September 6 TA 1636

He shifted and groaned. His side ached, and his mouth tasted overwhelmingly of blood. He tried to open his eyes, but only one could. It was dark, and he was on the forest floor. Someone's back was pressed against his, and he tugged the shirt with his tightly bound hands. The person grunted, and Luin tried to roll over to see who it was, but couldn't. His shirtfront was torn from being dragged through the forest, and his feet had no longer had boots on them. There was no fire around or any signs of civilization or the people who brought them there. The form behind him shifted, and he managed to roll over onto his back.

"Huldion?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.

"Luin?" the form murmured weakly. "How did they get you?"

"I don't remember."

"Can you see?"

Luin lay in silence a moment, "you cannot?"

"No, nor can Minador."

Luin swallowed his panic, and closed his eyes a moment. "Are you ok, otherwise?"

"I- I only have seven fingers," he said quietly. Luin groaned, and looked past Huldion. Dinoth lay next to him, his neck at an unnatural angle and his eyes open in death. Luin cried out, and screwed his eyes shut. "What is it?"

"Dinoth is dead," he whispered nervously.

Huldion was silent a while before he sighed, "who else?"

"I do not know I cannot see, there is no light and-"

"Calm down," Huldion said quietly. "It is alright."

Luin rolled toward him, and his face met Huldion's back. His cloak was torn to shreds, and his hands covered in blood.

"Listen to me. I will not let anything happen to you while I live. I promised the queen and I promise you. So do not worry, alright?"

Luin stared fearfully at his bloodied neck, "I am more worried for you."

"I will be alright," He responded wearily, unconvincing to Luin.

September 7 TA 1636

"No, it is not happening, I will not allow it," Thranduil said forcefully and glared at Faroth. With him sat Amandil and Earien.

"It is our best chance, and-"

"It is far too dangerous."

"Forty of the guard will be there as well, your majesty," Amandil said.

"I do not care! I have my limits, and that is beyond what I am willing to do. I cannot be swayed."

"Thranduil," Earien said quietly, "You must look beyond us. Do you truly doubt my ability?"

Thranduil stared at her, "it is what they are trying to do, to draw you out."

"It will be fine. We have them, aran-nin," Amandil assured.

"She can go on such a dangerous mission and I cannot go out alone?"

Faroth cleared his throat, "My lord, in the event the queen is killed-"

"It does not affect the standing of the kingdom and I something happens to me Legolas would inherit the throne, I know how it works, Faroth, but she is my wife."

"And she is Earien. She can keep her head in generally any situation, and she will be able to think strategically if something goes wrong, as we have seen in the past many times. Her brother is there. I would feel better if she went with Amandil, and I think Amandil will feel better as well."

"Is that true, Captain?" Thranduil asked Amandil, his eyes bore into his head.

"I would not allow harm to come to her, my lord," Amandil assured.

Thranduil stood, "I am outnumbered, then. Very well," he said, and stormed out of the council room.

It did not take long for Earien to find him. He was sitting in a tree just outside of the stronghold. How he got away from Thangannas she had no idea. She climbed the tree and sat down next to him. He looked at her, annoyance and sadness evident on his face.

"If you truly do not wish for me to go I will not."

He exhaled sharply, "I do not. But I cannot deny Faroth's words. You have always done well under pressure and Amandil does not. Faroth is looking for Erron's family and is riding to Rohan so he cannot go."

"There will be so many guards there, Thranduil, and I will be armed. This plan cannot go wrong. You have nothing to fear."

"I cannot lose you, Earien. It will be the death of me."

"Do not say that. Nothing will happen to me, but in the event anything ever does-" she paused, and waited for him to look at her, "you must promise me that you will not fade."

"I cannot-"

"You must stay for me. For Legolas." She urged gently.

"I cannot promise you that," he said and shook his head.

"Please."

He stared at her, "I promise."

She smiled, and he pulled her into his arms. "Promise me you will return from this."

"I promise," she said and ran her hand over his cheek. "I must tell Legolas."

"You leave in the morning?"

"Yes. First thing."

"Let's go tell him."

Legolas was with Erron when they found him, and they were looking at a book of Sindarin together.

"Erron, could you leave us a moment please?"

He nodded and left, and Legolas looked up at them expectantly.

"Legolas, Uncle Luin, he's been kidnapped."

"What?" he asked, his eyed widened and he stood.

"We have to go rescue him, and your Nana is going."

"Nana?"

"I will be back in less than a week," she said quietly, and pulled him toward her. "I want you to take care of your Ada until I get back, ok?"

"Are you sure you will come back?"

She smirked, "what do you think? Of course I will. Have I ever lied to you?"

He shook his head, "Nana-"

"Legolas, I am going to be alright. I promise you."

