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Dawn Breaks
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The second prisoner was pushed over to the first and bound in like manner, and the small bow was tossed into the fire. There the two sat together on their knees, bound and gagged, as their captors were again discussing what to do with them.
Daylight began to peak from behind the mountain tops to their east, and the Orcs knew they had to move on to get some distance from whoever might come looking for the captured youths. As one was putting out the fire and others were packing up gear, suddenly a thunk and a crack broke the quiet of that moment. Looking up they saw that the captor watching them now had a long, sturdy arrow through his chest. Then each of the remaining captors went down, another arrow through a neck here or a back there, so fast it was as if they all had been struck at once. Then the prisoners sat alone and uncertain among the scattered slain around in silence for several long moments, when at last from the shadows emerged a tall figure, whose fair face was illuminated when strode up to the firelight and stood before them. He looked upon them silently for a moment, then knelt down to untie their bonds.
"Well!" he said at last, "I hope you two have a good explanation for all of this."
Both sat up on their knees and opened their mouths to defend themselves, but he raised up a hand.
"Save it," he interrupted, "save it for your foster father. Now come along, it is time to face your judgment."
Off they were trotted, walking without a word as they backtracked the miles through the tall grasses of the lowlands, and past the piles of boulders and small cliffs as they ascended through the mountain woods. Back they went along the fair lake now dappled in the soft slate color of the mountains at early morning, disturbed by faint splashes of fish stirring to catch their breakfast. They climbed into the hidden upper reaches of the hill valleys above the trickling spring that spilled toward the lake, until at last in early afternoon they reached the caves they called home, and were presented to their leader.
"Now," said Annael patiently, "what in the circles of the world were you two thinking?"
He looked back and forth between the young mortals. His gaze went to Mírian and at last she replied, "I was worried for him," she said hesitantly, nodding toward her brother. It was mostly true, the rest being that she simply wanted to join in his adventuring.
Annael's gaze went to Tuor, but the young man could or would not answer, seeming to be managing a struggle in his mind over gratitude for the rescue and anger with himself for needing it. The elf sighed and continued. "There is a reason our sentinels and soldiers have survived many encounters with Orcs over the years. Not only have they achieved their full stature both in size and training, but they work in teams, and look out for each other.
"This the second time you two have risked your lives for such mischief. The first time was a softer target, other Men, whose warriors and hunters happened to be away, and all you did was rob them of weapons and valuables - stolen from your kindred though they may have been, and by some chance of fate managed to escape unseen. This time you were fortunate, barely, that the watch marked you leaving and arrived in time."
"My children," he went on, "there are tasks of great import that lay in your future, I deem - for both of you. So you, foster daughter, please alert us to such fears as you might have for your brother, that you both may survive to do those things. And fear not, foster son! There is like to be many chances in your future to avenge the sires of your house. But, not yet."
*.*.*
"They may need to be separated," said Lothaelin to Annael. There were few women still left in his group here in the north, but such as there were had helped with raising the children. "They are likely to get each other killed, or worse. Or the young lady will get herself killed in his following." She thought for a moment, and she shuddered and said, "I dread the thought of what evils she might endure if captured by folk so wicked. Mortal women do not have the powers of elves to escape such torments."
"Yes, I think you are right," replied Annael. "Those Orcs were a small band for their usual number, but there were more than we had last counted. If any had got away with a glimpse of them or even of us, it would be a bad turn for all. It may be well that the children attacked them in their foolhardiness, in the end, that no news might reach their master on the existence and whereabouts of Huor's children."
"Most are reluctant to leave yet," he continued, "and like Huor's young son have hope for the deliverance of these lands from the enemy. But there are a few among us anxious to send the remainder of their families to refuge with the rest of our people in the south. Perhaps those desiring it should depart sooner than later, and Rían's daughter at least shall go with them."
"Yes," answered Lothaelin, "the road is rumored to be passable of late. So I too shall go, and my nearest kin with me."
He nodded. "But Tuor is a young man to come of age soon who would certainly take ill to fleeing with the women and children, and moreover is most anxious to help free the lands of his people himself. He may stay here with me and those who remain."
Soon the children were then informed of the plan. Tuor agreed it best his sister flee soon while she may, but Mírian wept.
"Why must we be separated?" she protested. "Come with us if you worry so for me."
But their elf elders were insistent. And, as Annael had guessed, Tuor by no means would yet abandon his people's lands if there were any left still willing to fight for them. But his heart out went to Mírian, and he tried to comfort her.
"Do not fear, sister!" he said to her. "Hope remains that we shall retake Hithlum for our people and our foster family. We will inflict our wrath upon these invaders, and make possession of it too sore a trial! In but a few years at most, I think, we can send for you. Annael sees great things in our future."
Mírian shook her head. "Nay, brother," she replied. "Our foster father's foretelling may indeed come to pass one day. But I also have a foresight on me. If we will be reunited it will not be for a very long time, and not until after we have both endured much hardship and suffering."
Tuor was troubled by her words, but wondered how this could be, since the danger was low and enemies encountered were easily overcome. This fed his hope for retaking the lands in the north, and he was inclined to trust in the optimism of his foster folk. Finally on a day in late summer when the green of the trees was full grown and the hours of daylight were well past their peak, the twins parted with love and sorrow, and the group prepared to set out.
