"I am sorry father," 

Haleth hid among the shadows, watching the torchlight square. At the far end, she could see several heads on spikes silhouetted against the night's sky. Nearby were some outlaws guarding the entrance to a ruined building. Shrouded in darkness, she crept around the outside of the square till she had almost made it to where the heads were impaled. Looking up at them, she almost let out a cry as she saw her father's rotting head almost within reaching distance. Breathing deeply, she composed herself and surveyed her surroundings.

The guards were now behind her, if she could just reach out she could slip off her father's head unseen, then silently slip back into the shadows. But a scream stopped her in her tracks. A young Dúnedain maiden was dragged into the square by two Dunlendings, closely followed by a man dressed in red and black robes, his face covered and Haldar dressed the same. The Dunlendings threw her to the ground. "She tried to escape again, master," said one of them.

"How many times it now, Angnith, three, four, you know you will be caught, why even try?" said Haldar.

"Because, perhaps just once, I might be lucky enough to escape or be killed trying. Now kill me and get it over with," replied Angnith defiantly.

Haldar pulled the girl up to him. "Oh no, no, no, we do not kill our precious women. I have something better in mind for you. You are young, strong and clever, not to mention fair of form. I shall take you to wife this very night and you will bear me powerful sons who will serve Melkor faithfully," said Haldar.

Angnith spat in his face, "I shall never be one of your wives and I am too young to be wed to anyone, I do not come of age for two years," she sneered.

"What do I care for Dúnedain law? You have your moon blood, I do not need to wait. And you should be honoured I only pick the best women for my harem. Kirol, we shall perform the ceremony now," ordered Haldar.

"NO! I rather die than be wed by force!" Angnith screamed.

"As I said, you are too precious to kill and I see no Dúnedain warriors here to save you, they are all cowering in their holes. Kirol, put my mark upon her first," said Haldar. Kirol drew out from his robes a sharp stick and a bag of dark powder. "Hold her still while the priest gives her my mark," commanded Haldar. Haleth could take it no longer, Angnith's screams and curses filled the air as she fought for all she was worth, while the Priest tried to apply the tattoo to her arm.

Haleth looked up at the rotting head, "I am sorry, father," she whispered. Then came out of the shadows, her weapon drawn. "You will not touch her brother!" she shouted. Haldar turned towards her in surprise, then an evil smirk formed across his face.

"Haleth, my dear sister, what a pleasant surprise. My servant failed to dispatch you, it seems. No matter, perhaps as head of the family I should have you wed also," said Haldar. He turned to the priest. "Is my sister not comely Kirol? If she survives this little spat, you can take her to do with as you please," said Haldar. "Muffled laughter," came from behind the covered face.

"Do not worry sister, will not cut your face, I would not want to spoil Kirol's pleasure," said Haldar, drawing his blade.

"This is between you and me, brother, and only one of us will walk away!" shouted Haleth.

Haldor laughed, "As you wish, little sister." His face grew serious. "Take the girl to my chambers and mark her, I will deal with her after," he ordered as the two siblings began their duel. Angnith fought and kicked as the Dunlendings dragged her towards the entrance of the ruined building, followed by the priest. Suddenly, two arrows pierced through the chests of the Dunlendings. They dropped to the floor, releasing Angnith from their grasp as they fell.

At once, she searched their bodies, pulling out a large knife. "Come one more step towards me and I'll drive this through your throat," she threatened. The priest laughed and ran over to a nearby bell, which he rang. Until Márafea sprang up behind him, slicing his throat with one of her blades. She approached the crouching girl, helping Angnith to her feet.

"There will be more of them soon, can you take us to where the prisoners are kept?" she asked.

"Aye, my Lady" replied Angnith.

"Good, Elladan, Elrohir, go with her and release the prisoners and get them out of here, there will be more outlaws to deal with soon enough," she said. The two brothers appeared from the shadows.

"This way," said Angnith leading them away from the square.

In the Square, as the rest of the company took on the remaining outlaws and Dunlendings, Haleth and Haldar duelled, unaware of the Melle taking place around them. She could hear the clashing of blades and the shouts of men, but her focus was upon avenging her father and staying alive. Haldar matched Haleth's every move. For a moment it was as if they were children in the copse again, fighting with practice sticks as her father looked on. "Agh" she cried out as Haldar's blade cut into her shoulder, the pain was excruciating, but at that moment she thought she heard her father's voice calling out to her, "The chest, drive it into his chest, it is the only way."

Haleth dropped to her knees, weak from the pain and loss of blood, "You fought bravely sister, but not well enough. Our father trained you to be my executioner, he failed in that too. But you can tell him yourself now, I shall despatch you quickly, for mercy's sake," said Haldar, preparing to make the killing blow. But Haleth was ready for him. A moment's pause was all it took for her to drive the sword through Haldar's chest. In shock, he sank to the ground, the blade having done its work slid from his body. Haldar's eyes were still wide open, Haleth took hold of him and wept.

"I am sorry, I had to," she cried. A look of peace came over Haldar's face.

"Father always said that blade was for me, he was right," he whispered as the light left his eyes. Haleth howled to the sky as the battle continued around her, but none on Middle Earth heard her cries. After the enemy was defeated, Borion found Haleth slumped over the body of her brother, her blade upon the ground. He dropped to the ground, cradling her in his arms.

"Haleth, do not go, I need you. I love you, stay with me," he begged.

