Chapter XIX: A Cry in the Forest

"Please, Glorfindel," Elerrina begged. "Let us keep walking. It is such a beautiful day, and the baby loves the walk."

She looked up at him and pouted slightly. She knew that he could not refuse her when she looked at him like that. He gazed at her for a moment, his eyes shining with a tender fondness, before he smiled in surrender.

"All right, my love," he said. "We cannot stray too far from the city though, for it is not safe."

She gave him a bright smile. "Yes, my love. We will not go much further."

He wrapped his arms around her waist and looked into her eyes. "You always know how to get what you want, do you not?" he asked, his voice tinged with mock annoyance.

She ran her hand through his golden hair, and kissed the special sensitive place on his neck, smiling wickedly as he shuddered. "Yes… I do," she teased.

"You are ruthless, you know."

She smiled. "I know."

He grinned and kissed her. He drew back as Elyndiriel gave a small, frustrated cry. He looked down and smiled at the baby in Elerrina's arms.

"Are you feeling neglected, little one?" he asked as he leaned down and kissed the baby's soft cheek. The baby smiled and put her hands on his face. He gave a playful growl and gently nipped at her fingers, making her squeal with delight.

Elerrina grinned at them. "She wanted a kiss from her ada too."

He smiled. "She can have as many kisses as she wants, for as long as she wants. And so can you." He gave her a quick kiss. "We had better keep walking, or we are going to be here all day," he said, growling playfully into her ear.

She laughed and tapped his arm. "Let us keep walking, love."

"Oh, very well."

Elerrina laughed at the false hurt in his voice. She knew what would make him happy. She leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "Later."

"Yes. Later, my love," he said and kissed her sensitive ear. He grinned as she shuddered. "Tonight."

She looked at him and touched her ear. "And you say I am ruthless!"

He grinned at her, and she smiled as he put his arm around them. They walked for awhile longer, then stopped to rest near a placid lake on the outskirts of the woods. Many large trees grew around the lake and seemed to from a protective, loving canopy around them. Various blossoms grew at the bases of the trees and throughout the meadow. This was a place that seemed unable to harbor any evil, but rather, security and peace. Elerrina sat on the soft grass and set the baby in front of her. She glanced up at Glorfindel and smiled.

"Is she not the most beautiful baby you have ever seen, Glorfindel?"

"That she is, my love." He sat beside her and began to play with Elyndiriel. He smiled when her little baby hand grasped his finger.

Elerrina watched them, her mouth curved into an adoring smile. Glorfindel was absolutely in love with the baby and she with him. Elerrina had never loved him more than she did at this moment. He was a wonderful father. He sensed her staring and smiled at her.

"What is it, my love?" he asked.

She smiled at him. "I love you, Glorfindel."

"And I you, beloved."

Glorfindel took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. They remained in each other's embrace until a strange noise startled them. He glanced around in alarm. The noise was coming from the woods and heading straight for them. Elerrina grabbed the baby and rose. Glorfindel stood in front of them and drew his bow. They looked on in horror as a pack of wolf-like creatures ran from the woods, their pace fast and unrelenting.


Elerrina nearly lost her footing as Glorfindel shoved her back. She cried out as the creatures attacked him. He slashed his sword at the beasts, impaling one.

"Get out of here, Elerrina!" he shouted. "Now!"

She tried to run, but several of the beasts surrounded her. She clutched the baby to her, and tried to withdraw from the creatures, but it was to no avail. The beasts snarled and snapped at her, but they did not charge. She turned sharply as she heard a predatory growl behind her. A large beast with bloodthirsty, yellow eyes stared at her hungrily. She stared at the beast in terror as it charged, its claws and fangs bared.


Glorfindel tried to get to Elerrina as the beasts surrounded her, but four of the creatures attacked him at once, knocking him to the ground. He fought to free himself as more of the beasts leapt upon him.

"Elerrina!" he cried as one of the wolves attacked her. She dropped the baby as she fell. "No!" he shouted and kicked one of the beasts off of him.

As he struggled to free himself, one of the beasts bit deeply into his leg, causing him to yell out in pain. Using his other leg, he kicked the beast between the eyes, which caused it to release his leg. He could hear his baby screaming, and he frantically looked at his wife. Elerrina lay motionless on the ground, and one of the beasts was dragging off the baby.

"No!" Using every ounce of strength he had, he somehow managed to throw off the creatures. Stabbing two, he went for his baby, but froze in horror as he realized that the baby and the beast were gone. He spun around, hearing another sound coming towards him. His eyes widened in shock as he saw Nenthalion approaching.

"You!" Glorfindel cried.

"I have waited a long time for this moment, Glorfindel," he said, giving Glorfindel a malicious smile. "How do you like my beasts?"

"How could you do this, Nenthalion?"

"You stole everything that I loved from me!" He looked around at the carnage before him. "Now I have done the same to you!" Nenthalion drew his sword and slowly began to advance. "Now I shall destroy what is left of you!"

"I will kill you for this!" Glorfindel hissed.

The two Elves fought, both equally matched in skill. After several heated moments, Nenthalion began to gain the upper hand, for Glorfindel could not move as quickly with his injured leg. The fight raged on, but as Nenthalion was about to deliver a deadly blow, a noise caused him to stop. Glorfindel turned and saw three Rivendell scouts riding towards them. Cursing, Nenthalion retreated.

"This is not done yet, Glorfindel!" he shouted as he ran into the forest. The three riders halted before Glorfindel.

"Lord Glorfindel, are you all right?" one of the scouts asked.

"Never mind me!"

"We will go after him, my lord!"

"No! One of the beasts has taken my daughter." He pointed at two of the scouts. "You two, go find my daughter!" he commanded. He pointed to the other Elf. "You, help my wife!"

The two Elves rode off in search of his daughter, and the remaining Elf went to Elerrina. Glorfindel limped over to them and knelt down. The scout looked at him, and then at the wound on his leg.

"Let me tend to that wound, my lord."

"No! Help my wife!"

The Elf looked at him. "I can do nothing for her, my lord. You, I can help."

Glorfindel felt his heart stop. "No," he said, his voice breaking. He leaned down and cradled Elerrina in his arms. Signs of death that he had not noticed before became vividly clear in that moment. Elerrina's skin was so cold and white. Her eyes were glassy and fixed on some distant place.

"Please, Elerrina," he whispered. "Do not leave me." He began to tremble, for he could no longer feel the life within her. "Please."

But it was too late. She was gone. Closing his eyes, he wept.

Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I am considering writing an addition to "Found" about Alexa and Haldir's life in Valinor. Glorfindel and Elerrina will be included also, of course. I would love to know your opinions on this. Thanks and don't forget to review!