Disclaimer: I am not at all affiliated with J.R.R. Tolkien or The Lord of the Rings books, movies, video games etc. The only way I am affiliated is that I am obsessed with them, but who isn't? Anyways, I do not own any of Tolkien's places, ideas, characters, etc. so please don't sue me!

Hey all my readers! First of all, I'd like to say that I am so glad that you are reading my story (or at least reading this) and that this is my first real fanfic (Sara and Valarato was for a class and had to be downsized, I just decided to put it out there), so please don't be too harsh in your reviews. I would greatly appreciate constructive criticism, and I hope you like it.

The First Murder

Chapter 1: A Jolt in the Night

Arwen leaned against the balcony and took in the night air. Her long black hair seeped around her shoulders in the cool wind as she looked out across the expanse that was Gondor. She watched the lights of Osgiliath flicker on and off as families went to bed, and guards woke up. She sighed heavily, missing Aragorn terribly. He was in Ithilien visiting Faramir and Eowyn, helping to settle a few things there. Arwen tiredly turned back to her room, ready to go to bed.

Screams pierced the early night, as Arwen ran back to her balcony and looked across Minas Tirith for the commotion. Guards were now yelling loudly, apparently really angry about something. It was a level below her, and she could see the guards chasing after a lone man on a horse. The rider proceeded down the levels of the city, and came to the gate. The guards yelled to the men not to open the gate, but they were too far away. It was impossible to hear them, and the gate opened slowly as the rider galloped down the road towards Osgiliath.

Arwen called to her guard, Inelon. He quickly came into her room, with a worried look on his face.

"What has happened? Why all the commotion? Who was that man?" Arwen asked, her mind racing.

Inelon thought quickly and replied, "There is some whisper that there has been a murder, but it has yet to be confirmed. As soon as I find out, I will bring it here to you. Will you staying awake, or should I hold information until tomorrow?"

"A murder! I will stay awake for another hour but after that, hold the information until tomorrow. If the rumor is true, we must go after the man that did it. This would be the first murder under my husband's rule, and justice must be served," she said frantically. Her voice softened, "Quickly now, go find out what has happened, if you can, and please try to hurry."

Inelon walked briskly out of the room, and Arwen sat down on the bed wearily. Things had been going so well under Aragorn's rule. She now missed him terribly, and wondered what he was doing. Somehow, she knew it was a murder. She could feel it in her heart, and she despaired for the poor victim. She leaned back against her headboard, and thought for a while. She slowly slid down further and further as the minutes ticked by, and eventually her eyes closed as she lost the fight to stay awake.

Inelon strode back to Arwen's room, preparing what he was about to tell her. He knocked loudly on the door, but no one answered. He waited for a little while longer, and finally came to the conclusion that she had fallen asleep. He turned around, annoyed at the other guard for not being there yet. It was no longer his turn to stand guard. He leaned against the wall, tapping his foot in annoyance. After a while he other guard ran up, exasperated.

"Sorry," Falimer said, coming to a halt. "Got tied up. Have you heard the new rumors? It's a shame, the first murder in Gondor since the beginning of the Fourth Age. Well, I'll let you get to bed then, goodnight."

"Thanks for your thoughtfulness," Inelon said icily, and walked down the hall towards his quarters, disappearing at the turn.

Falimer sighed and turned, taking his position to guard Arwen's room.

Well, hope you liked it...please please please please review... I shall update with the second chapter as soon as I can. I have a lot of the story planned out, but there is the subject of homework...grr to it. Plus, it takes me a long time to write things because I have to figure out how to link everything together. By the way, you should read JillValentine44 stuff, because she is really really good. She doesn't have any LotR, but if you like Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, or Secret Window (go Johnny Depp!) she has really really good fics about them! Yay! Anyways, please review, and I shall have another chapter up soon (I hope).