Languages:

'Valari words/ or Erika's mother tongue'

"Quenya/Sindarin"

"Westron/Common tongue"

"Others"

Disclaimer: LOTR and Silmarillion are properties of J.R.R. Tolkien and Tolkien Estates. None of the songs used in the story are mine too and only borrowed for entertainment purposes.

Trigger warning:

Graphic scenes of violence.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Chapter 22

Stubborn and Defiant

When the news of the battle at the borders of Imladris reached Elrond's ears, the elven lord and his wife immediately summoned their best healers and rode their horses with haste on their heels and accompanied by the rest of Glorfindel's best warriors that were left within the city.

His son, Elladan has personally gone back to inform him of what transpired.

That day started peacefully with everyone busying themselves with their usual morning routines. The birds sang merrily on where they were perching, the sun was bright and the wind was gently blowing as people began their tasks.

Somewhere in the city, ovens are being lit and breads are being baked. There are people picking the fresh and young sprouts of plants and flowers that bloomed as dawn approaches. Some would be brewed for a fresh morning tea, some will be added to the medicinal stocks possibly in some households or maybe it will be added as an ingredient to their food. A farmer freed his chickens from their pens to roam around the land while he collected what eggs they had laid the previous night, another was harvesting potatoes from his raised soil beds. An elleth set up her loom while others with her were preparing their knitting and sewing tools. Elrond was having tea with Celebrían and discussing the taste of the infusion she made a day ago. It was good and perfect for a slice of baked pudding she was planning to cook for the afternoon tea time.

Young warriors were warming up as they prepared the archery grounds and the basic training area.

The scouts had finished their first patrol before dawn around the border and settled along with their army that was waiting upon their general's arrival, who would lead them across Rivendell's nearest eastern valley on the Misty Mountains. Though it was a valley seldom used by their folks, it is undoubtedly the least dangerous way to cross the mountains. Even if it is mysterious and full of dangerous creatures, the power of the high elves and even the Vilya can still reach some part of the said valley's areas enough for them to cross the other side of the valley towards Rhovanion.

Now Elrond is quite aware that there are two reasons why his kinsfolk and possibly all the elves in their city look forward to the return of the beloved Glorfindel.

People are anxious about the kind queen of Greenwood the Great. Glorfindel's return is another positive sign for them that the queen and her son have more chances to be rescued safely as the enemy greatly fears his presence and power.

But aside from that, the dwellers of the elven city are intrigued by the news that they have received. Indeed, the news of him fancying someone is like a wildfire spreading ever so quickly on dried hays.

Elrond himself and his twin brother had once revered Glorfindel as a childhood hero not only because of the stories or songs that were written in dedication to his self sacrifice but also because of his kindness and exceptional skills in sword.

His foster father, Makalaurë was neither the type to slander someone or say empty praises about them. The majority of the sons of Fëanor are not fond of most of their cousins and Valinor will quake first before they say a single, nicest compliment about them. However, the exception of that lies only upon Írissë and Laurefindil.

While Írissë is a strange case because of her closeness to Celegorm due to their mutual interest in hunting under the guides of the Lord Oromë, Laurefindil is a rare case. He was a cousin that even Fëanor himself slightly disliked and that says a lot. Makalaurë describes him as foolishly kind and Maitimo says he is gallant and free spirited. His skills in various types of weaponry is even praised by the Valar themselves. A warrior will no doubt recognize a strong individual no matter what their reason or their purposes are.

That particular person who once died and twice born, known for living and dying for the purpose of fighting for their peace, has never once been known to hold someone close to him in a romantic sense. He was always focused on his mission to fight the forces of darkness as if it was the only sole purpose of his existence.

Galadriel and Celeborn had once tried to persuade him into knowing an amazing and kind hearted elleth from Lothlorien. Though he kindly declined, he avoided visiting his cousin for a decade and the lady of light only then stopped insisting about him settling down. Sometimes Celebrían even fears for him and his sense of self sacrifice, saying he had done it once. What force on Arda would be strong enough to stop himself from doing that again and think for himself just for once.

Elrond could only smile while reading the last letter he received from Nestaron regarding the young woman Glorfindel cherishes, he is somewhat excited to meet her. He can only imagine the celebration the ellyth would throw for her. This was the force in Arda that his beloved wife was asking for.

According to Nestaron, the young lady is sweet, kind and has a quirky sense of humour. He can only imagine how she looks together with the golden haired warrior. It would be an interesting sight.

That was the thought that is going through Elrond's mind while sipping a blended afternoon tea next to his beloved wife, Celebrían and his Little Arwen who was munching on a freshly baked berry pie, when his eldest son Elladan burst into the garden.

"Ada! We need you. Lord Glorfindel's party was ambushed just outside our borders."

Celebrian gasped and followed suit as Elrond stood up from his seat, kissing Arwen in the forehead before leaving the elfling with her nurse.

