Hi!  Thanks for the 20 reviews J!  I think I'm getting a little better at writing and I'm pretty proud of this chapter.  Thanks for the critique and help with my writing style in the earlier chapters Iluvien and thanks again to my beta LuckyLily!

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            Like all elves, Jeryn could move quite swiftly through the forest.  The path was not difficult during daylight and so it was simple even under the shadow of night.  She could hear voices of orcs shouting and snarling and knew that the battle must have begun.  Finally, making it to a clearing she saw the scene play out before her.

The elves had restricted themselves to the treetops and were casting their arrows down in between the onslaughts brought upon by arrows flying upwards from below.  Some of the goblins were attempting to climb the trees and were being struck down before they progressed any farther than a foot. 

Looking around frantically for a way up, she rushed towards the closest tree trunk that was not currently surrounded by the enemy.  As no ladder was available, she began to climb up herself on the far side where she would not be seen.  She moved up the trunk till about halfway when something pulled her violently by the foot causing one of her hands to loose its grip on the bark.  Her eyes darted downward to see two goblins had followed her and were now attempting to pull her down.  One of them had its nails gripped firmly around her ankle.

"Come here little elfhehehe…Be a good girl..." Both were grinning malevolently towards her.

She gave a look of disgust, "Mother always taught me never to go with strangers."  And she quickly used her other leg kicked it in the face.  It remained clutched to her foot and she frantically continued to strike.  'Let go!  Let me go!' Her mind screamed.  It finally gave way and she crawled urgently onto the closest branch and pulled out her bow.  She shot four arrows and struck them down before they could reach her.  With the way clear again she gave a few shallow breaths and headed upwards.  After a short while she finally reached a talen and stood up.  There were about ten other elves on the platform and ten or so others on flets higher up.  She positioned herself on the end of the lineup and shot in unison with them.

Across the clearing Haldir stood with his brothers on either side.  He called each wave of arrows and ushered each archer back during each pause between shots.  So far, a good half of the enemy was already gone.  It was proving difficult for the orcs to shoot upwards and dodge the impeding attacks from the sky…which of course was Haldir's reasoning for staying high above the battle.  A look of pride graced his face knowing that he was sure to claim victory.  A small crowd of goblins had fled to the south but a group was in pursuit.

"Lo! Another group is disbanding to the other side!" Rúmil shouted to him over the noise.

"Signal them to organize a group to follow.  None must go any further."

The signal was sent to the side with Jeryn and the leader on her side motioned her and four others on the platform to go. 

"Aphado nin!"

They lowered the ladder when the way was clear and the five of them ran off.  Haldir watched them descend from the cornor of his eye until the image of one of them registered quickly in his mind.  'Jeryn?'  His eyes widened and a sudden rush of concern filled his mind.   He did not understand why he felt the urgent need to follow.

"Orophin!  Rúmil!  I must take care of something.  I shall return!" 

"Brother where---?"  They called attempting to catch him before he descended the ladder.

The goblins were not too far ahead and they shot down a few of them till the rest halted and drew their weapons.  The elves drew their swords and pressed forward. 

Jeryn went for one of the nearby goblins only to be grabbed by something from beside.  She gave a faint cry and turned to see Haldir.

"What are you doing here?  It is not safe on the ground.  Go back to the flet!"

She gave him a pleading look turning red across her cheeks, "I..I can fight j-just as well as any of yours!"  Why was he being so cold towards her?  Speaking against him was certainly no way to behave but he was making her very nervous. 

"I order you to return to the fl---"

A long sword came between them giving a hollow swoosh and she stumbled back.  Two goblins had come on either side of Jeryn.  Giving a glance back to Haldir, he was also being surrounded.  She ducked the first attack and swung her sword at its legs knocking it down.  She gave a fatal blow then circled 'round to the other and stopped his sword.  He swung again and again and she continued to block. 

'I need an opening…'  She thought.  She looked behind her to see Haldir attempt to make his way over.  It swung at her again and the steel of the sword crashed shrilly in the air against the steel of hers.  She pressed the blade forward against its opposing resistance.

The goblin hissed and began mocking her but she paid no attention.  She was watching its movements waiting and foolishly trying to simultaneously watch Haldir…the goblin smirked at a shadow behind her…then…

"Tira ten' rashwe!"

"A!"

She was from behind.  She tumbled away to the side and with a wide swoop cleanly sliced off its head and struck down the other.  Feeling suddenly light-headed she fell down to her knees.  A wave of pain crept up down her back and she felt eerily cold.  She had been hit hard behind her shoulder and the blood was streaming down her arm.  'I should not have diverted my attention…How could I be so thick…'

She closed her eyes and sank down until she could here only the whisper of a distant voice calling out to her.

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'I feel so nauseous…so tired…'

Jeryn forced her heavy eyes open and saw a glass domed ceiling above her.  She lifted herself slowly up and was met by a cleric and a company of others.

"Manen le cared orsína?"  Eöl asked with a look of relief upon his face.

"Mmmm.  Were they stopped…?"

"Yes.  Not too many injuries; just you and a couple others," replied Lólindir.

"How is his majesty?"

"He is feeling better today."

She made to get up but the cleric stopped her.  "You cannot leave yet.  You need to rest and allow my magic to work."  She turned to the others, "She will be fine.  If you could leave and allow her to rest now, you can come by later."   They nodded and filed their way out of the healing hall.  The cleric left to care for another and Jeryn rested her head back down.

"Sut naa lle umien arwen en amin?"

She turned toward the voice…

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Sut naa lle umien arwen en amin (How are you doing my lady)

Aphado nin (follow me)

Tira ten' rashwe! (look out)

A! (ah)

Manen le cared orsína? (How are you doing today)