Chapter 2: Cities and Meetings

Athenia awoke slowly, gingerly trying not to hurt her side any more than it already was. She opened her eyes, and saw that she was in a clean, white room, bare of any furnishings save a bed, table and wardrobe. Sitting up, she saw a warm green cloak slip from her shoulders.

Cautiously looking around, she noticed her saddlebags on the table, along with her weapons. I must go thank whoever helped me. Even though I could have survived without help. She thought to herself. They definitely can't be orcs, with a room like this. Tentatively examining her injury, she saw that it had been carefully been bandaged, and ointment had been applied.

Walking over to her saddlebags, she took out a dark red tunic, white breeches, cloak, and boots, and belted on her sword and boot daggers. She then stepped outside. She saw that she was on the balcony of a huge telain built about 12 feet off of the ground.

Not quite ready to bend down and go on the ladder, she took a step back, and jumped. Landing cat-like on the ground, she stood up shakily and walked over to two, what looked like Marchwardens that stood talking.

Rumil's POV

Orophin and I stared in shock at the young woman that had just jumped out of Haldir's telain.

"That was surprising." Orophin whispered in my ear. "Hello." He said striding up to meet the tall woman. "You are..?" He asked in Westernling. The Lady bowed in a foreign fashion.

"My name is Athenia Damarian." She said in lightly accented Elvish. "I was just wondering who I should return this to." She said lightly, holding up Haldir's cloak. I paused, looking at her. She had pointed ears and onyx hair falling to her hips, beside an engraved sword. But the thing that really held my attention were her eyes. They were a light ice blue, and they showed dangerous intelligence and knowledge.

"My name is Rumil, and this is Orophin." I said, indicating to my younger brother. She smiled. "And I can show you to Haldir, if you would like."

"You are talking about me?" A voice suddenly asked. Orophin and I turned to our brother.

Athenia's POV

I turned to face another soldier. He had hair as light as sunrise, but eyes that were cold and hard, eyes I had seen before. I shivered inwardly. Instantaneously regaining my composure, I bowed with a smile.

"Haldir, meet Athenia Damarian, she is here to return your cloak." The soldier I knew as Rumil said. He nodded.

"It is nice to meet you." I said calmly. The elf nodded again.

"Is there anything you would like?" He asked, warming slightly. I nodded, wanting to see Mandarb.

"My horse. He is in the stable?" I asked. He nodded, offering an arm.

"If you wish, I will show you to it." I nodded, taking a step forward.

We strolled over to a small stable, only housing about 15 horses. Messengers, I thought vaguely. The elves I had seen were dressed differently then others I was more familiar with, with clothes that reflected their home. Strolling down the various stalls, I stopped at my horse.

A coal colored Andalusian; Mandarb had been with me since he was a foal. He whinnied when he saw me, and I stepped into the stall, rubbing my hand down his flank. Haldir stood patiently outside the stall as I checked my horse for any signs of injury. The elves had taken good care of him, and he looked like a little pleasure pony instead of the brave warhorse that he was.

"Do you think that I could request an audience with Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn?" I asked the tall elf after checking my horse's tack.

He shook his head. "I believe that the Lord and Lady are busy." I bristled at his cold indifference, all traces of friendship gone. He compensated, noticing my dislike.

"I must give my report in several hours. You could come with my brothers and I." I nodded, still angry. He made it seem like meeting the leaders of the huge forest was an honor I didn't deserve.

OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Do I see some friction between Athenia and Haldir??? Perhaps. So, next chapter posted too, so review both and I'll give you a cookie.

Legolas: Cookie. What's that?

SE: Well they are fed to people who do something nice for someone else.

Legolas: Oh. Can I have one?

SE: What are you going to do for me?

Okay, I am going to wisely stop here. So remember, REVIEW!!! (and oh yeah, I fixed the formatting. I think it's okay.)