Chapter The First:

In Which

Boromir Gets Them Lost… sort of

They were lost in the middle of an unfamiliar forest.

Einar could tell from the man's actions, the way he kept gazing around him searchingly, pausing to glance back only to continue in the direction they had just came from.

"I never imagined my life would end like this." Einar's sister, Dagna, muttered from where she was mounted on her glamorous white steed. "Dreams are curses gifted from Eru."

"Lighten up a bit, sis!" Einar gave her a cheerful look which she returned with a frown. "Things can't get much worse; I'm certain Lord Boromir knows what he's doing!"

"Easy for you to say!" She snapped pugnaciously. Her eyes were now wet. "You're not the one being sold!"

"Dagna, I told you many times: you're not being sold. You're sixteen. It's a tradition to get married when you reach that age."

"Damn the traditions!" She lowered her hazel eyes as her brother gave her a cautious look. "The least you could have done was defend me."

"Like I did last time?" Einar gently pulled on the reins till he was riding by his sister's side. "It wouldn't have worked out and you know it. Besides, you should have known better! Telling Mother about that horse dream like it wasn't a diamond amid a stack of needles!"

"How was I supposed to know what it meant? You dream about horses, too!"

"But I'm a man, sister. It's perfectly normal for a Rohirrim boy to dream of them. But a golden horse with gray eyes?" He couldn't help but laugh. "That's definitely a sign."

Dagna stayed silent, her sleek black hair trailing down her back like a muck-filled waterfall. "I'm needed more at home."

Einar just barely caught her whisper. "Poor Dagna! Afraid of leaving your chores behind? Don't worry! I'll do them gladly without any pay!"

She scowled.

"But come! Boromir says he knows the perfect man for you- who fits your's dream's description perfectly! I think I remember him saying it was his brother-"

"I can't believe you! You're perfectly fine with me getting married off to some man I haven't even seen or even knew existed?"

"Well, there was that one privy keeper Mother had in mind. You could always go for him if you badly wish to live near home…" He trailed off as his sister let out a soft sigh.

"Just leave me alone; I need some time by myself, Einar." She paused. "You can go ahead and ask Boromir if we've almost reached Rivendell."

I'll take my time. Einar thought as he kicked his mount forward. Let's see. Tree. Tree. Tree. Oooo! A rock! He gave it a light scuff with his booted foot as he passed it. I wonder if rocks in Rivendell are magical…

"It's not right…" He heard the man mumble as he drew within hearing distance. "There has to be an opening somewhere-"

Einar cleared his throat. "Lord Boromir?"

Boromir tilted his head to show that he heard.

"Are we close to Rivendell?"

"If my calculations are right, the entrance must be here somewhere…" He glanced down at the faded map he was carrying.

Einar brightened at this. "Great! So do you reckon we'll be there by nightfall because a night out in these woods doesn't sound very fascinating-"

"I'm afraid I can't say anything on that matter. I said the entrance is nearby but the problem is that the direction is…" Boromir stroked his chin in thought. "…unknown to me. You see, none of my kindred has ever been in this region before-"

"Oh." He couldn't blame him; even the Rohirrim hadn't dared to venture to that elven realm.

"-but my father told me that it's been rumored to lie somewhere near the eastern side of the Misty Mountains…"

Eastern side? "But my mother told me it was on the western side."

The older man paled. "Well then." His hands trembled as he rolled the map up and popped it into one of his packs. "I guess our arrival will be delayed more than I thought…"

"So we are lost…"

"Yes, utterly lost. We've turned around so many times that I don't remember which direction we came from-"

"Perhaps I could be of assistance."

Both men gave a startled jump as three Elves emerged from the shadowy trees ahead of them. Einar's hand slipped to the hilt of his sword, glad in his decision to tie his pack in front rather than behind.

"Hold!" The fair-haired Elf leading his companions cautioned at seeing Boromir draw out a sharp blade. "We come only to provide you with assistance, for it was told by one of my men that you were in need of it."

Einar gave the Elf a hopeful look. "Are you Rivendell Elves?"

One of the Elves behind the first one laughed lightly. "No, of course not! We're Woodland Elves!"

Einar raised an eyebrow.

The Elf frowned. "We're from Mirkwood."

Another Elf gave a polite cough before speaking. "If your path strayed but a little, you would have found yourselves walloping in the deep waters of the Anduin River; the waters are especially dangerous around this time of year."

"As I was saying…" The first elf glared at the other elves to make sure none would interrupt him. "One of my scouts overheard you two talking about Rivendell. I'm guessing that you're going there to seek Elrond's counsel-" Boromir nodded "-good. We also seek the same. Why not join our party? There's a road not far from here that leads out into the other side of the mountains- for they are far more lower there- which would take us to Rivendell in- let's say- less than a day. But fear not! Our camp lies not far from here. Come! Follow us and we shall lead you to a place where you can all rest without any worries!"

Boromir hesitated but agreed when he noticed Einar's pleading look.

