Flame of the North

by The Story Smith

Daerwen has spent many years as part of the Grey Company. Now she must face a different path, one that will change the course of history: 10th walker story. Rated M just in case for future chapters.

1. Prelude

A/N: I do not own the Lord of the Rings and the characters that live there, except for Elda and Daerwen who are my own creations.

It was in the early hours of the morning that the party arrived. It was a small party, only three persons in pale attire. It was led by another person, dressed mightily different. Whereas the travelers were ghostly and grim, their guide was welcoming, practically an extension of the forest they passed through. However, this comes as no surprise for the guide was an elf.

The party was slowly traveling toward the Last Homely House, or as others might call it, Rivendell. After entering the gates of Rivendell, the travelers warily swung down from their saddles to be greeted by Lord Elrond. The party met him with a slight bow of their heads. One traveler dressed in a cloak with a white fur mantle stepped forward, obviously the leader of the grim travelers.

"It is rare to see friends from the North, rarer still in these dark times" said Lord Elrond. His face was blank, yet his eyes spoke of suspicion and worry.

"We have come for the council, Elrond."

The elven lord did not seem surprised at this revelation and quickly gestured for some elves to tend to the party's mounts. "It would be best if this was discussed within." And with that Lord Elrond of Rivendell held out his hand for the leader of our mysterious party to take. The leader lowered the hood of the cloak, revealing the face of a woman.

The strangest thing about these folk, at first glance that is, was the way they wore their hair. Women of these northern people braided their hair tightly to their heads until it reached the just behind their ears, and then it was braided til there was no more to braid, but loose of the head. Now this in itself was strange for women, but braided into the loose braids were beads of metal and crystal. This lady's hair, for she was obviously a lady, was white as untouched snow, and her skin was nearly the same color. Her eyes were pale grey, like the color of overcast sky in summer. At first glance one might mistake her for spirit so pale was she! For certain, most would never call this woman beautiful, for she was too intimidating to be called such. However she was as regal as a queen and upon her brow sat a circlet of mithril of similar style to that of the elves.

"We have much to talk about, my old friend" said the lady to Elrond as they walked into the halls of Rivendell.