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Chapter 5

Arrival

They had all been wrong about the arrival of the storm for they did not manage to outride it because it hit just after dawn with strong winds blowing the snow sideways which in turn, lowered the visibility to almost nothing. With Imladris being just hours away, however, the travelers decided to ride through the storm instead of seeking shelter and waiting it out and soon all three of them were covered in snow. Aragorn as well as his sister were both soaked and Legolas had to endure some very sarcastic remarks from a certain cranky ranger about how he did not want to hear how elves did not feel the cold like humans did. Legolas just chuckled.

Anayah had taken her black cloak out of her pack and had but found it useful for awhile but by the time they finally crossed the Ford of Bruinen, she was about as cold as she had ever been in her life. Even though she was an elf, extreme temperatures often plagued her as much as they did humans and this was something she blamed on the non-elvish side of her family. Then, as quickly as the storm had hit, it was over, seeming almost reluctant to pass over the river into a land fiercely protected by its elven inhabitants.

The gates of Imladris were in sight when suddenly, from overhead, Shakir called to his Lady. Looking up, Anayah received his mental message then setting her heels to her horse, drew her sword and lunged in front of Aragorn's horse just as two mounds of snow, one on either side of the road, came to life. Elias rose to his full height, screaming a challenge and Shakir stooped, talons extended.

The actions of elf, horse and falcon took everyone by surprise including the two, hooded, would-be attackers. Aragorn reacted instinctively.

"Anayah ... no! Call Shakir off!"

Without hesitation, Anayah raised her fist in the air and opened it. Seeing the signal, Shakir pulled out of his dive and passed over the heads of the attackers without touching them.

Aragorn dismounted and walked over to the first hooded figure who was sitting on the ground with his hand over his heart.

"Estel, I think I have just had about a thousand years of my life scared right out of me."

Reaching down to his foster brother, Aragorn helped him to his feet.

"Serves you both right. For once the two of you have been outpranked!"

Turning to his sister he calmly told her that the two attackers were his brothers.

Both figures, now unhooded and standing, looked from Aragorn to Anayah then to Elias who was dancing in place, still suspicious of the newcomers as was his rider who, still not having sheathed her sword was glaring at all of them. Then Elrohir greeted Anayah by placing his hand over his heart and bowing his head.

"Greetings, sister and welcome to Imladris."

As he walked toward her and extended his hand, she visibly flinched. Elias took a step backward then settled while overhead, Shakir called out questioningly and Elrohir paused then looked at Aragorn.

Legolas rode his horse up next to Anayah.

"Anayah, it's ok. As Estel said, these are his brothers. The one on your left is Elrohir, Ro, for short if you really want to irritate him. This one," he said gesturing towards the twin nearest him, "is Elladan, or Dan, if you prefer. As you will soon find out, jokes like these are common place and usually non-stop when your brother and the twins are together."

Elladan walked up to the horse Legolas sat on and, after greeting Anayah, spoke to Legolas.

"Do not just single us out my friend. I could regale our new sister with many tales, some of which include a certain Prince of Mirkwood!"

They all laughed then and even Anayah managed a tentative smile. Estel wisely suggested they all adjourn to Imladris for he had seen Anayah shiver. Sheathing her sword, she extended her left hand to Elladan and when he looked at her questioningly, she replied.

"I believe courtesy has been observed and should be returned. I am offering you a ride back to your home."

Smiling, Elladan took the offered hand and leaped lightly onto the horse behind the she-elf. Elrohir did the same behind Aragorn and from his balcony where he had observed the whole incident, Elrond smiled.

TBC