Today is isis_whit's birthday!! Home from the hospital and Happy Birthday! Here's to a wonderful day...and perhaps some cake!!
Suddenly the thudding of heavy feet came closer and two orcs leaped out from either side of a clearing the horses were about to cross.
Racell clutched her sister hard, waking her and her wail of fear blended in with the two horses bugling in terror.
Moving swiftly the elf lord leaped from Rhean, cloak flying, his sword drawn and tackled the closest orc bearing him to the ground. He immediately rolled off the fell beast sword at the ready.
Rhean reared and Racell hung onto the saddle horn as the horse stood. Whin reared as well.
As Elrond dispatched the orc closest to him, the second made to grab Rhean. Racell, her heart in her throat tried to pull the horse away.
The orc jumped at the two girls seeing easy prey.
Racell pulled out her father's knife and slashed at the leering face of the horrid creature who just laughed and easily dodged her arm.
Dinna began crying again and as Racell attempted to shift her in her arms, she felt the rake of claws down her leg as the orc tried to get her off the stallion. She stabbed the orc again and this time the blade connected and the creature screamed as she pulled the blade out. Elrond, finished with the other beast, sprinted around his horse and dispatched the second orc with a well-placed thrust.
The orc dragged his claw down Racell's leg again as it died and Rhean hopped sideways from the falling beast.
Elrond quickly vaulted behind Racell, who was still holding her father's knife in shock.
The elf lord spurred Rhean quickly out of the clearing and once he was certain there were no more orcs, he slowed his nervous stallion's headlong rush. He spoke quietly to Rhean calming him. Whin slowed as well and nudged the elf lord's leg.
As the horses slowed to a walk, Elrond said softly, "You may sheath your knife little one. You were very brave."
Racell, shaking in the aftermath of the attack took three tries before she got the knife into the sheath. Dinna whimpered and once Racell had the knife put away, she clung to her sister. What a nightmare this all was!
She still did not know who had rescued them and though his arms were around them like Daddy used to do when he took them both riding, she was still nervous.
"What are your names?"
"I-I am Racell and this is my sister Dinna. Are we going to your farm?"
Dinna got taken by a coughing fit, which made her cry. The combination made her choke.
Elrond put his hand on her chest sending healing energy to ease her distress. She gulped and slowly relaxed under the elf lord's hand.
Elrond, still glowing with battle light, said gently. "I am Elrond and we are headed to my home. But it will be a couple of hours until we arrive. You need to sleep."
"I-I can't sir Elrond. I have to hold Dinna."
"Do not fear Racell. I have you both. Relax and sleep."
Shivering Racell gulped and leaned cautiously back into the elf lord's warm embrace, still afraid to relax completely. She held Dinna tighter and was gratified to feel her sister snuggle close.
Elrond pulled his cloak around the two children and laying a hand first on Dinna and then softly on Racell, he sent them into deep sleep.
Sighing the elf lord spurred his valiant Rhean on forward.
His mind sought out Celebrian and he sent wryly. "In my wanderings, I have found two little edain girls. Both are ill. I shall be there in two hours, barring any more confrontations."
"Beloved!" Celebrian saw the picture of the fierce horrors.
"No, no my heart. All is well."
"Truly?"
"Truly."
"Have Glorfindel send a troop of archers to the Ford."
"Of course."
"The boys want to wait for you of course."
"You know how long that will last."
He felt his wife's laugh. "All right my love, we shall await you and your little foundlings."
Elrond sent his wife a lingering kiss and received one in return, with a promise of more.
The Lord of Imladris spurred his stallion on eagerly.
The two hours went by without further mishap.
And as the moon rose along with the clear voices of the elves, Lord Elrond descended into his Vale of Imladris, flanked by two other mounted elves who had joined him a hour out from Rivendell, preceding the troop of archers on their way to confront what orcs were left.
Once he reached the courtyard of the House, a relieved Glorfindel and Erestor came up to him and took the sleeping children.
Celebrian ran to her husband and threw her arms around him.
"Oh Elrond---yrch!" She hugged him again.
Wrapping his arms around her he whispered in her hair, "I am fine my heart. The archers will make sure they do no further damage. Do not fret so."
Kissing her he looked into her eyes shimmering with tears. Gently he kissed each eye and then turned her towards the House.
Glorfindel and Erestor followed with the two girls.
"Are the boys still awake?"
"No you were right. They fell asleep an hour ago. Both of them wanted to see what you were bringing back."
