Chapter 4

          Mylea drew her sword from its sheath and began to sharpen the blade. She had learned to wield a sword from a young age and dreamed of the day she could battle. Elrond had never allowed her or Arwen to venture alone and look for adventure. Mylea had to learn things from the outside world through Elladan among others.

          "So when do you want to practice?" Elladan's voice came from behind her.

          "We shall practice in the woods in ten minutes, I just need to finish with this blade." Mylea replied not taking her eyes off her sword.

          Elladan nodded and stayed a moment surveying Mylea. He watched her thin arms work hard on the sword, and her hair swaying in the sunlight. She was a very complex woman and seemed to fear nothing. Maybe that was why he was so attracted to her.

          "Alright, I'm ready." Mylea suddenly interrupted his thoughts and turned around with her sword in hand.

          Elladan grabbed his own and they made their way out to the woods. Mylea swung her sword from side to side as they walked and was completely focused on beating Elladan today.

          Once they had reached their destination Mylea took her place on the right and Elladan on the left. They raised their swords eye level and then Elladan counted down from three. As his lips reached the number one Mylea thrust her sword out hitting his aside and twirled towards him. Their swords clashed but Mylea slammed his aside once more then had Elladan by the throat.

          "Well, well, I've won." Mylea said with a smirk.

          She drew the sword away from Elladan's throat and slid it firmly back into the sheath. She dusted herself off as Elladan gathered himself back together.

          "I…how did you do that?" He suddenly asked.

          "Practice Elladan and a will of steel." She responded with a grin.

          "You are not like any women I have ever seen."

          "Good, that will teach you not to take us for granted."

          "I don't…"

          Mylea started to laugh.

          "I was only playing with you."

          Aragorn and Gimli came to a halt at the gates of Rohan. Aragorn did not like the look of this place. It was far too quiet and they had yet to see another being.

          "Aragorn…are you sure we are not too late?" Gimli questioned in his gruff voice.

          "Be quiet a moment…" Aragorn spoke softly and squinted his eyes.

          Gimli growled underneath his breath and stared at pieces of woods scattered across the land. Gimli was a stout burly dwarf who never left anywhere without his battle-ax. He was war oriented and liked nothing more than killing orcs. He seemed to think he was invincible and did not listen to other's warnings.

          "I think this place is abandoned. There could be some left behind inside though." Aragorn finally made his assumption.

          "Lets split up, I'll take east, you west."

          Aragorn agreed and they both dismounted the large chestnut horse named Arrow. Gimli ran in and made his way stepping over bodies of the deceased. Aragorn walked more slowly and looked at the faces of the fallen, just in case there was one among them still breathing. Soon enough Gimli and Aragorn were out of each other's view and were on their own.

          Aragorn started to call out for anyone that had a breath of life left in them. He was hoping Eomer would suddenly appear out of nowhere with new information that might help the journey. Aragorn bent low to the ground and touched the stained grass. There were horse tracks that still looked fresh. Someone had either just arrived or departed.

          Gimli ran until there was absolutely no sign of Eomer or his army.

          "This is useless we need to track him down…" Gimli mumbled to himself and began to walk back to find Aragorn.

          Aragorn put his head to the ground and closed his eyes to listen for horses. He intently listened until someone leaped upon him. He tried to throw them off by rapidly turning his body, but it didn't work. They had his hands and were tying them back behind him. Suddenly his body was forcefully pulled up from the ground and he met the face of a very intimidating Uru-ki.

          "Ah, we've caught Lord Aragorn, he said it could not be done. You were much too keen for dim orcs, seems he was wrong."

          "Who do you speak of?" Aragorn asked gritting his teeth.

          "Oh you'll find that out soon enough. Depart now troops!"

          Aragorn was thrown on the back of an overly large orc. He tried to struggle and they soon grew tired of his grunting so they pummeled his head with a shield. Aragorn fell unconscious and had no way of letting Gimli know what had happened.

          Gimli finally found his way back to where Aragorn and he separated. Arrow was going crazy and Gimli carefully approached him.

          "What's wrong boy?" Gimli asked gently and stroked his mane.

          The horse was still worked up and would not calm down. Gimli knew this was a bad sign, Arrow knew his master better than most humans.

          "Aragorn!" Gimli screamed.

          No answer came to him and he knew something terrible had happened while he had been away. Aragorn would have surely heard him.

          Arwen sat up in her bed breathing heavily. She grabbed at her chest and looked at Mylea who was now looking right back. Small beads of sweat fell from Arwen's forehead and Mylea jumped out of her bed.

          "Arwen, what is it? A nightmare?"

          Arwen did not nod or shake her head; she merely kept trying to catch her breath.

          "No Mylea, something is very wrong with Aragorn, I know it."

          "I think you just miss him dear, don't worry." Mylea tried to comfort her.

          "No…I saw…he's been taken by orcs."

          "Aragorn is much too smart for them."

          "He was caught off guard, believe me."

          Mylea looked into her eyes and knew what she felt was true. Arwen had a very intuitive nature about her and she was usually always right.

          "I must go for him." Arwen said and started to get up.

          "No, you will not get far on with your emotions worrying you. It is too risky, I will go."

          "Mylea I can not let you…"

          "My lady, I would do anything for you and your family. You know this, you have done too much for me, it is time I help you." Mylea spoke and took Arwen's hand.

          Arwen agreed silently and smiled slightly through her tears. Mylea hugged her and then immediately stood up and started to get ready.

          A half an hour later Mylea was dressed in worn elvish men's clothing that hung loosely around her figure. She had her sword around her waist to the left. She pulled a black cloche around herself and gave a last glance at Arwen, who was looking at her with admiration.

          "I will find him and bring him home to you Arwen."

          "Thank you Mylea."

          Arwen rushed to her and embraced her once more. Mylea gave an encouraging grin and bade farewell and made her way out the door but was met by Elrond at the main exit. He looked disappointed but Mylea stuck her head up and encountered him.