So, although I'm still doing HP, I got into an LOTR mood half way through. So now, I have two on the go, joy! I've used the movie script (CAUSE I LUV IT!) but the dates from the novels to keep track of stuff... And, song lyrics are making a comeback! Enjoy and review please!

Oh, and if any of the elvish is wrong, please feel free to send me a message to correct it!

Oh (again), and in this story Arneia's name is Arnuriel. It is more elfy, and the 'Arn' fits her real name and 'Riel' is her first middle name (if that makes sense). FYI, her full name is Arneia Riel Scarlett Lucia Sera. So yeah.

A duin asgar, a duin veleg
Colo idh a rochbin vyrn
A duin asgar, a duin veleg
O gorthaur byr. Ego. A!

- 'Flight To The Ford', Lord of the Rings cast

19 September 3018

I sat at the base of a huge oak, twirling my long curved bow between my fingers as I carefully watched Mirien take aim at the target five hundred metres off. My faithful handmaiden Rochestel sat on the ground beside me, as were other elves among the trees. The simple practise session had, as usual become a friendy competition between us.

"Come on Mirien!" one elf called encouragingly.

I watched as Mirien tensed and let fly. The arrow flew straight and true, but not true enough. It hit the target barely a centimetre off the bull's eye.

I smiled as I applauded.

"Lady Arnuríel!" Mirien called out and l raised an eyebrow.

"Are you challenging me?" I half smiled.

"Bertho!" Mirien commanded with a grin. Dare it.

I sighed and stood up. I was generally not one for showing off, but I was one for competition, honour and acceptence. And I would accept his challenge.

"Good luck," Rochestel murmured.

I smiled at her and took up my position. Stringing the arrow, I raised the bow to my shoulder, my eye staring along the levelled length of the arrow. I took my aim carefully, I was not as skilled at archery as some of my kin were.

Taking a deep breath, I released my arrow and watched it slice into the target. I allowed a smile to play across my features again. It was not a centre hit, but it was closer than Mirien's!

"I bet you could not do that again!" Mirien scoffed. I span around, my pale blue dress swirling.

"Lasto lalaith nîn!" I laughed goodnaturedly. Hear my laughter!

"Lady Arnuríel," I heard a voice annouce suddenly, and I glanced around to see another elf striding towards us. Shorter than many, but just as blonde, I easily recognisd my old friend Haldir, the commander of the Lothlorien forces.

Rochestel was suddenly at my shoulder, taking my bow as I met Haldir. The commander bowed his head briefly.

"Arwen nîn, Galadriel mernre ellele," Haldir related. My lady, Galadriel wants to see you.

"Le hannon," I replied, nodding, and beckoned to Rochestel. I wondered why Galadriel wanted me now, I would be seeing her later that evening...

"What do you think the lady wants?" Rochestel asked as we strode softly through Lorien, our bare feet making little noise in the moss.

"Amin caela n'noa," I shrugged lightly. I have no idea. "For no reason that I can think of. But then, who does ever know what my mother is thinking?"

"Very true," Rochestel laughed softly. "Tenna' telwan?" Until later?

"Tancave! Tenna' telwan," I replied with a smile. Certainly! Until later. I took my bow from her and watched her disappear through the trees to her own home where she lived with her brother. As I saw the last red of her gown flick away, I turned back to the greatest tree in Lothlorien; my home.

I mounted the twisting stairs quickly and expertly, knowing how tiring they had been to mortals many years ago!

As I stepped into the canopied entrance chamber, I made my way around and up the stairs to my parents' personal chambers. I instantly spied my mother at the balcony. She was tall, with golden blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. They said I was her near-double.

"'Quel andune, Anuríel," Galadriel greeted, turning to me. Good aternoon, Anuríel.

"Naneth, 'quel andune," I replied, giving a brief respectful curtsey. "Mani naa ta?" Mother, good afternoon. What is it?

Galadriel sat down slowly. "Tula, hama," she told me. Come, sit. I obediantly sat opposite her, automatically smoothing my gown.

"You know of the rochbin mor?" my mother asked. The black riders.

I shivered slightly at the mere thought of the tortured creatures. "Of course."

"The black riders have left Mordor, travelling north-west," Galadriel informed me, and I frowned.

"Mani, mankoi?" I asked. What, why? The riders had not left Sauron's gates for many years, why did they now have reason to venture beyond the black gate?

"Because the ring has been found," Galadriel replied, her gaze frozen.

My eyes widened as l bit my lip. The ring? The one ring, the ring of power? Sauron's own... "Where? Where are they headed?"

"I believe they go to the Shire, the country of the Peredhil, the Haflings," my mother explained. "The ring has been hiding there for many years, it seems, with Bilbo Baggins. Gandalf has found it but so has Sauron. The riders are on their way, and they will not spare the Hafling."

