Mirima awoke slowly. Her ears picked up noise long before she truly came back into her conscious mind. She fought to stay in the blackness where the pain could not reach her. Then she remembered why she felt pain. Her eyes slowly opened and she looked around. She groaned as the pain radiated through her, centered at her chest.

Memories rushed through her mind. Her sister racing with her, Orcs surrounding them, her sister being shot, and then sudden pain in her chest that knocked her from her horse. "Tera," she whispered. Her sister needed her, but there was nothing she could do in her condition.

Her horse, which was standing nearby, moved closer to her. At first, he had tried to wake her, but when he could not, he began to prance near her. Hearing her awake, he moved closer and nudging her. She cried out in pain from the contact. He tried another approach, pulling on her arm.

Mirima gritted her teeth, reaching up and breaking off the arrow shaft so she would be less likely to hit it on anything. She could neither shove it through nor pull it out. One would likely cause damage to her spine, and both would make her bleed to death quickly. She had to go home before she could find Esterasúle.

She motioned her horse to lady down beside her. He obediently did as instructed. Every motion caused pain to surge through her, but she knew she had to get home. She slowly pulled herself up onto his back. Tears streaked down her face, not just from the pain but also for her sister. "Take me home," she told her mount. He stood and did so.

At the borders of Imladris, Liníta and her unit patrolled. She knew the sisters were out for a ride. She had given them leave herself to go out alone. For one, she saw no reason for them to be unable to go if they stayed close. On a second note, if they were out riding, Mirima was not causing trouble for some one with or without the help of Elrond's sons.

When she saw Esterasúle's horse come running toward them, not only without his rider but without Mirima's horse, she knew something was wrong. She looked to the closest Elf. "Get the captain."

The guard nodded and quickly rode off to get him. Glorfindel did not take long to come. He knew Liníta would only send for him if she thought she must. "Liníta, what is going on?"

Liníta looked at him with a grim expression. "Esterasúle's horse has returned without his rider. He is in a state of fright and anxiousness, Captain." She motioned to the horse being soothed by two guards.

He nodded. For the horse to be acting in such a manner did not bode well for his rider. He wondered where Esterasúle, Mirima, and her horse were and what had befallen the sisters. "Send out a few guards to scout for her and her sister."

Liníta bowed and returned to her unit. She selected four of her guards and sent them to find the girls. The four guards quickly rode out. Two stuck to the main trail while the other two searched for signs of the sisters elsewhere. The two on the trail soon spotted Mirima, rushing to her side. She was unconscious, oblivious to having been found. They quickly headed back to Imladris with her.

Mirima started to come around as they neared the border. She had been in and out many times since getting on her horse. She was at a loss for how much time had passed. The only thing she knew each time she woke was pain and the need to find her sister. The thought of her sister made her jerk fully awake. "Tera..."

"Calm yourself," Tyáro soothed her. "You are nearly home."

"We have to find her. She's still alive." Mirima did not care about herself or being home, not with her sister in the hands of Orcs.

"There are scouts out," he again tried to sooth her. He knew he was going to have a rough time.

"How many?" She was having difficulty speaking. Her voice was a whisper.

Liníta and Glorfindel shared a glance as they saw the two returning with Mirima. "The Valar help the other one," Liníta said softly for both of them.

Tyáro sighed internally. "Enough. Rest."

Mirima, fighting to stay awake, demanded, "No, how many scouts?"

He knew the truth would not appease her. "The border patrol."

Something told Mirima he was lying, or perhaps it was her distrust. "You lie." She gave him the best glare she could muster. With the pain, it contorted her face. "How many?"

Tyáro knew he would have to be honest. "Two. We had to return with you." He did not mean for it to sound like she was at fault, and luckily she made no comment about taking it that way.

"Not enough. We have to go back." Now that she was not alone, she felt she had to help her sister. She struggled to sit up in the saddle to take control of her horse.

"You cannot," Tyáro argued. She was in no condition to go anywhere but the Healing House. He was happy to see Liníta and Glorfindel approaching.

"Get this thing out of me and I can," she bit out. Esterasúle was her sister. She needed her. Mirima did not trust these Elves to find her and care for her right.

"You will not," Glorfindel told her. The girl had to be crazy to think they would allow her to further harm herself. She needed healed.

"I am a free person. I can and will. You cannot stop me." Esterasúle needed her. The were not going to stand in her way.

Foolish, stupid child, Liníta thought. She looked to Hérion. "Get her quickly to the Healing House. There could have been poison on that arrow." She eyed the massive wooden shaft. She doubted there was poison as awake and lucid as Mirima was, but they could not take chances.

Hérion did as commanded. He pulled Mirima from her mount, ignoring her sounds of pain. He was surprised she put up no fight. The pain she felt must have increased drastically from the movement. He knew, however, that he had to hurry. He did not have time to be slow and gentle. The girl needed healed soon or she would not make it.

Liníta looked into the distance. "We must have missed a band of Orc."

"You may be correct." Glorfindel watched her. She was blaming herself. He wanted to tell her it was not her fault, but she would deny any knowledge of what he was talking about.

"Shall we take a unit and find them?" She returned her eyes to him. The question was an obvious one, but she needed his leave to act. His nod was answer enough. She turned to another guard. "Go see what answers can be gained from Mirima when she is able."

As Arthion went to his task, Tyáro spoke up, "She says her sister lives."

"For how long? We must make haste." Her horse pranced, ready to go, but she waited for Glorfindel's lead.

"We must find her before..." Glorfindel trailed off. They were all well aware of what happened to an Elf violated by an Orc. Esterasúle would be better off dead then suffer that fate.