"You should head in first, my beloved. I will summon the healers and follow you to the borders shortly." Celebrian said as she gracefully ran towards the healing halls, all at the same time ordering her lady in waiting to head to the stables and ask the stable attendants to ready the fastest horses.

Elrond would love to appreciate how amazing his wife is but he instead focuses his mind on the situation. He did not ask anymore if there was anyone wounded, he knew for sure that even if Glorfindel's party were one of best and seasoned warriors in the city, they still had their limitations.

Two stallions were standing near the entrance of their manor, he and his son then donned it before bolting in haste to reach the border.

He willed the ring of power to surround their borders with a strong barrier of wind enough only for them not to cross their lands. If they had attacked the party near the borders, it only means that the enemies are getting bolder and bolder. Elrond usually does not rely on the power of Vilya, but if he does not want to repeat what happened to Greenwood, he needs to use the ring of power even as it would leave a bitter taste in his mouth.

He can soon hear hooves of multiple steeds, Celebrian and the other healers must be following behind them already.

When they arrive at the very borders, Elrond could see that the battle is still not done, though it is only an ongoing one-way massacre for the remaining minions of Sauron. One warg desperately growled as Elrohir let an arrow fly and struck its hind leg, leaving the nearby elves to attack the creature with their swords and spears.

The half-elven lord of Imladris took his attention away from the battle and moved his eyes around and he saw a familiar head of gleaming gold leaning down and aiding a downed ellon who he later recognized as Nestaron. He immediately headed over to them to offer the healing power of his ring.

Nestaron's breath was shallow. His fair countenance was pale and painted red with his own blood. But thankfully he is still alive. Glorfindel did not say anything as Elrond took over the healing of the fatally wounded ellon. He only stood up and took his sword that was resting on the ground.

"Hir nin! I beg thee, please rest and heal your wounds."

Elrond looked up as he noticed the usually jovial warrior did not answer nor reacted to the pleading of his second in command.

His back was on him so he did not see his face, but Elrond felt that there was something different in his presence. He was calm. But a calm that felt heavy akin to an unknown forest in the middle of a fog. It was cold and in that presence hides a strong desire for destruction.

It only dawns on Elrond that there is something wrong with Glorfindel when none of his warriors dared to go near him. That is until Bronwëg himself mustered the courage to pull him back when he started walking away.

"Hír nin!"

"Get out of my way." Glorfindel then spoke dangerously calm.

That was the situation Celebrian saw when she arrived at the clearing along with the army of healers that she brought with her, they immediately scattered around and aided the rest of the injured.

"Hír nin, I beg of you to calm down. It would not–"

"Get. Out… of my way."

It was only then that they saw Glorfindel's face painted with anguish and sheer anger. His blue eyes that were once known with its bright shine, now glaring sharp and dark, almost as violet as a larkspur in winter night.

Elrond felt his power simmering, if Bronwëg would not move away from him, he would be in danger.

But the dark haired ellon is loyal to his lord and he knew he was not in his right state of mind at that moment. He himself witnessed as Glorfindel helplessly ran after the wargs but they were undeniably faster.

Glorfindel exploded in anger and Bronwëg could only watch as he went berserk. They have lost many friends in the past and have fought hundreds of battles but it was the first time he saw the ever gentle ellon in such a devastated state. His eyes were wide in terror as he focused on the image of the fleeting warg and all the while his sword swung against enemies that came upon him. Soon he was not defending himself anymore but the one who was coming towards the enemies, slaughtering them in the cruellest way possible.

Bromwëg even saw him pull out the spine of one of the orcs with his bare hands before swinging that very spine, with skull attached to it, to hit the nearby dire wolf in the head. The force applied to it turned it into a weapon but it still shattered upon contact. The dire wolf instantly died with a deformed face.

Bronwëg might not know exactly what his lordship is going through right now, but he had seen what it does to him. And he will not allow him to destroy himself like this, going somewhere without any clear plan or any destination.

So when he objected once again and Glorfindel basically lifted him off the ground when he grabbed him by the armour with only just one hand, Bronwëg did not took it against him.

"Adháno!" Celebrian loudly called out, almost screaming in shock before striding towards Glorfindel. She rarely calls him by that term as Glorfindel does not want to treat them as children anymore but by equal standings. However, when she saw him grab Bronwëg, she felt the need to connect through their familial bonds. She can feel his restless fëa and his power that is sharply repelling everyone who is trying to get near him.

Somehow, her cry was heard by the ellon and he slightly calmed down. At least his sharp aura is not stabbing her in the face anymore.

"Adháno, please calm yourself down. Bronwëg is only concerned about your well being." Glorfindel placed the younger ellon down after a few seconds but did not move from where he stood.

"What happened?" Elrond asked Aeglos who was helping him with Nestaron. The usually jolly faced ellon frowned with grief in his eyes.

