Author's note: This takes place shortly before Boromir leaves Minas Tirith and follows through before he reaches Rivendell. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings, only my own characters.

The Ring of Stars by Shelly

CHAPTER ONE


She aimed at the target before her, her world narrowing down to the space she sighted down her arrow. She ignored the chirping of the birds around her, the rustling of the squirrels as they darted from one tree to the next, and the breeze that played along her face and through her hair. She pulled back on the bowstring a little more as she prepared to release it, the line digging into her fingers then sliding off as she released it.

"Lillisandra!"

She jumped in surprise, cursing as her shot went wide of the tree she was aiming for, and she turned to see who called her name so urgently. She caught a glimpse of long blonde hair through the trees, and she smiled as she ducked behind the nearest trunk, waiting until the elf was close by with their back to her.

"Lilli, come on! I know you're out here. I pity the tree you killed with your aim."

She stepped out from her hiding place. "Fear not, Aldarion, for the tree was already dead before I ever got to it."

He spun around, his hand going to his chest as if to stop his heart from exploding. "Lilli, don't ever do that to me again," he choked.

She walked towards him, a smile lighting her face. "Normally I would not have been able to do that. Something must have you all excited to have you out here calling my name for all the world to hear."

He nodded. "Your father sent me to find you. He requests your presence immediately."

She cocked an eyebrow at him. "That urgent, is it? Then I guess I had better get going."

Aldarion looked at her from the corner of his eye as they walked. "Are you going to change first? You know how he feels about your particular choice of pastime."

"No, I am not going to change," she replied. "He has known for many years that I do not favor the same activities as other elven ladies. All the gossiping and fawning over men does not interest me. Besides, he is fearful that no one will come forth for my hand in marriage because of my expertise in weaponry."

"He only wants what he feels is best for you," he replied.

"How would he know?" she retorted. "He has never bothered to ask me, only attempts to push me into the mold of who he wishes me to be." Suddenly she stopped, a horrified expression on her face. "What if he wishes to see me only to let me know that I am betrothed to another?"

"Do not worry," he laughed. "He seemed far too serious for it to be such news. Although I do hope I see the day when you do fall in love."

She punched his arm. "How dare you laugh at me after you just ruined my perfect afternoon!"

"I had nothing to do with that," he answered evenly, becoming more serious as they neared her father's house.

She sighed and steeled herself for the worst as she walked inside. She saw her father standing near the balcony, looking out at the river that flowed through Silmarion. He glanced back at her, noting the green and brown clothing she wore when she trained outdoors, but said nothing as he continued gazing at the river with his blue eyes, his hands clasped behind his back. He was a striking figure as his long hair was still dark and his figure tall and proud despite his many years.

Her blue eyes she got from him, though her hair she inherited from her mother, hair the deep color of red leaves in the autumn. "Father, what is wrong?" she asked, his sudden somberness worrying her.

"Wrong?" he echoed. "Is it right to say such a thing would be wrong? Or should I say that in sending you far away from here would be right?"

Her eyes widened in fear. "What is this you speak of?" she asked, drawing nearer to him.

He turned to face her, and she saw the sadness in his eyes. "You have been summoned to fair Lorien, my child. By Galadriel herself."

"What?" she asked, thinking she had misunderstood him. She had heard many stories of the fabled Lady of Lorien, but she never knew that she would be going to meet her and seeing her face to face. "Why must I go?"

"That I cannot tell you. Only she can tell you what lies ahead for you," he replied with a sigh. "Long have I known that you would be called to that fair land, but I never dreamed that it would be so soon." He smiled then. "It appears that you will have need of your training after all."

She eyed him for a bit, suddenly seeing him in a new light. "Am I to guess that you have been torturing me about my training all these years because you knew it would only make me more determined to do so?"

"Yes," he answered. "I knew it. And maybe deep down I hoped that you would heed my words and become more like a lady so that you would stay. But I knew that it was a foolish hope as your destiny was written long ago in the land of Eregion. However, I can tell you no more as all will be revealed by Galadriel."

