Chapter eleven
The now darkening sky became covered with grey clouds, which came rolling in from the east. The harsh 
winds whipped Lomadia's hair as she and Ireth galloped through the woodland. Tathiel, still unsure of Ireth 
was not overly keen to take her to the borders of Anbrethil, and was still untrusting no matter what Lomadia 
said. The growing blanket of thick clouds thundered above them and soon small silver drops of cold rain fell 
from the sky and began to beat down on the two travellers below. Ireth raised her eyes to sky, rapidly blinking 
the raindrops away. It proved difficult to see through the thick curtain of falling water. 
"We will not be able to travel much longer in this weather," She shouted over the sound of the pouring rain, 
"A storm is brewing above us." 
Lomadia barely heard Ireth speak as her hair lashed at her face. "We can seek shelter in the trees. They will 
provide some protection from the wind and rain." 
Tathiel didn't wait for her mistress's command before heading towards the woodland. As she ran, thick 
puddles of mud splashed up about her hooves and stained her perfectly white coat. Her silver mane and tail 
flew behind her in thick strands of knotted hair. The ground almost seemed to swallow the company as they 
rode across the fields. 
Finally they reached the woodland, and sought shelter under the tallest tree they could find. Dismounting, 
Lomadia and Ireth wrapped their arms about themselves in a vain attempt to protect themselves from the 
strong winds that found their way in and out of the trees. Tathiel lay down beside the base of the tree and 
curled up as best she could. Lomadia looked out into the fields.
"This storm will last a long time. We cannot ride any further through that rain. We will have to wait here." 
Lomadia shivered as a gush of wind blew from behind her, almost freezing the back of her neck. Ireth 
remained silent. She hoped the storm would pass soon so they could continue their journey. She had to find 
the elves. But it was going to be a long wait.
*****************************
Rain pelted down into the fields, forming huge puddles. The three elves lay on the watery grass, almost 
consumed by the mud. Legolas's eyes snapped open, but closed instantly almost blinded by the hard raindrops 
that came speeding down from the clouds above. Using his elbow to prop himself upright, he shielded his 
eyes with his hand and tried to look into the distance. Cruel winds whipped his now tattered hair across his 
cheek. Turning slightly, Legolas staggered to his feet and headed towards where he thought Isorfir and 
Aniond were resting. 
"Aniond!" Legolas called out, the sound of his voice almost swallowed by the rain. A high pitched whinny 
replied and was soon followed by the three stallions. They reared wildly as another crack of thunder echoed in 
the sky and a flash of white lightning light up the now black clouds. The stallions cried out frantically and 
nuzzled against the elf nearly knocking off his feet. 
"Isorfir!" Legolas called out again. His calls proved fruitful as he soon heard a faint call in reply. 
"Legolas!" Aniond shouted over the rain. The shadowy figures of Aniond and Isorfir soon came into view and 
Legolas made his way towards them, dragging the stallions through the mud as he went. Seeing their masters, 
two of the stallions ran forward towards the two struggling elves, whinnying loudly. The elves mounted and 
managed to regroup despite the wind. Not to far away they could hear the River Airabeth roaring fiercely in 
its stony bed. 
"We cannot stay here. We have to find shelter somewhere." Aniond practically shouted at Legolas. 
Legolas strained his eyes and looked around him. "The woods are behind us, it will be almost impossible to 
find them." 
"If we follow the river it should lead us there. It is not far, I can hear it. Aniond's right we cannot stay here." 
Isorfir answered. Legolas wasn't up to arguing. He wanted to find shelter as soon as possible; they needed to 
get out of the rain. He nodded and the company headed towards the sound of the River Airabeth. 
It was difficult to see where they were going, the wind and the rain almost blinded them, and the ground 
below was slippery causing the horses to slip every so often. The sound of roaring water grew louder and 
louder. They were getting close now. Very close. Too close.
