Disclaimer: It's not mine, I don't make any money from it, and I am not likely to own it anytime soon. So if you like disclaimers then you can keep coming back to this chapter or wait until the last chapter when I say it again.

Summary: The March Warden of Imladris asks Lord Elrond to be transferred to the Lorien guard; Haldir welcomes the idea, until he meets the haughty she- elf. Haldir is then captured, but what will Earlinde be the bigger elf and save him?

IN IMLADRIS

The March Warden sat at her desk staring at a pile of paperwork. She groaned.

-Why is Imladris the only Elven city that that requires paperwork for Orc attacks?- she thought bitterly.

It was an early morning when the Orcs had attacked, the time when the relief guard was settling in. Luckily, both battalions of guard were present and that problem was settled quickly. The 1st battalion left hastily after that, afraid that the March Warden would request that some of them stay behind and serve an extra shift.

Earlinde pushed her chair back and walked out of the guard house on the outskirts of Imladris. She looked up into the few trees and saw guards positioned on the branches, and on the ground. Content that they were paying attention and not slacking off, she jogged over to the gates of the great city, stopping in front of the gate and waiting patiently.

"Commander, Hail!" a guard that was slightly taller than Earlinde stepped out of the brush and put his hand over his heart and bowed his head, then extended his arm out to the March Warden. She repeated the gesture, and looked at him expectantly.

"Commander, the Mirkwood band has not yet arrived, but they sent a messenger, they will be here any moment." He looked at her awaiting further instructions; they both turned around when they heard a shout coming from behind the city, and foot steps coming towards them.

"Fervor!!!" a little boy called running towards the taller elf. He stopped as he slammed into the March Warden's knees and landed on the ground on his behind. He looked up to protest but his eyes widened as his gaze met that of the harsh March Warden. The boy immediately jumped to his feet and put his hand over his heart and bowed his head.

"Commander, Ma'am!!" the boy shouted. He was rewarded by a smile, and then turned to his brother.

"Fervor, ada says if you leave another arrow lying around the home he gunna kill you! Naneth says you make sure you bring her some athelas from the ford, so she can cook tonight. K, bye!"

Fervor turned to the March Warden who was smirking and watching the boy run away. Once her gaze shifted back to her 1st captain it returned to a steely look. His face was red along with the flaming peaks of his pointed ears.

"How old is he, warden?" she asked him.

"29 as of yesterday, Commander." He shifted comfortably under her gaze, "he wishes to become part of the guard when he is old enough."

The March Warden nodded and turned to face the approaching band of Elves. She saluted King Thranduil and Prince Legolas, and led them promptly to their rooms.

As she closed the door of the Prince's room she turned to face Lord Elrond, she bowed to him, and followed him into his study. Once inside he sat down at his desk and turned his chair to face the great waterfall that was right outside his balcony. She motioned for her to close the door, and then take a seat.

"Dearest Earlinde, you have proven yourself the best March Warden of Imladris. You are also the only female to ever attempt to join the guard." He turned to face her. His eyes bore into hers.

"I am now going to tell you something and I hope you choose well." He sighed and began again. "The Lorien guard has lost many of their own in their wars with the Orcs that have been lingering on their borders. They have asked for help from Mirkwood, but the lady has asked that we send our best swordsman." She let out the breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Earlinde, my dearest advisor and friend, you are the best we have. I have selected you to journey to Lorien, to stand by the Lady's side, for when she needs you." Earlinde gasped in protest. She had never been to Lorien, never seen the Lady, for she rarely visited, but she knew that her Lord was related to the Lady by marriage to her daughter.

-Lady Celebrian…- her mind lingered on the elf that had left for Valinor many years ago, when she had become ill. Elves never became ill, but the Lady had been ambushed by Orcs on her way to visit her mother, and was struck by a poisoned arrow. They were never able to get the poison out, so she sailed into the West.

Elrond remained silent and watched as his beloved Warden fought an inner battle. When her gaze met his again he continued.

"This… arrangement will not be permanent, dear one." He affixed her with a stern look, one eyebrow arched in her direction. She looked into his wise face, and opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

"Earlinde, this is a peril that all elves have to face. If we do not unite, we will perish!" His right fist slammed down at the table, and the Warden watched as her Lord struggled to compose himself.

"My Lord, I swore to protect you and Imladris." She began, carefully choosing her words, "And I also swore to follow your guidance faithfully. I will leave to Lorien, and once Lorien is safe, I will return here to you, and my guard." She gripped the arm rests of her chair until her knuckles turned white.

Elrond smiled at her, and pulled out a piece of parchment from his desk, only with a feather and an ink bottle. "Then I will speak to the Lady and let her know of your arrival. I will also write a letter for you to take there and deliver to the Lord. He and I have some important business to discuss." He looked at her, and smiled warmly, as she got up bowed and left the room in haste.

