"Come!" she called over her shoulder as she raced to Vorondil's side. He was next to her in an instant, one hand cradling her shin as she prepared to jump up onto the horse's back, which was above her head. When she left the ground he boosted her, giving her a leg up. She nodded at him in thanks and offered him a hand which he accepted. He had not even landed fully on the Chestnut's back as Ellawyn urged him into a gallop across the field towards the sound.

"My right boot!" She called over her shoulder, the wind obscuring the sound. One glance down her leg had him praising the girl's strange behaviour of remaining armed, the sleek metal hilt of a small knife poking out of the top of her boot. He quickly swiped it, tucking it safely into his belt while he desperately hoped he would not need to use it.

"Hold on!" She called, causing Elrohir to tame her hair with one hand so that it was not blocking his view of their path, realizing at the last minute that she was guiding her steed over the pasture fence. He instantly leaned forward with her as Vorondil easily leapt the obstacle, his arms wrapping around her waist tightly as to not be left behind. Once safely on the other side, he released her, his head on a swivel. They slowed to listen, the forest having grown quiet again. There! He pointed quickly to their left and Elly used her leg to send the horse in the direction of the sound, dodging trees and logs skillfully.

There in a small clearing, lay a small elfling looking no older than an eight year old child. Above her stood a large Orc, looking at her hungrily, and twirling the ugly sword menacingly his thick hand. Two more of its companions stood a ways behind him at the edge of the clearing, sneering in anticipation for whatever sport the creatures intended to make of the girl. Before Elrohir could stop her, his sister leaned back into his chest in order to swing her leg over the horse's neck, jumping to the ground and drawing her sword.

Ellawyn charged towards the Orc standing over the cowering and crying elfling, quickly engaging him. It thrust its sword across its body, a large clang echoing in the clearing as she met it halfway with her blade. Twirling around quickly she ducked under its left arm, slashing at the beast's side. It cried out a horrible screech, lumbering in her direction too slow to deflect her strike. She readied herself again, stepping back to regain some distance as the orc charged her again. She once again easily ducked his sword, but felt its meaty fist connect hard with her jaw and cheekbone. The hit sent her to the ground, landing hard on her tailbone. A crude sound escaped the orc's lips in what she could only guess was an attempt at a laugh. Her eyes narrowed, mouth curling in hatred for the foul creature. She scooted back, readjusting her body position in order to defend against its strength. The black metal sword lifted above its head as she readied her sword to block the swing, preparing for the shock and strain that her arms would no doubt feel. Fear ate at her belly as things moved in slow motion. In an instant, before the orc could bring the blade down upon her, a swift hard curled around its chest and she recognized her small dagger as it was plunged into the creature's heart. Elrohir. Her eyes searched wildly for the other two enemies, finding them already dispatched on the forest floor. Meeting Elrohir's wide eyes, she nodded once before scrambling over to the little elleth that was now wailing loudly, clutching her arm to her chest.

"Shh, it is okay, they are gone. They are gone," she soothed, kneeling in front of the child. Scared brown eyes were filled with unshed tears as they met hers and she offered a small smile. She heard Elrohir approach from behind her, squatting down as well. The two shared a look before Ellawyn spoke in a soft voice again.

"What is your name?" The girl hiccuped a few times before finding her voice.

"Melda," she responded shakily. Ellawyn smiled again at her,

"That is a lovely name. I am Ellawyn. Is it okay if my friend Elrohir looks at your arm? It is hurting, is it not?" Melda nodded lightly, eyes flickering fearfully to the ellon at their side.

"Hi Melda," he said softly, "may I look? I promise I will be gentle." Hesitantly she nodded her little head, brown curls bouncing lightly with the movement. Elly rested a comforting hand on the quivering girl's lower leg as Elrohir gently moved her arm from her chest, as if it was made of glass. After a few pained gasps from Melda and some prodding from Elrohir, he carefully replaced it to her chest. She felt her face fall at the look he gave her. It was broken no doubt. The poor girl had just had the fright of her life, and they had not been quick enough to prevent her being injured.

Ellawyn glanced over her shoulder, easily finding Vorondil waiting patiently behind them. She clucked at him and he cautiously approached.

