A/N: This is a small introductory chapter so not much happens but I promise that the next one is longer and has more of the good stuff (such as the council). I hope you will enjoy reading this as much as I hope to enjoy writing it! Feel free to review and all that jazz, I welcome constructive criticism.

Chapter One: An Old Face

Rayne closed her eyes as the cool breeze ruffled her fur. She would come here often, atop the gorge that contained Imladris, to admire the world and forget the worries of the past. In this form, she was always more at ease and soon found herself drifting into a peaceful sleep.

The sound of new arrivals in the valley caused Rayne to stir. The sun was beginning to sink in the west. Elrond would begin to worry where she was, especially with strangers around. Reluctantly, Rayne rose from the small nest she had made and began to wander back down to her home of the past 71 years. Her pace quickened as she reached the entrance gate, effortlessly shifting from a feline to a lithe figure without any falter in her step. Rayne could see Elrond standing sombrely before her. As she walked towards him she heard a familiar voice coming from within the halls of Imladris. It couldn't be? She almost broke in a run in anticipation to see her old friend again. Estel? To Rayne's dismay Elrond had suddenly appeared to prevent her from going any further.

"My Lord, did my ears deceive me or was it not Estel's voice I just heard?" She pulled her black strand of hair away from her face, looking deeper into his grey eyes.

"It was my child", Rayne's eyes glistened with excitement, "but before you see him I must first, speak with you." His tone darkened, diminishing Rayne's elatedness. She followed him into a secluded grove in the garden where they could speak freely.

"When you first arrived here I told you that you must hide your parentage," he stared idly at the trees, his mind obviously distracted with more important matters than stories of the past, "this means that, as you told Aragorn you were a mortal, you should be close to ninety years of age in his eyes. Of course, that lie now becomes a problem as you do not appear to have aged a day since when you first met." Rayne looked down at her hands. She had overlooked that detail.

"Should I tell him that my mother was an elf then? Cover up the lie with half the truth?" Elrond turned to her then.

"Yes, but nothing more than that. Nothing of your mother's relations and especially nothing about your father. Do you understand, child?" Rayne nodded, her attention now drawn to memories of her parents, "Very well. You may see him now. You may also be interested in knowing that Mithrandir arrived earlier. I believe he would very much like to speak with you." She stood soundlessly, drifting back towards where she had heard Estel's voice. He would always be Estel to her, never Aragorn. He had brought her hope where she needed it most.

Rayne found him sitting with three Halflings in a guest room. A fourth Halfling lay motionless on the bed, his breathing shallow. She focused again on Estel. From behind, she could see that he had aged well, toughened by his ventures. His heartbeat was anxious for the Halfling; she could hear it from the doorway in which she stood. After standing there for what seemed like forever, Rayne finally found the courage to speak.

"Estel?" He sat up straight in his chair in recognition of her voice. The other Halflings turned to her, eyes widening as they took in her face. The Man stood slowly and turned to meet her gaze.

"Rayne?" His eyes flitted around her face, clear confusion appearing on his own. "You have not changed in all the 67 years that I have not seen you." He looked into her eyes, searching for an explanation.

"Would you prefer to talk outside?" He nodded and followed her out of the door, leaving behind a trio of Halflings, each with an expression of confused awe on their faces.

Once away from the room, Estel stopped Rayne and began to speak the pressing question on his mind. "My friend, how has it come to pass that you do not appear to be effected by the passing of years?" Rayne cast her eyes down, staring at the floor beneath their feet.

"I am afraid I was not completely honest with you all those years ago, my friend," She looks back up, seeing Estel urging her to continue with his eyes, "My mother was of elven descent and I took the choice of immortality over a mortal life."

"You mean to tell me that your mother, an elf, wedded a mortal?" His eyes brightened, he was thinking of the Evenstar, "What happened to her?" Rayne turned away again, unable to bring herself to look at his face after she gave her answer.

"She was lost to her own grief after my father's death." Her tone was bleak; knowing the reaction it would give Estel. His sadness was almost audible. He did not speak for what seemed like a long time, "I have now seen 508 winters." Rayne wanted to break the silence though she was not sure if Estel was listening anymore. "Will you promise to tell no one, Aragorn?" She used his true name to assure his attention. He nodded briefly and returned to the Halflings bedside. Rayne let out a small sigh of relief before walking to her own quarters. She was glad he had not asked any other questions.