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xXx

Elrohir rode with haste to Rivendell, riding fluidly to keep from jostling the injured girl.

His father, Lord Elrond, had been gifted with foresight, so it did not surprise his son to find him waiting at the entrance.

"You have come sooner than I thought. Come, Elrohir. Bring her to theKard en' Nestad" (House of Healing)

"Yes, Adar."

When they reached their destination, Elrohir gently laid her stomach down upon the bed.

"The sight is not a pretty one, but I believe that it is the reason for her illness."

Elrond watched as his son tenderly bared his patient's back for him to see.

He did not doubt his son's word, but he had not steeled himself for the sight that met his eyes.

The barest brush of a finger made the girl tense up, even in unconsciousness.

Mottled bruises were plentiful on her back, as were many infected cuts.

Elrond laid a hand on the deepest cut and began to chant.

"Lasto beth nîn, tolo dan nan galad."

Elladan joined them and looked at Elrond, who smiled and answered his unspoken question.

"The infection has diminished. All that remains is that she recover her strength."

"Who would cause such pain for a child, ada?" A soft spoken voice questioned from a corner.

They turned to see Arwen standing quietly behind them.

"We do not know, Iellig. I doubt even her companions have such knowledge." (My daughter)

Arwen nodded thoughtfully.

"May I be in charge of her care? I feel as if I know her already..." She trailed off.

"If it pleases you, my daughter, then you may. If possible, learn what you can of her past. She may open up to you more than anyone."

This caused Arwen's brothers to smile, for they knew that their father spoke the truth with these words.

It was then that Elladan noticed the necklace that hung about her neck.

"Elrohir, that necklace. Has it always been there?"

Elrond's lips lifted into a small smile.

"It bears the rune of Varda— It would seem that she has come here by the will of the Valar." He said thoughtfully.

Elrond quickly exited the room, and his sons soon followed, leaving Arwen gazing at the girl.

When she had made sure that her father and brothers were indeed gone, she softly closed the door.

Gathering a few supplies from a small adjoining room, she applied ointment to the cuts and bandaged the girl's torso tightly.

When she had finished that small duty she sat on the edge of the bed to keep vigil over her patient.

xXx

Riley's Point of View

I stretched slowly, my back still sore. My eyes opened, then closed again as I realized that I hadn't been looking at my bedroom ceiling.

Just close your eyes, and this whole dream will just disappear. Just keep your eyes closed...

"You cannot fool a wizard. I know you are awake, Riley."

So, it wasn't a dream. Well, instead of an alarm clock, I have Gandalf to wake me up. Wonderful. Simply wonderful.

"Am I right to guess that I am in Rivendell?"

I didn't look at Gandalf as I asked the question, instead I watched smoke rings from his pipe float lazily over my head.

"Quite right, hm."

Another smoke ring blew across the room, and I turned in the direction from where it came to see Gandalf sitting in a straight backed chair.

"What is the date?"

"October 22nd, if you want to know."

Why yes, Gandalf. I did want to know. Wherever did you get that idea?

I used the date given to me to mentally configure what had happened and what hadn't happened. If it were October 22nd, then the splinter from the Morgul blade was still embedded in Frodo's shoulder. Which meant that tomorrow night it would be found by Elrond. My thoughts were interrupted by Gandalf speaking to someone at the door.

"Your young charge is awake. Maybe you can get more out of her then questions."

The grey wizard stood slowly and walked out of the room. As I followed his movements, the person he had been conversing with came into my line of vision.

Has anyone ever told you that Arwen is simply breathtaking? Because she is like... Whoa.

Liv Tyler is awesome, but comparing her to this Arwen is an insult.

"I'm glad to see you are awake. If you feel well enough, my father would like to meet with you in his study."

xXx

Back to third person... (Basically means that this is coming from the narrator's point of view. :-D)

Elrond sat at his desk rubbing his forehead. The ring bearer had yet to awaken, and Gandalf feared that there was a piece of the blade still in the closed wound.

A knock on the study door made Elrond look up to see his foster son. He motioned him in.

"You wished to speak to me, my Lord Elrond?"

"Yes, Estel. What is the girl's name?"

Knowing who he asked of, the ranger quickly answered.

"Riley. A foreign name that I have not heard in my years of wandering."

"No indeed. In the Quenya language Riley translates into Rielásse, which means inner beauty." He mused to himself.

Duke had snuck into the study after Strider, hoping that he would lead him to Riley.

The dog wagged his tail when Elrond glanced his way.

"Who is this?" The Lord of Rivendell asked as he slowly crouched.

"Duke, Riley's dog. We found the two not far apart on our journey here. They have a close relationship."

The dog carefully sniffed Elrond's outstretched palm before giving it a lick of approval.

"Ya hir balch a' nîn hiril, hm?"He asked as he scratched the dog behind the ears.(Who was cruel to your lady, hm?)

The dog gave a few whimpers, and Elrond thoughtfully turned to Strider who realized that Elrond had been conversing with the canine.

"The same man who injured the girl kicked Duke when he tried to protect her. Riley rose to his defense, and it was for that act of compassion that she was beaten."

Strider noticed that the dog's tail was tucked in-between his legs, and the ranger dropped to one knee to reassure the animal.

"It was not your fault,mellon nin.You only tried to protect her." (my friend)

Elrond stood and held a finger to his lips, moving silently towards the door of the study. He flung it open and a surprised Riley stumbled forward a little. He caught her and gave a teasing smile.

"It is not ladylike to eavesdrop. You can come in now."

Her cheeks were flaming red with embarrassment, for she had not meant to listen to the conversation. But when her dog began to talk to Elrond... Riley had gotten a little off track.

"I don't bite, child."

She realized that she was still standing outside of the door, and she smiled apologetically as she moved to sit in a chair that was offered to her.