Near an unknown town near Angmar around sunset there was a small camp consisting a young Aragorn son of Arathorn and the sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elorohir. They were traveling around Middle-earth gaining knowledge of the various peoples who lived through out. They sat around the campfire roasting some rabbit Aragorn had shot with his bow and arrow. The young man was a pretty good shot and had gotten them enough for all three of them.
"Why don't I go into the town and buy us some fresh bread? I still have some money that the farmer gave us for helping him in the field," asked Aragorn checking his bow wear.
"Is that money burning a hole in your pocket young Master Aragorn?" laughed Elorohir. "If you wish for some bread go buy it then but I doubt much will be fresh as it is usually baked in the morning. And be careful in town. We are close to Angmar there might still be some of his servants here."
"Do not worry Lords Elorohir and Elladan. I will be watchful for any danger."
And with that Aragorn slung his bow onto his back and trekked in the direction of the town. When he got to the walls of the town he looked back to see if he could find the fire of the camp and could hardly see a spark. He hopped he would be able to find it later.
Aragorn looked down the main way of the small town and saw that many houses were dark and silent. He was wary of danger and slowly placed his hand on his hilt in case he needed to draw it. He looked at the empty houses watchfully trying to sense a movement that shouldn't be there. He decided to go to the first house with lights shining which were four houses down the lane.
He started to stride carefully toward the house and thought he heard a footstep behind him. He whirled around but he couldn't see anything except shadows and stone. He turned back around and heightened his senses like the elves had taught him and waited to see if anything was following him. Right when he took another couple of steps he heard a breath behind him and whirled around again. Again there was nothing but he knew there was something there following him. It could possibly be a servant of the Witch King.
"Show yourself! If you be friend or foe show yourself and show me your intent!" he cried hoping to bring out whatever was plaguing him.
He heard a sword being drawn behind him and was about to turn around with his own sword when a blade was placed at his throat and a hand on his shoulder.
"I would rather you told me your intent," hissed a voice in his ear.
"I wished to buy some bread," said Aragorn softly trying not to let the blade bleed him.
"We don't get many travelers come in at night unless they have some evil purpose. Tell me who your master is."
"I have none but myself."
"Who did you come with?"
"None but myself." Aragorn thought it best he didn't say that he was with Elrond's sons if this person were a servant of the Witch King. "Who are you?"
"I'm not the one being questioned but if you desire I'll let you take a look at me."
The tip of the blade touched his jaw and made him turn his head so he could see the face of his captor. He was surprised and his face showed it.
"What a woman can't catch a man off guard?" his captor asked.
Her face was rather pleasant and didn't look a year older than himself. She had shoulder length honey blonde hair and blue eyes that were searching to see if he was a big threat. She must have thought he wasn't as she released her strong grip on his shoulder and sheathed her sword.
"So you came to town just to buy bread?" Aragorn nodded his head wary that she still had her hand on her sword. "And you are alone?" Again he nodded his head. She sized him up for a moment before turning and heading toward one of the houses he had passed. She turned and saw that he was just standing there. "Well come on. You won't get anything from them." She nodded toward the lit houses.
She started going to the first empty house but didn't wait for him again. He was a bit nervous following her. He didn't know her and she could be leading him to a trap for all he knew. But she could have killed him when she had the chance but she hadn't so she must be good enough that he could trust her. But he was going to make sure he had his weapons always within reach if need be.
She led him around back of the two-story house and through a blanket nailed to the frame. Inside the room was a woodstove with a fire inside it, a table and some chairs, a small dresser, a chest, and a bed.
He stood in the doorway uncertain what to do until she told him to sit. He sat down near the woodstove and watched her as she looked through one of the drawers of the dresser until she found what she was looking for.
She set down half a loaf of bread wrapped in cloth in front of him and waited for him to pay up. He fished out 3 bits, which she took and stashed away in a pouch around her waist.
Now in the light he could see her better than the half moon light. She was wearing trousers and a shirt like a man instead of the dresses women usually wore and had a gold belt of Rohan design. He could also see that her hair had a bit of wave to it, which framed her face nicely. She also had a very faint scar on her left cheek from a sword he decided.
