After the final war of the Ring of Power, evil seemed. banished from Middle Earth, Elessar the king sent out parties to extinguish the few orcs that remained. Years passed, peace reined, but in the Haradwaith a power grew. It seemed at first tp be a passing threat, the ripple of evil as it made its departure. The Black Army instead grew under the dominion of a dark Numenorean the last of his kind. He ruled with brutal efficiency, constructing a vast army of Eastreners, orcs, troll and the few Uruk-hai that remained. In the east his army grew and during the fortieth year of king Ellessar's rein he struck. Creeping westward the Dark Army pillaged and burned the villages of the Free People. In only a short time Middle Earth was in turmoil, so as a last and desperate attempt to stop the invasion a plea was sent out from Gondor, calling all who were able to arms.

The Tale of a Warrior Maid Chapter 1

"Please, I beg you do not do this," the wizard pleaded, as she piled supplies onto the blanket on her bed.

"I have to. They called for all who are able. I am able" She replied as she rolled the blanket up and tied the ends tightly.

"No, you are not. They called for seasoned warriors not young women with vast imaginations. You will be slaughtered," the wizard insisted, following his apprentice as she made her way out of her room and through the door of the black tower carrying her package. She began to make her way into the orchard. "You cannot fight, or use a bow."

She turned sharply and stared at her master, fire burned in her eyes. Her green dress fluttered in the slight breeze "Do you see the apple on yonder tree?" She replied stiffly pointing at a tree that stood fifty meters from where they stood "the one that is bruised, on the right lower corner."

"Of course, I may be old, but I'm not blind," the Istari huffed.

"Now let me show you, how poor my skill with a bow truly is," she replied as she stooped down and removed a long, irregular package from under a nearby bush. From within it she removed an array of weaponry and other supplies. Selecting an intricate bow and a maroon feathered arrow from an equally fascinating quiver she rose to her feet. "Look closely," she instructed raising the bow and positioning the arrow. A quick twang and the apple lay on the ground a maroon arrow protruding from both sides. "I am able, master," she corrected. "You can not possibly have expected be able to send me under the care of the finest archers and me not have learned a few things. I learned much in Rivendell the ten years I spent there Radaghast. I now rival the Elven bowmen," as she said this she fastened the bow to her pack and beside it tied the quiver.

How did you come across such weapons, the tower was pillaged of such things when I brought you here?" Radaghast asked peering over her shoulder.

"The bow and quiver was given to me by the elves who taught me to use them. The arrows I bought in a nearby town. And these I received on one of my travels." She gloated as she removed two Elven long knives from the bundle, their blades gleamed silver with the elvish calligraphy running down to the tip of each. Their hilts where of a darker metal, studded with sapphires and rubies.

"When did you go on such travels?"

"I went with several of the Rivendell elves to visit the few of their kin who remained in Lothlorien. With so many gone to the Grey Havens, there was much to give away," she answered giving the blades an expert's twirl before sheathing them and placing them on her belt.

"I see then that there is no way that I might change your mind Kesteral, but I must warn you. Despite Éowyn's heroic in battle not all the Gondorien men are apt to except a woman in their mists, no matter how skilled an archer," the wizard began to remove a chain from around his neck. "I had hoped you would stay, not only for your own safety, but also because I have been called back to Valinor. Although with the pressing war I suspect that this should stay here," the chain was gold, on it hung a silver ring, and although plain it was more beautiful then anything Kesteral had set eyes on. "I found this on Saruman's desk when I first took charge of Isengaurd. Its history is complicated, and how it came here, I can only speculate. But I believe this is the ring of Eonwe Manwe's servant, a Maia like me. Eonwe was a friend of Mandos' servant Melnos. These two Maia had such a fast relationship that they ask that two rings be made for them that when worn they would allow their owner to keep in touch with the owner of its twin. They could se what their friend saw. The request was fulfilled. Saruman was always jealous of Eonwe's friendship with Melnos (he desired her attention as well). He must have stolen the ring from Eonwe before he departed for Middle Earth, a fiendish thing to be sure, but his malice must have been growing even then. The Valar will be looking for it of course. Things of Valinor are not meant to fall into the hands of mortals. If the wearer of the ring has strength of mind and spirit he will see Melnos going about her duty, calling those who perish in battle to her master's hall. Such a sight would give insite on a commander's next move. But I suspect that the ring will come in handy if not for insight also as a bargaining tool. I do not know why the Valar have not intervened in the invasion of Middle Earth, but I suspect it has something to do with Melkor imprisoned in their halls. I shall see to this when I return there. I do know that if one was to offer them the ring, they would be more apt to give their assistance. There for I leave it here in your hands, keep it safe, and do not lose it." Radaghast instructing handing Kesteral the chain and ring, she immediately put it on. It hung on her neck beside a finely crafted sapphire that hung on a silver chain.

"I will not let it out of my site master," she replied putting on a raged travelers cloak and shouldered her package.

"Will you not stay with me in Orthanc? One soldier will not make a difference, and I can send the ring with one of the elves." Radaghast pleaded the last time.

"I have already decided, and nothing you say can make me reconsider. Kesteral replied turning toward the gate. Her dress snagged on the bush, the exquisite fabric holding tight. "This will never do in the wilderness," she sighed tearing the green fabric so that it angled up to her right knee. Tugging the fabric loose she shoved it into her belt. The rip revealed her calves, thick with hair the same soft brown as her long. "Now everyone will know what I am. a half-bred, the only one of my kind, daughter of a Halfling and an Elf of the Golden Wood" and with that Kesteral made her way out of Isengaurd and took the road east to Gondor.