Chapter 02

Mountainous Assault

"Thranduil, what are you doing?" the Elvenking inquired, peering over his son's shoulder to get a better view.

The younger one shrugged lazily in reply, lifting his work for his father to see. A sketch of the forest clearing was drawn on the rough paper, a rapid artwork but beautiful nonetheless. Oropher took the paper to examine it further, his blue eyes remarking each detail his son relayed on the sketch. And beneath him, he heard his son let another yawn, tears welling on the corners of his eyes.

"Beautiful," the King said, returning the paper back to him. "Shall we put it in a frame?"

Thranduil shook his head, folding the paper into four parts. "No need, Adar. It is a mere product of boredom."

"Ah, well then, I suppose you should go outdoors and change something in your routine once in a while," Oropher said, returning to his wooden desk in the middle of the room. His son eyed him curiously. "You have been passive of late. Patrolling the forest does not interest you anymore?"

"Not really," Thranduil answered. He tucked the folded paper in his pocket and prepared to leave the conference halls.

"Then, why don't you mingle with our people?" Oropher tried again. His son had always been interested in outdoor activities and would not mind spending time with the Silvan folk. But now, Thranduil was the passive and unsociable elf who preferred to be in his room. He knew his son was bored, with nothing interesting happening every now and then. Perhaps he wanted something challenging? Apparently, the Prince of Greenwood was not having any fun with 'normal' conversations with the Silvan maidens.

Again, Thranduil shook his head, now making his way towards the large doors. He smiled, however, a small reassuring smile for his wary father. "I would rather spend the whole day in the forest than share idle talks with people."

Oropher chuckled softly and waved a hand. "Very well. Good day to you."

"Good day to you, too, Adar," Thranduil replied politely, bowing a little, and then left.

Her smile was wider, and Erestor did not like it.

Following his submission of the letter, Elrond had quickly approved it and decided to send a group of heralds to Gondor. Of course, Erestor would take part in it; he was the Captain of Imladris, and his strength was great. He did not mind sending the letter to Gondor, though it bothered him when Elrond announced the messengers who would travel with him. Elrond handpicked some of the valley's scouts and warriors, but when Celebrían whispered something to his ear, he also called out: "Erynlith will come as well."

And that was why she was smiling, and Erestor still did not like what he was hearing.

"Lord Elrond, please," he whispered when the would-be heralds went to prepare their gears. Elrond turned to him thoughtfully, receiving his friend and counselor cordially. "I am aware of your reason for the letter, but Erynlith? Please, anyone but her."

The elf lord raised an eyebrow. "Why not, Erestor? Is there a problem with her?"

Erestor shook his head, eyeing their subject carefully. Erynlith was speaking to the other heralds; her face was bright and obviously excited. "Nothing is wrong with her, but I would feel better if she stays here. You know… where she is safe." And he wanted to save himself from the constant nonsense singing of the younger elf.

*"Roll-roll-roll-roll,

roll-roll-rolling down the hole!

Heave ho! Splash plump!

Down they go, down they bump!"

Not from afar, Erynlith was singing constantly around Celebrían, scattering flower petals on the ground. Elrond made a mental note to have Erestor clean that when he returned.

"The road is dangerous. She is not suited for long travels, and you know it. You should know it!" Erestor said impatiently.

Elrond could sense the worry all over Erestor's being. His dark eyes were pleading him. It was very amusing for Elrond's part. He did not anticipate that his task of Erestor watching over Erynlith would develop into a strong bond. It was almost like a bond between siblings. He had grown attached to the younger elf over the years, always looking out for her, always responsible for her. And Erestor do not want to be responsible if something terrible happened to her.

"Please," Erestor continued in a whisper.

"I'll see what I can do," Elrond sighed. "You are really worried, aren't you, my friend?"

Erestor gave him a small smile. "Of course, I am. There is no doubt in that."

When Elrond called her, she approached him eagerly, that bright smile ever on her face. He began talking, and Erestor watched from afar. Erynlith's smile suddenly turned upside down, in a heartbreaking frown that Erestor had never seen before. His sworn sister looked at him across the courtyard, her grey eyes shone in distraught.

"Erynlith," said Elrond, his voice gentle. "Please understand."

"But… you promised, tra-lo," she answered in a whisper, her singsong broken.

