A/N: So this is the story that snareplayingpiccolo and niley4eva2012 comes into play. We will update slowly, but soon will have a master story on our hands. Anything to suggest you are welcome to say. Or if you just want to say "Great story!" That is always welcome. Please read on to enjoy the lives of Shayla (niley4eva2012) and Elendawen (snareplayingpiccolo). :)

Chapter One- The Beginning
Shayla's POV:

"Shayla! The King wishes to see you! Up up!" cried my maid of the castle. I groaned rolling over in my sleep, last night was pretty great. There had been a huge party as it was King Théoden's niece Eowyn's birthday. I should probably tell you who I am as I get dressed into the days' clothes. I am Shayla of Rohan although I wasn't born in this country. I really come from a northeast city of Mirkwood near the Mirkwood Mountains. From a city which is probably a ghost town by now. When I was only six years old, it was overrun with goblins and orcs. Elrond of Rivendell was who saved me. For a strange reason I am mostly human but I have the ears and eyes of an elf. My specialty is in my bow which I never leave from my side. The bow was given to me from Elrond when I was just six years of age. It has silver designs etched into white bamboo tree as the base. Now I am twenty-seven, but I feel like a mere teenager. In an elf's eyes, I am, for since I had an elf as by my mother, my age doesn't naught a difference in Rohan, and I can live longer than the humans. My secret is with me, King Théoden, and most elves like Elrond. He was the only one that volunteered to take me in after my parents were murdered. I had traveled as far as Dol Guldur with the Wood Elves of Elrond's and then met Legolas who took me as far as the Southern border of Fangorn Forest and as an eight year old by that time I had traveled cross country to finally come upon Edoras, starving and hungry by that time I reached King Théoden and told him of my story. Shortly after her received a letter from Elrond confirming the truth of all of it.
My appearance in most man's way of thinking was beautiful. I have dark ashe blonde hair as long as eighteen inches, and there are braids that go across the top of both sides of my head above my ears and flows back and along down the front of my shoulders. But my ears are still covered thank goodness because this is the only style I can use for fear of being found out I'm part elfish in a land of men. My nose or lips weren't elfish either, they were human, and good too. Lastly, comes my eyes. They are unnatural and shaped exactly like of elves, but the people in Edoras know not to question them, even if most of the people here have green or brown eyes. Mine were an unnatural dark shade of cobalt blue, and they are the eyes of my born mother. My father had come from Rohan from many years previous to my birth and he had always loved a good adventure. That was how he had sought out my mother. Luckily too because most people here had either golden brown or blonde hair here, which is similar to my hair, so no questions were asked there either.
Once dressed, I walked down the stairs to the hallway of many rooms. I was lucky enough to get a towered room. Yes, I live in the Great Hall of Edoras, since Théoden basically adopted me, and so I was raised as part of a King's life. I mostly just enjoyed time outside the palace when I could help it. But my assistance of something important was apparently needed. I walked into the grand room of the King and I came upon him. He looked challenged like something was not to his liking. He wasn't smiling, that was for sure. Eowyn and Eomer, my cousins, were there as well, both with distressed faces. Eomer was Eowyn's brother. I looked upon him and asked, "What is wrong father? What has happened since last night that I do not know about?" He gave me a grave look, "Shayla, the time has come for you to marry."
"Marry?! But father I have no love, I have nobody to love, I prefer not to love."
"Shayla, Theodred is gone..."
I started blankly at my King, not believing it to be real. I had known Eomer had brought back Theodred three nights past and he was sicker than a dog coming home from a hunt he went on to destroy some orc camp, but I didn't think it was this serious.
"Father?" I quickly glanced at Eomer and Eowyn. Eomer had a shocked look on his face and Eowyn was crying silently.
"So I know longer have an heir to the throne, you would be next in line...If you were to marry."
"But father I could not. My—condition of my background doesn't allow me to." I was referring to my Elvin background.
Théoden glanced at Eomer and Eowyn, "Shayla, they know, and they have agreed that even though you are part elfish, you would rule with grace after my passing when the time comes. Please Shayla, you can choose any man. I have already sent messengers out to the cities claiming that there will be an offering of your hand to your choosing when they show their faces here in days hence."
I looked down at my feet. A marriage? I couldn't love, I have never been in love...and now Eomer and Eowyn knew my elf past and agreed to it?! At least they would be full humans to rule, why Théoden couldn't choose them! But he chose me. Me. To rule the lands of Rohan until I bare a son, more expectancies. Not only would I have to marry someone I don't love, I would have to bear children until I bore a son and heir. He was asking a lot from me.
"Father, Please I'll do anything but all of you ask of me. It's too much to bear!" And without a response or a word from him I left the room and flew outside to the stables. I know I was being a mere child, but technically still was in my heritage. I was only a teenager even though in human years I was twenty-seven. It just wasn't fair! Why did my brother have to die!