Elrond?

Yes Galadriel?

Have you chosen a warrior to send us?

-Yes, My March Warden is packing to leave now, she is our swiftest rider, and best archer and swordsman.-

We are indebted to you, Elrond.

-Nay Lady, it is the least I can do for all you have done for me and my wife.-

When no response came, Elrond knew that the Lady had left his mind.

IN LORIEN

Haldir quickly jumped off the guard talan and broke into a sprint towards Caras Galadhon. His Lady had requested to speak to him, told him it was urgent. As he finished the 2 miles of Forest from the Northern Border, he stopped at a peak and looked over into the trees on the other sea of the cliff he was on, and a rope flew at him, he quickly tied to a tree, and ran across, sprint the last 3 miles to the City. He took the stair to the Central Talan three at a time, and soon he stood in front of the Lady and the Lord. He bowed deeply and looked expectantly at his Lady.

"Hello, Haldir." She smiled warmly.

"We have received word from Mirkwood. They send their 1st and 2nd battalions to us. They should be arriving ere nightfall." She then turned her head to her husband who was standing patiently beside her, and smiled knowingly.

"Imladris is under siege as well, but they were able to spare their best. The March Warden of Imladris is on the way. The March Warden is expected to be here with in the week." She smiled knowingly as she concealed the sex of the Warden.

Haldir let out a relieved sigh. He would be working with a March Warden. -This is good, because he and I will understand each other much better than the others. It will be a great help.- Haldir nodded his head; the lady's gaze bore into his head.

"If you need anything my good elf, you will call to me. Now go, the Mirkwood guard has arrived." Haldir nodded again, and left the talan. As he reached the stairs he flew down and raced back to the rope climbed over and ran back untied the rope, threw it back over and continued his race back to the guard talan. Once up he stood tall to catch his breath, and watched as swarms of Mirkwood guards clambered into trees.

He felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned to face the person who tapped him. Before him stood a grinning elf with dark hair wearing the Mirkwood colors. Haldir grimaced at the choice of uniform, green and brown. His guard wore different shades of gray in order to blend into their surroundings. H quickly thought to himself how he had to get them out of these colors as soon as possible, and then addressed the elf.

"Mae Govannen Mellon." He bowed his head and faced the guard again.

"Mae Govannen Warden of Lorien, I am Findar, captain of the Mirkwood battalions. I look forward with working with a great March Warden like you." Haldir struggled to suppress the urge to roll his eyes.

-Idiot- his mind screamed. Instead, he nodded and curtly thanked the elf, and turned and walked as far away from the elf as he could and called to the lady to get some clothes for these idiots.

IMLADRIS

Arwen sat on Earlinde's bed watching her life long friend pack. She watched as the she-elf, and brooded. Elrohir and Elladan stood by the door, the room silent. The four companions were upset that they had to be separated, and Arwen started to cry again. Earlinde shifted uncomfortably when she heard her friend start to cry again. There was no reason to console her anymore, or else she would cry to. She stuffed in her bag a variety of guard suites, many grays and gray blues, leaf greens, and finally, she laid out a gray uniform with intricate silver spidery designs, a red cloak and blue gray wristbands with matching silvery designs. She sighed as she pulled her weapons pack up and started filling it with daggers and knives, quivers of arrows, and sharpening stones.

"Ro, Dan, can you go get me some fruit I can take for the journey?" She turned around again not waiting for answer. When she heard the soft click of the door she nodded, knowing they had left. Arwen ran and hugged Earlinde. Arwen ran her hands down the taller elf's straight shoulder length jet black hair, and looked into the blue eyes.

"Linde? Your hair is too short!!" she said in jest, trying to lighten the mood, but instead broke into sobs again.

Earlinde let out a good chuckle and seated her friend on the bed. She quickly got dressed into the clothes she had laid out. She put in her left boot a small ivory handled dagger. The dagger had been given to her when she became the March Warden by Elrohir and Elladan, as a present, it had her name etched into it on the mithril blade. She put the twin in her right boot. She then put four daggers into her belt and slipped two into her wrist bands that were concealed well. She put her favorite sword, which her father had given her before he had sailed west to be with her mother. He had been in the Lorien guard, but transferred to the Imladris guard when he married her mother. He had never risen in the ranks here, and it thoroughly upset him. She touched the sleek blade and smiled. He had named the blade Nimrondel, after the body of water in Lothlorien. She lovingly sheathed the blade, and pulled out a bow and a quiver and attached them to her back.

She walked over to her mirror and pulled a section of her hair over her right ear and braided it back, and did the same on her left. Her scarred and calloused fingers, made it hard to deal with her hair, but she was thankful that it was obedient. She tied back both braids with a single leather thong, and turned to face the two elves that entered carrying a small pouch of food. Elladan set forward and dropped it into her clothing pack, and Elrohir tied her weapon bag shut tightly.

