Finally facing some more action in this chapter, and perhaps some foolishness. Enjoy!

Chapter 18

I awoke with a start, and heard rain falling softly on the roof of the tent. No visible sun was rising here in the real world. I felt tears on my cheeks, and I wiped them away roughly. I had been so happy to see my brother, and although I know he meant well by visiting, the grief of his loss felt fresh once more. The only bright spot was that I knew he was alive, and that someday I would see him again, if I chose to sail.

If I chose to sail?

I was surprised at the thought. How could I not sail, after learning my brother was alive? Perhaps it meant my other brother and my father were also released from the Halls. I could be reunited with my entire family! This realization brought me a rush of joy, mixed with confusion. Why was there a niggling doubt in my head about leaving?

Sailing right now was impossible of course; I had a job to do and was determined to see it done. Once Sauron is ended, I will sail. With this thought, I gathered my things, and was pleasantly surprised to receive a visit from an Elleth named Haerel. "Milady, would you like to bathe? There is a creek very close by that we use to wash here, and it is the ladies' turn today."

Even though it was somewhat cool outside and raining lightly, I nodded my acceptance. It had been a little while since I had the luxury, and was craving some female company. Saeradan looked up as I passed and I gave him a small wave. Candaith did not acknowledge me, but I thought perhaps he had not noticed my presence, as he was digging in his bag for something.

The walk to the creek took less than a few minutes, and the rain felt refreshing on my face; almost like it was washing away my troubles. There were three other Elleths with us, and they kept up a steady stream of pleasant conversation while we quickly bathed. I gasped as I felt the freezing cold water on my legs, but made quick work of it. Despite the cold, I felt much better after I was finished. Haerel escorted me under a rocky overhang, and we dried off before putting on clean clothes and throwing on water resistant cloaks. I pulled the hood up, keeping most of the water off my face. My hair was still very wet, but I would dry it better once we returned to the camp.

As I approached the tents, I could hear Candaith and Saeradan arguing about something in harsh whispers, but as I got closer, they noticed me and their conversation ceased. "Is everything ok here gentleman?" I asked, raising an eyebrow and noting the tension.

They both looked away from each other and Saeradan shook his head, "It is nothing Gwinthilnel."

"Hm, it didn't seem like nothing, but I will respect your privacy." I looked at them both cautiously, before turning and ducking into my tent. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Candaith glaring at Saeradan, who rolled his eyes and sighed before continuing to repair a hole in his cloak.

I purchased some bread and cheese from a tradesman who was on his way to Echad Candelleth with some goods, and gave some to Saeradan and Candaith before having my portion as I walked over to the blacksmith. "How are my knives looking?" I asked politely.

The Elf greeted me with a smile, "They are very beautiful my lady, especially the calligraphy on the hilts. Not many fight with twin long knives, and I must assume you have great skill!"

I blushed and scratched the back of my head awkwardly, "Well, thank you for your kind words. If there is nothing else?" I finished.

He shook his head and handed them to me, and I sheathed them before saying my goodbyes and gathering my things. Saeradan and Candaith had wandered over to the horses and were fitting them with their saddles. Candaith was just finishing putting one on my horse, and I thanked him softly, squeezing his hand that was on the straps before attaching my saddlebags and mounting my horse. He did not make eye contact with me, but I heard a quiet "You are welcome" before he got on his own horse.

We pulled our hoods up and started on our journey. It was still raining lightly and the clouds were thick above us. I knew this could impact visibility, but so far conditions were still decent enough that I didn't feel my sight was significantly impaired. I rode over to one of the older-looking trees and relayed the message I had given to the other tree about keeping watch for danger, and he replied he had already received the message and had passed it on. Pleased, I thanked him with a pat and felt one of his branches lightly brush my shoulder in acknowledgement. I heard Candaith chuckle in amusement and I gave him a small grin.

Unfortunately, my hopes of the rain letting up were dashed as it only fell harder, and the wind whipped it in our faces, our cloaks only helping to keep the rest of our bodies moderately dry. It was harder to see and hear each other, and we rode closer to the trees, trying to find some protection under their leaves. I also wanted to stay near them so I could hear their voices if they needed to send me a message.