I reached the stables and went immediately to my horse. My horse was a bay horse with dark black hair like the night in his tail and mane. He had dark black legs from the knees on down until his hooves showed a definite white. He had a small white diamond upon his head and he was one of the most beautiful and strongest horses of Rohan. Théoden had given him to me just two years ago for my birthday. I had fallen in love with him automatically and because of my elfish tongue language I knew and kept secret I was able to talk and relate to the horse within just two days of training. And now he was my long companion, I had named him Shawn. I know it was a human name, but Shawn was as much a human as he was my best friend.
I opened the gate to his stable and then jumped on him bareback and grabbed my bow and quiver of arrows off the hook next to the stall and then talked softly saying to get out of here in elfish. Soon we were galloping away from the stables and down the giant mountainside to get out of the city. I felt like riding away from here for a couple of hours. I needed to get away. When I was close to the gate I yelled out to the watchers to open the giant gates. Soon I felt free. My bow and arrows on my back and I was leaving Edoras.
Feeling the wind at my back I knew I was denying my father already. He always hated it when I left the city, the dangers of evil were out here in the countryside, but I knew better about myself than him. Eomer took better care of these lands than any person before him did as a Captain. I was not going to worry too much. I looked into the giant blue sky above me. I saw birds chasing us but flew in opposite directions when they came upon us.
We flew through the lands until we reached a wood just north of the giant mountains separating Gondor and Rohan. When we reached a familiar part of the wood I stopped Shawn and bounced off lightly. I loved riding bareback; at least Théoden didn't criticize me for that. Of course he knew I was an elf, so I and Shawn rode better when there was no separation of say, a saddle. Only in battle do I carry a saddle just so I can hide my identity of being an elf.
Yes I go to battle, for the most part Théoden doesn't know, but Eomer does, he's the party I go with to take care of orc camps and raid them. I thank the Lord my cousin doesn't care about my safety as much as my father does. I hate having him for a father, but I bear with it. I just miss my born natural parents most of all and I would think about what my parents would say about me and my sense to go into danger. They would be proud. They were warriors and even at the age of six I knew that that was the path that they wanted me to take. To go into danger and help defeat all and every enemy. They had many hopeful goals for me to fulfill by the time I reached twenty. But that was when they were living and before the ambush had happened.
By this time I had climbed a tree as I let my horse wander. I never tied him up, he always knew where I was and besides, he never strayed too far. He was a very well trained and good horse. I pulled out my journal and began to write:
June 30: Third Age: 3018
My father has now decided that I should marry! I can't believe my luck, and to think that my life was going to be great! I had just achieved a small victory of defeating a large orc camp with cousin Eomer just two days past, and now my father is deciding my life for me! Sad news is my brother passed away last night hence the arranged marriage. And then he'll expect me to have children. I don't even know if I want children when I do decide upon it! Ugh, I wish I could just live life the way I want to. I guess I can't do that. At least I still have Shawn.
(Just then my horse looked up to me and gave me a stare; he knew I was writing about him, I chuckled to myself. He always knew).Now to enjoy the rest of the day before I go back to my father.
I put my journal back in my sack that I always have kept on Shawn and pulled out an apple too much on that, it was near noon and I was starving, I just realized that I hadn't eaten anything since my maid woke me up close to eight. Jumping from the tree I landed just like an elf would soft and not noticeable, well Shawn heard me and he came trudging over.
"Hey boy, you are enjoying the weather?" He seemed to be just as cooped up in a locked stable as much as I was in Edoras. At least I had people to talk to. So he enjoyed being out here in the last of the spring breeze as much as I did before the heat of summer came.
He neighed and nuzzled into my hand while I continued petting him. And then I heard it.
It was a scuffling sound in the trees. Calmly I told Shawn to stay as I went in search of the intruder it was probably a rabbit I could bring home for supper. Just to prove that I didn't just run away just because I was a silly girl, but because I wanted to bring home some game. I always loved a good kill. It was then I saw it. It wasn't a rabbit, or a squirrel, but it was a doe, a female doe. Quickly I pulled my bow around and knotted an arrow ready to strike. If I could just closer, there would be a perfect shot right to the heart as it was facing me.
Using my elven instincts I crept closer jumping behind any tree or giant bush in my path. Finally I reached a spot where I had a clear shot. I raised my bow and aimed carefully. Funny thing was since I was as silent as a hobbit could be she did not hear me at all. I took my aim and shot her. The arrow went straight through the hole of the bush the doe was standing behind and went to its heart. Jumping quickly and rushing forward I knotted another arrow and when I reached the animal I shot it to the head to make sure it was really dead. It didn't twitch after that.
I gave a whistle and a few seconds later Shawn came prancing up the walk I had just come from. I smiled. "Hey boy, I'm bringing home a meal for the weekend." I retrieved my arrows and wiped them clean with a cloth I always keep in my bag and then swung my bow and arrows back on my back giving my hands enough room to sling the deer on the horse. Deciding that I really didn't want to be home too quickly I decided to walk. Even though it took two hours riding time to get out here, it would take four hours to walk home, just in time for my father not to worry too much about what happened to me. Besides I didn't mind walking sometimes. Grabbing the reins from Shawn's mouth I led him out of the woods and back towards Edoras.

