Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own the characters, places, plot elements etc. within. I make no money at this. The one exception is Anuina. I created her, therefore, I own her.

Attention: This is my first fanfic, so be gentle. Let me know what you think and whether you'd like to read more of this story. Constructive criticism is appreciated, praise is always welcome, and if you're going to flame me, do so in a creative fashion so I can applaud your imagination. I'd also like to say that it was not my intention to re-creative Tolkien's masterpiece, for I doubt that's possible. I've taken a creative license and changed some elements. Know that I make these mistakes knowingly. As for the parentage of Anuina, it might not be possible, but then again, it just might. Just go with it. Please read this for what it is. That's it. Enjoy.

Prologue

The Drums

Anuina's eyes, the color of rich soil, shot open as a cacophony roared in her ears, echoing a thousand times over in the stillness of Moria. She waited, her breath hushed, as a boundless silence followed. Slowly, a sneer curved her lips. The drums. It began as a slow rhythm, a deep reverberation as if the very stones of Moria beat with a heart of their own. The drums in the dark stirred her, made her soul sing. It was the call of battle, the call of war, and she would gladly answer that call.

But something else stirred in the shadows of her soul, a nameless power, one she had searched for these countless eons.

"One ring to rule them all…" she whispered. She could feel it, sense it. Her mind called for it. The whole of her body yearned for the ring. Rising to her feet, she gripped the pommel of her sword, determined to set eyes upon those deemed worthy to carry the ring. Anuina ran over the uneven floor of the cavern, her eyes long used to the dark. She knew this path well.

The drums…. They echoed over and over, reaching a frenzied pitch, accompanied by the screeching of the orcs so eager for war.

There, the doors to the tomb of the dwarven lord. They stood open, and Anuina snorted. It was a fool who left the way unbarred to the enemy, but her task would be easier for it. Dashing through those doors, she skidded to a halt, facing those within over drawn swords. Her hand ached to draw her own blade, but she could not appear threatening.

"There is no time to explain my presence," she said. "Know that I am a friend. The orcs fast approach."

Recovering from the shock of her entrance, those within came to life. The two from the world of Men ran forward to bar the door, though it would offer little protection against the force massing before them.

"Who are you?" the gray one demanded.

She inclined her head to the wizard, her ebony hair falling forward. "I am called Anuina," she responded.

"You are an elf," he stated, looking at her delicately pointed ears.

"Indeed you are observant, my lord. If you wish to make it through these halls then you must follow me and pray to the powers that be we do not rouse the interest of the Belrog."

"Why should we trust her?" This from the one carrying an ornate horn.

"What choice have you? You are indeed seasoned fighters, but can you stand against the multitude of orcs who call Moria home?"

The light of suspicion didn't leave his eyes. Not waiting for a response, Anuina moved to the far wall. Her questing fingers found a crack in the wall, and with a flick of her wrist, a panel slid open, revealing a secret passage.

"The fate of this world rests on your lives. Do not risk those lives on a chance encounter. Follow me."

A look passed between the wizard and one of the Men, and the hobbits nearby shuffled nervously, exchanging glances. It was long moments before an answer was forthcoming. A fierce pounding erupted as the orcs reached the door. Their cries were nearly deafening.

"We will follow you," the gray one answered.

"But should you lead us down the path of doom, my arrow will find your heart," warned the elf.

She nodded, accepting the terms, before urging the companions into the passage. Bringing up the rear, she found a second switch that caused the door to slam closed. Another smile curved her delicate lips.

Anuina led them down a narrow passage, guided by the light of the wizard's staff. In moments, she opened another panel. They filed out of the passage.

"The bridge of Khazad'Dum," she whispered. Her ears pricked. The hair on the back of her neck tingled a moment.

A moment later, the distant shrieking of the orcs stopped. Stillness crept back into Moria, though this stillness was charged with energy. Without warning, a thunderous crash washed through the passages of Moria, and a growl escaped Anuina. Flames leapt to life near them. Eyes filled with the ancient evil glowed within those flames.

