Hey everyone, I'm sorry that I haven't updated or responded to all of your reviews. I've been sick the last few days and I'm finally feeling better so I worked hard on this chapter through my medicated daze. I hope it's good, please let me know. Thanks for your reviews to everyone that reviewed. I'm sorry I didn't get to respond directly!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 12: Attack on the Border

Ana walked through the city dressed in a silver-gray dress. She wore soft slippers on her feet that an elleth had brought in for her earlier that morning as a gift from Galadriel. They were white and would easily match the three dresses she had acquired. Sadie walked beside her and Ana felt several pairs of eyes on her but she didn't look around. As she rounded a large tree she ran into someone who had also been going around the tree. She stumbled back but whoever it was grasped her waist and held her still. Ana looked up and at Rumil's smiling face.

"It is good to see you up and about today. We were worried you'd be bed ridden the entire time we were in the city," he said as he let go. Ana smiled at him and felt Sadie sit down next to her.

"How long are you going to be here?" she asked and Rumil sighed as he laid against the large tree.

"We leave before th-," he was interrupted when Orophin came running and grasped his brother's arm.

"Rumil! There was an attack on the border. Several orcs escaped the guards and are running towards the city. Many fell," he added in a whisper and Ana's eyes widened and looked between the two.

"How man?" she found herself asking and Orophin looked at her.

"Ten, all guards in Haldir's brigade," he said slowly. Ana found her feet moving without her even thinking, where she was going she didn't know but soon the path became familiar to her. She ran up the many stairs to Galadriel's talan where she had taken studies with her just a few days ago. The door was open, so Ana rushed inside. She wasn't' the least surprised to see Haldir and Celeborn standing there with her. Celeborn looked at her and then looked to Galadriel who was looking at Ana with a knowing but sad smile.

"You have heard then" she said slowly and Ana nodded as she stepped further into the room. She was slightly winded and took a moment to catch her breath.

"Why the attack? What is going on?" she asked quickly and Haldir turned to her.

"They come for you," he said and she looked at him. The coldness was still in his eyes, but there was a small glimmer of sadness in the blue pools.

"Me?" She took a step back and looked to Galadriel, her eyes begging for more information.

"There will be another time for more explanations," Celeborn said and Ana looked to him. "As of now, Rumil, Orophin, and several other guards travel into the woods to hunt for the orcs. Haldir shall remain with you as your guard." The ellon then looked to the Marchwarden. "Ensure she is well hidden and do not leave her side." Haldir nodded and bowed his head before he led Ana from the room. Ana looked back at Galadriel as she was led away with wide and confused eyes.

"Do not be afraid Ana. Haldir shall protect you if the need arises," Ana heard Galadriel's voice echo as she went around the doorframe. They walked down the stairs in silence and as Haldir led her towards her talan, she gasped.

"I left Sadie in the city!" she exclaimed quietly before she jerked her arm from Haldir's grasp and ran through the trees. Haldir groaned quietly and took off after her.

"Ana!" he called. "Ana, she will be fine!" he tried again, but she didn't listen and kept running to where she had last left Sadie. Ana was almost to where she had left Sadie, when a horn sounded. Haldir surged forward and grasped her arm stopping her. He looked around and she heard him curse under his breath. "Ana, an orc has entered the city, we must-," Haldir was cut off by a bark.

"Sadie!" Ana exclaimed quietly before she freed herself from Haldir and kneeled down as Sadie ran into her arms.

"You are reunited with your dog, now let's move. We must get you hidden." He grasped her hand and dragged her away with Sadie following. Haldir ran up a set of stairs and brought her into a talan she had never been in before. Ana gasped quietly for air as she sat down on a sofa and Sadie laid panting at her feet. Haldir looked down at the forest floor and another horn sounded.

"What's going on?" she asked as she steadied her breathing. Haldir turned to her and walked over to her.

