A/N. Another chapter today!!! Yay!!!

Disclaimer: All is Tolkien's, of course.

Chapter 6- Kalvahkari Peak

Waerhanuwa scowled at the mountain behind her, completely glad to be far away from the accursed thing. After Aelorothi and those ridiculous slaves had left her without a horse, she'd been forced to navigate her way down the icy slopes, bumbling into boulders and countless trees. The princess took pride in her elven grace, and had been quite agitated to find herself in such a way.

But that was behind her. She smoothed out her stained and soaked tunic, absently rubbing at one of the long long rips in the side of it. Her hair had completely fallen loose from the braid she was wearing yesterday, and dirt- she didn't know how it got there- was streaked across her hands, and her face. Her cheeks were bright red from exposure to the cold the last twenty-four hours, and her fine fur cloak she had left on her horse... which was back up that blasted mountain.

Ahead of her, wide snowy plains spread out for miles before the monstrous black fortress, like the fair elven people bowed at the knees of the dark Maian-lord who had taken over the kingdom of Carn Dum. Personally, Waerhanuwa had never liked King Moristu that much. He was cold, arrogant, proud and there was a gleam in his eyes that had made her shiver the first time she had laid eyes on him. He was pure evil. Although she would never admit this to anyone else, the princess was in actuality terrified of her future husband. She knew he had powers far greater than any elven lord who had even ruled the Avari, but what frightened her the most was, she had never come close to seeing the full extent of his magical force, and it worried her to think of what it was reserved for.

Waerhanuwa shivered, both from the cold wind and from her thoughts, brushing the latter from her mind, and tried to concentrate on her homeland as she set out walking once more.

Her brother, Bérhtulë, ruled Zyphrynuw now that their parents were dead. He was a caring brother over all, and Waerhanuwa missed him dreadfully. He was a good deal older than her, more like a father, than a brother. And her best friend, Ingathillë, she missed more so. Waerhanuwa plopped herself down into the snow, breathing hard, and smiled wistfully. Not two weeks ago, she'd received a letter from Ingathillë saying that the lovely elleth was engaged to some important lord of King Bértulë's court, and planned to be married next fall. Waerhanuwa knew very well that her own future husband was less than likely going to agree to let her attend her best friend's wedding, and the princess glowered venomously at the sparkling white snow.

She finally stood up and continued on her way, floundering through the deep snow in her mostly frozen clothes, her only goal set on reaching the tall forbidding fortress ahead.

OoOoOo

It proved to be easier said than done for the small company of four elves, an old man, a ranger and girl to hurry while burdened with Rhunir, injured as he was. The boy was not doing too well, and though he had only been shot that afternoon, even Evard was worried.

There was no wood to build a stretcher, and a sort of sled had to be constructed from the old gray dresses Rhunir and Evard had worn when they had escaped from the fortress. It slid easily over the soft snow carrying Rhunir, and Evard's next worry was that the boy would freeze or bleed to death. His face was grim, and Namys, who was hurried along at his arm, was all the more worried by this.

By sunset, the odd group had left the cliff behind and made it into the forest and finally Kalvahkari pass, the last open trail through the Carn Dun mountains until spring. Namys was enraptured by the pure beauty of the place, and stared dumbly about for several minutes. The sun was just setting over the snowy mountains to the west, casting gold, rose and purple light over the landscape, making the valleys between the mountains sparkle and glow with the rainbow colors, so that the entire snowy mountain range appeared as if it was lit with thousands of stars as far as the eye could see. She slowly crossed through the pass to catch a full view of the sunset before it was gone.

Meanwhile, Evard knelt beside Rhunir to check his wound while the captain stood watch and two of the elves disappeared into the dense forest in search of fire-wood to boil water.

Dorleor, following Turlendil by way of trees, kept a watchful eye out as his friend gathered up loose sticks. He could sense no evil presence, and had not sensed it earlier when the captain and Avladion had, either. But why, he could not understand. Eventually, he swung down from a large oak and dropped to the ground beside Turlendil.

"Tur, did you sense something wrong earlier?" he asked, quite baffled.

The taller elf shook his head as he straightened up again from picking up another handful of sticks. "No. Why? Is something wrong, Dor?" he asked, pondering his smaller friend's strange question.

Dorleor shrugged and leaned against the oak tree. "I don't know. Avladion seemed to think we needed to leave awful quick."

The other laughed. "Ah, well, Dor, Avladion is a Mirkwood elf, you must remember, and them folk have always been strange."

Dorleor scowled at his friend. "That's not what I meant."

"Well, what did you mean then?" Turlendil asked, pausing in his gathering of sticks to look at Dorleor.

Said elf looked flustered and crossed his arms. "I meant- why would he and that edain captain have known we should leave… and we and that other elf did not?"

Turlendil frowned for a moment, seriously considering Dorleor's statement. Then he shrugged. "You know what Dor? I wouldn't let it bother you."

And he went on to gather up another handfull of sticks a few trees away. Dorleor followed absently, fumbling with his cloak-pin. "It's just not… natural."

Turlendil ignored him, and they went on in silence for a while until the smaller elf brought up another point.

"Do you think we should trust them?" he asked, gesturing behind them, back at the campsite.