"The Belrog," hissed the wizard. Dread filled his voice.

"I suggest we move quickly," Anuina said, though quickly was an understatement. The Belrog would easily destroy them all. It was the one creature on Middle-Earth she feared facing, the one creature she doubted she could defeat.

"Run!"

They sprinted towards the bridge and crossed over. When one of the hobbits stumbled, she urged him on, helping him regain balance. Soon, they were across the narrow bridge, all but the wizard. He remained poised in the center. He's going to face it. She wondered if he could win and then wondered if she cared. It wouldn't take long for the wizard to see her for what she really was. Though if it came down to it, she would lend a hand in trying to save his life, if for no other reason than to gain the trust of the Fellowship.

The Belrog approached, shaping the flame into a weapon. Anuina stood by as the wizard roared, trying to hold the demon at bay by his very will alone. The demon took a step, and the stone of the bridge crumbled. It plummeted into the chasm, but at the last moment, the flames wrapped around the wizard. He lost his balance and was jerked from the edge. Anuina reacted on instinct. She dashed forward and made a grab for the wizard.

"Gandalf!" cried one of the hobbits.

Her hand wrapped around Gandalf's wrist.

"You cannot hold me for long," he whispered. "Let go."

"I think not," she responded. She tried to drag him over the edge, but the flame was still wrapped around him. The weight was too great for her to hold. His wrist began to slip from her grasp. Closing her eyes, she tried to find a better hold, but her considerable strength was not enough of save his life. He slipped from her grasp and plunged into the chasm.

"No!"

The orcs took to screeching again, dragging a groan from Anuina. The cursed orcs had the worst timing. The hiss of arrows filled her ears as she rose to her feet.

"Run. Get out of here," she snarled. She sprinted towards the stairs that led to the outside world. Soon, they would be safe from the orcs. Her heart thundered in her breast as she ran after the others. Pain burst through her suddenly, and the point of an arrow exploded through her shoulder, ripping flesh and sinew. She gasped in pain but ran on. In moments, she saw light, a searing light that made her eyes hurt worse than her shoulder. It had been weeks since she'd seen sunlight.

Anuina dashed from Moria, coming to a stop near the others. She squeezed her eyes closed against the horrid light, trying to shield herself from the pain of it. It would take time to become accustomed to the light again.

"You are injured," one of the Men commented.

"Really? I hadn't noticed." She immediately clamped down on her anger. "Forgive me. The pain makes me more irritable than usual."

"Think nothing of it. My name is Boromir."

"It is good to finally know your name. Take out the arrow, Boromir. At the moment, I cannot see to do it."

"How long have you been in Moria?"

"Over a fortnight," she responded. She knew they would demand an explanation, but at the moment, she could not think properly.

Boromir snapped off the head of the arrow and tore the shaft from her body. A cry escaped her despite her best effort to keep it in.

"What are their names?" she asked, waving a hand in the general direction of the others.

"The other man is Aragorn. The dwarf is Gimli. The elf is Legolas. Then there are the hobbits, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pipin."

"Proper introductions will have to wait until later." She continued to shield her eyes against the sun.

A shadow fell across her, signaling the approach of one of the others. She tried to look up but couldn't bring herself to do it quite yet.

"There are many questions I must ask you."

"And I will gladly answer them, but give me a few moments to regain my composure."

"There is no time now. We must move on to the woods of Lothlorien before the orcs awaken. Are you fit to travel?"

"You trust me enough to travel with you? I know what quest you undertake, what object the hobbit carries."

"How do you know?"

"I have been waiting for the ring to come back from legend into reality for eons. I live for the moment of its destruction." The lie slipped easily from between her lips. Indeed she had been waiting for it for eons, but the destruction of the ring would never come about. Anuina closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sun. No, the ring would be returned to the hand of Sauron, the hand of her father.