Chapter 2
Eradrin and her friends burst into the room. She silently ran over to a tall dark haired elf seated at the end of a long glass table. "Ada, I am sorry we are late. I did not know of this." She whispered in his ear. (Ada means father) "Eradrin, it is all right. We have not started yet." "Thank you, Elrond." Eradrin replied warmly. Elrond glanced at her with kind eyes. "Get seated, for we are about to start." Eradrin took off to three empty seats not far from Elrond's. She signaled to Alluean and Aralin, who were lingering uncertainly by the entrance. "Come here, we have not started yet. Here are two empty seats for you two." Aralin breathed a sigh of relief. She walked over and plopped herself in a chair next to Eradrin. Alluean sashayed up to Elrond and whispered something in his ear. He nodded, and she walked over to the empty space on Eradrin's other side, and delicately slid into the chair. "What did you ask Elrond?" Eradrin whispered to Alluean. Aralin leaned in to hear. "Oh, nothing important. I just asked Ada when we were patrolling the river. Lots of orcs have been seen around there lately. He said we could after supper, but to be careful. He's going with us. Sometimes Elrond can be a little overprotective." Alluean said.

The food was served shortly after Eradrin sat down. There seemed to be thousands of selections to choose, from the most plain loaf of bread to the fanciest array of delicious desserts. On one corner, steam rose from a well-cooked pie, the delicious aroma wafting across the table and filling the room. On another, a giant salad filled with every kind of edible leaf you can imagine tempted elves looking for fresh greens. Everyone enjoyed themselves that night, talking and laughing happily. After the guests left and the music ceased, the patrolling-the-river began.

Eradrin jumped with excitement. "Another adventure, right after a spider hunt and a journey home!" She exclaimed to her two friends. "I know! I am so excited! The best patrolling type of thing I have done is crossing the river. Once. That's not a lot." Aralin said. "I can't wait!" Alluean squealed. Soon they set off with Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, and the three friends. On the way, Lady Arwen joined them. "Border patrolling? I'm in!" She exclaimed when she heard where they were going. "Besides, you guys can't leave me out!"

They approached the river noisily, making all sounds of excitement, a with Elrond rolling his eyes at them. "This is supposed to be quiet!" He said, "Please do stop talking!" They walked along the river bank. Eradrin quivered with excitement. I hope something exciting will happen! She thought.

The riversides were unnaturally quiet. Usually they were buzzing with activity of animals, day or night, but know nothing was to be heard. A growing fear stalked along the riverbank, catching up with the small group slowly. Suddenly a small snarl was heard among the bushes on the opposite side. What. Was. That... Eradrin thought fearfully. The rest of the group walked along contentedly, thinking nothing was harmful around. "Ada, did you hear that?!" Eradrin asked Elrond nervously. "No, what did you hear?" He replied. "I don't know... It was probably nothing, but... Don't you think the riversides seem a bit... Scary? I feel as though we are being watched." Eradrin said. Elrond paused, holding back the group with a hand. He surveyed the land. "You're right..." He murmured softly, " something is indeed wrong." He squinted in the darkness among the undergrowth on the opposite side. Suddenly he gasped. "Orcs. 50 at the least. In the bushes." He whispered quickly to the group. "Arwen, run back to Rivendell and get reinforcements. Now!" He ordered. She took off unseen through the night.

Eradrin drew in her breath sharply. I wanted excitement... But not this much! She thought. Menacing splashes sounded on the other riverbank. "They're swimming across the river!" Aralin shrieked. "Don't worry, we can take them!" Elrohir said determinedly. The orcs, not 50, but 100, drew up in a line in front of the group. The one spoke,"Give up elves! You are no match for us. We will kill you all." "I'd like to see you try!" Eradrin shouted suddenly. "Don't think we will spare mercy on you vile creatures!" The orcs laughed grimly. "We won't need it!"

Then they attacked. The elves drew their bows, hurtling arrows into the first line of orcs. Then the second line crashed into them. Eradrin drew a sword she had brought from home, the unsheathing sound ringing into the dark moonlight. She leaped into battle. Orc after Orc she slew, running her blade through each one. She glanced to her left. Elladan brought down his sword on top of an orc, then jumped over it and sliced off the head of another. On her right, Alluean was stabbing her long elvish blade into an Orc twice her size, and at the same time running her hand knife behind her into the head of another. Eradrin thought with sudden hope, "We might actually be able to win this!" Then a scream sounded behind her. Aralin was backed up against a tree, a huge Orc in front of her with a cruel scimitar pointed towards her. Her sword was cast aside, probably knocked out of her hand. Eradrin leaped into action. She ran the Orc through, casting its gigantic body aside. Aralin looked at her in shock. "Th-thanks..." She whispered shakily. Eradrin nodded. "I'm glad you're okay. C'mon, we have to keep fighting." She grabbed Aralin's sword, gave it to her, and leaped back into the fray.

She went back to fighting, slicing Orc after Orc, hope rising with each kill. The number of orcs were dwindling, decreasing slowly. Suddenly, a long shiny blade whacked Eradrin in the face. Stunned she stumbled to the ground, feeling blood slowly ooze from the wound. But her shock only lasted for half a second. She stood up, rage growing throughout her. She saw the Orc who had inflicted the wound. Three times her size, huge arms, and a brutal look about it, Eradrin hardly seemed a match for it. But still, she rushed into the Orc, surprising it and throwing it off balance. She punched it twice in the face and chopped its head off with one stroke.

Ten orcs were left. They were surrounded by the elves. "We can take them!" One rather ferocious looking Orc growled. They stepped forwards. "Are you so sure?!" A clear voice yelled from above. Turning around, elves and orcs both saw Lady Arwen leading 50 other elves over a ridge. The orcs' eyes glittered with fear. "Let's get out of here!" One whimpered. Then, breaking away from the group, he plunged into the river. Alluean pulled back her bow, but Elrond laid his hand on her shoulder. "Let him go. He is no threat now." He said. The remaining orcs attacked. They didn't last long. Within seconds they were all dead.

"Let's get back home, before more come!" Elrond ordered. They followed him. Up the ridge, walking slowly. "You okay?" Elrohir said as he caught pace with Eradrin. "Yeah, are you okay Eradrin?" Alluean and Aralin both asked anxiously. "Yes, I'm just a little shaken." Eradrin replied. "Are you sure? You have a nasty cheek wound there." Elladan said as he too caught up with them. Elrond looked back. "Eradrin, get back home quickly and get help. If that bleeds too much, it could be harmful." "I'm okay." Eradrin repeated, this time a little uncertainly. She walked home, thinking about the battle and what the orcs really wanted. They wouldn't have attacked such a well guarded place unless... No, that wasn't possible. But why did it seem that all the orcs were aiming for... Her?

Ooooooo cliff hanger! Anyway, thank you to the people who reviewed! Please review if you haven't yet. I always appreciate reviews! :-) Two chapters in one day! Yay!

PS- I like to write most thoughts in italic, and I will translate elvish in parenthesis.