[Airerûthiel]

Torfithien gazed down her second arrow with the air of a seasoned warrior as she quickly got her back against that of another of the party - she was not sure who, for inside the cave it was too dark for even the keen eyes of Elves to make out much. The approaching troll grunted with a sound like that of distant thunder, its footsteps shaking the very earth beneath her feet as it slowly came closer.

The hairs stood up on the back of the Elf's neck as she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth. She had always prided herself of never confessing to being afraid, and although her deepest innermost desire was to scream out loud, she refused to damage her reputation now. Her bowstring quivered with the tension as she breathed out slowly, keeping as still as she could. Around her she could just make out the glint of many arrows as her companions prepared to fire.

Suddenly Elladan shouted, "Torfithien! Get back, quickly!" The female Elf tried to shut out his voice, her stubborn determination getting in the way of her safety, but when she realised that what Elrond's son was saying mattered greatly, it was almost too late. The troll let out a roar at the intruders, and then swung out a fist that resembled a large grey boulder at her. Without thinking, she dropped to the floor, loosing the arrow as she did so.

The shaft pierced the troll's shoulder, causing another bellow to escape from its jaws. Above the Elves' heads, the roof of the cave seemed to be rumbling. "The roof's going to collapse!" one of them shouted - Torfithien could not tell which. Her heart was in her mouth, hammering as though it was an escaping prisoner locked up inside her chest. She was clearly terrified now, but only showed a fraction of her fear as she tried to will herself to stay calm.

'What have I done?' the Lórien Elf wondered, unsure of what to do next. She looked to her companions for guidance, but for once no-one seemed to have any ideas.