NOTE: to answer your question, grandimagination, I don't have the story previously written out. The plot is all in my head, and whatever comes out on paper I don't plan, but I let the plot and ideas in my head guide my writing. Thanks again so much for the review grandimagination! Since you never fail to give me a review for each chapter, I'll be waiting for your review for this chapter, because I've decided to change the name of my story, and I wanted to make sure you knew before I did. I will be changing it to "Rush to the Stars" so after I post this chapter, please let me know in a review that you saw the note so I can change the title. If anyone else is keeping up with the story, please give me a review for this chapter telling me you've seen the note that I'm changing the title, so I don't leave anyone out wondering what happened to "One's Own Path." Hope you guys like this one! Oh, and the symbols are working now, woo!

TRADING LIFE: 12

The sky hadn't a cloud to show off, and the wind blew gently into a breeze. Rays of sunshine beat down to earth, reflecting light on everything touched, including the seven companions traveling parallel to the River Anduin. Like their kin years before, they were set on a journey to accomplish a quest. The six horses they rode on, only trotted through the open fields, for they were ahead of their schedule, as they headed North to their destination, individually having so much upon their thoughts that the silence between them was nothing more than appreciated. Though Amdiriel, Nestor and Arodiel felt guilty for having accompanied the boys, for now Eldarion, Anarion and Laurelas were refraining from speaking to them, angry that they were disobeyed. The boys were angry more due to the fact that now they had no choice but to take along the three maidens, for it would be dangerous to send them back alone, and their sisters were putting themselves in more danger than they knew. Ewan was last in the line, and could sense the tension between his traveling company, and decided to break the ice.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" Ewan asked, looking up to the sky and smelling the air. The others ignored him, clearly brushing off his useless statement. "I mean, just look at it, not a cloud in the sky and the sun shining so brightly over us, it's truly amazing. Makes you forget why were out here, huh?" he tried again, smiling as he lead his horse to the head of the company, passing the three girls on his left and the three boys to his right.

"Some of us shouldn't even be here," Eldarion retorted, throwing a glance at his oldest sister, undoubtedly knowing it was her idea to come. Amdiriel only looked down to avoid his glance, feeling a bit guilty. Laurelas took notice of Amdiriel's guilt, and attempted to lighten the mood, for in truth Laurelas could never really stay angry with the girls, he knew their intentions to be in the right place.

"But it is a privilege to have a variety of company here, isn't it?" Eldarion looked to Laurelas, who only smiled at him, as Eldarion's features softened, signaling the alleviation of his heart. He looked back at Amdiriel, as she looked to him with doubtful eyes, and smiled at her, assuring her she was forgiven. Amdiriel smiled back, then looked ahead to notice Ewan take a glimpse at the two, satisfied that all was well.

NORTHERN WASTE

"Erurg, if you fail, my sword will be the only thing to greet you when you return." The words of Ainik burned in the Uruk's mind, as he was traveling through Middle Earth, only heading south as his guide, looking for the two children of royalty who had caused him such humiliation. He was tired, but he mercilessly pushed himself, and his equally if not more tired company that was behind him. Ainik would not let him leave without a small band of orcs to follow him. For almost two days, all Erurg heard from behind him were moans and groans and complaints from the orcs, never giving his mind a moments rest. He'd give the party break, however, for he himself felt the need to respite his legs, but only for a few moments. With a roar of his voice, the orcs would begin their chorus of complaining to get up and drag their carcasses following the great Orc. The sun was now beginning to set, and Erurg knew the night would equally work to his benefit, as it would endanger his mission, for it was the darkness that had clouded his vision, and blinded him from seeing the golden-haired princess be taken from under his nose. From a small hill that was formed of rocks, he looked out to a clearing, and to his surprise saw what looked like a small blur, but as it approached closer he realized it to be a small riding company, the exact one he was looking for. "They will set up camp here in this clearing," he thought to himself, and quickly turned to his group. "SHHHH! Shut your mouths! Keep quiet! We've found them at last, we will wait for tonight to attack." Almost instantly the idioms of the orcs changed, from whiny to absolutely excited.

ROHAN

"Éomer?" Éomer turned to see Lothíriel standing behind him, her head titled to try and catch a look at his face. His back was turned to her as he had been looking out of the window of his chambers. He turned completely to approach her, clasping her hands within his own, looking down to them. "What is it Éomer?"

"In my heart I know I shouldn't have let them go but I did because my head told me they were grown enough to make that decision on their own. I've been regretting it, over and over again in my mind. I should have locked them all up and kept them here until Aragorn arrived to take them home. I will not forgive myself." He was still looking down, as they both had taken a seat upon their bed.

"You cannot do this to yourself. Yes, you should have kept them here; I will not lie. But it wasn't your decision to send them off, they choose that on their own, and yes, Éomer, they are grown enough to make their own decisions, to learn from their mistakes."

