This is a collaborative effort of a whole bunch of us - me, Elanor, Finrod, Gilrean, Holly, Lana, Nimbrethil, Witch King and Wizard. Other than the respective characters ie. me (Laurendil, Mas); Elanor (Elanor, Haldarin), Gilrean (Gilrean), Holly (Holly), Lana (Lena), Nimbrethil (Nimbrethil), Witch King (Beomir) and Wizard (Wizard), we do not own any of the other great Tolkien works. This was originally an RPG we played and have put together as a story. Hope you enjoy it.

The elves rode like the wind, their horses more than up to the job. Just as they ran through the gates, Legolas spied a young human boy – whom he recognized to be the young lord of Gondor. The others rode to the stables while Legolas stopped, getting down from his horse. Urgency in the elf's face made the young man stop and listen. After a few seconds, his eyes grew wide and fear shone in them. Without another word, he ran to find the King while Legolas headed for the stables.

His mind raced with the news that Legolas had given him. He must find the King! He must find him soon … but Rivendell was huge, and there were lots of winding paths. He ran on, heading towards the general area of the celebrations, even though he knew the King was not there – but perhaps someone might know.

Just as he rounded a corner, he ran into someone. A slight gasp escaped from the person he bumped into and he instinctively steadied the person. And was taken aback when his hands held soft, delicate arms and a rather familiar face of a wide-eyed maiden wearing a white elven dress.

"Elanor?!" he gasped.

Elanor groaned inwardly – but at least, it was someone that she could trust … She had just left Laurendil's room, despite Laurendil telling her not to go anyway … she now regretted that decision.

Earlier, she had been in the room and was not planning to go anywhere. First, she admired herself in the mirror and had to admit that the soft material of the elven dress did wonders on her. Why, I look just like the Lady Eowyn … She then spent the rest of the time exploring the rather sparcely decorated room and it was only her stomach rumbling which brought her out of her thoughts.

"Hmm I haven't eaten since... since..." Unable to remember, she peeked her head out of the door.

"Maybe I'll just look around the corner for her," she thought, and turning to her dogs, she commanded, "Stay Ellosse … Falas … I'll be right back."

She then tiptoed around, being careful not to be seen, but there was no one in sight. She almost gave up until she saw a glimpse of silver hair – and against her better judgement (she was feeling almost invisible in her elven dress), Elanor scurried after it. It was then that she bumped into this running speed demon right.

"Elanor?"

His voice brought her back to the present. She looked at him, dreading the question but in a way, relieved … he asked, "What are you doing here?"

Elanor found herself relating the story to him. With that, he suddenly seemed agitated again. Eowyn. His mother. She had told him she would soon be there. Terror grew on his face as he remembered the danger which was growing just outside of Rivendell. With a hurried apology, he ran off, leaving Elanor looking at him in exasperation. She had hardly finished her tale when he simply ran off … but the look on his face gave her pause. She followed him just as quickly, throwing caution to the winds.

Laurendil had just reached the gathering and glimpsed Aragorn, Gimli, Elladan, Finrod, Lena and a few others whom she did not recognize were in deep conversation. Before she could show herself, however, there was the sound of someone running fast and it was soon followed by a young figure in black bursting into the scene. Before anyone could react, the young man shouted, almost in desperation and partly winded, "My lord! Orcs are coming! We have to prepare every man and elf strong enough to hold a blade. They seek your blood!! Legolas suggests you find a safe place and stay there." He finished with a gasp.

This brought several reactions. Laurendil stopped short, shocked. ORCS?!

Aragorn looked miffed and offended, "Orcs? Here?! And Legolas said WHAT?!" he shouted in indignation. Did that elf think he would sit in a safe place while others fought all around him?

Lena's head shot up but she was hardly surprised. Gimli, on the other hand, was already raring to go, "AARGGHH ... let me at 'em!!".

Elladan was already taking charge, ordering the party to take their positions.

All this happened in an instant. There was no time to think. Memories came rushing upon Laurendil, and she pushed it aside. That had happened a long time ago, and these were only Orcs. At least they didn't have a Balrog ... she shuddered, remembering how terrible they were. Had been.

"Laurendil!" shouted Elladan, turning towards her. She shook herself of the memory, coming back to Middle Earth, "You take the auxillary archers to the top. Your skill will be useful there."

Laurendil nodded, and quickly ran to the armory, shouting orders as she did. Elladan had already organised a group of the main archers to be surrounding the gate entrance. The War of the Rings had made men into warriors very quickly. Laurendil had been around far longer than that, and she had thought that the War of the Rings was going to be the last battle she would have to witness ...

Reaching her room, she quickly changed out of her cumbersome gown and into some leggings and tunic. No time for armour, as she grabbed her bow and quiver full of arrows. It hardly registered in her mind that the young Rohirrim maiden was nowhere to be seen. She had other things on her mind right now … Rushing out, she was just in time to see the human boy getting on his horse, about to gallop out towards the gate.

WHAT?! Is he committing suicide??

She shouted at him, but he chose to ignore her, urging the horse forward. She had no choice but to call to the horse instead, telling it in Elvish to stop for her. It did, much to the chagrin and annoyance of the human boy.

"My Lady! Please! I have to go! My mother is out there! I have to help her!" he shouted, still trying to urge the stubborn horse forward as he looked around him desperately.

"But committing suicide is not the way to help her," she tried to reason, but to no avail. Seeing that he was determined to go, Laurendil sighed and patted the mare. It nuzzled her for a moment before running off, the young man obviously relieved that it was finally obeying him.

All of this was observed by Finrod and he shook his head, "Men..." he muttered. Laurendil seemed to worry about him, but Finrod knew instinctively, that he'll be alright. He put this thought aside and relaxed for a while, just enjoying the moment.

Laurendil stood there, watching the young man ride off into the night and was worried. And upon turning back, she watched with surprise the brightest smile she had ever seen on Finrod's face.