"The young lady Erika, my lord. She was taken by the wargs who managed to get away from us."

"What..?" Celebrían and maybe even the other elves nearby and heard his words gasped in disbelief. They knew the name of Glorfindel's beloved. Aeglos briefly told them what had transpired and how the young lady took the attention of the wargs away from Nestaron, having them take her away instead of the injured ellon. Elrond shook his head in disbelief, unsure of how to react. To be honest, he was quite relieved that Nestaron is safe. If they did take him instead of her, he would have died just hours later from blood loss. But at the same time, he felt grim.

Celebrían could only look back to her adháno and her heart broke at the sight of his empty, sad eyes. Everyone in the clearing fell silent at what they heard.

Moments passed by before the general started moving again.

"Adháno, please." Celebrían stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around him, dirtying her beautiful pale lavender colored dress with black stains that were on his light armor. "It will not help her if you rush out somewhere without a clear plan. I know you are in grief but I beseech you to calm yourself. It pains me to see you like this."

Glorfindel did not say anything, nor did he embrace his cousin's daughter back. His mind was empty but his fëa was in chaos. It was in such unknown turmoil and grief that he did not even experience as he lay dying in Cirith Thoronath. It was a different kind of pain that he would not even wish for his worse enemy.

The image of Erika falling down from the Daereth kept flashing in his mind. Along with the image of her unconcious face while at the back of the speeding warg. For him, that was the biggest failure of his life.

He was drowning in agony and self blame. So what if Manwë gave him power and authority akin to the maiar? He could not even save the one he loved the most.

It was the first time he felt so helpless and vulnerable.

But they were right. He has to calm himself down before he does anything to help Erika or even the existing problem of Greenwood. He won't be able to think properly if he loses his mind in anger again.

What took her were the wargs of Gundabad, and they thrive mostly on those lands. There is a high chance that they will bring her to the very place she pointed out for him in the map. The place where they keep their captives.

That is only if she is still alive.

The only relieve you will have if you are taken by the orcs is if they find you amusing enough to be the toy that they will torture to death. If the worst ever come to worse, they would violate and ravish her until her soul is broken or you are dead.

Those thoughts made Glorfindel loath himself again at the same time fueling the embers of his anger towards Melkor and all his creations.

He took a sharp breath and exhaled slowly. The best thing to do right now is to follow their original plan to cross the Misty Mountains through the valley nearest to the east of Imladris.

Three of his warriors, including Nestaron who is in the most fatal condition, would not be able to make it as they have serious injuries.

"Gather everyone who's uninjured and in their best condition. Bring out all the war horses in the stables and replace all the delicate mares who will not be able run in their fastest. Preferably strong war stallions. Ensure all supplies of food and bring only your waterskins. We ride as light as possible and as fast as we can. The rest will stay here to guard the border and scout around nearby areas. If there is a safe possibility that we can cover the nearby small settlements of men, do it but prioritize our safety to avoid another ambush. Keep your eyes and ears sharp as you scout." Glorfindel gave his orders but when no one moved he urged them once again. "Move." He said calmly.

And that is only when Bronwëg bowed at him and went along his way that everybody started to move again upon his orders. Glorfindel started to feel bad about how he threatened his second in command, maybe one of these days he will ask for an apology. But right now, he is too angry to say anything. Not to him or everyone but to himself.

Elrond could only watch as the general moved away from Celebrían and walked away as removed the armour belt of his sword on his waist and replaced it at the left of his back. He went to the supply cart that was nearby and took out one extra sword and sheathed it next to his other one. He then placed one more belt around his body and at the back placed a quiver full of arrows and took a decent bow for himself. On his side, a dirk was placed. He changed his leather vambraces and gauntlets to ones with metallic plates. Aside from that he did not change any of his armour but took a band and tied his long golden hair tightly.

Without the hair covering his face, most of them saw how hard were his expressions, his clenched jaw, and his eyes simmering with cold anger. Though he appears calm, there is something in him that makes him feel dangerous. They can barely recognize the Glorfindel they knew.

An hour has passed and twilight has blanketed the skies, still they would go on their march and cross the mountain valley. By next day's mid afternoon, they will reach the end of it and would take a respite before fully galloping towards the bridge of the Forest Road and by the forest boundaries, ride towards their mark in the foots of Mt. Gundabad. It would take them four days of full gallop before they reach their destination. Glorfindel could only pray for the graces of the Valar and for them to keep Erika safe.

Thurtogon and Idhrahan were both injured and even as they insisted on coming and lending their help for the sake of Erika who saved Nestaron, Elrond did not allow them to go on. Glorfindel eventually tasked them with duties to secure the safety of Imladris with Idhrahan leading the sentries and Thurtogon with the safety of the borders.

As soon as things were settled and all warriors were sitting upon their rides, Glorfindel took one last look at Elrond and Celebrían before he climbed up to his steed and led the army towards the eastern valley.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

I woke up as I felt my body literally smack the hard ground.

