Chapter Two

Laurëa runya

Golden Flame

I froze mid-stride as I entered the training courts. There were many elves there today, and I wasn't ready to face a huge crowd. My hackles raised awareness of how close and how many of them there were.

"Runya, ah, there you are!" Glorfindel's voice entered my ears, causing me to yip in joy. I looked around, desperately trying to find him, but to no success. Finally, I let my nose do it, a wise choice.

I always loved to search things out with my nose. Glorfindel knew this too, for when I had first entered his room, he had watched in amazement as I had sniffed out every corner of his dwellings and familiarized myself with the smells.

I growled as one warrior stood in my path, not letting me pass. The warrior looked down at me with a stern face, but I just growled even more, causing chuckles to arise from around the group, knowing that if I didn't see Glorfindel, I was going to be in a nasty mood.

"I am to stand here and not move, those were my orders," the elf smiled at me lightly.

Ah! So this was all a test to see how I would react, eh? If I could smirk, I would have, for the next thing that was running through my mind would blow him away. I coiled my body and quickly lunged over him, startling him enough to fall back on his ass. I then circled the tree that was behind him, smelling Glorfindel in it. I put my forepaws on the trunk of the tree, looking up into its swimming darkness of leaves, hoping to see any glimpse of Glorfindel's golden locks, but to no avail. He was hidden very well, and I knew that I would have to locate him the hard way.

I jumped up, latching my claws into the bark and making my way up into the dense leaves on the branches, hoping that he would be on one of the lower branches on not the very top. But to my dismay, I could tell he was not at the bottom, but the very top. I snarled, not liking to climb trees very much, and Glorfindel knew it to.

A quiet laugh sounded through the leaves, "Ah, it seems I have been found by our ever persistent Runya!"

I yelped in surprise as Glorfindel's form came crashing down upon me faster than I could comprehend. As he fell past me, he latched onto my neck, pulling me along with him. A realization came to me then. He was pulling me out of the tree and we were both falling uncontrollably fast. I yowled, yipped, whimpered, did everything for him to let me go and end the game, but he did not.

"Relax, my golden flame, I have you. You are perfectly safe in my arms," Glorfindel whispered into my ear.

As we hit the ground, Glorfindel pulled me closer to him and rolled with me, keeping the impact all to himself. He laughed as he stood up, but I was too shaken. My world was spinning, and my body felt like it was being tossed around.

Glorfindel smiled, "See, she is perfectly capable of sensing where anyone is if she knows their scent." He ruffled my fur, thinking it was quite funny as to what he had just done.

I snapped my jaws at him playfully, causing him to laugh even more. I lunged at him, sending him to the ground once again. I then looked up at the elves around us, growling.

Life could be so simple when you are a hound. The pleasures are plenty, and all you care about is making sure that your master respects you greatly. That is all we ever ask for.

But Glorfindel took it to another level, as did Elrond and his sons. I mean, all I had ever known was to aid in the hunt, find what was evil and hunt it, seek it out. That took on a new level once I came to Imladris, my new home. They wished me not to hunt. They wished me to just lounge around, something that they found did not sit very well with me.

I am always moving around, not able to stay in one place for very long. I tend to growl at people when I get this urge to hunt. And I was once caught trying to go out on border patrol.

I howled, pouncing on one of the warriors without warning. He laughed and rolled with me, making sure that I couldn't bite him or scratch him with my claws. I felt proud of this one. He had sense and skill. Courage was building in him, and he pushed me off him, jumping to his feet the exact same time that I did. We both stared at each other for a while, squaring and sizing each other up.

I lunged at him, connecting roughly with his chest, but he had one up on me. He quickly spun as we fell to the ground. That way, I slammed into the ground before he did, causing me to yelp in pain as he accidentally landed on my front left paw.

The elf quickly jumped away from me, his eyes wide in fright. He quickly knelt down beside me, petting my head, "Runya, Runya, are you alright? Oh, what have I done?"

Glrofindel was there in seconds, looking over me, "Runya, what happened? What ails you?"

I lowered my head so that it was near my left paw, my signal of what hurt. He quickly but gently picked it up, only to put it down as I let out an unearthly wail at the pain. I snarled and snapped my jaws at him, catching his left forearm in my mouth. I think he understood how much pain I was in then, for pain registered on his face as well as in his eyes.

He desperately tried to open my jaws to let him go, "I understand, penneth, I understand!" I let him go them, in too much pain to really care about keeping him in check.

