Deirdra Randiriel Wanderer

Introduction

I had been summoned. I, the wanderer of Middle Earth, had been summoned to Rivendell. A place of great beauty, grace, a serenity I had longed to return to. Had Lord Elrond insisted I stay, I may have been tempted, but the life of a vagabond is my way. It was not Elrond who had summoned me, perhaps he knows not of my coming. No, the summoner is an old friend of mine. Gandalf the Grey had sent word to me of a meeting. This meeting would be of a ring and a journey. He wished me there for reasons I know not of. I am not an actual guardian of Middle Earth, though many mistake me for one (I am convinced Gandalf often makes the same mistake). Using a raven, Gandalf had sent me a piece of parchment instructing to ride to Rivendell in order to partake in the meeting. Lest I face his wrath on a later date, I mount my faithful horse, and companion for many years, Mithroch, the grey horse. She is a light grey horse. No spots, but her mane is black as coal, and her tail is as well. Together we ride for the familiar land of the elves, and I prepare myself for the tarries of interacting with people once more. tHey can be quiet trying, even the elves at times.

Chapter one

Me, in pain, and causing a scene

The sun had passed its noon spot and was heading towards the horizon. I paused at a place for Mithroch to drink. I dismounted and sat on the ground, resting. Pulling out my small sword, I cleaned the already cleaned blade. Gandalf had given it to me after the passing of my brother. The sword is called animos. It is an old sword, whose name is of a language that had been dead since before even Elrond was born. The only reason we know the name's meaning is due to Lady Galadriel, who had taken an interest in the language when she was a child. The name means courage. This sword gave me the courage to do the things that frightened me and showed me the path to freedom from the grief and most of the guilt I bore from my brother's death. I looked at the blade, a small inscription near the handle read fortuna favet audaci meaning fortune favors the brave. I place it back in its sheath and check my bow to ensure there is no damage. The white wood of the birch tree almost glows. I loved archery, it was the weapon I was most skilled at. It was my elvish blood giving me this gift. I am not an elf. My father was an elf. My mother, a halfdwarf, half human. Her father was human and her mother, dwarf. She was a strong yet graceful woman. My father loved her for her heart and strength. I bet it helped she was beautiful though. This interesting lineage has given me a unique character though. I have very curly (some days unruly) brown hair. The large curls reach to the small of my back. I usually hold it in a braid. My slightly dark skin is not too light but is slightly tanned. My eyes are unique because they change color. They may be a very light brown one day, but the next day they can be blacker than ink. I am rather short. This is one of the only things dwarfish about me. I am only five feet and one inch. I have womanly curves which cancel out the slenderness of the elves. Instead my bones are lines with muscles. Nothing outlandish or manly. Because I lack the elvish looks, my elvish blood shows in how I move, react and fight. I am also a deep lover of music of any kind.

I think of an old dwarf song my mother would sing and I hum the tune. It was about the group who had traveled to the lonely mountain to defeat smaug. As I hum I notice the horse was finished resting. Getting off the ground I mount my steed once more. I am about to set the horse in motion when I hear a rumbling. It was not thunder, nor horses, turning, I see a small pack of Orcs riding their dogs straight at me. What are they doing so close to Rivendell? Outraged, I draw my sword and charge them.

There were only five. I clashed blades with the first and was able to quickly disarm him. Seeing my chance, I slashed the throat of the dog and pierced the chest of his rider. The second had directed its dog to leap at me and knock me off my horse. I clung to my sword as I fell. I watched as Mithroch ran away in the direction of Rivendell.

I suddenly find myself being pulled up by my hair. I hiss in pain and glare at the orcs. The orc with my hair pulled my head back and brought his sword to cut my throat but I was quicker. I brought mine up and over my head and stabbed. The orc staggered back tacking my sword with it. I pulled out a small dagger and lodeged it in the face of the third orc. Grabbing my sword from the fallen orc I rushed the fourth but was pushed back by a force and a pain in my shoulder. I looked to see a nasty arrow. I pulled it out with a grunt of pain and charged again. This time the arrow hit my leg. I fell to the earth. I waited a moment to try and catch my breath but another arrow found its way to my arm. I yelled out curses and hoisted myself up. With a determintation that would have made many proud, I charged the orc and sliced his head clean off to see the archer behind him. With a great yell and mighty swing, I cut off his arm and cut off his head. I watched as its body collapsed. I looked to myself and saw I was coverd in dirt, blood and bruises from being knocked off my horse.

With great fatigue, I too collapsed to the ground and lied, bleeding on the ground. I had been in worse situations so do not think I was hoping for some one to miraculously find me. No, in a moment I would try to get up and make my way to Rivendell. Orcs this close cannot mean anything good.

Mithroch nunged my head with her snout and I raised my semi good arm to pet her. I pulled myself up and somehow managed to mount her. Sheathing my sword I grabbed the long hair of the orc to bring with me as proof. If humans were going to be present, I was going to need evidence of the scouting party.

The greasy hair in my hand was not pleasant. I set the horse into a full run to Rivendell. If I hurried I could make it by sunset. My wounds ached and I was in need of medical help. But I hardly noticed. I was filled with rage and anger. How dare they come so close to the elves? How dare they attempt to attack the peacefull lands. Had they not murdered and massacred enough?

I rode for hours, not slowing or stopping, when I had finally reache the entrance.

AS I neared I saw the two gaurds. I heard them cry "Halt!" but in a reply I cried "Move!"

I could see a gathering of men, elves and other small beings in the west pavilion. I rode the horse as fast as I could up the roads of Rivendell and to the pavilion as fast as I could.

The commotion I left in my wake not something I cared about at the moment. So as Mithroch entered the pavilion, I cared not for the odd looks and shocked faces, nor the exasperated look of Gandalf. But I jumped from the back of my horse and ran a few paces in the direction of Elrond yelling.

