Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings belongs to J.R.R Tolkien. However, Karina and any new characters belong to me.
A/N: Okay, so I've jumped on the bandwagon about putting an elven girl in the story. And yes, this will eventually be a Legolas romance. (le sigh) I mean, why not! He seems to be winning the popularity contest among us fan-gals. After one glance, anyone can see why! **wink** However, I'm planning on making it different, so please give it a chance! As always, read and review, but no flames please. So enjoy!
Someone to Count On
Chapter 1
Karina looked back behind her at the beautiful imperial city of Gavalar. In the light of the early dawn, the tall marble buildings and sculptures glowed in the thin light. Karina sighed, pulling the hood over her head. She mustn't have anyone see her leave. She turned back to Purity, her white mare and quickly mounted. Patting the mare's silk neck she slowly made her way through the forest.
"You don't agree with me, do you?" Karina softly asked her. The mare snorted and tossed her head, sending her black mane flying. "However, you do realize that it doesn't matter what you think; it was my decision." Once Karina was out of sight of the city she eased Purity into a graceful and dainty trot. Karina hated her life. She had a heart of adventure and always found it hard to live in confinement and solitude that most elven princesses had to endure. The fact of the matter was she was only half-elf; her mother being elven and her other half created entirely by magic. Although she possessed very powerful magic, she had made a vow never to use her powers.
When Karina had first discovered her secret heritage, she had been shocked and confused. She had soon come to learn that her magic side was created by the evil sorceress, Queen Hamra, in attempts to have her join her on the side of evil. She had never met the queen, but she had spoken to Karina many times in her mind, to make her presence known. Out of fear that magic would overtake her, Karina figured it would be safer to refrain from the use of magic.
However, this did not bother her. Karina had always been very agile and successful in the skills of archery. She could defend herself with the strongest of warriors. Her cousin, Gorin, had taught her about basic fighting skills when she was not under the watchful eye of her mother. When her mother was suspiciously killed four years ago, Karina's care had been placed in the hands of the royal attendants until she would be old enough to take the throne, and Karina had been forced into a solitary life.
"This is the way it has to be," Karina mumbled to no one in particular. To most, she seemed to be the perfect example of elven beauty even though her features were very different than that of most other elves. Her hair was a deep, chocolate brown with streaks of pale gold, giving it a sun kissed appearance. Her eyes were as deep a blue as the ocean with flecks of emerald green. However, Karina didn't care about these things. Her heart longed to be in the midst of some grand adventure. It had been a dream of hers for as long as she could remember.
Karina knew what her path would be. A strange whisper had been dancing around in the wind for the past few days. Unheard to everyone but her, it told of the One Ring and the power it had to enslave the world. She had foreseen that of the ringbearer and his destination to Rivendale. He was only a mere hobbit, by the name of Frodo Baggins, and he had just left his home in The Shire soon to embark on this journey.
A shrill screech interrupted her thoughts, and she looked up to see her falcon, Mimic.
"Mimic, did I not make it clear to you that I was leaving and have no desire to be found?" she glanced at the bird on her arm. Mimic looked sideways at her and cocked his head. Karina's kind heart nearly melted and she slowly started to smile. "Well, I guess since you've made it this far, you may accompany me. Fly on ahead and warn me of any danger. We are approaching the Shire."
Karina didn't really know where she was going, but she decided to follow her intuition, knowing it had never lead her astray. Finally, taking a rest, she sighed and dismounted. Suddenly, her elven ears heard a rustle in the ground a ways down the hill. Turning to look, she saw four small figures crouching under a tree. As she studied them she realized they were hobbits, and recognized Frodo from her vision. The next sight made her gasp in horror. A black figure on what appeared to be a very nasty black horse was standing right over them. It didn't take Karina long to figure out that they were looking for the ring.
Quickly remounting, she whistled to Mimic who needed no further encouragement. Karina pulled out her sword and quickly but carefully made her way down the rocky slope.
As the black rider, stood over the hobbits' hiding place. A quick movement distracted him. Glancing back to his horse, he was suddenly surprised by a falcon that swooped down to where he had been kneeling. In disgust, the ring wraith climbed back on his horse and rode off. This distraction was all the hobbits needed as they took off through the brush.
Standing back in the shadows of a big elm tree, Karina watched them go. She decided to follow them, knowing they had no way to defend themselves on the perilous journey to Rivendale.