Lost Child of Tindomiel: Chapter Two

I traveled at my own pace, sticking to the main roads. I knew there was always the possibility of running into trouble. Although I had my own weapons, bow and blades, I still would have rather not run into any trouble.

Days passed, I traveled by day and made camp by night. I wondered where Gandalf had gone and what was so important for him to leave so abruptly, and why he wanted me in Rivendell. I would be there soon enough, but it started to grow darker, the sun was sinking behind the mountain ranges. I stopped for the night, unsaddled my horse and let her graze freely.

I made a small fire and sat down beside it, leaning my back against the boulder I made my camp by. I nibbled at an apple and listened to the wilderness around me. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I began to drift off.

My elven ears heard something, I jolted up and pulled out my blade. My elven eyes searching the darkness for the noise.

"You know, a stranger might be more willing to approach a young traveling peredhil lady when she isn't pointing a blade at them!" He remarked as he stepped out of the shadows.

I sighed relief, it was only Strider. His real name was actually Aragron, son of Arathorn and heir to the throne of Gondor, but long ago he forsake that name and title and chose exile. Instead of king he chose the life of a Ranger, and while I never understood what that meant or even what they really did, I had heard many stories of Rangers, none really putting them in the good light.

I had met Aragorn years ago. We were instant friends. He had even on many occasions accompianied me traveling from Rivendell to Lothlorien. Something inside drew me to him, he was a friend, but often times it felt more like kinship than friendship that bound us. It was the same feeling I got when I was in Rivendell or Lothlorien. It felt like... home.

I sheathed my blade and laid it back on the ground beside my bow. "What brings you here, Strider?" I asked using his Ranger name.

He prefered that others didn't know his real name. His name carried a target, there were many that would prefer him to be dead so that they could claim the throne for themselves.

"Business, of course."

I rolled my eyes, he was always slightly cryptic and mysterious, it was part of what made Strider... well, Strider. "Would you like to share my fire, friend?"

"Thank you." He said taking a seat after tying his horse up. "What brings you out here?"

"A party actually, but now I'm headed back for Rivendell." I replied as I finished my apple. My horse, name Leigh, strolled over and took the core from me and finished it off entirely.

Aragorn chuckled, "Is she always like that?"

I nodded and patted Leigh's nose. "She seems to think that I must share everything with her."

"Did you travel with Gandalf?"

"Actually, yes I did."

"Then where is he?"

"Well, I traveled out here with him and then he left. I don't know why or even where he went."

Aragorn pulled out his pipe and started smoking it.

"Gandalf told me to head to Rivendell," I continued. "He didn't tell me why, just told me to and then said he would see me soon. I assume that he will meet me there, but I really don't know."

"Well I would accompiany you to Rivendell, but I have business elsewhere. I apologize for that."

"You needn't apologize, it isn't your responsibility to escort me everywhere, you know. I can take care of myself."

He smiled at me, "I know you can. Besides the road ahead is quiet... for now. You should be able to reach Rivendell with no trouble along the way."

I nodded at him and wrapped my cloak around me. Though it wasn't really cold, I just felt a coldness that even the warmest blanket wouldn't be able to breach. I shudder ran down my spine.

Aragorn saw me shiver and raised an eyebrow, "Is something wrong?" He asked.

"I'm not sure. I just have a feeling... something strange." I shook my head with a smile. "Nothing, it's nothing. Nevermind me." I inhaled deeply and stared at the flames.

"Would you feel better if I stand watch over you this night?" His voice was calm and kind.

"No, that's hardly necessary. You yourself even said that the road was quiet."

"Even so, if it would make you more comfortable, I would be more than glad to do it for you."

"Aragorn, I'm fine. Get some rest." I saw him twinge slightly at the use of his real name in the open. "Really, just get some sleep."

He nodded. "I will. For now you just get some rest."

I laid down on my bed roll and wrapped my cloak around me. The comfort of Aragorn's presence relaxed me and I fell asleep quickly.

In the morning I awoke by Leigh nudging me. The sun was bright and warm. I sat up and looked around. "Aragorn?" His horse was gone. "Strider?" I stood up and looked through the trees around me.

Aragorn was gone. He must have left at dawn. I was slightly surprised that I hadn't heard him leave.

I readied my horse and left. Leigh knew our destination and the closer we got the faster she went in excitment. By mid-day I figured that if I rode through the night I would be in Rivendell by morning. My other option was to camp and then be there in the evening the next day.

I mulled of the two options and noticed that Aragorn was right. The road was quiet... too quiet. I began to feel a sense of foreboding as I traveled along the eerily silence filled road. I decided to travel through the night. For some reason I didn't want to be on the road any longer than I had to.

Leigh began to trot, probably feeling my sense of unease. The closer we got the faster she galloped, until we reached the river that bordered Rivendell. A sense of ease filled me as she walked through the water and into Elrond's realm. I was safe, safe from what, I didn't know, but I was safe.

It was night and Rivendell was bright, aglow with magic. I was home.

A male elf approached me, "Lady Daniyel. We were not expecting you back so soon." He said in the elf tongue.

I slid from my saddle. "I had not anticipated returning so soon, but it seemed that Gandalf had other plans for me." I replied.

I turned as Arwen decended the stairs and handed my reins to the male elf.

"Lady Arwen," I said with a slight bow of my head.

"Lady Daniyel!" She opened her arms and embraced me.

Together we walked up the stairs. "I saw Aragorn, last night." I said in a soft voice.

"Is he well?" She asked.

"Of course."

"Daniyel." I turned at the voice and smiled. Lord Elrond returned my smile. "It is good to see you, my dear."

Exhaustion took all the words from me and all I could do was smile at him.

"You look weary. Go and rest, we'll talk once you have rested." His hand landed gently on my back and urged me to continue up the stairs to where my room was kept for me. I smiled at Arwen and Elrond and went to my room.

I closed my door behind me and eyed my bed gratefully. I removed my weapons and cloak then plopped down on the bed. Within moments I was asleep.