Disclaimer: You know I don't own LotR, so don't sue me. I only own Drake, Celeb'loki, and maybe a few other characters that come up.

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Chapter I - Journey to Imladris

Dracoriel Ithilnor stood beside King Thranduil, watching the King's son, Legolas, depart. Legolas and his companions were traveling to Rivendell, to represent the Elves of Mirkwood at the Council of Elrond.

Dracoriel wasn't especially fond of Legolas - he was reckless, always getting into trouble, and, in her opinion, not much of a fighter. He preferred to use a bow and arrows, keeping away from the real fighting. But he was the prince, so she'd never expressed her views. Dracoriel was only a bodyguard, and her job was to protect King Thranduil, not to criticize his son.

"Drake?" Thranduil muttered, using Dracoriel's nickname.

"Yes, my lord?"

"I want you to go with Legolas."

Drake looked at the Elven king of Mirkwood, puzzled. "But you need me here, my lord. I swore to protect you, and I plan to do so. There are enough Elven representatives going to the Council."

King Thranduil chuckled. "I don't mean for you to go to the Council, Drake. I want you to follow Legolas, and keep him out of trouble."

"Oh."

"Take your horse. Keep Legolas and his companions in sight, but stay far enough back that they don't notice you. If they are attacked, only interfere if their lives are in danger."

"Yes, my lord," replied Drake, and she turned to leave.

"One more thing, Drake," called Thranduil over his shoulder.

"Yes, my lord?"

"Stop calling me 'my lord.'"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

After checking her supply of lembas one last time, Drake swung her pack onto her back and leapt onto the back of her grey horse, Celeb'loki. Loki nickered softly, and set off at a trot.

"Wait!" laughed Drake. The horse halted, and turned at her command. "Now you can go," she said, smiling at the horse's eagerness. Loki again started forward.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Drake rode at a gallop for a full hour before spotting the prince's company. They were riding swiftly. Drake smiled wryly, amusing herself with the thought that they were eager for the comforts of Rivendell.

But then she saw the Wargs.

Drake looked again toward the Elves. They weren't shooting at the Wargs, much to Drake's disgust, and the monsters were gaining on them.

She would have preferred to use her sword, but she also preferred to stay out of sight, so Drake drew an arrow from the quiver at her side and fitted to her own bow.

When she was within shooting distance, she took aim at the Warg that was snapping at Legolas's leg, ignoring the Elf prince's attempts to fend it off by beating it about the head with his bow, having run out of arrows.

Drake loosed the arrow. It went wide, grazing the Warg's ear and almost hit Legolas. Drake gritted her teeth and fired again. This arrow swooped down on the wolf and imbedded itself behind the monster's ear.

Legolas stared, startled, as the Warg fell dead.

As Drake loosed another arrow, killing another Warg, the other Elves finally came to their senses and began shooting at the giant wolves themselves. Legolas remembered his two white knives, drew them out with much unnecessary flashy twirling, and began stabbing at a Warg.

Soon all the monsters lay dead, and the Elves began to search for their rescuer. They saw Drake and called to her, but she turned Loki around and trotted back the way she had come. The other Elves gave up and continued on.

When Legolas's company had gone on their way, Drake turned Loki again and followed them.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Legolas's company, as well as Drake, reached Rivendell the following morning without further mishaps.

Drake, upon arriving, had decided to avoid talking to anyone. However, when she was posted in a tree near Legolas's rooms that night, she was spotted by a keen-eyed Man. She knew him to be Aragorn, son of Arathorn, for he and Mithrandir had brought the creature Gollum to Mirkwood.

Aragorn was, needless to say, startled at the sight of a female Elf, clad in full armor and armed with a sword, in a tree. But something seemed familiar about this Elf.

"Do I know you?" he asked, studying her face.

"I am King Thranduil of Mirkwood's bodyguard," she answered. "Why are you out so late, my lord?"

"Ah, now I remember!" Aragorn exclaimed. "I should be asking you that question, Drake. Why are you so far from Mirkwood?"

"King Thranduil sent me to keep his son out of trouble," she replied, gesturing toward Legolas's rooms. "But the prince doesn't know I'm here, and neither I nor King Thranduil wants him to know."

Aragorn nodded. "I'll keep it a secret then," he said, and left.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Council of Elrond was held the next day. After following Legolas at a safe distance, Drake took the place of the guard at the door of the Council Room. She strained her ears, trying to make sense of the mutters, but the walls were too thick.

Suddenly, a sound of pattering feet came down the hall. Drake looked around, but couldn't see anyone. She looked again, frowning, puzzled, but then she shrugged and settled against the wall.

"Excuse me!" shouted a small voice near Drake's waist. The Elf jumped nearly a foot in the air before looking down to discover a hobbit lass glaring at her out of strangely purple eyes, her golden curls bobbing as she tapped her foot impatiently. Her green frock was spattered with mud and her bare, furry feet were encrusted with it.

"What on Middle-Earth are you doing here?" asked Drake incredulously.

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A/N: Oooh, a cliffhanger! Well, something like it. Who is this hobbit? Is she friendly or hostile? You'll have to review before you can find out!