Erienne had not sensed anything amiss when Thranduil failed to come to the room for the night. For the past few days, he had been spending late nights staying up with Aradan and she assumed it to be the case that night as well.

Legolas had gone to bed as had the others and not having anything to do, Erienne had decided to take a walk. Passing by Aradan's room, she had decided to go in and see him when she heard voices. She did not linger longer than a minute and hurried off. As she left the palace, she turned to see Airion following her. "My lady, pardon me for disturbing you. Might I follow you?"

Erienne nodded absently as she called for her horse. "Where are we going, my lady?"

Erienne did not reply as she hurried into the night. Only after they had left the palace did she open her mouth. "Where is the Orc that we captured, Airion? Bring me to him."

Airion looked unsure but as Erienne hurried on, he followed behind and led the way. The Orc had been kept in the deep dungeons and for good reasons, Erienne knew. Thranduil must have interrogated the Orc but he had not killed it. As Erienne climbed down the stairs, the air became mustier and Erienne gave an involuntary shiver as she remembered Dol Guldur. But Mirkwood's dungeons were quite a haven compared the former. The area was clean and she could see that the few prisoners there had clean cells and water. And certainly no one was being whipped mercilessly though Erienne knew that neither Thranduil nor Aradan would have hesitated to kill anyone suspected of endangering Mirkwood's safety.

Airion opened the cell gates and Erienne came face to face with the Orc. Though it was chained, it met her with an arrogant, chilling grin. "Have you come to offer yourself to me, Elven Queen? We will be glad to have you in place of your Commander."

Erienne stared at the Orc, raising her hands to prevent Airion from reacting. "You are quite a fool, aren't you? First, you sought the Prince and now the Commander? You do not wish for the King?"

"Fool? You be the fool? The King is of no use. 'Tis the Commander who holds the great elven army of Mirkwood together. Once he falls, Mirkwood will be easy to destroy and fall he shall. Our Master has sent his forces. Count your Commander's days. Each day he sets out, you will never know if he would return."

Erienne did not answer. All was falling into place and she couldn't help feeling sorry for Thranduil as she recalled his fears about Legolas. And now Aradan. "When did you tell the King this?"

The Orc did not reply but Erienne did not need one from him. Thranduil had interrogated the Orc in the morning and by night, he had taken this drastic decision. Standing up, Erienne left the cell in a hurry. "Where is Aradan now?" she asked Airion as she ran up the stairs.

"My lady, the King had ordered the Commander to move to the towers in the far north. He would be on his way there where Haldir of Lothlorien would meet him and bring him to Rivendell."

"Are all the other lieutenant-generals in position, Airion? You go ahead and join them. I am going out. Should the King ask, just say that I am on my way."

"My lady, please. I hope you would allow me to join you. As of today, our borders are all accounted for and soldiers have been posted to be on duty. Our guests would be arriving at dawn. Our lord is sure to be unhappy should you not be there."

Erienne considered awhile. Thranduil would not accept Airion's explanation. The best she could do was just show up. "Very well, we must hurry."

Both sped across the fields on horseback not turning to look around, for if they had, they would have spotted another elusive figure following them. With the gruelling pace that Erienne had set, they reached the northern borders an hour before dawn. Erienne had to stifle a gasp of surprise as she realised the number of soldiers guarding the tower. There were at least a hundred of them within and beyond the moat.

They met Erienne with a bow but looked unsure as to whether they ought to let her proceed. "My lady, the King has given specific instructions that no one but he is allowed to enter the tower. He will bring Commander Aradan down."

Erienne took a deep breath. "Right, of course, you must obey your King's instructions," she murmured as the soldier nodded with relief.

She turned as if to leave and before any could react, she was riding a wave up to the tower window. The soldiers gasped as Erienne focused her full strength on calling upon the water to bring her up. Once, she reached the window, she jumped onto the ledge and crawled in, ignoring the audible gasps from below.

As she fell to the floor, she leaned against the wall and caught her breath, drained of energy. A minute later, she opened her eyes to the sound of heavy metal clattering.

"Wha..? Erienne, how did you come here?" Aradan was so shocked that he had dropped his sword that he had been polishing.

