Ranger of Mirkwood
Chapter I
In the darkness of the forests of Mirkwood there was a small village of the name Felian. Those who lived there were elves who lived in harmony with the nature surrounding them. There lived a girl, who lived with her father; the girl's name was Leliana. She had long strawberry blonde hair that went down to her shoulders, but was usually pulled back in a hair clip, which resembled a golden leaf.
Leliana's father was the village's hunter, who would supply the town with meat and hides for food, clothes and winters. The girl enjoyed hunting with her father and would often help when skinning the animals. In the sixteen years of her growing up, thirty human years, she learned everything her father had to teach her and would often go out by herself to hunt for the village supply more meats and furs to the village.
Often after a hunt she would climb in the trees and run through the trees until she found her favourite tree, which was the largest in the area surrounding the village. When she reached he favourite tree she would often sit amongst it's branches and read or write poems. It was her place of solitude, a place where no one else could get to, a sanctuary.
Last Fall, 11, 3018
Today is father's birthday. There is a celebration going on in the village tonight. Apparently there is going to be a firecracker display from the elder of the village. I decided to get father a new bow that I have fashioned out of oak from a branch that fell off of my favourite, tree. I'm sure he will understand the significance it has to me. I am to dance with Lorano at the celebration tonight; he is very handsome, and kind to me. I just hope that -.
There was the sound of an explosion form the direction of the village. Leliana dropped her journal and spun her head around. Seeing smoke she started running through the trees swinging off branches to the next tree, trying to get home as fast as she can. As she got closer, she saw figures running in the forest towards the village. She moved towards the figures, and as she approached them she saw that they wore the armour of goblins that lived in the hills past the forest. In a blind fury she stopped at the branch she was on and fired arrows at the group of goblins hitting them all in the neck, due to her practised accuracy.
As the last arrow hit she descended from the tree and continued her sprint towards Felian. As she entered the town she saw a group of villagers who were fleeing, get shot down by goblins. She fired at any goblins in site when she heard a yell.
"LELIANA GET OUT OF HERE!"
Leliana turned her head to see her father finishing off a group of goblins. As the final slice was made into the goblin he turned to her direction and screamed again.
"YOU HAVE TO GE –-"
Before her father could finish what he was saying an arrow struck him in the lung. Her head snapped to the direction of where the arrow originated and she fired at the goblin responsible. Looking back she saw her father's body on the ground.
She picked up her father a tried to mend his wounds. "Stop child, there is no use. You have to get out of Mirkwood. The man behind this attack, his name is Heirtor, an old friend." Leliana nodded continuously taking in all the information her father was giving her, tears dripping down from her eyes and landing on his dirtied, dying face.
"Promise me child that you will take vengeance on what has happened here, to whatever extent you must take."
She nodded "I promise father, I will hunt down all of those responsible for the murder of our people."
"May the ancestors bless your journey with success child."
With that her father had passed away, and Leliana went from the hunter's little girl to the Huntress of Felian. She looked around and saw that the goblins had already left, 'nice thinking Leliana, like they wouldn't shoot you because you were in a conversation.' Leliana thought to herself in a scolding manner. She ran out of the burning village pulling up the hood on her cloak and climbing into the trees.
As she ran through the trees, every couple of minutes she would look back hoping that the day's events had not happened, but no satisfaction came. She continued on her way out of Mirkwood; holding back rivers of tears trying to remain focused on her objective. 'Heirtor, Heirtor, must find Heirtor' she thought to herself silently.
(Authors note) Usually it is unlike elves to seek vengeance or harm unto others, but there have been times when the elves have gone to battle with violence in thought. An example would be the battle of the second age against Sauron.
As Leliana reached the edge of the trees she stopped to look around. There was the Anduin River flowing as beautifully as it did this time of year. The line of golden trees losing their leaves were in sight on the other side. She descended from her tree and strutted towards the river. Looking around she saw no way across and there was no telling how far away she was from the old ford that crossed the river.
She decided that the best thing to do would be to swim across the river and hope that the rapids would not overcome her. She waded out into the water and about a quarter of the way across started swimming. For the most part the rapids were not able to move her far, but in fact guided her swim diagonally towards the other side.
Reaching the other side she got out of the water and straightened her hair. Looking up into the sky she saw that it was getting dark and decided to pitch up a camp and start a fire. After she set up camp she realised that she should have taken supplies from the village before leaving, but then realised that there was not going back now, not ever.
She decided to make a half-ass fishing rod, which was more of a spear that she would stab any fish that she saw in the river. After ten minutes she decided that two fish would be enough for dinner that night. After her meal she decided that she would go straight to bed.
In the morning she put out the fire, and packed up camp. Afterwards, she decided to walk up the river. By midday she had made it to the old ford, and at that point started walking towards the High Pass of the Misty Mountains. By eve, she had made it to the way up the Misty Mountains.
She decided that it would be to late to walk up the mountains alone and climbed a tree, in which she tied herself to and fell asleep. In the morning she awoke on the underside of the branch she fell asleep on scaring herself awake. Realising what had happened she fixed the situation and climbed out of the tree.
She looked at the long winding path before her that led up the mountains, and she knew that her journey was to be a long one.
The next three months felt like years. The lonely feeling that Leliana felt was almost alien. When she lived in Felian, she sought after solitude as an escape, now with it permanently it felt like she was the only person left in Middle Earth. Half way through her journey, she came upon a group of travellers in which one of them was an elf named Legolas. She spent a fortnight with the group and they were kind enough to offer her supplies.
At long last she had finally made it through the Misty Mountains. The wizard named Gandalf had told her that if she followed the western road she would make it to Rivendell, and there she could speak to Elrond of what had happened and where to find the man named Heirtor.
Leliana began her walk down the western road. It was dark and the sky was grey, readying for a storm. She could always tell when a storm was coming, her father called it her 'special girt'. Her thoughts then turned to her father. The man she had done nothing to save, the one who raised her into who she was today with no thanks, the one who would always love her unconditionally was gone.
She started to sob silently to herself. 'Get it together Leliana. You have to stay strong, for father.' She thought to herself and pulling back the tears walked faster towards Rivendell than before.
In a half-hours time she could see a waterfall and what looked like elven architecture. She entered the Elven City with a look of splendour on her face. Her village back in Mirkwood had no such beauty as this place that she was in. Many elven buildings surrounded the waterfall and in the centre was a large wall circling the house of the one called Elrond.
A tall man wearing burgundy and gold trimmed robes was walking down a flight of stairs towards her. He had a golden leaflet crown adorn on his head, and one of the Elven rings that were forged when the first people came to Middle Earth.
"Hello my dear, who might you be." He said in a humble tone and straight face.
"My name is Leliana, I come from the village of Felian, in Mirkwood. I bring a message from my father, Aludine." She replied with a quick bow of respect.
Elrond bowed back and replied "tell me what has happened". He said it almost as if he already knew, as if he could read through her like a book.
Leliana told Elrond of what had happened up to the point of their meeting. She told him of the man named Heirtor, the Goblin attack and the burning of Felian. He called over an elf to show her to her temporary quarters and that he would think on the matter.
Leliana finally had a relaxing sleep in a warm and comfortable bed. In the morning she was treated to a true elven breakfast, one she had truly missed in her three months of travel. At nine of the clock she was called to Elrond's quarters, in which he spoke to her of what she must do.
To be continued soon.
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