The elf lord chuckled. "Well what I brought back is probably not what they expected, I am sure."
Celebrian smiled and turned to look at the children.
"Poor little lambs. I have had the main guest room prepared. I shall settle them while you go get your supplies."
Elrond kissed her. "Thank you." He strode off quickly to his surgery while Celebrian and the others went down further to the end of the corridor.
The she-elf opened the double doors and Glorfindel and Erestor gently laid the girls down on the bed.
"Thank you my friends."
"Do you need anything else Celebrian?" Glorfindel asked.
"Would you see if the broth is ready?"
"Of course."
Erestor went into the bathing room and brought out a carafe of spring water and two glasses.
"Do you need help undressing them?"
"If you would be so kind Erestor. I shall see to the little one."
Erestor carefully removed Racell's clothing, frowning at the gash on Racell's leg.
"This is an ugly wound."
Celebrian, finishing with Dinna came and looked at the injury.
"It is already going green. It must have been poisoned. Bring me a cloth soaked in hot water."
Nodding, the elf did as she asked. Celebrian wrapped it around the scratch. Racell squirmed in her sleep as Celebrian cleaned up the blood. "Erestor make sure my husband brings the antidote for yrch poison."
"Yes my lady." He bowed and quickly left.
Celebrian continued cleaning Racell's leg. Satisfied with her work, she went back to Dinna and got a damp cloth for her to put on her forehead.
While she was working, Racell woke up.
She felt very sick and dizzy and now her leg really began to hurt.
But they were not outside? She shifted uncomfortably and looked to see Celebrian tending to her sister.
"Who are you lady?"
"I am Celebrian, Elrond's wife."
"Elrond..." Racell frowned and then her face cleared as she remembered.
"He is a very nice man my lady. He saved us from the orcs."
Celebrian smiled. "We are elves little one, not men. Come tell me your names."
"Elves?" Racell was struck dumb for a moment. These were elves? She looked around taking in the very fine furnishings and rugs. This was an awfully fancy room for a farm house. She looked at Celebrian and suddenly got nervous and she tried to swallow her tears. She didn't know much about elves, but she remembered her father had spoken well of them.
"Your names?" Celebrian's soft voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Oh sorry. I am Racell and this is Dinna."
"A pleasure to meet you Racell."
At that moment, Lord Elrond returned and carefully lay his supplies next to Racell, whose eyes went wide.
Celebrian joined him asking, "Do you need any help love?"
"I think Racell and I will manage. Little Dinna needs sleep above all."
"All right." Kissing him she said quietly, "I shall wait for you."
"Thank you." He kissed her back and the she-elf left, closing the
doors behind her.
Racell looked up at the elf and swallowed dryly. What was he going to do? She had never had any serious injuries and had never met a healer. Her father had dealt with whatever mishaps the family had had.
"Racell, I see the yrch scratched your leg. Did he injure you anywhere else?"
"No sir, no. I, um, your wife cleaned my leg. It is all right now." She hastily wiped away her tears.
Elrond smiled and turned to the supplies. Seeing the water Erestor had brought in, Elrond poured a vial of honey and syrup of poppy in a glass and mixed a little water with it.
Racell edged closer to her sister shivering. "My sister is real sick sir. Do you have some herbs that might help her? She is only five and all I have now."
"I will tend to her fever Racell, but your leg and your own fever needs to be treated first."
Nervous, Racell clutched her uncle's ring.
Noticing this, the elf lord smiled and asked, "Is that a special necklace?"
"Oh, yes I guess it is now." Racell opened her hand to show him what she had. He bent and picked up the ring, his glance sharp as he examined it.
"Where did you get this ring, Racell?"
"My uncle gave it to me. He says I am his heir."
"I see." He placed it back on her chest and smiled at her. "You are a very special girl then Racell."
Racell grinned. No one had ever called her special before.
The elf lord picked up the goblet and then lifted her head to help her drink the medicine.
She took a few sips and then tried to turn her face away.
Elrond said quietly, "Racell, look at me."
She turned and blinked. His eyes were deep and dark, black as night
though they glittered with candlelight.
Her mouth opened as the cup gently touched her lips. She finished the medicine with a shiver.
Elrond lay her head back and then got a chair to sit at her side to clean and suture her leg.
As the medicine took effect, Racell began to feel very dreamy and dizzy. As Elrond lifted her leg and placed several cloths under her, Racell yawned and smiled at Elrond. He leaned forward and lay a hand across her eyes, sending her back to sleep.
Sighing, he got to work.