Suddenly the ground gave way, almost dragging the horses down with it. A wave of chilling water flew up 
from below them and crashed about the horses' sides. Desperately trying to fight the speeding winds and 
fearsome waters the horses jumped backwards only to be greeted by another wave of icy water. The second 
gush of water took the horses by surprise and they were pushed back onto the now flooded field. The riders 
were thrown from their saddles and landed flat on their back, gasping for air. The waves over took their 
bodies and they were submerged in the freezing water, being swept this way and that. Fear filled Legolas 
heart as he was pushed down by another raging wave. The cries of the stallions could barely be heard over the 
crashing of waves and any sound made by the elves was drowned out. Legolas's vision was blurred and his 
ears ached at the sound of bashing waves and stones scrapping together. Using every once of strength in his 
body he pulled himself forward, gasping for breath whenever he could. Mud plastered itself against Legolas's 
skin and clothes, only to be washed away by incoming waves. Legolas heaved himself forward for what 
seemed like years, fighting the rushing waters. His head swam and his limbs pained him. The faint cry of the 
horses rang in Legolas's sensitive ears and he found himself grabbing hold of some sort of rope and being 
pulled forward. He felt himself being pulled away from the pain of the crashing waves only to be exposed to 
the rain again. The raindrops felt like needles scratching into his face. Looking up, he saw the dripping face of 
his faithful stallion peering down at him, in his hands he held the reins, fearful to let go should he be swept 
away again. His head felt heavy and tired. His thoughts were a blur, but he found himself calling out to his 
companions, still struggling to breathe in the harsh waters. Using the reins, Legolas pulled himself to his feet 
and slumped onto his horses back, not once ceasing to call to his friends. For a split second he thought he 
heard someone calling. Crying for help. Legolas's eyes frantically searched the mass of water and stones 
flying about in front of him, but everything merged together. He felt dizzy. Like he was spinning 
uncontrollably. His stomach churned and his head swan violently. Everything seemed to grow darker, quieter. 
Figures ran past him, horses. Dark horses in a world of darkness. Calling. Crying. Crying through the 
darkness. And a scream. A piercing scream. Legolas forced himself to look up. Wind whipped his hair about 
his face, rain pelted down onto his skin, and a scream filled his ears. Legolas tried to call out, but no words 
escaped his lips. The scream. The haunting scream could pierce any soul. And then, just before giving in to 
the fear and the coldness, Legolas realised. Isorfir. 
 
Chapter twelve
After spending a rough night under the boughs of a tree, Lomadia and Ireth emerged from the woods, their 
hair plastered to their faces. Tathiel snorted loudly, her deep brown eyes showed her annoyance and tiredness. 
The tree had provided little protection from the freezing winds and falling rain; therefore causing her to spent 
the night lying huddled up in a puddle. Lomadia smiled, amused at her steed's actions. Ireth fought back a 
giggle and squeezed the rainwater from her dark knotted hair. 
The travellers trudged across the flooded fields, almost ankle deep in mud. It would be impossible to ride in 
these fields; the extra weight would only make Tathiel sink even deeper into the ground. 
"If you travelled all the way from Mirkwood to Anbrethil," Lomadia started, "then why didn't you think to 
bring a horse of your own. It certainly wouldn't have taken you so long and it would have been easier, that is 
unless you were planning on stealing someone else's horse all the while?"
Ireth blushed at Lomadia's remark and patted Tathiel on the neck, much to Tathiel's disapproval. "I did have a 
horse, a fine chestnut mare named Tasartir. We travelled to the border together, and that was when we were 
ambushed. Forest guards found our camp and attacked us by surprise. I was lucky to escape, in fact, if it 
hadn't have been for the cover of night I would be in a cell right now, or worse. The guards followed Tasartir 
as she ran away while I hid amongst the shadows. I haven't seen her since. My heart weeps for her. I only 
hope she escaped safely."
Lomadia looked at the floor and Tathiel nudged her in the back at the sudden fear of becoming lost like 
Tasartir. Lomadia turned and brushed her fingers through Tathiel's mane. Seeing the sorrow in Ireth's eyes 
Lomadia spoke again, this time changing the subject. 
"So you wish to find your companions so you can help them find and heal Eloith?"
Ireth looked at Lomadia suspiciously. "Yes. I am bringing more herbs and medicine for the army, or what is 
left of it." Ireth paused and looked at the floor, as if thinking. "Unfortunately the herbs were in Tasartir's 
saddle bag and Tasartir is no longer with me, so I will prove to be little help to them. You know an awful lot 
above the goings on of my companions. Why is that?"
"When I helped them escape the city, they told most of what there was to tell. I worked the rest of it out for 
myself."
Ireth raised an eyebrow, showing her disbelief. "You mean to tell me, that they told you, a guard of the City 
of Anbrethil, the purpose of their travels by their own free will?" 
"Oh, I am not a guard for the city." Lomadia smirked. Did she really look like a forest guard rather than a lady 
of the palace? Her father wouldn't be pleased to hear that particular statement. "Nay, I am not guard," 
Lomadia repeated, "I am from the palace. My father is the Lord Athnamion of Anbrethil." Her smile faded. 
"He should be very disappointed if he saw my now." She said to herself rather than to Ireth.
Ireth didn't answer, but starred at Lomadia in shock and disbelief. Could it be that the daughter of her enemy 
had gained the trust of a company of elves and had gone against the wishes father and helped them escape the 
royal dungeons? And now she was doing the same for her? But if Legolas knew that she was of the royal 
family, than why in the Valar would he tell about Eloith? Suddenly Lomadia stopped and turned to face Ireth. 
Her face was stern and serious.
"You think I am lying don't you?" she folded her arms across her chest and waited for an answer.
Ireth paused. "I only find it hard to believe that Legolas would put Eloith at such a risk like that."
