I don't own any characters known from "The Lord of the Rings". However, I do own all other characters who will make an appearance here :)
No money is being made out of this story. Having fun is the whole purpose. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it.
Arrival
The day was drawing to a close when the convoy trekking on the bank of Anduin the Great neared Lothlorien. The setting sun's rays of sunlight made the glinting water of the river gleam golden and the play of colours on the treetops of Lothlorien's great Mallorn trees caused the travellers to marvel at the sight before them. Never before had they seen something so beautiful.
The rider at the front signalled to stop.
"We make camp here tonight", announced the tall man in a loud voice. Immediately, the horses were being unyoked from the carriages and everybody busied themselves with preparing a makeshift camp before night would fall.
Weary with the travel's efforts and the burden of leadership the man dismounted his horse. When looking in the direction of his family's carriage he spotted a black stallion trotting leisurely towards him. The rider's dark hair glowed in the sunlight. She was smiling but when she reached the man's side her smile vanished. Concern made her brown eyes darken.
"Beros, you're looking exhausted." Somehow she managed to sound reproachful and concerned at the same time. Beros' broad-shouldered form didn't show any signs of exertion or weariness but the rider seemed to know anyway. She was his daughter after all.
"I'm fine, Ataria", Beros tried to reassure her and added "As soon as the camp is prepared and the horses have been taken care of I will allow myself some rest. It has been a long journey but we haven't arrived at our destination yet. Once there I will relax and rest properly. Promise."
Her facial expression showed that Ataria wasn't convinced at all by this promise but she remained silent and frowned disapprovingly. Beros laughed out loud. He approached the stallion in order to lay a hand on her arm. "You're much too young for those worry lines on your face, my little one. And now tell me where is Belan? I do hope my son is making himself useful?"
His good-natured banter made Ataria smile. "Don't worry. When I left him he was taking care of the sleeping berth for the little ones. I bet he has already finished that and is now waiting impatiently for you to assign him further duties." Both of them had to smile at that image. "Well, I can hardly wait to do just that", Beros smirked and began leading away his horse in the direction he assumed his son to be.
Still smiling Ataria called after him "Don't think I haven't noticed your change of topic. I'll keep an eye on you, worry lines be damned." Beros snorted amused and hastened his steps.
When he had disappeared from her view Ataria let her gaze wander over the surrounding area and the border of Lothlorien. The sight had a calming effect on her even though the shadows under the trees were growing in the fading daylight. Ataria knew that keen elvish eyes watched them closely. It gave her a sense of security. For the first time since they set out they could feel safe from orc ambushes. Determined to discuss the duration of their stay with Beros at the first opportunity she turned from the wondrous sight.
If only he weren't so stubborn!
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The elvish border guards had spotted the humans long before they stopped to make camp. Swiftly, they took positions to prevent a possible trespassing but when they felt safe that the humans intended to stay away from the woods normal patrol routine was resumed. Only three of them remained to keep an eye on the group. Standing and sitting on a talan high above the ground they observed the buzz of activity.
"Seldom have I seen humans here on this border, least of all such a large group with horses and carriages", Faeron remarked thoughtfully.
"It's likely that Orcs are the reason they avoided the frequently used but more dangerous ways. I don't see any warriors among these humans", Lamiel chiped in before he returned his attention to the arrow he was currently working at.
"Hm, for whatever reason they came here they don't seem to pose a threat", Faeron concluded. Then he turned to the third elf who had kept silent so far.
"Rúmil?"
The two elves gave each other a questioning look when Rúmil continued looking across to the humans silently. Apparently, he hadn't even noticed their conversation. He kept his gaze focused on the odd couple at the front. When Faeron and Lamiel followed his gaze, they saw a tall man disappear behind one of the carriages. A young woman sitting on a black horse's back remained behind. The elves saw clearly her black breeches and black boots, the tight-fitting dark blue tunic and the dagger at her belt. It was a very uncommon sight of a daughter of men. She seemed to be examining the Golden Wood and its guardians even though her human eyes weren't able to spot the elves. After a few moments she turned away and disappeared from view.
After that Rúmil turned around and nodded to his friends. "Aye, a threat they don't seem to be. They keep their distance but I have a feeling it won't stay that way for long."