Eruraviel knew much would need to be done as the Elder Council came together for the first time in many years. Plans, routes, guards and even more details had to be worked out with no room for error. She herself had little to do with sending those messages or even being part of the planning as her current knowledge of the needed areas were unknown to her. She had little to do with the elven realms after all.
Instead her focus was celebrating the removal of the bandaging around her arm. She was ever so glad to no longer have it restricting her movements. It was odd, she mused inwardly, to see so much planning and preparation occurring for an event that was still nearly two years out.
"How long do you think it will take before Lord Cirdan returns?" Eruraviel asked Glorfindel, leaning against his side in one of the smaller and less frequented gardens. Glorfindel hummed deeply, sighing after several long moments of consideration.
"15-16 months, the latest oversea's voyage departed our shores less than a month ago. It is not a short trip sadly. We dare not hold the council without him present, and Galdor won't make such a trip from the Gray Haven's without Cirdan anyway." Glorfindel stated, getting a soft nod from her in understanding.
"Such dark times ahead." Eruraviel mused sadly, still displeased with the great upset she'd given them by sharing such dark and devastating news. It seemed she brought trouble no matter where she went.
"Eruraviel." Glorfindel chided, knowing what directions her thought's had taken. Eruraviel grimaced, shrinking down a bit. She still hadn't adjusted to those around her being capable of reading her so well. Not even the dwarrow noticed much about her internal thoughts.
"I just… darkness and shadow seem to follow in my wake wherever I go. I wonder sometimes at the only constant in those varied moments is myself. I feel like… like a bad omen." Eruraviel confessed quietly.
One of the things Elrond had insisted upon was anytime such dark thoughts or ideas entered her mind she was to share it. It allowed them to counter her arguments and work with her to avoid such depressive thoughts.
Glorfindel tightened his hold around her shoulder's, dropping his head to rest on top of her own.
"The content of such news was grim yes, however, you also exposed long running plan of Sauron to remain hidden from our sight. With this, he will find it much harder to avoid direct conflict. It also allows the elven realms to being readying themselves and preventing them from being caught off-guard in case Sauron chooses to attack them. You have no responsibility to solve the problems of the world on your own. No one does, and unity will be our greatest strength in the times to come." Glorfindel countered, listing out the many ways she wasn't at fault for sharing the news of Sauron's revival.
Eruraviel stayed silent, her mind running rapidly to try and determine another way she had to be at fault only to fail. Some of the tension lining her shoulder's eased and she relaxed wordlessly back into his side.
A loud caw caused immediate recognition and her head snapped up to stare into the fading light of dusk as a large raven drew closer with a scroll tied to securely on it's back between its wings in a protective casing.
"Fevaral." Eruraviel whispered in recognition. Grór had sent her a letter, and she had a gut feeling it was asking about her expected return.
"You know the raven?" Glorfindel asked, having spotted the raven the same moment she had, his posture having stiffened slightly.
"Yes, he is the raven used to ferry messages between myself and Lord Grór." Eruraviel explained, pushing herself to her feet and lifting up her left arm for the bird to perch on.
Fevaral dropped onto her forearm, his talons wrapping firmly around her bracer. Eruraviel pulled him closer, nimble fingers quickly sliding the scroll free and tucking it into her shirt.
"Come mellon-nin, let us take you somewhere to rest." Eruraviel told the raven, knowing better than to see it as only an animal. Even ordinary raven's were highly intelligent, those cultivated by the line of Durin even more so.
She and Glorfindel walked out of the garden towards the aviaries where Fevaral would be more comfortable resting and recuperating from the long flight from the Iron Hills to Imladris.
"I wonder what the message says." Glorfindel wondered softly, not prying but out of honest curiosity. Eruraviel smiled somewhat sadly, a hint of resignation warring with resolve in her eyes.
"I'm nearly positive it is about my expected return. I had told him I would be back within a year as someone needed to see if the roads to Khazad-Dum were open still. I was the fastest option available, and had the greatest chance to avoid death if attacked on my own." Eruraviel told the blond who sighed, his blue eyes darkening slightly.
"I dislike the idea of you returning to the east, knowing that Sauron and the Witch King could be waiting for you." Glorfindel said grimly as they walked through the halls. He kept his voice soft, as the other elves they passed were not currently aware of the dismal situation their lords had been made aware of yet. The time would come as the elves militarized once more, but those preparations would only occur once the elder council had met.
Eruraviel grimaced in understanding, but those worries didn't mean she could, or would, go back on her word. As they neared the door to the aviary, she willed herself not to speak of her own misgivings about what may be waiting for her in the east.
