Teonvan felt a soft hand touch his forehead. Sunlight warmed his cheeks. Memories of the previous night began to flood into his head. Hador's lifeless eyes haunted his thoughts and warm tears started to build up behind Teonvan's own eyes. His friend, nay, his brother, was now with the Valor. Hador would never see the tower of the White City again. I lifetime of friendship was lost to the blade in an instant. Teonvan slowly opened his weary eyes. What met his sight made his breath go short. A beautiful woman was kneeled down next to him. Her golden brown hair was gently draped behind her shoulders. Her eyes were piercing at first glance, but they were truly gorgeous. Their deep, green color matched that of the mallaron trees in Lothlorien. There was a warmth, a welcomness to them, yet somehow sadness seemed to lurk not far beneath their surface. The maiden's soft, pale skin was as fair as a morning's sun. Her dress was simple, only a deep red cloth in a peasant's style, but on this fair maiden, it was the most exquisite gown Teonvan had laid eyes on. "'M Lord, you're awake," her calming voice filled Teonvan's ears. "Yes, fair lady," Teonvan said as he tried to sit himself up, realizing the sharp pain in both his head and arm. "You are badly wounded, sir. I must get you back to my village, Dyryn." The woman moved to her feet and swiftly moved behind her to prepare her bay- colored horse. "Pardon me, m' lady, but may I ask your name?" The maiden turned back to Teonvan and stared into his eyes. "I am Eteridth Elros, daughter of Emerin. And may I ask you, kind sir, what a Gondorian warrior is doing in Rohan?" Her eyes hinted at the beaten armor Teonvan wore. "Our lands are not at peace with each other." "I am Teonvan Voronwë. My unit and I were heading to Minas Tirith to aid them in the battle against Mordor. We were attacked by an army of Uruk-Hi last night. I fell from the cliff above after failing to save my friend's life," Teonvan looked away, his grief came over him once again. Eteridith moved from where she stood and silently walked to Teonvan and crouched next to him. She laid her arm around his neck and whispered, "We are in dark times. Sauron knows no love, nor does her know grief. Your friend is at peace, away from our petty wars. His mind is at rest, let your also be." Teonvan looked up into Eteridith's eyes with his own tearful ones. For a moment their gazes held, but Eteridith then glanced away and abruptly stood and said, "Shall we move on?" She took Teonvan's good arm and helped him to his feet. Together, they both got Teonvan onto her steed and then Eteridith got into the saddle. "You may want to hold on, our lands are rocky and you would not want to fall and injure yourself further," Eteridith said. She suddenly felt Teonvan's hands on her waist and her spine tingled with goose bumps. This feeling was new to her and her cheeks turned red. She was glad Teonvan couldn't see her face as they rode across the rolling hills of Rohan together toward Dyryn. Teonvan woke in a small room. The walls were decorated with tapestries of rohirrium designs. Across the floor lay the fur skin of a beast, identical to that one which was laid over Teonvan for a blanket. The window next to the bed looked out onto, what Teonvan figured must be, the village of Dyryn. The street was slanted, for the village lay at the foot of a mountain. Peasants pushed carts of hay and other goods to be sold up and down the dirt street. Suddenly the door to the room opened and Eteridith walked in. "Good morning, m' lady," Teonvan said with a smile. "Good day, Teonvan," Eteridith replied as she walked over to the bed and sat on its edge. She started to unwrap the bandages from the night before on his arm as she asked, "How are you feeling? Are your wounds not as painful this morning?" "They are healing. Eteridith, because of you, I will not die alone on that plain." Teonvan took his hand and held Eteridith's chin up so he could see her eyes. "I owe you my life. You are like my angel, my broken angel sent to save me." "It was nothing, sir," Eteridith said as she pulled Teonvan's hand away from her chin and turned her head the other way. "I was merely on a morning ride and saw you. It was chance that I saw you, chance that has saved your life." "Then was it chance that has brought us together?" Eteridith turned quickly back to Teonvan and looked strangely at him. "How can you say that? What do you mean?" "Do not tell me that you do not think the same, Eteridith. We have just met, yes, but do you not feel it? Eteridith..." Teonvan's voice trailed off. He took his hand from under Eteridith's and put it back to her face. He then moved toward her and kissed her. Eteridith did not move away, nay, she held Teonvan also. Teonvan slowly moved his lips from hers and opened his eyes again. He saw the small smile spread onto Eteridith's face. "I will not lie to you. I do feel it. I've felt it since I saw you laying there. Oh Teonvan, I'm at a lost for words..." Eteridith mumbled out, but Teonvan put his hand gently over her lips. "Love is a mysterious thing. But true love cannot be hidden where it truly lies. Just to know you feel the same is enough for me now." "Will you stay here?" "Yes, for a time. The only thing that worries me is that our lands are not...agreed with each other right now. What would happen if people knew? My people would not approve of this," Teonvan said straightly to Eteridith. "For now we have each other," She said as she took his hands in hers, "Just take that for now."