The stable gates opened and the company rode in, Legolas stayed watching by the western wall. The first horse was a grey stallion, a fine horse of Rohan bore a different rider. Her nose was red, and her fine dark hair was wet with wind and snow.
Once the men had settled and tied their horses the young rider spoke.
"You rode well today men, and we arrive at last in the stables of my father, soon the feast will commence and you will be rewarded with, wines, rich foods and warm fires. So go now and prepare, before long all will be merry."
A cheer arose from the crowd and the men passed through the great doors, few noticed Legolas in their hunger and fatigue while the daughter of the Lord, stayed attending to her horse. She brushed his coat and released him from his saddle, bringing him fresh hay and water.
Legolas watched until she had finished and was ready to leave.
"You show great affection for your steed, Lady Rochwyn of Rauros." He called out from behind her and moved out from under the shadow of the wall.
She jumped at his call, but her face softened when she saw him.
"Ah, Prince of Mirkwood, your presence is too quiet, as are such elves. Yet their company is always an honour."
Legolas moved towards The Lady of Rauros, bowed, and took her hand and brought it to his lips.
"My gratitude my Lady, yet I arrive in dire times and wished to see you before anyone else."
"Then you seek me and not my father?" the Lady of Rauros said.
Yes, me and my companions have oft ridden to give him news of such happenings before, but it is you I call for now, why, cannot be discussed in the surroundings of a stable"
"Then we shall retire to my Quarters and speak there, for anything discussed there will be for our ears only."
The two departed through the entrance in which the riders came through and walked around the White Hall's stables to the Main Hall. After, they took a long route by the Back and past some Servant's Quarters, walking though the frostiness of the air. Legolas grabbed her hand and both ploughed through the snow and ice, but only she was touched by the winter. As they reached the last door it began to thunder, the sky grew dark and rain began to pour grinding the snow beneath their feet to a grey slush.
The door revealed a room laden with velvets and furs, a crackling fire and a large window overlooking The Wold, which Legolas stood by, while Lady Rochwyn rested on the end of her bed.
The rain beat against the window and the only light was the fire burning in its hearth glowing with warmth and heating the room.
"This is no time for polite conversation, my lady, for I must leave soon, I also know that it is not often that I talk to you without the presence of your father, we have ever met by chance. I come to inform you of a raid on the Brown Lands, a stretch of land between both our regions." Legolas said, staring intently into her eyes.
"A Raid? There has been no invasion on the Brown lands since Eorl was king of the Eothed!" Her eyes grew wide and she gathered her brown riding dress in her fist and clenched it fear.
"A shadow has been moving again from the East, orcs are pouring out in hoards from the mountains but as far as we know only a small group of about fifty have an encampment by the River Anduin." Legolas said.
"Why do you not consult my father of such matters? He is wise and learned in the ways of war." She stood and faced Legolas.
"My lady, if I had then there would have been a full-scale war. This is a small attack on the orcs to prevent them from crossing into the Wold, only a lesser assault in all confidence. No-one that could wage a major war knows about this, King Thranduil, King Theoden, Lord of Sarn Gebir and your father must not know. If they do then it has been foreseen that many shall die." Legolas explained.
"Then why do you tell me of such matters? I am an able rider but no strong fighter, not even skills with the sword but no more." The lady walked to a wooden cupboard and removed a green bottle and poured the contents of it into two goblets.
"It is of able riders that we are in need of, me and my companions have spread to Edoras, Sarn Gebir, Rauros and the farther reaches of Mirkwood to each find ten warriors each despite their ability. Though you scorn your talent, I have perceived and you are far better than anyone, spite your father." Legolas said as he received the drink.
"Then you seek a small army of forty, do you wish me to pick nine men from my own company or should you find them?" Lady Rochwyn asked.
"I have had responses from Edoras and Mirkwood, twenty have already been found, the White Lady of Rohan and a great Lord from the Mountains of Mirkwood are among them. We need twenty more and I shall stay till you have chosen them only then in later days I shall return to begin the siege."
"My Lord, somewhat of this attack has never been heard of since the darker days, why do orcs appear from mountains that have been desolate for years?" Lady Rochwyn sat back down on the bed but Legolas had not moved from the window.
"Only these orcs were seen by a scout who was traveling to Sarn Gebir, we alone know of them."
"Then, no-one is sure of the danger?"
"I am afraid not, my lady, though I ask you to partake no bond is held to make you stay but if you do we cannot afford to lose fighters"
"I shall partake in the battle however small or large." the Lady of Rauros tried to dry her wet, brown tresses - falling about her blanched face.
"I am sorry, sorry to know such evil exists. But you will join me with your men and others?" Legolas stepped forward.
"Yes, I shall choose nine men, when shall I have them ready for when you return ?" Lady Rochwyn stood up close to him.
" Three days……..I am grateful, Lady of Rauros" and he kissed her hand again, bidding her farewell.
"The courtesy of elves is beyond me, Prince of Mirkwood."
"I thank you again, only you understand, I regret I cannot attend the feast."
"I understand that my Lord and hope we met again before long"
"As do I" and with that he left through the door. Meanwhile Lady Rochwyn returned to the end of her bed and sat perplexed, contemplating the attack and how she could ever go to a feast in normal behavior when on the brink of an assault, on orcs no less. She was standing ready to bathe and prepare for the feast when another question returned to her mind.
Lady Rochwyn pushed open her bedroom door and out into the antechamber, she ran to the door which led to outside and the only one which Legolas could have left through. Knowing its stiffness and rust she took three paces back and rammed her side against its wood, it gave way and she landed in the melting snow under the pouring rain.
For all the torrent and darkness she could not see, she tried to stand up but found her curls and her dress were plastered to her.
The thunder rumbled and she shivered and called for Legolas, raising her voice amidst the downpour.
She opened her mouth again to shout for him when a hand pulled her back inside and heaved the heavy door back in place. Lady Rochwyn stood trembling, whilst Legolas unclasped his cloak and wrapped it around her, he started to edge her back toward her room.
"Lady Rochwyn, the harshness of winter is clearly not fitting for you and you forget not to call my name, it is not to be known here, I am a rare visitor."
"Forgive me; I only could not let you leave before knowing your lodgings." Lady of Rauros was dripping from her hair and her dress and her face was whiter than usual the colour had drained from her cheeks and her lips.
"My Lady, my lodgings are plenty for me, why do you ask?" Legolas looked at her concerned but also suspicious.
"My Prince of Mirkwood, when you consulted me ….. I am a mere lady of the court. I am honoured enough you concern me with this battle alone but to know you have not rested in a place unfit troubles me." Lady Rochwyn was still trembling.
"It is now that the courtesy of Rauros that astounds me, Lady Rochwyn if not where I have already chosen then, where?" They stood outside the door to her room.
"There is a room two doors from mine, though it is never disturbed it is always prepared for visitors and there is a lock from the inside, it might be brash but I am fairly sure it will be more suitable that anywhere else you might find in this hall, that's if you are to sleep here."
The lady pointed to a room, as she said, two doors from hers and Legolas nodded and made for her washroom and a with a towel, he returned and Lady Rochwyn received it gratefully and dried her hair and handed Legolas his cloak back, though it was slightly wet.
"If it pleases you so then yes I shall rest there, I trust you enough but realise I cannot stay for more than a night and by tomorrow's eve you must have nine warriors ready."
"Be it so"
And after that Legolas left again for the second time and this time he was not followed. Lady Rochwyn bathed and dressed herself ready for the feast, and waited on the verge of an attack unknown to men for many years.