Chapter 02

Rangers of the North

TA 2891

The next morning, Arestel woke up due to loud thuds and a series of "Sshh! You'll wake her up!" or "Be quiet, idiot!" If she remembered right, those voices belonged to her older brothers. And yes, she did remember right. She silently stood up and peeked through her window. She saw her brothers, in a hurry to mount their things on their horses and leave. She knew Elladan and Elrohir were up to something, so she changed her clothes, grabbed a sword and went downstairs, not bothering to get any breakfast at all.

Arestel went to get her jet-black horse, Arthfael, and approached her brothers. The brothers were all set when she called out to them, "Hurry now! We can't afford to be late!" She rode her horse as fast as she could and her brothers followed after her.

"Where are you going?" Elladan asked her. by now they reached the valley and was unnoticed by the other Elves.

"I don't know. Where are you going?" came Arestel's naïve reply.

Elladan made a face that only he could explain, while Elrohir laughed heartily. "We're going to Bree where we'll meet up with the Rangers of the North," he said.

"Then I'm coming with you!" replied Arestel. The three of them continued to leave the safety of Imladris and went off to Bree.

Walking towards the balcony, Elrond's positive mood quickly altered when he saw his sons and daughter riding away from the valley. He panicked, grey eyes immediately looking around for someone to help. He crossed his bedchambers, knocking out a vase as he did so, until a soft knock from his door claimed his attention. Gandalf was standing on the other side, looking grieved, and Elrond did not need to know what was happening.

"I should send Lord Glorfindel after them," the Lord of Rivendell declared.

"No, no." Gandalf shook his head. "Let them be. They are young and learning, especially Este. They can handle themselves, or at least send Gareth to keep an eye on them." He provided Elrond with the best advice he can get.

Elrond sighed in defeat and whistled for the golden fire-drake. Gareth appeared with a powerful gust of wind from above, as he looked down and saw the worried look of his master. "Elladan, Elrohir, and Arestel left just a few minutes ago. Would you mind to follow them and bring them back as soon as you can?"

"Those three will be back here in three days," Gareth promised and flew off.

After half-day ride, the three siblings arrived at the gates of Bree. The settlement was small and was mostly occupied by Hobbits and Men. A man with dark, curly hair admitted them inside, sparing a curious look at the silver-haired elf.

"This is Bree?" Arestel asked her brothers.

"Yes. Now, follow us." Elrohir took her hand and led her further inside.

Arestel cringed at the smell of the place. It was full of men, drinking, gambling, and simply having fun. Most of them laughed out loud, while some were passed out on the dirty floor. Two women held trays above their heads, as they passed through the crowd of men. Arestel cuddled closely to Elladan; this view was very new to her. Upon feeling the grip of his younger sister on his arm, Elladan looked down to her and smiled.

"Enjoying yourself?" He mused.

"Yes, a little." She reluctantly replied, as she watched two men fighting over something.

They reached the farthest corner of the inn and there, a group of dark-hooded Men gathered. Some of them sat by the table and some were satisfied by just standing. Elladan and Elrohir stopped in front of a table where a man sat, drinking ale. The man on the table looked up to the Elven brethren, narrowing his dark eyes on them and then returning to drink his ale.

"I was expecting you, although you were a bit late." The leader, introduced as Durothil, was tall and lean, with dark beard that framed his square face. There was a puckered scar across his right eyebrow and went down to his chin, an unlikely sight to behold.

"We were, uh, delayed. Forgive us," Elrohir apologized to the Rangers.

The leader nodded and gestured to the female elf. He studied her pale skin and grey eyes, not doubting for a second that she was related to the brothers. "Did she come with you?"

Elladan answered this time. "Yes, our sister, Arestel. She wishes to aid us as one of the Rangers."

Urgently, Arestel shot up a worried glance at her brother. She never mentioned anything about that! She was only supposed to accompany them, hoping to learn something about the life of Men in Bree. She felt an urge to smack Elladan on his arm but seeing that the situation was different, she refrained herself.

"Come," Durothil answered after a while. He noticed the sword hanging on her left hip, supposing that she could fight. "We will now leave to patrol the area."

With that, the Rangers grabbed their weapons and left the Prancing Pony.

It was already late in the afternoon, and the Rangers had grouped themselves. Arestel was grouped with the other Rangers whose names she did not know. This would be a drag to her, as she could not communicate so easily with strangers; on the other hand, she was free from the watchful eyes of her brothers. She could do whatever she wanted from here onwards.