"Well then! Follow us…" The Elf turned around once again and focused his gaze on the young man. "And don't forget to tell that young women watching us from afar that we haven't decided to take you as captives."

Einar dipped his head respectfully before racing back to fetch his sister. He was half hoping that the Elves hadn't reminded him of his dreaded task.

~()~()~()~

It was strange sharing a shelter with immortals.

Dagna glanced over at one of the Elven folk from within the dark comforts of her hood. They were so gorgeous, graceful in movement and flawless in both body and speech. Well, why not? It was they, the Eldar, who were granted eternal life above all others because they were favored by Ilúvatar, the father of all. Every year that passed for Man was just a short second to them, unworthy of being noted or spent worrying on what wasn't accomplished in a day.

Dagna turned her gaze upon her brother who was sitting nearby, carving several holes into a long stick with his knife. "Look at them." She motioned to the Elves who were now laughing while drinking from the contents of their flasks. "Not a single care in the world of what could be happening elsewhere right now. People could be going hungry at this very moment and what are they doing? Eating and drinking their souls out like drunken fools!"

"Hold your tongue, sister!" Einar didn't even bother glancing up from his project. "It is rude to speak such negative things behind someone's back- especially when they were kind enough to aid us on our journey. Aye, they eat and drink, but don't we do that too? Be glad, sister, for you have seen the sun rise and set another day! You share the same reason they rejoice."

"I take no pleasure in filling myself with happiness when others back home are suffering. Long has our land been rampaged by orcs, destroying houses and farms, leaving hungry, wounded people lying in their wake." Dagna paused and pulled down her hood, wrapping a strand of hair around her finger. "I always promised when I was little that I would do something about it when I got older. And now look! Here I am, sixteen, and I'm being sold by my own mother like cattle!"

"Here we go again…" Einar muttered.

She pointed at the white stallion she had been riding. "That horse is the finest steed we have! Who knows how much money we can get for selling it! But no! It's a gift for my future husband!" The young woman spat out those words like they were poison. "He'd probably let it wither in his stableful of horses!"

Einar jumped and clamped her mouth shut with a darkened palm. "Lower your voice! Boromir is trying to get some sleep and the Elves are taking to rest. Learn to have some respect for your elders, Dagna!"

Dagna nodded, motioning for him to uncover her mouth.

Her brother shook his golden-head. "Not until I talk some sense into you; you only heed my words when your mouth isn't running."

"Not all men are horrible jerks like you say." He continued after a while, slowly withdrawing his hand. "Boromir told me that his brother was a kind, noble man who respects women- and horses. Now you know I wouldn't just let you marry someone I don't trust, but I trust Boromir, and if he has a brother who he claims to be far better than himself, then I also trust him. Listen to me, sister. I'm not leaving you in Minas Tirith with someone I don't know. I'll stay with you for several weeks and observe him, just to make sure he is the right one. But if I'm wrong, then you're coming back home with me. Mother will understand… and I promise this won't ever happen again." Einar tilted her head up so that she was meeting his gaze. "Just promise to bear with me, alright?"

Sadness filled her dull eyes as she slowly nodded. "I promise, brother."

"Good." He gave her a small hug. "Now I'm going to get some rest, little sister, and I suggest you do the same, also. You're tired and these past few days must have been filling you with stress. Get some shuteye."

"I will as soon as my mind is free from its burdens."

"I'll take that as a yes." Einar yawned as he laid on the ground, using his pack as a pillow. "I'm almost done with your present."

Dagna cocked her head. "Present?"

His hand drew to his forehead. "Shoot! I wasn't supposed to say anything…. Oh well. You'll find out what it is when we reach Rivendell. It needs to be tested out first and I'm pretty certain you wouldn't appreciate it if I did the testing-"

"So that's what you were carving! It's a fl-"

"Hush! You got to at least be surprised when I give it to ya." Einar rolled on his side, covering his closed eyes with his arm. "Now go to sleep! Let your brother dream about sheep and golden colored horses with-"

Dagna silenced him with a friendly kick in the side.

Brothers. She smiled at the thought. He's three years older than me but he still acts like he did six years ago.

But she was lucky to have him.

Nearly twenty-one years ago, her mother had the same horse dream Dagna had except for the fact that this horse was bay colored with bright emerald eyes. She left her home in Dale for Rohan where it was told by her mother that she would find her soul mate who shared the same description as that in her dream. During her weeklong stay, she met Dagna's father, a Rohirrim horse trader of only five years who taught her how to tame wild horses and ride them without having to worry about a saddle.

Their marriage together lasted for three years in which Einar was born, sharing the same sparkling eyes and golden hair as his father… He never knew Dagna.

The hardest part of her childhood was growing up without a father. It was peculiar when she saw her friends playing and laughing with their own fathers that Dagna was soon led to believe that she never had one. Her hair was dark like her mother's and her eyes- well, it didn't seem like she got them from anyone since her mother's were blue.

"He's going to come back, just you wait." Her mother had always told her whenever she asked.