The Boys turned to her and a sad smile came over the twins' faces.

"Linde, we are afraid you might not come back to us." Elrohir said as his bottom lip quivered. Suddenly the four companions stood in the middle of the room with their heads together the March Warden whispering assurances to the three hysterical elves. Then she picked up her stuff and quickly left the room. She was surprised that it was turning dark and quickly made for the stables.

She led her trusty horse, Maedhros, who she fondly called Maed out and strapped her packs to him. She jumped on him and rode to the Guard house. She was surprised when she saw both Battalions of Elves standing outside in formation, awaiting her arrival, by them stood Lord Elrond. She quickly dismounted and bowed to her Lord, to her amazement the whole company, including her Lord bowed deeply to her. Elrond stepped forward, and looked at her.

"Indeed you are the best Warden you have. Then guard wishes to desert its post and travel with you." He waved his hand at the company. Earlinde tilted her head to the right and affixed her lord with a worried gaze.

"But I have told them you will be returning soon. And I have chosen Fervor, and Finwe to escort you to Lothlorien, and return. They are fast riders, so they will not slow you down." Earlinde opened her mouth to protest but a harsh gaze from her Lord made her think better of it. She nodded and turned to her company. Elrond handed Earlinde her battle helmet as she swallowed, afraid she would break down in front of her men.

"Guards of Imladris!" She boomed, finally finding herself, "Though we live in distant lands from our brothers, it does not mean we cannot help each other!!" she yelled. She was answered with obedient nods.

"I will be taking a short leave from you, my brothers, and my friends! Do not despair my fair warriors, I will prove to Lorien once and for all that Imladris has the best Elven guard in the history of Middle Earth!!!" Her guard erupted with cries of glee.

"HAIL!!HAIL!! HAIL!!" they chanted until she quieted them again.

"My comrades, I leave the responsibility to you to protect your Lord; I wish to hear a good report upon my return! I leave my heart, my guard, here in Imladris!!" She then wiped the smile off her face, and the guard straightened up.

"IMLADRIS!! HAIL!!" she raised her sword in the air, and placed her free hand on her heart.

"HAIL!!!" came the answer as swords flew up and hands were raised. The sound echoed in Imladris as the guard held this stance until their fierce leader mounted followed by her 1st in command, Fervor, and 2nd Finwe.

Four Hours Later

Earlinde refused to slow down, her escorts were tired, her steed had sweat glistening on his coat but the Warden pressed on. Finally when her steed stopped and would no longer heed her command she yielded.

The three elves set a small camp, and sat in silence for a few moments. Fervor broke the silence.

"Commander, you are right, you are going to prove that we are the best guard in Middle Earth." He stated fixing her with a hard stare.

"Aye! What other guard goes into the Wilderness together as a battalion to train! What other battalion sings together for fun? What other company do we know performs every year together in the Winter Festival!!!?" Finwe chimed. The March Warden laughed heartily.

Flash Back

The citizens of Imladris gathered into the central square and waited in anticipation. They were in for a treat; the Imladris guard was going to perform a dance for the Lord and Lady, the King of Mirkwood and Lord of Lothlorien.

Soon the music started and the guard filed into the middle of the square assembled. The guard was close, they did everything together, including quartered together. Every year around this time they would perform a dance for the citizens, it was a treat for the guard as well as the citizens.

The March Warden had arranged this when she became the Warden because she said it would promote a higher standard of grace, stamina and endurance in the guard, and it would establish a friendly relationship between the guard and the citizens.

The ballet began, with arms gracefully moving, bodies gracefully bending and turning, and spinning. Then they moved into a tap dance. On and one the intricate dance continued until the great warriors were sweaty and tired, but they never faltered, never missed a beat. For two hours they went on never repeating a step, and never repeating the same dance any year. Finally after three hours the music slowed with the guard returning to their starting positions and bowing. They would clap each other on the back and laugh after cheers and applause erupted from the crowd.

End Flash Back

The March Warden evened out her breathing, as she continued to laugh. Soon the three elves were joking and laughing the night way, but after a few hours they tired and made ready to sleep.

"Commander?" Finwe asked.

"Yes gwador (brother)?"

"Do you also know why we are the best? Well because our March Warden is not only our superior, but our best friend as well." Before the Warden could answer she heard the soft snores of her 2nd in Command.

When they awoke in the morning the March Warden was bent over a map with a frustrated look on her face. The two elves quickly disassembled camp and came to there Warden's side.

"Commander?" They chimed.

"They long way to Lothlorien is to travel west towards the Misty Mountains for Forty days and then turn south for seventy. Lorien needs us yesterday! Not one hundred and ten days from now!"

