Chapter 2 already?! Yep. And I am currently working on chapter 3. Oh boy.

As always, enjoy and review if you would like. No flames

~:Elven Kat:~

"Oi! Girl! Where do you think you're going?" a harsh voice behind her yelled.

Rìan kept her head bowed, not wanting to converse with these men, even if one of them was a high-ranking commander in Sauron's human army. A hand roughly grabbed her arm.

"I said, where are you going?" the voice sneered.

She was whipped around forcefully to face a group of men, camped around a fire. Their dirty faces grinned at her, sending a small shiver down her back.

"Let me go," she hissed.

"Now now girlie, that ain't no way to talk," the man holding her said, laughing.

She turned to face him. He was tall with a very muscular build and greasy black hair that fell to his shoulders. Definitely a commander.

"Leave me alone," she said again.

The man laughed in her face and shoved her into a nearby tent. As the others followed in, she looked around for a weapon. Her eyes noticed the bed in the corner. Chains were lying on the mattress. Those would have to do. But before she could figure out a quick plan, the men were onto her, bringing her down and dragging her to the bed. She tried to scream but a dirty cloth was roughly shoved into her mouth. The same chains she was going to use as a weapon were now being used to tie her hands and legs to the bed. The realization of what was happening made her feel like vomiting. But she kept it down. Before they had tied her to the bed, the men had somehow managed to undress her. And now she lay here, spread-eagled and tied down, with her whole body on display. The man who had grabbed her outside stood over her, his hungry eyes ravishing her. For once in her life, Rìan was truely and utterly terrified. A single tear made it's way down her cheek.

"You're beautiful, she-elf," the man growled, slowly running his hand up and down her torso, cupping her breasts.

She glared at him and struggled but it was no use. He ripped his shirt off, his chest gleaming in the firelight. He positioned himself in between her legs. With a half-smile, he pushed the tip of his manhood into her before meeting some resistance. He turned his face towards his men as they egged him on. Then with a short yowl, he drove himself home.

Rìan sat up, chest heaving. She quickly took in her surroundings. The soft glow of Lothlorien reminded her she was safe. Glancing around the room, she noticed a bow and a quiver full of arrows. Since she could no longer sleep, she got out of bed, grabbed the bow and quiver, and headed towards the target practice field she had seen earlier.

The first couple of shots were no good. The nightmare was still on her mind.

Concentrate, she thought. You are better than this.

"My lady?" someone asked from behind her.

She whirled around to face Legolas who was looking at her curiously.

"I thought you had retired for the night," he said.

"Nightmare," she mumbled.

She let another arrow fly.

"May I?" Legolas asked, obviously wanting to correct her position.

Rìan nodded and turned to face the target. Legolas came up behind her, running his hand slowly along her outstretched arm and grasping the bow over her hand. His other arm went around her and his hand settled on hers as it was pulling back the bowstring. Rìan's heart pounded as he moved even closer to her. No man was ever willingly allowed this close to her. Of course, the commander in Mordor had forced himself upon her.

"Like this," Legolas whispered into her ear, as he positioned her arms.

Rìan turned her body to face him. They stared into each other's eyes, their faces moving closer. And then, before she knew it, her lips were on his. They dropped the bow as Legolas' arms went around her lower back. Rìan's hands gripped his face, pulling it to her.

The sound of Galadriel calling Rìan's name broke the kiss. Legolas took a step backwards, surprise written all over his features.

"My sincerest apologies, my lady," he said, bowing his head before quickly walking away.

Galadriel smiled as she walked over to Rìan.

"You have found your mate," she said softly.

"Mate?" Rìan asked, taken aback.

"Yes. Elves that are to be married are marked at birth. When they meet later in life, they feel a powerful surge in them as they gaze upon each other. They seal the bond and become married through consummation," Galadriel explained.

So that must have been what the sensation was when we first met, she thought.

"I do not want to be married," she stated. "I only just got here."

"I fear that our reunion will be a short one. I have had a vision. You are to go with them on their quest," Galadriel said, her smile faltering.

Rìan stood motionless. Go with them? Back to Mordor? She shook her head.

"I do not wish to go back there," she said quietly.

"My child, the Valar have spoken. This decision is beyond me. You have a purpose in this Fellowship," Galadriel said sadly, placing her hand on Rìan's shoulders.

"Legolas is aware that you are to be bonded. He shall protect you, this I know."

Rìan stared at the ground. The place she had tried for years to escape would never stop haunting her. Shaking her head one last time, she stormed off to her chambers, collapsing on her bed and weeping.

~:✿:~

As the days came and went, Rìan spent most of her time in her chambers, avoiding everyone. Even the Elves assigned to help her received harsh words if they tried to enter. On the day where the Fellowship departed, Rìan sat on the ledge near the window wearing a simple tunic and leggings under leather armor. Her Elven ears heard the rapid footsteps of Hobbits even before they reached her door. Sure enough, Pippin burst through the door.

"Pippin!" she heard Merry exclaim. "You're supposed to knock!"

Pippin blushed furiously. His excitement had gotten the best of him. Lady Galadriel had specifically asked that he fetch Rìan so they could say their goodbyes. Rìan smiled at him. No matter what mood she was in, these Hobbits always seemed to cheer her up.

"I shall be right behind you," she said. "Just give me a moment."

Pippin nodded furiously and bowed before running out the door. Rìan took one last glance out the window before slowly standing up and heading to the boats that were going to carry the travelers down the river. Upon reaching the boats, Rìan made her way to Galadriel. For a moment, she dropped her queenly act, embracing Rìan as a mother should.

"May the Valar watch over you," Galadriel whispered.

As she pulled away, an Elven cloak was placed about Rìan's shoulders, held in place by an intricately carved leaf near her neck.

"Thank you Naneth," Rìan said, bowing her head.

Lord Celeborn was the next to say goodbye. He too embraced his daughter and presented her with a bow. Rìan thanked him too, before turning to the boats. Aragorn had Sam and Frodo in one and Boromir had Merry and Pippin in the other. Legolas and Gimli were sitting in the third boat. Hesitantly, she climbed into the boat and sat at the front, her back to Legolas and Gimli. They pushed off. No words were spoken as they headed out to continue their journey. Rìan looked back at the group of Elves. She had been here for such a short time and yet she had felt at home. She was going to miss it. As they went around a bend, Lothlorien disappeared from view.

Naneth - mother