Note: Chapter has been expanded because it was too short...

Chapter II

Journey to the North

And so we journeyed on to the chief city of Rohan, Edoras, seat of the Kings, where we were greeted warmly by the people of Rohan. But only for a night for shelter and food. At sun rise, we made our way to the ruins of Isengard. Just above Isengard was the chain of the Misty Mountains. That was the path laid before us. One step beyond Isengard meant no turning back.

Home is behind, the world ahead,

And there are many paths to tread

Through shadows to the edge of the night,

Until the stars are all alight,

Then world behind and all ahead,

We'll wonder back to home and bed

Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,

Away and fade! Away shall fade!

Fire and lamp, and meat and bread,

And then to bed! And then to bed!

They rode slowly and carefully through Isengard for orcs still roam these lands. Both Eldarion and Evenstar wielded their blades, preparing for any sudden attack. Already they could spot the snow-top peaks of Methedras in the Misty Mountains. "When I was young," Eldarion started, "father used to tell me stories of his adventures with the Fellowship of the Ring. He told me how treacherous it was to pass through these Mountains. How through the mines of Moria, it was thought that they had lost the Great Gandalf from a fire demon. They were surrounded by thousands of orcs and even had to fight off a cave troll. If you don't understand what I'm trying to say, I think it would be best if we traveled over the Mountains instead of under it." Evenstar nodded. "Understood. Don't tire out on me now. We have a long journey before us, without any resting stops. I wouldn't want to handle any orc that comes along alone." "You do your part in getting us there, and I'll do mine." They continued riding towards a trail that led up on the Mountain.

* * *

The cold winds blew and a chill ran down their spines as they reached the uppermost portion of Methedras. It would take few days before they finally reach the High Pass. The journey was long before them, and with only the cruelest of paths to take, it was going to be one weary travel. Though neither one of the siblings showed signs of weariness. They proved true endurance.

Something could be heard in the distance, behind them. With their keen elven hearing, they made out the signs of footsteps. "Ride quickly, Evenstar! Something lurks behind us. I will keep up. Ride!" And so she swiftly made her way through the slippery edges. The sound grew. It was nearing them. "Quicker, Evenstar!" Glancing back, Eldarion spotted a tall dark, robed figure on horseback. With another glance, he noticed two more behind him. "Ride into that open area before us and stop there! Go!" Evenstar noticed a change in the weather. the clouds grew dark, and lightning burst into the sky. "A storm, brother!" Evenstar yelled. They reached the open area, halted, and turned to face their followers. "Your blade, Evenstar!" With that, both siblings wielded their blades high up in the air with determination stained on their faces. The dark riders stopped just a few feet away from them. Eldarion tried hard to make out their faces, but he saw nothing. "Do you not see their faces as well, Evenstar?" He whispered, now beside his sister. She shook her head. "Nay, brother, I see nothing. Black Riders...how unusual. Only Black Riders I've heard of were..." She paused in cold fear. And so it dawned on Eldarion who they were. "Sshh...do not speak sister. Do not make a sound. They can't see us, but they have keen hearing." Evenstar then whispered in her elvish tongue to both stallions to keep quiet. Neither side moved. The Black Riders sensed something about and moved forward, now with their swords up high as well. Oh no, Evenstar thought. She knew something had to be done before they were cut into pieces. Closing her eyes, she uttered a phrase in elvish, and suddenly, the dark horses jumped in a wild frenzy, dropping the robed creatures to the ground. "Now, brother! Follow me!" Evenstar rode with great speed, Eldarion just slightly behind. Eldarion was amazed with her action. "Where did you learn that?" He yelled to her. "That was amazing!" "No time for conversation, brother. Make haste! Look, they're up and following us still!" He glanced back and there were the three Black Riders, gaining on them with fury. "They gain, sister! We can't go on like this!"