"Surely commander there is another…" He voice trailed out as the she elf looked at both her companions smiling like a mad duck.

"Here is the plan! We will ride south towards Moria, for 2 days, then take the Gladden River west, until it joins with the Anduin , we will take the Anduin south for three days, and then walk to the northern border of Lorien. If we make haste, we will reach Lorien in 6 days." She smiled triumphantly at the two guards who stood with their mouths agape.

"C-c-com-man-man-da-er uh, ma'am? To get to the Gladden River is a four day ride from here, and then we have to furnish boats! Then its two days down that river until we meet the Anduin, and then it's a 6 day ride down to Lorien, and a 2 day walk. We wouldn't be able to make it before 20 days!" Finwe gasped

"Yes, and I intend to make it in 6, do you have any problems with that? You may return to Imladris if you do, no harm intended." She put her hand under Fervor's mouth and closed it for him. She quickly mounted her steed, and the two dazed guards followed suit.

"We ride hard, no stops, at all!" She took of south and was quickly followed by the two guards.

After a day and a half, they found themselves staring at the Gladden River. Earlinde turned to her comrades and winked at them and quickly jumped of her horse and looked around. -The last time I was here, ada had hidden a boat on this shore, I wonder if its still here?- she asked herself as her eyes scanned the shoreline.

"Commander Look!!!" screamed Fervor.

"By the blessed Valar!! It's a boat!" Finwe gasped. Earlinde followed there gaze to a spot of foliage and ran over to pull the boat out. It was still intact, and still had its oars. She jumped in with her stuff and motioned for the guard to join her. It was a tight squeeze but they settled. Fervor took up and oar and sat at the back of the small boat, while Earlinde was settled in the front with the other.

She set the pace with her oar speeding the boat up considerably. Finwe gripped the sides as the boat speed dangerously down the raging river. Soon he over came his fear and was helping with the paddling with the flat edge of his sword.

The company stayed on its path gaining sped for 6 hours. Soon they saw the sharp turn into the Anduin and Earlinde smiled. They were making better timing than she had hoped, but as they got colder to the turn she realized they couldn't stop the boat.

The boat slammed hard against the rocky wall and turned in the wrong direction. Finwe stood up and put his hand on the wall and anchored his feet in the boat. The rushing water had pinned the boat to the wall and was crushing it. The remaining elves tried to paddle hard. It seemed hopeless. Finwe pushed hard against the rocks and gave the paddlers a chance to slightly turn the boat but they were slammed against the rocks once again. They could hear the snaps of the fine Elven woodwork under the pressure.

Earlinde looked up and saw a huge boulder rolling down the river, before she could warn the others the boulder got caught up in the rushing water and gained more speed as it meet the pass. It slammed into the boat snapping it in half. Earlinde yelled as the boulder set Finwe off balance and he fell back into the water. She went to grab for him and lost him in the rush. Fervor tossed his commander her equipment bag, just as a second bounder slammed from above into his drifting part of the boat, sinking him under. The March Warden strapped her pack to her back and jumped in toward towards where Finwe was taken. She froze as she hit the icy water, her usually weather resistant body freezing, she had never known cold before and it overwhelmed her senses.

-Remember to take the guard to a rushing river to have them train in it, accustom them to this element- she thought as the water carried her against her will. After a few hours of helplessly being slammed into rocks and drifting with the powerful rush, she saw two elves sitting on the banks of the Anduin drying their hair off. They called to her and tossed a rope pulling her in.

She stood up and looked at Finwe and Fervor and grabbed them into a hug.

"You live!!" she shrieked, and looked at them. They both had blue lips and smiled at her. Finwe turned around to spit blood again.

"We should rest now, commander, it looks like we will make Lorien in another day or two." Earlinde nodded and striped leaving the uniform she wanted the Lorien guard to see her in to dry and clean off. She wrapped herself in Finwe's cloak, and they started a small fire. They gathered berried from the bushes around and made it a quick meal.

The tired Elves slept late into the next day. Earlinde was the first up and dressed quickly; she adjusted herself again and looked at the now waking elves. The elves, all three were tired, their bodies screamed for more rest, but they knew they had to keep going. They quickly tossed water over the burnt embers, and took of in a quick paced jog towards the northern border of Lorien. It was a 20 mile run, and the elves were content with making it in a day and a half. Earlinde pushed them to 8 miles that night, and soon they stopped. They lay down on the grass, without a fire, and huddled next to each other for warmth. They quickly fell asleep.

6 hours later Earlinde was up and the two elves with her were sad faced. The three comrades ran in stoic silence for 12 miles. Sweat drenched and fatigued they finally caught sight of the Lorien border. They sped up and only stopped when they reached the borders of Lorien.

A/N: Hello there! We are about to embark on a new quest together. Read and Review!!! Thanks!