It was quiet in the forest. It was also dark out. All the animals had retired to their dens and soon the creatures of the night would awaken. The moon was out, her white light sneaking in through the leaves, giving forest a beautiful white glow. Its light also reflected off of the stones along the dirt road, lightening up the path for my companions and me. I rode towards the front with my sister to my left.

At the moment, the only sounds heard were the hooves of our horses. The ones who accompanied me were my sister, and then Haldir and his patrol group.

"Tampa (stop)," I heard Haldir suddenly order.

Instantly, my mare halted in her steps and I turned my head towards Haldir who came to a stop next to me. He looked around as if scanning the area before speaking again.

"We will rest here," he decided.

I blinked, "this soon, Muindor (brother)?" I asked. He wasn't my real brother, but I had known since childhood and now considered him my brother.

Looking over at him, I saw that his expression was the usual serious one, which meant that his decision was absolute. Even so, I wanted to insist continuing our travels.

However, Haldir just nodded his head once, "The journey is long, it is a three days travel from here to-"

I interrupted him by letting out a sigh, looking away, "I know. I have traveled there many times now," I started smiling, "Tomorrow we will reach the borders and then thêl (sister) and I will be on our own."

"Ariel, you know better than to travel at night." I looked to see my sister, Alassëa, had finally decided to speak up, "the times have changed. It isn't the same anymore." The expression on her face was that of disapproval and that made me frown.

I just nodded with a sigh, "I know. I understand, but why not ride a little more?"

Alassëa frowned at that while Haldir just shook his head.

"We will rest here," he decided and then turned around, telling the rest the same in he elvish tongue.

I watched as everyone began to dismount from his or her horse and soon followed. When Haldir decided something, there was no arguing and of course Alassëa would listen to him. After all, she was in love with him and would listen, but I knew it was more than just that. Alassëa was older and after witnessing the murder of our parents right before her eyes, she had grown to be a very cautious elf. It was also because Haldir was an experienced soldier and of course he knew best.

Sliding off, I walked to the front to look at my horse in the eyes. She was a beautiful gray mare with her main being much darker, almost black. Mistiel was her name. Her name came from the trouble she caused when younger and the attempts to train her. She would always stray away. Even now the mare had her stubborn moments, but she had become much more loyal.

I smiled, stroking Mistiel's face. "Thank you for the ride, you may go rest now," I whispered. With a light snort, Mistiel shook my hand off of her head and turned to walk away to stand under one of the trees. I watched her for a bit before turning back to where the other elves were setting up and went over to help.

We all made our bowers under the trees to sleep in. They were soft and comfortable. I enjoyed sleeping in them out where I could hear the peaceful noise of the nature settling around me. With that, soon the night creatures would be awakening.

Three more days… Even though I had been there many times, every time it seemed something would happen, making it more exciting. The previous time I went, I ended up going exploring with Arwen's two brothers. Though while exploring I got separated from the two and ended up sleeping in the dark caves. I shivered remembering those caves. It was a horrible time. I slept in those caves for days and I did not like it one bit.

Luckily Elladan found me. I was more than just relieved.

I smiled, thinking of that time. It was a fun time; however, Lord Elrond was not very happy. He would always scold me for traveling.

Soon footsteps were heard and they stopped in front of my bower.

"Ariel?"

It was Haldir, calling to see if I was awake before entering.

"Yes?" I sat up, as he entered. He had that expression as if something important had happened.

"Is something wrong?"

"No nothing is wrong, at the moment that is." He added with a pause.

I looked at him confused, "What do you mean?"

Haldir paused before continuing, "Before we left, Lady Galadriel warned me about the dark ones."

Dark ones? Of course he was talking about Sauron. He was getting stronger and more demanding about the ring. He wanted the ring but he didn't know where it was.

"You think the Black Riders will be after us?" I asked.

"You can never be sure," he shrugged, "All I am saying is be careful on your journey tomorrow."

"Don't worry, I will be fine. Besides, it's not like I am going alone. Muinthel (sister) will be coming with me." I smiled. Alassëa normally came with me when I traveled. Though, the past two journeys she had not because of some errands. Even so, I did have someone who came with me.

"You did not bring any weapons did you?" he asked suddenly. My eyes widened slightly in realization. I knew I would forget something. I turned away in guilt.

"And I told you to bring one. At least your staff?"

I did not reply at first, "I… did not think I would need it… I have my gift at least," I offered, looking at him with a hopeful expression, but Haldir shook his head disapprovingly.

"You know you cannot depend on that to defend you," he went on to say, "Ariel, you should know best what is going on and yet you still make a careless mistake."

I lowered my head, accepting the scolding. He was right. With all the traveling I have done, it wasn't as if I had never run into the beasts that followed Sauron. There was a few times where I was attacked, though I was blessed to have someone come and save me those few times.

"Can I not borrow Alassëa's weapon?" I asked, lifting my head again.

"Alassëa did not bring her sword. She only has her bow," Haldir replied.

I nodded my head again and looked away. Now I was feeling the guilt rising in my stomach. I should not have been so careless. He was right.

I heard Haldir let out a sigh and looked to see him shaking his head, "no matter. This is not a troublesome problem that is difficult to solve," he started. Looking up at him, Haldir continued, "I will give you my bow, just in case. Now rest. Tomorrow you all will be leaving before sunrise," he ordered before turning to leave the room.

