Just a little author's note. There is another OC that is being woven into my story and she is written by the wonderful Zella Stormz. There will be quite a few times where our stories mix together so if you want to know about this new character and get the other side of the story then go read Starlight and Flames! It's a great story so follow it so you can watch how the stories blend together! Thank you all for reading so far! I really appreciate it! I love feedback so tell me what you think of Sythralen's journey so far:)-LokisGeneral

20 years later

"Faster, Lenendal!"

Sythralen shouted to her horse. The hooves pounded harder into the dirt, pushing them to their destination. She had been patrolling as she did every day from the first rise of the sun until late into the evening. Today she was returning to Imladris early to report what she had seen to Elrond. Her entrance was greeted by the bowing of Elven heads. Much had changed since she returned from ending the Dark Elves all those years ago. Sythralen had joined in the army as a simple archer, not wanting her family name to hold away over title. She quickly rose through the ranks by her own talent. Eventually Elrond began to seek her council in matters concerning the welfare of the Elves. He had even began to send her on missions that were far to dangerous for others with Aragorn often attending, but entrusted his plans only to her. She had become The Great Assassin. Feared by Orcs, respected by Elves, Man, and Dwarf, tales of her many victories had grown to be legend and were told often all across Middle-Earth. Sythralen had found her place among her people and she served them well.

She was in her tenth year as General of the armies, a promotion she had celebrated with her long time Elf friend, Legolas. About 5 years after her sudden departure, he started to write to her, then he began to visit her. Slowly their friendship had mended and every so often she was given news of Thranduil. They didn't communicate with one another outright but with Legolas traveling back and forth it seemed as if they had somehow reconnected. Sythralen had been pleased to hear that the King had not taken a queen or mistress in all the years of their separation. It was possible that he still loved her as she couldn't help but love him. However, they remained separated. She was still ashamed of her actions, no matter how many times Legolas assured her that none held her to blame. It had been a year or two since she had seen him since she had been kept busy dealing with Orc packs that had risen. The one she was currently tracking was the sixth one in three months and it caused her to worry.

This pack was lead by Azog the Defiler, a pale Orc of fierce renown. He was thought to have met his end with the Dwarf prince, Thorin Oakenshield, won the battle at Moria. She had discovered that it was not so. Interestingly enough Azog was also doing some tracking of his own. He was attempting to follow the dwarf company that traveled along with Mithrandir or as the common tongue knew him, Gandalf the Grey. Elrond had charged her to watch over the company as one of their own was traveling with them. Arirua, the fallen star, had taken refuge in Rivendell many years ago. Cast out of the heavens by her own father and forces to live with a pain she could not control, she and Sythralen had bonded in their short time together. She was often gone out on missions so there was not always time to socialize with the one she thought of as a sister. She had not seen Arirua in many months and was not in Imladris when Mithrandir asked for the star to join him on his quest, but she was watching like a silent guardian over her and the dwarven company. Unfortunately they had lead the Orc pack far to close to the borders of Rivendell. She needed reinforcements if she was to help get them to the Hidden Pass, which would lead them straight to Rivendell, alive. Surely that was were Gandalf was taking them which surprised her. The Elves and Dwarves were not known for being the friendliest of races.

"Lord Elrond." She found him already suited in his armor. It matched her own and the rest of the armies. The cloth was made of a rich purple color that complimented the darkness of their Noldor features. The armor itself was among the same shade but also plated with gold sections. Hers was more feminine with a corseted bodice, a high collar on the cloth, and the sleeves extended to a point on her hand around her middle finger. She was an intimidating but beautiful vision of a warrior.

"I have seen what you have." He had taken to using her sight as his own when she was out hunting. Because they had the same blood he could do this. In all honesty she hated it. There was no way of knowing when he was using it but it reminded her too much of how the darkness once used her sight. She made no comment on it for it had benefitted them many a time.

"They draw closer as we speak. They are being diverted by a strange man on a rabbit sled. Gandalf and the others are not far behind. If they will be overrun if discovered." Soon she was back on her horse with the calvary and her grandfather riding alongside her. When they reached the Pass, Sythralen saw no dwarves only Orcs astride Gundabag wargs, horrible brutish creatures they all were. As she and her fellow rode in, arrows ready, the horn sounded to attack. There were about a dozen or more Orcs so she wasted no time. She released an arrow and it found it's mark right in the temple of her enemy. She continued by throwing her sword into the side of a warg to keep it from advancing close to the Hidden Pass. Within minutes most of the Orcs had been killed apart from four she spotted riding away. As she spurred her horse to gallop after them she saw the glimmer of silver hair upon the ground.

"Grandfather!" She shouted as she dismounted and ran to her fallen comrade. Sure enough it was Arirua, still alive, but barely conscious.

"We must get her back to Rivendell." Elrond kneeled down and began to check for any further wounds. Then her eyes fluttered open a little.

"Did they make it?" She said, her voice quiet as if she had just awoken from a slumber. "The Pass, did they find it?"

"I saw no dwarves when we arrived nor have we found any dwarven bodies." Sythralen spoke. Arirua seemed relieved at the words and gave a faint smile.

"Then they made it." She sighed and her eyes closed once more.