I was glad I did, because we would not have known about the significant enemy force waiting for us at the Ford. The trees said that the orcs and trolls did not extend too far from the narrowest part of the crossing, and that we would likely be safe going south. Alarmed, I relayed the message to my companions and we had a quick conference, deciding to go south and skirt the danger.

We approached the river after hugging the rockface of a tall cliff, and I was grateful to see the water was calmer than I had anticipated. I had feared the rain would have swollen the river and would make it impassable, but luckily this was not the case. Carefully we escorted our horses across, making sure to go slowly as to avoid any accidents.

Once we reached the river bank and had melted into the trees, I heard a roar emanating from further north, where the main crossing was. The trees started muttering angrily, and I got them to calm enough to ask, "What is happening? What lies in wait at the Ford?"

"There is a great force of dark creatures penneth! They do not attack you, but there is a small group of Firstborn who are attempting to fight them!"

I paled, and Candaith and Saeradan looked at me in alarm. "What is it Gwinthilnel?" Saeradan asked urgently.

"The trees say there is a large force of enemies at the Ford."

"We already knew that," Candaith said impatiently.

I glared at him, "If you would take a moment to let me finish, I will tell you more." Candaith looked slightly chastened but still anxious. "There is a small contingent of Elves at the Ford attempting to combat them, but the trees are concerned that they will be unable to win."

Saeradan looked conflicted and said, "What are we to do? There are only three of us, and only one of us is Elven. If your eyesight is already compromised, we will be nearly blind out there."

I was thinking furiously. Saeradan made sense, but I felt it would be wrong not to help. "We need to go North to get on the main road anyway. I will scout ahead and get a better look at the scene. If I think we can help, I will confer with you before we do anything." I looked at them grimly. "I fear we may already be too late."

Quickly we mounted our horses and rode as speedily as we could without making too much noise, which was not too difficult due to the sound of the heavy rainfall. Once we got close to the road, I held out my arm, telling them to hold. I dismounted and quickly made my way closer to the Ford, hiding behind a large boulder, down a little-ways from the top, where my friends were waiting. Peeking around, I saw about 20 Elves standing high on the cliff face nearby, raining arrows down on the enemy forces and ducking behind the rocks to avoid return fire as best they could. I squinted while looking at the middle of the Ford, trying to see if anyone was fighting on foot, and my stomach dropped.

Elladan and Elrohir were out there, alone.

I swore quietly and raced back to the rangers. "There are a fair number of Elven archers shooting from above, but for some reason Elladan and Elrohir are the only two fighting in the Ford! We have to go help them!" I went to run towards the Ford before Candaith grabbed my arm tightly. I whirled around and narrowed my eyes at him. "Let. Me. Go." I ground out, furious, but he held firm.

"Gwin, we cannot just go running into the battle, you are experienced enough to know this. We must alert the archers so they do not assume we are enemies." His eyes were hard, and I knew he was right but my emotions were running high and all I could think about were Elladan and Elrohir, fighting for their lives.

I pulled my arm away and this time he let go. "Yes, I am experienced. I know what I'm doing," With that, I raced towards the cliff face and scaled it, finding it to be very difficult due to the slick stones from the rain. Before I could get to the top, I felt a hand from above me grab my arm and pull me up, and a second later an arrow was pointed at my face.

"Who are you?" a female voice shouted, and I noticed the other archers distractedly looking my direction.

Before it could escalate, I said, "Peace, my name is Gwinthilnel and I am here to help." The Elleth relaxed slightly, finally taking in my appearance.

"Do you come alone?" she asked.

I shook my head, "I have two companions down below on the ground. We noticed the Lords Elladan and Elrohir are fighting alone in the Ford. Why is this?" I was confused and angry they would let them do so; the twins are considered as princes in Imladris, and I was astonished that they were unguarded.

