AN: so this is the start of book 3. So all three books will be included in this one. Rainaiel is now in her sixties and a well accomplished ranger. This starts in Bree.
Chapter 1: Returning Home
Rainaiel whimpered softly as she moved from the bed. Aragorn was nowhere in sight as she moved to the pitcher of warm water by the fire, washing her face.
It had been three days since they arrived at the Prancing Pony. Aragorn was worried because her wound was infected despite his best efforts to keep it clean, Rainaiel was fighting being sick, hating that she was.
Just then, the door opened to reveal her father as he looked up. He sighed, motioning for her to get back in bed. Aragorn saw that she was getting restless,even with being sick.
"Iel-nin… you must rest." Aragorn said, making her sigh. "I am tired of resting...we cannot afford me resting if we are to encounter the nine." Rainaiel argued. "I don't want to have you injured more because you were not ready to fight again." Aragorn told her.
Rainaiel relented, hating that her father was right. He smiled, watching her for awhile as she fell back asleep.
Late that evening, four hobbits arrived from the Shire. Aragorn sat in the dark corner of the tavern, watching them from afar. Rainaiel was awake by then, waiting in the room.
One of them was talking with the locals, giving away valuable information that they should not. Aragorn saw the other three frowning. The one carrying the ring jumped up to stop him. However, he was knocked over.
Aragorn sat up straighter, watching the ring fly into the air. The last thing the ranger needed was for the wraiths to show up with Rainaiel being injured still.
Suddenly, the hobbit disappeared from sight. He frowned, rising. The ranger made goad way over to him and waited for him to appear.
Meanwhile, Frodo appeared, shaken by seeing the Eye of Sauron g for the first time.
He leaned against a pole, catching his breath, when he was suddenly hauled to his feet.
"You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mr. Underhill." The man from the corner hissed.
Frodo was forced up into the man's room where a young woman with silver hair sat, watching the window.
Rainaiel was keeping watch at the window when Aragorn came in with one off the hobbits. She frowned, wondering what was going on. But she kept quiet, speaking in elvish.
"Ada...what is he doing here?" Rainaiel asked, making him look at her.
Suddenly, the door opened, revealing the other three. Rainaiel whipped out her bow, aiming at them.
"Let him go, or I'll have you, Longshanks." The blonde hobbit said.
Rainaiel was going to laugh, but her side began to hurt again. Aragorn turned to her, looking at her.
"Are you well?" He asked in elvish. "You were right." Rainaiel breathed, making him sigh. "I'm sending you ahead...get to the secret passage." Aragorn said, making Rainaiel frown. "No..I'm fine." Rainaiel told him. "Rainaiel, I need you safe so I can focus on getting them to Rivendell safely." Aragorn told her. "Very well." She sighed.
He gently kissed her forehead before helping her gather her things. The four hobbits looked confused until they all saw her ears.
"She's an elf." Sam, the one who had charged up there, whispered in awe.
The others looked at them as Aragorn helped her out to her horse.
Starfoot saw her mistress and nuzzled her as Aragorn saddled her. Rainaiel produced an apple she had saved earlier in the day for her.
"It's time to go home girl...are you ready?" Rainaiel smiled.
The horse nuzzled her again before Aragorn lifted her up. The horse nudged him, making him smile.
"Take her home, Starfoot...keep her safe." Aragorn whispered, petting her snout.
A moment later, the horse fled from the stable and into the night. Aragorn watched for a moment but then hurried back into the inn.
Late that night, the nine arrived. Rainaiel was far from Bree by then and Aragorn kept watch with Frodo. After explaining who the nine were, Sam asked about the other that had left.
"Mr. Strider, who was the elf that was here?" Sam asked, making him smile softly. "...she was my daughter, she too is a ranger...she left ahead of us...to let our host know we are coming." Aragorn told him. "Oh…" Sam said, making him smile.
Two days later, Rainaiel was finally crossing the Bruinen river. She shuddered, memories of being taken crossing her mind. Rainaiel could feel how high her fever was as Starfoot took over, hurrying home.
By the time the sun started to set, Starfoot reached the courtyard. Rainaiel was barely conscious as she swayed in her saddle.
Meanwhile, two elves were walking down the hall when they heard the whiney of a horse. They looked up to see a figure swaying in the stirrups.
One of them recognized them and ran out before they fell from the horse's back.
"Rainaiel...wake up, siel-nin…" He said, catching her. "Daerada...home?" She mumbled, tired. "Yes… Erestor, get Arwen, tell her to meet me in. Rainaiel's room." Elrond said, effortlessly carrying her up the steps.
The guard easily led Starfoot away and into her stall.
However, Arwen was not there. Erestor could not find her and Glorfindel's horse was missing. She must have taken off after Aragorn.
Glorfindel arrived to tell him and found Elladan helping Rainaiel from her outer jacket.
