DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything that has to do with Lord of the Rings (which I will now be calling LOTR because that is a whole lot to type). I did not own it in the last chapter, I don't own it in this chapter, and I still won't own it in the next chapter. The only things I own are Gwen and her horse, Niral. Nobody touch the horse!!!
Gwen sat on the top of Carn Dum, contemplating how she was going to reach Rivendell alive. " I don't want to have to go along the base of the mountains or into the old Witch realm. The only option then is to go the round about way," she said to her horse. That meant that she would ride along the north end of the Witch realm, and down between the North Downs and the Hills of Evendium. She would then reach the Shire, cross the Brandywine Bridge, and travel along the East Road until she reached Bree. Then it was a straight shot to Rivendell on the East – West road. " I wish that Lord Elrond had put WHEN he wanted father in Rivendell. I may be to late", she said to Niral. What does he want anyway? He only visited once, and that was a couple thousand years ago. I wonder why he never came back? she thought with an evil grin. Her father was not the easiest man to make friends with. He was always loud and half-drunk thanks to the dwarves. She only remembered one thing about Lord Elrond; he did not like dwarves. She didn't know what his problem was. In her eyes, it was perfectly normal to sit down to dinner with dwarves. What she did not realize, even to this day, was that other elves did not like dwarves. She continued planning and thinking as she rode Niral along the rim of the Witch realm.
" Are you sure that the Angmar Elves still exist, Gandalf?" questioned Lord Elrond.
" I have faith that at least one will come. And one will be all that we need. These elves have a large army and will give aid, should the need arise" replied Gandalf. They were both in Rivendell, on a balcony. Gandalf had just returned from Orthanc. Frodo had not yet arrived.
" I journeyed there long ago. They are VERY different from us. Are you sure that they will help?" Lord Elrond asked.
" My old friend, though they are different, you must remember that they are still elves. I am positive that they will help in any way possible."
The moment that Elrond and Gandalf were discussing this, Gwen was searching for a secure place to camp. She had seen an orc patrol earlier that day, but they could not see her because she had blended in with the shadows because she was dressed in black and Niral was black. It was not safe to camp out in the open or deeper into the Witch realm. She would have to find a place that would be easy to hide and would be a vantage point if she were attacked. Eventually she spotted an old hollow. She sat on her horse a short distance from it for a couple of hours to be sure that an orc patrol would not pass it. None did. She waited a few more moments, then swiftly rode into the hollow. " We will not be able to have a fire tonight," she spoke to the night air. Niral lay down besides her. Eventually, the two drifted off to sleep, unaware of the group of Orcs that were heading their way.
Lord Elrond was growing anxious. Although all the members of the council were not yet there, he was in serious doubt that an elf of Angmar would show up. He could not stall the council once all the members were present. He was not even sure that his messenger had made it to Angmar. It was a very dangerous road. Yet he had faith in Gandalf's word. He would wait.
Gwen was awakened quite rudely by something tickling her ear. She swiped at it and felt a sharp sting in her palm. Her head jerked up and she saw that the leering faces of Orcs surrounded her. They had taken her weapons and one was holding onto Niral, who was rearing and rolling her eyes in fright. Instantly she was on her feet, anger flashing in her eyes. I can't believe that the first night I am away from home, I am ambushed. Well, there should be enough to make it fun, she thought. Aloud, she said, " Give me back my weapons and let me go. Oh, and give me back my horse." The Orcs all thought that this was terribly funny. All they say was a slender elf maid clad in a black tunic with no weapons. " What'll you do if we don't, eh missy? Chop our heads off with a blade of grass? HAHAHA!!! As you can see, we have all your weapons, and you ain't got nothin'! Who's gonna protect you, princess?" said one of the Orcs. Moving faster than the Orcs could see, Gwen drop – kicked the orc with her sword, picked it up, and slew him with a single thrust. Turning to face the other Orcs, she said, with an evil grin, " Okay, who wants to go next?" An orc that was brandishing one of her daggers ran forwards. Gwen stuck the tip of her sword in the ground, kicked one of her legs up, and caught the orc under the chin with her boot. The orc's head snapped back, breaking his neck. Gwen reached over and picked up her dagger. " Hey, you!" she said to the Orc that was holding her other dagger " I will be taking that back. You have the choice of being alive or dead when I take it. So make your choice!" The orc lunged at her. She waited until he was within striking distance, then she deftly swung her sword out and took off his head. She then retrieved her other dagger. Looking at the Orcs, she said, " You just don't get it, do you? Can your pea – sized brains not comprehend that I want all my things back and I will kill whoever stands in my way?" she looked at them with one eyebrow raised. The Orcs looked at each other, trying to decide if that was a compliment or an insult. They thought for too long. Gwen killed the orc that was holding Niral, mounted her, and galloped off as fast as she could, leaving the Orcs standing there in shock.