Glorfindel quickly picked me up, being careful with my paw. He nodded to the elf, "Go find the twins and tell them to meet me in Elrond's study." As the elf stood there, shocked, Glorfindel raised his voice, "Go! Now! That was an order!" At those words, the elf quickly lunged into action.

I whimpered, knowing that if Glorfindel ordered someone to do something, I was in trouble. He looked down at me though, "Worry not, my golden flame, for we shall have you healed in no time."

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.Broken! My front leg was broken! What was I to do? Elrond had given Glorfindel exact instructions not to let me walk on it and not let me play for a couple of days while his magic worked its wonders.

For you see, my father had made me hard to spell, and seeing as Elrond would have to use a spell on me, we had a difficult time trying to heal my leg. They ended up cooping me up in Glorfindel's room, keeping a watchful eye on me, and Elrond found a loophole with his magic. The side effect? Simple… It was going to take three days to recover fully enough for me to walk around on it, and even then, I couldn't go back to playing around with the warriors for another four days after that.

My spirits were low, and not even the twins could cheer me up. They constantly brought me treats, hoping to get a wag of the tail or a lick, but I was not cooperating. And why should I? I was bred to hunt, not to lie around and watch time roll around me.

Glorfindel did treat me though. He carried me to the practice courts and let me watch the warriors training. Every once in a while a warrior would pat my head or rub an itch that I had had for a while. Glorfindel himself sat beside me the whole time, singing softly to me, calming my raging temper that was building.

I closed my eyes and just listened to him sing. This was my third day, and I was very agitated. I hadn't been able to move, hadn't been able to join in with the fights, nothing! His voice soothed me, though, it always had.

I found myself falling deeper and deeper into the calming state that Glorfindel could always get me in. And somehow, my tail started to sway to the rhythm of the song he was singing. Before I knew what was happening, other voices joined his, and I was lulled into a deep and peaceful sleep.

I dreamed of the Undying Lands. Nahar and father were amidst his woods, and Gil-galad was a participant as well. I was lying in a bed of golden flowers, a gift from my mother, and Námo was petting me.

When I awoke, I found myself still in Imladris, lying in a bed of golden flowers in the practice courts… Wait! Golden flowers? Joy entered my soul! Father was right! I could have my precious flowers any time I wanted them!

I then noticed that Glorfindel was nowhere to be found. The practice courts were filled with warriors, all of which were going about their daily business, training and practicing. No Glorfindel though, and I was not able to stand.

For the love of Námo! Forget what Elrond said! I was walking whether they liked it or not. I stood shakily, not putting pressure on my left leg. I yipped quietly, hoping that Glorfindel would answer me. But to my dismay, he didn't answer. The warriors stopped their actions though, turning to watch my every move.

I yipped again, praying that Glorfindel was close, but I still got no answer. I started whimpering, limping my way forward with my left paw in the air. I stopped as I heard a familiar voice cooing to me from the other direction.

"Runya. Come here girl. Take it nice and slow. Come on, you can do it."

I slowly turned around, and near the doorway were Glorfindel and Elrohir. They were both smiling at me, nodding their heads. It was Elrohir that had spoken. I set my left paw on the ground, testing it. As I didn't feel stabbing pains, I decided to try a more direct approach.

I took a step on it, placing all my pressure on it. Pain shot up my leg, but I ignored it, wanted so badly to move. I slowly and cautiously made my way over to the two elves, hoping that my leg would hold up and not collapse under the pressure and strain I was putting it under.

"Runya, my golden flame, are you able?" Glorfindel asked, his eyes filled with worry. I growled lightly before picking up my pace, causing both elves to look startled. Glorfindel held up his hands, "No, my sweet one! Take it slowly! Not too fast!"

I ignored him, continuing my battle to make it to them. They would have to kill me if they thought I was going to stay still a moment longer! I was going insane! Some of the warriors started coming after me, cautiously, hoping to not harm me. At their movements, I just walked faster, dodging anyone who got in my way.

I snarled as one of the warriors grabbed me around my body, lifting me off the ground effortlessly. I was so close too! I was ten feet away from reaching my destination and this elf had to go and be all high and noble! Gods be damned! Of all of Arda, I had to get stuck in this place!

I growled, snarled, bit and did everything possible to get the elf to drop me, but he was persistent. I finally quit, knowing it to be a loosing battle. I whimpered as he set me down in front of Glorfindel and Elrohir. But that didn't last long as my anger took hold of me. I bit down on his arm lightly, telling him that he should never stop me from what I want to do.

"Runya!" Elrohir yelled, pulling open my jaws and looking at the elf sadly.

The elf smiled, "It is fine. She was only disappointed that she did not make to the full way."