"Yet, I swore that I would. I cannot break such a promise, no matter what danger may be there. If it is as you say, and Sauron or the Witch King is there again, I've faced both before. I know how to protect myself, and help those around me. I won't back away out of fear." Eruraviel stated, letting Fevaral leap onto a low branch before unrolling the scroll.
Firesoul,
Pursuant to our previous discussions and ideas, I must announce that our harvest has grown more than anticipated. As such, did you still wish to proceed with our previous decisions?
The Bear
Eruraviel smiled faintly at the short but meaningful message. Grór was inquiring into her whereabouts, as she'd originally planned on returning to the Iron Hills in a month. She felt Glorfindel reading over her shoulder, and it didn't bother her. Technically, she was a warrior under his command once again having presented herself to him. As such, he did have the authority to approve or deny her return to Grór.
"How long until you need to send a reply?" Glorfindel asked after a few short moments, the pair leaving the aviary behind them and making their way to Elrond's office. Eruraviel hummed, tilting her head in consideration.
"A few days." She eventually decided, knowing that would still give her enough time to plan for her journey back.
As they reached Elrond's door, Glorfindel knocked briefly before entering. Eruraviel was somewhat glad to see Erestor already within the office.
Seeing the serious glimmer in Glorfindel's eyes, Elrond's own narrowed.
"What has happened?" Elrond asked immediately, the door closing behind them.
"Grór has sent a raven asking about my expected return." Eruraviel stated shortly. Elrond frowned, standing to approach what seemed to be a blank wall. The lord grasped a rope, pulling firmly as the wall broke away and folded out into a large table with a intricate map tacked down. Eruraviel approached, taking in the lines and notes written all across the breadth of Middle Earth. Eruraviel was impressed with how much work and thought had already been considered by Elrond with the limited information she'd been able to share. Outdated information could be more dangerous than no information at all she knew.
"How soon does he need an answer?" Erestor asked, mirroring Glorfindel's earlier question.
"A few days." Eruraviel once more stated, handing the short missive to Elrond who looked it over carefully before tacking it down onto the side nearest to the Iron Hills portion of the map.
"Grown more than anticipated?" Elrond inquired, a knock making her pause as Celeborn and Celebrian joined them. She waited until they were situated before speaking.
"We'd anticipated enemy reinforcements from Khand, as it was possible that Sauron's forces would attempt to circle father north around the Sea rather than crossing it directly. While slower…" She paused, Elrond easily finishing what their thoughts had been.
"It would allow him to move a greater number, even if slower than he would hope for." Elrond finished, marking several lines along the northern shores of the sea. Eruraviel nodded.
"Yes. Our plan is to have me lead those forces to the north, while Grór heads south. Our initial reports from scouts showed that he was having a difficult time ferrying a large number of his forces across the Sea of Rhûn. Fraldor, a dwarven captain and his soul Zeoff would remain on the shores to prevent any forces from using the chance to break through our blockade on the sea." Eruraviel said, using a brush to trace out the movements patterns they were likely to be following before setting the brush down and crossing her arms.
Erestor frowned, resting his palms on the table as he looked it over carefully.
"If he does indeed split his forces to either side of the sea, which are you likely to face?" Erestor questioned. Eruraviel was silent, tapping her fingers on her upper arm.
She knew that there were only two possibilities on which enemy commander she would be facing. Neither was appealing, but one was far more dangerous than the other. Still, looking over the map, her eyes landed on the lone monument of Dol Guldur and her gut sank. Green eyes narrowed, as she unfolded her arms as a newer, more dangerous thought began to form. Seeing her face, worry flashed in the eyes of the others.
Could Sauron risk sending the Witch King away? He himself couldn't, as getting to Dol Guldur would bring him far too close to Greenwood and tip his hand. He'd only freed the Witch King from a distance and with a large amount of time to work unnoticed. Now though, he could send the Witch King to begin freeing the other nine in his stead. Unshackled, the Witch King had enough power to accomplish such a task. It would also make the battles far more deadly and harder to win if all nine were set loose.
"Eruraviel what is it?" Celeborn asked seriously, unable to remain silent any longer as the tension grew.
"There is a… very good chance that Sauron will be heading to the battle on the northern shores." Eruraviel began, her voice somewhat hesitant.
"How do you figure? Why not the Witch King?" Celebrian questioned curiously, but with a hint of dread.
