Introduction by the author: (Please read)

Hello, this is a very special story to me, for several reasons…. I really enjoyed writing this….I have been writing this, changing, drafting it, over time and even though I began writing it a long time ago ,I hesitated in posting it here because I wanted it to be good.. It's still not good enough ( in my opinion)… that's why I am only posting the first chapter for now… Please, I love reviews, so review it and criticize… I want to know if it needs any changes… It's still in the making although the first 11 chapters are ready.

I began to write this before I saw Return of the King… This story is partially based on the movie, while there is a few additions of characters as I saw fit… Some major events, important to the plot are included and most of the characters, places, etcc… are Tolkien's imagination. Don't expect another wonder as the Lord of the Rings book or the cinematic trilogy. Far from it. I just based my story on the last and final part of the famous trilogy and I'm in no way associated with the author of the book, the great J.R.R Tolkien ,the director Peter Jackson or the actors . If I did I wouldn't be here….I'd be… You get the picture ;)

P.S The story starts right after The Two Towers ending (of the movie)…

Enjoy! And don't forget to review!

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Chapter 1 – A Meeting and a Message

"How can you expect, a poor dwarf like me to still keep running after you two, without a trace of food in my stomach? Don't you ever get tired? Don't you ever starve?",groaned Gimli for at least the twentieth time that day as he tried to catch up with his fellow companions, running swiftly ahead of him.

"Come on, Gimli don't exaggerate," replied Aragorn, casting a look at Legolas and wondering why he hadn't say nothing at all. "We've only stopped to eat two hours ago…". At these words Gimli closed his mouth and made a silent vow not to say one more word, at least for the following five minutes. Aragorn fixed his eyes on the elf, who was running hastily a little ahead of him. He felt relieved that Legolas didn't respond to the dwarf. Aragorn was not in the mood to listen to their quarreling all over again, but as this was not normal, Aragorn felt sure that the elf had something on his mind.

"Are you all right? " Aragorn asked him. Legolas faced Aragorn but did not respond. Now, Aragorn felt sure that the elf was sensing something not normal. Elves are considered very sensitive creatures and they can feel anything unusual in the air surrounding them. Legolas was surveying his surroundings; his fair elvish face was of one expecting something abnormal to pounce on him. He stopped at the foot of a very small hill and the others followed suit.

A woman's scream pierced the forest's silence and the three hunters hid beneath a large oak tree nearby. Gimli searched Aragorns face for a sign of explanation but the man offered none.

Suddenly, a body tumbled down the hill and three ugly figures appeared at the top of it "Orcs" uttered Legolas and within a second, he emerged from behind the tree and aiming at one of the orcs' heads, killed it in a split of a second. Gimli and Aragorn climbed the hill hastily and slew the other remaining orcs.

A white horse came trotting out of nowhere and nudged at the body, which remained motionless where it landed. As Legolas watched the horse's actions, a sense of familiarity swept over him. Aragorn and Gimli approached Legolas, who was now kneeling over the body faced downwards. He gently turned the body, in an attempt to see who it was. Gimli and Aragorn looked on questioningly. The poor body belonged to a pretty elven girl. Her eyes were closed and her long hair was ruffled, but in spite of her rugged state, her simple beauty was not lost.

Legolas gasped as he saw her face and he checked her pulse quickly. He let out a sigh of relief as he felt the faint pulse of the girl. "Legolas, do you know this lass?" asked Gimli, noticing the elf's concern towards the girl. Legolas nodded. "Yes, her name is Evanwyn." The dwarf looked at Aragorn, who was gazing intently at the girl. The elven girl had long brown hair which glistened with golden streaks when the sun shone through it. She wore a blue riding dress which was slightly torn at the hem.

"Shes the princess of Eldorien, a beautiful place not far from Mirkwood. We are the best of friends. I wonder what brought her here, in the wild. I thought she was safe in Eldorien where I last saw her before I left for Rivendell " explained Legolas to his companions.

At that moment, Evanwyn stirred and she opened her eyes. "Where am I? "she muttered in a weak voice. She turned her beautiful eyes and gazed at Legolas, who was relieved to see that she had come to her senses. Her face shone with joy as she saw her friend. "Legolas", she half shouted as she hugged the elf who was now smiling at her. "I didnt expect to meet you here, right now"

"What are you doing far from safe Eldorien? Middle-Earth is no longer safe.. You could easily get hurt "Legolas told her "…or killed' he added silently with a sunken feeling. He rose and she stood upright. She had the familiar elvish height but did not possess Legolas's same height. She was a bit shorter than him.

She smiled at Aragorn and Gimli , who were staring at the two elves in bewilderment. "Legolas where are your manners? Why dont you introduce me? "she told him playfully. "Evanwyn, dont avoid my question! " he told her sternly . She didnt respond immediately, as she arranged her hair and her dress. She picked up a beautiful white bow carved with golden elvish writing, which was nested on the leaves besides a quiver of arrows and a small white knife and wore her weapons just like a normal warrior would do. She showed them all, that she was more than just a beautiful princess.

