Chapter One... The Beginning

My name is Reina. I'm almost 2,000 years old and I live in the halls of Mirkwood. I hate that my brother gets to go and fight all sorts of creatures while I have to stay home! I should be allowed to go and fight and find my own place in this world. Before he left my brother taught me how to shoot a bow and arrow; he said I'm almost as good as he is. He also taught me how to fight with knives. That combined with my elven senses; make me ready to face ANYTHING! I don't see why my father insists on holding on to me... I'm not a little child anymore! So, that is why I know what I must do.

~Later that night~

"Father, May I go for a walk in the gardens?" Reina asked.
"It's getting late. Can it not wait till the morning?" her father responded.
"No. I can't sleep and walking in the gardens sooths my soul."
"I guess it couldn't hurt. Just don't be gone long."
"Thank you. I'll try not to." Reina said, bowing as she left.

I'll try to be home as soon as I make my own place in the world. Please forgive me for any pain this causes you!

After arriving at the gardens she pulled her traveling cloak from its hiding place, the bow her brother gave her, and her knives. She strapped her gear on and, just before slinging the bow on her back, she studied the intricate detail of it and wished she could be with her brother on his journey. Then as quietly as possible she disappeared into the woods.

They will search for me soon. I better move fast.

For the next hour she walked through the woods so that she may keep the trackers off her trail. She decided to climb a sturdy looking tree to the right of where she stood. Making her way from tree to tree, she moved at a fairly good speed for 5 leagues or so before she climbed down and continued on her way.

They will have discovered that I am gone by now. It will take them hours to follow my trail and by then I will be long gone from here.

As she thinks this she walks out into the morning sun to see a stretch of land that continues on forever in front of her.

My journey has begun!