Outside the castle, Thranduil, Aragorn and the rest of the elven guards had their bows ready and let their arrows fly, littering the bridge with orc bodies. Aeron arrived just after with his group and took out the rear of the orc party until none was left standing. No orc made it over the bridge alive.

Aeron and the Southern guards stepped over the orc bodies and approached the king.

"Are any in your group injured?" asked Thranduil.

"Nay, my lord, we are untouched."

"The orcs were not here to engage us," interjected the prince. Thranduil turned his eyes toward his son. Legolas had just arrived and was covered in orc blood. "It seems that it was more than Gollum that drove them here, if that was indeed why they were drawn here at all. One of their kind mentioned a female who may or may not be among us."

There was something in his son's voice that was not right. "Legolas, what is wrong."

"Lady Elessa went out riding before the attack." He took in a deep pained breath and his voice cracked as he said, "She was discovered by them and did not survive."

The group around the king was just as shocked as he to hear this news. He asked gently, "Where is she, Legolas?"

"I left her with Orlindel, a little over a league due south." Legolas stepped closer to the king. "Father, I do not believe it was Elessa the orcs were after. It was an unfortunate coincidence that they found her. Do you know what female the orc was speaking of?"

Thranduil rubbed his chin thoughtfully. If he knew what this meant, he certainly didn't show it outright. Legolas waited patiently for the king's response. He looked at Aragorn, who mirrored back his sadness and mouthed the words, "I'm so sorry." Legolas nodded his head in appreciation.

Finally the king looked Legolas in the eyes and said, "Let us go inside and talk." Before he left, the king ordered the burning of the orc bodies and attendants to be sent to retrieve Elessa for burial. He was just about to say something to Aragorn, when they were interrupted by the dungeon guard.

"Your Highness, the creature has done something."

"What do you mean?" asked the king.

"During the attack, he cried a name twice and it was heavily weighted with dark magic. I feel he was calling to someone on purpose, because he realized orcs were near."

"Whisper the name he called into my ear," requested the king. The guard leaned over and whispered the name so quietly, not even the elves standing near Thranduil could hear it. But the volume made no difference, as just the name itself jolted him like a poison sting. He knew exactly who and what the thing was that held that name. He knew one of his worst fears was coming true. Qadir had finally discovered where Linnah was hiding and now he was going to come for her. Worse yet, there was nothing Thranduil could do to stop it.

"Linnah, Linnah, it's me. It's me, young one," said Gillel softly as he leaned over and wrapped his arms around her. "Shhh, it's alright now." He gently helped her to her feet and held her close to his body, soothing her hair with his hand. Linnah could not speak for several moments, while she trembled in the older elf's comforting arms. Finally, she managed to say, "The vision. The vision spoke to me."

Gillel knew of Linnah's visions appearing when she sang. He guessed that this was what she was speaking of. "What did the vision say, Linnah?" asked Gillel, still keeping his voice calm and soft.

"He is coming for me and I am in danger," answered Linnah in a shaky voice. Then she looked wildly into Gillel's face. "Oh by the Valar, Gillel! He was strangling her, he...he's not a man, not really. I don't know what he is, but he's not really a man. She was warning me of something and he strangled her, he...he..." Linnah's voice trailed off into more hysterical tears and she clung tightly to Gillel.

He carefully led Linnah from the hall, towards the stairway. "I am taking you to your chambers. I want you to lie down and get some rest," he said softly. "Then I will have Meena make you some tea. We will talk more of this when you are calmer. You are safe here, Linnah, whether you see fit to believe it or not."

Linnah tried to choke back her sobs, to thank Gillel for his kindness, but she could not. She just leaned heavily on his arm and allowed herself to be led away.

"Father, are you alright?" asked Legolas concerned. He had just watched all the color drain from his father's face as the dungeon guard whispered into his ear.

Thranduil looked at his son with a somewhat glazed expression and said again, "Let us go inside and talk."

Aragorn bowed and said, "I will assist in the disposing of the enemy's bodies, if I am not needed elsewhere, your Highness."

"If you wish, but do not feel obligated," answered the king, "I may need your counsel again, sooner than later I am afraid, so I ask that you restrict your help to just outside my castle gates."

"As you wish," said Aragorn, bowing slightly.

Thranduil, his personal guards, and Legolas left the bridge and made their way to the Great Gates of the castle.

Just as Gillel and Linnah were reaching the bottom step of the stairway leading into the Great Hall, Gillel spotted Selihl near one of the large pillars talking with Adriel.

"Selihl!" called Gillel urgently.

Selihl looked towards him and immediately notice that Gillel was half carrying Linnah across the floor in his direction. He ran to Gillel's side and Adriel ran with him.

"Get Meena, quickly!" ordered Gillel to Adriel.

"Yes, right away," said Adriel throwing a concerned look in Linnah's direction before running to get the Meena.

"What has happened to her?" asked Selihl, aiding Gillel in carrying Linnah across the Hall.

"She has suffered a terrible thing, but there is no time to discuss it now," said Gillel, speaking as if Linnah was not there.

In a way he was right. Linnah was lost in thought and emotionally overwhelmed with the terror she had witnessed. Aside from the obvious horror of the words spoken by the elf maiden and the actions of the dark male in general, the visions had for all of her 118 years been a source of comfort. For this vision to suddenly change into a thing of evil...it was if it had betrayed her. She thought she could always count on the peace it brought her. Now, she felt lost without its comfort. Would she ever be able to sing again?

The butler got Linnah to her room, just as Meena and Adriel ran up behind them.

"Gillel! What has happened? Is she alright?" asked Meena distressed.

"She needs some rest, but she'll be alright," said Gillel, "I will explain it all to you outside, as I do not wish to retell it in front of her."

Meena nodded and helped to get Linnah comfortable on her bed. Linnah turned over and curled into a fetal position. She had a dazed look upon her face.

Selihl looked at the two older elves and said, "If you don't mind, I would like to stay with her."

"So would I Meena," added Adriel.

"Thank you," said Meena, "I would feel better if you two stayed with her."

Selihl nodded and sat on the edge of Linnah's bed. Meena and Gillel left the room and Adriel quietly shut the door behind them.