I have returned! Muahaha! And I have lots more written too! YAY! Am I early? I think I am. I don't know though…With that said, on with the show!

A/N: I have a poll at the end of this chapter that I would appreciate you filling out for me. You do not need to, but I would really like it if you did. Thank you!

A/A/N: I am going to change the rating to PG-13 soon, but I am not exactly sure when. I will let you know when that happens.

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Chapter 15- Something Approaches

Jaimea awoke to the sounds of horses neighing and pawing at the ground. Still not fully awake, she lethargically made her way to the window and stared down at the horses. She saw a tall elf with brown hair make his way over to one of the creatures and place his packs on its lower back. Not yet registering who it was, she then crossed the room and sorted through her closet. She noticed that some maids must have brought in some gowns and had put her tunic and leggings in the back of the closet. Subconsciously, she picked out a light blue gown. She was about to take off her night clothes when she stole another glance out of the window. Her eyes first picked up on that brown haired elf again, and then a golden haired one. When he turned, her eyes sprang open and she suddenly remembered what was going on.

We are leaving today! She shouted to herself. Without even thinking, she flung open the door and bolted down the many corridors of Rivendell.

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Norui was busy loading up his stallion when the doors suddenly burst open. Standing in the door way was a disheveled looking maiden. She was breathing heavily and her face was flushed. She then turned to him and ran down.

"I am sorry, Norui! I did not realize the time and I-" She cut herself off as she noticed the prince slowly blushing. She furrowed her brow. "My lord, what is the matter?" He shifted uncomfortably.

"Well, it is just that you are not yet, umm, presentable." He responded, embarrassed. Jaimea then looked down at her attire and blushed as well. "Forgive me, milady." Jaimea backed away.

"No, no. It is alright, I will just go get ready to leave." She said hastily, then turned around and fled, quickly turning a deep red. The others who stood nearby watched the scene, amusement twinkling in their eyes.

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About ten minutes later, Jaimea reappeared outside. She had put on blue leggings and a light purple tunic that blew out behind her in the wind and the sleeves were belled. She stood for a while, watching the others hurry around, finishing up their packing before they left. She was about to go search for her horse when someone suddenly grabbed her wrist and tugged, nearly knocking her over. She snapped her head around to the person, but then realized who it was.

"Come on, Jaimea! We are preparing to leave and you need to get ready!" Legolas urged, still pulling on her. She jerked her wrist from him.

"What is the hurry, Legolas?"

"You should have been out here long ago!" He started. "We were thinking about just leaving you behind!" The prince then snatched her wrist back and pulled her towards the forest.

They stopped not too far in at a small stream. Jaimea noticed that her mare, Anfalas, was already packed up and stood next to a stallion. The human she recognized as Estel stood by the horses, feeding them some apples. He looked up when he heard the approaching elves and smiled.

"Good morning, Legolas, Jaimea." He said. "Finally awake, I see." He said to Jaimea, grinning. She looked down at the ground.

"I am sorry for the delay, my lord. It was not intentional."

"I know, but it is alright, as long as we don't have any more delays." He replied. Legolas then broke in.

"Well, this right here is a delay! We can not waste any time!" He shouted. Legolas then grabbed Jaimea around the waist and practically threw her onto the horse. She looked at him in confusion, but he just ran off. She then turned her gaze to Estel who smiled at her.

"It is alright, Jaimea. He is just very worried about his father as are his siblings. Besides that, he is just not a morning person." He said and she nodded. Estel then mounted his horse gracefully and trotted off into the clearing to await their departure, Jaimea following.

Soon, all ten of the travelers were gathered in the clearing before the bridge. The horses nickered and pawed at the ground, sensing the tension in the air. Norui sat tall in his seat, showing no emotion on his handsome face, but was facing much depression and fear in his heart. The two sisters looked anxiously between the group and the road ahead. Legolas showed no emotion, much like Norui, but even anyone who had never met him could sense much turmoil in his young heart. He didn't even flinch when Espenshade nibbled on his ear and pecked at his tunic. Mithrandir then sat up tall in his saddle and spoke.

"Now is the time, my young friends, when you are given the option to turn back. Once we leave the safety of Imladris, you must follow the mission to what ever end it may lead." None of them showed hesitation or spoke up. Their hearts were set on destroying this creature. After meeting all of the eyes of the company, he spoke once more. "So be it. This will be a long and perilous road, filled with unwanted company. Understand this, failing this mission could very well send-" The wizard was cut off when eight horses went galloping past him, the riders laughing as they went despite the current situation. If this was going to be a long journey, they thought, they may as well try their best to make it a good one and keep their worrying bottled up. Mithrandir shook his head as one falcon passed over his head, screeching with happiness, and eventually catching up to the riders.

