[Mithadan]

The sounds of battle drew near. Mithadan looked back at the door, then at the Hobbits who stood resolutely before him. "So be it," he said. "Maura, take care of these two so that perhaps one day we shall meet again." He looked at Child in grief, knowing that the passage of 70 years was likely before his return to Beleriand and that span of time would likely take her life. "Pio, let us go."

"Pio left a few minutes ago," said Child. "She said to meet her at Idril's house." Mithadan straightened at this, hitting his head on the low ceiling.

"She left alone?" he cried. "I must go. Farewell!" And with that, he turned and exited the burrow. Bird was perched nearby. She leaped into the air, crying "Follow me! Pio has gone already."

They turned west, away from the gate and ran through the streets to the southern part of the city. Bird guided him away from the roving bands of orcs and they made good time. Arriving at the courtyard of Idril's house, Mithadan observed a number of knights set at guard. Several of them bore the emblem of the House of the Mole. A number of orcs lay dead before the steps. Idril stood in the doorway, weeping bitterly.

"My Lady," cried Mithadan. "Are you well? Have you seen Piosenniel?"

"I am well," she responded tearfully. "But Pio..." She pointed to a body lying in the courtyard. Mithadan gasped and raced over to the body. "Pio! Pio! Tell me you yet live! Do not leave us here!" But there was no response. Mithadan cradled the body on his lap and rocked back and forth as tears flowed down his cheeks. Birdland alighted next to them and, to Idril's astonishment, returned to her human form. She knelt next to Mithadan in sadness. As the two mourned, several other knights of the Mole arrived to guard the house. Mithadan looked up at them and remembered where he was and what would soon happen. "Come Bird! We must go!" he cried.

"Without Pio?" asked Bird. "We cannot carry her body with us, " he answered. Idril, who had walked over, laid a hand on Mithadan's shoulder and said "Go. I will have the knights tend to her body. She died valiantly, protecting me from the foul orcs. I will not forget this."

Mithadan rose and staggered towards the house. Bird, taking the form of a crow again perched on his shoulder. "Go through the Secret Way, Mithadan. I will meet you at the far end. I have some business here," she said. He looked over at the Knights of the Mole and back at Bird. He nodded.