Turlendil smiled lightly. "Well, how much harm do you think an old man, a sick kid, flighty girl and an underage elf could inflict upon us? Not much, if any."

"You forgot that ranger," Dorleor replied, slightly offended.

"So what!" Turlendil exclaimed, turning to look at the other elf. "Look, Dor, just forget about it. You are trying to create a problem where there is none. We happened to be traveling the same route, trying to get to the same place- there is no reason why we should not journey together. 'Safety in numbers' they say. Besides, if we hadn't come along and killed those orcs when we did, they could all very well be dead. Now come along and help me gather wood." Turlendil went off again through the trees and Dorleor ran after him.

"They trust us though, and that's why I'm worried!" he explained. Dorleor grabbed his friend's sleeve. "Look, Tur- by traveling with us, those five strangers are putting themselves in more danger. We happen to have a large party of Mirkwood warriors trailing us, and I'd prefer it if our friends didn't get killed because we are wanted by King Thranduil of Mirkwood!"

Turlendil sighed and paused beside a large fir tree to pick up some more sticks. "Dor… that Mirkwood patrol went after the others! If we can give these strangers the slip once we are on the opposite side of Angmar and that army of 50,000 orcs, then they will not die! Besides- if the Mirkwood warriors catch Aluir, Lanthirion and Airëlus before we can meet back up again, they will most likely return to Mirkwood and let Avladion escape with you and I to Harlindon. So please, for the love of the Valar, stop worrying about these things and quit pestering me!"

Turlendil turned and started on his way back to camp, shaking his head. Dorleor trailed after him, scowling.

Meanwhile, Aelorothi and Avladion were scouting the area around, checking for any sign of unwelcome visitors. The latter was apparently in conflict with himself over something, and Aelorothi wondered about it, but kept silent.

They had scouted nearly the entire forest within a two mile radius of the camp when Avladion suddenly spoke.

"I fear I have not been entirely honest with you," he quickly explained, lest he be interrupted. "You see… My companions and I are not just on a journey home. We are in flight from a particularly fierce and well-armed patrol of Mirkwood warriors, who are intent on catching us and taking us back to face the king, if it means shooting us in the process."

Aëlrothi was quiet for a moment while he pondered this. "Well, we are not so different then. We have my father's patrols after us, intent on taking us back to the Carn Dum fortress where my father will kill the ranger, the captain and Rhunir, and punish Namys severely. I have never heard of Mirkwood though… or whatever it is you call it."

"Oh." Avladion silently pondered this piece of information, and said nothing more.

They returned to camp well after the sun had set and the land shrouded in darkness, to find Namys preparing a stew over the campfire. Rhunir lay nearby, perfectly still, his forehead beaded with sweat from the fever. Evard, Dorleor and Turlendil were seated around the fire, silently staring into the flames. Avladion joined them, and Aelorothi went to find the captain, who was still standing watch, to inform him of all he had found out about their three new friends.

"So we are to watch for Mirkwood warriors, your father's soldiers and orcs." The captain did not appear impressed. He looked sideways at the elf. "Don't tell me you have any more wonderful surprises for me."

Aelorothi smiled. "No, captain. No more surpises."

The old man turned to look back over the valley towards Angmar. "Something moves out there… Man, or beast… who can tell." He shared a look with the elf. "But man or beast, whoever it is, is searching for us. Searching carefully."

OoOoOo

Waerhanuwa had just stumbled through the gates of the fortress of Carn Dum when a blizzard hit, and she thanked the Valar they had waited until she was safe within the walls of the fortress.

She hurried quickly inside, hoping to avoid Moristu and whatever questions he would ask, and made her way up to her chambers with slight difficulty. She was half-frozen and stiffer than a board. Her chamber-maid met her in the corridor and the girl's brown eyes widened when she saw her mistress' bad condition. "Lady Waerhanuwa!" She took the frozen princess' arm. "Here, let me help you! Lets get you out of those clothes."

OoOoOo

A half hour later, Waerhanuwa was standing in front of the king, teeth chattering, but grateful for the hot bath and warm clothes.

The Maia surveyed his future bride with suspicion. "Where have you been?"

His voice was dark and Waerhanuwa did her best not to shiver noticeably at the cold welcome she received.

"I am sorry my lord," she said. "We were ambushed by orcs at Kalvahkari Peak yesterday." She wasnt sure why she'd lied to cover for Aelorothi after what they'd done, leaving her without a horse, but her instincts were screaming at her not to tell him the truth.

"Really. How interesting."

"The captain was killed, and my slave. I know not what became of Aelorothi, my lord. But there was blood on his horse when I searched for him. I fear the orcs may have him." She tried to look as convincing and honest as possible. The king was silent, and Waerhanuwa wasn't sure if he'd bought it or not.

Suddenly, before she could move a muscle, he whirled and slapped her across the mouth. "Liar!" He snapped, grabbing her arm and dragging her up to him until their faces were inches apart, his eyes wide and malicious. "I gave you a chance to tell the truth," he hissed. "You did not take it. And mark my words- that you will live to regret."

OoOoOo

Surprise, surprise! Two chapters today!!! Please review if you want the next chapter up soon :) Thanks for reading!!!

~ Aërlinwë Greenleaf