Disclaimer: I do not own anything that belongs to Tolkien. This is a work of pure fiction. I hope you enjoy!

Life Unknown: Chapter 1

The moon was bright as she looked around her. The night was pitch dark with the exception of that light showing over her, dead orc bodies, and the group of men standing around her. She assumed they were men. Their hoods were cloaking their faces and their figures. They were standing there, looking at her, observing her. She was doing the same to them. Being on her own taught her to be aware of her surroundings and those around her. She surveyed their stature, weapons, position and everything else around her.

The one standing closest to her lifted his hood up and took it off, showing her finally who was in front of her and who saved her. Standing in front of her was nothing she'd ever seen before. She'd seen men, dark creatures, and other things as she traveled, but never has she ever seen an elf. She couldn't help but stare.

Ithilwen looked around at the group surrounding her. She was taken back by the looks, the elegance, and the beauty in their faces as they each took their hoods off to reveal their identities. She wasn't sure what to do or say. There was at least eight of them surrounding her. She couldn't believe they were the ones that had slain the orcs just moments ago. They didn't seem like they had just done battle with them. Most of them had long, dark, smooth hair while others were blonde. All of their hair was carefully braided in some parts or pulled back from their face.

One more joined them from in the back somewhere, swinging his bow over his shoulder, "Is this her?" he asked the one standing in front of Ithilwen. He talked in a different language, one she'd never heard before, but it seemed so familiar to her. His voice was smooth and just as elegant as his features.

"Yes, that's her. Father said she would be approaching soon. She's the only one within miles of here other than those dead orcs," the one with the beautiful grey eyes said in the same language.

She looked between the two and realized they both had the grey eyes. She continued to look at them and couldn't see much of a difference between the two of them. They were completely identical. She's only heard of this happening, twins, but have never seen them before. Of course she really hadn't seen much in her life. She didn't really know much about her life.

"What do we do now?" the one on the right asked.

"We take her back to father. He wants to see her and talk to her. He said she'll be useful here soon."

She continued to look between the two, "Ummmm...I don't mean to interrupt, but I don't know who you are or what you're saying. I'd really like to be on my way."

They both turned to her at the same time and just stared at her. Her eyes got wide and she looked between the two of them. She felt herself shrinking into herself with the power of their eyes on her. She was lost and confused. She wanted to just turn and run away, but something about being surrounding kept her feet planed right there on the ground.

"My apologies my lady," the one to the left said as he took a step closer to you. He was finally talking in the language that she could understand. She instinctively took a step back. She didn't trust easily and always kept her guard up. She had to learn at a young age how to take care of herself.

"Who...who...who are you?" she finally got out nervously. She kept her back straight and her stance defensive, but she couldn't get her voice to match.

"I am Elladan and this is my brother Elrohir. We are sons of Elrond, Lord of Rivendell. Our home is only several miles from here. We have been expecting you for a few days. Our father knew you would be coming this way."

"What do you mean? How could he possibly know that I would be coming?"

"Our father has a very unique gift, but we are here to escort you to our home. Our father wishes to speak with you."

"I'm not going with you. I'm fine on my own. Thank you for the help with the orcs, but I will be on my way now," she said as she turned around to leave. When she did though several of the elves around closed her path.

She stopped and turned in another direction, but was stopped again. She turned to the brothers, "What does your father want with me?"

"We were not told the specific reason my lady, but he stressed that it was very important that you reach Rivendell safely. There is a room, food, anything you need waiting for you there. Whatever you need."

"What I need is to be left alone. I'm fine. I can handle being on my own. I have for years. Just leave me alone," she told them as she went to walk right past them to leave.

She went to walk in between them, but the moment she tried, her hand touched Elladan's hand and flashes of images ran through her mind. She jumped back and grabbed her head.

"What did you do?" she asked as the pain seared through her head. She'd never felt anything like that before. She'd never experienced anything like that either. It felt as if her head was splitting in two right now.

The brothers looked at each other, not sure what to do."We did not do anything my lady," Elrohir told her with a puzzled look on his face.

"I saw something. Images flashed in my mind. I couldn't make them out. I'm not sure where they came from. The pain is overwhelming." Both of her hands were now grasping her head at the pain.

"My lady, would you like to sit down for a moment? Would you like some water?" Elladan asked.

"No. I just want you to leave me alone. I can take care of myself," she said as she got up and walked past them to leave. She didn't want to go where they wanted to take her. She didn't want to do anything except continue on her own, doing what she always did.

"Wait. It's urgent that we take you to Rivendell," Elladan told her as he took her hand to stop her and steady her at the same time.

The moment his hand wrapped around her tons of images came to mind. She saw battles, orcs, wars, elves, mountains, forests, waterfalls, friendship, family. So many things at once. One part slowed and showed her a small glimpse of his past. Elladan was with another elf, a male, and a young female elf and his brother. They were happy, laughing, playing. His family. They were a family, a happy family. She could see the joy on their faces. She felt an ache in her heart that she never would experience this on her own again.

After seeing his memory it flashed to one of hers. She was standing in her home in Gondor. It use to be her home. This was before she lost everything. She saw her and her father sitting around the table eating. Her mother was in the kitchen getting more food to bring to the table. She was young, only a small child at the time, as she sat there at the table. That was one of the happiest times in her life. No longer will she see those smiling faces of her parents. No longer will she see that home again. No longer will she return to Gondor. Her life there is over

When Elladan let go of her hand the memory stopped and she was looking at him. "What..." she said before she fainted.

Before she hit the ground Elladan caught her and picked her up, "Hurry. We must get back to Rivendell. Father will want to know about all of this."

The signaled the group and were off towards Rivendell as quickly as they could get there. They knew this woman was of importance, but they weren't sure of the importance.

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