"Are you coming, Mithrandir?" A voice called to him from behind. The wizard looked behind him and smiled. It was Norui. The prince slowly trotted up next to the old man and he nodded.

"Yes, my lad. You go on ahead with them, Norui. I know you want to." He said with a chuckle. Norui smiled and nodded.

"Hannon le, Mithrandir, le hannon a tholel." The wizard smiled and nodded. With a kick, the prince galloped off on his stallion, quickly gaining on the ones who rode off before him, his brown hair billowing in the winds.

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Mithrandir trotted up next to the group of nine. Each lay scattered along the ground, seeming to be resting and letting the horses catch their wind. As the sound of the hoof beats caught their sensitive ears, the twins sprang up.

"It is about time, Mithrandir!" The two said in unison. The wizard came to a halt and chuckled at the two.

"Well, I, for one, am not too keen on tiring my mount early in the journey. It would be wise to take it easy for a while, and then we can push them." Elrohir snorted.

"Our horses are up for anything, unlike that flea bitten pony of yours." A small smile crept up on the Istar's lips.

"Flea bitten?" He mocked. "Well, we will just have to see about that!" He laughed, and then kicked his steed. "Run, Felaróf, show them speed!" The bay stallion reared up, then took off at an amazing speed, matching that of even a mearas.

The ones left coughed on the dust that was kicked up in the charging of the seemingly frail horse and rider. Doing their best to keep it out of their eyes and mouth, they leaped upon their horses and galloped off, laughing and shouting at the amused wizard.

Though they were closing the gap between them and Mithrandir, it was happening slowly and it seemed as if they would never catch up. Legolas then called out to his falcon.

"Fly, Espenshade! Stop him!" He shouted to her, trying desperately to control his laughter.

The Peregrin falcon cried out and flew high up into the air above the rushing plains beneath her. All, besides Legolas, stared in awe at the speed of the bird. They noticed she seemed to erupt in fire as she gained speed. They thought that she was flying faster then Shadowfax, the Lord of all Horses, could ever gallop. Within seconds, the falcon was flying right beside the wizard and horse with no effort. She wove between the legs of the speedy horse, causing it to enough to allow the nine riders behind him the catch up. Each rider past the Istar quite easily, laughing as they filed past him. The wizard shouted at them through his laughter.

"You all are dirty cheaters!" They just laughed and urged their horses on.

Once they had reached a fair distance from the wizard, they pulled their horses to a halt and hopped off, then led them to a nearby stream to drink. Soon, they heard the steady beats of the horse and turned to watch Mithrandir come galloping into the clearing with Espenshade trailing overhead. As he came to a halt, the falcon perched herself on the old man's shoulder. He quietly chuckled and scratched her head and she grabbed a lock of his gray hair and tugged gently.

Legolas patted his mare on the hindquarters, then made his way over to Mithrandir. He was not yet comfortable with the wizard, but he was able to keep his uneasiness hidden.

"Mithrandir, I am sorry about that." He said. "I should not have made her do that to you. Your horse could have been injured and so could have you." Mithrandir smiled.

"It is alright, prince, no harm done. It was just some innocent fun." Legolas smiled and nodded. Mithrandir then took Espenshade from his shoulder and held her out for the prince. As he reached out to grab her though, she ruffled her feathers and hissed quietly. The wizard furrowed his brow and Legolas froze in his tracks.

"Espenshade, are you alright?" He reached out again and she easily hopped onto it. Legolas sighed in relief and smiled. Espenshade then made her way up his arm to reach his shoulder, but paused when she reached his elbow. Suddenly, she gripped tighter onto his arm, digging her talons deep into his flesh. The prince cried out in pain, causing all of the others to perk up and watch him. Espenshade only dug deeper. Quickly, he swatted her in the face and she released him. Mithrandir quickly lashed out and grabbed the falcon to keep her from going back to Legolas. She didn't struggle to get away, but cried out angrily at her owner. Legolas quickly sat down where he was and examined his arm. There were eight holes in his tunic and blood was beginning to show through the material.

"I guess you should have tamed her." Elladan said with a snort. Legolas glared daggers up at the older twin, then stood and climbed into a nearby tree where he lay in a cranny in the trunk.

