Note: Sorry this sequel took so long. First my muse vanished, and then I got sick. None of these characters are mine, except for the unknown attackers that were in Rohan. This is the sequel to 'Loss of Freedom'. Takes place after Haldir left for Rohan to take the message to Éomer, but shortly before he returned with everyone. Elvish speech is in ''. I promise, there will be A/L in this fic later. Just need to set up the plot first.

The Path of Destiny

Prologue

Lord Elrond of Rivendell stood looking at his only daughter. Arwen gazed back at her father gravely. No hint or fear showed in her eyes. The two stood in the room where the mysterious blond elf slept, needing rest to heal.

'Tis not an easy thing for me to ask of you, Arwen. But there is no other I would trust more to do this for me,' Elrond told her.

His daughter smiled at him wisely. 'I understand, my father. I will do as you ask and set out at once.'

Elrond nodded. 'You and the others I will send with you for protection must find Elladan and Elrohir, as well as their allies. And we must learn of what Saruman is now planning.'

'We will, father. Do not worry, for I shall not fail you. It is as you have said. If Saruman's own son is now against him, now is the time to replace the king of Gondor,' Arwen replied. Her voice was soft yet neutral. She disapproved of Gondor's current ruler, as did many elves.

The Elven lord was proud to hear no fear in his daughter's voice. 'I am proud of you, Arwen. You have matured and grown more wise every year that you have lived. I would that you return swiftly.'

'Do not worry so much. Am I not skilled in both sword and bow? Are you not sending me with most of your best archers?' Arwen told him.

'Well answered, my daughter. But it is a father's place to worry. Be careful and swift, and remember to hide your Elven identity in Gondor. Elves are executed there for being what they are,' Elrond reminded his daughter.

Arwen nodded. 'We will return as soon as possible, father. I pray that your faith in me is not misplaced.'

Elrond kissed his daughter on the forehead. 'I know it is not, Arwen.' He embraced his beautiful daughter for a few moments. Arwen hugged her father back. 'Change into your usual outfit for traveling before you go,' he told her.

Arwen nodded again. 'I will ride like the wind.' She turned and left the room, heading towards her own room.

Elrond took a deep breath. He trusted in Arwen's abilities, but could not help fearing that he was sending her to her doom. But the Elven lord banished such thoughts from his mind. Arwen was brave and strong, and she could what he had asked.

When Arwen reached her room, she closed the door. Her room was slightly larger than the one she had left, with white furniture. A few plants were in the room. The daughter of Elrond went over to her bed and knelt down, pulling a small chest from under it. She stood and placed the chest on her bed, before opening it.

Then, Arwen removed her dress and began putting on the blue shirt, green tunic, and brown leggings, which had been in the hidden chest. When she was finished, she turned to her mirror and began messing with her hair. She pulled it up into a loose, high ponytail, making certain that her ear-tips were hidden with some of her hair. For good measure, Arwen added a dark cloak with a hood, and brown shoes. Now all she needed were her weapons.

A sword was taken from the chest as well. Its hilt gleamed, as Arwen strapped on the sword, and picked up her bow and arrows. After pulling her hood on, the young Elven princess left to go meet up with the other elves who were accompanying her.

Most were some of the 'Lorien elves that had stayed behind when nearly all of those elves had departed for the West, including Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. They nodded to Arwen, recognizing her, even with the disguise.

'You know our mission,' she told them. 'Let's ride and do as we are bid.'

They nodded as one, and followed the daughter of Lord Elrond to the makeshift stables. Each mounted a horse and rode off. The other Elven riders surrounded Arwen, keeping her in the middle, per Elrond's instructions.

Elrond watched them depart gravely, before turning back to the young elf who slept. He walked over and peered down at him. What a mysterious beauty he was, Elrond mused, as he brushed some of the golden locks off of Legolas's face.

Legolas murmured and stirred in his sleep. 'Aragorn…' he whispered.

The Elven Lord flinched at the name of Saruman's son. Why, of all people to love, did this last elf of Mirkwood have to love that one, Elrond brooded. He sat down in a chair next to the bed, watching Legolas sleep for a while, as the younger elf turned onto his side, uttering a soft cry.

Then the cry went up.

'Riders approaching!' the guard who was currently on watch cried.

Elrond caressed Legolas's face gently, before he stood. The Elven lord left the room and closed the door behind him, before making his way out to the courtyard.

Haldir was there, look sick and pale, as he led a small group towards the remains of Rivendell. His steps were uneven, and he faltered. Two men in the group caught and supported him.

Elrond was concerned as he looked at how ill his friend was. 'What happened to you, Haldir?' He walked over and touched his friend's clammy face.

Éomer turned to the dark-haired elf. 'Haldir was attacked in Rohan by an unknown assailant.' The King of Rohan spoke the Elven tongue easily.

Elrond nodded. 'Would you and your friend be good enough to aid him to the Healers, if I lead you there?' He was a bit surprised at a human knowing Elvish, but then realized that this human must be the King of Rohan, Éomer.

Gandalf smiled. 'No greetings for an old friend, Lord Elrond?'

A tiny smile appeared on the Elven Lord's face. 'Tis good to see you again, Mithrandir.' He looked at the rest of the companions. A sullen-looking young man stood next to a group of what appeared to be Hobbits, or so Elrond thought. A dwarf stood next to the scowling boy. Elrond's glance flickered over the boy. He could read the impatience, slight fear, and nervousness running through him. This boy must be Aragorn.

Haldir groaned softly, which drew everyone's attention back to him.

'Follow me, please, King of Rohan,' Elrond requested. He turned a sharp eye on the human who assisted the king with the wounded elf.

Boromir met the silent appraising with a raised eyebrow. The Elven lord was enigmatic and hard for him to read, the human thought.

'We will follow,' Éomer said.

Haldir leaned on Boromir and Éomer for support, struggling to control the nausea that was threatening to overcome him again. The elf knew he would be all right, however. He just needed some rest.

The small group followed the Lord of Rivendell into the remains of what had once been a great Elven palace.

To be continued