"This is Vorondil, he is a very sweet horse. May I lift you to his back with Ellawyn so as to not jostle your arm Melda?" Another nod from the girl, and moments later Elrohir had lifted her up in front of Ellawyn on her horse.

When they reached the ground of Imladris once again, she handed the now sniffling elleth to Elrohir and hopped down as well. Thanking Vorondir for his bravery and swiftness, she allowed a groom to lead him back to the pasture with the instruction of feeding the steed another apple. She nearly had to jog to keep up with Elrohir's pace as he carried the girl through the house, quickly turning down a few corridors before reaching a pair of doors that were open on their left. The scent of herbs and the bright white covers on the beds lining the walls informed her that these were the healing halls. Her survey of the room was interrupted by Melda's strangled cry as Elrohir handed her off to a healer with similar dark curly hair to the elfling.

"Nana!" She cried repeatedly as the stunned elleth spoke quietly to Elrohir before beginning to treat the injured arm.

"Come. We must find my brother." Elrohir breezed past her, grabbing her bicep and dragging her along before she could protest or ask questions. He led her down another maze of corridors and up a wide staircase. At the top was a single short corridor with only a half-dozen doors within it. Elrohir continued dragging her to the farest door on the right, before shoving his way in, not bothering to knock. He stopped just inside the door, closing it tightly after releasing his hold on her. She surveyed the room. It was large and open, with a few doors leading off into other rooms, there was a wooden desk sat in the far corner with a stack of papers and neatly organized ink bottles on it. The center of the room was a beautiful sitting area with wine coloured chairs and a matching chaise, all angled towards a stunning fireplace on the left wall. She gazed around in awe, barely noticing the figure sitting stock still on one of the chairs, his back to them.

"If you are done behaving like an elfling Elrohir-" The third voice began, but was swiftly cut off by Elrohir.

"Elladan." His voice was commanding. Firm. Angry, even. So different from the voice he had used with her all evening, it startled her into refocusing on the present situation rather than the gorgeous room they were in. It seemed as though it jolted the other elf in the room as well as he twisted in the chair, seeing that his brother was not alone in his infiltration of what she assumed was his private chamber. Her cheeks grew hot, all of a sudden feeling as though she should not be there. The elf, Elladan, stood abruptly, whirling around the chair as his eyes, so similar to Elrohir's, focused on her before flicking back to his brother. Tension filled the air and she looked back and forth between the two, sharing a stare so intense she could have sworn they were communicating without speaking. Slowly, Elladan tore his eyes away from Elrohir, his gaze falling on her face before snapping back to the former's. Her brow furrowed as she watched his face turn furious, accusatory at his brother. So much so that although she did not understand why, she thought she might need to mediate should one brother leap at the other.

"What did you do?" He snapped angrily, steely eyes dark and drifting between her and Elrohir, who now also looked confused. Before he could ask the question on both of their minds though, Elladan hissed at him again.

"What happened to her face!" This time both pairs of identical eyes turned to her, both concerned but one visibly wary of the other. She lifted a hand to her cheek, remembering the hit she had taken from the orc, only now realizing the tenderness of the skin and ache of her eye and jaw. Hiding a grimace, she waved her hand at the ellons,

"Orcs, I am fine. We must inform Lord Elrond! What if the larger group I saw this morning decides to venture across the river?" She studied Elladan as his face softened, seeming to send an apology glance to his brother at her explanation. He shook his head though,

"No, the hoard has already been eliminated. We sent a party this afternoon after your report, the three you found must have been stragglers that escaped unseen." Ellawyn only felt more confused at his explanation. He had said 'the three you found', neither her nor Elrohir had mentioned the number of orcs they had encountered, or even the situation that they had found themselves in! Yet this ellon seemed to know exactly what happened. As she opened her mouth to question Elladan and his knowledge, he held a hand up to stop her.

"Elrohir told me."

"But we just-" This time it was Elrohir who interrupted her,

"We are twins, he can feel my emotions and hear my thoughts if I wish him to, and I him." Elly shook her head again, beginning to feel the world tilt slightly. She wondered if this strange twin business was the result of a concussion from the hit she took. Deciding that she was well past exhausted, Ellawyn simply nodded in acceptance at the absurd explanation before bidding the twins goodnight and leaving to find her bed.