Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. Thanks, enjoy!

Prologue

She peered over the balcony, looking to see if there was anyone watching. She needed fresh air, space to think. Not as if her room in the Healing House was in any way stuffy or uncomfortable, she just needed the peace the outdoors offered her. She glanced around one last time, then, suddenly, vaulted over the railing. She spun in the air, landing lightly on her feet with her back to a large tree. She froze, her dark tunic and leggings blending with the tree to make her virtually invisible –only her shining golden hair showing to mark her position-, even her eyes were closed, as if in concentration, or even pain. Suddenly, quickly, quietly, with ease of long practice, she slipped around the tree and ran into the forest, wincing slightly as her back slid along the trunk.

The man –or rather elf- standing under the balcony raised an eyebrow in surprise and followed the fleeing elleth into the trees, wondering at the glimmerings of pain and the ease she seemed with which to run despite that. She stopped to look up, choosing a tree to climb, and he dodged behind another. She winced slightly in pain as she reached up and pulled herself into the tree, the wounds on her front, back and neck stretching somewhat. The elf again raised an eyebrow, noting the way her shoulders tensed and she hesitated. He, being both a healer and a warrior, knew she was in pain. But still she climbed with an ease and grace that disguised the severity of her wounds. The ellon glanced up at the tree he was standing by, and then back to where the elleth had disappeared into the foliage. He shrugged and reached up, grasping a branch and hoisting himself into the tree. He had less experience at tree climbing than the she-elf, but just as much, if not more, when it came to sneaking and stealth. Millennium as a practical joker and a hunter had made sure of that.

The elleth paused, hearing a slight rustling from where the ellon was climbing, oblivious, lost in thought of the mysterious elleth that seemed to suffer, yet continue as if unharmed. He was brought rudely back to the present when the elleth called out in a surprisingly deep voice, "Who are you, friend or foe? Comrade or enemy? Come, speak. Announce yourself!" The ellon jumped, then opened his mouth to speak. He was interrupted by the sound of hoof beats, growing steadily louder. It sounded as if there were near ten riders approaching at full gallop. The elves glanced at each other before quickly dropping from the trees to stand still and silent, blending into the shadows. The elleth's gleaming hair safely hidden by a hood.

Suddenly, a white burst out of the undergrowth, carrying two riders and being closely pursued by cloaked figures mounted on pitch black steeds. The ellon took an involuntary step back when one of the black steeds reared and threw his rider as the elleth leaped from the trees and vaulted onto his back. She quickly drew his head around so he crossed behind the white horse and stopped, causing a tremendous collision as two more of the pursuing steeds barreled into them. There was a brief moment of jumbled confusion as one of the on-coming steeds and the one ridden by the elleth rolled over each other on the ground. The ellon peered anxiously into the cloud of dust, not daring to step forward into the turmoil of hoofs and bodies, but worried almost beyond reason for the unknown elleth. It was mere seconds before two of the steeds burst from the cloud, the other following slowly, limping on three legs.

The ellon dashed forward as the dust began to clear, revealing the prone body of the elleth. The cloaked figures had disappeared. He dropped to his knees beside the elleth. As he grasped her wrist in an attempt to find a pulse, her eyes fluttered open. He was startled by the color, such an icy blue as to be almost white. She smiled up at him, "Couldn't… couldn't let them – let them get her, c-could I?"

He frowned slightly, "Hush, my Lady. You…" she cut him off,

"Don't…!" she coughed but continued, "Don't call me- name is – is Kari." Her eyes had closed with the effort of her explosive outburst. "Kari…" he whispered, smiling slightly. His smile faded when he saw blood seeping through the collar of her tunic. He quickly and gently pulled it back, wincing when he saw the deep punctures there. They were evidently old and partially healed, but now the thick, protective scabs were cracked and blood was oozing slowly from the wounds. He cursed as he noticed slight traces of blood on her torso as well. Quickly, but gently, he scooped her into his arms and set off at a sprint for the Healing House.

The first sight to meet his eyes as he reached the doors was his sister, tired and worried but unharmed. He would have smiled in relief had Kari not fallen into unconsciousness. "Elrohir!" He looked to the side, seeing one of his tutors and his father's most trusted advisor step into the hall, "What in Valar's name is going on?"

Elrohir glanced down at the elleth in his arms. "It's a long story Glorfindel… We have no time for it now, please, where is my father? She is in dire need."

He was surprised when his sister answered, "He is tending to the Hobbit, Frodo, who was stabbed by a Morgul blade."

Elrohir winced, "Elladan, then?"

Glorfidel nodded, "I shall fetch him." Glorfindel strode down the hall and Elrohir turned back to Arwen . He opened his mouth to speak, but Arwen interrupted. "I am fine, brother. Come, we must care for your friend."

