-o0o-

"Lord Elrohir, another five refugees have arrived." Arndir said, holding the flap of the healer's tent open but not stepping inside," - at least two of them are injured."

"How badly?" Elrohir did not look up from where he was binding a bandage around the leg he had just splinted. It had been a nasty break, jagged white bone had torn through the skin, shredding muscle and sinew in the process. But with the bones realigned and a disinfectant, pain-numbing paste applied to the wound, he was hopeful the woman would make a full recovery, would be able to walk without a limp as long as she could get the rest the injury required.

Arndir looked pointedly away from the injury and the red stains on the floor beside the woman. He was not much of a healer. Clearing his throat, the ranger shuffled. "I couldn't see much," he eventually replied, "but they said they stumbled in the dark. One of them was limping and the other seemed to have cut her arm on a tree branch."

Nothing major then, that at least was good.

Tying off the bandage Elrohir looked up. "Tell them to wait outside, we will see to them as soon as one of the healers is available."

"And find a place for the rest of the group in the meantime," Elladan said, walking over. He was cleaning his hands on a rag that had once been white linen and was now a rusty shade of red. Arndir visibly paled when he caught sight of it. The young ranger gave a hasty nod and retreated, the tent flap falling shut behind him.

"Another five," Elladan mused. "That must be half the homesteads in the Angle. What could cause them all to flee?"

"She spoke of a giant monster that ate her sheep and sheepdog," Elrohir said, looking at the unconscious woman whose leg he had been treating, "and apparently her neighbours, too."

When he brought his gaze back to his twin's face, he saw the same grim determination there that he was feeling himself. Whatever was hunting the folk of the Angle - they would have to put a stop to it. As soon as they had helped the overwhelmed healers of the rangers with the injured they would have to set out and bring an end to this new darkness. To think that the shadow had spread so far already - right up to the Great East Road - no more than a few day's ride from Rivendell. Something had to be done.

Something in Elladan's gaze shifted then. "Nevron and Nestador will be able to treat the remaining injuries," he said and Elrohir knew what he was going to say next, recognized the look in his brother's eyes. Elladan's 'older brother' - look. "You should rest."

Elrohir sighed. But the truth was he was weary. He had been expending his healing powers all day, reducing the severity of the worst of the settlers' injuries and aiding in the healing of wounds that would otherwise maim or kill. He had tried to be sparing, but all too many of the refugees had been injured either in an attack or during their escape. "You are right", he conceded, "let us both rest and hope that the worst is behind us. If there are no new arrivals during the night we can head north tomorrow."

Elladan nodded and reached out a hand, pulling him to his feet. And together they made their way to their bed rolls just at the edge of the ranger camp. The light of Elbereth's stars above them was a comforting guide as Elrohir slipped onto the paths of elvish slumber.

-o0o-

The rest of the night passed in silence. No one came to wake them with news of an emergency but no one had new information the next day either. A terror, the frightened folk of Eriador said, a giant monster with a dreadful appetite. It struck always at night, descending under the cover of darkness. A nightmare given terrible shape.

Elladan had his suspicions - and he could see the same thought reflected in Elrohir's eyes: A hill troll, come down from the Fells to feast. But if there was a troll next to the Great Road then it needed a cave, a place to weather the hours of sunlight - and one that was much closer than the ragged cliffs of the Trollshaws. If he and Elrohir could find it and block the entrance at night while the troll was out - then they might not even have to face the beast. They could simply wait for the rise of Anor. He rather liked the beginnings of the plan that formed as they rode ever north towards the road.

But first they had to make sure that it was a troll that was troubling the inhabitants of the Angle. There were enough demons of the dark in Eriador, even this far south and east of the Barrow downs. Angmar's shadow was long even still, and in recent years it appeared to be only growing.

Long before reaching the road they knew for sure. The signs of troll activity were widespread - and unmistakable. Smoldering ruins of a once well-kept farm, the frames around the front and backdoor the only thing left standing; The pastures that had surrounded the house torn up by giant feet with heavy tread. Blood and discarded wool, ripped right off the poor animals' backs, were the only thing left of the sheep that had probably once grazed here.

Elladan hoped the family that had lived here had managed to escape - had fled to the relative safety of the Southern Angle. But the rangers could care for the overwhelming number of refugees only for so long - and the road had to be reopened. Too many travelers still used the ancient path between Rivendell and the Grey Havens, between the High Pass and the Blue Mountains. Men, dwarves and elves alike would be easy pickings for a troll camped at the roadside.

"What do you think?" Elrohir had stopped beside him, looking at the decimation of the pasture just as he did.

"These are a lot of tracks for one troll."

Elrohir nodded. "Perhaps we should inform Glorfindel."

"Darkness is almost falling," Elladan said, glancing up at the darkening sky. "Let us see if we can find their lair first. Traveling to Imladris will take us three days at least." He did not need to say more. They both knew that any delay would be measured in blood.

They mounted their horses again, setting off at a brisk trot. Darkness had already fallen by the time they reached the Great East Road and silence hung heavily over the land. On the other side of the road the edges of the trollshaws were steep cliffs, jagged and sharp, reaching up black against the dark, cloud filled sky. The stars of Elbereth were veiled.

A soft breeze was in the air, weaving through the trees at the edge of the road, creating a haunting noise, a soft susurrus. It fell on his ears like a drop of water into a pond, creating ripples, spreading, merging, swallowing him whole. All went black.

The night was silent, too silent. Except - there was a sudden exhale, a flicker of white and then pain! So much pain. But the silence lingered. No noise.

No warning.

"Elladan!"

With a start, Elladan's eyes snapped open, not to blackness but merely to the dark of an overcast sky on a summer's night. Elrohir was beside him, his hands grasping Belroch's reins, concern writ across his face.

"It passed," Elladan reassured his twin, waiting patiently for Elrohir to search his eyes before relinquishing his hold on the reins of his horse.

"What did you see?"

"An ambush. We need to be wary."

Elrohir nodded, drawing back his hand, seemingly satisfied. He did not complain when Elladan took the lead again, turning Belroch along the road and to the east. Despite the new unease that settled in his bones, nothing had changed in their surroundings. The road was still deserted. No light of fire or hearth lit the darkness on either side of it, and yet it seemed to have grown darker still with the passing of his vision. A warning - but not enough to know where to go, or what to avoid. Just a glimpse of a future he could likely not avoid.

It came to pass an hour later.

-o0o-

tbc…