"Because I have a gut instinct the Witch King will be sent out on another errand. This coming assault is a distraction." Eruraviel growled out, her hand's clenching into tight fists.
She loathed Sauron, and his wraiths, her hatred making her blood begin to boil in her veins. A reprimand from her old commander in Gondolin after she'd nearly lost herself to hatred after the death of her best friend ran through her mind once more.
"Your hatred will be your greatest weapon, but it can also be your greatest weakness. You must learn to use it, and not allow it to control you."
Eruraviel breathed, calming herself and regaining a better sense of control.
"A distraction for what?" Glorfindel warily asked, and he had a right to be wary upon seeing her reactions she knew.
"Dol Guldur." Eruraviel shortly stated, Elrond growling angrily a moment later in understanding.
"He's sending the Witch King to free the rest of the Ulari while he pulls our attention onto himself and away from his servants actions." Elrond hissed out, following and seeing the same things she had only moments earlier.
"I will need to go. Grór needs to be warned, and someone needs to watch Dol Guldur. I don't know how successful we'll be at preventing the Witch King from entering, or how long it would take him to free the other Ulari. Hopefully, he won't be successful." Eruraviel finally stated, knowing that even if they wished otherwise, she needed to return to the north. She could not turn away from this fight.
"1 year," Elrond stated after several long minutes of silence. Eruraviel blinked, caught a bit off guard and turned to him in question only to see that he was already focused on her.
"You will have one year to stand with Grór before you need to return. This way you will also be present for the council and can give us a better idea of what the current state of the north is and our enemy. I will also expect monthly updates on your condition as well." Elrond commanded, making her swallow a bit at the authority radiating from him. Valar, she could see why he was the High King's Herald now.
Glorfindel didn't look happy with the idea of her leaving but he nodded as well.
"How long do you anticipate needing to make it to the Iron Hills?" Erestor asked. Eruraviel hummed, looking over the many routes she could chose from.
"About a month. Arvellas and I will be able to move swiftly." Eruraviel answered, showing the mountain trail she would likely be utilizing. Erestor made marks to illustrate her path.
"Why not pass through Hadhodrond?" Celeborn wondered, looking at the rugged mountain trail she'd be using. Eruraviel laughed a bit, but shook her head.
"While I would be more than welcomed, I wouldn't simply because I would be there for at least a week due to customs and respects on either side. That, and every time I've visited in the past, King Durin makes sure I stay for a least a week and am seen to by a healer as well." Eruraviel explained dryly. Glorfindel snickered, amused at the conniving but well meaning nature of the dwarven king.
"I certainly appreciate his efforts." Glorfindel said honestly, making Eruraviel roll her eyes in mild exasperation.
"I'll send a return message to him, and leave in two days. That will give me time to make sure I have everything ready for the journey." Eruraviel decided, taking into consideration the later hour as well as checking over her gear and tack.
"Do you have to go alone?" Celebrian asked somewhat hesitantly, coming to stand next to her. Eruraviel blinked a bit, caught a bit off guard at the suggestion she'd never even considered, and the concern clear on Celebrian's face.
"It's a possibility…" Elrond mused, crossing his own arms in consideration of his mate's suggestion. However, while she appreciated the thought, Eruraviel knew that wouldn't be the best idea.
"I don't know how well that would work with keeping up with Arvellas. A lot of the trails I will use as I move further north are very risky for a standard horse." Eruraviel pointed out, making several of them sigh and for Glorfindel's shoulder's to slump.
Arvellas cantered at an even pace along the trail, Eruraviel somewhat relieved to be back on the road once more. Yet, it felt… odd, she kept turning to mention a thought to Glorfindel only to remember that he wasn't there. It was a weird shift, one she hadn't even given any thought to prior. She shook her head, refocusing on the stone and rock around her. Night was only a few hours out, she needed to find a safer place to rest for a few hours. This area was too dangerous to traverse in the light of the moon, not on horseback even for a Gondolin mare.
She leaned down a bit, her eyes narrowing as she saw a small cave just ahead. Not comfortable by any means, but it would serve the purpose she needed it to.
"Just a little more mellon-nin and we'll stop for the night." Eruraviel whispered to Arvellas, rubbing the mare's withers as she spoke. Arvellas snorted, but let Eruraviel guide her to the cave she'd spotted. She debated continuing on even, walking rather than riding as something in these cliffs was making her uneasy. She'd passed through here many times, but never had she felt so unsettled. She needed to keep her guard up, Eruraviel reminded herself, especially now that she was heading back into an active war front and was being heavily targeted by the enemy. She couldn't afford to let herself grow distracted.