"Argh, fu–" I groaned silently in shock.

I felt nauseous and sick, worse than what I experienced after my best friend and I fought one on one with two bottles of fifty percent volume Russian vodka courtesy of my best friend's brother who visited Moscow one time. We didn't even get to finish it. Halfway to the second bottle, I plopped my face down to the toilet bowl seat and slept. Take note: A clean toilet bowl.

Sadly I might also have slept in the wrong position for a long time as I felt the right side of my neck throbbing. But can you blame me not changing positions when all this time, for three days I have been riding at the back of this warg that smells worse than a septic tank.

And yes, it possibly added to the reason for my nausea as now I can sniff myself not exactly smelling like roses and wonderful summer sunshine.

So as soon as I lifted my head, I hurled out all the traces of food that was left in my stomach. I coughed and heaved a breath, giving myself seconds before scanning my surroundings.

Although my eyes were quite blurry from the dizziness, it still adapted to the shadows of my surroundings and adjusted just right for me to see the insides of a rocky cave with a crooked looking door made with bars of steel and some woods.

It looks like a prison.

I could hear noises and roars from outside the cave, they might be the monsters that they called orcs. I lifted and dragged myself against the side of the wall to sit up.

Okay, where shall we start.

I frowned as I felt the side of my face hurt. The first time I regained consciousness, I made such a fuss, kicking and screaming loudly for them to let me go. I was only woken up from my panic when one of the orcs ordered everyone to slow down and gave me a hard slap in the face, shutting me up. I felt his gauntlet's steel bracket upon my face and even without looking in the mirror, I know it is still swollen and possibly bruised.

But thankfully, aside from a few bruises I got from falling off Daereth's back, I have no other serious injuries or broken bones.

In fact I thought of Nestaron and the others. They might have been more seriously injured than I am. I wonder how they are now, I can only pray for their safety.

The noises outside were still very loud, I can even hear cries of humans along with the beasts. Thanks to the dream before, I don't have to wonder what is happening to them anymore.

I was planning on staying still to not attract their attention but thirty minutes or so passed, I soon heard a small voice.

It was so gentle and so precious to the ears. Like a small tinkling of melodic bells on Christmas eve. That small voice was softly crying out.

"Ló, listo—"

I ignored all the things that's currently ailing me and I stride towards the steel door where I can barely see anything.

"Shut up, vermin!" The orc nearby threw a rock towards the other steel door and the small voice yelped in fear and cried.

"Open the door and gag his face with that rock–"

"No! No, wait! Wait!" Without thinking about it, I shouted for an intervention when they opened the other steel door and the child screamed in horror. I could only shake my head for throwing away my own plan of staying silent and not getting their attention.

But I would die first before they harm this child.

"Listen, listen to me. I will take care of him, okay? I will shut him up." I told the orcs who thankfully were speaking the common tongue.

"Silence, wench or you will be the one who will eat these rocks."

"I know, I know. But see, take me with him. And both of us will shut up and won't bother you again. Good deal, right?"

The orcs laughed like villains in Voltes Five. Normally I'd make fun of how ugly they look. But not right now. Not right now that I know they really are capable of doing what they told me they would do.

But now I just need to make sure nothing happens to the child.

"Ha! Do you think we are not capable of silencing him?"

"I know you are! I know you both are capable of anything." How did Anne persuaded Venom again to rescue Eddie's ass? "Oh, you two are strong. I know." The orcs slightly flinched as I ballooned up their ego. Oh yeah, this method is really good. "You guys are the coolest and bravest orcs ever."

"Hrmn.."

More gasoline. "One swing of your sword will flatten up ten thousand army of men like a pancake."

"Only men?!"

"Of elves as well, of course. Stupid me."

"What's a pancake?"

"It's the food of the god of the orcs."

"Milord Morgoth!"

More hype. "Yeahh, Morgoth! Woohoo!"

The orc then growled and I almost flinched. "Huh.. you flatter us, woman but do not think we trust you enough to be one of us?" I'm not planning to, though.

"Now…" one of the orcs stepped up to my prison's steel door and opened it up before grabbing my hair and led me towards the other cell. There I saw the little child sitting on the ground, shielding his eyes with his own tiny hands and hiding himself in the corners of the cave's wall. "If you do not keep this little pest silent, I will take your head off first and feast on his flesh after. You see, we like to make the elves cry loudly in pain, joy for us. So it would be a waste if he will end up as our food rather than our toy."

"Aw… bitc– I mean. Yes, Sir Noble Warrior Orc. I will guard him with my life." You bet I will.

They pushed me inside and I fell to the ground before letting my hair go. I thought that was the end of it but they didn't leave without giving me a kick which landed exactly at my stomach.

"Aargh! Puñeta—" muttered out of pain. Though I was just hit in one specific place, the sensation has flown all throughout my body. The MF was wearing iron plated shoes, I bet I would have another bruise later to decorate my body.

