Aragorn sighed. As the sun set, he was growing tired and was impatient to finish his crossing of the river Isen. Drawing near to shore, he noticed a small object, probably a juvenile water animal, trying to escape the reeds and return to the currents. It was not, he perceived upon closer inspection, an animal at all, but a basket. He picked it up and took it to shore. Inside, he found a small bundle of rags, two black dots with the tiniest stars glittering inside them, and a note with a single word: "Mornie," Elvish, known in the common tongue as darkness. When he picked up the baby, the rags fell away from her face, revealing she was an Elf, but she revealed nothing more, for her face was entirely expressionless. He read the note aloud to her, "Mornie." The tiny stars flickered brighter just for a moment. "Is that your name then? Let's see how hungry you are." He knew she needed milk, but they were miles from any civilization, so he fed her mashed-up berries instead. The only clues she ever gave him as to how long she had been in the basket were the eagerness with which she ate and then the brevity of time if took her to fall asleep directly afterwards. Knowing he must get her to Rivendell as quickly as possible, he set out at once, for, even on a cloudy night, a Ranger can find his way across almost any terrain with astounding swiftness. He made Rivendell within the week and left Mornie with her own kind, returning monthly. She never spoke, cried, or even smiled. It was just after her second birthday, which Aragorn made the day he found her, that he did not return to Rivendell for a few months. When he did return, she watched him come into her playroom, then, for the first time, smiled, and said "Adda." At that moment, any doubts any one might have previously had as to who should parent the child were resolved. It was unlikely that any elf but Lord Elrond or one of his children would have taken her; all the rest were quite clear that they would prefer to keep their distance. This avoidance also became apparent a few weeks later, when, as she started using the large vocabulary she had been storing up, Aragorn decided that she was ready for school. The children, who would have made fun of this early bloomer anyway, were warned by their parents to stay away from her. This out casting, along with her love for the outdoors fast developed and encouraged by her father and the sons of Elrond, brought her to her Decision Day with an already convinced mind. When she was ten, and her companions thirteen, she did not want to be a dress-maker like some of the girls, nor a shopkeeper like most of the others. She decided that she wanted to be a Ranger. Seeing that she was in earnest and quite capable, Aragorn began to train her. So, while the others were apprenticed to various dressmakers and shopkeepers, Mornie was apprenticed to her father. She spent the next two years learning the names of the plants and their respective properties, the animals and the ways they act, and then how to fight. Aragorn taught her very little of the last because she picked up on it very quickly and took it even further on her own, farther than most apprentices might have. Then her father took her to her first Gathering, an annual event which saw almost all of that region's Rangers come together in one large clearing, others gathering elsewhere. As she had expected, when she met them, the other apprentices mocked the idea of a girl-Ranger. However, since all apprentices must show their combat skills in order to be assigned their ranks, the leading apprentice, a boy by the name of Jim, had her fight the lowest apprentice, expecting a short fight. He was correct: she disarmed her opponent with two flashes of blade.

"At least give me someone who can hold a sword properly," she stated, looking Jim straight in the eye, her stars glittering.

He called out a boy a few ranks above the first. The ringing of steel on steel echoed a few times around the clearing before this boy found his sword lying on the grass as well. Annoyed, Jim picked up his own sword, and Mornie met him head on. Thus ensued a fight so beautiful and well-executed, most of even the Rangers present stopped to watch this form of dance. Finally, Jim did a feet swipe, and, as Mornie landed back on the ground, the soft earth gave way beneath her, and she fell just underneath a small mound. Thinking that she had rolled to the far side of the mound, Jim looked for her there, but, not seeing her, he called for her to come out of hiding. The pain swelled in her ankle, but after checking to confirm it was not broken, she pushed through the pain and got back up. He was facing away from her, so she used the mound to gain some height as she jumped toward him. Her shadow betrayed her, however, and his sword came up to meet hers, suddenly loosening her grasp so that when she hit the ground it slipped out of her hand, and she rolled away from it. She pulled her dagger out on him, but he was already on top of her, his sword against her neck. Defeated, she dropped the dagger from its place against his stomach and raised her hands in surrender. He stood up, holding his sword up in triumph, while she replaced her dagger in its hidden sheath in her boot. He returned her sword to her, and then called his second in command.

"Latgy," he said, "give me your ring."

"But Jim, I - here," Latgy finished under Jim's glare.

"The ring of the second," Jim held it up for all the apprentices to see and turned to Mornie and placed it on her left pointer finger. She looked to her father and saw the pride in his eyes, and the stars twinkled.

"But Jim, she's a-"another voice began from behind her. She spun around quickly, sword still in hand.