He tried to make himself comfortable, not caring about the punctures and the infection it could possibly bring. As he was beginning to take off his vambrace, he felt something sharp sit upon his leg. He glanced up and found that a certain blue eyed Peregrin falcon had chosen him as her perch. The two stared into each other's eyes for a long period of time. Finally, Legolas smiled at the falcon. She then bobbed her head up and down a few times, causing Legolas to laugh. Espenshade then looked down at his forearm and ed her head. The prince removed the vambrace from his arm and then rolled up the sleeve. The holes in his arm were still bleeding, but not as much. Seeing this, the bird then made its way up his leg and onto his arm.

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Legolas hopped down from the tree, followed shortly by Espenshade. The others noticed he seemed to be in a more perky and happy mood.

"What happened to you, Legolas?" Melyanna asked him.

"Did an enchantress visit you?" Elrohir added. The others hid a laugh.

"No," Legolas grinned, "I am just in a happy mood, is all."

"Sure, Legolas, no enchantress." The others laughed, even Legolas himself. Then Mithrandir stepped forward.

"Alright, young ones, we must travel further before we rest for the night. We are only a few miles from Rivendell and I would like to make it at least six more miles. This area is swarming with wargs. We must move on." He said. All prepared to gather their horses, when one voice rang out.

"But what about Legolas?" All eyes then turned and fixed themselves on the golden-brown haired woman. Realizing she had put all attention on herself, Jaimea reddened and turned her gaze onto the ground.

"What about him, Lady Jaimea?" Mithrandir asked her. She shifted under all of the gazes.

"Well, after what Espenshade did to him, I thought he might need to have it checked out." Shyly, she glanced over at Legolas who gave her a surprised smile.

"Do not worry yourself, Jaimea, it is nothing really. I believe it was because she felt used that she did that." The said bird perched herself on his head and pulled at stray hairs. He reached up and patted her on the head and continued. "Once we stop for the night, I will have someone look at it, if it comforts you." She nodded shyly. He smiled at her again, than leapt onto his mare with Espenshade still on his head. Everyone mounted their horses and were soon off.

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They rode on fore many miles. The nostrils of the horses flared as the crisp wind passed by them. The elves were completely content. They loved feeling their hair brush along their faces and they way they seemed to be flying. No one even thought about their mission, too occupied with the feel of the steady hoof beats falling beneath them. But soon, to their displeasure and the horses', they reached the camp destination that Mithrandir had spoken of on the way.

Before them was a huge lake with a willow tree in the very middle of it. The branches were long enough to touch the water and form constant ripples. The slight breeze would push the branches away to reveal a large grassy island. It would prove to be excellent protection from unwanted creatures, they thought. The travelers hopped off their horses, when Elladan spoke up after a time.

"How are we going to get across?" He asked. Mithrandir turned to him.

"Isn't it obvious?" He asked him. Elladan shook his head.

"Oh, Elladan, it isn't that hard! Just use your brain!" Estel shouted at his brother. The elf scratched his head in thought, than shrugged. Estel rolled his eyes.

"Fine." He then turned to Legolas. "Would you be so kind as to demonstrate for him?" The prince nodded.

He took a long rope out of his pack and gave it to Espenshade, who took it in her talons. Legolas tied one end to a stump of a tree and the falcon flew across the lake and twisted the rope around a branch. Another rope was soon tied in a similar fashion.

"Thank you, Legolas." Estel said, and then turned to his oldest brother. "Now, we will just simply walk across." Elladan nodded.

"Oh, of course." He said. He then hopped light-footedly onto the ropes and quickly reached the other end. The others quickly followed suit, Legolas and Elrohir helping the wizard and human across while Norui stayed behind to bring the ropes back in and lead the horses through the water.

By the time they had all made it across the water, it was about an hour from midnight. The horses had been given the liberty to walk freely on the island. The travelers had made a small fire of dead willow branches and had wrapped Norui in blankets to try and dry him.

"Where are we heading anyways, Mithrandir?" Arwen asked him.

"First, we shall pass through the Gap of Rohan. From there, we turn south once more, over the White Mountains. The city of the Muruién is in the forest of Edhelland. It will be a trip of about 1000 miles." Her jaw dropped at his response.

"But that will take an eternity and we don't have that!" She argued.

"Nay, milady Undomiel. If we travel twenty miles a day, we could get there in fifty days."

