Chapter XX: Shattered
"I think we should tighten the border security, Erestor," Elrond said. "Orcs are becoming more numerous as of late."
"I agree, Lord Elrond. They are growing bolder in their attacks as well. But I believe that a few more well-placed archers will scare them away."
Erestor glanced up sharply as several guards ran by them, heading for the city gates. Erestor looked at Elrond in alarm. What was going on? Another group of guards ran by, and Elrond called out to one of them.
"You there! What is going on?" Elrond demanded.
The guard came forward and bowed. "Lord Glorfindel has been attacked outside of the city, my lords. Someone has been killed."
Erestor did not need to hear anymore. He began running for his sword, but stopped as he heard someone call.
"They are returning!"
Erestor turned and ran toward the city gates, but he froze at the sight before him. Glorfindel was walking into the city, Elerrina in his arms. Both of them were covered in blood, and the empty look on Glorfindel's face told Erestor that most of it was not his own. Elerrina. Erestor rushed over to Glorfindel.
"Glorfindel, what happened?" He reached out his arms to him. "Let me take her for you."
Glorfindel glared at him. "No! Do not touch her," he snarled. "Just leave us alone."
Glorfindel walked on, and Erestor stared after him, his heart hurting. He reached up and brushed a tear from his eye. He could not give in to his grief over losing his beloved friend. At least, not right now.
Later that day, two scouts rode into Rivendell. They dismounted and approached Erestor, who was standing near the gates.
"We seek Lord Glorfindel, my lord," one said.
"He does not wish to see anyone," Erestor informed them.
"It is of grave importance, my lord. It is concerning his daughter."
Erestor's eyes widened in surprise. The baby? The grim look on the scout's face told Erestor that the news he bore was not of a pleasant nature. "Come with me. But just one of you."
Erestor led the scout to the Hall of the Dead and paused before the door. He told the scout to remain outside, and Erestor silently entered the Hall. Glorfindel was there, kneeling before Elerrina. He turned as Erestor entered.
"Go away," he said, his face lined with pain.
"A scout is here, Glorfindel. He has news of your daughter."
Glorfindel rose as the scout entered. The scout glanced at Glorfindel, but quickly lowered his eyes.
"What news have you of my daughter?" Glorfindel demanded.
"We did not find her, my lord. Nor did we locate the Elf that attacked you. This is all that we found."
He handed Glorfindel a piece of the baby's dress and part of her medallion. Both were covered in blood. Glorfindel just stared at the them for a long moment before he turned and went back to Elerrina. Erestor ushered the scout out, then turned back to his friend. Glorfindel was kneeling before Elerrina again, but this time his shoulders were shaking. Erestor walked over and put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. Glorfindel glanced up at him, tears streaming down his face.
"Send out more riders, Erestor," he begged. "I cannot give up on my baby."
Erestor nodded. "I will, my friend."
Glorfindel gave a small nod and returned his gaze to Elerrina. Erestor left the Hall, and went to send more riders out to search for the baby, even though there was almost no chance of her being alive.
Nenthalion ran through the forest, brambles and branches scratching his arms and face. But these small flickers of pain were nothing to him. He was far more concerned with avoiding the scouts that were on his trail. He continued to run, but stopped when he heard something that sounded like a cry. He walked toward the sound, until he came upon a small section of undergrowth. One of his wolves was there, snarling at a crying baby. Nenthalion shouted at the beast, scaring it away.
Nenthalion slowly walked forward and stared at the baby on the ground. She was screaming and there were several deep scratches and bite marks along her shoulder and below her collarbone. He looked at the baby for a moment longer before he finally picked her up. She continued to cry, and he became flustered. He had no idea how to handle a baby.
"Quiet, child," he commanded.
She began to cry harder, and he sighed in frustration. He tore off a piece of his cloak, and placed it on the baby's wound, attempting to staunch the flow of blood. He held her close to him and began to whisper to her. After a while, she began to quiet, and she looked up at him with wide blue eyes.
Nenthalion stared at her in confusion. What am I going to do with this baby? Until today, he had not even realized that Elerrina had a child. He had been watching her and Glorfindel for some time, and he had never seen them bring a baby with them on a walk before. He sighed. He did not have time for this. He needed to get to his camp and to his horse, before the scouts, or Glorfindel caught up with him. But he could not leave the baby here, for she would surely be found and that would bring Glorfindel too much joy. No. That I will not allow! He would take her with him and decide what to do with her later.