"So it has begun," I sighed.

"Yes," Galadriel agreed.

I raised my head. I could sense my mother had a task for me. "What do you want me to do?"

"Ride after them," another voice said and we both looked up. My father Celeborn was approaching. "As far as Rivendell, no further. Do not attempt to engage in a fight, but make sure they hurt no others."

"What about when they pass Rivendell?" I asked.

"Aragorn, son of Arathorn is headed to the Shire to meet with Gandalf and the Hafling," Galadriel told me. "Do not worry. Just ensure they hurt no others. And that they go where we suspect. Inform your part-brother if they do not."

I frowned at my mother. I understood his commands, but not their reasoning, although I had a feeling. "Surely we do not want the Black Riders to go further than we can allow?"

"No," Celeborn agreed, "but I will not have you fight them alone."

"Mani?" I asked. Why?

My father glared. "You know why, Arnuríel. You cannot hope to fight them and win alone. I have given you freedom in your travels, but I give uou this command to obey. You will not fight them. Do not ask me to watch my second daughter sail to the Grey Havens."

I fell silent. We were on the touchy subject of my sister, Celebrían. I understood his reasoning, my feeling proved correct and I nodded. "I'll go at dusk."

I entered my room swiftly, knowing exactly what I was going to do as I strode to my clothing chest.

There was no need to pack garments, I often stayed in Rivendell and I always had at least one change of clothes there ready. My father had already sent for food to be packed for me, and orders for my stallion to be saddled.

I pulled open the chest, and hunted below two perfectly folded gowns. It did not take long to find what I needed; my ranging clothes. Blue grey in colour, it comprised of a white shirt and dark blue leggings, with a sash, and belts. My hooded tunic coat hung nearby, my matching boots beneath.

"Let me help you," a kind voice said as I lay the garments on the bed. Loyal Rochestel was back at my shoulder.

"Le hannon," I smiled back. Thank you. As she helped me unlace my gown, I sensed her discomfort.

"Mani naa ta?" I asked, slipping off my overgown. What is it?

"Manke naa lle auten?" Rochestel replied as she passed me my shirt. Where are you going?

"To Rivendell," I replied lightly.

"There is more to it than that," Rochestel perceived.

I sighed. I knew she would find out eventually. "The black riders have left Mordor, headed for Hafling country. I am to follow them as far as Rivendell, ensuring they hurt no others and that they go where we suspect."

Rochestel said nothing, but I could see that the news disturbed her. I began to chew my lip as I sat down to pull on my long boots, swiftly lacing them up with deft fingers. I felt Rochestel quietly and helpfully pull my hair back for me, securing it in a ponytail with twine. As usual, the untameable forelocks escaped Rochestel's fingers, curling around to frame my face as always. I shook them back as I swung my coat around me, knotting the sash over the top.

"Lle desiel?" Rochestel asked, as a clasped my double belts around my waist, my swords at my side. Are you ready?

I nodded with a grim smile and Rochestel followed me through the corridors and down the stairs.

Waiting at the base of our great tree, was a small group of gathered lords and ladies. Celeborn and Galadriel were present also, and Haldir held the reigns of my magnificent proud stallion Alrohar.

"Arnuríel," Rochestel added quickly. I turned and she passed my bow and a full quiver of arrows. I smiled as I took them from her, then gave a hug. Rochestel squeezed me back, then obediantly stepped away.

"Quel marth, mellon nîn," she told me and I nodded. Good luck, my friend.

I turned away from Rochestel and faced my parents.

"Heru nîn, arwen nîn, amin naa lle nai," I said formally, bowing my head. My lord, my lady, I am yours to command.

"Ná Elbereth veria le, ná elenath dín síla erin rád o chuil lín," Galadriel told me and leant forward to kiss my forehead. May Elbereth protect you, may her stars shine on the path of your life.

I nodded and crossed to Alrohar. As I took the reigns from Haldir, Alrohar ceased tossing his head and he pawed the ground impatiently. I swung myself easily into the saddle and secured my bow and quiver in their clasp on the saddle.

"Quel marth, Anuríel," my father bade me, as I took up my reigns. Alrohar began to prance excitedly. "Tira ten' rashwe." Good luck Arnuíel. Be careful.

"Llye mela lle. Namaarie, iel nîn," my mother told me finally and I smiled. We love you. Farewell, my daughter.

"Namaarie naneth, ada," I replied with an encouraging smile. Farewell mother, father.

Alrohar needed only the lightest of squezes before he bounded away, easily cantering through the trees. I felt my hair whip out behind me. My next journey had begun.