beasts! How could they stand there and enjoy the skins of those poor defenseless animals.

Well Gomaran's shop was going to be just the perfect place for another protest on the wearing of furs, especially those of the intelligent and clever wolves, her favorites.

Laitaine positioned her sturdy wooden potato crate acquired behind the greengrocer's shop right before the door of Gomaran's shop. It gave her just enough height to put her above the crowd.

Brushing back her auburn hair and clearing her throat, she took a swig of water from her water skin and began her speech.

As she spoke, a small crowd gathered.

"Elves of Forlon! Listen to my words! The furs you buy here are from the horribly slaughtered innocent beasts of the woods and mountains. They were in Lindon long before the elves traveled here and shall remain here long after we have all gone West. Their fur belongs to them. We have plenty of ways to stay warm with out wearing the skins of our brother wolves or martens or minks! I personally have seen how these animals are surrounded and slaughtered in a ravine with no escape. It is horrible! A good woolen cloak is as useful as wolf skin or marten! Do not buy furs here! Go to the woolen merchants and buy wool!"

About to continue, she found herself hit with a rotten piece of fruit and soon, a torrent of missiles came at her splattering her with rottenness and slimy pulp. One hit her in the eye and made it water so she could not see.

"Are you the woolen merchants shill young she-elf! Go away! Winter is almost here. Who cares how the animals are killed? Be gone and leave us to our furs! "

The merchant Gomaran came out behind her and angrily pushed her off her crate with no warning, and she fell onto the cobblestones hard, scraping one knee badly. As she tried to stand, she slipped in the splattered fruit and hurt her knee further.

Undaunted she raised a fist in the air. "You cannot stop me! I shall take my grievance to the king! He will hear my

plea to stop the terrible slaughter of these animals!"

Laughter now filled the small square before Gomaran's shop and Laitaine realized she had done all she could and it was time for a strategic retreat.

Grabbing her crate she left, shoulders hunched as more rotten fruit followed on her departure.

One tall elf in the back of the crowd, wrapped in dark grey wool watched her hobble down the street with a frown and sighing, followed her at a discreet distance.

Laitaine limped painfully as fast as she could manage. Well, this was the third shop she had set up her protest in front of this week. She usually did her speeches while taking a mid day meal break from her job in the library.

But this was the first time she had been pelted with so much. Perhaps she had better make sure she was not so close to the vegetable stalls next time.

She wiped her streaming eye, trying to blink away the acidic juice burning her. And oh, her knees really hurt especially her left one.

But she had to carry on. No one else in this city seemed to care about the slaughter of the animals except she and her friends.

Tears trickled down her cheeks, streaking through the red pulp of tomatoes.

She stopped a moment at a small fountain at a street corner. Looking down at herself, she tiredly put her crate down and sat on it and began washing her face. She knew she would have to dash home quickly and change, because she would never get all this rotten fruit off of her. And she certainly did not want it all over the scrolls and books she handled.

Cleaning her eye carefully, she found she could see no better. She winced as she stared at her knees. Her left knee was nasty looking, bruised and bleeding. This would certainly make work harder.

Sighing, she rose awkwardly from her crate and moved to go back to her rooms

But the few minutes she had sat down made her knee even stiffer and she could barely stand.

Biting her lip, she leaned on the nearby cool stone walls and got a few feet more when she was stopped by a tall elf whom she recognized as a shop owner she had "visited" earlier in the week.

"You! Your caterwauling has disturbed my business! My best customer Lady Balmalial heard your speech the other day and has now returned the furs she bought! I am out 15 gold pieces because of you!"

This information warmed Laitaine and she stood straighter grinning at the elf. "Well, I am glad to see my words have had effect. It is about time some of these wealthy lords and ladies realized what exactly they are doing with the skins of poor defenseless animals!"

"A wolf is not defenseless!"

"He or she is against a bow or sword, especially when trapped!" And what of their puppies left to die a miserable death when you kill off the parents! Wool can provide everything a wolf skin can!"

The elf was so angry he back-handed Laureliel in frustration and stalked off.

Laitaine's backward fall was stopped by someone stepping around the corner catching her and in a moment, swinging her up, crate and all, into his arms.

"You have made enough people angry for today mistress."

Laitaine squirmed in the tall elf's arms. She noticed his cape had slipped aside on his shoulder revealing he wore a badge identifying him as a member of the king's coterie of advisors or warriors. Oh no! She was going to be dragged off to face the king! She wasn't prepared for that yet! She hadn't gotten her finest speech ready.