I just nodded watching him walk off. I felt guilty. It just slipped my mind. But how could I let something like this slip my mind? I lied back down staring up at the moon through the thin sheets of the bower. This was not a peaceful world anymore. This was the dark ages. We all had to be careful. It did not matter whether we are elves, humans, dwarves, or any other creatures. No one was safe.

I turned over to my right and closed my eyes. The sounds of the leaves rustling were soothing to my ears. For once I was afraid to leave for Rivendell.

With the night passing through and the sun soon on the brink of the horizon, I felt someone shaking me in attempt to wake me up.

"Ariel, Echuio (wake up)!" A voice was heard above me. I opened my eyes and blinked a couple times before waking up. It was still dark when we woke, but I could see the silhouette of a woman standing before me. It was Alassëa.

"Alassëa, is there trouble?" I asked rubbing my eyes.

"No, but Haldir told me to come wake you. We will be leaving soon," she explained. I sighed looking up at her. She has her usual bright smile on her face, which was surprisingly enough, being shown. Alassëa had always been known to hide her face, especially around brother.

"Ariel, come!" she urged me.

"Alright, tell Haldir I will be there in a bit," I told her.

"You better hurry. You know how Haldir can be," she warned with her arms crossed.

I smirked at that, "Obviously… Just let me change real quick and I will be right there." I replied again.

Alassëa just sighed as she left. I watched her shadow through the drapes bound over to another person. It was most likely Haldir. I could see the two talking.

I let out a small laugh. Alassëa had feelings for Haldir for quiet some time now, but she was just afraid to say so. There had been many times where I had tried to convince the Elf-woman to tell him, but so far nothing had happened between the two. It was not as if Haldir didn't know she existed or anything. He knew about her and her feelings, but he would not say if he has any back. Many times I had tried to ask for my sister's sake, but I never got a clear response. He would say something and then change the subject before I could catch the whole thing.

I got up from my bed and quickly changed my traveling clothes, which were the same from yesterday consisting of a black traveling dress with a grey cloak around it.

To many, morning had come quicker than expected. I was actually surprised. We were woken up earlier than usual. Once everyone was prepared and everything was packed, Haldir gave the order for everyone to move out again.

We all continued on our way. Haldir wanted to get to the border before the sun was at its highest. Due to his knowledge of patrolling, this was the quietest time with the least amount of activities even outside of the forest. It was best to get as close to Rivendell possible during this time.

Arriving to the edge of Lórien, I breathed in, taking in the sight of her golden trees looming high over us, beginning to glow in the coming light.

"Ariel," I turned around and watched as Haldir removed his bow and quivers, handing them over to me one at a time.

I nodded my head, taking the quivers first, "as you wish."

"I pray that you do not need to use this," he spoke while holding the bow. Once I had the quiver set, I took the bow, thanking him.

"If we travel quickly, we will make it to the lake by nightfall and there we will be safe," Alassëa added.

Haldir nodded in approval "Anor calatha erin râd lîn (May the sun shine upon your path)" he said bowing his head. I just nodded to that.

"Navaer (farewell)," I said softly to him getting on my horse. I looked at the other elves that came with us, and nodded to them all as well.

"Garo 'lass (enjoy yourself)" one elf remarked.

"Navaer," Alassëa added as well.

"Navaer, Alassëa. Be careful, both of you," Haldir added.

We nodded and with one last wave we were off. For some reason, I felt sad. But why? It could have been because the threat from Sauron and the Black Riders. It had been bothering me since last night after Haldir had scolded me for not bringing a weapon. For him to get angry like that showed just how dangerous times were getting, even for elves like us.

Now I sat at the edge of the forest, where a huge field was welcoming us to ride across it. We had been traveling for most of the day now. Alassëa wanted to make it to the river before nightfall. At the moment, we had given our horses a chance to rest.

"Ariel, shall we get going?" Alassëa spoke up.

She never liked it when I traveled by myself, she always thought that I should go with someone, but then that would mean that someone would have to wait. While I enjoyed my time in Rivendell, they would just walk around, but my sister being the older one always ended up coming with me.

Of course there was a reason why I was headed towards Rivendell. Arwen lived there. She was my best friend. She was one of the few that were willing to talk to me when I first arrived to this land.

She had come with her brothers to visit Lady Galadriel, their grandmother. I was the one in charge of making sure that Arwen had everything she needed, somewhat like her maid. But Arwen did not like that and wanted me to treat her like a friend. So I did, and that was how we actually became friends. Now we always visited each other. She would come to visit her grandmother and me, and then I would go visit her and her family in Rivendell.

The sun shone high in the sky. I smiled as her rays glimmered passed the trees on to my companion, Mistiel and me. It was warm and when I looked at Mistiel, her light, golden-brown coat seemed to glow in the sun.

I stood up and walked over to the mare, which lifted her head when she saw me. I smiled as I began to stroke her white mane. She was my horse a troublesome one, like her name suggested, but she was also very loyal. There was a specific way she was to be treated or else she would become her troublesome self.

I never understood why. Lady Galadriel explained that we were very similar in a way and that both had to be cared for very carefully when first arriving. It always bothered me, how Lady Galadriel said that, but at the same time it was true.

"Ariel?" Alassëa called to me, getting me out of my thoughts. Her concerned expression made me realize she had been calling to me for a while.

"Oh sorry Alassëa, yes let's continue." I said as I got up.

"Come, we are already half way there. The river is just up ahead." Alassëa explained to me.

I nodded my head. Just a few more days. We would then arrive to Rivendell. I wanted to get there quickly. With Haldir's words in my head, I was starting to feel uneasy with being out here.