"And if their mistakes gets them killed? It would be my decision that sentenced my own nephew to death; that sentenced the children of my dear friends to death. I shouldn't have let them go."

"Forgive me, but I cannot help but think that maybe this occurrence has returned the feeling of regret for the leave of our son." Éomer looked up to his wife for the first time since the beginning of their conversation. Her eyes so comforting for him, yet her words pierced his heart. He only let out a sigh, and Lothíriel knew she was right. "Éomer...."

"I know what you are going to say, Lothíriel, but you are wrong. I blame myself and no one else. I pushed him too much; I pushed him too far. He was still young, only sixteen, but I do not know where my mind was. Maybe I thought life was still the same as it was during the years of troubled times for Middle Earth, when time was so precious you could not waste a second. I forgot for a moment that my children's lives aren't as difficult as ours were, and that is the way I wanted it to be; an undisturbed life for them."

"You've provided for them so much. You are a wonderful father, and I do not blame you, no one does, and you shouldn't either. I have faith that my son will return, at the right moment."

"Yes, but every moment he hasn't returned your heart sinks just a bit more. Do not deny it, Lothíriel, I see it in your eyes. Yet another reason the guilt I feel is so immense, I've hurt you, and I know no way to forgive myself for it." Lothíriel turned her face to hide her eyes from her husband. She felt the sensation of tears beginning to surface in her eyes, and she didn't want Éomer to see it. Éomer noticed of course, but didn't push the matter, he only pulled his wife into his arms, as he laid back against the small mount of pillows set up on their bed, Lothíriel laying above him, her head rested on his chest. They needn't say anymore, and in truth Éomer hadn't known what else to say, he only laid with his wife, stroking her hair and holding her close, in attempts to comfort her as best he could.

The sun was now completely set, and the bright moon took the burning star's place, as the seven travelers set up camp in a small grouping of trees. They were only a few yards away from the borders of what had once been the lively wood of Lothlórien, and evenly only a few yards away from the bustling River Anduin. Around the fire sat the four boys, each attentively awake, to keep watch over their female companions, as they slept soundly. The silence was too much for Ewan, who felt conversation to always be a comfort for him.

"So, tell me a little of yourselves," he said to neither of the boys in particular, only waiting to see who would answer first. The boys looked up to each other, then to Ewan, wondering what had led him to wonder about the three of them. Ewan sensed neither one would go first, as he glanced to each one. "Anárion, what about you?"

"Me? What do you wish to know really?"

"Ummm, you're mother, she is the famous Éowyn; and your uncle Boromir of the Fellowship. What is like to grow into a family of such respectability?" Ewan was not only making conversation now, he wanted to speak to his cousin. He wanted to have talks with him, such like conversation that went on between two friends. Ewan remembered the little fair-haired boy who would follow him everywhere when his aunt and uncle came to visit. "This," he thought to himself "is that same boy. Look at him, he isn't a boy anymore, he's a man." As if pulled from a trance, he returned to the conversation that was beginning to form between the cousins.

"Well, I hadn't really thought about what it is like. My mother is like anyone else, and Boromir I didn't know, of course, but the stories I hear are more than enough to inspire. I used to dream of my name being mentioned in stories, with a connotation of greatness attached. When I was little, my mom used to tell me stories from Rohan, and I'd fall asleep listening to her, then dream of me being that great warrior she described only moments before," he laughed lightly looking down as if embarrassed he had revealed so much. "But it would probably never happen. My father says I'm still too impulsive to go out into a battle; he says I play with chance too much for my own good. He only worries though." Ewan chuckled lightly, seeing the fire in his cousin's eyes, admiring his eagerness to be so brave so quickly.

"Worry? You have me on the edge of my seat every time I watch you practice. Your unpredictable nature is something that makes my nerves go uneasy," Eldarion commented, as Anárion laughed, Laurelas and Ewan joining in. However, Ewan quickly stopped to listen closely behind him. He heard footsteps, heavy ones. The others hadn't seemed to notice, as they were giggling and joking with each other, but Ewan quickly warned them.

"Pick up your swords, quick," he whispered to the boys, as they looked up surprised, yet again with the young man. "Now!" he yelled in a whisper, as each one did as they were told. Ewan stood as he waited for whatever it was that was hiding behind the trees. He looked left and right, searching frantically. Laurelas immediately thought of the girls, and began to wake each one up as Anárion and Eldarion stood before him, ready to strike.

"Amdiriel..Arodiel....Nestor come on!" he called to them whispering, as he shook them lightly yet firmly to get them to wake. Fortunately, each one did, mumbling, "What's going on?" as they stood. Suddenly from behind a tree an orc jumped out at Ewan, throwing him to the ground. The sound of a large roar was let out, as followed the sounds of screams and shouts from the small company of orcs who were now surrounding the group. The boys immediately began to fight, as the girls huddled together, picking up small blades, and doing what they could. As if the thought pierced her mind, Nestor remembered what Yrumyr had told them about Amdiriel.