"Stay silent," he whispered and walked back over to the window. Ana frowned and crossed her arms over her chest and watched as he drew his sword from his side. She noticed then that he did not carry his quiver or his bow. She heard something in the distance and she stiffened as she sat on the sofa. Haldir's posture stiffened as well but his eyes remained focused and read on the forest floor. Ana felt her heart pound in her chest and Sadie sat up looking towards the door.

"Haldir," she whispered and his eyes moved to her. "It's coming close isn't it?" she asked. He quickly sheathed his sword and walked over to her. He helped her stand from the sofa and he was surprised to feel her body tremble slightly.

"Come, you will be safe in the bedchamber," he said quietly. Ana nodded and let him lead her into the bedroom. Haldir was surprised that the normally strong and agitating woman was showing something he did not expect from her: vulnerability and pure fear. Sadie followed them and he sat her down on the bed. As he stepped away to leave her and close the door behind him, she grasped his hand in both of hers and held onto it tightly. He looked down at her.

"He'scoming closer. I can hear him." Haldir sighed quietly and kneeled down in front of her and put his free hand over hers. His ears and senses were still trained mainly on the beings outside of his talan as he looked at her fear filled eyes.

"He will not find you, and I am more than capable of protecting you. Do you not remember that night not but two days ago?" he asked and she swallowed hard as she closed her eyes and nodded.

"I do," she whispered as she slowly reopened her eyes and loosened her grip on his hands. Haldir raised his free hand to her cheek and held her face gently. Once again she was surprised by his kindness, but she needed it right then.

"You will be fine." Ana nodded. Haldir looked into her dark eyes and as he stood he found himself leaning in and kissing her forehead. "I promise," he whispered quietly before he stood and left the room, closing the door tightly behind him. Ana looked into nothing with wide eyes before she raised her hand to her forehead, the orcs completely forgotten.

Haldir stood in the sitting room his thoughts no longer focused on the woman in the other room but on the task at hand. That was when he spotted the one orc that had made it into the city. Its skin was grey and sickly looking but the look on his face proved that he was well with the exception of an arrow embedded in its left shoulder. It was heading towards his talan. Haldir quickly left the talan and walked three quarters of the way down the stairs before he jumped landing about eight feet in front of the orc. The orc stopped and adjusted its cruel weapon in its hand. The sneer that crossed its face made Haldir's heart harden even more.

"You can't protect her," he drawled in common tongue and Haldir held his position.

"I can and I will," he hissed back and the orc's sneer only deepened and a low rumbling laugh escaped its slimy lips.

"You kill me, more will come. She is wanted as is the stone." Haldir glared.

"She is of no use to you," he said as he began to circle the orc who turned where he stood. "The stone has been destroyed." The orc laughed once more.

"The stone can never be destroyed, elf," it hissed before he raised its sword and charged Haldir. He readied to stop any blow that came his way when suddenly a white feathered arrow joined the other arrow that was embedded in its shoulder, only the arrow was clear through the orc's head. A gurgling came from its mouth before it fell in a heap. Haldir looked on in surprise and looked up into the tree to see Ana standing in the window his bow in his hands and a surprised and confused look on her face that mirrored his own. He looked down at the orc before he turned and looked at Ana once more. He saw her shake her head and step back from the window.

Haldir ran up the stairs and went into his talan just as Ana dropped the bow onto the floor of the talan.

"How in the world did I do that?" she asked him as she looked at her hands that visibly trembled. He sat his sword down and frowned as he took her hands into his. She looked up at him as tear fell from her eyes. "I . . . I . . ." She shook her head unable to finish.

"It's alright," he whispered and pushed her black hair from her face.

"I don't know what came over me. I felt something stir inside of me and I just went to the case, pulled out the bow and an arrow, walked over to the window, and fired. I've never, and I mean ever done anything like that before," she said quickly trying to explain herself. Haldir shook his head.

"It is alright, Ana, I will take you to Lady Galadriel. It is time she look into you to see what it is you have actually gained from drawing from me." Ana nodded but found herself wrapping her arms around him and once again embracing him. Haldir stiffened but returned her embrace as she felt her shake and buried her face in his chest.