Haleth opened her eyes and smiled through her pain. "It will take more than a shoulder wound to get rid of me," she whispered.

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Haleth sat up in her bed. "I am to be sent to Bree, with the women and children?" she complained.

"You are too badly injured to come with us to Annúminas. Someone will need to be in charge of those going to Bree and take the prisoners to headquarters. You will lead our people home with honour once it is safe to do so. Now finish your stew, you need your strength," said Ronil.

"I've let you down, I've let father down. I could not rescue his head and help Angnith too," said Haleth.

Ronil shook his head, "No Lass, you did the right thing. What your father would have wanted you to do. Thanks to you and the Regent's company, Angnith and the other prisoners have been reunited with their families."

"You said us when you talked about Annúminas, tell me you are not going with them," said Haleth. Ronil smiled sadly. "I am going with the advance party, we will be gone by the time you wake," he whispered.

Haleth felt drowsy, "Ronil, what have you done?" she asked.

Ronil took the bowl from her. "Rest lass, you must help our people prepare for their journey south, they will need you in the morning."

"Please don't, must I lose you too?" cried Haleth, but the drowse in the stew overtook her and she fell into a deep sleep. Ronil kissed her forehead.

"Farewell, my dear, I will send your regards to your father," he said. As he rose to leave Haleth's chamber, Borion met him at the entrance. "She is sleeping, it is best you leave her. You will only hurt her more if you have to say goodbye," said Ronil.

"I am not coming to Annúminas, the elders asked for volunteers to protect the refugees and guard the prisoners. I've gone to the Black Gate of Mordor, walked the paths of the dead, may no one say I am craven. Like Haleth, I am all that is left of my family. My war is over, my place is to protect my people," said Borion. Ronil placed his hand upon Gurunam's shoulder.

"You and Haleth are the future of the Dúnedain. When the realm is restored, it will be up to you and yours to remember what happened here. To tell the stories of those of us who will not return. Protecting the ones you love is never craven, take care of Haleth for me," said Ronil.

"You are going with the Regents?" asked Borion. "I go to meet my doom," replied Ronil.

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Thranduil and Márafea assisted each other with their plate armour. "Do I make a good valet, Mime Melda?" he asked playfully.

Márafea smiled, "When you do not let your hands wander."

"I've dressed Kings in armour I'll have you know, I was personal valet to King Thingol as a youth, when I lived in Doriath, an envious position," said Thranduil.

"What was he like in those days?" asked Márafea.

"He was very wise, told me much about Valinor, though my father disapproved of such tales. But, he changed, when that accursed gem came into the realm," said Thranduil.

"You mean the Silmaril, did you see it?" asked Márafea.

"Yes, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Long did I yearn to reach out and touch it, but something always held me back. How could something so pure and beautiful cause so much grief and destruction?" said Thranduil. Márafea helped Thranduil with his own plate armour, "hmm not bad, perhaps I should dispense with Padir," he joked.

"I hope the advance party made it to the river safely," said Márafea.

"I am sure they did, Ronil seems very capable. Elladan, Elrohir and the Dwarves have gone with them," said Thranduil.

"Well, we had better see the refugees off safely, it was a good idea of yours to send the horses and ponies back with them. I had a good talk with Durgilroch, he promised to behave," said Márafea.

"We will see, that horse cannot pass a mare without trying to mount her. Perhaps we should but him out to stud when we return. Let him sew those wild oats of his," said Thranduil.

"Perhaps that would be wise, Mime Melda, I am sure his sires will be a great addition to our livestock," said Márafea.

Thranduil smirked, "Yes, my thoughts exactly, Mime Melda,"

When Márafea had finished, Thranduil placed his hands upon her shoulders, a serious look upon his face. "Thorwen, swear to me now, that if I command you to stand down, for any reason. You will obey me, for Nínimiel's sake. I will not have her grow up motherless, as Legolas did," he said.

"If that is what you wish, Thurindaer, but surely it will not come to that," said Márafea.

"Even so, Thorwen, I would have you swear," said Thranduil.

"Then I swear, I shall retreat if you order it," replied Márafea.

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There was much confusion amongst the vast crowd, fathers and sons were bidding farewell to their distraught families. Paled children blinked in the sunlight, having not been above ground for many months. Some with the dark haired, grey eyed features typical of the Dúnedain. Prisoners stood, heads bowed and chained, led away by guards who had volunteered for the task. Mothers calmly ushered their wailing children away, encouraging them to keep quiet as those who had agreed to escort them to Bree began to gently herd the people away from the remaining warriors. The remaining Knights stood in their shining armour, mocked a little by some of the older Dúnedain. Many who had spent the days before, cleaning, de-rusting and un-denting their armour that had been passed down to them over many generations. Now it was worn again with great pride.

Haleth then blew her horn, her arm in a sling. She rode Durgilroch his white star shining brightly in the grey morning light. The crowd was silent. "May your journey be a safe one," called Márafea.

"And yours too," replied Haleth.

"You should watch that horse, he can be a bit of a handful," called Thranduil.

"I will," Haleth replied. She then sang a song that Márafea remembered her mother singing long ago. A song of the King returning and the Dúnedain coming home. As she joined in with the rest of the Dúnedain, her mind went back to the great hall of Duincar, of her mother, father and grandmother of Halbarad, Labes, Tolben, and of Rodon. As they sang, the great crowd then made its way slowly south towards the north road. Not until they could no longer hear its voices did they turn their thoughts westward.