I found this story hiding in my computer, unfinished. So, I think it's time to finish it, don't you? :) Follows the movies and starts during first one. Of course, some things aren't going to be the same, but what is fan fiction without your own twist?

Enjoy! And reviews are always welcome. No flames please, that would be lovely.

~:Elven Kat:~

Silently, a cloaked figure slipped through the dark countryside, running swiftly over rock and stream. It paused for a moment, turning to the south to face the wind. Several gusts of warm air slowly pulled the hood of the cloak down, revealing the face underneath. It was a she-elf, long blonde tendrils of hair framing a pale yet beautiful face set with two icy blue eyes that seemed to glitter in the moonlight. Pulling the hood back up around her, she took one last glance at the landscape behind her before she took off again.

Reaching the edge of a looming forest, she slowed her pace.

Lothlorien, she thought to herself.

She had heard stories of Lothlorien. According to them, a powerful Elven witch resided here. And few who entered the forest ever returned. But now, she was here, determined to enter, pushing aside the fears that made her stomach churn. She took a deep breath and walked forward. As soon as she entered, her face narrowly missed the sharp point of an arrow.

"Do not move," a male voice said, dangerously low.

She stopped, standing completely still.

"Peace. I come in peace," she said, holding up her hands.

"Then why do you wear the clothes of the Dark Lord?" the voice asked.

"Please, my lord," she said, not wanting to tell her story just yet. "I am not an enemy."

It was silent for a moment before a group of Elves appeared from the brush, surrounding her with their arrows merely an inch from her. One of them stepped forward. Their leader she presumed. He was taller than she was with shoulder length hair, the same color as hers, and similar blue eyes. She felt as though they pierced her very soul.

"What is your name?" he asked her, eyes narrowing.

"Rìan," she replied, bowing her head.

"Well, Rìan, I do not know why the Lady Galadriel has asked to see you but we do not question her," the leader said.

"She knows I am here?" Rìan asked, surprised.

"Lady Galadriel is all-knowing, especially when it comes to her lands," the other Elf said. "Come now."

Rìan followed him, still surrounded by Elves, deeper into the forest.

Lady Galadriel, she mused to herself. That was the name I have heard in the stories.

After crossing a stream, they stopped.

"From here, you wear a blindfold," the Elf said, producing a strip of cloth.

She nodded hesitantly before allowing him to tie it around her eyes. She followed them, unsure of her bearings and wary of where they were taking her. After what seemed like an endless walk, they finally reached their destination and the blindfold was taken off. Rìan stared in awe at her surroundings. This was Caras Galadhon, golden city of Lorien. Large, mighty mallorn trees stood around her, encircled by stairs leading upwards toward the canopy. Everything seemed to glow in a soft white light. As she looked forward again, two figures stood before her. One was a male Elf, clad in majestic robes. The other was a female, tall with wild blonde hair that fell to her waist.

That must be Lady Galadriel and her husband, Lord Celeborn, Rìan thought.

She turned to look at Galadriel. There was something in her eye. A tear.

Is she weeping? Rìan thought frantically. Why is the Lady Galadriel weeping at the sight of me?

Her thoughts were cute short by a soothing, melodic voice ringing through the trees.

"Welcome home, my daughter."

Daughter?!

All around her, Elves fell on one knee, bowing their heads respectfully. Even the ones who had escorted her here.

"Thank you Haldir, for bringing her to me," Galadriel said, nodding her head slightly towards the leader of the group.

Haldir bowed his head and motioned for his group to follow him. Galadriel walked over to Rìan, who was still struggling to understand what had just happened.

"Walk with me. There is much to talk about," Galadriel said.

Rìan followed her away from the group of Elves. They walked in silence before stopping at a small pool of water surrounded by mossy rocks. Rìan sat down, almost unceremoniously.

"Y-you called me your daughter," Rìan stammered nervously.

"That you are. You were but a small child when the Orcs took you from me," Galadriel explained.

Rìan had grown up in Mordor, adopted by the Dark Lord Sauron. His Orcs had trained her to become one of the most deadly warriors in the Black Land. The horrors she had witnessed would haunt her for many years to come. Torture, rape, and death. The acrid stench of rotting flesh. Ash that was swept everywhere from Mount Doom. It was survival of the fittest. Kill or be killed.

Galadriel placed her hand over Rìan's.

"Come child. There are a group of travelers I want you to meet."

As Rìan stood up, Galadriel eyed her clothing.

"First, you will get changed. I do not wish to see these garments in my house."

As if on cue, another female Elf stepped into view. She took Rìan by the hand and led her away.

She was brought to a bath first. As she slipped into the warm water, the Elf tending to her poured sweetly smelling soap over her head, rubbing it into her hair, and rinsing out the grime. After, Rìan was brought to another room which she guessed were her chambers. A simple yet beautiful white gown was given to her. As she put it on, her other clothes were whisked away.

Probably to be burned, she thought.

~:✿:~

Rìan stood at the window, silky white curtains billowing softly in the gentle breeze. Her life had completely changed in the course of a day. It was going to get some getting used to but she was sure she could manage.

Well, maybe not the dresses, she thought, wishing she could at least wear leggings and a tunic.

Below her, she noticed an Elf looking up at her. As their eyes locked, a tingling sensation shot through her. He was grasping a bow and had a quiver full of arrows on his back. A small smile tugged at his lips. Their moment was broken when someone else appeared at the Elf's side. This was a man. He was tall with dark hair that fell to his shoulders. He placed his hand on the Elf's shoulder.

"It is not polite to stare, my friend," he said, loudly enough so Rìan could hear.

If Elves could blush, her face would've been bright red. The man looked up at her and winked before steering his Elf friend away. Rìan could not help but smile.

Galadriel led Rìan to the base of one of the large trees to meet the travelers she had spoken of.

"They are the Fellowship of the Ring. Nine companions set out on a journey to destroy the One Ring," Galadriel had told her.

Rìan knew of this ring. There had been plenty of talk about it in Mordor. As they approached, she was shocked and slightly amused, to find the Man and his Elf friend among the small group. Galadriel introduced her and excused herself, stating she had important matters to tend to and that hopefully, Rìan could provide some insight of what was happening behind the Black Gate. Another Man stepped forward to greet her.

"My Lady, I am Boromir of Gondor," he said, kissing her hand gently.

Gondor. Rìan had seen the great city of Minas Tirith from behind the walls of Mordor. Minas Tirith, the only thing protecting Middle Earth from evil. A small hand tugged at her gown. She turned to see a child standing there. Upon further inspection, she realized it was not a child but a Hobbit, a Halfling from the Shire. She had heard whispers of Hobbits from Sauron.

"I'm Pippin and this is my cousin Merry," he stated proudly, gesturing towards another Hobbit.

"Pippin!" Merry hissed at him. "Don't be rude!"

Pippin continued without listening.

"And those two are Frodo and Sam. They also come from the Shire. And that's Aragorn," he said, pointing at the Man with the dark hair.

"And that's Gimli," he continued, pointing at a Dwarf standing next to Aragorn.

"And that's Legolas."

The Elf bowed his head slightly. Pippin, obviously very pleased of himself, ignored Merry's rant on how he should be more polite. Rìan found their antics hilarious.

"My lady, may we speak of Mordor?" Aragorn asked.

Rìan nodded and told them everything she could. How many were behind the walls. Who else had joined the army of Orcs. When Aragorn had gotten the information he needed, Rìan bid them good night and headed back to her chambers in her talan. Even though Elves did not need as much sleep as Men, the moment she was settled into bed, her eyes closed and she drifted off, a small smile on her face.