Laitaine struggled harder, but the elf held her easily. "Cease your fighting mistress. Where do you live?"

"Over the woolen shop of my friend Afarna, two streets over."

"Ah, so you are in league with the woolen merchants?"

"No! No. Have you ever been on a wolf hunt my lord? And seen how the animals are hounded and harried, surrounded by beaters and cornered in a ravine? It's a terrible thing! And a fox hunt! One small bush-tailed beast followed by a dozen elves on horseback and several hunting hounds. Not very even odds."

The tall elf holding kept his face smooth, hiding his inward smiles. This one was a little spitfire.

"You are not taking me to the king?"

"No. To your rooms. What is your name?" He asked knowing full well the answer.

"Laitaine."

"Well Mistress Laitaine, do not fear, I am taking you to your rooms nothing more."

The she-elf relaxed somewhat.

He remained silent the rest of the way.

Afarna brought a hand to her mouth when she saw her friend. "Oh Laitaine! What has happened! And why has one of the king's elves brought you here?"

Laitaine blushed realizing how it must look. "Um, he rescued me from a shopkeeper. This is Afarna." The tall elf bowed in acknowledgment.

Afarna shook her head and with a glance at Laitaine's companion said tiredly. "Let me boil some water and get some clean cloths."

"Thank you mistress."

Elrond, only slightly dismayed that his anonymity had been destroyed, took Laitaine to her room and then laid her carefully on her bed. Opening up her shutters, he let in the midday light.

Laitaine looked at her rescuer. A tall Noldor with a sharp nose, thin mobile mouth and amazingly expressive eyebrows. His dark grey eyes captured hers for a moment and she found herself relaxing back against her pillows.

He first leaned over her face and gently manipulated the lid of her enflamed eye, examining it carefully.

He silently then brushed up her gown and moved her knees a bit, frowning at the worst one.

"I am afraid Mistress Laitaine if you wish to do any more dancing with wolves in the future, you will need to stay off your feet for a week at least."

Laureliel bit her lip. Oh she could not do that. She had to work and at the end of the week, there was that important gathering of fur merchants that she and her friends were going to protest at. And there could be no dancing with wolves until their slaughter stopped.

She bit her lip looking at her companion. The gathering was at the palace she had found out, in a small dining hall that actually had windows that looked out onto Telem Way. She could not miss this chance to present her protest to all the wealthiest merchants, and the king himself!

But an argument with this elf would get her nowhere. "Yes my lord." She replied quietly.

As Afarna brought in the water and cloths, the elf asked her, " I have need of several herbs, is there an apothecary nearby?"

"Why yes, around the corner. Master Inalin has his shop."

"I know of him." He turned to Laitaine. "I will just go make some purchases and return shortly."

The she-elf nodded slowly and in a moment, the elf had gone.

"Who is he Laitaine?"

"I have not asked his name. I am afraid to actually. He must be an advisor to the king. You saw that badge he wore. Perhaps a soldier of some rank."

"Well, he seems to be a healer too."

"Hm. Yes that's true. I cannot think of any healers associated with the king."

Her friend shrugged eloquently. "I am afraid I do not know the members of the high king's circle very well." Afarna looked at Laitaine. "You were lucky he came along."

Laitaine nodded slowly. Her injuries were making themselves felt and she was tired.

Afarna, seeing her friend's pain said, "Well, why don't I help you out of your clothes and into your sleeping chemise all right?"

"But what will I do about work? Master Fendomiel will not be pleased."

"Well, if this healer is associated with the king, perhaps he can send your excuses to Master Fendomiel."

"Yes, that might work."

Afarna came up to her friend and helped her get settled and cleaned before the healer came back.

As the tall healer re-entered her room, Laitaine began to feel nervous. What might this elf tell the king? The king hunted all the time.

Laitaine felt she had gotten in deeper than she knew how to handle.

The elf, using the hot water that Afarna had provided, set about making a poultice for Laitaine's eye.

Laying in bed, her eye tearing, Laitaine rubbed her face. The sound of a tinkling bell was heard and Afarna rose. "A customer. Will you both be all right?"

"We shall be fine Mistress Afarna."

Curtseying quickly Afarna went swiftly down the stairs.

Smiling at his patient he said quietly, "I should have introduced myself. I am Elrond."

Laitaine scrunched back into her pillow trying to keep away from the healer. This was the king's Vice Regent, not just some soldier! Oh no, she was in real trouble now.

