I'mela en'i'ilfirin:

The Love of the Immortal

Chapter 1: Ripa (Flight)

I've got to keep running.

They're closing in.

Must…keep…running.

Her thoughts were jagged as she ran from the pursuing band of orc. Each step was taken in protest of her overworked muscles. Once pale blond hair, now had mud caked in various places. Her grey eyes that usually sparkled with light and amusement, now only showed overwhelming despair.

She'd been running away from her home on the shores of the Lake Gatheral for days. She had no horse, and even with her elven endurance, was near exhaustion.

"Eryn Lasgalen," she murmured as she saw the thick trees rapidly approaching. Her pace slowed for a moment as she stared at the massive amount of great pines ahead. She admired the forest's beauty for a moment, before quickly regaining the direness of the situation and starting back at her normal speed.

Chancing a glance over her shoulder, she noticed that she had managed to put a little more distance between herself and the yrch, but not nearly as much as she had hoped. She turned back to face her destination ahead and felt a glimmer of hope. If there were any possibility that they would stop their advances, it would be if she entered the realm of Mirkwood.

With newfound strength, she pushed her cramped legs to their limit and sprinted under the dark canvas of the trees. Light soon began to grow scarce and the elf slowed down to a steady jog, which in turn, diminished to an uneasy walk.

She was panting heavily when she finally realized that the orc had stopped at the entrance of the forest, emitting angry cries at their lost charge. With sudden realization at her lack of water, her eyes began instinctively searching the ground for anything drinkable. Having nothing within sight, she began stumbling along the darkened path, not even taking the precaution of using her stealth and walking silently. If she drew the attention of any of the dark creatures, she knew that she would be no match, but did nothing to quiet her strides. With any luck, she would be heard by elven scouts.

I've got to find help, she thought after over an hour of painstaking search.

Her senses were becoming useless. She heard nothing but her hearts pounding, saw only the dark, tilted ground, felt only the blood rapidly pulsing through her body, tasted the bitterness in her mouth and on her lips, and only faintly smelled the dried orc blood radiating off her own body. Her brain was beginning to shut down from its excessive amount of overload without rest, and she knew that if she didn't find someone soon, she would be lost to the world.

Perhaps it was her intent focus on moving one foot forward at a time that made her over look the obvious presence of others, but when she finally brought her gaze up from the angled ground, grey eyes met green. With a small cry, she uttered, "Thank the Valar," before passing out into the arms of an elven stranger.

End Chapter

A/N: Hey! I thank you for reading the first chapter in my story. I know it's rather short, but it's essential in order for the plot to pick up from here. I feel the need to say that this story will not be totally canon. Some of the places may not totally exist (ex. Lake Gatheral. I totally made that up) and some characters may be a little out of character, but that's how I'm writing my fiction. If you don't like it, by all means, don't continue reading this, but if you are deciding to give this fic a chance, thank you! Please review on what you thought of this first chapter.

Xoxo,

Sammie