It had been days since Nimirher had left her previous life behind. She had been traveling south along the Misty Mountains towards the Bruinen river, racing to make it to the land of Elves. She took as few of breaks as she knew they could handle before falling from exhaustion. They needing to put as much space between them and the wizard as possible. Sauron only knew how far his magic could reach; she took no chances.
Night was beginning to fall and her horses strides were starting to falter beneath her weight. They had left the rock coverage of the mountains just a couple days ago; they would have to camp amongst the dense trees and underbrush along the river.
She had expected to run into at least one band of orcs once leaving Isengard but she had no such luck. She could've used the stupid creatures as a distraction. Taking her frustrations out on them might make her feel better. Saruman had either not noticed her absence or just didn't care because they hadn't been tracked since the night they ran. She was leaning towards the not caring theory more.
Having sat by their campfire for a couple hours now watching the sun sink lower beyond the horizon, she spent an inordinate amount of time considering her relationship with the bastard. Sure he had taken her in when no else would but in all consideration, all he had done was train her. It was Gandalf who had shown her the way of the blade and given her her first blade. Gazing from the dancing flames to Talagor grazing a few meters away. He had even given her the beautiful stallion. Gandalf had felt like the father she had never had.
Rising to unravel her bedroll, Nimirher would have to get some rest if she was to head out at first light. If Talagor and her rode swiftly, they would be walking in Rivendell by sunset. Placing her bedroll closer to the fire to keep warm, Nimirher drew the sword from her waist and set it by her side. She hadn't been followed but if Gandalf had taught her anything it was to always be alert and prepared for danger.
A sharp scream pierced the night scaring both her and Talagor. Leaping to her feet she ran forward trying to steady her horse. Even as he reared back on his legs, she could clearly see his eyes wide with fear. He recognized evil for what it was but she was the only one who knew that call….Ringwraiths. They were hunting and she knew they would not give up before they caught their prey.
Muttering a quick incantation, the flames extinguished immediately smothering the pair within a dark cloud. Still reciting quiet words for Talagor, she gathered their gear and began to mount and ride out. These woods were no longer safe with those monsters aground. 'Why are they hunting in these woods?' thought Nimirher.
Kicking her feet into Talagors' flank, the horse took off like lightning. With his swift feet he dodged through the woods easily, leaping over fallen logs trying to put as much space as possible between them and the raging demons. Unfortunately the heavy feet and sharp breathing from Talagor couldn't mask the shrill cries of the dark riders behind them. They were approaching even faster, covering too much ground behind them. Speaking softly into her horses' ear, she encouraged him to run faster. Swinging his head wildly in agreement, Talagors' legs pumped even harder driving them farther into the overgrown trees.
Nimirher hadn't felt fear much in her life but she was frightened now. Gandalf had told her the stories of greedy men who had let darkness bind their souls. They did all of Saurons' biding without question.
Her horse grew more erratic wanting to escape the fell clutches of the dark riders behind them. He finally pushed through the tree coverage heading towards the safety of the Ford. Snorting violently, Talagor could sense the Wraith riding upon them. Grabbing her sword, Nimirher had enough time to block the first blow of the rider before another rode up on her other side. Swinging her weapon high she stopped the blade above her head before swinging her leg out and kicking the Wraith away. They had only thirty yards to cover before they would be safe but it would seem the dark riders would do anything to prevent that from happening. Once she had kicked one rider away she was back to swinging her blade against another. Her movements were quick and calculated to avoid the stinging pain of a Nazgul blade.
The Nazgul screamed again using their horses to form a tight circle around Nimirher. Jerking her reins tight, she steered Talagor into the chest of one causing it to buck wildly and fall back behind them. Steering through the gap that was left behind, they pushed ahead of the Wraiths once again. Readying to use her blade once again to defend herself, she swung around too late to deflect a swing from another, receiving a swift slash across her back.
Yelling out from the unexpected pain, Nimirher did not notice the sound of splashing water as Talagor crossed the Ford into Imladris. Turning around she watched as the group of dark riders dropped into formation heading back in the direction they came from. Sheathing her sword once again, Nimirher dropped forward against Talagors' neck and let him carry her the rest of the way.
Some people describe pain as a burning hot fire racing through their body. Or of pins and needles that dance upon their limbs making it impossible to think for themselves but Nimirher felt neither of those things. Her body went numb and passed to unconsciousness within moments of crossing that Ford with Talagor, not knowing if either of them would make it to Rivendell.
She wretched in pain, her nails digging into her palms from clenching her hands so tight. For so long, she had seen nothing but darkness, her back numb to everything but the simple sway of her horses back. Now the darkness wished to consume her. Her body raged with fever, her forehead beaded with sweat and nothing but muddled words could be heard from her weak lips. Winding its way closer to her heart, the broken shard of morgul blade wished to take her soul and consume her completely. Endless hours it seemed, maybe even days, that Nimirher wished for death to take her. The pain lasted far too long, she no longer gave the darkness the pleasure of hearing her scream.
Voices…their soft, sweet chimes filled her ears. Taking a deep, shaky breath, Nimirher could feel gentle hands upon her back. A bright light burned before closed lids and the black curtain that had shrouded her eyes for so long, began to lift.
