[Airerûthiel]

Fingil's words sent relief flooding back into Torfithien's whole body. She had been tempted to follow him, certain that he had plunged to his death, but the fact that he had survived the drop lifted a great weight from her shoulders. All she could do was hope that he would still be alive when he left the caverns of Moria.

Even so she was still tempted to go after the three who had fallen. The way Elladan had grabbed her and pulled her to safety was a sure sign the band of male Elves regarded her as weak. She did not struggle as the group walked away from the yawning chasm, but nonetheless a plan was beginning to form in her mind as she glanced back at the hole in the floor.

Led by Elrohir, those that were left made their way swiftly through the network of tunnels. Behind her Torfithien could hear the sounds of Orcs' breathing and running feet, growing rapidly fainter as she hurried after the rest. She gripped the handle of her long knife, and chose to bide her time. In her dreams the previous night she had seen a great battle below ground, but who would be victorious she could not say. There was a sense of a growing storm, as though their finding Celebrian would result in some terrible tragedy.

Suddenly she stopped running. Her ears picked up on a faint, weak voice. It was still very far off, but she could make out enough of it to know who it was. Should she tell the others? The worry on the faces of her friend's sons was apparent - they were almost tempted to give up the quest. But they needed to know what she had discovered. It was only right.

She approached them swiftly. "Elrohir, Elladan, I have something to tell you. I believe I heard your mother's voice far off in the tunnels." She gestured vaguely in the direction the sound had come from. "If we hurry, we might find her before another day has passed."

The two brothers nodded curtly at the female Elf and then turned back to their discussion. Unnoticed by any that remained, Torfithien turned on her heels and slipped back down the tunnels alone.

It was pitch-black in the passages. She could barely find the marks to tell her the way back, and had to retrace her steps several times at first. As her eyes grew used to the darkness, she was able to pick out the way towards where the rockfall had occured. Her ears listened out intently for the movement of Orcs, and she never took her hand from the handle of her knife in case she was attacked. Living with three older brothers had told her to be wary of everything and everyone.

Eventually she found the chasm. It yawned wide before her, like an enormous mouth waiting to swallow her up. She gulped audibly, trying to summon the courage to jump. It was a long time in coming, but when it did fill her she knew she had no choice. Inhaling a lungful of dusty air, she swayed for a moment, and then dropped into the pit.

The fall was brief but turbulent. She landed with a thump on the ground, stood up and looked around. There was only one way they could possibly have gone. She glanced at the mark on the wall, and then set off after the three male Elves. They were probably deep inside the mine by now, but she would find them. It was only a matter of time.