Elrond, seeing her fear, lay a hand on her shoulder and said softly, though commandingly, "Mistress Laitaine, calm down. I am not here to drag you before our king. I am here to tend to your injuries. Now lie still and let me continue."

Her mouth hanging open slightly, the she-elf dropped further down on her pillow and lay still.

But when the elf lord lay the poultice on her eye, she started squirm and whimper. The poultice stung and hurt more than whatever it was that had hit her in the face. She tried to drag it off, but the healer stopped her hands.

Leaning in close to the anxious she-elf, his warm expression caught her attention. Elrond lay a hand on her brow and Laitaine found herself sinking into sleep.

When she awoke a short time later, she found her injured eye was wrapped to keep the light out. It did not hurt as it had before. Both knees were cleaned and salved, though her left knee was wrapped so she could not bend it.

She sat up groggily. What had the elf done?

The Vice Regent stepped into her line of vision, holding out a goblet.

"After you drink this Laitaine, I must be off. You will stay put if you do not want to cripple yourself. I shall come by tomorrow."

"You do not need to come by my lord. I shall be all right." Feeling embarrassed by the attention, she drank the goblet and grimaced at the strange tart taste. Handing back the goblet, she lay back with a sigh. She saw that Afarna was sitting at the table silently doing embroidery.

"I do not mind. I always follow up with my patients." He turned to the other she-elf and said dryly, "I would appreciate whatever you can do Mistress Afarna to keep your friend resting comfortably."

"Of course my lord."

Laitaine shivered suddenly. She was a patient of the Vice Regent. How had this all happened?

"What I would like to know before I go Laitaine is what started you on this path of protest?" Elrond asked as he finished cleaning up. "Elves and Men and dwarves for that matter have used furs for Ages to keep warm or to use about their dwellings. Why are you so against this?"

"My lord Elrond, cornering animals and shooting them where they stand is horrible. Poisoning the animals and leaving young pups and kits to starve to death is unconscionable. We are better than that my lord. And I am not alone in my feelings. There is at least 20 of us."


Nodding thoughtfully, the elf lord took Laitaine's pulse one more time and satisfied, he bowed to the two she-elves and left.

Laitaine yawned suddenly, slipped down into her blankets and was soon asleep.

When Laitaine awoke it was late evening and Afarna was making soup over the fire.

When the tired she-elf turned her head, she saw the tall goblet that Lord Elrond had given to her earlier.

Yawning, she tried to set up but found she was too sleepy. She put her hand over her bandaged eye, which didn't hurt much now.

"Afarna?"

"Laitaine you are awake. Good. I am making vegetable soup. While you were sleeping that Lord Elrond came back and made another cordial for you. He said drink it if you need it for pain."

"All right." Laitaine swung her legs off the bed and tried to get up again. But her head would not cooperate.

Afarna turned to her friend and came over to the bed. "Laitaine you must rest. If you want to protest at the furrier's gathering, you need to lie back."

Afarna grinned at her friend. "And apparently Lord Elrond did speak to Master Fendomiel. You may have the rest of the week off with no loss of your job."

Nodding, the she-elf lay back as Afarna asked. Grateful the elf lord had talked to Master Fendomiel, Laitaine's thoughts went to her protest. But would she be able to confront the furriers? The she-elf remained quiet that evening and lay awake long after Afarna had gone to sleep.

As Elrond strode down the hall on his way to the morning council, a human, overdressed in a maroon robe with garish gold piping and fox tails hanging from his collar halted his progress.

"My lord, a word, if you will."

"Master Hanal, how may I help you?"

The elf eyed his companion coolly, one eyebrow raised in question.

"You have heard no doubt about the great unrest among your populace concerning the slaughter of animals for their fur."

Elrond's face betrayed no emotion as he idly pulled on one of his green on green embroidered sleeve, straightening his robe. "Great unrest?" How had a young she-elf and her friends turned into a "great unrest?"

"I have heard some mention of this Master Hanal. I had not realized it had grown so."

"Indeed it has my lord." The human leaned in close. "Many of us furriers will not stand for interference in our lawful trade. You must make the king see this. You are hosting this gathering in a few days. How will it look to the furriers from all over Lindon to find in their very capital unrest and protests about fur. And with winter coming on."

Elrond looked at the earnest human and said quietly, "I will mention to the king your fears Hanal. If you will excuse me, I must away."

Hanal bowed and swept down the hall. Elrond noticed with a small smile that the human had lost some hair from one of his fox tails.

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````to be continued``````````````````````````````````````````````````