Ice

Reviews are much appreciated.

Thank you daw for being a faithful reader. I am glad you like the story.
Chapter Three

They set out at dawn. Ellandan had chosen a chestnut colored mare for Fin, gentle, yet strong and sure-footed. Each elf had a bow and a quiver full of arrows. The air was cold, as it had been for the past few weeks. Frost clung to grass and trees and the sky was gray with clouds. Fin could not stop grinning at the thought of an adventure with her new friends. A new snow had fallen in the night, and although it was not very deep, it was deep enough for the elves to see the tracks of recent animal visitors.

They traveled slowly and steadily north, staying under the trees. They crossed several streams that had frozen over. At one they stopped and Elrohir broke through the ice for the horses to drink. Fin took advantage of the break to check the plants and trees that grew nearby. There was willow and ash, oak and beech, and even a few rare evergreen and cherry. She hummed a wordless tune as she meandered through the wood, looking at plants and checking for animal tracks.

In a short while, she heard her name being called softly and turned to head back.

"Did you see anything interesting, my lady?"

"Aye, I followed the tracks of a rabbit until it crossed with that of a fox. I think the fox found a nice meal. There was also the tracks of many squirrels and I could see where they were trying to dig for buried acorns. Oh, and I also saw the tracks of many deer, heading north away from the stream."

This last bit of news was welcome to the twins. "Can you show us?" they exclaimed with excitement.

Fin nodded and the three mounted up. Fin turned the mare north and headed out, pointing out the tracks when they reached them.

"There are at least a dozen, mostly does and several yearlings. I do not see the bucks, they must have passed earlier. The males usually pass first, ensuring a safe passage for the females and young."

Ellandan and Elrohir were impressed by her knowledge. Fin was full of surprises. They were able to follow the tracks most of the time, only turning off when the path became too narrow or too crowded with foliage for the horses to pass through. Several hours later, they reached the lake. They left the horses several hundred feet from the water's edge, and made their way quietly toward the water.

The lake had completely frozen over. Fin was enchanted with the way it looked, she had never seen such a sight. The sea near where she had grown up never completely froze over.

The three elves stole around the edge of the lake, looking intently for tracks. It was Fin who once again spotted them.

"These are fresher, the herd is not far off."

She led them along, carefully picking her way over fallen logs and around clumps of low bushes. The water's edge was near and beyond lay the flat expanse of white ice. She halted suddenly and knocked an arrow to her bow. Elrohir and Elladan did likewise as they peered through the trees at the small herd of deer. Choosing their targets and having no desire to take more than they could use, three arrows flew through the air. They choose females with no young.

All three hit their mark and the three hunters looked at each other with elation. The meat would be a welcome addition to the stores of food in the kitchens of Rivendell.

The rest of the deer had already scattered deep into the woods as the elves approached the fallen deer. Ellandan whistled for their mounts and then bent to retrieve the arrows. When the horses approached, they fastened the deer over them for the trip back to Rivendell.

It was then that Fin decided to get a closer look at the lake. The hunt had been short lived, though successful, and she was loath to return just yet. She desired to explore this new area. They had a bit more time before they needed to head back, for sunset was still far off. The world at the edge of the lake was utterly still. She could hear only the wind as it whispered through trees and blew through the few remaining leaves that clung there.

Elrohir came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and back and smiled at him. He reached over and took her hand and led her out onto the frozen lake.

She was unsure and unsteady and clung to his hands to keep from slipping. She watched as his feet slid along the ice smoothly, and tried to imitate the motion. He had better balance and she found if she held on, she could glide along as well. Elladan watched as the pair skated across the ice. He was a bit apprehensive, always the practical one. His worry was that the ice was not thick enough.

"Stay close to shore!" he called out.

They seemed to pay no attention, Fin's eyes were locked onto Elrohir's as they danced along the ice. Slowly, he began to let go of her hands, letting them slip slightly past each other, until only their fingertips touched. Finally, he let go altogether, smiling at her. A look of slight panic crossed her face, and then one foot slipped out from under her. She shifted her body to the side and righted her balance. She stared at her feet, slowly moving them back and forth, turning slightly to follow Elrohir as he headed back to shore.

"You are doing very well, elfling. Let's see if you can go a bit faster!"

He quickened his pace, and she followed. She was adept at climbing trees, moving among the branches, and found that her balance was quite good. She only needed to get a feel for the slipperiness of the ice beneath her feet.

"This is wonderful!" she called to Elladan who was still on the shore. "Will you join us?"

"Nay, someone has to stay on shore to be ready to rescue you when you fall through!"

All three elves laughed, though this was something that had not occurred to Fin. She looked up quickly, her face slightly fearful.

"Is the ice strong enough? I do not wish to fall in. I would imagine it to be very cold."

"That it would be, my lady, but we are safe."

The pair skated along the ice, speeding up even more, for the next quarter hour. Fin managed to stay on her feet, much to her surprise. Elrohir, who was more daring, managed to fall several times when attempting a more complicated movement.

Elladan watched his younger twin and Fin dancing along the ice. There was a look of wonder on her face and he wondered at that moment why he had never noticed before how attractive she was. Leave it to Elrohir to notice, he thought. He always did have an easier time when it came to the fairer beings of their race.

Elladan felt the need to be heading back and he called to the two to return. Fin responded with a slight frown, but headed back to the shore. She had never really participated in any activity that had not been done to ensure her own or someone else's survival. She reached the edge of the ice and turned to Elrohir, who was still many yards away. He bowed deeply to her, and then twirled in a circle. Suddenly, his feet shot out from underneath him and he landed hard on his backside.

A loud cracking sound could be heard, and Fin watched in horror as the ice began to split under Elrohir. She quickly lunged to his side, grabbing him by the sleeve and pulled him to safety. Elrohir felt his suddenly racing heart slow as he reached the safety of the shoreline. He looked behind him to see Elladan laughing.

"It would serve you right to fall in, foolish brother."

"Ell, would you be able to explain to father why you were bringing your brother home encased in a block of ice?"

"Nay, I would merely push you next to the fire, and keep father occupied until you were thawed out."

Fin stared from one to the other and finally gave way to the fit of giggles.

"You are both too much. Though you did give my heart quite a scare. You need to be more careful. I do not think your horse would want to carry a cold, wet, shivering elf home!"

The three elves turned to their horses. Elladan helped Fin mount the beautiful bay that had been lent to her and they turned and headed back to Rivendell.

"I want to thank you for allowing me to come with you on this hunt. I am most grateful to your father for granting me asylum in your home. I have never known such kindness."

"It is our pleasure, Fin. You are a most enjoyable companion, and a wonderful skating partner!"

"It was beautiful there, by the lake. I would very much like to come back. It is peaceful."

"We shall, but you are not to return alone. It is far enough from Rivendell for there to be many dangers, possibly orcs included."

They rode through the afternoon, talking and joking together. The sun was just setting as they approached the home of Lord Elrond. Fin sighed as she took in the beauty of structures, gardens, statues, and fountains. She would never tire of the sight of this place.

As they approached the house, they saw a stable hand leading two horses toward the stables, one of them a familiar gray horse. The horse turned its head toward them as they dismounted and nickered a greeting. Their own horses returned the greeting.

"If I am not mistaken, that is Legolas' horse." Elrohir mounted the steps two at a time with the thought of meeting their friend from Mirkwood. Elladan and Fin followed close behind. Fin was happy that Legolas was here; she had missed him.

As they walked down the hall, they noted Elrohir stopped outside the door to their father's study. They could hear raised voices within.