As she dismounted, she kept her moves silent leading the mare into the shallow shelter. Something about this area just set all her instincts on edge. She worried for a moment about remaining, but eventually decided to stick to her decision but leave Arvellas saddled just in case.
Eruraviel fed Arvellas, eating a small portion of lembas bread herself while leaning against to cold stone wall of the cave. She wondered warily about how unpleasant it was going to be to once more be fighting on the war front.
Hearing a faint crack, Eruraviel went still, moving into a kneeling position as Arvellas also stood feeling Eruraviel's unease and hearing the same noise as the elleth. Eruraviel settled her hand on her blade, moving closer to the front of the cave checking the trail warily before stepping out.
Nothing was in sight, but she knew something was nearby. She just couldn't see it yet. Eruraviel swore when the trail under her feet vanished, and she tumbled down the mountain side barely keeping her head from being cracked open on the boulders she fell past. The trail had been trapped, Eruraviel realized, seeing the small chasm she was falling towards. She braced herself, pulling her twin blades free as she drew closer and closer. She knew who it was… Goblins. With a deep breath she slid along the tunnel walls, keeping low to avoid being knocked off her feet as she vanished below the surface of the stone.
She would need to work her way out quickly, she couldn't kill the entire horde on her own. She grunted as she hit a bend in the crudely made tunnel, the eager chatter of the goblins filling the air as one lunged for her head with a maddened cackle. She rolled under it, seeing herself completely surrounded as she came back up to her feet.
"Fresh meat!" the goblin screeched in glee. Eruraviel spun away from it's next lunge, her blade swiftly removing it's head and they all paused and watched it bounce before rolling to a slow stop several feet away.
"A she elf!"
"The king will be most pleased if we bring him a new she elf to feast on!"
"We can all have a little taste before dragging her to the king!"
Eruraviel sneered, hearing their jeering calls and cackles that set her teeth on edge.
"You only say that cause you got the last one!"
Her anger turned to fury at that last statement, wondering just how many elves they had eaten in their deranged hunger. She needed to get out of here, and her best bet was to follow the wind. She listened carefully, tuning out the goblins words until she felt a light breeze blowing from a nearby tunnel that sloped even deeper into the bedrock.
Eruraviel didn't wait for them to make a decision. She leapt forwards to the tunnel, beheading three and kicking another away as she fought to keep moving down the poorly made passageway. Goblins screamed in anger at her running, chasing after her making her progress much slower than she'd hoped for. The air in these tunnels was foul, the stone around her covered in lichen and blood spatter as bones cracked under their feet. It was like being trapped in a den of rats.
She pushed on, swearing mentally as her right foot rolled on a loose bone that looked very much like some unfortunate souls femur. A nearby goblin used the chance to jump on her, wrapping its wiry arms around her neck and nearly cutting off her ability to breathe. She snarled, using a nearby boulder to leap backwards and slam the goblin between her and the stone with a sickening crack.
"Stop her!" A loud voice screamed as Eruraviel laughed mockingly.
"Try me mongrel!" She taunted back, running forwards down the tunnel. As she pressed on, she heard the goblins behind her scurrying along the wall and roof of the passage and she knew if she was stopped again she probably wouldn't be able to keep moving. Goblins were nearly impossible to fight in their tunnels if the warrior was alone as they'd be continuously attacked on all sides.
"She's just one elf!" Another cried out, almost in angered disbelief.
"I've killed hundreds of your kind before rat! Quality matters much more than quantity!" She barked back seeing a fork in the tunnel ahead. She saw lights flickering in the left branch and chose to follow that as the breeze was originating from the same tunnel. As she entered the lighted area, she swallowed several heavy swears as she found herself running on a clumsy wooden platform within a large cavern that was filled with goblins.
Her green eyes flashed and she sliced the ropes on either side of the platform behind her, ignoring the sounds of the goblins as they fell to their deaths into the large chasm below. Eruraviel gasped as the magic of Imladris borders washed over her, alarm flaring immediately. She nearly yowled in fury upon realizing how much danger the elvish haven was in with this nest so close to the city. The goblins were trying to tunnel under the haven.
She wasn't leaving.
She wasn't going to run.
Eruraviel was going to kill every Valar forsaken goblin in these caves and turn these tunnels to dust and ruin. Imladris would not be allowed to fall. What Eruraviel also finally registered was that just as she could feel the magic within the boundary, that same magic would also inform Elrond about her. Which would be worrisome and confusing for them as she'd left said boundaries four days ago. She hoped she didn't worry them, she'd be fine if a bit worse for wear when this was said and done.
