AN: I hope that everyone likes the story so far. Rainaiel arrives in Lorien and will learn of the reason she is needed there. Please review and tell me what you think.
Chapter 3: Arrival
Rainaiel smiled as the wagon stopped in Lorien. She saw her great grandfather's smiling eyes as he opened the back to help her out. He gently kissed her forehead as she looked at him.
"Mime hon." Celeborn smiled, cupping her cheek. "Grandpa." She smiled back as he kissed her forehead. "Welcome home." He said, making her smile more. "Its good to be home." She said. "Come, she's waiting…how is your side." Celeborn asked, making her sigh. "Daerada had to remove dead skin from the wound and re-stitched it." Rainaiel told him, making him nod.
When they reached the top of the tree, Galadriel was waiting with a smile. She walked over to the young elleth and smiled, looking at her. Rainaiel stared at her, seeing the relief in her eyes.
"My darling…how are you?" Galadriel asked, hugging her. "Tired…sore, but I will survive." Rainaiel said.
"You sound like your father." Celeborn teased, making her smile. "Well, I have been with him traveling for the last few decades." Rainaiel replied, making him roll his eyes. "And your uncles…so, what has brought you to us?" He asked.
"I sent for her…there are somethings that we have to discuss…and you will remain here until the time to rejoin your father." Galadriel replied. "Yes grandma." Rainaiel replied. "Your tallan is still the same as it has been…I've had more gowns made for you." Galadriel smiled. "Thank you." She smiled.
Meanwhile, back in Rivendell, Aragorn and Arwen sat in the gazebo outside their room. He had spent the day preparing for leaving. His lover leaned against him, wondering about the days to come.
"When are you leaving?" Arwen asked. "Towards the end of December." Aragorn replied, making her sigh. "After Raina's birthday…Oh I wished she had not left yet." Arwen sighed. "I know beloved…I miss her as well." Aragorn replied, making her smile. "You know I used to be jealous, you, having her with you all the time…I missed you and her all the time." Arwen told him, pushing a streak of grey from his face. "At first, she missed you all the time. She'd ask to go home all the time and used to cry for you when she was hurt." Aragorn told her. "I believe it…she did the same when she first came home." Arwen replied, making him nod.
They stayed there until the sun set and the warmth went away. Aragorn just hoped that this errand would be over with quickly and that he could have his family back together.
The next morning, Rainaiel was awoken to the sound of someone being in her tallan. She cracked an eye to see her great grandmother and a few maids. She groaned as she entered the room, coming to awaken her.
"Come my heart…you've slept rather late." Galadriel smiled, making her smile. "Well, nothing moved for the first time in days." Rainaiel replied, making her chuckle. "Indeed…come, a bath is waiting for you." Galadriel told her, making her nod.
Rainaiel forced herself to stand as she walked into her bathroom and stripped before sinking into the hot water. She sighed, making her great grandmother laugh as she leaned back.
"Better?" She asked. "Much, Daerada wouldn't let me bathe in a tub until that healed…thankfully, he took out my stitches before we left." Rainaiel sighed. "You should be more careful…the orcs were following the nine." She told her. "I figured; blasted things are annoying." Rainaiel said as she filled a pitcher. "Indeed, sit up…it's about time someone trimmed these ratty ends…what happened to my little princess?" She smiled, pouring it over her curls. "She was forced to grow up before her time." Rainaiel told her, sounding sad. "Well, I think that she can come back for a short while." Galadriel said, making her smile.
After she trimmed her messy ends and helping her brush through her massive knots, Galadriel saw her great granddaughter sorting through gowns to wear.
"It is quite cool today." Galadriel told her, making her nod. "It feels it…what about this one?" Rainaiel asked, showing her an emerald gown with gold trim on the middle of the sleeves and waist of the gown. "Wonderful…put it on and come so I can braid your hair." She told her.
Celeborn came in a few moments later to see his wife weaving all of Rainaiel's hair in an intricate braid with gold ribbon in it. Rainaiel looked up with a smile, making him smile.
"Beautiful." He said, making her smile. "Thank you." She blushed. "I was wondering if I could convince you to come hunting with me last this week." He said, making her smile. "It would not take much…as long as it's not orcs." She smirked, making him chuckle. "Perhaps a warg or two, but no orcs." He told her.
Later that day, the young princess went to her usual hiding place and sat alone for a while, just wanting to be alone. Her mind was still trying to process what was going to happen. She just wanted to protect her family. At least she had some time before certain events happened.