"Yes, young one, but Erestor has…"

She nodded in understanding and returned to the main house, right after swiping her hand into Elrond's robes. Erestor sighed deeply; the lighthearted Erynlith suddenly turned into a saddened one. He felt a soft hand on his shoulder. He turned and met Celebrían's eyes. She smiled and squeezed her hand into his, a warm gesture of reassurance.

Inside the main house, Erynlith sat by the window, watching the heralds gather in Erestor's orders. Her fingers twirled a paper of great importance.

"Will you not say goodbye to them, tra-la-lay?" a voice inquired. It was Lindir who smiled warmly at her. Both were minstrels of Imladris, though Lindir had adapted to Erynlith's queer manner of speaking and used it often in her presence.

She shook her head. "I am too sad to say goodbye to them, tra-la."

"Why so?" Lindir cocked his head to the side. "Did something happen that I do not know of, tra-lo?"

"Nothing happened," she said, smiling. She did not want Lindir worrying about her problems.

"Well, if there is nothing," said Lindir again, "you should not look grim, my friend. Come and sing with me! I have a new song and I am sure you will like it, tra-la-la."

Before she knew it, Lindir was pulling her by the wrist, leading to the Halls of Fire where the other elves of Imladris were staying. Despite the early morning, they were already playing their flutes and harps, and singing songs in the High Speech. Erynlith could not understand them, for she and her kin in Lórinand were Sindar, and Sindarin were ever the language they used. Nonetheless, she sat among the singing elves, a harp thrust into her hands, and she played it absentmindedly.

What he doesn't know won't kill him, tra-lay.

No words were spoken thereafter. The small group of heralds marched from Imladris and off towards the East, taking the road of the High Pass. In the bright summer morning of late October, they had left and would hopefully be back in a few months that followed, as Erestor wanted to return as soon as possible. Erynlith did not bother saying goodbye, and it was very disappointing for him. Once he returned, he would woo his sworn sister back.

2nd November, S.A. 3432

"We are not lost, are we, Captain?" one of the scouts asked.

Erestor shook his head. "No, this way. Follow me." He mustered his black horse forward, and it was followed by the rest of the entourage. They had been travelling the High Pass for three days now, and they only stopped for a few hours of rest. The Misty Mountains extended as the eyes could see. The weather is cold despite the autumn; Caradhras was only a few miles away. The sharp rocks which lined the pathway were dangerous; one little slip could cause a deep wound. Their horses neighed in wariness, not liking the cramped pathway at all.

Beating hooves sounded behind their caravan. Everyone turned back and some drew out their bows. Erestor quickly rode back, narrowing his dark eyes to see what it was. Not long after, a cloaked figure appeared up ahead on the misty road, and the horse neighed softly. With an order from the captain, the bows were withdrawn. The newly-arrived rider halted and dismounted the horse. Erestor did the same, too suspicious of the turn of events. The rider did not speak; the dark hood above the head clung too lowly.

"Mae govannen," said Erestor, still suspicious.

"Mae govannen, tra-la-lay," said the rider, and Erestor's eyes widened in disbelief.

He quickly pulled the hood off, revealing Erynlith's underneath. She blinked her eyes in the sudden light and let her vision adjust for a few moments. She looked at Erestor; she could tell he was not happy about this. Her brother gritted his teeth and forcefully grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her away from the caravan. "What do you think you're doing?!" he sharply whispered. The grip on her wrist tightened. "Do you think this is a game? Erynlith!"

She winced; Erestor's nails dug into her skin. "I was sent by Elrond!" She said in defense.

"Oh, really now?" He did not sound convinced. His grip tightened more. "What have you to say for yourself?!"

The stinging sensation on her wrist became worse, and she quickly pulled out a white envelope. In an instant, Erestor wavered; his eyes darted at the flashed paper. He looked at it in disbelief; the elaborate writing on the back was too familiar. Of course he recognized it; he wrote it after all! He snatched the letter from her hands and released her wrist. "Where did you get this?"

Erynlith caressed her aching wrist and began in a singsong. "You left it behind, brother mine, tra-la-lo. Lord Elrond panicked and asked me to deliver it after you. Thankfully, I caught up with you. Arcastar was really fast, tra-la." She talked about her favorite black horse.