Elendawen's POV:
Minas Tirith- July 1: Third Age: 3018

Elendawen,
The Steward and the Council Elders of Gondor requests your presence. We wish to discuss an opportunity with you that cannot be discussed in writing. Please report to us immediately within the council chambers in the tower. The guard will take you there. Do not delay your arrival.
Lord Denethor II
The Council of Elders
Looking up from the scribbled note on the paper, my emotionless grey-blue eyes fell on the guard standing in the hallway that in turn was watching me intently, being unusually patient for such an urgent tall guard stood stiffly in a Gondorian tower guard uniform. A dark gray cape that fell down to the floor hung loosely over one of his right shoulder armor and clipped underneath the left shoulder armor, with a light leather vest with the symbol of Gondor, the white tree, stitched across the front. His lower body consisted of beige lower armor with a thick gold line running down the middle and a thinner line running around the bottom that fell down to mid-calf. Underneath that he wore gold chain mail leggings and wore thick black combat boots with a gold metal brooch attached to it. His helmet, made of silver, encloses most of his head as it goes down below his cheek stopping near his chin. It points to a dull point at the top and on either side where the ears should be, a pair of large white wing like objects welded to the side of the helmet and went up and around the helmet, pointing up to the sky. A short nose guard hung down the middle, covering the nose and creating an opening for both eyes. The mouth and the nose are covered by a dark gray cloth masking the identity of the guardsman. In his right hand, a tall pike stood straight. A tower guard is a very intimidating sight indeed even when alone.
Sighing inwardly, I folded the paper and stuffed it in a pocket in my work dress. I knew I had to meet with the council and the steward immediately. They can be rather impatient and can be easily angered if someone like me doesn't show up on time. They would hunt you down as if you were a wild animal. They would hunt you down until they find you. When they drag you into the council rooms, they unleash an indescribable rage upon the poor unfortunate soul on the receiving end of the very short stick if you were late. Hence that is why I am going to meet them now.
"Please take me to the council chambers. I wish to report to the council members and the steward immediately," I state softly.
"Yes ma'am. Please follow me," he replies.
He turns and exits the house. Following the guardsman outside, I locked the door behind me. Looking up I saw that the guardsman had stopped a few feet away. He had turned to face me, watching my every movement with utter curiosity interested in what I was to do next.
"You can never be too cautious down here. People can and will walk in and steal your possessions if you are not careful," I explained to the guardsman in a steady voice "Now may we continue up to the tower, please. The council doesn't like to be kept waiting."
"Yes ma'am," he said with approval etched in his voice as he turned and began the journey back to the top of the white tower of Minas Tirith.