She swallowed deeply as she tried to take it all in. Her world had suddenly turned upside down, and at one time she would've been glad to leave and venture out into the world. But now that she was faced with the reality of it, she was frightened. "When will I leave?"

He put his hands on her shoulders, and his touch was gentle, the first such touch she had felt from him since she was a child. "I know you must be frightened, Lilli, and I am frightened also at the long journey you will take. The way will be dangerous as evil has once again surfaced in the world, but you will not face it alone. Three others will I send with you, two from here and one I have sent for from Minas Tirith."

Her body stiffened suddenly. "Father, I can take care of myself," she protested. "I certainly do not need help from our neighbor."

"They have fought against this evil for many a year, my daughter, and I can think of no better person to protect you. I have been told that he will arrive the day after tomorrow so you will depart the day after." He pulled her close to kiss her on her forehead. "Now go inform Aldarion of all I have told you. I am certain he will want to accompany you as will his brother."

Her head still spinning, she turned and walked back out the way she had come, Aldarion joining her as he had waited outside for her in nervous anticipation. He noticed she wasn't quite herself and grabbed her about the shoulders, stopping her and looking into her eyes. "Lilli, what is it? Are you to be married after all?"

She came back to herself as her eyes focused on him.. "No. It's much worse, I'm afraid."

"Something worse than marriage? I am worried now." They walked into the woods until they spotted a fallen tree small enough to sit on comfortably. "Okay, spill it," he said.

"First it was my father," she began. "He was acting so strangely. He didn't even get upset at me for my archery practice. If anything he has been getting upset at me just so I would practice."

He seemed taken aback. "He did that? Why?"

She looked down at her hands. "He knew that one day I would have to leave."

"Where are you going?" he asked once he had recovered from his shock.

"To Lorien to see Galadriel." She sighed. "At least I won't have to go alone. Three will be going with me, two from here and one from Minas Tirith."

"Good," he replied. "You can count on me and my brother to go with you."

She smiled. "My father said as much." She picked at the bark with her fingers. "I had always hoped that one day I would be able to leave and see something of the world for myself, but it's different now that I have to. I feel as if I have suddenly lost control of my life, what with my father speaking of destinies and all. I would love nothing more than to just forget that this ever happened and go on living my life on my own terms. But I'm also afraid of what may happen if I do not go." By now she had loosened a scrap of bark and she threw it into the woods around them. "I wonder who this person from Minas Tirith will look like?"



As she tried to sleep that night, she couldn't help but think how differently she looked on this journey now as opposed to how she had felt about it earlier that afternoon. Her father had held a feast in her honor and she had realized that she had very little to miss here besides her father. She would've missed Aldarion and his brother Tarcil but they were coming with her so she would have them with her. Now she was a little excited about leaving and seeing things she had never seen before and meeting new people. She still felt that she didn't need the help of the man from Gondor, but she was curious to see what he looked like as he would be the first human she would see.

Soon sleep overtook her and led her into the realm of her dreams. She saw a plain gold ring held in the hand of what appeared to be a very short human with curly brown hair and large feet topped with the same colored hair. His eyes though were a startling shade of blue, so bright it dazzled the mind. Then she saw another face, this one distinctly human with sandy hair worn to his shoulders and piercing blue eyes, his features proud and handsome to look upon.

Then her dreams became darker, and she saw many evil creatures which she had no name for, creatures that attacked her home and destroyed everything and everyone. And above them was a great burning eye, seething with an evil that washed over her and left her trembling.

She awoke with a cry, her body trembling even as her hair was dampened with sweat. She breathed deeply to calm her racing heart and realized she had been crying in her sleep as she felt the tears on her cheeks. When she had finally calmed down, she lay back down and dreamed no more that night.

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Author's note: Boromir will be in the next chapter as he meets Lilli in an unexpected way. Please read and review and let me know how you like it!