The nausea I was feeling doubled back worse than before and for the second time, I threw up. Only this time, I was just gagging at my own spit. I felt so breathless from the pain. At that time the orcs left the cell and locked down the ragged steel door. For a while I had to lie still and waited as the pain finished its course and slightly disappeared, leaving a throbbing area at the left side of my stomach.

'De putang puñeta, gago!' I cursed out loud while coughing and gasping for air, using my own language to filter it. I want to say more, but there's a child in my vicinity.

I heaved for a few moments before lifting myself up again from the ground and quickly eye searched for the little one. He was sitting on the ground covering his head with his hands as if that was enough to protect himself against the cruelty of the orcs. He looked so tiny and scared as his little body trembled in fear.

"Hey… can you understand me?" I said to the child who just whimpered. "I won't hurt you, I promise."

The little one still didn't move from where he was so I gave him time to adjust to my presence and looked around me. The cell was bigger than the one I was in.

And maybe because I was too fucked up earlier, I didn't notice that there was another person in the room.

Lying on the ground is a woman– or should we say an elleth covered with a dirty green cloak. The word beautiful is not enough to fully describe her appearance. She looks like a sleeping angel in an oil painting. Though she is bruised and battered, it only boosted up her looks of vulnerability. While here I am looking like a war ogre.

Her platinum silver hair might be shining less than Glorfindel's right now, but it still looked like it was fresh out of a salon treatment. Her face almost reminded me of Emmanuelle Bèart from the Date With an Angel movie, but better. Much much better.

I stood up and walked towards her to see if she was okay. If I'm not wrong, this elleth and elfling here is the lost queen and prince of Greenwood. What sort of clichè luck had made me end up with them is unimportant, for me I was just glad enough to know that they are alright. Especially the little one.

For a while, I dreaded finding out that she is not alive anymore but to my relief, I saw the rise and fall of her chest, albeit weak and shallow.

"She is my Naneth." A tiny voice came from behind me and there I saw the little elfling timidly walking towards me and the unconscious elleth. His little steps were light and silent. "She is very thirsty. She has been giving me her water ever since we arrived here."

I gave him a warm smile. "So you do understand me." Though he approached me, he is still a little warry. "May I ask what your name is, langga?"

"L… My name is Legolas."

"Hello, Legolas. Nice meeting you." I smiled and crouched down in front of him. "My name is Erika. Can I be your friend?"

The child shily nodded slowly. "Does your name have any meaning to it?" I asked just to make him feel at ease around me.

The little boy nodded. "Greenleaf."

I smiled at him. "That was such a cute and cool name. Can I call you Prince Legolas then?"

The child's adorable brows scrunched a little and had a look of confusion. "You are my friend now, right?"

"Oh.. yeah?' I nodded.

"And so you can call me Legolas." He said shily. My heart ached at the innocence in his eyes.

"Legolas it is then. And then call me Erika." I took his little hand and shook it. "I'm glad to meet you, my new friend." He must have found my actions weird and funny as he giggled at the sight of our handshake. I slowly took him to my arms in an embrace. Feeling such relief that both of us are still alive.

"Don't worry, baby. I won't let anything happen to you." Even if it cost me my life. "Look, I may not have water in me but check this out." Legolas slightly moved away from me when I showed him the mini fanny pack-like satchel that I have on my side where I always keep my pearls.

When Ms. Heledh found out that I was just keeping my pearls in a DIY plant bag, she gave me a small satchel that I can hang on my side like a fanny pack. It was small, and sometimes if I wear trousers and tunics, you can barely see it. When we started travelling, Glorfindel and the Nestaron teamed up on putting small stuff into it. Now that I am in a dress and it is just sitting at my left side, the orcs might assume it is just a part of my rainement rather than a bag filled with stuff.

I pulled out the small bottle out of it and a small piece of bread wrapped in leaves.

"Lembas!" Legolas chirped out loud.

"Sshh.." I made an 'oh crap' face and placed my fore finger at the tip of my nose when his voice echoed through-out the cave cell.

Legolas covered his mouth with his two little hands and made an 'oops!' expresion. He then nodded before giving me an embarrassed little smile. "Sorry." He whispered in elvish which I kind of understood based on his adorable actions.

Argh… how can someone be this sweet and adorable and lovely?

"It's okay. Here, have some for yourself."

"My Nana is hungry and thirsty as well. Can we give her at least some?"

"Don't worry, we have plenty. We will give her enough to make her stomach bloat in fullness."

"Just one bite. Nana eats like a little bird."

"Yes, yes. Now take a bite or I will eat all of this. The elf gatorade is for your mama and I."

The little prince nodded before taking a dainty bite out of the bread and savoured its sweetness. "Hanon le."

