Author's note: I have a question for any people who review my story. Does anyone know when the extended edition of the Return of the King come out in the UK? As I do not seem to be able to find the date anywhere and I really want to get this version but don't know when it is due for release!

Also I will warn you that I cannot come up with any decent names for chapters so you might get some very simple and stupid titles, for that I apologise!

Disclaimer: Normal legal mumbo jumbo ... none of Tolkien's characters are mine, just Alasse and the plot line!

Chapter 2: Travelling

The prospect of leaving the only place that she could call home resulted in Alasse to remain awake for the whole night, even though Haldir slept soundly next to her; hardly moving except for the slow rising and falling of his chest. She smiled as he parted his mouth slightly, and it was then more than ever that she realised that leaving Lothlorien would be the hardest challenge she had ever faced. As quietly and as swiftly as she could, Alasse crept out of bed and draped her travelling cloak over her shoulders. Making her way out onto the dimly lit balcony; glittering with early morning dew and sunlight. Not a sound escaped the woods; this was how Alasse loved Lothlorien. This was when her home was at its best. She felt a soft breeze hit her face, which were cold and she suddenly realised that she had been crying. Hastily, she wiped the tears from her face and return to her room to get dressed.

Not taking her eyes off Haldir's sleeping form, she quickly got dressed. A soft moan was heard from the other end of the room, and Alasse saw Haldir slowly opening his eyes. She walked over to him and sat on the bed.

"Go back to sleep." She whispered, stroking his forehead gently. "I do not leave for two hours yet."

"I cannot sleep now." He replied stubbornly, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Are you ready?"

"Just a few unessential items that need to be packed," answered Alasse, taking Haldir's hand, "and then I shall be fully prepared for travelling."

Haldir smiled, and even though he had been telling Alasse to follow her destiny and go to Rivendell, he had a horrific feeling in the back of his mind. That the next time they met would be the last that something would prevent them being together. This voice told him that one of them was going to die. He shook his head at the very concept of this as just sadness of her parting. He was going to miss her like he would miss the very air he breathed.

"Promise me something." Voiced Alasse many moments later. "Promise me that we will be together again; that we shall be married."

"I promise Alasse." Croaked Haldir, feeling a dreading sensation rising in the pit of his stomach. "On my life – I promise you."

Alasse let out a heavy sigh as she left the woods of Lothlorien behind her, but she couldn't bring herself to look back. For she knew that if she did, then it would be impossible for her to continue her journey to Rivendell. She lightly nudged her horse and he broke into a slow trot and she caught up with her companions. They, like Alasse, seemed to feel saddened at the prospect of leaving their home. Even her horse Alatariel had her head bowed and seemed somewhat melancholy.

"Captain Alasse." Voiced an Elf by the name of Nienna Carnesir. "We must press on; it would be wise to reach the pass of Caradhras before nightfall."

"I am sorry friend," sighed Alasse, "it seems that my mind is still back in the Golden Woods."

Nienna gave Alasse her usual warm, comforting smile and returned her gaze to the horizon. The misty mountains loomed over them like some giant of the land, blocking the early morning sunlight at their base and holding as many gruesome creatures as Mordor itself. Alasse had of course walked this path before, for her time as a ranger had taken her to many places. She smiled fondly at the memory of her adventures, and her heart wished for those times again. Now the whole of Middle Earth was under threat, and she could not help but be grieved for the carefree times that they had lost.

By midday, they we not one league away from the pass and had stopped to rest their horses. For it would be a long and arduous journey over the pass, and even though her horse would no doubt cope, Alasse was not going to take any chances. She settled on the softest bit of grass she could find and reached for her pack, taking out some Lembas bread. It was not the most wholesome of the Elven food, but it did satisfy the hunger. As she took her first bite of her less than ample lunch, she caught a glimpse of travellers on the horizon.

"Nienna! Melawen!" She called to her companions and pointed at the figures on the horizon.

Upon seeing what Alasse was pointing at, they, like her, unsheathed their swords and followed Alasse as she headed towards the small company.

"Halt!" She yelled as loud as her voice box would allow. "Identify yourselves!"

The company stopped immediately, and Alasse rapidly began to feel extremely foolish. The band of travellers consisted of Prince Legolas of Mirkwood and his own companions. He gave her a quizzical look and dismounted his horse. He strode towards her and she bowed, showing him that she had realised who he was.

"I do not think I need to." Replied Legolas lightly. "Although, I think identification on your part is required."

"I apologise for my foolishness Your Highness." She said, a blush rising in her cheeks. "I am Alasse Anwarunya, Ranger of the South and Captain of the Lothlorien Guard." She bowed once more.

