I'm stuck on my Prince Caspian story and have had this floating around for a little while. I hope you find this a little different and that you enjoy it.


Chapter One

The depths of Mordor was one of the most dangerous places in Middle Earth. A place of nightmares and ghouls, not the home of a young elf. And, yet, the Dark Lord's most dangerous weapon was an elf. Aica had been born into the service of the Dark Lord. Deadly, skilled and never failing an assignment, she knew her place, yet knew nothing of what lay outside the sphere that she knew. Middle Earth only knew her as the silent assassin. None knew her age, gender, race or appearance. Deep beneath the lava covered earth was a series of caves, the home and training grounds of Middle Earth's most deadly assassin. The elleth in question was sat, cross-legged by a golden pool of lava. Her coal-black hair was cut to the nape of her neck and her eyes were shadowed, her skin darker than any other elf in Middle Earth. Dressed in black breeches, tunic and fingerless gloves, her feet were bare as she listened to the commands of her Master. 'There is an elf who lives amongst the farthest reaches of the elven kingdoms. He must be eliminated if we are to continue.' The pool before her transformed, showing her images. An elf fighting in the war many thousands of years before, the same elf with a family. After a moment the images faded, leaving the pool, once again golden.
She rose gracefully to her feet and crossed silently to a cloth-covered table. Carefully she drew back the cloth, revealing her arsenal of weapons. Daggers and knives of various shapes and sizes, two long curved knives and a bow and quiver. With practised fingers she strapped each weapon to her body. Two leather straps crossed her chest, holding many of her knives, her boots held a dagger each and a third was strapped to the back of her waist. Her tunic held a dagger in each sleeve. She shrugged on a sleeveless, hooded jacket and tied the fastenings at the front. She pulled her soft boots onto her feet before finally attaching her two long knives and bow and quiver to her back. On silent feet she walked the caverns to one of the exits, the one where her horse was. Halroch, like his mistress knew the trails of Middle Earth better than most. As she approached her horse, he turned his dusky head towards her, letting out a soft whinny. The stallion wore only a bridle, for a saddle was not required for his skilled rider. Aica ran a hand down the horse's sleek, black face, before swinging herself into his back. 'Come on, boy. Let's go get ourselves an elven lord.'
Horse and rider left Mordor at a gallop, Halroch would carry his mistress to the ends of the earth and beyond if she asked it. The wind ruffled Aica's hair as they galloped on the outskirts of the kingdom of Gondor. The ride would take them two weeks if they took the most direct route. However, they would not take the most direct route, so their journey would most likely take three to four weeks. Aica knew how to stay hidden, stay out of the way, and how to completely avoid people.
As the weeks passed Aica and Halroch journeyed on. Aica knew her task and knew that she could not fail if she was to please her master. Never before had she had failed in an assassination, and she didn't plan to start now. Finally they topped a hill and looked out over the elven realm of Rivendell. Aica had to catch her breath at the beauty of the place, she had lived in or around Mordor for her entire life, so to see such a place that was a whole world away from what see was used to took her breath away. a neigh from her horse brought her back to reality. 'Al right, all right. I get it boy. I have a job to do.' The young elf slid gracefully from her horse. 'I'll see you soon my friend.' The horse butted her once before trotting off. Aica turned back to view Rivendell and took a deep breath.

Lord Elrond of Rivendell was pacing his study. It had been many weeks since he had seen the vision of the young elleth sent to assassinate him, riding out from Mordor on a dark steed. The girl herself was not dark, just influenced by the world that she had been raised in. It was his hope that she would be able to help on the quest that was to come, that she was not solely bound to Sauron. A sharp rap on the door interrupted his musings. 'Enter!' Gandalf stepped into the open study. 'Any news?' He asked.
'None, yet I know she comes.'Elrond sighed.
'What is the Dark Lord's plan?' Gandalf pondered. He turned back to the elf, just in time to see a dark shadow drop down behind him. Gandalf pulled Elrond out of the way, before using his staff to disarm the assassin. The girl moved easily on her feet, turning the confrontation into a dance. Strands of her black hair fell across her face as she pulled one of her knives from it's sheath on her back, which Gandalf also batted away. Aica snarled, lunging for her weapons. Gandalf had anticipated this, and blocked her with his staff, sending her to the floor. 'I think that's enough, child.' He said calmly.
Aica rolled onto her knees, before carefully pushing herself to her feet. Elrond had retrieved her blades and placed them on his desk. 'I think you should explain yourself child.'
'Why?' Aica spat. 'Because I am only doing what I have been ordered to to? What I have been trained to do?' Her dark eyes flicked between the Istar and the elven lord.
Elrond sighed and turned to Gandalf. 'To use a child for such a use...' He trailed off, before turning to look at Aica again. 'How long have you been in his service?'
'What is it to you?' Aica hissed.
'A way to help you.' Elrond stated simply. 'I believe you are bound to the Dark Lord because you know no other path.' He turned sincerely towards her. 'I believe that you can help us rid this land of him.'
'But you can never take away the marks he left on my skin?' Aica wrenched back her right sleeve to reveal a dark brand embedded in her skin.
Gandalf sucked in a breath and stepped towards the elleth, taking her arm in his hands. 'How long have you had this?'
'My entire life.' Aica replied, looking between the two. 'I'm 240.' Elrond sat down heavily. 'To have lived so much at such a young age.'
'What will you do to me?' For the first time in her life Aica's voice was fearful.