"Arwen let some time this morning." He said. "Very well...go get me clean wraps and some athelas." Elrond said, laying her flat. "Aye...valar!" He breathed, looking at the wound.
Glorfindel and Rainaiel had finally admitted their feelings nearly a decade ago. The others had found out five years ago and were happy for them.
"Raina...what happened?" Elrond asked. "Orcs...got a cheap shot off on me...ouch." She shivered. "Glorfindel, get a sedative as well...I have to reopen the wound…rest." Elrond said.
Glorfindel went up to healing houses. He wanted to remain by her side.
He quickly retrieved the items and returned. Rainaiel was already drifting in and out as Elrond gave it to her.
"Sleep...all will be well." Elrond told her.
He removed her tunic so she was just in her under skirt which was a thin sleeveless shift. Elladan and Glorfindel watched him cut into her side, shocked. How she survived with that wound like that was beyond them.
Meanwhile, Aragorn had got the hobbits to the trolls. They were worried for their friend. Frodo had been stabbed by a morgal blade, a weapon of a nazgul.
As Aragorn searched for athelas, a blade was suddenly pressed against his neck.
"What's this, a ranger caught off his guard?" A voice purred, making him look up.
He turned too see the elleth he loved. She smiled and then noticed he was alone.
"I sent her ahead of me...she was injured. Orcs caught us off guard." Aragorn said, making her frown. "She should be in Rivendell by now." She said.
They reached Frodo and Aragorn got him onto the horse's back. Arwen and him argued a moment and then he agreed to let Arwen take him and they followed after.
"Ride hard, don't look back." He said softly.
She nodded, wanting to get the hobbit to her father and to her daughter's side where she belonged.
When they reached the Bruinen, the nine were right behind her. She crossed the river and turned to them.
"Give up the halfling, she-elf." The witch king said.
Arwen pulled out her sword and stared at them, defying them.
"If you want him, come and claim him." Arwen replied, dar daring them to cross.
As they crossed, she began to chant, calling the river guardians to stop them. Arwen watched, half satisfied.
Then, Frodo turned for the worst. She had to hurry to get Frodo to Elrond.
Back in Rivendell, Rainaiel was still sleeping. Her body was tired from fighting for so long. She was peacefully dreaming of things that she hoped for. While dreaming, she was suddenly taken to Lorien.
"What in the name of the valar?" She frowned, looking around.
"Peace dear one...there is much we need to discuss." Galadriel said, making her frown. "But I am sleeping...how?" Rainaiel asked, confused. "My magic...you got very lucky...that wound should have killed you." Galadriel told her. "I know...why are the nine back...is he looking for me?" Rainaiel asked, worried. "I don't believe he is looking for you, but they are after the ring of power." Galadriel told her.
Rainaiel sat down on the log, wondering what was to happen. Her great grandmother sat beside her, calming her.
"You'll awaken soon...when you're healed, come see me." Galadriel told her. "Alright." Rainaiel replied. "Fear not...all will make sense soon." Galadriel told her.
The sound of birds chirping v was the first thing Rainaiel heard as she came to. The first face she saw was Arwen. Glorfindel was in a patrol meeting.
"Nana?" Rainaiel mumbled. "Iel-nin…easy...the stitches are fresh." Arwen told her, stopping her from sitting up. "I'm fine." She breathed. "Nay… you'll be in bed until your father arrives...no buts, you almost died." Arwen told her.
Rainaiel relented, knowing she was right. Her mother smiled as Elrond came in to check her wound.
"Siel-nin...how happy am I to see your smiling face."Elrond said, making her smile more. "Daerada...I'm fine." Rainaiel told him. "I want you resting...I had to cut away dead flesh so that would heal." Elrond told her.
She sighed, relenting. Rainaiel knew that he wanted her to heal, so that should she leave again, she was ready to,
Later that evening, Glorfindel came in. He found Rainaiel sitting on the chaise, wrapped in a blanket with a book. She looked up and smiled, seeing her lover again.
"My love." He said, making her look up. "Meleth-nin...were you here last night?" Rainaiel asked, making him smile. "I was… only I was not assisting Elrond, Elladan was." He told her, kissing her knuckles. "I wish I was not bed ridden." She sighed, making him smile.
Deftly, Glorfindel lifted her up and over to her bed. She smiled, gently tugging off his tunic.
"You have to rest." He told her, smiling. "I am...you're just helping." Rainaiel purred, tracing his ear.
Glorfindel sighed, looking at her with a look. Only Rainaiel was the only one who could make him crumble like that.
Before Elrond went to bed late that night, he checked in on his granddaughter. He smiled, seeing the golden blonde hair kicking mixing with silver curls. Glorfindel managed to keep her in bed that night. He was sure that he would have to carry her back to bed.
AN: the first chapter everyone. Please tell me what you think and please review. Only character I own is Rainaiel.