"Ah yes, I have heard of you Captain." He said a little more friendly, although Alasse was not sure whether this was good or bad. "Are we allowed to continue our journey to Rivendell without further interruptions?"

"Then you have been summoned by Lord Elrond." Questioned Alasse, replaced her sword back into its scabbard.

"That we have, and I take it you have also?" Legolas answered.

"Indeed Your Highness." Said Alasse, feeling slightly more relaxed. "May we travel together?"

Legolas smiled politely. "It seems the sensible action to take."

It was as the sun was fading below the horizon line, that they seven travellers reached the shadows of the Misty Mountains. The pass of Caradhras hidden in the vapour of the low lying clouds, some light and wispy, other dark grey and threatening the company with heavy blizzards. Alasse wrapped her travelling cloak tightly around her shoulders and shivered, the temperature dropped and they began the ascent.

Wind and snow lashed at their faces making it almost impossible to see where they were going, and so had to rely on the sight of their horses to guide them through the pass. Many a time, Alasse heard the sound of someone's voice, but could hardly make out what they were saying, as the roar of the wind drowned them out. Every other pace her horse stumbled, and at one point Alasse almost toppled over the edge but was able to pull herself back onto her horse. She could tell that Legolas was surprised to find a female Captain of the Guard, and it occurred to her the he seemed to feel that he was superior. Of course he's a Prince, but that did not give him the right to think that he was above her. She was just as good as he was, and she felt a burning desire to prove it.

Alasse chanced a look at the sky, but could not see through the ceiling of snow so she had no idea what time it was. Hopefully they would make it to Rivendell just after dawn that is if the elements allowed a smooth passage. She felt someone ride up beside her; she turned to see that Legolas was looking at her, himself windswept and cold.

"I make it just after midnight." He called against the wind. "We should arrive in Rivendell in the late hours of the morning."

"That is, if we can get through this pass." Alasse shouted back.

Legolas smirked and fell back to check on his own companions. Alasse sighed against the wind and urged her horse forward, not it made any difference, and the wind slowed them down almost to a complete stop. The ever falling blanket of snow creating a wall in front of her, and every pace forward was an enormous strain on Alatariel. It seemed that it would take a whole lifetime to reach Rivendell, forever trapped on the mountain; no way off.

"I see the end of the pass!" Shouted Nienna, almost five hours later.

Sure enough as they struggled to look over a small hill on the pass, Alasse could just make out sea of green. Woods sprang up out of the corner of her eyes and a long clear blue river snaked through the valley like a snake searching for its prey. Alasse breathed out a deep sigh of relief and gently nudged Alatariel forward, whose spirit seemed to have returned at the smell of grass. Legolas rode up beside her, his liberation matching hers.

"I did not think I would see the grass again." He chuckled gratefully at the sight of the forests ahead.

Alasse merely smiled back and broke into a canter down the steep sides of Caradhras, laughing hysterically as the green grew nearer. It felt like a lifetime since her departure from Lothlorien, leaving behind her home ... and Haldir. She suddenly realised with a pang of guilt, that she had not given Haldir a single thought for over a day now. What happened if she stayed away for so long that she fell out of love with him? Trying not to dwell on this thought, she concentrated her focus on dodging the jagged rocks that were littered on the mountainside as if some one had carelessly dropped them on their ascent. The cold air left her frozen face, and the warm, comforting wind of low lying land greeted her. The snow ceased its fury and she was able to see clearly the beauty of the land that lay below her. She skidded to a halt on a narrow ledge, only half a mile above the soothing grass. She turned on Alatariel to check that the others had followed her, and sure enough seconds later, Nienna, Melawen, Legolas and his companions all arrived by her side.

"At last!" Exclaimed Melawen delightfully, scanning the horizon as if she had never seen it before.

"I think that we should delay no longer." Stated Avarin, the eldest of Legolas' companions.

"I think you are right my friend." Sighed Legolas, clicking his horse forwards and motioning for the others to follow him.

The descent was slower than Alasse would have liked, due to the underestimated steepness of the sides of the mountain. Nonetheless, the thought of Rivendell kept her going on this last leg of the journey. She had forgotten the inconveniences of travelling, and even though she had enjoyed her time as a ranger, she now preferred to stay in one place. But after the death of her mother and father, it was the easiest release from her pain.

Author's note: I know this is a very random statement, but did you hear that Peter Jackson is going to make The Hobbit after he has finished with King Kong?! How cool is that gonna be?! Anyway, I hope like! Read and review please!!