Eruraviel took in the patterns of the walkways and platforms, analyzing the dried wood and rope used to secure them to the bedrock. A feral smile flickered across her face, particularly when she saw no throne or platform for the 'goblin king.' This nest hadn't been connected to the main hive yet. She took a deep breath, seeing the tunnel she needed for leaving and ran forwards grabbing onto three torches as she passed.
Only a minute had passed since she'd collapsed that first platform and already goblins were scurrying after her screaming. She felt a web of magic settle around her, the intricate knots and pattern telling her it was Elrond even as it latched onto her protectively. Elrond had noticed her.
As she ran, she felt a tug on her mind and she contemplated rejecting the connection as she didn't want to worry Elrond and the others by informing them of what was happening. However, training and protocol made her cringe at the thought. Imladris was Elrond's domain, his charge and responsibility. Not informing him of this latest threat within his own borders would be criminal. She threw the first torch as she let the mental link form, watching with dark pleasure as the platform below her burst into flame upon coming into contact with the torch.
{Eruraviel where are you? What has happened to pull you back to Imladris?} Elrond demanded, the iron command that laced his voice making her shudder. Eruraviel threw her second torch higher onto a platform much farther away, answering Elrond as she neared the tunnel and smoke began to billow within the cavern.
[A goblin trap that dropped me into their tunnels. Elrond it leads almost directly under Imladris, though it hasn't been linked yet to the main hive father north. I'm taking care of it.] Eruraviel explained tersely, sliding to a stop and throwing her final torch onto the walkway nearly forty feet above her before ducking into the tunnel with a light cough from the acrid smoke. She needed to move fast as she didn't fancy being burned alive.
{Are you injured?} Elrond pressed, Eruraviel not answering as she spun to face the five goblins that slammed into her screaming furiously at the destruction of their nest. She head butted one, shattering its nose as she harshly kicked the second off of her and back down the tunnel where flames were eating their way closer to them.
"Get off of me cretin!" She hissed, beheading the third as she stumbled back to her feet and gutted the fourth. The last, still reeling from the head but and was killed fast. She ran on down the tunnel, covering her mouth and nose with one hand sheathing one of her blades as she coughed raggedly as the smoke obscured everything more than a foot in front of her. It made her eyes burn fiercely.
{Eruraviel hold on, we're on our way the scouts saw the smoke.} Making the elleth realize she hadn't answered his question.
[Elrond I'm -] She began, only for the half-elf to interrupt her as she continued her stumbling run down the tunnel. His voice was hard, unyielding making it clear to her that he would book no arguments about this from her.
{You do not fight alone Eruraviel. What is burning and how?} Elrond commanded firmly. Eruraviel paused, leaning on the tunnel wall as harsh coughs tore from her chest and throat as the acrid black smoke was nearly overwhelming.
[I wasn't going to let this hive remain so close to Imladris. They made a colossal mistake dragging me into their tunnels. I've used their own torches to set the place aflame.] Eruraviel explained before forcing herself to continue moving her eyes burning and dry like they were lined with sand and shards of molten glass. Regardless of her current state, all she felt was a dark pleasure that this hive would be completely destroyed and unable to bring harm to the elven haven.
{Eruraviel are you still trapped within those tunnels?!} Elrond barked, making her grimace at the worry and protective anger in his voice.
[I'm making my way out.] Eruraviel assured him, his next statement causing her to realized that that wasn't good enough for him.
{Eruraviel how thick is the smoke around you right now? How restricted is your visibility?} Elrond continued, Eruraviel coming to another fork in the tunnels only for Elrond to nudge her towards the right hand tunnel. She followed the direction, only to pausing as another set of racking coughs hit her, the elleth beginning to wheeze.
[A foot or so.] Eruraviel rasped out faintly. She felt dizzy, her skin clammy but taking on a darkish glaze as the black smoke stuck to her skin.
{Eruraviel keep moving.} Elrond commanded, the order causing her to instinctively obey and forcing her body to continue moving as she realized how long she'd been stopped. She sheathed her remaining blade, slapping her cheeks as she moved as swiftly as she could through the winding tunnel. A faint beam of light began shimmering through the billowing clouds of smoke but a wave of heat made her stumble. An arm wrapped around her, another sliding behind her knees before she was lifted and held firmly against someones chest.
Eruraviel wheezed for air, her eyes burning as though saturated in poison and flame. She continued to cough as her rescuers carried her clear of the smoke and into bright open air bathed in the light of the early morning sun.