"But King Thranduil will be dead by then!" She shouted. The children of the said king froze in their place. All in the camp went silent as the truth once more sunk into the hearts of those four.

"T-That means all who are taken by it will be dead too, doesn't it?" Norui asked. Mithrandir sighed and nodded once. The next thing he said quietly. "That means Glithiel will be gone as well." All eyes turned on the Crown Prince as a single tear trickled down his pale face. He wiped it away with a sad smile on his face. His siblings looked between one another, lost on what to do. The three went over to Norui and sat by him, and all four of them all ended up huddled together, tears streaming down their cheeks. The others could do nothing to comfort them, for they felt the same way deep in themselves.

It was a while before anyone spoke again. When some one finally did, it shocked them all.

"I was going to propose that night." Norui said. His siblings' eyes shot open suddenly and they sat up.

"You were?!" The three said together. He nodded. He stood and made his way to his pack, the others following.

From a small pocket on the inside, he drew out a red velvet box with vine patterns all around it in gold. He then opened it and revealed to them a ring with diamonds along the band and a ruby in the center. The three gaped in awe at it.

"If that is the engagement ring, I can only imagine what the wedding ring will look like." Lothron breathed. Norui sighed and closed the box and replaced in the pack.

"It matters not now. She will be dead long before we even make it to the Gap of Rohan." Without another word, Norui turned and leaped into the willow tree, out of sight.

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Each person unpacked their horses and rolled out their sleeping mats. Yet another fire was started by Estel. A circle was formed around it in this order: Estel, Gandalf, Arwen, Elladan, Melyanna, Lothron, Elrohir, Jaimea and Legolas. Norui still had not come down from the tree, but his mat had been rolled out for him so he lay between Legolas and Estel.

After much hesitation, Jaimea stood from her spot and climbed up the willow. The other eight watched her go up the tree in silence.

Norui had perched himself on the highest branch and looked out at the moon. It shone brightly and cas reflection down on the glistening waters of the lake.

Jaimea crawled out onto the branch he sat upon and placed her hand on his shoulder. He did not respond.

"Lord Norui?"

"Yes?" He responded with no emotion in his voice.

"Lady Glithiel will be fine. She is very strong physically and mentally. She will overcome what ever is haunting her." She assured him with a smile, though he could not see it.

"How can you be so sure?" He asked.

"Trust me, I can feel it. She is a very good friend of mine." Norui smiled, than turned to look over his shoulder at her.

"You sound like my brother." She chuckled.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Norui laughed the slightest.

"It is a good thing. In evil times, he can always find light in any situation. He may be holding a secret that affects the way he socializes with people, but it does not stop him from getting through any challenges he might face." The prince then turned back around to gaze at the moon.

"Then it seems that he has a better outlook on life then you do. You are still very young, my lord Norui. The pressures of life should not yet weigh on your shoulders." He turned around to stare into her eyes. What he found was a look of pure sincerity and care. Norui smiled.

"You are right, Jaimea. I have been acting thousands of years older then I should be. There is more to life then being Crown Prince." Jaimea smiled.

"I knew you would see it my way." She said with a playful tone. Norui smiled again and kissed her on the forehead. She blushed faintly.

"I never thought I would be kissed by the Crown Prince." He chuckled softly.

"Just because Lothron, Melyanna, Legolas and I are royalty doesn't make us rude and inconsiderate. I assume by your quick judgment that you have never spent time around the royal family before you met Legolas." She shook her head to the negative.

"Nay, I have not, and indeed that was my first impression of you before we met."

"I hope that that false assumption is gone now?" He asked, more then said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, of course!"

"Good." He looked out towards the horizon again, but furrowed his brow. "Something approaches." Jaimea followed his gaze and her eyes widened.

"You are right."

"Come, we must tell Mithrandir." He leapt swiftly down from the tree, shortly followed by Jaimea.

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Hannon le- Thank you

Le hannon a tholel- Thank you for coming.

Poll

Who is your favorite character(s) from this story? If I get responses, then I will explain why I wanted to know this. Thank you muchos!

Random Fact about 'Lost in My Mind'

(that will later on prove useless)

The name 'Espenshade' is actually the last name of an author who wrote one of many of the Lord of the Rings books. (not the actual books themselves)

Dark Elf- Thank you so much for the review! I was having a bad day the day I read your review, but when I read it, I felt so much better! I am glad you like it so much. Thanks for reading and reviewing! I hope to hear from you again!

Until Next Time,

Manwathiel