::Alone:: ::Chapter One:: Fiwen ran through the forest, trying desperately to escape the orcs but it was no use. They were growing faster and faster, all the while gaining on her. She came to a dead end by a gathering of large oak trees. Full of fear she spun around and pulled an arrow from the sack on her back. Placing it in her bow, she pulled back and shot. It hit the leading orc in the middle of his head, making him drop to the forest floor. Perfect aim once again. As much as Fiwen tried to hold off the orcs, her arrows alone were of no use, for the orcs were growing stronger by the powers of the Eye, and they sensed the ring. Where was the ring you ask? On a silver chain around Fiwen's neck.

Suddenly, Fiwen saw more arrows coming from through the trees, killing off orcs once by one. Fiwen stopped shooting and looked around for the mysterious shooter but they were not to be seen. Sensing danger, Fiwen started shooting, killing the last of the group of orcs surrounding her. She knew they would be back, for they were always back. They always found her.

Fiwen looked around through the trees. She saw no one. Perhaps the mysterious shooter had gone on his way, only stopping to help her. She pushed the long blonde hair from her eyes and began walking through the trees. She heard the crunch of leaves and twigs behind her and spun around. Immediately drawing an arrow from her bag, she aimed it at the trees.

A twig snapped again and a tall boy with blonde hair stepped out from the shadows. Startled by this and not knowing if she could trust him, she let the arrow go. The boy easily ducked and drew his own arrow. Fiwen drew another and aimed.

"Who are you?" Fiwen asked, never taking her eyes off the boy.

"I'm Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood. And you are?" the boy said, his blue eyes staring into her light ones.

Fiwen dropped her arrow. "Mirkwood?" she repeated.

"That's what I said, yes." Legolas dropped his own arrow and stuffed it back into the bag on his back.

"So that would make you an elf too?" Fiwen thought out loud. "What are you doing in these parts?"

"Mirkwood has been destroyed. I am on the run from the orcs," Legolas explained.

"Destroyed?" Fiwen asked in shock. She took a deep sigh and went on, "I knew this would happen. They're looking for me."

"Looking for you? Why?"

"I-I have something of importance to them," Fiwen explained, placing her hand on the ring on the silver chain, concealed by her green cloak.

Legolas' eyes shot towards her hand. They narrowed and his lips pursed into a frown.

"What is it that you have?" he asked.

Fiwen shook her head. "It's nothing. Nothing that matters to you. Now, if you don't mind I have someplace to be. It's getting close to nightfall as it is," she said sternly, her eyes gazing at the orange sun setting behind the thick forest of trees.

"Well where are you going?" Legolas asked her.

"You don't give up do you?" Fiwen asked, sighing and continuing walking away from him.

Legolas brushed a strand of his blonde hair from his dirt-covered face and shrugged. "I don't give up easily on things I want."

Fiwen stopped in her tracks and turned around. "Look, I have work to do here. I don't need you following me like a little dwarf trying to find its master. This is serious stuff and if you can't handle it then I suggest you leave now."

Legolas' grin on his face dropped. He pursed his lips into a thin line. "Well whatever it is you're doing you're going to need some help. Just explain to me and tell me."

Fiwen sighed. "All right. But you musn't tell anyone. After I tell you, you have to help me. I'm going to need help anyways."

Legolas nodded in agreement and waited eagerly for her to tell him.

Fiwen took a deep breath and pulled the ring out from under her cloak. Legolas gasped when he saw it.

"W-Where did you get this?" he asked in pure shock of the sight. "I thought it was destroyed?"

"Sauron has made one more. I took it off an orc I slain a few days ago. I've been on the run since then. I need your help. I know where to take it but, I guess I'm afraid to go alone. As a fellow elf, I'm asking you to be my partner, my friend."

"Of course I'll help. But right now, we need to leave."

"Why?" Fiwen asked.

Just then, hundreds of orcs came running down the hills towards them.

"That's why!"