"All right, come on we must get you to Rivendell." Elrond put her on the back of Lenendal as Sythralen retrieved her sword. Then she mounted up behind her, steadying the weight between them so that Arirua didn't fall off. She was careful on the ride back to not cause her any further injury.

The horn sounded as the calvary returned. Sythralen's horse followed Elrond's but she could make out what looked to be a group of small children at the entrance, along with the Grey Wizard and Lindir. Instead of halting, Elrond continued forward which alarmed the company into a tight formation. Obviously the weapon-wielding dwarves were not children but as their mighty horses sauntered around them blocking them in two great circles, Sythralen couldn't help but laugh at their size. She was not mocking them, but was instead amazed that such a small force seemed to have such strength and the audacity to retake the Lonely Mountain. At their shouting, Arirua awoke. She forced herself to sit upright though Sythralen could feel her muscles trembling at the movement. This made sense for Arirua had never liked to be thought of as weak and Sythralen admired that about her. She had never accepted pity even though her situation deserved it. Therefore, Sythralen had treated her as equal, recalling the annoyance of seeing sympathy in others eyes when she was bed-ridden due to her the sight of the two riding up, one of the younger dwarves pointed his arrow at Sythralen.

"Release her! She is no enemy of yours! Return her to our company!" She liked that he was brave enough to threaten her. Apparently Arirua had made her impression upon him, not that she was surprised. It was very difficult not to like the star once you knew her.

"Calm yourself, Master Dwarf. Who better to protect her than the Great Assassin?" At the name he lowered his bow.

"The Great Assassin rides with you?" The other young lighter haired dwarf asked.

"She stands before you." Sythralen dismounted. "Do not worry. She is among friends here." She helped her friend down off the horse and took note of the smile she offered the two dwarves as comfort. "Here." She released Arirua to other Elves that began to gently carry her away.

"Where are they taking her?" Another voice popped up, but it came from no dwarf.

"A hobbit?" She questioned aloud. What on Earth did Gandalf need with one of these kind? They were a simple people that lived far removed from the danger of the world. Sythralen could not pretend to understand the wizards mind. She had met him many years ago and instantly liked him. He was far more enjoyable company than the White Wizard. Saurman, whom she had also met, bored her beyond measure.

"You know my kind?" His sandy blonde hair had a curl to it, his ears had a slight point but were much bigger than Elf ears, and the feet-wow-his feet were uncovered and huge. In his face she saw kindness and also that he was very far outside his comfort zone.

"I know all kinds." She informed him. The little one seemed to take pride that the Great Elf knew of his kind. "They are taking her to the infirmary to make sure there are no serious wounds." Her words seemed to reassure him and the other two dwarves that has spoken. The rest of the company glared at her, weapons still drawn.

"Gandalf." She heard Elrond greet the wizard.

"Lord Elrond." In his voice she could hear his happiness to see his old companion. They began to converse in Elvish. "My friend, where have you been?"

"We've been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South." He dismounted gracefully and walked towards Gandalf. "We slew a number near the Hidden Pass." He embraced his friend before continuing the tale in common tongue. "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders." In his hand he held a grotesque Orcish made sword, a memento of their victory that he handed to Lindir. "Something or someone is drawing them near." As if he wasn't aware. He and Sythralen had been watching the dwarves since Arirua left. No doubt he did not want to alarm them and give them reason to think that they were spying on the company. Their intent was only to keep an eye on treasured friend.

"Ahh that may have been us." Gandalf had informed them of his intention to visit Rivendell in the letter he had sent Arirua when he asked for her company.

"I have been tracking the Orcs for months. I noticed they were following you." She said to him as she made her way to the front of the group.

"How like an Elf, to not come to aid of those in need." A bearded dwarf with dark hair, who she knew at an instant to be Thorin, spoke to her. She had turned to face the deep voice that offered her insult, but she was not offended.

"How fortunate for you all to end up on Elven land. I doubt you would be standing here otherwise."

"We had departed before your arrival. You just happened upon us as we had turned. We would have fought to the last breath without your kind riding in."

"Try not to look so grateful, Dwarf. Had it not been for my scouting they would have not known you were in need of aid."

"I do not owe thanks to any Elf." He grumbled angrily to her but she was amused. She stepped forward and his hand gripped the hilt of his sword. The bald-headed dwarf next to him had his axe ready for use as well.

"Well, you will not admit you do, but your presence here is equivalent. I'll accept that you live as thank you enough." Before any violence broke out, Elrond pulled her back.

"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain." The dwarf prince let his hand release it's grip.

"I do not believe we have met."

"You have your grandfathers bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain."

"Really? He made no mention of you." He said the words as if they disgusted him. Sythralen could not find it within herself to be upset with Thorin for disrespecting Elrond. He hadn't exactly had the most enjoyable experience with Elves. When the Firedrake of the North, Smaug, took control of Erebor, it was Thranduil that had refused to go to the cities aid. She knew it had been to protect his people but there had been animosity between Dwarves and Elves ever since. In Elvish, Elrond spoke that he would have food and refreshments prepared for the company. Of course they didn't understand his words so a red bearded dwarf spoke up.

"What does he say? Does he offer us insult?" This caused all of the company, apart from the hobbit, to fluster with anger.

"No, Master Gloin. He is offering you food." Gandalf said to calm them. After a moment of whispers between them, Gloin, spoke again.

"Well in that case lead on."