After Elrond and Gandalf had relieved Aica of all her weapons they had her escorted to a guest room, where she was to remain until the sent for her. 'What are we to do with her?' Elrond asked. 'Can the Dark Lord find her here?'
'No.' Gandalf replied. 'She is bound to him through duty alone. That brand signifies that he trusts her, enough that he does not keep a watchful eye on her.'
'And when she does not return to him?'
'Then she will be dead to him. If she does return she will be killed for failing in her assassination of you. He will not, can not trace her.' Gandalf stared out of the window.
'Do you think she will help us? That we can trust her?'
'I don't think we, or her, have a choice.' Gandalf began to pace. 'She may be the enemies' most dangerous weapon, but she could also be key to his downfall.'
'You do not think the Ring...'
'No!' Gandalf interrupted. 'No, the Ring has no influence over her, if anything it is the key to her release.'
'What do you mean?' Elrond asked curiously.
'The girl holds no desires and just being near the Ring could cause light and goodness to fill her heart.'
'You think we should send her with them?'
'I think we don't have a choice.'

Aica sat cross-legged on the bed in the chambers she had been given, deep in thought. Never before has she failed in an assassination attempt, this was a first for her. She could not return to her master, she would be killed for sure, but staying in this place...she didn't know. The door open and Lord Elrond and Gandalf entered the room. Aica looked up at them. 'We need to know child.' Elrond began. 'Will you help us?'
'Help you with what?'
'To bring an end to your master.' Gandalf finished.
'And what makes you think I'll do that.' Aica scoffed.
'Because you are bound to him only through duty.' Elrond continue. 'It is my belief that you long for something more that what you know.'
Aica sighed. 'Give me time to consider it. Return this evening and I shall give you my answer.' Elrond bowed his head and the two left. Aica remained cross-legged on the bed. What should she do? All she had ever known was to serve the Dark Lord, to betray him now... if she made that decision she could never return to the life she once had, but was it worth it to sacrifice everything she knew for the sake of peace in Middle Earth?

By the time Elrond and Gandalf returned at sundown Aica had made her decision. She had spent the day in the same position on the bed, legs crossed, pondering all the pros and cons of betraying her master and helping in his downfall. The pair waited for the girl to speak. 'I have made my decision. I will help you in this mission, on the condition that I am bound to none and my past and my crimes are revealed to none.'
'We accept your conditions, we are grateful to have your aid.' Elrond said. Aica nodded once. 'Gandalf shall fetch in the morn and take you to meet those whom you will be travelling with.' The pair exited the room, relieved. 'She will be a great asset and an advantage the Dark Lord will not anticipate.' Elrond said once the door had closed.
'Let's hope she keeps her word and does not betray us.' Gandalf finished.

The next morn Gandalf arrived at Aica's room, bearing her weapons. 'I thought you may like these back.' Aica nodded curtly to him as she pulled her knife straps over her body and pulled her jacket on, before attaching her other weapons to her. Gandalf then led her through the halls of Rivendell, towards the training grounds, where the Fellowship was already gathered. Elrond was with them, explaining what little he could about their new companion, without giving too much away.
Gandalf and Aica arrived at the training grounds just in time to hear Boromir's complaint. 'My Lord, you expect us to travel with a woman?'
'She is...' Elrond was interrupted by the thud on a knife embedding itself into the ground, inches away from Boromir's right foot.
'Next time, I won't miss.' Aica snarled as she strode forward to retrieve it. Boromir to a nervous step backwards.
Gandalf cleared his throat, bringing Aica's attention to him. Aica just shrugged, she had no problem threatening people. The rest of the Fellowship regarded Aica curiously, they had never seen an elf like her, short hair, eyes, hair and skin darker than any elf any of them had ever encountered.
Elrond introduced the Fellowship to Aica who eyed each of them with suspicion. Boromir was still muttering to himself about travelling with a woman, even an elf, but Aica wisely chose to ignore him. As the Fellowship dispersed Elrond turned to Aica. 'I wish you to spend a day or two with each of the group, to get to know them a little.' He held up a hand when Aica opened her mouth. 'Please, do not argue with me on this, it will benefit you all in the long term.' At this final word her swept away.


Aica means Fell or Terrible and Halroch means Shade Horse. Any questions PM me or dump it in a review.