"I decided that I had to do something. I was fed up at home so I escaped. Father and Siniver tried to lock me up but I outwitted them.", explained Evanwyn to all of them but looking particularly at Legolas. "Siniver? What is he doing in Eldorien?", Legolas wanted to know. She looked downwards as if she was embarrassed and said: "Father had this brilliant idea and chose Siniver as my husband. We are engaged to be married. It will happen after the War is over." Legolas approached the elf, who now seemed to have lost her cheerful nature.

"Im sorry, Legolas , I know hes your cousin and all but I dont want to marry him. He beats me Legolas if I don't do what he orders me to do "she cried. Legolas held her and his heart filled with bitter anger towards his despised cousin. "And what does Lord Eolder say?" he asked her. Evanwyn wiped away a tear. "He does not know; Siniver makes sure he does not hear a word. But he believes Siniver no matter what." Aragorn and Gimli who were standing at the side watching the conversation between the once more united friends, felt pity for the princess .But she seemed to regain her calm and stopped crying.

Gimli approached her and took her hand. "Do not worry my lady, now we are here for you." The dwarf had taken a sudden liking towards her. Evanwyn smiled and quickly, Legolas introduced his friends. "This is Gimli, the dwarf and this is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir to throne of Gondor", Legolas said pointing first at Gimli then at Aragorn. Evanwyn bowed before Aragorn and the man who was not accustomed to such respect, told her " No, Im just plain old Aragorn , a ranger from the West". "I know", smiled Evanwyn, "I have heard plenty of you" Aragorn felt himself filling with interest and he felt a sudden desire to keep on questioning her. He craved for news about his lady Arwen and he felt sure that Evanwyn was referring to her. He could clearly see it in her bright blue-green eyes.

Legolas reminded them that they should move on. "Where are you going? " inquired Evanwyn as she mounted her horse. "We are off to look for two particular hobbits at Fangorn Forest!" Gimli told her. "Hobbits?" she asked with interest. "Yes," Gimli continued, "hobbits or Halflings-"

"I know what hobbits are. But is one of them called Frodo? News of the fellowship have reached Eldorien as well, you know " ,she told them with a mischievous wink as they started their journey once more.

Aragorn and Gimli recounted, all the adventures theyve been through.. the pass of Caradhras, the long dark journey of Moria, the beauty of Lorien, the death of Boromir, Gandalfs return after his fall at Moria, the stay at Edoras in Rohan and the battle of Helms Deep. They talked for hours; however Legolas was quiet as if he had something on his mind. Aragorn immediately decided that they should spent the night at Weathertop . Apparently, Fangorn was still far away.

The sun began its journey to its setting place and now, they were not far from Weathertop. As they approached the hill, Legolas surveyed the scene before him and with his keen elfin eyes he noticed a black speck in the sky which was growing bigger every second. Aragorn could now see it too and he looked at the elf beside him. Evanwyn and Gimli did not notice anything, as they were deeply engrossed in conversation.

The black speck turned out to be an enormous eagle that landed in front of Legolas and Aragorn. Evanwyn's horse became restless at the sight of the unexpected bird and Gimli immediately raised his beloved ax. "Gimli lower your ax " said Aragorn ,looking suspiciously at the eagle in front of him, which was now surprisingly muttering in an ancient tongue, which only the elves seemed to comprehend. Legolas was answering back in elvish and Evanwyn was now stroking the eagle's back in affection.

After enough words were exchanged between the prince of Mirkwood and the eagle, the latter took off and after a few seconds the four companions could see the bird soaring away from them in the sky. Legolas turned and explained to them what the eagle had just said to him. "That was Gwahir, Lord of the Eagles. He brought us a message from Gandalf. He suggests we'll head straight to Rivendell before our journey to Fangorn Forest. Apparently, the Elvish lords, King Theoden of Rohan and Gandalf are all in Rivendell right now and they want us to join them" Aragorn nodded and told them that they should rest at Weathertop for that night and start their journey to Rivendell the next day.

As they were walking the rest of the way to Weathertop, Legolas approached Evanwyn . "By the way, they know you are safely with us ", he said to her. She looked away and after a pause, she replied , " I know, they'll figure it out. I suppose father is there. Am I right? ". Legolas smiled at her. She reminded him so much of the memories they shared together at Eldorien and Mirkwood. "Oh come on, silly, you know hes there, all the Elven lords are there!" She didn't reply but she continued walking beside him. Aragorn and Gimli were walking ahead of them.

"Siniver is at Rivendell as well, you know" Legolas added, looking at her and trying to catch a glimpse of her reaction upon the mention of his cousin. "I thought he'll be there", she answered indifferently. "Oh don't worry Evanwyn, Gimli will be there for you as he promised" the elf told her, in an attempt to cheer her up .He hated to see her sulk. He didn't have to wait long though, to see his friend smile. "Theyre great, both of them, and Gimli is so cute," she said looking at the man and the dwarf, walking towards Weathertop which was now very near.

"Mind you, don't let him hear you say that or you'll make him fall off from his horse! "