******** Hey so this is my first shot at a story and would love to hear some reviews! I'm totally adding a new race to Tolkien's world so let me know your thoughts do you like it or no?" this is just the intro chapter I promise it will get much more exciting! I do not own lord of the rings in any way shape or form *************************************************************************

A dark and ominous feeling had settled over the young girl as she gazed into the horizon. Her father had received word from Elrond of Rivendell that a secret council was being held, and if they felt inclined to send at least one representative they would be welcomed and housed in Rivendell for the entire duration of their stay. The note went on to explain that the decision made at this council would affect all races. Indeed this small group of people was not entirely like any other race. To any stranger they would appear to be human. However; they could change into any other race in middle earth. They were called Shifters. What their true form is no one except them is positive, but most of the time they look like an average human.

"I will go father, it's not a difficult journey to Rivendell." She hoped that her father would let her go. There were not many other choices, she was the only child born in the current generation who could change. The gift was becoming rarer every generation. Many of the elders could change, but the journey would be rough on such an old soul. Yes, she was the obvious choice, but this didn't make the old man want to send his daughter out on a quest alone. Especially with all the talk of a growing evil that no one understood.

"I wish I had some other choice," the old man said after a moment. "Times have been difficult, and we don't have any other choice. You have my permission to go, but please daughter be careful."

So her journey began. The road was fairly quiet. She had changed herself into an elf so that she could journey the long miles without having to stop and rest as often as her human form would need to. She came across a turn in the road when she heard voices behind her. She quietly stepped off of the road and slipped behind a tree to conceal herself until she knew if the voices were attached to friendly people or not. A small group of men on horses gradually came towards her. They were laughing and talking happily, and they seemed to be friendly so she walked back onto the road and quickly changed back into her human form so she didn't startle them or seem like a threat.

The man who was obviously the leader had kind eyes. She couldn't help but admire him. Obviously he was someone of some importance because he was all dressed up in beautiful clothing.

"Good morning." She greeted them as they over took her. She was walking at a fair pace, but they were all on horses.

"Good morning!" the young stranger greeted her. "What is such a fair young woman doing wondering alone during these dark times?"

"I am not wondering, I know exactly what I'm doing and where I am going thank you." She shot back at him, insulted. She hated the ignorance of men who thought that women were all weak and fragile creatures. She didn't look very strong, but she knew that she could easily fight off this small group of men. It's very hard to kill a shifter, because when one form dies they just come back as another. The dead form can later be brought back if the shifter comes into contact with a creature of the necessary race and touches them. By touching them the shifter takes a piece of their soul, it does not hurt the creature in any way it just awakens the dead part of the shifter. However, no violence was needed because the leader, seeing that he had offended the girl offered his apologies.

"I meant no offense; I would just hate to see something terrible happen to a creature of such beauty." The words touched her and she lowered her anger.

"I jumped to conclusions, I accept your apology if you will accept mine." She looked up at him on his horse and he tilted his head to her.

"Where are you off to on a day such as this? It seems we are going the same way and perhaps we can offer you some company."

"well…" She suddenly didn't know how to answer, or if she should tell the man where she was going. Elrond had said it was a secret. "I'm going to Rivendell to visit a shop and purchase some items for my father's birthday." She knew it was a terrible lie and didn't even know if there were shops in Rivendell, but it was the best she could come up with at the moment. The man looked at her strangely then with a look that caused her insides to squirm uncomfortably.

"Are you sure you're not on your way to a council?" She was so caught off guard that all she could do for a couple moments was open and close her mouth stupidly. He laughed a deep laugh that made her want to smile, until she remembered that he was laughing at her. "We are headed to the same place, and I would feel terrible to leave you on the road behind us. If it would be alright with you, you can ride with me it's not much further, and it would be an honor to escort you."

"Thank you." She smiled sweetly at him. "May I know your name?"

"Boromir son of Denethor" He answered. "And yours?"

"Elya." Her people didn't use son of, or daughter of, so she hoped that just her name would be suitable. It didn't seem to bother him, because he immediately offered her a hand to help her onto the horse. As soon as she was seated she wished she had chosen to walk. She was pressed up against this extremely attractive man, and she was suddenly very awkward and shy. As they walked she relaxed some and began to enjoy the random talk that went on around her. All of the men were suddenly interested in telling the best tale loudly. She was reminded of when the men from her village came home after being out fishing. By dinner the fish that got away went from being a normal sized fish to twice the size of anything that had ever been pulled from the lake.

They stopped for supper a little after dark. They planned on continuing late into the night before stopping. Supper was very merry with much food and drink for everyone .Elya sat close to Boromir and they talked quietly to each other throughout the meal. After everyone was full they reluctantly pulled themselves back on to their horses to put a few more miles in before bed. The night was slightly chilly so Boromir gave Elya his cloak to wrap up in until they stopped. With a full belly of food and heat coming from the cloak, horse and the man in front of her Elya soon found she was barely able to stay awake. Her head kept falling forward almost hitting Boromir's shoulder.

She shook herself awake when she felt the horse stop moving she was pressed against Boromir who had reached his free hand back to make sure she didn't slid too far one way and fall. Even though it was an innocent touch she felt her face heating up. Her entire body lay against the back of his, and his hand was on her thigh. She squirmed around to let him know she had woken up, and he immediately removed his hand. Elya was still tired and not quite fully awake so it took her a minute to realize they were making camp Boromir helped her off of the horse and told her to wait, and he would have a warm comfortable place for her to sleep. Soon he led her over to a pile of soft blankets and bid her good night and went to find his own bed roll. She was asleep as soon as she stretched out.

Over the next five days Elya and Boromir grew close. They also grew more comfortable around each other and the awkwardness was gone. I t was almost like they had known each other their whole lives. The other men smiled seeing they young leader so happy. The man had always been good to all the people. He wasn't a prince because his father was not a king, but he was the closest thing to it, and that's how he was viewed by the people of Gondor. They all knew he'd be a fine steward one day. Elya was almost saddened by the sight of Rivendell, because she had enjoyed this time with him so much. He reached out to touch her hand because he had seen the look pass over her usually happy face.

"This is not the end of our tale, just the beginning." He whispered to her. He smiled when he saw a deep blush creep into her cheeks.