Squeeze.

Snuggle.

Waiting for orcs.

Orcs are found. 

And Annie goes in and says hello to the orcs and explains what she's doing. She's not particularly expecting enthusiastic consent but being blindsided is no fun.

They - aren't exactly resisting? They scowl at her but more nervously than with any hostility.

Well, maybe the others will be less nervous if she does one first? Tap. On, off.

The orc does not fall in love with anyone. 

"She's telling the truth," it tells the other orcs in a language Annie hasn't heard before (but of course understands perfectly).

Now hopefully the others will be less scowly? She goes and taps those.

One of them gasps suddenly and tries to wretch itself free to go looking for someone. None of the others do. After a minute a few of them tentatively insult Melkor under their breath, then start crying.

"Who do you need to find?" Annie murmurs to the one orc.

"I don't even know if he's still alive - he has to be, he has to be alive - but I can't lead the Elves to him they'll kill him -"

"If he's not alive the Valar might still reembody him and I can de-oath him too, okay?"

"Oh. Oh. Okay. ...the Elf-gods hate orcs, they won't - won't let him -"

"The Valar brought you here so I could take your oath off," Annie says. "They might do that with more orcs too."

"I just need him to be okay."

"I know. I have one of those too. I'll do my very best."

Word gets out that Annie can free orcs of their oaths.

And the joyous host starts singing.

fuck

Fuck -

She starts running. Everybody stop singing you're torturing her she's allergic to music -

People are - confused. Frightened. Some scatter. Some stop singing. Not all of them.

The trumpets were enough exposure that Annie can keep her eyes open through the pain if she focuses - "Please -" she croaks - where are the twins the twins know about the music thing -

Annie Annie Annie they're hurting Annie she leaps and shoves and screams "shut up" at anyone who's singing and then here's Annie, here's Annie and the confused Elves are finally stopping singing -

Someone in the crowd draws a sword and swings it wildly at her head. 

Leaving Annie perfectly lucid for the moment when it connects, just a fraction of a second too late to get in the way of the weapon.

She pounces on Rirosseth with healing come on come on -

Healing doesn't go, because Annie's not touching a person.

Annie can't think of anything else to do but sit there trying, anyway, even though she can tell there is no heartbeat no breathing no nothing -