"Easy Eruraviel." A deep voice rumbled against her ear, a tension in her fading upon recognizing Glorfindel's voice and the sense of safety it brought. The blond knelt down, lowering her onto even ground though he continued to hold her in his arms.
"Hold still Eruraviel, I need to flush out your eyes." Elrond ordered from right over her head. A large palm cupped her forehead, pulling her head back and turning it slightly to the side before cool water was being gently poured over her burning eyes.
She flinched a bit, fighting the instinct to snap her eyes closed. Elrond continued to flush her eyes with water before finally stopping and using a dampened rag to wipe around her eyes, as she blinked rapidly her vision slowly coming back into focus. She could see normally, but her eyes ached fiercely. Elves were bustling about, and she saw Elrond kneeling behind her head, Erestor on her right side.
Once satisfied with her eyes, Elrond immediately moved on to looking her over for any further injuries, relieved to find only minimal bruising. A low rumble shivered through the air before being followed by a series of cascading booms from the tunnels and caverns of the goblin nest collapsing. That knowledge sent a wave of savage glee through her.
"I wonder how long they've been digging those tunnels." Erestor murmured, uneasy knowing of the serious danger that had been so close yet gone unnoticed for so long.
"It wasn't connected to the main hive further north, the longest they could have been here is 20-30 years." Eruraviel rasped out, coughing lightly as Glorfindel lifted a waterskin to her mouth and fresh water poured down her dry throat. Valar that was bliss.
"How do you know it hadn't been connected?" Glorfindel inquired curiously though still not letting her leave his arms yet even as Elrond pulled back from his inspection of her.
She smiled wanly as she sat up in his arms, giving her body time to acclimate lest she pass out which was a humiliation she didn't need thank you very much.
"Each time a nest is connected to the central hive, a designated platform is built with a 'throne' for their so-called 'king.' There was no such platform or even signs of it being built. They were still some time away from completion." Eruraviel explained. Elrond sighed, taking in the black smoke drifting by on the winds.
"What else is out there that we have no knowledge of?" Elrond asked lowly, gaze dark. Eruraviel shrugged, understanding his dismay.
"No one knows. That's part of the reason I left remember?" Eruraviel commiserated tiredly. There always seemed to be something.
"I don't think you should be making this journey alone." Elrond finally stated, Eruraviel frowning.
"I'm used to fighting, no one could have predicted this nest being here." Eruraviel refuted, not wanting to drag anyone else into the mess that was the north and the dangers she was going to be walking into. Elrond shook his head, still unsatisfied.
"Correct, but fighting alone against such odds could have gotten you killed." Elrond reminded her, making Eruraviel slump knowing he was correct. How many times had she been forced to remind herself to keep moving or she'd be overrun and overwhelmed?
"So what if I went with her?" Erestor asked, making her jaw drop.
"Shouldn't you be here to help prepare for the council?" Eruraviel asked in disbelief. She appreciated the offer, but surely he had more important things to be focusing on and not risking his life against Sauron's armies.
"Elrond and Glorfindel can more than handle that. I'm also used to making sure Elrond doesn't do anything reckless and lose his head in the process. Shouldn't be too different to make sure you do the same." Erestor shrugged, Elrond making a small sound of outrage.
"I'm not that bad!" The half-elf protested, making Erestor snort and give the mithril eyed elf the gimlet eye.
"Rohan." Erestor stated simply.
"They insulted him!" Glorfindel retorted, making her eye him before realizing he would not have taken insults against Elrond well. How many did the blond kill?
Erestor rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"Kiril."
Elrond snorted, crossing his arms almost petulantly.
"They were mocking Erei." Elrond remarked, clearly unrepentant even now.
"And you were facing a crowd of nearly a hundred all ready to draw their blades on you." Erestor pointed out, Elrond flinching slightly.
"I could have handled it." Elrond harrumphed, but he was beginning to slump a bit. Seeing it, Erestor went for the kill.
"Arnor."
Elrond twitched, clearly gritting his teeth before looking away with a huff, leaving a clearly satisfied Erestor to stare down Glorfindel who said nothing only looking away as well.
"As I said, it's not a task I'm unaccustomed to, and having another eye would only help. I can also ride along with you without slowing you down overly much." Erestor finalized calmly, clearly set in his decision.
Eruraviel groaned, feeling bullied even though none of his comments had been directed at her, somehow she still felt personally attacked.
"Welcome to the club." She welcomed tiredly, getting chuckles from all three.