The path grew unstable as they rode on. Eldarion was right. They would catch up to them within minutes. There was no use running. "Ride on, sister! I will hold them back!" "No!" Evenstar yelled back. "You ride on, I will hold them!" Eldarion rode quickly beside her. "That is madness! I will not leave my sister behind!" "Then we fight together!" Evenstar responded quickly, and for a passing moment, they looked each other in the eye and knew what was to be done. They rode again into an open field and halted to challenge their opponents. The Riders were just a few feet away. With her blade wielded high, Evenstar again uttered a phrase in elvish. With that, rocks were thrown directly at the Riders' beasts, again, they fell off them. This time, the horses slipped and fell off the edge, into a deep canyon. With great fury, the Riders were on their feet and ran towards the two. "Ready your blade, brother!" The Riders were just a feet away from them, when suddenly, two cloaked figures fell down upon the sky and jumped atop the Riders, one was short, wielding an axe, and the other, with two blades in his hand. Evenstar noticed one Rider with three arrows piercing it from behind. That rider fled quickly. With great strength, the remaining two Riders flung their opponents back, hitting the stone wall. Their swords were once again wielded up high, and now after the cloaked figures. One of them quickly wielded his bow, and swiftly shot an arrow an one of the Rider's hand, causing him to drop his weapon. With another shot, he did the same to the other Rider. Their weapons vanished as they hit the ground. The two Riders fled then.

With a great sigh, the two companions sheathed their weapons. They walked slowly to Evenstar and Eldarion. "I am Eldarion, son of Aragorn, King of Gondor. I command you to reveal yourselves." With a smile, the tall one dropped his hood. "Hail and well met, Your Highness. I am Legolas Greenleaf, Lord of the Elves of Mirkwood, and this is my companion Gimli, son of Gloin, warrior Dwarf." Evenstar gasped at the sight of a full fledged elf. The two bowed before the King. "What is your business here, Legolas, Lord of Mirkwood?" "We were brought here to your aid." "And how exactly did you know that we were in need of aid?" asked Evenstar. Just then, Legolas and Evenstar were caught in each other's eyes. At that moment, Evenstar felt a wave of pain. She fell and was caught in her brother's quick arms. "Evenstar!" "It's starting." Legolas stated. And hurried to Eldarion's and Evenstar's horses. "What's starting? And what has happened to my sister?" Eldarion asked worriedly. Legolas whispered quietly to the jumping horses and in an instant, they were calm and friendly towards him. He brought the horses to Eldarion, who still held the unconscious Evenstar in his harms. "We cannot linger in these mountains long. His gaze grows with every passing moment. Here, take your horse and ride with Evenstar to the High Pass. Gimli and I will follow behind on Evenstar's stallion. The Black Rider's will be on our tail till we reach Rivendell. Make haste!" Legolas helped Evenstar onto Eldarion's stallion. Eldarion rode forth, Legolas and Gimli keeping a good watch just behind him.

* * *

As they journeyed to the High Pass, not a word was said between the group. They rode quickly, but quietly. It had been almost a full day when finally on the last hour of their journey, Evenstar awoke. Eldarion smiled down at his sister as she rose from his shoulder with a yawn. "Nice to see you up again, sister." Evenstar looked up at her brother, and just then realized that she wasn't on her horse. "Glorfindel? What's happened to Glorfindel?" "Nothing, Lady Evenstar. I hope you don't mind if my companion and I borrow Glorfindel for a bit." Legolas replied then rode beside Eldarion's horse. "What has happened to me, Legolas? A tormenting pain hit me, and I fell into a dark dream, no, more like a vision. Then I knew no more. Why have you come to us?" "That I will now answer." said Legolas. "Let me introduce ourselves more thoroughly. You know of our names, but I believe you have not yet heard of our tale. Gimli and I, we are two out the nine companions that set across Middle-Earth many years ago on a quest to destroy the One Ring." Both Evenstar and Eldarion gasped. "That would mean you knew our father, Aragorn." claimed Evenstar. "Aye, milady, we did know your father. He was the leader of our company. "The Fellowship of the Ring," we were once called. But poor faith slowly tore that Fellowship apart. The Ring was destroyed, but eight Black Riders still lurk. They are after something, something of which either one of you have. I don't know what, but our mentor, Gandalf, he knows. He awaits us now. So let us not slow down. The hour ends and if we continue with our pace, we will reach the High Pass by sunset. Let us make haste!"