They fell back against a tree and breathing hard and stopping for only a moment. The one who was hunting him was relentless. He looked up as he heard footsteps. He swallowed hard and took off running once more hearing their chaser close behind. He just had to get a bit further away from them and he'll be safe within the border. They just had to get a bit further away.

He fell over though pain flaring through their leg. He looked down and saw a dagger penetrating through their ankle. He hissed softly as they sat up and pulled the dagger out. He looked up and see the attacker standing above them. He scrambled to their feet as fast they could and take off running with a slow limp. However, they were too slow as their attacker grabbed their wrist and yanked them back.

He cried out in pain and turns to lash out with the dagger. The blade doesn't make any contact since their opponent moved back quickly and let go of their wrist. Once he was free he turned and ran once again but quickly came to a sharp stop as they came to a cliff. He looked down then quickly behind them as they saw their opponent quickly approaching them. He turned and looked back at the drop, he swallowed and closed his eyes and jump.

Their attacker cursed as they stopped at the edge of the cliff. They turned around and said, "We lost them."

"Yes. I can see that," came the calm reply from the shadows.

"Yeah. There is no way they could have not have survi-" but they were stopped midsentence by a sword that suddenly appeared in their chest. They blinked in shock as they looked at the figure who was right by them. The figure covered their mouth and said, "Do not take this personally but our boss and I do not like failures."

They withdrew their sword and let the body fall onto the ground. "Shame. I was starting to like you," they said. They took care of the body and then look down and saw two elves bending down by their lost prey. They sighed and shook his head. He gave a short whistle and a hooded figure came out of the shadows and nodded.

"Well. This should be fun for you. Take care of the elf and if anyone gets in the way...take them or stop them." He ordered. "When you are finished come and meet me. I'll be just outside of the eastern border of Lothlorien. The figure bowed their head and started walked into the treeline that headed down to the bottom of the cliff. Once they were gone and out of sight he turned around and headed back into the forest.

~~~

"How are they?" Ask Glorfindel looking to Elrond who sat back with a tired sigh.

"They will live," Elrond replied as he dried his hands on a cloth and looked at the unconscious elf that was in the bed breathing softly. Their long hair was matted and dirty as well was the rest of them. They were covered in mud, grass stains, as well as dried bloodstains. They had a bunch of broken bones as well as wounds that covered their arms, legs, and a few bad scratches over their face. On top of all of that, they just looked exhausted beyond any measure.

"Who do you think they are?" Glorfindel then asked.

"They seem to be from Mirkwood," Elrond said. "Yet, I can not be sure."

"I can send them a letter if you want," Glorfindel said. "After all you are already busy with getting ready to leave to Valinor."

"Thank you," Elrond said. He gave a slight look to the sleeping elf and said, "But I may wait to go...I want to be sure they are alright."

"Elrond. Your sons are great healers, I am sure they will be able to handle it." Glorfindel said.

"I know. I just want to be sure they'll be alright." Elrond said.

"You and your soft heart," Glorfindel said with a smile. He then put a hand on Elrond's shoulder. "Fine then if you want to wait to leave then alright. Yet, at least go get some rest you have been awake for awhile helping them."

"I am fine," Elrond said as he moved the blond-haired elf's hand away. He then looked at the dagger that was laying on the table by the bed. Neither he nor Glorfindel recognized the design or could figure out who made it. He just hoped that when the elf woke up they could explain what was going on.

Elrond must have fallen asleep since when he opened his eyes a blanket was laid over him and the moon was shining in through the curtains. He blinked sleepily and rubbed his face a bit before he looked over at the elf who was still asleep. He brushed some hair out of his face as he moved over and looked at the bandages. They looked fine but he assumed he'll have to change them in the morning.

"Oh. You're awake," A voice said by the door. He turned and smiled when he saw Elrohir standing there.

"Yes. I take it you have been keeping an eye on them," He said gesturing to the sleeping elf. His son nodded as he came over and put a tray on the table.

"Yeah, Glorfindel told us that you were tired and suggested that we offer our assistance." Elrohir explained.

"I see," Elrond replied shaking his head slightly at his old friend's antics. "Where is Elladan?" Elrond then asked after a few moments.

"He's talking with Glorfindel," Elrohir replied.

"Alright," Elrond said. "It's good to have you back, I am sorry you are pulled right in to help without any time to rest."

"It's fine Atar," Elrohir replied after Elrond let go of him from a tight hug. "We don't mind helping, besides it looks like that elf needs it."

"Yes...it does," Elrond said with a soft sigh.

"Atar. Why don't you go say hi to Elrohir and then rest until morning. I have this if anything happens I'll come to get you," His son urged.

"Alright," Elrond agreed slightly reluctantly. Yet, he did leave the room as Elrohir sat down by the elf and settled down. Elrohir sat there for only a few moments before he saw the elf twist a bit and let out a soft moan. He sat up quickly as he turned to the elf who shifted a bit more and opened their eyes slowly.

"Easy," Elrohir said softly as blinked. They sat up too quickly and looked around wildly but gripped their side and grunted in pain.

"Where...where am I?" The elf asked slowly in a pained voice. "Did I...did I make to Rivendell?"

"Yes. I am Elrohir, now please lay back down." He said softly. The elf slowly laid back down and let out a long breath.

"What's your name?" Elrohir asked keeping his voice soft and gentle just as he saw his father always does when he's talking with frightened patients.

"I am Talath," He said slowly.

"Nice to meet you," Elrohir said. "Are you from Mirkwood?"

"Yes," He answered. "I was sent to...." his voice just trailed off as he swallowed hard.

"Take your time," Elladan said. "It's alright. You're safe, just rest right now. You can tell me later,"

"No...I have to tell you now..." Talath said as he struggled to sit up once again. He looked at Elrohir with a fearful expression and said, "I was sent to the gray heavens since a group from Mirkwood was supposed to send a letter back telling us about when the next ships were leaving. Yet, we never got anything so I was sent to see what happened. Yet, I never made it...I...half way there I stopped to rest and I found...I found a few remains of that group. Some scraps of clothes and a necklace."

He stopped for a few moments to breathe he continued on, "Then the next thing I knew I was being chased by this hunter. I tried to fight them off but...that thing was far better then I am. I know it killed the group."

He finished and shivered and Elrohir put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's alright. You are safe now, just rest here. I will tell my father this, we'll help you out." He said. Talath nodded his thanks as he moved back and laid down fully again and closed his eyes. Elrohir poured some water for the elf before he left. Once he did he instantly when to speak with his father.

~~~

After the quick meeting telling his father, Glorfindel, and Elladan what Talath told him, Elrohir headed back to the healer's wing. Elladan told him he'll be there to keep him company in a little bit but Elrohir didn't mind. He knew his twin will be around shortly just like always.

Elrohir came to a short stop outside the healer's wing as he heard a thud. He opened the door and froze for a moment. There was a hooded figure standing above Talath with a bloodied dagger. Elrohir's hand moved quickly to the dagger he kept on him as he opened his mouth to call out. Yet, before he could he was slammed against the wall with a hand pressed over his mouth. Elrohir struggled as he was pinned to the wall tightly. Yet, the struggling was all for nothing whoever was holding him there was too strong. Elrohir felt his head going light and he had to think quickly. He tried to move the arm with the dagger but it was slammed to the wall causing the dagger to drop.

He grunted as his eyes start to flutter close from a lack of air. As he felt himself grow limp he was moved to the ground. A cloth was stuffed against his face as he was turned and pressed against the floor. He felt his hands being tied behind him and then his feet. He shifted a bit and looked up. The last thing he saw was his father and brother standing there with a shocked expression. Then...nothing.