Author's note: This is my one and only Mary Sue fic, although to steal from
Elfie, I would rather call it a Sue Mary because it's not so much a romance
as it is a story about a deep friendship. I also have a serious rage fest
going on against Liv Tyler, but because I'm such a nice person, I wrote
Arwen in to hold true to the movie, though I hold the books in more
respect.
(P.S. Has anyone else noticed that Dennis Quaid would make a great Elrond? Also, Ian Mckellen will be playing Dumbledore in the rest of the Harry Potter movies!)
Disclaimer: If I owned any part of Legolas, do you honestly think I would be content with just writing about him? (Maybe a hand. hmmmmm.)
Chapter 1
It was early autumn, and from atop the waterfall, one could see from the Misty Mountains to almost Bree. The setting sun lit up the western horizon with a pink glow, outlining the slight figure that stood on the ledge. A northern wind caressed the honey-brown strands of Cerenna's hair that managed to escape her customary braid, bringing with it the sharp tang of winter.
Cerenna, or Cera, as she wished to be called, hummed a strange tune softly to herself as she scanned the vista for riders. Finding none, she turned around and slowly made her way back down the trail towards Rivendell.
She had lived amongst the elves for ten years and in that time, become as fair of archer and as fleet in foot as an elf herself. She carried her staff easily, and one could see that its smoothness was only interrupted by the knobs that once held branches. It was about as tall as she was, and was obviously created for a purpose more important than just walking. Upon her back, she carried a quiver, half full, a bow, and two long, steel daggers with white handles. On her person, three short knives, (all black- handled), hid in various places, carefully wrapped, for they were much used and rather sharp.
Cera shivered upon entering Rivendell, Imladris in Sindarin, for she had never lost her wonder of the way it sat perfectly placed next to the falls, seeming to have been put there by nature itself. It was also awash with the colors of the setting sun. She hurried on, aware that Lord Elrond would be annoyed if she was late to council yet again.
**************
"The halfling carries a great evil this way, my Lord. It would be unwise to grant it access to our fair home," Halmir counseled. Elrond let a tiny sigh of frustration loose.
"Sauron is rising again and he wishes to reclaim everything that was once his. We must help this ring-bearer. It has been foretold, and if we do not, all of Middle-Earth will fall into darkness," he replied.
"Then someone must go to help him find his way before the enemy does," Cera interjected, as she made her way to the open place at the end of the circle.
*How is it that she is always the last to arrive, yet always know of what we speak?* Elrond wondered silently. Aloud he continued, "We must choose quickly, for the Nine ride again and will have surely find him if we are not swift."
Arwen stood up from her seat. "I will go father, for I desire to help the innocent who bears this evil."
Cera highly doubted that it was the true reason she wished to go. Elrond had already sent the ranger known as Strider out to help guide the halfling, and her fondness for him was no secret.
"Are you sure that is wise, my daughter? Anyone who goes will be in considerable peril," Elrond admonished. He also knew of the reason Arwen wished to go, and disapproved.
"I will set out immediately, in hopes of reaching the halfling before the Nine." Arwen's expression brooked no argument, and she left the council. Elrond looked after her with a slight frown of disappointment, then turned back to face the council. Cera saw his frown, but privately felt that he need not be so concerned about his daughter's choice. There were worse men she could find.
"In the meantime," Elrond resumed his former discourse, "I think it would be wise to send messages out to our kin in the Mirkwood, Gondor, and perhaps. yes, even the dwarves." Shock and disgust ranged on the faces of the council. Cera looked in askance at Elrond as he held up a hand to halt the protestation upon the elves faces. "We must allow them a place at council, for this is a matter that concerns all peoples of Middle-Earth."
Halmir immediately tried to launch into a stream of objections, but Elrond stayed firm. "We must include them, or we will surely be facing war on two fronts." A small smile escaped behind Cera's hand at the look of indignation on the elf's face. Elrond changed the subject. "There are other matters of importance. Gandalf Mithrandir has still not been found." He went on, "We need to consider other possibilities if he cannot be found. We cannot be caught sitting idly by."
****************
The council lasted long into nightfall. Cera felt weariness upon her and excused herself shortly after the moon had risen. She prepared herself for bed, yet had no desire to sleep. Lately, her dreams had become full of nightmarish figures that she could not make out or touch. They would draw close, and she would try to escape them, only to wake up in a cold sweat with her heart beating rapidly. They had made no sense until now. Recalling Lord Elrond's admission that evil was truly beginning to rise again, made her shiver. Sleep did not claim her until shortly before dawn.
****************
Cera arose mid-morning to un-elvish clamor and what passed for elven shouting. She dressed hurriedly, and rushed down to the gates, just in time to see Arwen racing in on her horse, carrying what looked like a bedraggled sack. Lord Elrond had already arrived, and proceeded to carry the deathly pale halfling away to be healed. Arwen looked relatively unharmed, but for a scratch on the cheek.
"What has befallen the halfling? Is the ring safe? Were there not more with him?" Cera anxiously asked.
"The rest of his party is safe and are on their way here, Cerenna. They should arrive late this eve. Now I must go assist my father." She paused for a second and whispered in Cera's ear. "I would ask you to help look for them above, if you have the strength," Arwen requested.
Cera considered for a moment. At last she sighed, "I will go, if I'm needed. But please have a meal waiting when I return."