"Lord Elrond! I just encountered a scouting party of Orcs! Why are they growing bolder in leaving Isengard?! What is the meaning of this? They are daring to head in this direction!"

"That is why we are here." He responded quickly. Others jumped in.

"You lie!"

"They would do no such thing!"

"How would you be alive to tell this tale if it were true?"

"I lie not! I may be a woman but I can fight as well as any of you!"

"Lord Elrond who is she and what is she doing here?"

"How can a woman fight off a party of Orcs?!"

"Where is your proof!" the last comment sent me over the edge and I lifted the head of one of the orcs I had slain. A collective gasp was heard and I threw it at the man who questioned me last.

"There is your proof! This is the head of an orc I had slain! If you do not believe me still, you are wither a fool or blind!" my commnet started a mini riot of egocentric men who believe women to be helpless all the time. Lord Elrond's voice quieted the room and I felt a comforting hand upon my shoulder.

"Enough. This woman was requested to come to this council by Gandalf and myself. Her skills and ability match, if not out do your own. Please sit."

The men sit but many still held glares. Though three faces did catch my attention. A man, a child and Gandalf.

Gandalf looked as if he was about to laugh at a child throwing a small tantrum. Gandalf was once my stand in father, and I often got that look when I had outbursts like this. He once told me I have a soul of fire; wild, passionate and free: not something to be tamed. This was one of his looks of humorous approval. The man looked at me in amusement in a similar way as Gandalf. Taking in the features of the man I saw it was my old friend Aragorn. Beside him was the curly brown hair and large feet. But clear blue eyes stood out to me. Thy held curiosity and slight confusion. I raised my hand in greeting to him.

"Now then, we must finish the meeting tomarrow, for some still have not arrived. Dinner is ready I believe. Please make your way and feel at home." He said as men stood and headed out. His grip tightened slightly as he turned to me. "I shall have Arwen help attend to your wounds. Are you well enough?" he asked, slight concern showing upno his face as he lifted a hand and placed it upon my cheek. I nodded, too tired for words.

"Perhaps you should sit." He said. I nodded and turned to walk to the chairs but I found myself falling and then being caught. "Steady now." I heard Aragorn say to me. He helped me into a seat and Elrond and Gandalf came nearer, the boy still standing behind Aragorn.

"Elrond, they grow nearer. And stronger. tHere were only five and they had been five of the strongest I had fought in years. What were they? They were stronger than the others."

"Urukai. They are the Orcs that have been especialy made as warriors. They are stronger, bigger, faster. It is a good thing you are as skilled a fighter as you are." I heard Gandalf say to me. I smiled.

"hello old friend."

"Hello little flame." He responded with a smile. This was our customary greeting. A jab at each other. I called him old; he likened me to fire. I used to be insulted until I realized how special fire can be.

"Aragorn, how are you my friend?" I ask as I turned to him. "Fairer off than you it seems." I nod with a smile. I look to the boy, still watching. "Aragorn why have you brought a child?"

"He is no child. He is a hobbit by the name of Frodo Baggins." Gandalf says proudly. I can see why. Baggins was an important last name. I waved him closer. He slowly came to me and I grabbed his hands.

"Little one, why do you look so confused? Have you never seen a woman before? Are there no women hobbits?" I ask teasingly. He becomes flustered and I laugh. "I jest my friend."

"It is only that you are small, I had not thought you would be one to pick up a sword." He tries to explain. I nod.

"I may be small, Frodo, but sometimes the most powerful, the most brave, are the smaller being." I said. He nodded in understanding.

"Arwen is almost here. Im sure she will be glad to see you again." Elrond had said.

"Yes and after you are patched up, you can join us for a proper meal. It looks as him you haven't eaten in days again." Gandalf said unapprovingly. He hates it when in do not eat enough.

"That is because I haven't" I say with a small smile. I hear Gandalf start to growl in his wizard way when someone came to the pavilion. I looked to see my dear friend Arwen. I smile brightly and try to stand but my smile falters when I see her face.

"Arwen, what is wrong?" I ask worriedly. She recovers and puts on a calmer face.

"Randiriel, what had happned to you? You are beaten and blooded. And what on earth has happened t your hair?" she said as she approached. I looked to see wjat she had meant and I saw nothing. My hair had been cut so oddly. Most ended near my shouder but osme still reached longer lengths. My long hair was mostly gone. "It must have been while I was fighting." A look of disapproval etched my features. The men shook their heads with small smiles, glad I was still alive and safe.

They ushered me away and Arwen and I headed to the room they kept for me. This place was as close as I could come to a home. I loved it here, and Arwen and Elrond loved me as well.

After my family had died, I had been taken in by many. Elrond and Gandalf served as fathers and mentors, Arwen was a sister to me as Aragorn was a brother and friend. Lady Galadriel was like a mother. She taught me academics and she is the cause of my love for music and beauty in many things. But the most important thing she did for me was be a comfort. After the loss of my family, I had been plagued by nightmares. I had not slept or eaten in weeks. I lived off of water and small bites of food. I was wasting away. Lord Elrond had Gandalf lead me to Galadriel. She comforted me for the nights I was plagued by nightmares, she helped me to see joy in life again. And for the first time in weeks, I had eaten an entire serving of food. She was a mother to me, and she considers me her daughter. However, I was not ment to stay in one place for too long, so I had not seen her in a few years. I hoped I would see her soon.

As we walked down the halls, we passed three more hobbits. I looked at them confused but they went right past us. And I watched as more people arrived. I turned to Arwen.

"Why is everyone here? Why are we gathering?"

Please reiveiw! I hope you all like it. Happy easter!