Here she was now, on the end of the line and not caring about the patrol. She focused herself on the faint sounds she was hearing on the far north of the forest. Arestel looked at the Rangers, who gave her no attention at all. And so, she followed the sounds. She left the group and went deeper within the forest. Her horse led her to a rocky part. There was a series of howls that made her shudder in fear. Before she was aware of what was happening, a pack of Wargs surrounded her.

The wargs pounced on her and Arthfael reared, neighing loudly in fear. Arestel struggled to keep her horse from panicking. Another warg sprang on its feet and attempted to knock Arestel of her steed. In her favor, Arthfael jumped out of the way but she was thrown off. She fell on the ground with a loud and painful thud.

"That hurt..." Arestel whined as she slowly sat up.

Three wargs lined up in front of her, preparing to pounce on their afternoon meal. She stiffened from her post and seeing as one warg ran towards her, Arestel quickly grabbed her sword. The warg howled in pain and was dead for a few seconds. She couldn't believe it; she wouldn't want to believe it. Arestel had just killed her first kill! She confidently stood up and her grip on the sword tightened. She felt braver and even as far as to taunt the two remaining wargs. The beasts growled at her and simultaneously ran towards her, fangs bared. Arestel jumped off and gritted her teeth as the wargs overpowered her. The sword seemed to have a power on its own as the wargs were killed while Arestel couldn't remember how it happened. Nonetheless, she sighed deeply and went over to Arthfael.

Unknown to her, Durothil had watched the whole battle to see Arestel's capability in battle. He went out of his hiding place, and just in time, Elladan and Elrohir arrived.

"Estel, are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?" Elrohir asked her, voice full of worry.

"Were you hurt? What happened?" Elladan's question came, examining her all over.

Arestel couldn't answer her brothers at the same time, so she focused her attention on Durothil.

"You fought bravely," he said sternly.

Arestel gaped at him. She couldn't believe Durothil acknowledged her skills. Just then, a flash of gold came on their sights. And then it roared, roared really loud, as if being very angry.

Gareth landed on the top of the huge rock and roared threateningly at the Rangers. He was on the edge of breathing flames, when Arestel stopped him.

"No, Gareth! Stop!" She exclaimed, holding both of her hands up. Gareth took a good look on his young mistress, and then to the brothers. He sighed to himself; they seemed to be all right. Gareth closed his fiery mouth and looked at Arestel.

"I came by the request of Lord Elrond. You three have left without permission," he said to the trio.

Elrohir shrugged and said, "Well I guess we ought to be caught sooner or later."

Elladan nodded to Gareth. "Alright, we'll come with you," Then he turned to Durothil, "We'll be back when the timing is right."

Durothil smiled and said, "We'll be in Bree."

By that, he gathered his rangers and left the area. The twins mounted their horses, and so did Arestel. Gareth then flew off to the direction he came from.

"He's definitely going to punish us," Arestel said.

Elrohir laughed out loud, "Nah, he won't."

Just like Gareth had promised Elrond, his children were back within three days. The three were faced by their father before they reached the entrance of the main house. Elladan and Elrohir stood side by side while Arestel hid herself behind them.

"Where have you been? Leaving in the brink of morning without even asking for permission? And what's worse, you brought your sister with you," Elrond scolded them and his voice was shrewd. Arestel cringed when she heard her father's words.

"We met up with the Rangers of the North in Bree," Elladan finally answered.

Elrond nodded. "What was your business there?"

"We joined their group to guard and protect the area." This time, Elrohir answered.

Elrond nodded once more. "And where's your sister?"

"Here I am," Arestel said, taking a step forward but she kept her head down. She knew this time her father was really angry and worried. Elrond waited her to say something but she kept quiet.

Elrond sighed to himself and said, "I was worried. And with that action of yours, you will not leave Imladris in two weeks," he told Arestel who was taken aback by his punishment. She stopped herself from answering back as she doesn't want her father to be angrier than he already was. Then Elrond looked at his sons, "That also includes you two. You are not to leave Imladris in two weeks. If any of you disobey my order this time, you will face more severe punishment." Elrond then turned and went inside.

"Whoever said anything about father not punishing us?" Elladan asked sarcastically. Arestel laughed as the three of them followed their father inside the house.

"Hey! It was not my fault we didn't asked permission!" Elrohir said in his defense.

Before the twins could argue, Arestel chimed in, "Two weeks isn't all bad. It's not like we can't cause mischief inside Imladris, right?" Elladan and Elrohir both smiled at her as they continued inside the house.

Next Chapter Preview: The adventure begins! And it starts in the peaceful land of The Shire. Stay tuned!

Author's Notes: Thank you for reading.