"You're welcome." I smiled at him as I patted his head full of equally beautiful, silver tresses. His mix of blue and green eyes had a spark of joy unlike when I first saw him trembling in a corner as he nibbled on his lembas. I wanted to divert the attention of the child away from our situation, so despite a raging headache, I talked to him like we were having a simple picnic. The child might have been really hungry as he took another bite of the elvish waybread that's known to make an adult full with just a bite.

He must have felt a little comfortable with me already, which was a relief and eventually the little prince was already telling me a lot of things. About his Ada and what a great king he was, about his home filled with wonderful flowers and songbirds, and even his knight friend who gave him a wolf toy made from carved wood.

"You know, I have wolf friends too."

Legolas gasped gently before speaking in hush. "Really? What kind of wolves were they? Did you tame them?"

"Of course not, I have no skills or talent in anything about wild animal care. Besides, they are intelligent beings and should be regarded with respect."

"Are they fierce also? Were they big?"

"Let me see, well they are not just big but they are huge. Like super duper huge. They are a beautiful pack with coats as white as snow. Glorfindel told me that they are called white wolves and they rule a mountain that I actually forgot what the name was."

I could see his eyes shine even with limited light. "How amazing!" He stood up and opened up his arms as if sizing a huge thing up. "Are they as big as this?"

"Bigger! And their faces were fierce like rooooaaarrrr!" I tried to imitate a fierce roar. "Unless you are their friend, they will never be friendly with you."

"Aww, how I wish I could be friends with them, I will be good and be in my best behaviour."

"Oh, they will love you. Don't worry I will introduce you to their Wolf King and his little baby cub. Would you like that?"

Legolas nodded and slowly sat down again next to me. "Yes, Erika. Please let me meet them."

"Oh, but they will only allow you to meet them if you are my best friend. So… Can I be your new best friend?"

Legolas' adorable cute cheeks stretched in a beam of smile before nodding. "Best friends forever?"

I stuck out my pinky. "Best friends forever."

He slightly frowned in confusion, which ngl, is so cute I had to stop myself from squishing his cheeks. "Oh, this is what we call a pinky promise. Okay so do this too." Legolas put up his pinky and I gently locked it with my own. "This is like we lock our promise together to be best friends forever. And whoever breaks their promise will have a really disgusting, bad smell of fart all their life."

Legolas giggled. "Eww… Don't worry, Ada said a prince should never ever break a promise." He must have been fascinated as he shook our hands around before smiling and said, "So, I pinky promise you that we will be best friends forever." he said as he giggled.

I smiled. Must protecc. This innocence must be protected at all cost. Legolas was brimming with excitement as I told him that maybe one day, I will take him with me to meet the wolfpack.

We talked a bit more about his activities in their home but perhaps due to fullness and relief that he is finally in the arms of someone who can keep him safe, Little Legolas slowly fell asleep in my arms.

I carried him and slowly placed him down on the flattest spot in the cave that I found. Unfortunately, it is still not flat enough for his young body as he winced in discomfort but did not wake up.

It was only then that I got to fully check what's going on around me.

Unlike the first cell that I was in, this one has a bit of a light as I assume it was closer to the cave entrance. In the middle of all this stink, I can sniff a bit of fresh wind carrying the scent of plants. The fragrance is being swept by the passing winds that's thankfully ventilating this whole stinky ass place. I bet my whole month salary as a cashier that we won't even be able to breathe properly in this place due to the dank smell of rotting meat and excrement.

Aside from that, there is nothing to see anymore. I was checking out the steel door when I heard the elleth behind me groaning. I immediately went to her side and took out the small vial of the mirúvor.

The elleth slowly opened her eyes. It is weird to see an elf sleep with closed eyes. It took seconds before her eyes focused.

"Hey…"

There was a surprise that registered in her eyes but thankfully she didn't panic. Despite bruises and the black eye in her right eye, I could clearly see her clear golden tinged, green eyes. They are so bright that it reminds me of clear peridots and forests transitioning from summer to autumn. Even in the dark, I can see her eyelashes haloing those enigmatic orbs that were swimming in confusion.

"Please, don't be afraid. I'm here to help. Please take this for now." I said to her as I pulled out the cork of the vial. The aroma of mirúvor must have reached her nose and for a while it widened in disbelief.

She took a gulp of the nectar without hesitation when I placed it near her mouth. I urged her to drink some more but she shook her head gently.

"You should drink as well."

"I mean, I am in a much better situation than you right now so you need it more than I do."

Stubbornly, she shook her head once again. "I am now threading at the borders of the halls of Mandos."

"I don't know what that means so drink…"

"I am fading." I froze for a while as the elleth closed her eyes from exhaustion. "The only thing that is keeping me from leaving this hröa is my son."

"Look at me." I shook my head as I capped and placed the vial safely on the ground. "Come on, open your eyes and look at me." I told her gently. Thankfully she listened to me and opened her eyes. "May I ask your name?"

"Alcariel."

