"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." ― A.A. Milne

Keen eyes strained and backs pressed forward on their saddles the trio waded through the Anduin urging their horses forward with soft encouragements. "Orcs have not ventured so far as the North Undeep in centuries. Why now?"

"They are growing in power, never have I seen orcs so blatantly cross rivers; it is the purity of the water they fear, they have grown resistant it seems." Arrai's worried eyes met Elrohir's as he responded.

Elladan shrugged urging his horse forward to outswim the other two a wide smirk on his face. "Or maybe they just needed a dip. Valar knows they are in sore need of one." They reached the opposite shore faster than they had anticipated shielding their eyes against the rays of the sun which emerged briefly from the heavy clouds now littering the sky.

Orcs cursed in the black speech at the sun as they covered their heads breaking into a full run to reach where the clouds were thicker. "Look to the south they are moving to the North Undeep." Elladan's eyes glittered. "This is our chance let us fall upon them!" A hand fell on his shoulder. "Perhaps we should wait muindor."

"Or not fight at all." Both twins turned their heads, questioning looks spreading on their faces. Elladan broke the silence first forcing his horse into a trot to allow the younger elf to ride up beside him. "The darkness is thicker and though the clouds do not part we will still emerge victorious."

"Not if their stronghold sends reinforcements."

"Stronghold? More like a makeshift stable. Besides they are eons away no call could summon them to us and take less than an hour's ride. By then we will not be found." Elladan slapped Arrai's shoulder eyes still full of lust for orcish blood.

Elrohir took in the haunted look in Arrai's eyes. It had not been long since their last encounter with the beasts. Twelve years was after all but a moment in the eyes of an elf. He placed his hand over the younger elves reigns. "It will not be like it was last time. We will attack as one. I have grown wiser." Arrai bowed his head relenting. "But at the first sign of danger we retreat." Unyielding eyes flashed taking in the twins who assented at the statement.

With a nod of finality they dismounted as horses would only get in the way of their battle and charged. Elrohir and Arrai drew their swords while Elladan covered them with his bow. Orcs fell before them producing guttural cries as they died while others snarled and attacked.

Elrohir spun around expertly his moves like waves lapping at the shore drawing in and redirecting blows gracefully. Elrond had taught him well. Arrai bore down like fire sparing none of himself his body taught like his own blade wreaking havoc in Glorfindel's signature style. Elladan alighted from his saddle releasing an arrow after another, keen eyes always on the two dancing forms taking out orcs around them so that they would not be overwhelmed by the sheer number. A few of the orcs had archers as well. Elladan dodged them easily laughing wildly at the thrill of the hunt. He made his way toward the other two elves at the center of the horde.

Elrohir and Arrai fought back to back. "You have grown sloppy!" Arrai extended his arm parrying a blow aimed at the twins head. "As have you." Elrohir sliced of the arm about to stab Arrai in the back. Both shifted their stance to better shield themselves from the blows. Elladan joined up with them after dodging an incoming blade releasing an arrow in the general direction and receiving a guttural growl in response. Arrai dodged a blow to his head cutting off a leg and the head of another orc in the process. The sun shone now full force clouds parting again and orcs crying out as they attempted to fight both the seen and unseen foe.

"For Lothlórien!" Elrohir cried as he dexterously climbed a towering beast slicing at the jugular. With a roar the oversized orc fell crushing some of its own. "Not bad Elrohir, though my count exceeds yours by a dozen."

"He's putting you to shame muindor he's not even a quarter of your age." Teeth bared Elrohir redoubled his strokes. The clouds entwined concealing the sun giving the orcs a respite. Arrai clenched his teeth in effort as he struggled to overpower an orc thrice his size wielding a mace covered from head to toe in thick plated black armor. He rolled around it in an attempt to disorient it and sprang at it from its back clinging to it as he brought his blade down cleanly taking off its head. The sky began to darken as if in rain. Arrai found his way back to Elladan who was now wielding two elven blades. "Where is Elrohir?" Elladan looked around pointing at a figure in the distance deep in black blood fighting the orcs. Arrai blocked another mace slicing the creature in half. "Something doesn't feel right!" Elladan yelled at Arrai trying to out scream the guttural orcish cries of joy. "Can you feel it?" Arrai shuddered at the sudden burst of fear like the cold seeping into his veins. "FALL BACK ELROHIR! ELROHIR!" Arrai called voice laced with urgency. The sky became darker clouds a dark grey hue.

Elrohir used orcs as stepping stones making his way to his brother. "Ellad-" But his question was cut off by a heart wrenching screech. The air turned foul, barely breathable, suffocating. A pale Arrai grabbed onto his shoulder. "We must retreat!" His brother cut a hand blocking a blow meant for Elrohir. The elves now pale and ill in the darkness whistled for their horses as they broke out into a run.

"What manner of beast is this?" Elrohir yelled in fear trying to contain the sickness in his stomach.

"Nazgûl." Glorfindel had told him about them once long ago. Arrai whistled for his horse once more. "Slow down." Elladan gasped behind the two. Eyes lidded as he struggled to keep them from closing. A black arrow was protruding from his shoulder. "I think the arrow was poisoned." He whispered.

"Elrohir!" Arrai grunted as he gripped Elladan. Elrohir running the hardest of the three was ahead. Turning and seeing what had occurred he made his way back grabbing his brother under the other arm. "Come on!" The sky threatened to thunder as water droplets fell from the sky in a thin shower. Another shriek was heard as the rider howled. The orcs however unaffected by neither the rain nor the water as they had been centuries ago gave chase.

Arrai's horse reached him first. The other two horses reached their riders only moments later. Mounting the three turned their horses to Lothlórien praying to Valar they would reach it before the poison spread.

Legolas found Tauriel sitting under the canopy in the royal gardens. "I thought I'd find you here."

She sighed but moved making room for the prince. "You called?"

Legolas laughed lightly. "Has becoming captain estranged us?"

"I am busy with my duties." Tauriel fiddled with her knife.

"Perhaps you should take a short respite. You have worked hard. I am sure my father would allow it."

"The orcs do not rest."

Legolas placed a hand over the hilt of her blade. "But you should." Worried eyes met stony ones.

"I would rather not."

Legolas sighed and rose admiring the flowers he broke an everwhite off the vines that wrapped around the canopy. "This flower would look better in your hair then tied to your hilt." He brought it to his nose inhaling its sweet scent.

"I prefer my hilt to flowers my prince."

Legolas settled down next to her once more. "I heard what happened."

Her eyes met his as she bit her lower lip. "The elven guards do like to talk do they not?" Both had a light chuckle at that.

She sighed. "He was right. I should not have let my pride get in the way"

"It was a mistake. I am sure you meant well." The two sat in silence until Legolas rose understanding his friends need for solitude. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight my prince." She smiled as he turned back to correct her.

"Legolas, Tauriel, just Legolas."

Muindor- Brother

Note- I had at first thought orcs were affected by water but from the battle at helms deep it seemed they had no problem around rivers or any water for that matter. My theory is that as the riders they once were affected by water but grew resistant as they were not as dark.