It was another morning in my Mirkwood. I silently sat in front of the caves looking down on the Dor Guldur. The lonely, dark place that was once a castle in the Greenwood the Great. However, ever since Sauron had risen, our once beautiful forest had taken a darker shade. Everyone was taught how to fight, even females, even me Gothweniel, sister of Legolas, daughter of king Thranduil of Mirkwood. I wasn't sure how I felt about holding a bow or a sword, but it was my duty. As the oldest princess of 2021 years, I was expected to help my father and Legolas, oldest son and heir to the throne, in the upcoming war. He left with the ring bearer to see the foul thing destroyed. The ring that could corrupt hearts, destroy souls and cities, just by existing. It was a foul thing indeed. I noticed commotion under the cave in which our city of Mirkwood was placed. I recognised the trespassers. Archons, the giant spiders, were marching towards us. Taking one quick glance in the direction of Mordor, I saw the smoke. The battle is coming near for them as well. I took off towards the entrance warning everyone I met to take up arms. In a second we were ready to march. My sword was already in my hand, the other had a dagger for throwing. Although my strength was wielding a sword, my aim with either bow or daggers was fairly known. I was up ahead with my father and my younger brothers. There were a few females that were trained by me. "Lady Gothweniel, be careful. Don't worry we will give our lives for yours." One of my maids and my students told me. They weren't eager to fight, but they wanted to serve me and make sure I was safe. Such dedication to me was overwhelming for me. I knew they pledged their loyalty to me and my father, but to give their own lives for mine was something I wouldn't expect. "We will survive this war together, all of us." I said. I weren't going to let them die. I would fight to the end. "Here they come, get ready." My father announced. "My elves, my soldier this is it. The orcs think this is our last battle, but I am saying differently! We will show them the elf pride." My father tried to give the strength to our soldiers, many of them had already lost hope. I had to believe my brother would succeed, he had to. Come on, Legolas my brother, you had to make it. You need to destroy the ring. I thought. I hoped that these thoughts would reach him. A second later the first row of enemies showed themselves. "This is it mellon nin. Here we go." My brother said to his best friend. "If we die, at least we will die a hero's death." The said friend chuckled. I shook my head, too young too even understand a full extension of war. My nerves started to work. I was no longer calm. I was scared, who wouldn't be. I had to do my best none the less. The first Archons came to me and I slashed. The huge numerous eyes were looking at me. It unnerved me to no end. I used my dagger to blind it. I had no time to think anymore. I just slashed, blood all round me. I tried to find my father, brothers, but I was always engaged in a new fight. My hand soon felt heavier. I was growing tired, but the orcs kept coming. There way too many of them. I beheaded another one, when the other one stabbed me laughing maniacally. The pain spread through my body in a second. I let a small cry of anguish. The orc that stabbed me didn't savoured his happiness for long. Maiden, by the name of Limwen, stabbed him through the chest. I would normally say heart, but I wasn't sure of they even had one. The orc's black blood was all over me, but I was already dirty and bloody that it really didn't make any difference. I tried to stand up and fight again, but I was too weak. Darkness was about take me, when I heard the voice of my father, "Rest dalharil nin. You fought extremely well." I was glad to hear his voice, if he was here it meant the battle was won, maybe even war. I could rest now, for a little while.

I had no idea how long I slept. It really didn't matter. What mattered is that I couldn't move. Nothing, not even to open my eyes. I started to panic a little. "She is beyond or help, king Thrnduil." I heard someone. Was that Gandalf, the Grey pilgrim? I thought he was dead. "What are we to do? Gandalf you need to help her. Lord Elrond?" I heard Legolas, my wonderful brother, pleading with them Were they talking about me? "No, Legolas prince of Mirkwood, there is nothing we can do for her. She is not needed here anymore. We cannot question the will of Valar." I heard booming voice of Lord Elornd. He was right, the will of Valar is never questioned, not even when he takes the life of the best warriors. "She is needed in another world. World where will also be accepted as an elf in a community that has seen magic very different to our own." Gandalf tried to ease Legolas' mind. I knew it will be hard to do so; he was always looking out or me. He was my big brother, my first friend and my rock. "Legolas." I managed to make my voice work. It was very quite, but for an elf it was no problem to hear it. "Don't worry about me. I will be fine, my brother." I whispered. This was the best I could do. I had no strength for more. "I know you will be, my sister. Just remember who you are there. My sister and the daughter of the king of Mirkwood." He said kissing my forehead. "You are a brave one Gothweniel, daughter of Thranduil. I wish we could have got to know you." I heard lord Elrond speak. The voice carried so much pain, wisdom and sincerity. I wished I could have known him as well. There was nothing for me to say more, I was not needed here anymore. I was supposed to leave. I how could I? My whole life I had never been outside of Mirkwood borders. Now I had to go to a completely another world. Could I survive that? "You will be fine, dalharil nin. You are my daughter. My first champion, you will make it." I felt his strong hand patting me on my head. "Will we ever see her again?" My father asked a question that had me wondering too. "We do not know. This has never happened before. Lady of the woods has never predicted something like this before. We can only hope." Gandalf answered. So this was it. "Go to sleep, Gothweniel. Wake you wake you will be where you are needed." Gandalf soothed me to sleep with some kind of spell I was sure, for the elves never slept.

I stirred. I was lying on something hard. It wasn't a bed that was for sure. I was still weak, but I tried to move my fingers. What I felt surprised me. I felt grass under my fingers and the smell of freshly cut grass filled my nostrils. It was very soothing smell, especially in my situation. I was still unable to move and my vocal cords were still out as well. I shivered thinking about how long could I lie here without anyone discovering me, or worse someone evil actually finding me. I hated feeling so helpless. I wasn't born for this. I wanted to cry in frustration, but my voice failed me. Suddenly I heard footsteps near me. The man, I was sure of that, for no elf made such noise while walking, and it wasn't a clumsy walk of a dwarf either. He said nothing, but I could hear him breathing. I tried to pretend I slept, keeping my breathing even. I could hear shuffling of his feat like debating what should he do. The terror in me grew; I had no means to communicate with this man. I couldn't tell him I was no threat. I suddenly grew tired, again. What was with wizards and people always making me sleep. I decided to kill someone after this. Too much was too much.