She sat down in the other chair and studied him also. He was quite young to be traveling alone especially around Angmar. He was rather handsome and had the start of a beard on his face and had dark shoulder length hair. His clothes were well worn but she could tell that they were once rich cloth but he had a fine rich cloak and a belt that had a strange design.
She could see that he was studying her and caught his eyes in an unblinking stare. He turned away first and looked into the flames of the fire.
She leaned back in her chair and studied her nails and asked, "So what's your name young master?"
He stood up and bowed as he had been taught by Elrond saying, "I'm Aragorn son of Arathorn. And you?"
"Since I've let you see my place I doubt it could hurt much telling you." She got up and bowed saying, "I'm Adreivia daughter of Gleonyc and Rhiandra and sister to Cararyn."
They sat back down watched the fire dance in the stove. Aragorn glanced over at her and asked, "So you live here by yourself?"
She leaned back in her chair and answered, "Yes. My mother died when I was eight so my father had to raise us up by himself. He taught us how to live independently and how to fight. Then when he died my brother left to find himself a new life somewhere. He always said he would come back for me but he hasn't come back yet after 4 years."
"So you watch the streets at night?"
"Yes, I make sure there is no one here who shouldn't be." She pointedly looked at him.
He fidgeted and asked, "Why don't you just leave?"
She turned her gaze to the fire. "I can't. Someone has to watch these people and they won't watch their streets at night."
"How come you wouldn't let me go buy bread from them if they don't even watch their own streets?"
She glanced back at him and gave a huff before looking back at the fire. "They won't help you. They don't help anyone but themselves. Of course they help me out by giving me food sometimes but any stranger that comes in they have a bad temper towards. Some wish that the Witch King would come back and others like it the way it is with no ruler. Though others secretly wish that the King of Gondor will come back."
"Which do you wish?"
"I don't know. My grandfather knew what it was like to answer to the Witch King and he told me the horrible stories. I don't mind the way it is though I wish I were somewhere else and travel to meet new people. I doubt there is ever going to be a new King of Gondor. I heard his line died a long time ago."
Aragorn sat for a while thinking. "So is your family from Gondor?"
She shook her head. "My family is from the line of the Dunedain. Though my grandmother from my mother's side was from Rohan." They sat a while again in silence. "Where are you from?"
"I'm not sure, though I was raised in Rivendell. I don't know much about my family line except my father died young and my mother is an Elf."
Adreivia nodded her head to show she understood. They sat again in silence. "What quest are you on?"
"Quest?"
"Yes, why else would you be traveling alone?"
"I'm just traveling around finding out the ways of the Peoples of Middle-earth."
"Sounds exciting. Where is your camp?"
"Camp?" Aragorn thought fast. Did she know who he traveling with? Well if she knew she would have brought it up by now. "My camp is in the woods."
She noticed the moments pause but let it drop. "You should stay here tonight. There all sorts of evil servants out at night in the woods. You can always get back to your camp in the morning."
Aragorn fidgeted and Adreivia noticed. "Is there something the matter with you staying here?"
Aragorn quickly shook his head though he was worried what Elladan and Elorohir would do when he didn't come back soon.
"Okay, so you can sleep on the floor where ever. But I better let you know I sleep with my sword close at hand so don't try to wake me up or else you might end up missing something."
He nodded and she checked that everything was all tied down for the night. She gave him a nod of goodnight before going to sleep in the bed. He stayed up a bit more before rolling up on the floor with his cloak. He stayed awake a couple more hours as the fire died down trying to figure out this person he had met.
She was just a woman trying to figure out where in the world she belonged. She claimed she protected these people who didn't care about her. He had seen the sadness in her face when she talked about her family. She obviously missed them. There was a possibility that her brother had died or something foul had befallen him. She was just trying to get by the only way she knew how. The way her father had taught her. As his conclusion as he drifted off she was a troubled young woman fighting to stay alive. Literally.