Author Note

This took way longer then it should have, but its here!

Goldenpot- We will get to her past soon-ish. I have a little more set up before that and hopefully, you enjoy that as well.

angel897- Thank you! I'm hoping to post the next chapter soon since I missed last weeks update.

Story

The brothers set up camp that evening feeling hopeful that they would finally find some answers soon. Even if that was only the bones of their fallen brother at least it would be something. They were starting to discuss how to go about the search in the morning when a voice called both their names. It sounded familiar. It couldn't be him but who else could be out here? The two looked at each other then darted up and around the next bend coming face to face with a ghost.

Rumil froze causing Orophin to bump into him as all three stared at one another. He shouted his eldest brothers name at the same time as Orophin did. They ran forward together hoping this was no dream. He could feel Haldir flinch at the rough impact but the ellon didn't let them go.

"Brother, how are you alive?" Rumil's voice cracked at the last word.

"That is a story for after dinner. How did you two find me?"

"Come and eat while we tell you about our search."

So they went back to the fire and the two younger wardens told the story of their search. Orophin checked his brothers healing injuries while they ate and talked.

"These injuries were tended quiet expertly Haldir. Surely you didn't stitch this one on your back. Who else is out here?"

Haldir sighed, he related the story of waking in a cave under the care of a mysterious elleth. The shock and loathing on his brother's faces as he told of her scares and the revelation of what had caused them he knew must be mirrored on his own.

"Where is she now? After all her work to keep you alive she should be rewarded."

"She left some time ago after I was healed enough to take care of myself."

"We cannot just leave her out here brother."

"I know," Haldir sighed in frustration. "But I am still healing and will need to regain my strength before I can even try to search for her. We will speak to Lord Elrond before returning home and see if he knows anything or can help."

With that, the three made plans to return to the cave the next day and retrieve Haldir's armor and look for any clues as to where his savior had gotten off to. None of them could bear leaving her behind. Especially after she had saved one of them when she could have easily walked away instead.

Upon a rocky ledge, none of the brothers noticed a pair of green eyes watching them. Eglan may not have returned to the cave but she had stayed close by encase the ellon she rescued had needed her. When she saw him leave earlier that day she had noticed he didn't take his armor. The former healer had gathered what belongings the ellon couldn't carry and followed behind still protecting him.

Once she was sure she wouldn't be noticed Eglan left the rest of his belongings just around the bend along with a note for him to find the next day. She then slipped back into the shadows though not too far. Something kept her close and she decided to at least see him safely back to his forest. Maybe then this longing would go away and he was still healing if they were to be attacked he could be injured again. She knew her reasoning was weak but she didn't know why else she would want to follow him all that way.

The brothers were surprised to find Haldir's armor the next morning, a note and a small pouch of healing herbs were found with it. Haldir's face fell as he read the note he clenched his teeth as he passed it to the other two. It was short:

Marchwarden,

I returned for the rest of my things and found you left these behind. I will be moving on now that spring is close at hand. I wish you luck and a swift recovery.

Eglan

She was going to disappear just as swiftly as she had come and there was nothing he could do about it. She had been so close. His brothers handed back the letter and packed up anything that was too heavy for him to carry. He tucked the note safely away intending to keep it as a reminder to himself and the promise he had made to find her. He would find her and help her no matter how long it took. As they left they failed to notice the quiet shadow following along halfway up the side of the valley.

With Haldir still healing it took them much longer to reach Imladris. Elrond was shocked to see him return alive, and was most interested in the elleth that had saved him.

"I have a few ideas as to who she could be. However, I must do some research and send out some inquiries before I can be sure." He frowned and told Haldir he would be in touch, before sending out a party to collect the remains of those that had died.

The brothers were lent horses to help them travel faster, much to Eglan's frustration. It took her long into each night to catch up with the ellyn she was following. Exhaustion became her constant companion. Some days were better than other than others for food but she never starved. It was four long weeks before they reached the Golden Wood. She was frustrated after losing her knife at one point but she didn't have the energy to go back looking for it. Hopefully, she could find a replacement somewhere.

Eglan stopped well outside the sight of the wardens guarding their forest. He had reached home safely, now she could leave. But she didn't, she convinced herself that one night of rest was a good idea. One night became two, two became a week and before she knew it a month had passed. Orcs were far more prevalent here so she took to the trees to avoid them. Every day there was a new reason to stay. Eventually, that reason became Haldir was back on the fences. She stayed close just to catch the occasional glimpse of him when he rode out. She did what she felt was her part in killing any orcs that she found. All the while she felt a pull to go closer. The feeling was frightening and confusing all at once.

The spring and summer passed quickly into autumn and still, she found more reasons to stay. As the leaves of the great Mellyrn trees turned gold there was a festival, even those guarding the borders celebrated. She watched from a much closer vantage point. She was a silent shadow that protected the border that night taking out any wandering orcs that dared to come too close. Soon winter was upon her and with the turning of the leaves came cold nights. Eglan may not have felt the cold like most but she was still uncomfortable and her clothing was not seasonly appropriate. It was so thin in some places she could no longer even patch it properly. Even with that, she couldn't bring herself to leave. something had a hold of her deep within her soul and refused to let go.

Once winter fully set in she was at a loss for what to do. The snow was heavy but she didn't dare light a fire for fear of being found. The orc raids were only slightly diminished by the weather, and she took out several before they ever reached the woods or him. She tried not to think of him. He must have forgotten about her by now but still, she protected him as best she could.

Then came the night of the worst storm yet. As Eglan sat huddled in a tree right on the border, the storm having covered her approach, at least a hundred orcs came out of the raging snow marching into the forest. She stayed hidden as the call went out through the wardens. She could hear his voice calling out orders followed by the twang of bowstrings and the clash of swords. Eglan crept closer to the fight watching as the outnumbered wardens fought. Her eyes searched for him and spotted him across the clearing fighting five of the monsters alone. The grim look on his face said it all. He thought he would die here. Her heart stopped in fear.

Eglan acted, her body simply moving without her ever telling it to. She raced between orcs and elves alike drawing her sword and praying, for the first time in a long time, that she would reach him in time. As one started to flank him she crashed into it driving her blade through its back before yanking it free and spinning to meet the attack of another. The fight was bloody but short as back up arrived. His attention turned to her. His eyes held a look of surprise as her name slipped from his lips. Others focused on her now and the panic rose. She turned and ran as his hand reached for her, she disappeared back into the night. She knew she should have left long ago. Was it too late? She didn't know but she was going to try. She couldn't face her kin. She couldn't face him.