Dark Riders

(Cosmos or Serena will be called Ithil for right now. It's her elven name.)

Ithil woke with a start, her senses screaming that danger was coming..and fast. She threw back the covers and scrambled out of bed. Grabbing her cloak, she ran from the room in a near blind panic. She made her way down the hall from her room, which Butterbur had given her, to where Strider and the hobbits were staying. Quietly opening the door, Ithil slipped in. She shut it softly and looked up, only to see Strider staring at her with a small smile on his face. Wondering why the ranger was staring at her so intently, Ithil looked to her left at a mirror and blushed. The cloak helped but she was still half dressed and her hair was down. Overall her appearance reminded her of a time when she would consistently run late and usually either ended up falling, smacking into someone, or realizing that she had forgotten key parts of her outfit. Strider chuckled and looked back out of the window, the sound broke her musing of the past. Ithil walked over and sat next to him, trying as much as she could to appear as if it didn't effect her at all.

"Perhaps you can explain what is so funny, Strider?"

Strider looked at her. "I never have seen an elf so flustered before."

Ithil bit her lip, "I sense evil coming this way, and I came to warn you. Besides, I'm a Lunarian elf."

"A Lunarian elf? I haven't heard of that kind of elf, except in legends."

Ithil glared at Strider for a moment hearing the amusement in his voice then shrugged, "Believe what you will."

The ranger laughed at the pout now on Ithil's face. "I wasn't making sport of your race. I just have not heard of a Lunarian elf. Would you tell me of them?"

Ithil looked at him for a moment before turning away slightly. "Lunarian elves are similar to the other races of elves. The only difference is that we tend to be more powerful during a full moon, and have deep connections to the moon and it's properties."

"I see. Is that why your hair is silver?" Strider asked then regretted it. The pained look the crossed Ithil's face pulled on him.

"No." Ithil slowly said after a moment, "My hair is silver for a reason. Normally it would be either a soft grey or blonde."

Ithil expected the ranger to ask why hers was silver, but she was greatful when he returned to silence. She shifted and pulled her cloak around her. A thought crossed her mind. When she had been jolted out of bed by the evil, her first thought was to run to Strider. Now that she was in the room, she felt...safe. Ithil shook her head a bit to get rid of the thoughts, placing them in the rubbish category in her mind. She had only just met him, so those kinds of thoughts didn't belong in her mind.

Ithil looked at the sleeping hobbits and she studied each of them carefully. A soft smile graced her lips as she guessed the personalities of each of them. Strider followed her gaze then turned to look out of the window. He studied her out of the corner of his eye. Her silver hair framed her face and she had a melancholy look on her face. He wondered what would make an elven maiden so sad and why when she had been talking, has she seemed to be stricken. He turned his gaze fully to the outside. He couldn't worry about the maid, there were bigger problems. Ithil glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and then closed them, intending to try to get some more sleep.

The screams from outside awoke Ithil not that much later. She looked around the room and noticed that now the four hobbits were awake. Turning, she looked at Strider. Frodo, the hobbit that Ithil had thought to save earlier, looked pale, drawn.

"What are those things?"

Ithil looked toward Strider also, wondering why they seemed familiar. Strider looked away from the window.

"They are the Nazgul. They were once men, great kings of men. But they fell to the power of the ring and became shadows. They are neither living or dead. Only the purpose of serving the ring and Sauron keeps them here. They constantly feel the pull of the one."

Ithil paled and looked toward the window. Her urge to flee was great, but deep down, she knew that to be save she had to stay here, hidden from the gaze of the Nazgul. Their screams pierced the air again and Ithil grasped her head, trying to drown out the sound. A strange chant filled her mind. Ithil tried to force it out, to ignore it, but it increased and soon she felt her limbs numb. Through a haze, she heard Strider calling out her name. She looked up and shook her head, trying to clear her mind and body of the evil. Ithil slowly moved to a standing position and attempting to walk toward the door. A rushing sound filled her ears and she closed her eyes. Blackness invaded her senses and she willingly gave over to the peace that it offered.

A cool cloth was placed over her forehead and it jolted Ithil back awake. She looked at Strider, who was sitting next to her, and the four concerned hobbits near her. She smiled weakly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know that the Wraiths affected me so."

Strider shook his head. "You're lucky that I caught you before your head connected with the floor. Besides, don't worry about it. You seemed to be more effected by the Black Breath then normal people. (1)"

Ithil sat up and rubbed her head. "Why are the Nazgul here?"

The hobbits looked at each other nervously. Finally, Frodo looked at her and pulled out a ring. He held in on a chain, but it lay in his hand at the moment. Ithil looked at the ring, hearing the same whispering in the back of her mind as she had earlier. Now it was clear, telling her to take the ring. Her eyes slowly looked up at Frodo, who was currently staring at her with a worried look. Suddenly it hit her, this is why this hobbit seemed to be carrying a burden. She smiled and turned her gaze slightly away from the ring and Frodo relaxed slightly.

"They are after the ring, Lady Ithil. I'm supposed to take it to the Prancing Pony and meet with Gandalf, but he was not here. Now I don't know where to go."

Strider moved a bit, "Take it to Rivendell. Lord Elrond would be able to council you on what to do next."

Ithil smiled softly and nodded. "Allow me to go with you. I have to travel to Rivendell to see my uncle, and I wouldn't mind the company."

"I don't want you to get hurt…"

Ithil laughed, "Frodo, don't worry. I've been in worse situations then this. Besides, I can help you, maybe."

"I will also be going with you. I know the way to Rivendell and can take you on the back roads, to avoid the Nazgul."

Ithil looked at him quizzically, but decided to go with what ever plan the ranger came up with. Even though her powers of Cosmos allowed her access to more knowledge then a normal person, she still did not know the details of Middle Earth like Strider might. Her hand drifted up to her necklace. Her fingers traced the crescent moon and she waited for Frodo to make a decision. The young hobbit was already troubled and Ithil knew that eventually he would crumble. But how for long? Frodo looked up at everyone.

"I'll go to Rivendell."

Ithil nodded and stood up, walking out of the room. Strider followed close behind, intent on getting some answers. He gently grabbed her arm stopping her. She turned her head and looked at him.

"Yes?"

Strider was slightly unnerved by the sadness in her silver eyes. "Why are you helping out? Do you work for the Dark Lord?"

Ithil smiled softly, "I am helping because Frodo is carrying an item of great power, but a dark power. I also am traveling to Rivendell so now I can get two birds with one stone. No, I don't work for Sauron. I despise that man and everything he stands for. Now, any other questions?"

Strider looked at her a moment then laughed. Her face showed a hint of annoyance and amusement. "I'm sorry, Lady Ithil. I just have been more warily these last few weeks. We'll set out in the morning."

1) The Black Breath was mentioned in the books and I thought that it was an important item the movies missed.