I nodded. "Right. Nice meeting you, Ms. Alcariel." I took her hand and gently shook it. "Now… I don't want to sound like I am nagging you. But you are not fading today. Okay? You are going to fight through all this and you and Legolas will go back home."

Alcariel slowly smiled as if my pep talk was amusing to her. "Is this your way of encouraging me?"

"Maybe? I don't know. But you did not live for thousands of years just to fall down like this. Not like this." I saw her bright eyes shake just to eventually be flooded with tears.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

When you fall into the lake of despair and drown in its murky, dark water, nothing much will an eldar with a broken down spirit will be able to do. Being battered for days for trying to shield her son away from the orcs attacks, Alcariel's body has reached its limitation. So when she saw the woman's face upon her, her heart felt glad that her son would not be alone.

Her beautiful Legolas. Her life. Her pride and joy. Her anchor that was preventing her from being swept away by the waves of pain and despair.

This woman might not have seen herself in the mirror yet but she was quite a bit of a mess. There is a mark of dried blood on her forehead and her rainement that Alcariel assumes was once white is bloodied from the back and is stained with dirt. There were bruises on her cheek and forearms, her dark hair was messy and tangled.

But nonetheless, her eyes were stubbornly shining and burning with defiance.

"Your husband and many of your people are rallying towards us. I know because I was just with them when I was taken by these monsters. They are here to save you, not to retrieve your corpse or whatever that's left of you. So just hold on. We are gonna get through this, okay?"

Alcariel has always believed that her beloved will come to find them, but when her spirit was tainted with despair, pain and suffering, she can not help but to give in to the thought of rest. She was a simple elleth. Though war has happened to her world and around her, she has never tasted the bitterness of it as she was sheltered in the might of her people. If she was taken without her son, she might have given up already and embraced the comfort of the Halls of Mandos.

But thanks to this woman's encouragement, even as she grows weaker with every moment that passes, her fëa has found one more anchor to hold on to. And maybe that is all she needed, for someone to tell her that everything will be alright. To dispel all the whispers of doubts that are flooding her mind, and make her believe that there is an end to this suffering.

She felt hope starting to bud in her heart once again.

"Now eat and drink this stuff and go back to sleep. I'll be here to watch both of you." She took out a piece of lembas out of her small satchel and put it in her mouth.

The relief she felt after days of not eating and drinking was so immense that her eyes could not help but to blur with unshed tears. She then took another gulp of mirúvor before succumbing to exhaustion.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Thirty minutes might have passed when the mother-son duo fell asleep soundly. I moved Legolas to the embrace of his mother so when he wakes up, she would be the first thing that his eyes will see and not this horrible place that we are in.

There really was nothing left to do in this situation and I was left alone with my own thoughts to torture me.

I know I spoke big time about being brave but I myself can't help but be afraid. You know when you are just generally afraid of the uncertain things that will happen next?

"Geez, all I wanted was a vacation. I thought the worst thing that could happen to me on this trip was losing my wallet and my phone." I muttered to myself as I sat down with my back on the cold stonewall of the cave almost near the iron gate.

There's not a moment that this place becomes silent. Even as I sat here, I could hear people groaning in pain, orcs growling, some metallic clinks, and even helpless crying.

It's no wonder anymore why the elven queen was so defeated in spirit. Not even a day has passed since I got here, and I feel like I'm gonna go crazy.

I wonder how Nestaron is doing. Is he okay? Did they reach the borders safely? Is Hedwig hurt? Did we lose anyone from our party?

Is Glorfindel okay?

I want to see him so badly. I don't even have to wonder what kind of personal hell he is in right now, he was already blaming himself for putting me in this situation. I just wish he won't do something drastic, the last thing I would want is for him to be hurt.

To make me feel better, I just closed my eyes and pictured his mega handsome face in my mind. Right now, let's just treat his beauty as my copium material. Remember the smell of his hair that resembles bright nature and free wind. Or his soothing voice that makes me nervous and then calms me at the same time.

The absence of his presence makes me feel so sad and empty. He was the first person who I saw in this world when I arrived. He was also the first person to show me that love wasn't just a myth. That it doesn't only exist in songs. Or novels or movies. When I found him, I also found the meaning of existing as two, even as our time we got to spend together was so short.

As corny as it sounds, he got me really hard. And rather than feeling love sick, I feel like being far away from him is akin to a feeling of being far away from home.

It's exactly how I feel whenever I think about my family. Or my closest friends, people whom you have created a certain familial bond with.

I want to see his face so badly and his cheeks in my hands. Or even feel the warmth of his hand on my own. I feel like—

Wraaaaaaa

"Argh!"

Clang!*

"Have mercy, have mercy!"

I frowned.

Seriously.

Not even a moment for me to revisit my emo phase.

"Rooarr!"

