Twenty-two

            Two and two, the twenty-two Elven warriors formed up their ranks, preparing to leave the valley to engage a great troop of yrch said to be emerging from the High Pass.  Glorfindel led with his second beside him, and the twins brought up the rear as they left the courtyard upon their great steeds.

            Estel watched after them with excitement and envy, vowing that soon enough he would ride with them, raising his own sword as a shining flame of freedom and defiance against the darkness the Enemy and his creatures sought to spread over the whole of Middle Earth.