[Ransom]

Elrohir peered out the door. The mysterious visitor had disappeared, leaving only a small scroll on the threshold of the door. He broke the seal and quickly skimmed the first few lines of the message. The information contained therein would require his further attention. However, the sun was waning, and Elrohir desired to dine with his brother. He slipped the scroll into his robe before locking the door behind him. Packing could wait.

This time, finding his brother was relatively easy. Elrohir simply followed the sound of his laughter to one of the small audience halls near the stables. Meneciriel was conversing with Elladin about their newest traveling companion. It didn’t take long for him to remember the name of the explosively joyous elf that was seemed to talk circles around his older brother. Fanelen. One of the elves that could control the natural elements. But that was a matter for later.

Elrohir decided to take the risk of inviting his traveling companions to dine with him. He emerged from the shadows and clapped twice, instantly catching the attention of the three elves in the center of the room. “My friends, the day grows late and my stomach grows empty. Shall we dine together once before we leave?”