Arwen nodded her assent. "It will be done. And my thanks to you." She hurried up the stairs behind her father. Cera turned and headed for her secret hollow, deep in the gardens of Rivendell.
(P.S. Has anyone else noticed that Dennis Quaid would make a great Elrond? Also, Ian Mckellen will be playing Dumbledore in the rest of the Harry Potter movies!)
Disclaimer: If I owned any part of Legolas, do you honestly think I would be content with just writing about him? (Maybe a hand. hmmmmm.)
Chapter 1
It was early autumn, and from atop the waterfall, one could see from the Misty Mountains to almost Bree. The setting sun lit up the western horizon with a pink glow, outlining the slight figure that stood on the ledge. A northern wind caressed the honey-brown strands of Cerenna's hair that managed to escape her customary braid, bringing with it the sharp tang of winter.
Cerenna, or Cera, as she wished to be called, hummed a strange tune softly to herself as she scanned the vista for riders. Finding none, she turned around and slowly made her way back down the trail towards Rivendell.
She had lived amongst the elves for ten years and in that time, become as fair of archer and as fleet in foot as an elf herself. She carried her staff easily, and one could see that its smoothness was only interrupted by the knobs that once held branches. It was about as tall as she was, and was obviously created for a purpose more important than just walking. Upon her back, she carried a quiver, half full, a bow, and two long, steel daggers with white handles. On her person, three short knives, (all black- handled), hid in various places, carefully wrapped, for they were much used and rather sharp.
Cera shivered upon entering Rivendell, Imladris in Sindarin, for she had never lost her wonder of the way it sat perfectly placed next to the falls, seeming to have been put there by nature itself. It was also awash with the colors of the setting sun. She hurried on, aware that Lord Elrond would be annoyed if she was late to council yet again.
**************
"The halfling carries a great evil this way, my Lord. It would be unwise to grant it access to our fair home," Halmir counseled. Elrond let a tiny sigh of frustration loose.
"Sauron is rising again and he wishes to reclaim everything that was once his. We must help this ring-bearer. It has been foretold, and if we do not, all of Middle-Earth will fall into darkness," he replied.
"Then someone must go to help him find his way before the enemy does," Cera interjected, as she made her way to the open place at the end of the circle.
*How is it that she is always the last to arrive, yet always know of what we speak?* Elrond wondered silently. Aloud he continued, "We must choose quickly, for the Nine ride again and will have surely find him if we are not swift."
Arwen stood up from her seat. "I will go father, for I desire to help the innocent who bears this evil."
Cera highly doubted that it was the true reason she wished to go. Elrond had already sent the ranger known as Strider out to help guide the halfling, and her fondness for him was no secret.
"Are you sure that is wise, my daughter? Anyone who goes will be in considerable peril," Elrond admonished. He also knew of the reason Arwen wished to go, and disapproved.
"I will set out immediately, in hopes of reaching the halfling before the Nine." Arwen's expression brooked no argument, and she left the council. Elrond looked after her with a slight frown of disappointment, then turned back to face the council. Cera saw his frown, but privately felt that he need not be so concerned about his daughter's choice. There were worse men she could find.
"In the meantime," Elrond resumed his former discourse, "I think it would be wise to send messages out to our kin in the Mirkwood, Gondor, and perhaps. yes, even the dwarves." Shock and disgust ranged on the faces of the council. Cera looked in askance at Elrond as he held up a hand to halt the protestation upon the elves faces. "We must allow them a place at council, for this is a matter that concerns all peoples of Middle-Earth."
Halmir immediately tried to launch into a stream of objections, but Elrond stayed firm. "We must include them, or we will surely be facing war on two fronts." A small smile escaped behind Cera's hand at the look of indignation on the elf's face. Elrond changed the subject. "There are other matters of importance. Gandalf Mithrandir has still not been found." He went on, "We need to consider other possibilities if he cannot be found. We cannot be caught sitting idly by."
****************
The council lasted long into nightfall. Cera felt weariness upon her and excused herself shortly after the moon had risen. She prepared herself for bed, yet had no desire to sleep. Lately, her dreams had become full of nightmarish figures that she could not make out or touch. They would draw close, and she would try to escape them, only to wake up in a cold sweat with her heart beating rapidly. They had made no sense until now. Recalling Lord Elrond's admission that evil was truly beginning to rise again, made her shiver. Sleep did not claim her until shortly before dawn.
****************
Cera arose mid-morning to un-elvish clamor and what passed for elven shouting. She dressed hurriedly, and rushed down to the gates, just in time to see Arwen racing in on her horse, carrying what looked like a bedraggled sack. Lord Elrond had already arrived, and proceeded to carry the deathly pale halfling away to be healed. Arwen looked relatively unharmed, but for a scratch on the cheek.
"What has befallen the halfling? Is the ring safe? Were there not more with him?" Cera anxiously asked.
"The rest of his party is safe and are on their way here, Cerenna. They should arrive late this eve. Now I must go assist my father." She paused for a second and whispered in Cera's ear. "I would ask you to help look for them above, if you have the strength," Arwen requested.
Cera considered for a moment. At last she sighed, "I will go, if I'm needed. But please have a meal waiting when I return."
Arwen nodded her assent. "It will be done. And my thanks to you." She hurried up the stairs behind her father. Cera turned and headed for her secret hollow, deep in the gardens of Rivendell.