"Arodiel," she whispered to her friend standing next to her, "We must look out for Amdiriel." Arodiel nodded, but before they could stick to their newly made plan, a grand Uruk pushed aside the small orcs who were terrorizing them; it was now just the three girls and Erurg. He growled at Arodiel, who stood straight to face the monster, making sure to stand in front of Amdiriel. The Uruk's eyes narrowed, and in one motion picked up the girl and threw her to the side. Nestor looked to her friend, but took Arodiel's place and stood in front of her sister. "Nestor stop this!" Amdiriel said to her sister, holding her back, but Nestor could not be swayed.

"Brave of you, don't you think?" Erurg said to the girl, who only held firm where she was. Erurg huffed, and swung his full palm across Nestor's face, throwing her to the ground.

"Nestor!!" her sister called, but before she could run to her side she was grabbed at by the arm, and held back. She turned expecting to see the Uruk attached to her arm, but to her surprise it was Ewan. "Come," was all he said, as he held her by the arm tightly, and looked to see if any orcs had noticed he was slipping away, but they were kept busy by the three boys remaining. Amdiriel looked back to see what had happened to the Uruk, only to see him tied up on the ground, squirming and roaring to break free. "How did you?" but she interrupted herself when she notice Ewan leading her farther and farther away from her brother and sister. "What are you doing Ewan!! You are heading for Lorien without them? I will not.." but before she could finish Ewan stopped from his jogging, and turned her to face him. He stared at her, and for the first time Amdiriel was afraid of Ewan, the look on his face was something she had never seen.

"Do you understand what is going on here? You've been told over and over again. At least I can relax a little with your brother, he is capable of handling himself. But if they can't get to you then Ainik cannot succeed! You must stay alive!"

"And you would sacrifice the lives of my brothers and sister? The lives of your cousins?"

"Do not start this Amdiriel!! There is a bigger picture that you are forcing yourself not to see! Now COME!" Ewan grabbed her violently, and began to run dragging her with him.

Back at the camp, Erurg was screaming for his companions to untie him, as one did, hearing the large Uruk shout at the top of his lungs. When he stood, he grabbed the orc that had untied him.

"Get the boy, I am going after the girl. I will bring her back no matter what it takes. Bring the boy back to Ainik, do not wait for me," with that the Uruk dropped the orc and ran off after the two escapees. The orc stood from the ground and let out a cry, "The boy!!!" he wailed. The orcs all gathered to work together, figuring their strength in numbers would benefit them, but the three boys together were strong as well, and pushed an opening for themselves through the newly formed orc-ring that had surrounded them. They began to run in the direction of the river, making sure the two girls left were running with them before they did. When finally they reached the river, they all looked back only to hear the orcs approaching.

"What are we going to do?" Arodiel asked, panting, as were her four remaining companions. Before she was answered the orcs reached the group, and attacked savagely. They jumped on each of the five, and immediately grabbed, tied and gagged the boy, not before they problematically knocked his sword out of his hand. It took five orcs to carry the boy, who was resisting with violently jerks, but since his hands and feet were tied, he hadn't much to do. "Rid the rest of them, we will take the boy, and catch up with us later," an orc said to another, as he nodded. Laurelas saw his friend being carried away, and immediately stood to go after him, but halted when he heard a scream from behind him. He knew it immediately to be Arodiel. He saw an orc approaching her, cornering her, lifting his sword to strike her, but Laurelas quickly intervened, and stood between the orc and Arodiel, keeping the orc's sword away. But the orc was more determined, and took advantage of Laurelas' fatigue, as he hit Laurelas sword to cause his arm to open a vulnerable spot, and thrust his sword into Laurelas' unprotected shoulder. Laurelas gasped, as did Arodiel from behind him. The pain in Laurelas' shoulder was something he had never felt and blacked out from great sting and shock The orc drew his sword and attempted to strike at Arodiel, but she grabbed Laurelas' sword yelling as she jumped to counter the orc's blow. The orc was much more skilled than she, however, and quickly hit the sword out of her hand. He was about to thrust his blade into her, just as he had to Laurelas, but his stomach revealed the point of sword coming through, and the orc fell to the ground, dead, presenting Nestor behind him. Arodiel smiled to her, but only a small one, for she quickly motioned her to help with Laurelas.

"Help me lift him, we need to get him to.." but before Arodiel finished, she was knocked out, as was Nestor only moments later. The three orcs who had knocked them out began to drag the wilted bodies to the river, where they merciless threw the three in, one by one, then began to head in the direction of their home.

A few yards away, some five orcs were left surrounding the only member of the original seven left. With skill and precision, he swung his blade at the orcs, killing each one with moments in between. He lowered his sword, looking around and seeing no orcs in sight, which should have put him at ease, but it did nothing of the kind, for he didn't see his sister or his friends anywhere.

TBC... sorry so long, hope you liked it though!