Author's Note: Thanks to all of those who reviewed my last chapter! It meant the world to me! Anyways, there were a few things that people said in their reviews that I want to mention. First of all, Whitedino mentioned that the elves were a little rude to the girls and that it was out of character. I do think that as well, but I did it the way I did because I was thinking that because it's during the War of the Ring, elves are going to be a little cautious around others when it comes to who's trespassing on their land. Second, Grace asked when I was going to update my other story. As soon as I'm done with this one, I will begin on the other one again. For right now, I just want to focus one thing. Anyways, thanks again and enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own "The Lord of the Rings" or any of its characters. I only own Natasha and Emily and maybe a few other new characters along the way.

Chapter 4: Flight to Rivendell

"Wake up, girl! I said, wake up!" I was roughly shaken awake and when my eyes fluttered open, I saw Elladan hovering above me. Or, at least who I thought was Elladan.

"What do you want?" I asked groggily. I yawned as I waited him for answer.

"We must get moving," he replied.

"But it's still dark. You said we had until dawn," I told him, slightly angry that he had gone back on his word. I sat up and looked him straight in the eye.

"Orcs are roaming about and I fear that they are getting closer to our campsite," Elladan said. "We must get moving."

"What will we do?"

"You are coming with us," he answered somewhat stiffly.

"But you said-"

"I know what I said, girl. But I, nor any of my companions, could ride to safety knowing that two defenseless girls were out here at the hands of the orcs," Elladan explained.

"But can't you guys take them?" I asked. He looked at me, confused.

"Take them where, exactly?"

"No," I sighed, "I meant, can't you guys kill them? Like yesterday?" He shook his head.

"There are far too many. Eighty, at least. All we have here is twenty. And besides, we are running out of food and other supplies. It would, overall, just be safer to ride back to Imladris."

"Where?" I immediately asked.

"Imladris," he repeated. At my blank look, he said, "Rivendell."

"I really have no idea what you are talking about," I told him. Elladan first gave me a surprised look then one of suspicion. After a few seconds, however, he continued talking.

"Never mind that," he dismissed it. "We shall talk later once we get to safety. For now, you must get up. The orcs become one step closer for every second we waste here talking. Your friend is over there with my brother. There is no time to eat anything, I'm afraid. We will stop late in the day for a light meal, but besides then, we will not stop until we reach Imladris."

"How far away is it?" I questioned him.

"We will not arrive until dawn tomorrow," he answered. My eyes widened, but before I could say a word, Elladan cut me off. "You need to get up. We must make haste." And with that, he walked away, immediately beginning to shout orders to his comrades in what I assumed was his native tongue.

Slowly, I pulled the blankets off of my body, gasping as the cold air hit my body. I stood shakily, and once I had gained my balance, I began walking over to Emily and who I now knew was Elladan's brother. Emily smiled at me nervously as she hugged herself tightly, fighting off the cold. I could find no words to say for the current situation, so we stood in silence. Elrohir then walked off without a word and we watched as he conversed with his brother.

"What exactly are we supposed to do now?" Emily whispered to me. I shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't know," was all I could say.

"Have you ever ridden a horse before?" she asked suddenly.

"No," I replied slowly, shaking my head. "Have you?" she nodded.

"Once," she replied. "It was during a camping trip with Girl Scouts when I was nine. But it was only a four-hour trip, and it hurt my butt and thighs like hell after we were done." I winced. 'We are in for a long day and night,' I thought to myself dryly.

Emily and I stooped talking as we watched the soldiers tidy up the camp. By now, the blankets had all been picked up and the fire had been put out. Many were packing their supplies into small bags that were tied on to their horses. Others were picking up their weapons and hooking their swords to their sides and strapping their bows on to their backs.

I glanced up and stared up at the night sky thorugh the trees. Trying to calm myself, my eyes searched for the familiar constellations I had grown up with, but I frowned when I couldn't find any. And at that completely random moment, I came to realize that we were very far away from home indeed. However, I was not given the chance to dwell on the subject. Just at that moment, a large horn was heard from somewhere only about what I guessed was a few minutes away. At once, the soldiers quickly finished their tasks and began jumping on to their horses. Emily and I stared at each other, horrified.

"We must leave now," said a voice to the right. I turned to see the brothers there, weapons ready and horses beside them.

"One of you is to ride with me, the other with Elladan," spoke the other twin. Again, Emily and I looked at each other but neither of us made a move to walk towards them.

"Fine," Elladan announced after a moment. "The dark-haired one, you go with Elrohir, the other, with me." With one last glance at Emily, I walked over to Elrohir and stood awkwardly in front of him. I waited for a moment before gathering the courage to look up at him. Because I was only about five and a half feet, I practically had to tilt my head backwards to meet his eyes as he was about six foot two. His grey eyes bore down into mine and from the expression on his face, I noticed that he was waiting for me to do something. When I didn't do what he was expecting me to, he let out a short, yet very aggravated sigh.