He never did.

Dagna didn't really know whether to believe her mother or not.

"He's dead." Her mother's age-old maid said when young Dagna asked her one day. "Never came back since that day our old village was sacked. Don't waste your hope on worthless things, little one. Dead is dead."

"Dead is dead." Dagna muttered, scowling into the warm embers of the fire.

"Do you always scowl like that?"

Dagna's eyes widened at the stranger's voice, only noticing that the Elf sitting across from her was still awake.

"Don't Elves ever go to sleep?" She snapped back.

The Elf smiled wryly. "Yes, but only if it is really needed."

Dagna studied the still Elves laying around the camp with their eyes open. "Are they asleep?"

"Yes."

"Then how come their eyes are open?"

The Elf laughed. "I'm guessing you've never seen an Elf before."

"Not at all and I'm hoping I'll never see one again after this."

"I wish you luck. You wouldn't last a single second in Rivendell without seeing one of us."

"Listen, Elf. If it were all up to me I wouldn't be going to Rivendell-"

"Legolas."

Dagna raised an eyebrow. What was he talking about?

"My name's Legolas of the Woodland Realm. There isn't just one 'Elf' in Middle-earth."

"Sorry, Legolas." She stuttered her apology. "I just didn't think that your kind named themselves like we do."

Legolas looked at her with amusement. "All creatures are named. It is not just humans who find themselves worthy of names."

"Alright, I'm sorry!" Dagna glanced up at the starlit sky. "Elves think they're so better than anyone else."

"You use my kin's name lightly and I'll do the same, human."

"Fine! Humans. Elves. No difference at all, right?"

"That's more like it!"

"Aren't you going to sleep like the others?"

"I can't… at least not while you're still up." Legolas uncrossed his long legs and turned his blue eyes on her face. "You look like the type who wouldn't hesitate to cut my throat the moment I close my eyes."

"Then you must not know me very well. Those who do well know that I'm not very skillful with a knife. I couldn't even skin a deer."

"My father says that that is never true. Those who never held a blade before are still as dangerous as those who spend years wielding it."

Dagna eyed his golden hair. "Do you want to borrow my comb? Your hair looks very messy."

The Elf's eyes glistened dangerously.

"You really should consider cutting it."

"Cutting my hair would bring dishonor to my family."

"It makes you looks very feminine. In fact, I'm beginning to feel envious. Do you wash it everyday?"

Legolas' orbs filled with a cold fire. "What's a girl like you doing this far from Rohan? Did your father finally decide you sell you to some noble lord to rid himself of your tongue?"

Dagna cringed at the question.

The Elf's face filled with worry and he reached a hand out. "I'm sorry but I was just teasing… But surely what I said cannot be true…"

She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. "What do you know about it?"

"Oh Valar, you are such a delicate flower." Dagna heard him mutter as he rummaged through the contents of his bag, pulling a small flask out. He handed it to her. "Here. Drink this. It'll lighten your spirits and help you forget your troubles for a while."

Dagna accepted it and took a tiny sip from the flask. It was very sweet in an odd nature and she felt her head lighten as she gave it back to him.

"I forgot to tell you it had a very fast effect on humans."

Dagna drowsily watched him put it away. "What is that stuff?"

"One of the many wines my kin is known for. I cannot utter it's name because no one else is supposed to know about it. I trust that you won't mention it to anyone."

"Of course not. That was very generous of you to share it with me. But I don't really understand why Elves need it."

"For pain, both physical and mental."

"Then why do you use it?"

The Elf paused for a few moments, gazing into the fire as if something he sought was hidden in there. "I carry a burden for my people. I will only be relieved of it when we reach Rivendell."

"And what is this burden?" Dagna asked carefully, urging him to continue.

Legolas studied her in silence. "News. I cannot tell you unless you'll be going to the Council of Elrond- and women are never allowed there. It is a very horrible burden to carry."

"Then why can't someone else tell him?"

"Because it is my responsibility."

"Could be someone else's…" Her words began to slur.

"The wine also tends to make one sleepy…" Legolas murmured as he watched her lean against her brother's still body. "Perhaps you should lay down and get some rest."

"Ah, rest. How sweet that sounds right now…" Dagna yawned and curled herself into the comforts of her blanket. "Yes… Utterly sweet…."

"That's a fine horse you got there."

She just barely made out his words as she fell into a deep, hazy slumber.

End Notes: Written in two hours, unedited. Not too bad for a first draft. Pardon the horrible ending but I needed to end it somewhere.

The results of the contest are still kinda foggy... I've had most of my reviews agree with Glorfindel but after a few moments of consideration (and a note from my friend), I realized that Glorfindel wouldn't have worked out because of his huge aura which would put him and everyone else in the Fellowship in danger. Arwen was also suggested but her and Aragorn together... Elrond would never allow it. I've got it narrowed down to Elrond's sons and Gloin... The contest is still open and since I have narrowed it down to three, feel free to vote for two! Results will be in the next chapter!