Chapter Ten: Found

Elynora frowned as she watched Glorfindel lead the children away from the Healing Ward. The last time he had come in there asking her to do the very same thing, Celebrian was -

The Elf shook her head. No. She wasn't going to think about that. She was going to prepare the bed and the medicine and do all she could to save the girl. Scurrying over to one of the beds, she grabbed some phials with athelas and other herbs in it and placed them on the bedside table. She pulled some linen out for bandages and put them on the table as well.

"Nora!" someone called from the door.

Elynora turned around to see a blonde Elf standing at the door, a sword dangling unsheathed in her hand. "Ancalimë, what are you doing here?" she scolded lightly. "I'm busy."

"Ah, then you did hear about it." her friend replied, striding into the room.

"Put your weapon away if you come in here!" the dark-haired Elf ordered, turning back around to finish preparing the bed. "And yes, I did. Glorfindel just came by to let me know."

Ancalimë nodded, a smile on her face. "Took him long enough. I would have been here before him, but I had a few more... pressing...matters."

Elynora arched an eyebrow as she worked, but said nothing on the matter. "Well, go tell Glorfindel that the bed is prepared."

"And where is he?" she asked, her bright blue eyes sparkling with silent laughter, despite such a serious matter.

"I think he was going to Elrond's study." her friend replied.

"Then I shall go now." Ancalimë said, turning on her heel and heading towards the door.

"And take your dirty weapon with you!"

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"Will Sam be alright?" Hailey whispered to her cousin, her eyes filled with worry.

Merry rolled his eyes. "Of course she will. The Elves know what they're doing."

"Then why did that Elf chick look so scared?" she pressed.

"Probably because the sound of orcs attacking someone as young as us scared her." he offered, saying the first thing that popped into his head. "But Sam will be alright, won't she, Lord Glorfindel?"

"Of course." the Elf replied distractedly as he led them down the maze of corridors.

"See?" Merry insisted as they came to a stop in front of a door. "Nothing to worry about."

"Will she really be okay, Mr. Glorfindel?" Hailey questioned.

"I'm sure she will." Glorfindel answered. "What's the worst that could happen?"

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"The worst that could happen?" Elrohir repeated, glancing at Fred out of the corner of his eye. "I'm not sure that you want me to tell you that."

The boy looked straight ahead. "Is it really that bad?" he asked.

"We are talking Orcs, my dear boy." the Elf replied. "These creatures are ruthless in their killings. They show no mercy. And Sam is quite pretty. I would not be surprised if they play with her first."

Fred visibly paled at this. "Play?" he managed to cough out.

"They aren't Elven, Fred." Elrohir reminded him. "They aren't even human. They are orcs. They obey only their instincts. Nothing will stop them from succumbing to their bodily urges."

"Uh..." he moaned, feeling slightly sick. "Can we not talk about this?"

"You asked." The Elf pointed out. "I simply told you what the worst that could happen."

"I hope they find her soon, then!" Fred said desperately, feeling useless.

"I hope so, too." Elrohir agreed. "I hope so too."

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"By Elbereth!" Elladan gasped as his eyes landed on the sight in front of him.

An unconscious Sam lay on the ground, her clothes ripped and her head bloody. Orcs surrounded her, watching as one of the horrid creatures slowly bent down, its hand reaching out to touch her.

"No!" he hissed, grabbing Lëo's arm as the boy tried to rush towards the hoard.

"But he's about to - Sam, she needs our help!" the boy practically begged.

"I know." the Elf agreed. "But running out their with no plan will not save Sam. It will only kill her in the long run."

Lëo sighed. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"We use our stealth to sneak up on them." the twin said, looking closely at the orcs as he told the boy his plan. "There are only four of them. If I kill the biggest one - their leader - and you kill one of the ones in the circle, they won't know what to do. From there, you grab Sam and hurry back the way we came, and I'll kill the remaining two. Whatever you do, do not stop and wait for me. Go straight to Rivendell, and someone will lead you to the Healing Ward. They'll know what to do once you get there."

"But-"

"No buts." Elladan insisted. "I need to know that you will follow this plan, no matter what happens. We both need to follow the same plan if we want to rescue Sam."

"Alright." he said reluctantly. "I'm ready."

"On the count of three, then." the Elf whispered, holding up a fist. "One." His pointer finger popped up. "Two." His middle finger. "Three!"

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Glorfindel quickly knocked on the door to the study, not even waiting for a reply before opening it and letting Hailey and Merry walk in before himself. "I've brought these two." he said quickly.

"Thank you." Elrond said, looking up from more paperwork. "I'm afraid that I am being very boring right now." he explained to the cousins as they sat down in chairs next to the other three that were there. "But perhaps you five can find a way to entertain yourselves for a moment longer. This paperwork is very important, and it can not be interrupted."

'Elrond,' Glorfindel said softly in Elvish. 'I have something that must interrupt your paperwork.'

'What would that be?' the Peredhil asked, frowning.

'Sam has run off.' he answered. 'Fred and Elrohir just told us. Elladan and Lëo have already left looking for her about a half an hour ago. I have had Elynora prepare a bed in the Healing Ward. Elrohir said he would let us know when Sam was found.'

Elrond rubbed his temples, closing his eyes for one weary moment. There always had to be difficulties that his plans did not foresee. Some days, he wished he could just hide away and not have to face these difficulties. But he could not. Sighing, Elrond looked back up. 'Very well, Glorfindel. Is Daniel with Elrohir as well?'

'Aye, he is.' the blonde Elf replied.

'Then I guess I shall inform the group in the Healing Ward when Sam is returned. Please take these five there now.' he commanded. 'I shall follow shortly.'

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Lëo didn't know how he managed to do it, but he did. He had killed his first orc; at exactly the same moment Elladan had killed the big one. Without a second's hesitation, the boy had dashed forward, scooped up Sam in his arms, and ran for the Elven city, not even bothering to look back.

Now he was nearing the gates, and his breathing was coming in quick, short breaths. He desperately needed a break, but he knew that he needed to run even more. Sam didn't look like she was in a bad way - save for an awful wound on her head - but who knew what those orcs had done to her? All he knew was he needed to get her to the Healing Ward - and fast.

Hey, y'all...sorry this is so short...but mi padre should be here any minute to take me home... I hope Sam is all right! And I wonder what Elrond has to tell everyone...hmmm...anyone have any ideas?

Oh, and incase you noticed...sorry about forgetting Daniel...but he's there...I just didn't realize he had been dropped out momentarily.

Well, I'll update if you review! If you really like this story, let me know! Trust me, if you review, we'll be getting out of Rivendell soon enough! Elrond has a plan...

Hmmm...I wonder what you all think of Ancalimë and Elynora so far...

If anyone can figure out Ancalimë's position and relation (to a person) before I say it in a few chapters' time, they get a surprise... I dunno what...but a surprise all the same.

So REVIEW!

PHE