A/N: Hey, because this was taking so long I decided to put up the half of the chapter I've done. So it will be the shortest chapter yet.
A/N: Sod it. I haven't seen the message up anywhere so I'm gonna continue to respond to reviews at the end of each chapter. It's such a little thing.
Chapter 12.
Elladan rode beside Elrohir in the midst of the soldiers. After much persuasion, Glorfindel had allowed them to come, but only in the capacity of healers, to heal injured soldiers and to help Erestor as much as they could. Elladan got the feeling that they had also been allowed to come because she just didn't have time to stand around arguing.
Elladan looked at Elrohir from the corner of his eye. His twin had been very quiet throughout the journey, so Elladan assumed that he was feeling guilty about his part in this. Elrohir had always liked Erestor a lot more than he had. Maybe it was just because he liked books a lot, like Erestor, so while Elladan favoured Glorfindel, he favoured Erestor. That was not to say that he wasn't just as scared of Erestor as he (and every other Elfling) had been, he just admired him a lot more.
As Elladan caught sight of Glorfindel, he leaned over to his twin. "I have never seen Glorfindel like this before. Do you think something else is wrong?"
Sergeant Malaglar pulled up her horse beside Elrohir's. "I did not mean to eavesdrop, but I believe I can answer your question. You are both too young to have seen Glorfindel in a true battle. There has not been one since the Last Alliance, before either of you were born. Perhaps a better way to explain is to say that this is Captain Glorfindel, as opposed to Lady Glorfindel."
"Does she do this for every battle?"
Malaglar thought for a moment before answering. "I have only served under Captain Glorfindel since the Last Alliance, so I have only fought with her in smaller combats. She does this when she has to, when she is in command and she has the lives of her soldiers in her hands. She does not have the liberty of letting her heart rule her head."
Elrohir spoke up, "I believe you should always follow your heart."
Malaglar smiled. "Romantic, but your heart can lead you to recklessness if you let it rule you. One mistake can get you, and others around you, killed out here."
Elladan paid little attention to the conversation after that, as it descended into debate about love and morals with historical examples. Erestor would have been proud. This thought drew his attention back to Glorfindel in front of him. Everything about her at this moment screamed commander, not that he had known many. Elladan thought on Malaglar's distinction between the happy, laid-back Glorfindel he was used to, and the Captain. Watching her now, he felt he was finally beginning to understand why she was so respected as a Captain. She had the ability to seemingly become the captain at a moment's notice and take charge. He supposed that this was what his father, Erestor and Glorfindel had most in common: leadership.
He heard the debate come to a close as they came to the edge of the forest and everyone brought their horses to a halt. Though he hadn't really paid attention to the debate, he got the strong impression the Malaglar had won.
Glorfindel was having a quick exchange with a scout who had just appeared descended from one of the outer trees. Once this was finished, Glorfindel rode over to the twins and sergeant. She addressed the twins.
"You are to remain with Sergeant Malaglar and her archers at all times and follow all her orders. You are here as healers, not warriors. The only reason I bought you instead of those more experienced is because you have some fighting experience. Do not do anything foolish. Do I make myself clear?"
The twins gave a unified, "Yes Captain," not daring to argue.
Glorfindel then turned to Malaglar. "Sergeant Malaglar, you are in command until I return." Turning, she called to her other Sergeant, "Sergeant Cirorod. Come with me."
Wheeling her horse, she left.
(&)
The scout led Glorfindel and Cirorod down a pass into the Misty Mountains. They had left their horses at the foot of a slope in favour of a more silent approach. Glorfindel and Cirorod both now crouched down where Daegon was hidden, Glorfindel between her sergeants. Below them and to the left, they saw a cave entrance. The remaining eight scouts scattered around the area, hidden from the view of the cave mouth.
"Report," Glorfindel whispered to Daegon, without taking her eyes off the cave entrance.
"I have had two scouts get as close to the cave as possible. They reached the mouth to discover the orcs had positioned guards near the entrance. They had a brief look into the cave before retreating unseen. They confirmed that there are a little over a score of them. There are two guards to the rear of the cave, and although they were unable to see what they were guarding, I think it is safe it is to assume that it is the elf. They appear to have only just settled down for the night."
"Orc guards? They are becoming smarter, more cautious, or are being instructed to position guards." Glorfindel commented.
"Less than comforting options, either way."
"True. Can we get closer to the cave?"
"Follow me."
Careful to remain hidden at all times, they made their way down and left until they reached a bush that would grant both cover and a view into the cave. It wasn't a prefect view, but under the circumstances it was good enough. Lying down under the bush, they surveyed the cave. It was a small cave - it barely fit the orcs in it - but gave them shelter from the sunlight. All they could see of Erestor were glimpses of hair and material.
Daegon was the first to break the silence, speaking in a hushed voice. "Do we know who the elf is?"
"Erestor." Glorfindel answered, eyes still on the entrance, as if the orcs would sneak out if she looked away for a moment.
"Erestor? What was he doing so far out, so late and alone?"
The captain in Glorfindel automatically deflected the rising guilt "That is irrelevant."
Daegon obviously took the hint, as he didn't pursue the matter, for which she was grateful.
"Cirorod?" Glorfindel asked her other sergeant for his suggestions, while thinking on her own.
Cirorod was the best and most promising strategist among her sergeants, and sometimes threatened to excel both her and Erestor. He was one of the two sergeants under consideration to take her position after she left. He was one of the soldiers who had risen quickly through the ranks after the Last Alliance. However, what he lacked was experience, both at commanding larger groups of soldiers and commanding under pressure.
After a moment, he spoke for the first time. "We will be unable to attack on horseback in the cave, it is far too small." He quickly checked the position of the sun before continuing. "It is mid-afternoon now. By the time we have returned to the others, given orders, come back and taken positions, the orcs will be rising, if not already risen. Attacking with our present number is not even worth considering. Any plans will have to take this into account. I suggest we ambush them as they leave the cave."
"Agreed," Glorfindel nodded. "Sergeant Malaglar will position her archers higher up the slope, above the rest of us. Once they have left the cave, our archers will attack first, directing their fire away from Erestor to avoid hitting him: the rescue mission would be meaningless if he died in the attempt. When they start to scatter or retreat into the cave, then the rest of our soldiers will attack."
Glorfindel took her eyes off the cave and turned to Daegon. "Sergeant Cirorod and I will return to Sergeant Malaglar, while you and your squadron will remain here. Observe, and inform us of any changes. We will return in time for twilight."
They all rose into a crouch behind the bush. Daegon saluted to Glorfindel, and watched his commander leave.
Chapter 12
There you go. :D The next chapter will be more exciting, it will be the rescue mission. :D So till next time. Reviews, as always, are welcome and make me happy (and write fastest :D)
cosmic-dancer-ukGlad the outburst was good, I was a little afraid it was a little too sudden. The tension has decreased a little in this chapter though. Sorry you did have to wait a little too long :D
Griffo Bumbleroot: I promise to keep that idea in mind for you :D But it may be a while till I can write one :D
Karen: Thank you. Glorfindel and Erestor do make a great couple :D It's my favorite fan fiction couple.