AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
By : mirkwood-elf-2931 & Thala


CHAPTER 2


Just after first light hit Rivendell, two cloaked figures and a great white steed were already on their way over the High Pass in the northern Misty Mountains, hoping to come to the bottom on the other side at dark. They had many leagues to walk to get to the southern lands of Gondor, but it would be well worth it for Thalawen to see her sister happy again, once they had reached their journey's end.

"Are you excited to see Aragorn?" asked Thalawen as they walked along the path.

Arwen breathed a heavy sigh and looked up at the sky above. "I can't wait for the moment I arrive." She looked down at the ground and spoke softly, "Do you think he'll be excited to see me? I guess I should've written ahead that I would be coming..." She trailed off into uncertainty.

Giving support, Thalawen threw her arm around Arwen and hugged her close. "Do not be troubled with that. You know he will be delighted at the sight of your face. I'm sure it is all he could ever ask for," she said as she tried to buster up Arwen's self-confidence. "How long have you known Aragorn? Don't let these silly thoughts of unwant invade and take root in your heart."

Arwen's face slowly went from heavyhearted to uplifting. She nodded her agreement with Thalawen's words. "Sister, I think you're right."

"Yes, that's usually the case..." Before Thalawen could finish her sentence they each sensed a presence among them; unseen and watchful. Thalawen deftly pushed Arwen behind her, using her body as a human shield for whatever danger they were in. In the event that it was perilous, Thalawen could hold off the attackers long enough for Arwen to escape.

Knocking an arrow into her bow, Thalawen stepped stealthly forward, only to see a familiar face appear from behind a tall rock. So astonished by who it was, she could barely get out the exclamation. "Landy!"

"Thala! Arwen?!" Landailyn saw someone leaning around from behind the Elf that aimed their bow at her.

The three she-Elves stood there staring at one another, soon the corner's of their mouths were turned up and each one began to snicker, which after a minute turned into a giggling fit and all lowered their weapons.

"My friend," Said Arwen, through her unsettled laughter, as the two took their turns in hugging the fair haired Elf. "What are you doing out here?"

"I'm on my way to your house! What are you two doing?!"

"We are on our way to Gondor." Thalawen spoke up the reason for their travel.

Landailyn straightened her cocked head. "Gondor?"

Arwen beamed brightly. "You were not sent a message? Aragorn's coronation was last month! I'm going down there to be with him. Thalawen's just along because she thinks that since I'm younger and incapable, I can't go anywhere without her." Even though the truth was that she preferred to go with her sister, even if she could travel alone just fine.

Thalawen shot her a glare from her place not three feet away.

Landailyn gave a short laugh, realizing how much she'd missed their jesting. Sometimes they could be just like their mischievous twin brothers or Legolas and Aragorn. "Well, I'm very glad to hear he has finally been crowned. He certainly deserves the honor."

"Hey," Said Thalawen suddenly. "You want to come, right?"

It wasn't really a question, if she had stopped to think about it. It was asked like a question, but Thalawen really meant that she had better not say 'no' and turn to head home. Landailyn raised her brows, not sure what to say. "Uh...if it's...alright..."

"Of course it is!" Arwen cut in. "We would love to have you along! We can contact Father when we have arrived and have him let Lord Thranduil know you have taken a slight detour."

Landailyn grinned. If she was with his son, she knew the Elf-king wouldn't mind her staying away longer than she would have in Rivendell. "Well, I suppose then I'm coming."

The sisters exchanged pleased smiles.

Landailyn had never been to the White City before and was more than happy to join them. She would get to see Legolas and Aragorn and now she couldn't wait for the moment of surprise. "So," She began, following them as they moved to resume walking the mountain path. "What all have you heard exactly? Was there much about the Fellowship? Has the Ring been destroyed yet?" Automatically lowering her voice at the mention of the object.

"Actually, yes it has." Arwen replied. "When it was, I do not know and I assume everyone will be heading home soon, the Hobbits anyway. Oh," She stopped walking and the two beside her did the same. "There is more good news to this as well...Mithrandir is alive after all!"

Landailyn felt as if she could have jumped for joy and hug the both of them again. "Those bits of news have been the best I've heard in a long time!"

"But," Thalawen continued, not meaning to dampen the mood. But anyone should know that that particular word was never positive just after hearing good news.

Though it was Arwen who gave up the rest of the information. "Both Boromir of Gondor and Haldir of Lorien were slain in battle with Uruk-hai."

This totally wiped what grin Landailyn had left about Gandalf and the Ring right off her happy face, leaving her to stare at the princess in shock. They watched her silently, as she looked down and shook her head. "Is everyone else alright?" She almost didn't want to ask.

"They are. They have all reunited in Minas Tirith."

Landailyn's smile slightly returned, glad for at least a little more good news.

Arwen looked skyward again, determining the time.

Thalawen noticed and too glanced up briefly. "Should we make camp?"

The youngest she-Elf shrugged, taking up Asfaloth's lead rope. "With these unpleasant gray clouds overhead, we could start looking for shelter."

Her companions shot questioning glances at one another to make sure they all agreed and when they were, off they went in search of a place they knew would be dry if it were to rain sometime during the night.

Over hangings of large bushes and thick rock off the base of the looming mountains served well for the three that desperately wished to keep themselves and their equipment dry.

"Oh, I meant to ask, how is Ezril doing in his new home?" Said Landailyn casually, as she took off her travel supply pack to rest it against the slanted wall of stone.

The mention of her horse's name brought a smile of reverie to Thalawen's face; her eyes became far away and reflective. "He is doing well and has settled right into his new home in Rivendell. Never does he get the urge to roam free, which seems odd to me since he is one of the Mearas after all," she pondered.

"Hmm..." Landailyn added her own thoughts on this matter, knowing she hadn't had much trouble getting the horse to follow her in the first place. "Perhaps he has finally found a true home and has no need of wandering any longer.

"Indeed, indeed," Thalawen agreed. "And how is captain-hood suiting you?" There was a trace of farce in her voice to accompany the not-so-subtle smile on her face.

Throwing a piercing glance Thalawen's way, Landailyn replied. "It has been fine and well." And with that she threw her nose in the air and chose to ignore Thalawen's silent giggles, trying to suppress her own.

"It is good to see you Landy, you can't know how much I've missed you these past months." An arm around each other, they walked to pick up firewood.


*~ *~ * ~ * ~* ~*


Barreling through the mists on the Anduin was the black warship of Captain Faeroth.

At average height, he was a well built man of forty years. His skin held a deep tan from months of sailing in the heat of the early season, his wavy shoulder length hair a medium brown, his remorseless eyes a light gray.

It was the sixth month already and he and his group had only so long to return south to Umbar with as many prisoners as possible, as was ordered by their lordship.

It was just after sunrise now and he stood silently at the helm peering out over the land on either side of them, deciding which one he should dock. If anyone at this point, there would most likely be more travelers in the west than there would in the east. So the west bank became his choice and he steered the Shadow Specter toward it.


TBC ...