Chapter 1

Waking up to find myself in the Healing House again was not fun. It seemed as if only moments ago I was waking up for the first time. When I was waking fully for the first time, after days of a kind of half-awareness. When I was fleeing to the forest to find some peace of mind. Except that time I was alone. I could sense at least at least two other beings in the room. I carefully opened my eyes, slowly, to adjust to the light. When my vision cleared and I could focus, I noticed two identical faces with identical expressions of concern. I groaned slightly, "No wonder you looked so familiar, you are Elladan's twin." They looked at each other with slight grins. I could now tell there was someone else in the room. Someone I didn't know, and I felt slightly uncomfortable. I immediately tried to sit up and felt a hand on each side of my upper back, supporting me. I winced and sucked in air as one of them accidentally put pressure on one of the claw-marks in my back. Both of them froze. "I am all right," I reassured, " Just please, whichever one of you that is on my left, move your hand up a little." A puzzled frown crossed his face, but he obliged. I smiled, then caught sight of the other being in the room. He was a tall elf, golden haired like me. His expression was unreadable, like most elves, but the way he carried himself was unique. As if he was always on guard. A warrior, always expecting some kind of danger. I raised in eyebrow, "What is it, My Lord, that makes you so wary in this place of peace?"

It was his turn to raise a brow, his bright blue eyes betraying his surprise, "Anything can happen, My Lady. You especially should know this, coming across all of the Nine just beyond the borders of this city."

I grinned, "Very true, My Lord. And please, call me Kari. 'My Lady' makes me feel out of place."

He smiled and bowed slightly, teasing, "Of course, Lady Kari."

I laughed, only to stop, wincing at the pain in my ribs. The twins immediately lowered me back onto the bed and the blonde elf approached quickly, his teasing expression changing to one of concern.

"Are you alright?" Elladan, I thought absently.

"Yes, just a bit sore." I laced my tone with cheerfulness. They didn't buy it.

"No, you are not," Other Twin, wonder what his name is?

I shrugged, then regretted it.

"You were run over by three different horses, according to Elrohir," I glanced at Blonde, so that's Other Twin's name.

I sighed, "Not exactly ran over, more like rolled on. Its not as if I came even close to dyeing."

Blonde looked rather dubious, "Lord Elrond was not sure if you would survive, we almost lost you."

…I decided to ignore that comment.

One of the twins, Elrohir I think, rolled his eyes, "So that makes you, 'just a bit sore' rather than 'in a lot of pain'?"

I almost shrugged again, but thought better of it. I changed the subject, "So, what else did I injure?"

Elrohir and Blonde, -I really needed to learn his name- looked confused, but Elladan scowled, "I do not know why you ran out there when you were already ripped halfway open, but now you have broken ribs and a sprained ankle as well."

I scowled, "I am not 'ripped halfway open' thank you very much! I just have some claw-"

He cut me off, "Just some claw marks! Kari you were out for almost a month last time and ten days this time! Do you have a death wish?!"

I swallowed my retort, "A month?" my voice sounded rather small.

Elladan glared at me as Elrohir and Blonde gave him puzzled looks, "Last time?" I mentally winced.

Elladan rolled his eyes, "Yes Legolas, last time. I do not know what happened to her, but I found her the day you, Elrohir, left for patrol. She did not wake until the day you returned."

He would have continued, but I cut him off, "What, do you expect me to control mountain lions as well?" Now they all looked confused. Legolas -I finally got his name!- was the first to speak, "As well?"

I would have shrugged, but settled for a wry grin, "Horses, my friend. They feel compelled to obey me. At times it is a curse rather than a gift." I closed my eyes, remembering the limping steed, "A curse." I bit the inside of my lip to keep from crying. I didn't realize they were talking to me until a gentle, almost brotherly, hand touched my cheek. Elrohir looked down at me, concerned, "Kari?" I blinked. He sighed, "Kari… Those horses… They were corrupted, changed. You could have done nothing different. I looked away. I knew that, but… There was just something inside me that broke a little bit, every time I thought of that poor horse. I looked up, not meeting Elrohir's gaze as Legolas spoke, "Forgive me, as I am rather curious, what is this 'mountain lion' you speak of?"

I blinked and frowned, "It is a type of large cat. He evidently decided I was invading his territory. I do not know why he left me alive."

"I must say I am most glad he did," I raised a questioning eyebrow at Elladan, "If you had not been alive to delay the Nine, Arwen and Frodo would have perished and the Ring returned to the Dark Lord. The whole of Middle Earth was temporarily saved by your actions."

I blinked in confusion, "…Ring? Dark Lord?... I know not of what you speak. I remember naught of who I am or what I knew before the lion attacked. I acted on instinct that night, with those riders."

Elladan frowned, "You remember nothing of the tales of the rings? Or of the Nazgul? Or of Sauron?" I shook my head. The three ellon shared a glance before Legolas came forward and sat on the edge of the bed, looking like a bird on his perch. Elladan spoke, "We will tell you the tale of the rings, of the Nazgul and of Sauron. It is a long tale for many afternoons. I shall now begin…"

Whether this gets updated or not depends on if people read it. So yeah, let me know if you like it please. ~Kari