"You want to finish that?" she called to the speaker, but all the apprentices were silent.

"Come on, we've got things to do," Jim said, moving on.

So Mornie found acceptance amongst the apprentices, and they became like brothers to her, and, though she only saw them once a year, they still found ways to communicate outside the Gathering. Mornie returned to Rivendell whenever her father did, which turned out to be quite often, and she soon realized the reason why: Aragorn's love for Arwen. She would only sleep there, however, leaving as soon as the gates opened, and always just slipping in before they were closed for the night. She practiced her fighting skills, and loved learning every stick and stone surrounding the city. Within a few months, she began to take a horse out so she could go further and explore more.

Finally, Aragorn left for the Gathering. Mornie was looking forward to seeing friends she could rely on again. This, however, her third gathering, was to be different from the previous two. About midday, the sentry called out for all to take hidden positions. In the stillness, Mornie could hear the creaking of a carriage, followed by a man's voice in the distance.

"All of you, stay here. I need to do this alone."

He then began the seemingly long walk into the forest. She could still hear him muttering to himself.

"Just passed the stream where the crossroad is in sight, then take a turn, and ninety paces to the right."

A man well into his fifties stumbled into the clearing, huffing and puffing, for he was a short, wide man, who clearly did not get much exercise at all, if any. He was well dressed, the white shirt beneath his vest and coat a large contrast against his bright red face. He looked completely terrified.

"Hello?" he called out. "Rangers? I mean you no harm. I just have a request." Nothing stirred. "Please tell me I'm not just talking to myself. This is ridiculous," he added quietly. "I'm looking for one of your apprentices," he continued in a loud voice, turning, trying to find some sign of life. "A young elf, named Mornie." She signaled her father, asking for permission to step out. "Please, I need your help." Aragorn gave his permission, and she appeared precisely from where he had just looked away.

"I am Mornie," she said quietly, trying not to scare him too badly. He jumped, but then smiled.

"You're real. You're really here."

"It would seem so. You said you wanted my help. I cannot promise you I will do it, but I shall consider it."

"Yes, yes, yes. Of course. Thank you very much, Miss Mornie. My name is Rufus Rubac. You see, miss, it's my daughter, Lily. I fear for her safety. She keeps getting letters and such, and I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but a father knows when something's not right with his daughter."

"So what do you want me to do?"

"Please, I mean no offense, but I would like to hire you to protect her, and to investigate whatever's happening. On behalf of the love of fathers, I ask you to consider this."

"I shall, but I need to consult others before I give you my decision."

A rabbit rustled a bush behind him, and he turned to look. When he glanced back at Mornie, she was gone. The sound of quiet bird song rippled through the clearing. Mornie first consulted her father, who gave his permission, and then she checked with Jim, to confirm he would not need her assistance that day. Then the decision was up to her. She pitied the man who only requested help for the sake of his daughter. A moment later, she appeared from across the clearing where she had disappeared.

"Mr. Rubac, I have chosen to assist you. What do you need me to do?"

"Oh, thank you, thank you so very, very, much Miss Mornie. I promise I shall pay you very well."

She raised an eyebrow. "I'm not interested in your money, Mr. Rubac."

"No, of course not, but still I am very, very grateful."

As if I couldn't tell already, Mornie thought.

"Now if you will please collect your things, I will take you to my town, and we can discuss the particulars in the carriage.

"I have everything I need, Mr. Rubac."

"Of course you do, of course you do," he replied, his cheeks growing red again. Here Aragorn stepped out of the tree line. Rubac almost fell over.

"Mornie," Aragorn said in Elvish. "Be careful. A town has many other dangers different from the forest."

"I will, Adda. Goodbye."

Jim also stepped up. Rubac began to sweat, obviously uncomfortable with three Rangers, though he little knew he was surrounded by dozens. Jim beckoned Mornie away since he didn't speak Elvish.

"Do your duty, and come back soon. Leave a message at the new elm near the brook when you're back."

"I will," Mornie nodded. "It won't be long. Goodbye."

With that, Mornie joined Mr. Rubac. His servants were quite surprised to see him come back accompanied by a young elf. She sat tall and still in the carriage, waiting for Rubac to speak.

"It really is a fairly simple matter," he began. "I would like you to follow Lily and protect her, while trying to figure out what is going on. Of course, the entire town is available for you to use as needed, as I am Mayor."

So that's the funny little insignia on his jacket.

"She's still only 14, so she spends most of her day in school, and the rest mostly out with her friends."

How old does he think I am?

"Also, please, if you could make your presence known, I would think it should scare away her potential attacker."

"Don't you want him caught?" she asked.

"Not as much as I want her safe."

