[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Farien gasped for breath as she followed Eregiath through the forest. Her arms were aching, but she dared not put Serra down to walk on her own. She might fall, she might get left behind. Farien wouldn't risk her children again. Pausing for a rest in the undergrowth she laid her face on Eregiath's shoulder.

"Quiet, Farien." he whispered. "I hear footsteps." He sent her a flashing smile, and suddenly she heard them too. Footsteps marching to a regular beat. The Soldiers of Gondor were coming for them at last. Farien's eyes lit up, and without letting go of Telmir, Eregiath stooped and kissed her quickly. "It's almost over." he said. "We must go out and meet them."

The footsteps were drawing very close as Farien and Eregiath stumbled out of the bushes onto the wide path in front of them. The first indication that something was wrong was a shrill scream from Arrin. "No, mamma! Orkes!" She sobbed against Farien's neck, as she and Eregiath looked at each other in horror.

The first orc to come around the corner gave a savage yell as he saw them standing in the path. "Tarks! They've escaped!" Eregiath drew the sword he'd stolen from the dead orc in the cave and stood protectively in front of the little group, a desperate light shining in his eyes. The lead orcs rushed at Eregiath and he held them at bay. Three orcs near the back threw large bundles to the ground and rushed to join the fray.

Farien stared at the bundles, as they began to move and wriggle. "Eregiath!" she yelled, "Soldiers!" Without stopping to think she rushed across the space between them and pulled the dead orc's dagger from her belt. The Soldiers' bonds were quickly slit, and those of a young woman who was with them. The girl stood and brushed herself off.

One of the soldiers, who seemed to be wounded in the leg spoke to her. "Go back, Evren. Go tell Fededhor where we are!" he gasped. Farien's eyes widened. There were soldiers nearby? The other soldier clambered to his feet again, giving the girl, Evren, a sharp shove.

"Go! We'll cover you!" He said roughly. Farien turned to where the soldiers were looking. She saw the orcs beginning to overwhelm Eregiath, Telmir lying on the ground near his feet, still pale and cold.

"Take my little boy. Please!" She cried desperately to Evren. "He's hurt, please take him!" With that she threw herself into the fray, stabbing wildly at the orcs with her dagger. She knew it was hopeless, that they'd all be recaptured. But if only the girl could get away. If only the soldiers knew where to find them! In Farien's tired desperate heart, there was a flutter of hope.