"Your fever has gone down my dear, and your color is returning." Slowing opening her eyes, Nimirher slammed them shut once again, wincing in pain from the streaming sunlight. She could hear the familiar chuckle of the wizard beside her as his weathered hand grasped hers.
Smiling in spite of her weakened state, Nimirher tried once again to open her eyes. Turning her head to the side, she slowly opened her lids to see the smiling face of Gandalf. "What happened to me, Gandalf?"
The old mans smile faltered, grabbing his hat from atop his head he laid it down beside her bed. "You were cut by a Morgul blade when you were running from the Nazgul. Elronds' sons Elladan and Elrohir, found you passed out on Talagors' back when they were patrolling the border and brought you here to Rivendell. They saved your life."
"I will need to thank them," sighed Nimirher. Her strength was still weak but she could feel it returning, "What was the Nazguls' business so close to the land of Elves?"
Picking himself up from the chair he had been sitting on, Gandalf made his way to the door. His back more stooped than she had ever seen it before. Great troubles worried this old man, more than he wanted to tell her at the moment. "I'm afraid that is something I must discuss with Lord Elrond but there is someone else that also needs my attention right now. Once your strength returns, I will tell you my child."
Ten days she laid unconscious under the care of the elf maidens of Rivendell. Once she had awaken, her everyday routine was limited. Breakfast with Gandalf, a few minutes upon her balcony for fresh air and then she was back to bed to wilt away from boredom. Elves watched her door morning and night, making sure she did not wander away. That detail Nimirher was sure had come from Gandalf, knowing full well she would grow bored enough to wander off on her own. Her strength returned stronger everyday and her back continued to heal with the daily applications of herbs.
Through constant badgering of Gandalf, she had stayed bed ridden for seven days but she was at her wits end. Morning light shined brightly into her room, awakening Nimirher from her nightmare. The evenings spent listening to the songs of the Elves outside her window, the soft chattering of the elf maidens in the gardens below and the constant lack of evil in Rivendell, weren't enough to keep Nimirhers' nights peaceful. Every night she relived her abandonment of Saruman and her run from the Nazgul, only to wake up, sweat covering her body and her back searing with an invisible fire.
Slowing rolling over onto her side, Nimirher stood up from her bed. Too many days she had laid comfortably in her soft blankets, she had questions that needed answers. Her clothes lay folded waiting for her on her bedside table. The elf maidens had offered her a gown to use when she was ready to explore Rivendell, but she had kindly declined. She was a wizard and a warrior, and the fastest that she could get back into her old gear the better. Carefully she pulled on her black breeches followed by her boots. Her original white tunic had been replaced with a new one, definitely made better than her original from Gondor. Her vest and jacket were able to be saved through the very skilled sewing abilities of some of the Elves. Both of them were made from dragon hide, and she had always found them hard to leave behind. Slowly she buttoned her vest, wincing slightly when it put pressure on her back, and then slipped her arms through the sleeves of her jacket.
Rivendell was beautiful. It was probably the only thought that constantly repeated itself in Nimirhers' head as she explored the home of Elrond. It was here that she began to understand why so many humans had such a curiosity with Elves. All of them were beautiful, men and women, always gliding across the floor like they could fly. Many could only imagine what it would be like to live forever. To watch their world grow or fall, to have endless amounts of knowledge and to maybe find that one to love forever. She would always wonder if they considered their immortality a gift or curse.
She crossed the bridge heading towards the Gathering hall. She was looking for Gandalf, hoping she could possibly catch him there. She had heard from the Elf maiden that had been caring for her that most of the Elves spent their time occupying that room. They spent many hours conversing amongst themselves, joking and singing tales of a more joyous time.
She found herself walking down a covered walkway, lined with stone pillars very much resembling the trees that hide this beautiful fortress from prying eyes. The autumn leaves blew swiftly across the stone floor, crunching beneath her feet as she walked. Turning the corner, she ran into both Gandalf and Lord Elrond deep in conversation. Stopping abruptly she felt embarrassed on walking in on such a private conversation.
Clearing his throat, Elrond ended his talk with the wizard to greet Nimirher, "Good morning Nimirher, I'm glad to see you up and walking around Imladris."
Smiling she approached both men rather shyly. To be in the presence of such an amazing warrior and elf was something she had been waiting a long time for, "I want to thank you for taking care of me Lord Elrond. I owe your sons a debt of gratitude for saving me."
Bowing slightly to acknowledge her gratitude, Lord Elrond stepped forward placing both his hands upon her shoulders, " My dear child, it was my pleasure to see you back to health and I hope that this wont be your only visit to our home."
Smiling, she nodded her head, "I would love to, thank you."
Nodding his head and bowing slightly towards Gandalf, he dismissed himself. Disappearing around the corner Nimirher had come from, she watched him as he glided away from the pair of them. She honestly didn't know if she would ever be able to stop watching an Elf walk with such grace and poise.
"I know you too well Nimirher. You want your answers." stated Gandalf, breaking her fixed stare she had on Elronds retreating back.
"Please Gandalf, what the hell is going on?"