*More orc black speech*

Look at these fellas trying to bother my internal monologue. Here I am savoring the bitterness of my parting with the one I love and the orcs will spoil it with them growling around and inflicting some kind of pain to someone. I was really trying my hardest to block out all the sounds that my ear was picking up because I knew it would only destroy my will. I am not as strong as the others and if I don't do that, my mind would fall into a depressive train of thoughts.

Last thing I would want is to lose my will to survive. I might sound devoid of empathy but there is nothing that can help me here but myself and a prayer.

"Be brave and steady."

I remember the words of my grandpa when I was a child. He repeated those words on multiple occasions of my life, saying it was his life motto, and I couldn't help but make a bitter smile. It was easier said than done, grandpa.

I could hear the orcs conversing with their own gibberish language. Well, who would have thought that these mindless killers could speak 2 languages? They are better than me in terms of speaking and language skills.

I was bitterly joking at myself when I suddenly heard sounds of heavy steps approaching, I started backing away as two orcs entered our area while dragging someone by the leg. The lighthearted mood I was trying to create for myself turned even heavier than before. It scared me a little as I thought they were approaching our cell. I was about to stand near the mother and son that was sleeping on the floor, ready to shield them from danger but they instead opened another iron gate just two yards away from ours.

The old crooked metal bars screeched and clunks as it was pulled open.

I must have missed the gate as it was dark in the cave and it is not directly sitting across ours so it was hard to see in the dark but I could see them just carelessly tossed the person they were dragging down to the ground before stepping away from it and closing the gate with a loud bang. The sound was so loud it echoed and vibrated all throughout the cave.

It woke up Legolas in a startle and the poor child was confused. I immediately went over to his side. "Hey..."

The child groaned and yawned. His adorable face has a sign of confusion and slight annoyance. "Is everything alright, Erika?" he asked sleepily, half eyes being pulled back to sleep.

"Yep, don't worry. It's just the orcs being doofy as usual." I said with a tiny smile. I know his sharp hearing could hear all the things happening around us but right now, all I pray to God Almighty is that he is too sleepy to notice it. "Now go back to sleep." I tapped his two beautiful eyes with my fingers and then tapped his sides to lull him back to slumber.

"Are you not going to sleep too? You can lay next to us, it is warm."

I smiled at him and kissed his forehead. "Don't worry about me, I'll keep watch for now and will sleep later."

Legolas nodded and snuggled with his mother. Not even a minute had passed and he was asleep again.

I got up and went back to my space earlier next to the iron gate.

I could hear someone on the other cell coughing hard and gasping in pain. If I'm not mistaken, it was the voice of a male. I wonder how he is doing? Or what's his condition?

Out of frustration, I lightly kicked the gate. These stupid iron bars were the only thing that was stopping me from running towards him. How bad were his injuries for the orcs to just drag him back to his cell. He must have been abducted like us.

I was forced just to listen to his breathless coughing until he finally went silent. He didn't just die, right?

He must have fallen asleep.

I sighed. The feeling of hopelessness is starting to sink in to me.

"God, I know you are listening. You always were. I have to get out of here, so please, please… give me the guts to get through this." I uttered a prayer as I stared at the empty darkness of the night.

If I'm getting out of here, I need to save my energy.

Glorfindel is on his way. Help is on the way. And we will all get out of here.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Translations / Story notes:

Vilya - a ring of power made by Celebrimbor that has the power of the wind. Its current holder is Elrond Half-elven.

Makalaurë - (Quenya) Maglor, second eldest son of Fëanor. Foster father of Elrond and Elros. Top 1 in ME billboards hit chart at being the most viral elf singer of all time.

Írissë - (Quenya) Aredhel daughter of Fingolfin, mother of the traitor Maeglin.

Maitimo - (Quenya) Maedhros the tall, eldest son of Fëanor.

Adháno/Adathëg - made up term for uncle with Sindarin word play to Ada and Háno.

In Tolkien's writing, it is implied that ravishment/abuse does happen. Mostly by orcs to slave and captive females or even Melkor once tried to Arien. In the films, Saruman bred the Uruk-hai by 'magical' means but it was implied that orcs do breed and multiply like humans or any other folks in ME. It was possible he used Dunlending women as well in his experiments. Nightmare inducing, right?

Naneth / nana - mother / mom

Palangga / langga (Lah-ng Ga) - Cebuano endearment for someone you love. It basically means, my dear, my love, etc.

Author's notes:

On my last update, I've received so many kind and lovely messages and I can never thank you guys enough for loving this little story of mine even as I am the worst updater possibly in the history of fanfiction, lol. You guys rock. Your kind comments may not be all replied to but nonetheless I read them all and they inspire me to write better. That is my competitive side as a writer even before I wrote my own novels.

Next chapter is actually halfway done, I will try as soon as possible to finish it and post it.

This chapter is for my uncle who is like a second father to me and whom we lost last June 8. I might have lost another one beloved family, but heaven has gained a formidable angel.