He nodded tearily, and she embraced him. He hid his face in her neck. Her eyes were downcast, and she looked guiltily at Thranduil. She was feeling the pressure. She had to save the remaining survivors of the group- her brother, Huldion, Dinoth, and Minador, who was a new father. She had to protect those going with her to do the hostage negotiation, make sure no harm came to Elladan, keep an eye on Erron- and return home. There were many places she could screw up, and have her plans fall apart.

Why had an innocent attempt to help a small village resulted in so much pain? She released Legolas, and smiled supportively. "I will see you very soon."

He nodded sadly, "I love you, nana."

"I love you too," she said quickly, and rose and walked from the room so he would not see the worry in her eyes.

She and Amandil walked to the barracks, and she explained their plan to the group of guards, and gave them specific directions regarding what they were allowed to and not allowed to do. In order for this to work they would have to do everything she and Amandil had planned. The group complied, and a general census was taken to see what they thought of the plan. They all agreed with the success rate, and proceeded to the armory. Earien wore pieces of the heaviest and most elaborate armor Mirkwood possessed. It was reserved for the captain of defense, but Earien would be wearing it. She wore light sentinel clothing, but heavy armor over her chest. She wore a deep green tapered cape, and her hair was braided tight behind her head. She was armed with a sword, bow and quiver and several daggers. Amandil wore impressive armor himself and was heavily armed.

He was nervous about the outcome of this mission. The Queen and he had come up with a sound attempt, but any situation with hostages was tricky, and he feared for his comrades. He and Huldion had grown close over the years, and Minador was close with everyone. He was kind and sensitive, and was young enough where he felt responsible for his fate. He could only imagine the state of the group.

"Ready?" he asked Earien, and she nodded.

"As can be expected," she responded, and they joined the group. They exited the armory in two perfect rows of twenty. Thranduil met them at the gate, and greeted Amandil before he turned to Earien. They embraced, and Thranduil was trembling in her arms.

"Please be careful. Please return to me," he whispered.

"I will. I promise I will," she said quietly, and released him.

He nodded solemnly, and gazed upon the group, "do Mirkwood proud, and do not forget what this mission is about."

The group mounted horses, and rode into the forest with vengeance in their hearts.

September 8 TA 1636

"What do you think will happen now?" Erodolliel asked Beinion from inside the tent, the rain spattered quietly against the canvas. Luin lay outside in the rain, and pretended to be asleep like the others. He nudged Huldion, who nodded at Luin and listened.

"Thranduil will send a small group to come rescue the hostages. We shall negotiate the release of the Captain and the others in exchange for gold. Remember what I told you, the brother is not to be released no matter the circumstances. He is the only member of true worth and will keep them from invading us once we have acquired the village, at which point we will have our own regardless and we will keep him prisoner to ensure our safety."

"The captain may die before then-" she said quietly and Luin glanced fearfully at Huldion. He hadn't been able to see his face from his position yet.

"Then he will die. We have already killed two of them, what is one more. All that matters is the Queen's brother at this point."

Luin glanced around the camp, and all morning and afternoon elves and men had arrived and made camp. They'd acknowledged the hostages in passing, sometimes with a smirk on their lips before returning to their tents. He trusted Thranduil and his sister to save them, but how was it possible for them to possibly get them all out? He knew the Mirkwood law, that whomever offered harm to any loyal citizen of Mirkwood forfeit their life as it was to the King. There was a good chance that some would die trying to save him, and it scared him to death.

"I am very sorry I have allowed this to happen. I should have sent you home, I should have brought everyone home when I realized we were up against more than we could handle," Huldion choked.

"You have done nothing wrong. I do not blame you for this," Luin said quietly.

"I am responsible for the deaths of the others," he said quietly, "I am responsible for so much death."

"Do not say that. I am sure Dinoth and the others would not approve of such talk. You cannot blame yourself."

"I was supposed to be in charge, and instead I lead everyone to their deaths."

"No you did not," Luin said forcefully.

"If I survive this I will resign. I cannot be trusted with such responsibility."

Faroth was tired after three or so hours of going over the defensive movements for the next few weeks, and sought his daughter. He found himself always seeking her company since she had arrived. Sidhiel was happy to be there, and was helping out in the healing wing. She was sitting with the Queen's lady in waiting, Iellwen. She had stuck close to the Queen and Lady Alonnen, and Faroth had not seen her much due to the tragedy happening in Gondor.

She smiled up at him, and Iellwen bowed her head. He smiled, "care if I join you?"

"No, not all at please," He sat down with them, and Sidhiel brushed hair from her face, "any word from the group?"

"No. We should have gotten word from them already on their position but there is nothing."

"The King must be a mess," Sidhiel said seriously.

"He is. I fear it was my idea, and I too am a mess."

"They will be fine I believe, hir nin, I trust Amandil's judgement," Iellwen said quietly.

"I as well, I just hope we hear from them soon for Thranduil's sake."

I know this one is shorter and a bit on the slow side, but the next chapter will be the moment of truth and the return of action. Thanks for reading, and as always please let me know what you think.