Chapter one
The Dream
The night was dark and cold as the girl hid under a tree. It was so cold that her bare feet were going numb. This was what she had been hoping for, seeing that she had broken her ankle when she fell from her horse earlier that night. But now as she watched the road in front of her she saw something coming; a group of people. They carried lamps but the light that they brought seemed to be coming of the people not the lamps.
These were the elves of Mirkwood, off to celebrate Prince Legolas, for what reason the girl did not know. All that she knew was that if they found her they might not be pleased. She moved back further into the brush and waited for them to pass.
They were beautiful to say the least. Every one of them had pale clothes or that radiated light. Merely being in their presence gave her a peace that she hadn't felt since she left home three weeks earlier. When the last of them began to pass the girl began to ready herself to leave, and then he passed by. He was on foot, but still something about the way that he carried himself told her he was no ordinary elf. He was royalty, and he was beautiful. With long gold hair, and deep blue eyes that seem as though they could look straight into someone's soul. As she watched him go by he stopped, turned and looked straight at her with eyes that seemed to pierce see her very being…
She sat up in bed breathing deep. This was not the first time that she had visited Mirkwood in her dreams. That night had shown her something about herself that she didn't like…weakness. She had trained for years to rid herself of weaknesses, or at least to hid the few she had from the world.
But he couldn't have even seen me she thought, it was so dark. The only reason I could see him was because of the lamps…but still….I could almost feel him looking at me….
She climbed out of bed and shook her head. All this over one look, that wasn't even really a look, was just insane. As she walked to her wardrobe and pulled out a simple light green dress, put it on and walked over to her full length mirror. When she had adjusted everything to her liking she glided over to the balcony and walked out to view the place that was her home.
Rivendell was truly the most beautiful place in all of Middle Earth. She hadn't realized how late it was until now, for it was late in the evening. I guess I hit my head harder then I thought, she thought to herself. As she took in a deep breath someone knocked on the door. She turned and quietly said "Come in."
The door opened and in walked the most beautiful elf in all of Rivendell, with a low bow she greeted Lady Arwen daughter of Elrond Lord of Rivendell.
"You needn't bow Allena," Arwen said with a smile, "I just came to bring you your birthday present." With this she held out a wooden box that was about six inches square.
"You didn't have to My Lady…"
"Nonsense," she interrupted, "I want you to have it." Arwen then moved across the room and placed the box into Allena's hand.
"Open it." She said. Allena grinned and shook her head but took the gift anyway.
"Thank you." Allena replied and then opened the box. Inside was the most amazing silver necklace. It was a simple chain with a tear-drop stone in the center. The stone was a sapphire, which was so deep that that it was almost black.
"It's amazing my Lady…I don't know what to say, but thank you."
"That's more then enough," Arwen said. She then reached over and took the necklace form Allena's hand and said, "Allow me to put it on you." Leading Allena over to the mirror she place the necklace around her and closed the clasp.
Allena lightly touched it and smiled and said, "Thank you my Lady it is perfect."
Arwen smiled and told her, "Just wait until you see what Father got you. Come out to training area. He's waiting for you there."
With one last smile Arwen left, why are they always so kind to me she thought I don't deserve it. Knowing that she should keep Lord Elrond waiting she left her room and went to the training platform. There the other Elves practiced and exercised. And on the far side waited Lord Elrond wearing what most would have called riding garb. When he saw Allena her motioned her over, and when she got to his side he smiled at her as though she was his own daughter. He then wrapped his arms around her in a hug, and whispered in her ear "Happy Birthday my dear."
When he broke the embrace he was smiling, "I assume that Arwen told you that I had your gift, so no need to keep you waiting."
He then looked passed her and then turned her around so that she could see what was being carried toward her. There was one young man walking across the platform towards them. Everyone on had stopped moving and was watching. For in his hands was a sword that was at least three feet long and had a jewel incrusted hilt. Allena turned slightly when the man arrived with the sword as if to ask, Is that really mine? With a smile Elrond leaned down and told her, "Take your sword dear."
Beaming, Allena reached forward and took the sword from the young man, who bowed and departed. After taking the sword she studied it. The scabbard was made of dark cherry wood. On the two opposite sides of the hilt, there were onyx stones. As she looked down the hilt to the end where the metal curved into something like a heart that circled a perfect tear-drop sapphire, that looked exactly the same as the one hanging from her neck on the necklace that Lady Arwen had given her that very afternoon.
"This is to represent your entire heritage." Lord Elrond said quietly. Allena then drew the sword out and placed the scabbard on the bench next to the wall that was behind her. She then walked out into the center of the platform and began going through an advanced set with her sword. As she spun around the sound of clashing steel rang through the courtyard. Allena locked eyes with Arwen who was holding the sword that appeared to be fused with her own. They both grinned and began to duel. For every parry or attack that one had the other had a block for it. They continued to spin attack and block each other until the broke apart to catch their breath.
Allena prepared to attack again, when she her something scream. It was an unearthly scream that shook her to the bone. She looked out into the east and there she saw it, the creatures that she had heard scream. The nine Nazgul leaving the tower of Barad-dur….then her vision shifted to a hill. Where she saw four hobbits, they were surrounded by five of the Nazgul. Then one of them disappeared and all of the Nazgul gathered around one area. And then over the edge of the hill came one of the riders of the north carrying a sword and a flaming torch. After they disappeared he went over to the hobbit that had been in the center of the creatures. With a closer look Allena realized that the rider was Strider, and that the hobbit had been stabbed by a Morgul blade. Then she saw that they were traveling through the woods and had camped at the trollshaws after dark and not far outside of Rivendell and that the nine were not far behind. Then everything began to go foggy and she came back to the present…
"Lord Elrond, I need to speak with you. It is of utmost urgency." Allena said as soon as she had regained her senses. She then walked over picked up her scabbard and belted it to her waist and then sheathed her sword she saw that the sun was setting. Walking quickly off the platform, down the hall, and into Elrond's study, after reaching her destination she turn to face Lord Elrond.
"I had a vision, the Ranger and four hobbits are on their way here. They are fleeing the Nazgul but will be forced to stop because one of the hobbits was stabbed by a Morgul blade and will be slipping away. We have to get him back here this one also carries with him something of great evil, you are the only one who can help him now" Allena explained to him. He didn't seem surprised in anyway but said almost to himself, "So it has come to this…" Then turning his attention back to Allena he said, "I'll send someone to bring him back. You will need to go out and ensure that the rest of them get here safely. Go get ready and summon Shadow, he will keep you safe."
"Yes My Lord."
She then returned to her room and put on a pair of dark brown leggings, and a deep green tunic. After putting on leather riding boots she grabbing her bow and a quiver full of arrows. She then strapped on her new sword and marched outside. Once there she gave one low clear whistle and waited. Not long after a great, black stallion came galloping straight toward her. He stopped just short of her and bowed his head.
"Shadow, I need your help." She said, and as he turned to her she leapt to his back and galloped out of the city and toward the Ranger, the hobbits and some of the most evil creatures this land had ever seen…Nazgul.