"There is no risk." Lomadia couldn't help but raise her voice slightly.
"But you descend from Anbrethil. Your city carries hatred for my kin. I don’t understand why he would 
willingly tell you all this."
"It's complicated." Lomadia finished the conversation and walked on in silence. Ireth paused before 
following. What did she mean by 'complicated'? Ireth continued to trudge through the field, pondering over 
Lomadia's last words.
*****************************
Pain. An aching pain. Legolas slowly opened his deep blue eyes. They stung terribly. He closed them quickly, 
but that only made the stinging worse. He groaned and raised his hands to his face, but he couldn't bring 
himself to move. Every muscle in his body screamed out at him, so instead he lay still on the wet floor. He 
was lying in a puddle. He could feel the cold water against his skin. Everything was so quiet. Peacefully quiet. 
Worryingly quiet. There was no sound whatsoever. No birds. No crickets. No insects. Even the plants were 
silent. They didn't whisper to him like they normally did. Legolas opened his eyes, ignoring the stinging pain. 
Above him he saw the blue sky. A calm blue sky, not a cloud in sight. It was over. The storm had gone. 
Moved on. The air smelt fresher. Legolas shifted. He was still very wet, and his clothes were ripped and torn 
from where he had been thrown about and scraped against stones the night before. The night before. The 
storm. The scream. What happened?
*****************************
FLASHBACK 
The waves beat down on the limp bodies struggling to survive. Loose stones from the riverbed were flung 
forward, grazing flesh, ripping clothes. Wind whistled cruelly over the surface of the flooding river, as if 
mocking the trapped elves below. Wave after wave came crashing down, pushing the elves beneath the 
surface, and pressing them against the ground. The stallions whinnied desperately, running back and forth 
searching for their riders. The thick curtain of rain almost blinded them. Every now and again a cry for help 
was heard above the waves, before being swallowed by the water again. Keen ears picked up the sounds of 
distressed voices amongst the whirling pools of water. Suddenly, a stallion leapt forward into the waves as far 
as it could go without being swept over, whinnying frantically. After a few moments of waving it's head 
around wildly, it started to trudge backwards, pulling the limp form of an elf along with it. Pulling its rider 
away from the danger of the water, the stallion grunted and snorted, blinking the cold raindrops from its eyes. 
Legolas lay on the wet grass, gasping for precious air he had been denied whilst in the water. The two 
remaining horses continued to search the wild water, their hearts filled with fear for their riders. Winds grew 
stronger and harsher, the waves fiercer and faster. After hoisting himself onto his steed's back, Legolas had 
not the energy to stay awake and slipped into unconsciousness. The other elves would not last much longer if 
they were not found soon. The chill air was filled with a sudden scream of agony and fear, and was carried 
away on the wind. The horses cried out loudly and dove into the waves, so as the water was crashing at their 
sides. Fighting their way through the still raging waves, the horses called out in a desperate attempt to find the 
drowning elves. A pair of arms wrapped themselves around one of the stallion's necks, and grabbed hold of 
the mane tightly. Aniond pulled his head above the surface of the water, sucking in a mouthful of cold air. 
Holding its head up high, the stallion turned and fought its way back to safety. Once a fair distance away from 
the river, Aniond released his grip on his stallion's neck and fell to the ground in bittersweet unconsciousness. 
The stallion then returned to the water, leaving Legolas and Aniond in the protection of the third horse. 
Thunder boomed in the black sky and a flash of lightning lit up the clouds, revealing a dark crimson liquid 
mixing with the roaring waves. The stallions almost lost all hope for their lost rider as the blood stained their 
sides. Another clap of lightning reflected on the angry river below, lighting up what seemed like the battered 
body of an elf being tossed about the waves and taken down stream. A stallion cried out in fear and despair, 
before leaping from the waves onto the grass and disappearing into the night.
END FLASHBACK
*****************************
Legolas struggled to sit up, his arms failed to hold him up right and he slumped back down into the muddy 
puddle. He felt something push at his back, something warm. Tilting his head to the side, he saw his faithful 
stallion looking down at him and gently nuzzling his bruised back. A small smile stretched over his face and 
he raised a hand to stroke the tattered forehead. Turning his head he searched the muddy field for his 
companions. Aniond lay near by, his stallion watching over him, but Isorfir couldn't be seen anywhere. 
Legolas's stomach tightened as he recalled the cries from last night. His heart sank deep in his chest and he 
feared the worst. Glancing over his shoulder, Legolas could see the River Airabeth flowing calmly down 
stream, stones and pebbles were scattered across a new river bank, created by the storm. Painful tears rolled 
down Legolas's ivory skin and glistened in the morning light. Aniond sat up beside Legolas and wept silently, 
their minds sharing the same thoughts. The two elves hung their heads low in mourning for the loss of their 
dearest friend.