Erestor look his time inspecting the unopened letter. Elrond's name printed in Tengwar was at the back of the envelope.

"I still haven't heard my thanks, tra-lay," Erynlith added playfully.

"Oh, yes," Erestor suddenly said, snapping out of his trance. "Thank you for delivering it, Eryn, but you must return to Imladris right away." As quickly as the words fell from his lips, the girl frowned again. Erestor shook his head and cupped her cheek. "Eryn, this is needless. We will back soon, I promise, tra-la-la."

She shook her head violently, umber hair swayed back and forth. "No! I came all this way and you can't make me return!"

"But Eryn—"

"Pretty please?" She gave him the look.

Erestor sighed in defeat. "You are kidding me."

She laughed and walked back to the eavesdropping heralds. The said heralds quickly composed themselves, acting as if they were not listening at all. But, they greeted Erynlith as one of them, and received her gladly. The caravan only had seven members, now eight including her. One herald carried the banner of Imladris, and another carried a horn. They were all equipped in armor, helm and mail shirt and all, while Erynlith was only provided with a dark tunic and jerkin and trousers which Elrond had in reserve.

After she was greeted by the scouts, she returned to look at Erestor once again. "With a skilled caravan like this, what could happen?"

Erestor did not answer her.

The distant growls and howls did.

Everyone went into their fighting stances. Bows were withdrawn again and this time, arrows were notched. Erestor pulled Erynlith onto her horse and mounted his own. Above the cliff, Orcs appeared with their teeth bared ferociously. At Erestor's command, the arrows were fired and the orcs fell on the steep pathway. More dead bodies fell down as the guards continued firing. The horses bolted up in fear, neighing wildly. Some ran off, leaving their riders on the ground.

"Hold your ground!" Erestor shouted. "Kill them!"

He notched another arrow and aimed for another orc. More streamed in, like an endless flowing river. The Orcs descended the cliff and jumped into the pathway, cornering the Elvish caravan both front and back. Some guards fended off the ones behind them, but more streamed in from in front. Erestor charged with his horse and drew his long and slender sword out. Three orcs he killed with that, but more rushed in. It was a dreadful sight for the small group of elves.

"Clear the pathway!" Erestor commanded again. "Take them out! We must escape! The pathway! Clear it!" The remaining elves complied, desperately hewing their way out of the great mess. They did not care anymore if their steeds were caught up with the poisonous blades of the Orcs; all they knew was that they had to survive.

Once the pathway was clear, enough to be bypassed, Erestor grabbed the fear-stricken Erynlith and pulled her horse's reins. "Eryn!" he shouted as their horses galloped together. She blinked and fear was still in her eyes. Erestor drove two white daggers into her hands. "Defend yourself. Whatever happens, do what you have to do!"

Erynlith weakly nodded and took the daggers from him. The caravan was on the move again, trekking the steep and sharp pathway down to the accursed mountains. Up ahead, the dense forest of Greenwood could be sighted, beyond the Anduin. As they rode on, they lost sights of the orc host behind them, and their terrible roars and growls faded.

The elves sighed in relief. Everyone was still in one piece and they had survived the first assault of the enemies. Not far away from them, another series of howls echoed. Looking behind, numerous wargs ran after them, their eyes darkened with the need to kill.

"…Erestor?" Erynlith called out to the captain. She reached out for his hands for comfort.

Erestor could see the fear written all over her face. At his one last attempt of comfort, he smiled weakly and said, "Do not worry, little one. Brother will always protect you, tra-la-la."

*Down the swift dark stream you go - J.R.R. Tolkien

Author's Notes: I would like to thank gaarakabuto, memo bonafide, ohhnoesthuy, DeLacus, and horseyyay for the lovely replies! Many thanks from you guys!

Here we have little bored and artistic (?!) Thranduil. I do hope the initial portrayal stands out from the way he is usually portrayed. Sorry for the little action (Those who have read my other fics will understand that I love doing battle scenes). Next chapter the continuation of the skirmish continues, BUT Thranduil will finally meet Erynlith. Just imagine his reaction when she starts speaking. LOL.

I can't wait to update but please do enjoy this one first! Once again, thank you for the positive comeback on the first chapter. Reviews are always treasured. Have a nice day! ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