Erienne did not answer at first, merely accepting the towel that Aradan gave her instinctively whilst looking around the tower room. The furnishings were quite opulent. It must have been King Oropher's quarters. Did Thranduil and Aradan use this place?

Aradan must have read her thoughts for he answered. "This tower was built for King Oropher. Thranduil hardly uses it."

"Nice prison." Erienne refused to say any further as she walked around waiting for Aradan's protest.

"Don't say that, Erienne. Our King must have his reasons. I am injured now, obviously I can't take on the duties of a commander. 'Tis better for the Woodlands."

"Is that what Thranduil told you?"

Aradan hung his head and then valiantly tried to hide his tears as he continued, "It makes perfect sense, Erienne."

"Of course it does, Aradan. I too am totally agreeable to any decision for the good of the Woodlands."

Erienne saw Aradan swallow as he looked up at her and then quickly looked down. "You are? Of course. I mean you would also decide what was best for the Woodlands," he replied softly.

"Of course. What is best for the Woodlands," Erienne agreed as her eyes trailed the ornate carvings on the ceiling. This tower must have weighed down Mirkwood's coffers substantially. Erienne personally thought that it was a total waste of resources.

Her eyes softened as she asked Aradan the next question, "Have you eaten, Aradan?"

"I .. of course, Erienne. All I have to do is ask for food if I want it. Would you like anything to eat now?"

Erienne knew Aradan was not lying. Thranduil must have ensured food and every other comfort. As she circled the room, she saw the trays of tea and lunch. There was soup, bread, chilli. That must have been lunch. Peach cobbler, juice of peaches and lemons and butter cake. Obviously, food was aplenty as well.

Erienne reached for her satchel. "The food looks good, Aradan but seeing as you have no appetite for it, would you join me in my simple meal? I have just water and bread. But I believe I shall help myself to the juice. My throat is rather parched."

Though Aradan did not indicate consent, she proceeded to sit beside him and broke off half her bread and gave it to him. "For me, Aradan even if you are not hungry."

Erienne chewed on her own bread slowly as Aradan accepted her offer. She had known he would. Aradan could never say no to her. Out of habit, Erienne turned the other way, her back leaning against Aradan's as both ate in silence.

"Did you ever find out what the Orc had said, Commander?"

"I am not the Com.," before Aradan could continue, Erienne shrugged.

"Aradan, then. Did you ever find out what the Orc had said, Aradan?"

"None would tell me, Erienne. Air..Lt. Gen. Airion said that the King had ordered that it must be confidential."

Erienne bit her lips at Aradan's respectful use of Airion's title. But she did not pursue that.

"You did not fathom a guess?"

This time, Aradan turned to face her, his face showing his lack of understanding. "Is anything serious about, Erienne? Do bring it to our lord immediately. Perhaps, the Orcs mean to launch an attack. The lieutenant-generals would know what to do."

Erienne nodded, "They would know what to do if the Orcs attacked. The Woodlands is well-fortified. Thanks to you, Aradan, we can even withstand a siege."

Aradan did not reply and Erienne did not expect one. As Erienne sat contemplating her thoughts as to how she would proceed, Aradan spoke once again. "Do take care of Thranduil, Erienne. He could be moody and irritable but do not take it to heart. He needs you now, more than ever. Times appear to be bad."

Looking at Aradan out of the corner of her eye, Erienne nodded as she felt Aradan's body tremble. "Do not worry, Aradan. I will take care. Is there anything else you wish?"

"Wishes are for naught, Erienne," it would not have hurt had Aradan been bitter but his tone was only wistful and self-censuring. Before Aradan could continue, both heard the horn.

"Erienne, Thranduil has arrived. What will you explain?" Aradan sounded alarmed, "Do leave, my lady. Our lord could be upset."

"I will leave with him, Aradan. Do not worry," Erienne assured him and again did not miss that though Aradan appeared relieved, he was also close to tears.

As she stood with Aradan, he hesitated, "I might not see you again, my lady. Do take care. You have honoured me with your friendship. Erienne…There is a saying amongst men, my lady, that lucky is the man who has known true love and true friends. I am a most lucky elf, my lady. I would pray that the Woodlands ever be blessed with your guidance."

As Aradan bowed to her, Erienne looked right ahead and then said, "I believe, Commander Aradan, that you have spoken too soon."