Faramir's POV:
June 30: Third Age: 3018

Darkness was slowly building up in Mordor and there was battle soon ranging ahead. My father hates me and he expects me to go and keep fortification in Osgiliath. I knew that there will be more attacks. The enemy's been pushing for quite some time but we've managed to defeat every one of them. Right now I am sitting in a bar and drinking a pint of ale. It had been a long day of being accused by my father. Boromir had already gone to special meetings all day with father only for him, and I was stuck in this pub and doing exactly what my father wanted. I wanted to please father so much, but he wouldn't give me any chances. He always loved Boromir more. Boromir this, Boromir that. I didn't hate my brother I loved him, but what else could I do?
Taking another drink a scabby looking woman came up to me smiling and sloshing ale down the front of her dirty clothes. "Hey Faramir—hic—you want to—hic—come to my place to—hic—night?" She was grinning from ear to ear since I was practically royalty, but I didn't care. She was so filthy and I had no interest in her.
"No ma'am, but you sure need to before the wolves come get you." I was referring to the drunken men around this place. Deciding I'd best get out I stood up and thanked the bartender with my money and left for the streets. It was early, sun only just set when I stepped out and made my way up to the top tower and to the shelter of my room. Don't ask me why I go all the way down to the bottom of the great city of Minas Tirith just to drink a couple pints of ale, but I do. I really hate being in such a big kingdom, I just want to settle down and maybe even have a family with one who I love. But there seems to be nobody. There are beautiful women on the upper levels, but they are all snobby and only want me for the gold and jewels I own because of my father. My father would choose anybody just for a night, but I am not him, I will never be him. I love him, but not when he acts like a child I sometimes think he is.
I finally reach the top and walk into the head building. I go along a side passage just so I don't have to go through the main hall and face my father. He'd be disappointed in me if he knew I wasn't traveling to Osgiliath tonight, but I had drunk quite a few ales and I wasn't keen on sleep somewhere where I didn't feel safe. Tomorrow I will rise earlier than the sun and leave then with my men. There is only about thirty in our party and they were all staying in the lower level housings and I would rouse all of them with my lead companion Madril. He in fact was staying in the guest room next to mine. For yes I have a guest room right next to my room if I ever wanted to find company and keep them here over night.
By the time I laid down, the long day finally came upon me and I thought of mother. She had died when Boromir and I were naught but eleven. I loved her more than Boromir did more than father; she and I clicked when I needed help with writing or reading scrolls for schooling. Tears came to my eyes as I thought about how much she would see me now, a thirty year old man and still no family. That was her number one priority, a family. But at least I wasn't the oldest without a family. Boromir was thirty-five and had nobody either. Maybe this was the year we would find somebody...
I groaned rolling over in the bed as my eyes turned to the stars hanging out my window, I wonder if I was going to find somebody this year. Evil was growing and all that I wanted was a woman to spend the last remaining good times with..."Please..." I muttered to the stars before darkness took over me as I shut my eyes.

Elendawen's POV:

Meanwhile, within the tower of Minas Tirith….
"Wait here ma'am. I will alert the council that you are here," said the tower guard.
"Yes, sir," I replied with a small smile. And with that he turned and left, leaving me alone in the open lobby.
I watched him disappear into a set of doors at the end of a long hallway to my left. Once the door closed behind him, I turned my attention to the lobby. The spacious room felt like a small open wooded meadow within towering walls of white. A towering giant window stood from floor to halfway up the white wall facing out towards the plains, flooding the large room with waves of sunlight. Along the sides sprung flowers and paintings of various items that lined the columns and window. In each of the four corners of the room stood four trees found only close to Tharbad. Multiple wooden bookshelves all dyed black were filled to the brim with books of various shapes and sizes scattered in and among the plants along the walls of the room. In the center of the room, a circular black dyed wooden table sat elegantly on top of a hand woven blue carpet with a white tree embroidered in the center. Comfortable couches and chairs encircled the table in the middle allowing guests to sit comfortably while they wait for the council to approve of their appearance.
"Excuse me, miss," said the voice of the guard who brought me here.
"Yes," I said as I turned towards him.
"The council, the steward and the two steward- princes have been informed of your arrival. They are waiting for you in the conference room. Please follow me."
Turning on his heel, the guard walked back to the same door that he had walked through earlier. Quickly, I followed the man down the long hallway to the conference room. As I walked by, I noticed more plants from Tharbad. I also noticed more paintings alternating with used torches. This time the paintings were of people I did not recognize. Probably former council members in which these paintings were painted before they died of old age.
"Excuse me, miss, May I have your attention, please?" asked the guard.
I looked at him and nodded for him to continue. He took the opportunity to knock on the door three times. Within the room, I could hear a soft argument had broken out between multiple people. As soon as the argument had started, it had stopped followed by a scuffling chair moving against the hard stone floor. The soft steps of someone walking could be heard, growing louder as it drew nearer and nearer to the door. Thinking that one of the council elders would open the heavy wooden door, I wasn't expecting to be surprised by a surprise.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the first part to our story, please review! And if any suggestions or anything else, we appreciate it. Thanks for reading!