A fourteen-year-old who spends her time in school and with friends. Where's the threat? This might be even faster than I thought. But I won't get over-confident.

The mayor was very proud of his town; he couldn't stop talking about it the rest of the ride. Mornie listened somewhat, but always nodded in the correct places. Shortly thereafter, they arrived at the mayor's house. Mornie glanced quickly up and down the street, memorizing the people and buildings surrounding her. Then she followed the mayor inside. He turned left at the first door where Mrs. and Miss Rubac were sitting, doing embroidery.

Wow, that looks boring was the only thing that came to Mornie's mind. The richly furnished room had a few paintings hanging on the walls, fairly good, seeing as they'd been done by human painters, and one large Elvish painting, the highlight of the room. On the mantle were three portraits, one of a young man, one of Lily, and one of a little boy, the Rubac children, Mornie guessed. A footman stood waiting for the next order.

"Martha dear," Mr. Rubac addressed his wife, "this is the Ranger Butterbur mentioned last time I was in Bree: Miss Mornie. She has agreed to help protect our Lily."

Mornie bowed her head, and Mrs. Rubac began a "How do-" but was cut off by Miss Rubac.

"What?! Father, you got a Ranger to protect me?! I told you, it was nothing and to stay out of it! How could you?!"

"Lily dear, I'm only trying to help you."

"Some help!" and she flounced out of the room.

"That's Lily," Mr. Rubac said.

"Oh" was all Mornie replied.

"And I'm Hertem, her brother and pest," said a little voice behind her. Mornie turned and recognized the youngest child on the mantelpiece. "Are you a real Ranger?" Hertem asked.

"Not quite, actually," Mornie replied. "I'm still an apprentice."

"Oh. When will you be a real Ranger?"

"When my father and trainer decides I'm ready."

"When will that be?"

"Probably about a year or so."

"Why so long?"

"I have to learn how to be a good Ranger first."

"Oh. Why-?"

"Look, Hertem, I'd really like to chat with you, but I'm afraid I have a job to do. May we continue this another time?"

"Oh. Sure. Mother, I'm going to go back outside," and Hertem left.

"You actually got him to stop talking! I don't think that's ever happened," Mr. Rubac joked.

"Rufus!" Mrs. Rubac warned. "Charles, would you please take Miss Mornie's things up to the room adjacent to Miss Lily's?"

The footman left, but returned immediately.

"I'm afraid there aren't any of Miss Mornie's things arrived yet, madam."

"Oh, that silly coachman, I really-"

"Martha dear, Miss Mornie doesn't have any things."

"Oh. Right. Then, Charles, please show Miss Mornie to her room. Thank you for coming, Miss Mornie."

Mornie bowed again, and then followed the footman up the stairs. He opened the door to a fairly plain bedroom: just a bed, a writing desk, a mirror, and a chest of drawers.

"Miss Rubac's room is just one more door down the hall. I believe she's in there now."

"Thank you." The foot man continued to stand there. "I'm afraid I'm not very used to this. You can go now, I guess." Charles bowed and exited. Mornie glanced around the room, wiped some dirt off her face that she saw in the mirror, and went and knocked on Miss Rubac's door.

"Who's there?" came a voice from within.

"Mornie."

"What do you want?"

"I think we need to discuss some things."

"Come in, I suppose."

Mornie opened the door to a more richly decorated room with a fireplace but the same basic layout as Mornie's.

"Well?" the other girl asked.

"First, do you prefer Miss Lily or Miss Rubac?"

"Miss Rubac."

"Then, Miss Rubac, it's clear that you don't really want me here. May I ask why?"

"Look, all I want to do is spend time with my friends, and you're going to ruin it because they will be afraid of you."

"What if I promise to stay back and be only an observer, not a participant?"

"Then we'd be getting somewhere. I will be going out with my friends shortly. I wasn't going to tell you, but if you won't bother us, you may come."

What, does she think she rules the world?

"All right, I won't bother you if you won't order me around. I am your equal, not your servant." Miss Rubac's eyes narrowed at this, but seeing that Mornie meant it, she softened.

"Agreed. Let's go," and she led the way down the stairs.

Nothing eventful happened that evening, or the next few days. Both girls kept their promises. Mornie followed Miss Rubac and usually her group of friends to school in the mornings and around town in the evening. She caught glimpses of Hertem, often preparing a prank of some sort. Upon request, she showed him her sword once, but had little interaction with him otherwise. It happened on one evening, however, that Miss Rubac departed from her friends. Mornie followed her through the many twists and turns. Night was quickly descending. Suddenly, the large black shape of a man appeared just behind Miss Rubac and grabbed her. Mornie yelled and attacked.