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Chapter 22

Until Later

Night had fallen fully when Anayah exited the gates of Imladris. The progress of horse and rider was not hindered by the lack of light. Where most beings, elves included, would have been hard-pressed to follow the black falcon's flight in a landscape lit only by the light of the stars and moon overhead, the young she-elf and her horse did not. Her exceptional elvish eyesight, in combination with what little light was shared by the heavens, as well as the mental bond she shared with her winged friend flying overhead, made it possible for her to follow the falcon with ease. Horse and rider neither faltered nor slowed as Shakir led them ever onward to the place where he had last seen the man and elf.

The three friends traveled through the night, pausing only long enough for Elias to rest and eat the few tufts of grass that were still visible above the thin blanket of snow. Her own pain was forgotten though she had taken the time to change the bandage on the reopened wound on her arm - the fever she just ignored. Finally, Elias signaled to his rider that he was ready to go on and after remounting, horse, elf and falcon continued their journey.

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The Lord of Imladris was distressed that Anayah had left her bed and, it seemed, Imladris itself. He had managed to piece the event together, and with what he already knew and what his frantic sons had told him, had come up with a story that disturbed him greatly.

When the falcon had returned to his Lady, he had been extremely disturbed by the message he had come home to share, so much so, that he had hissed at Elrohir then had pecked him on the hand, something the normally well behaved falcon would never have done. Then after giving the twins one version of what she had been told by the bird, his daughter had become extremely quiet. The intensity of the falcon's conduct and the version of the message Anayah had given Elladan and Elrohir, did not match. Something was wrong and his father's heart told him it had to do with his youngest son and his best friend. He concluded that the two young ones were in trouble once again and his daughter had gone to their aid.

Elrond also knew that it was not in his power to follow her, for not only was Anayah used to traveling in the dark, she was a master of stealth. If she did not want to be followed, her tracks would not be found - not by the best of his Imladris Scouts, and not even by his twin sons. No, he told himself, he would just have to wait until she made contact with them.

Now he was faced with the additional dilemma of what to tell the Mirkwood King. He couldn't base his report on suspicions and innuendo and so concluded the best course of action, considering all factors of the present situation, was to say nothing for the moment. If King Thranduil asked him a direct question, which he probably would once he found out that Anayah was gone, then he would answer him directly but if Thranduil did not ask, then he would remain silent.

His musings were interrupted by a loud call from the courtyard followed by the sound of a great wind. Mithrandir came from his room and quickly joined the Noldor Lord as he exited the house to welcome their newly arrived guest. The great eagle, Gwaihir, was waiting in the courtyard and when the elf and wizard approached, he bowed to the elven Lord as well as the grey wizard.

"Gwaihir, my friend, it is good to see you again. What news do you bring?" Gandalf now stood in front of the eagle who had lowered his head to the grey wizard's eye level.

"The land is quiet, Gandalf, too quiet."

Though he had never heard the great eagle speak before Elrond was somehow not surprised that Gwaihir's voice was so soft and well-modulated.

"What do you mean?" The wizard asked.

"The land is too quiet, as if some doom approaches. No creatures are abroad, not even those that should be except for the young she-elf and her companions."

"If you and your kind would be so gracious as to carefully watch the area west of the mountains, I would be ever so grateful."

"You have but to ask, Gandalf." The eagle bowed his head towards the grey wizard and Elrond, then after the two had stepped back, leapt quickly skyward and was soon gone from sight.

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Though Anayah had ridden hard after leaving Imladris, Elias still ran effortlessly, seeming as fresh as when they had begun their journey. Aided by elvish spells, the two had covered a great distance quickly and, with a few hours left before the rising of the sun, had reached the area where the avalanche had occurred some time before.

She did not want to walk over any tracks or other evidence of the battle Aragorn and Legolas had been in with the Orcs so she made her camp some distance away. Removing the saddle and her weapons off her horse, Anayah rubbed him down, removing all traces of mud and sweat from his body. After closely inspecting the black leather leg wrappings and making sure that his hooves were as clean as the rest of him, the young she-elf allowed herself to rest and think of what she was going to do next.

As she sat, lost in her thoughts, Anayah felt a familiar presence in her mind and smiled.

"Mae govannen mellon-nín." She always welcomed their meetings and drew comfort from this one as well.

"You are well, my young friend?" The voice was quiet, yet concerned.

"I am well."

"Why do I not believe you?" There was a tone of 'knowing' in the Voice's question.

"I never could fool you, could I?" She chuckled. "I am recovering from my battle with a shadow-wraith, which, I might mention, you did not warn me about."

There was a mental sigh. "You know the rules, Anayah. There are limits to what I can tell you and what I can become involved in."

It was Anayah's turn to sigh. "I know. It's just that sometimes the 'not knowing' wears on me and I begin to doubt my purpose. Sometimes my doubts and fears want to drive me away from here even though here is where I know I have to be."

"Be at peace, young one for you are doing well. Remember that I will be watching and when I can, will guide you in the direction you know you must go. Rest now child, for tomorrow brings new challenges."

She felt the presence leave but not before she felt a breeze ruffle the hair on the top of her head.

"I really hate it when you do that!" She called into the night.

There was a faint laugh then the night was silent and empty once more.

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Dawn found Anayah in the exact place and position she had been in the night before, silent and contemplative. Though the sky held the promise of an approaching storm, here and there, the warm rays of the sun managed to break through the grey clouds and gently warmed the she-elf's face. She finally rose from her comfortable position, saddled Elias then continued the search for her brother and his best friend.

Though new snow had fallen since the avalanche, the old tracks of the heavy booted Orcs were still visible beneath the thin blanket of white. She followed the tracks as quickly as she could but it was not until the end of the day that she finally found the Orcs' lair. Getting as close to the cave as possible she still couldn't see what was inside and so was unable to estimate the number of the enemy she would have to fight to get to Aragorn.

She flinched when she heard the scream of pain that came from the cave then covered her ears to hide the laughter of the Orcs that followed. Tears ran down her face when she failed to block out the sound of her brother's agony. Her heart told her to go to him, to save him from the cruelties he was being forced to endure but her mind was not in agreement and reminded her that if she were foolish enough to rush into the enemy's camp without planning then she risked her brother's life as well as her own. She knew she would have to wait until full dark to attempt a rescue, for in the darkness lay her best chance at success.

"Hang on my brother." She said as she sat back and waited for the sun to go down.

TBC