***Yet another Disclaimer*** None of the characters from Tolkien's books are mine....etc, etc, ad nauseum


((Anyway, I know this is kind of a slow start, but I lose track of time when I write! Anyway, it's not my fault. ::grump:: Read and Review!....Oh yeah, and if you REALLY want translations for the Sindarin spoken in this chapter, I'll put them in the next chapter!))




Kara slammed the tavern door behind her and wiped the traces of blood off her dagger blade with a handkercheif. The night was getting on, and she wanted to put some miles between her and her family. Her boots crunched on the street as she began to walk.
A hand closed over her mouth tightly and a blade of some kind pressed into her throat, precisely over her jugular. Kara dared not swallow. A woman's voice whispered in her ear.
"It's very dangerous to pull a knife in a crowded tavern. No telling who you'll...prick. What's a little girl like you doing with this, hmm?" The fingers of the hand moved down to the woven leather cord around her neck and grasped the pendant.
"Put...that...down." Kara muttered. Her voice quavered slightly, but she could feel herself growing hot with anger.
"And if I don't?"
"Then I will render you incapable of picking anything up again." A bluff, but perhaps it would buy her some time to think. The voice chuckled softly. Kara blinked. The tone of the chuckle was neither dark nor menacing, but light and fair and deeply amused. The hands released her, and the blade was withdrawn from her throat.
Kara whirled around to see a woman six inches taller than her, with blonde, almost white hair, and the kind of eyes she had only heard about in fairy tales. She wore a simply cut white dress. The fabric seemed to sparkle in the starlight, sprinkled here and there with tasteful green markings. The woman wore white boots, a belt of some unidentifiable metal linked in intricate vine patterns, and a leather strap over her chest. The ears that poked through---were pointed. Kara blinked, backing away a few steps.
"I thought elves were peaceful." That laugh again, like a river gurgling past stones. Kara found it impossible to view her as a threat, though she continued to be on her guard.
"Forgive me, young one. At times, tradition must be broken." A light smile.
"What do you want?" Kara's hand crept to her dagger underneath her cloak, out of view.
"You'll find no need for that blade. Come inside and speak with me."
"I'm afraid I can't. I need to..." Kara looked around. Where she stood, the road split in three directions. She had no idea which one to take. Perhaps, if nothing else, this woman could give her advice. With a nod, she twisted on her heel and headed back up the path, trotting after the odd woman in white.

The tavern had emptied considerably. Those that remained were mostly quiet from fatigue or drink. Kara kept her bag with her this time. The woman led her over to a table where an elven man was sitting. His attire was simple as well, his hair pulled back in an interesting braid. He did not rise as they approached, but did sit up and forward, nodding his head politely. The woman motioned to him.
"This is Faradir, son of Faradrim. I am Tathren." Tathren motioned to a seat. Kara settled into it quietly. Her back was to the door.
"My name is...Kara."
"Kara? Where do you hail from?" The eyes of Faradir looked at her curiously. Kara pressed her lips together.
"Nowhere. I claim no homeland." Tathren looked amused.
"And where are you going?" She urged. Kara shrugged.
"I don't know." Faradir blinked.
"You come from nowhere, do not know where you are going, and carry an elven necklace, though you are human. To further twist this enigma, you allow a ruffian to treat you with disrespect to the uttermost, looking like a beaten animal, then fly at him, cut his throat, and threaten to kill him." Amusement lit in his eyes, but not derisive amusement. Kara noticed the same look in Tathren's eyes.
"I had enough. That is all. As for the necklace, I don't know where it came from either. It was given to me." Again, the elves exchanged glances. Kara began to feel uncomfortable.
"I gwain tinu?" Faradir muttered. Tathren gave Faradir a censoring look and shook her head just slightly. Kara shifted.
"Impolite as this may sound, I must leave..."
"But you do not know where you are going, little one." Faradir inclined his head.
"That is a problem, though I'd be open to anything the wise elves can suggest." Kara smiled just a bit. Tathren nodded slowly.
"I hate to see one as young as you travel alone, though you have proven an ability to defend yourself. May I suggest you walk with us until you find your bearings?"
Kara pushed the shock out of her features.
"I'm sorry, but I must leave tonight."
"He cell." Tathren murmured. Then she resumed in the common language.
"We can leave tonight if you wish. Our packs are in the back."