The Elleth sighed, frustrated, "The other Elves they were with have fallen. We were debating who to send next but fear it is hopeless. We want to call for a retreat, but need Elrohir or Elladan to be the ones do officially do so."

"They seem a little too busy to be calling for a retreat!" I replied, feeling worried and scared for them. "I will go with my companions and relay the message, and hopefully we can retreat to this side of the river and flee to Imladris before returning with a stronger force." This would very dangerous; Saeradan had made a good point that there were only three of us. Would it be worth the risk?

She looked at me gravely before nodding, "May Elbereth guide your steps," she said grimly, and we clasped arms in farewell.

I descended the rockface as quickly as I dared, only to face an angry Candaith. "How could you simply run off? I…I mean, we were worried and did not know what happened to you!"

I was shocked to see the intensity of the anger flashing in his eyes and took a step back. "Candaith, I was speaking with the Elven archers to get a report, as you suggested. I know I did not take the time to say where I was going, and I am sorry for that, but we must act with haste or all will be lost."

Candaith's jaw was locked tightly in frustration but he nodded shortly and turned away from me, calling out to Saeradan who approached cautiously. I relayed what I knew and told them of my plan. Candaith looked to be about to blow up at me and I spoke before he could, "I know what you would say, but their lives are worth the risk to me. If you do not wish to come, I will not think any less of you." I genuinely felt this way, but unfortunately, he took it as a slight.

Clenching his fists, he ground out, "Are you questioning my dedication?"

I threw my hands up in frustration, "We are wasting time! Saeradan, will you come or stay behind?"

The aforementioned ranger looked annoyed but was not nearly as angry as Candaith. "I think you are being foolish, but if you insist on going, you will not do so alone," he said clearly and without hesitation. "Gwinthilnel, what is the plan?"

I took a breath and looked at Candaith again, silently asking if he would join the two of us. I took his reluctant nod as a yes and said, "We will need to be quick. Let me go first and see if I can get a better view of their position. There is a series of trees right along the bank, and I can climb up in one. Once I assess the situation, I will wave you forward to join me."

They both agreed, Candaith still seeming reluctant, and I gave them one more look before carefully making my way to the trees.

Elladan and Elrohir were fighting back to back on the south side of the Ford. An amazingly large number of orcs and several trolls lay dead at their feet, but more were coming. I could not tell if they were injured, but they seemed to be tiring. I knew we could not wait any longer and waved the two rangers forward. "They fight well but are exhausted. We are closer to them than if we had been on the north side, so if we go quickly, we can help aid in their retreat."

"How do you know they will retreat?" Saeradan countered.

"What other option do they have? Their archers are barely keeping the forces at bay, and all of their melee comrades have fallen. They must retreat to safety and regroup," I replied, suddenly feeling less sure than I had been. Elladan and Elrohir were smart but also passionate and fierce warriors. I had heard tales of their endless crusade to destroy orcs after their mother sailed to Valinor. I shuddered still at what had happened to her, and it hit me closer now than it ever had. She had been captured and tortured, and sexually assaulted on the road between Imladris and Lothlorien by many orcs. Unable to find healing in Middle Earth, she went West to Valinor, leaving her children and husband Elrond behind.

Saeradan shrugged but waited patiently for my response. I sighed, "We must try. I will not leave them to die if I can help it." I looked at them both in turn, trying to convey my sincerity in what I was about to say, "If this is our last fight…I want you to know that I value you both immensely, and feel truly honored to have known you." I felt tears gathering but blinked them away; I needed to stay focused if I wanted all of us to survive. Saeradan looked at me seriously, clasping my shoulder. Candaith didn't seem to know what to do or say, and would not look at me. After a beat, I realized he was going to remain silent and turned away from him, pushing my hurt feelings away. "Follow my lead," I muttered seriously, and took off running.

Of course I had to leave it on a cliff-hanger! What will happen? Will all our characters survive? I had to throw in the "Ford of Bruinen" skirmish; those twins like to get themselves killed whenever I play it haha. Thanks for reading, and take a minute to review if you'd like!