XIX

"What are you doing?" Elrohir said, grabbing Legolas's arm.

"Trying to help them!" Legolas said, attempting to worm himself free. "Let go, Roh! It hurts!"

"Lass, stop it! We cannot linger here!"

"They need help!"

"And you will be able to render them aid? To save them?" Esendri said.

"I can try!"

"Not it is not!" Elrohir cried. "Remember the disaster that befell us the last time you tried to help someone?"

"And I doubt I would be alive had Yuvinel not rescued me!" Legolas said.

Esendri ground his teeth in frustration. They were fighting a losing battle. Legolas had set his mind on something, and wild bears could not drag him away from it.

"Lass, please, listen to me! We have a task!"

"Are we not supposed to save Middle-Earth? These people need saving!"

Elrohir tossed his hands up in resignation. "I know not why I bother arguing with you, ernil! Never have I met such a stubborn Elf!"

"Masters, I do not think we have a choice any more," Esendri said, drawing their attention to the foot of the tree they were hidden in.

A small girl of seven was staring up at them. Her eyes were wide with amazement at the strange sight of people in the trees. The Elves stared back, when the girl stuck out her finger and pointed right at them.

"Where is her mother?" Legolas whispered.

"Not that I can see," Esendri said. "Why are we whispering?"

Elrohir started slipping down the tree.

"What are you doing?" Legolas called, but Elrohir ignored him.

Elrohir stooped down next to the girl, and reached out, offering his palm to her. The girl regarded him solemnly for a long while before offering her own hand to him.

"How do you do?"

"My name is Elrohir."

"El --"

"Ro-hir."

"It means Star-knight."

Elrohir glanced up, surprised to see that Legolas was standing behind him, watching with a gentle smile on his face.

"Knight?"

"Ai. It means he is a warrior; a good person."

"Does it mean he is brave?"

"Yes, little one. His is the bravest heart around."

The girl turned to Elrohir. "Then you must be like my Papa. He fought in many battles. Have you been in many battles?"

"Too many."

"I do not like battles."

"Neither do I."

"I think they are scary. Do you fear them?"

"Yes, I do."

"But he just said you were brave, very brave!"

"It does not stop me from fearing the worst will happen to those whom I care for."

"If you care for them, do you love them?"

"Yes."

"What is his name?"

"Legolas."

"It is pretty. Like him. Have you known each other for long?"

"Since he was as big as you are now!" Elrohir said, smiling at Legolas.

The girl giggled. "My name is Rhannîl. It must have been a very long time ago, for I cannot imagine any of you to be small like me, for you are so tall and big and strong!"

"We were all young once," Legolas said.

"When I grow up, I want to be a Knight too! Then I will be able to protect Mama and my brother."

"Your brother?"

"His name is Rhassel. He is my twin. Do you know what that means?"

"Yes." Elrohir's eyes grew misty as he thought of his missing brother.

"It means my brother and I are better than good friends. It means we are one and the same."

"Two halves of a whole."

"Yes!" Rhannîl said. "Are the two of you twins then?"

"No," Elrohir said, laughing.

"But you seem so much like one to me!"

"Nay, little one. We are friends, good friends," Legolas said, hasty in his reply.

"You want to protect your brother?" Elrohir said, after casting another glance at Legolas.

"Yes! My brother was born without the use of his legs, and I need to protect him, and Mama too! Perhaps you can teach me to be a warrior like you are!"

"Perhaps," Legolas said.

"Yay!" Rhannîl cheered, showing exuberance for the first time. "What happened to your other friend?"

The pair turned and saw that Esendri had melted away while they had been talking to the girl.

"Where is Esendri?" Legolas said.

"Here, Legolas," Esendri said, appearing again.

"Where have you been? Rhannîl, meet Esendri!"

"Legolas, this is no time for fun and games! Eilwar thinks --"

At this point Legolas let out a rather undignified exclamation which drove Elrohir into a sniggering fit.

"What?" Rhannîl said, for she had not understood a word of their exchange. "Are you foreign? I thought you spoke funny, but didn't realise you spoke a whole different language!"

"We are from far away, little one," Elrohir gasped when he had contained himself.

" -- Lord Eilwar can go stick his head in a bag of dung for all I care --"

"Lass tithen, your father will not be pleased to hearing you speak thusly!" Elrohir said.

"What did he just say and why would his father not like it?"

Elrohir laughed. "He said something not very nice about our companion."

"We should go," Esendri said. "Night is falling fast and many miles remain to be covered."

"Will you not come to my house and meet Mama and Rhassel?"

"I am sorry, but we cannot linger," Esendri said.

Rhannîl's face fell, and her eyes dropped. But not before the Elves caught the look of abject disappointment and fear.

"Oh. I thought maybe you could save us."

"From what?" Legolas said, already intrigued.

"Nothing."

Legolas reached out and touched her arm. "Tell me,"

"Our home has come under attack by a scary creature, and that's why we were forced to flee!"

Elrohir and Esendri closed in, their interests piqued in spite of their misgivings.

"What was this creature like?" Legolas said.

"It was a huge monster that breathes flames!"

Blue eyes caught stormy-grey ones in sudden comprehension.

"I taur --the forest --."

Elrohir nodded his approval, and was rewarded by a grateful smile from Legolas.

"When did this monster attack?" Legolas said.

"A few days ago. It burnt down many houses, but not ours. We have been hiding in the forest since, but are going back now."

"Perhaps you can bring us back to your village?"

"Legolas!" Esendri cried.

"Peace, Esendri," Elrohir said, holding his arm.

"I fail to understand why you keep indulging his whims!"

Rhannîl stared up at the Elves, fascinated. "The sound of your words are so pretty!"

"Take us to your mother, Rhannîl," Legolas said.

Esendri let out an exasperated sigh and his shoulders slumped forward in defeat as Rhannîl took Elrohir's hand and motioned for them to follow her back to the village.

*****
Sindarin Translations:
Ernil - prince