Glorfindel smiled at me, "You put up a good fight, Runya, but your leg is still very weak. You need to heed our words."

I looked into his eyes, and he could see all of my energy just waiting to burst out from not moving all this time. Elrohir smiled, "How about we take you to father to see if you can do something."

I yipped in joy, standing up on my hind legs and placing then on Glorfindel's chest, silently asking him if we could. He laughed, "When you give me that look with your eyes, my golden flame, I cannot deny you anything!"

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Elrond smiled at me as he watched me walk across his study, "She seems to have healed nicely. Other than the fact that she may have a little pain, I would say she could continue on with her life now.

I yipped in joy. 'You have saved me, Elrond!' I then lunged on the lord, startling him.

Elrohir laughed lightly as his father slammed into the ground, "It seems she is pleased, father! At least you did something right!"

Elrond looked up into my eyes, shocked. I licked him quickly before letting him up, but not before I nudged him with my forehead. He nodded, dusting off his robes and straightening out his hair. He quickly cleared his throat, "I would advise against horse play with the warrior at the moment, though, Runya. I suggest that you take it easy for a couple more days."

I nodded, but I knew, as well as he did, that I would end up going full force as soon as I got out of his office. Barking, I ran over to the door, restless to once again to move around and do anything.

Maybe Estel would like to go on a hunting trip? Maybe he would like to go for a ride on his horse? Or maybe, just maybe, he would train with me…

I finally found Estel, but saw that he was sitting with Arwen, Elrond's only daughter. I quietly and skillfully walked over to the two, sitting down in front of them. They didn't even notice me, causing me to laugh on the inside.

Arwen looked up, gasping as her eyes went wide in fright. Estel quickly looked at me, and I stood up, wagging my tail and barking happily. Arwen shook her head, "Estel, be careful around her. She can be very dangerous!"

"No, not my sweet little flame," Estel smiled down on me.

Arwen glared at me, causing my ears to go flat against my head, "I watched as she attacked one of my father's warriors when she first appeared here. He was in the hospital ward for a couple of days."

I glared right back at her, not feeling any remorse for attacking the elf. My father had dropped me here without any warning. They came running forward, I was scared. What did they want me to do, turn and run? I was a hound of Oromë! I never run!

"I would have done the same thing, Arwen. She was frightened, and she is from Oromë. His hounds do not run, they fight." Estel smiled down at me. He then quickly scratched behind my ear.

Arwen stood up, turned her head away from me, "I will leave you with this hound then, Estel."

I whimpered as she left, knowing that I had probably ruined something that he had been working a long time for. Estel shook his head, "No need to be sorry. If she cannot except you, then she needs some time to think about it." He then sighed, "My sweet little flame, I am to leave in two days time. It has been short, our time together, but I am to go back into the wilds."

My tail started wagging, even though sadness grew in my chest. 'I wish to go forth with you, Estel.'

"What about Glorfindel?" Estel asked.

'You need me more, Estel, and I wish to hunt, not just sit and help elves train.' I whimpered, knowing it would be hard to leave.

"What will lord Elrond say?" Estel asked me, standing up.

I shook my coat out, not answering him. I had talked enough in one day. Estel could sense it, and he smiled down at me, "Would you like to go to the dining hall with me? I am sure that I could get you something good to eat there without anyone angering you."

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Glorfindel stood with the twins, a sad look on his face. He knelt down and hugged me, burying his face in my golden fur. "I will not stop you, my golden flame, but just remember that you may return at any time. I shall be awaiting your presence at the foot of my bed."

I licked his face. 'I will return to you, Glorfindel, do not worry. Time is not important to us. I shall be lying at the edge of your bed once again, do not worry.'

Glorfindel laughed at my words, and released me. I could still see the sadness in his eyes, and I could definitely smell it on him. Elrohir and Elladan came forward next, both petting every part of me they could touch. Elladan was the first to speak, "Runya, make sure you return to us safely. You are the only one we could possibly mess around with."

Elrohir was on the verge of tears, "Runya, please stay! Don't leave me here with just my brother!"

I yipped at him, licking his face and putting my nose against his. 'You, my dear Elrohir, will be fine without me. I shall return, and when I do, we shall continue our little hide and seek game of you hiding my favorite choice of food and me searching it out.'

He nodded and retreated some, watching as his father came forward. Elrond smiled down at me, "Runya, I wish you the best on your travels with Estel. Watch over him as much as you can. Make sure he returns safely to us along with you."

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Chapter Two is here. Please review and tell me what you think of the story. It gets better later on.