"Please, get up on the horse. We are wasting time," he said. I glanced at the horse quickly before looking back up at him.

"I do not know how to," I replied truthfully. His expression flickered to surprise before he quickly masked it and nodded. In a flash, he jumped on to the horse and for a fleeting second, I feared that he was leaving me here. However, he offered his hand to me from up on the horse. I hesitated, but I soon remembered the horrible creatures that were quickly heading towards us. I made up my mind and grabbed his hand tightly. Elrohir's hand clasped mine steadily before he lifted me up behind him. In surprise, I wrapped my arms around his waist as I tried to regain my balance.

I closed my eyes tightly and I heard Elladan and Elrohir converse for a second before Elrohir barked out a command to all his companions that I once again did not understand. A startled gasp escaped my lips as the horse began moving. I held on tighter as I struggled not to fall off. The trees flashed by in a blur of green, and though it was still dark out, I could make out the faint forms of the other riders behind me.

At first, the feeling of the horse beneath me bothered me, but it was not completely uncomfortable. However, as time went on, it began to pain me more and more. By the time the group decided to stop for a small meal several hours later around noon, my backside was numb to the point where it wasn't even tingling any more.

I watched as Elrohir gracefully leapt off of the horse in front of me. He didn't even make a sound as his feet connected with the ground. I stared at him for a split moment before his eyes raised and met mine. His eyebrows rose as once again I was given the expectant look. I rolled my eyes but immediately groaned as I swung my leg over the horse, imitating his movements. I let out a sharp hiss as I landed back on solid ground, and if it weren't for Elrohir's quick reflexes, I would have fallen flat on my face. However, he was able to catch me and I mumbled a quiet "thank you" as my cheeks reddened furiously. The only response I got was a hasty nod.

The lunch we had consisted of the same food as the night before; a small bowl of stew that contained tiny pieces of vegetables as well as small pieces of meat and a cup of water. The atmosphere though, was quite different. No one was talking and instead of the more laid back mood of last night, tension filled the air. Emily and I did not speak one single word to each other and only two hesitant smiles were passed between us. We were both afraid that if we said anything that offended any one or the mood they were in, they would suddenly decided to leave us in the middle of the forest.

After another thirty minutes, we were back on the trail to Rivendell again. My eyes drooped and though the scenery was undoubtedly beautiful, I fell asleep. I awoke a few hours later to find that it was already practically dark. My body, particularly my thighs and rear end, was screaming in pain. The feeling of the horse running beneath me was now no more than a soft movement, but I could feel my body growing even sorer by the minute. It was obviously very painful, but I did not complain. Instead, I decided right there and then that I would never again ride a horse.

We rode straight through the night, just as Elladan had promised we would. I imagined that the horses would be fiercely tired by now, but no mercy was given to them. Instead, it almost seemed like the riders were pushing the horses even harder. I almost even voiced my concerns but decided to keep my mouth shut in order to avoid Elladan's or Elrohir's death glare.

During the last few hours of the little "trip", I amused myself by singing random songs in my head. I had first attempted to play a one-man version of I spy, but because practically everything was green, it was hardly fair. I found myself just needing to get my mind off of the fact that I was running from horribly disfigured creatures, captured by psycho men who called themselves "elves", going to a place that neither Emily nor I had ever heard of, and of course the part where my body was going numb. I truly believed that nothing could possibly get even worse than this. But of course, like the way it often happens in the movies whenever that line is said, it began to rain.

"Shit," I growled. No other word could ever be more appropriate for the situation as that one. It described just exactly what I was feeling, and despite the glare of a rider near by, I said it again.

I then closed my eyes and subconsciously buried my head on the side of Elrohir's back that wasn't covered by his bow or quiver. A few long minutes later, I heard shouting. I looked up to see that all the commotion was about. But as soon as my eyes caught sight of the valley that had suddenly appeared, I gasped. Through the rain I could see a large valley that had many rivers and waterfalls that made their way around what seemed to be a small town. But the word "town" did not suit it at all for it was too plain and simple of a word. This place was far too beautiful and serene looking that no word would ever do it justice.

"Is that Rivendell?" I asked quietly.

"Yes," came Elrohir's straight forward reply.

"It is absolutely breathtaking," I mumbled though I suspected that he heard me. He suddenly turned around and I swore that it was the first time that I had seen him or anyone else around smile. It was a very small smile, but it spoke volumes. It described the pride he felt for his home and the happiness that he felt to be home. And as we continued to make out way towards Rivendell, I found myself smiling as well, my spirits instantly uplifted.

Okay, okay, I know the ending was cheesy, but I needed a spot to end this chapter or else it would drag on for another five or six pages probably. Anyways, I'm sorry that this chapter was somewhat boring. It will get better, I promise. Obviously, they'll be in Rivendell in the next chapter so stay tuned to see what commotions and trouble they'll cause. So, on a final note, please review. I do accept constructive criticism but I will not tolerate flames. Thank you!