The characters of Lord of the Rings were created by J.R.R Tolkein and are copywrited to the Tolkein Estate. I hold no claim to them and am using them only in connection with Australian copywrite laws. Also, the Quenya and Sindarin words used are also the creation of and copywrited to Tolkien and his Estate. However, I do hold all rights to the elleth ranger, whose name will be revealed shortly. Therefore, please ask before you use her....
Chapter 1:
The twang of a bowstring split the silence of the forest glade, followed by raucous screeches. The orcs looked around frantically for the source of the onslaught as arrows seemingly flew from everywhere and nowhere. Then, an elf walked out from the bushes, armed with a sword and a half full quiver of arrows. The biggest of the orcs nodded to his regiment and they circled their enemy carefully. Then each attacked, only to be felled as the sword struck time and time again. Soon, the majority of the orcs were lying dead on the ground and the rest had fled in fear. Only the leader remained and the two beings were locked in a battle for supremacy. As the sound echoed through the valley, sparks flew from the metal as each fought hard. Finally, the leader made a fatal mistake and the elf pushed their sword deep into his chest. Quivering, the orc gasped and was still, his blood pooling on the ground in a foul puddle.
Wrinkling their nose at the stench of the dead orcs, the elf looked around cautiously for unusual movements with their bright cat-like eyes. As the figure wiped the sword on the ground, they removed the hood and the face of a female elf came into view. The dappled light caught her long blonde hair and her unusually coloured eyes, a strange mixture of forest green and sea topaz. She wore green and darkly muted clothes, the make like that of a Ranger of the Dunedain and a dark green cloak was attached to her neck with a brooch. Moving the cloak aside, she returned her sword to the sheath and adjusted the daggers in her belt. Moving swiftly to the trees, she listened intently for a few seconds as the whistle of birds resumed and then casually flicked a loose strand of hair behind her pointed elven ears.
Pursing her lips, she let out a long whistle. As she waited, a horse trotted out and made his way towards the elleth. Stroking him, she fed the stallion a lump of sugar and laughed as he nuzzled at her hand for more. Whickering in his ear lovingly, she rubbed his neck and played with his flowing mane. After drinking from her supply of fresh water and eating a slice of lembas, she tied her hair back, cloaked herself with the hood and rode her stallion away from the glade.
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As she exited the forest glade, she stopped on the top of a small hill and scanned the grassy plains with her eyes. Whispering to her stallion, she rode down the hill and through the dried grass as the trees flew past. Noting the landmarks, she saw the Palace of Rohan rise in the distance. Spurring her horse on as best she could over the short distance, she reached the gate and paused. Then, she slowed the heaving stallion to a walk and entered as the guards reluctantly let her pass with nervous and/or unsure looks at each other. Stabling her stallion at the local blacksmiths, she pulled a small money pouch from the nearest saddle bag and began to inspect the stalls in the market, seemingly ignoring the nervous, bitter and hate-filled looks the humans gave her. As she browsed, she failed to see a small stableboy look up at her and then sprint towards the Palace, eager to alert a certain someone of her presence...