Six Months Later…
The figure of a young elleth walked through the trees in the midwinter air, her fingers tracing the changing leaves as she smiled. She heard the soft laugh of another woman behind her as she looked up, reminding her of someone she loved dearly.
"What?" Rainaiel asked. "You look so much like your grandmother…this was her favorite time of year." Galadriel smiled, making her smile as they walked with their horses. "It's pretty…I like autumn best…the brilliant gold and reds back in Rivendell have always been my favorite." She smiled.
When they reached the river, Rainaiel felt her ranger training kick in as if on instinct as Celeborn chuckled. She sensed the presence of another nearby.
"Peace…we're expecting Thranduil." He told her. "It's not him…something more sinister…last time I was on this end of Lorien was when you brought me home." Rainaiel said, making him look down. "All is well…you're safe." He promised.
A few moments later, Thranduil and his guard arrived. With them was Tauriel, who was stunned to see her dear friend with the Lord and Lady of Lorien. Rainaiel smiled at her as her uncle came over with her.
"That cannot be Rainaiel?" He breathed, making his cousin smile. "Indeed, it is…she has grown to be quite the young elleth." He smiled, making her blush.
"Hello Uncle Thranduil…it's been a long time." She smiled. "Indeed, it has my dear one…where is Estel?" He asked. "With Mithrandir on a special errand…one I do not know much about." Rainaiel told him. "Aye, the same one that my son is on…so what is it you wish to speak about?" He said, looking to Galadriel.
"We will discuss it when she is not around…she doesn't know all of it yet." Galadriel said, making him nod. "Very well, I'm sure my captain would enjoy catching up with her friend." Thranduil said, making them smile. "Indeed." She said.
When they reached the city, Rainaiel was curious about what the others were talking about. She looked up at the main tallan and wondered. Tauriel saw her face as she sat beside her.
"What?" Tauriel asked. "Just curious about what they don't want me to know about." Rainaiel replied, making her nod. "What do you suppose it is?" She asked. "It has something to do with the errand that involves the one ring…That I'm sure of." She sighed. "Do you think he is looking for you…Rainaiel?" Tauriel said as she watched her friend's gray eyes gloss over.
The fellowship ran through the empty halls of Moria. Behind them a glow filled the darkness. A fiery figure appeared, making them freeze as Gandalf told them to run. Things around them began to shake and stone giving way. Her father and the ring bearer falling forward to jump the gap. He looked terrified as Gandalf took on the ancient beast and struggled. But just as he made his way back to the others, the Balrog drug him down into the darkness.
Rainaiel screamed as she was pulled free of the vision. Haldir was close by as Tauriel looked at her. She shook as she tried to comprehend whether or not that was real time or in the future. He frowned at the other captain as she felt tears forming.
"Raina?" Haldir frowned, kneeling at her feet. "Mith…Mithrandir…he's…" She stammered, unable to speak it. "Breathe…There you go…calmly." He told her, making her take deep calming breathes.
"Perhaps someone should fetch Lady Galadriel." Tauriel suggested, making him nod. "Yes…Rumil, go get her, quickly." He said, looking to his brother who stood behind him.
The other ran up the tallan quickly to get her. He had never seen her like that before when she had visions. Something was very, very wrong. He knocked on the study door before entering as the three looked up.
"Rumil?" Celeborn said. "My lords, my lady…Rainaiel…she's seen something…something involving Mithrandir…she's hysterical." He breathed, making him and Thranduil frown as Galadriel rose.
"Did she say anything else?" She frowned. "I am not sure, my lady…Tauriel and Haldir are with her…They are struggling to calm her down." He replied, making her nod.
They made their way over to where she sat, shaking as Haldir and Tauriel sat with her. Her gray eyes were filled with tears as Galadriel knelt at her side, taking her hands. She already knew what she saw. Elrond had sent word a week prior to it happening.
"It will be well…it had to happen." She said, making her tear up more. "That creature should not exist." Rainaiel whimpered, making her understand some of her fear. "I know…they will be here soon, go clean up." She told her.
"We need to get back to our borders and secure them and send word to Dale…And Erebor…They have to know what is coming." Thranduil agreed. "Yes." Celeborn said, making Tauriel nod as she stood.
"I'll let the others know and prepare the horses." She said, making him nod.
She hugged her friend before leaving, making Rainaiel nod.
"Go…I'll be fine." Rainaiel told her. "Send word when you can…and I'll do the same." Tauriel said, making her nod. "Very well, Mellon…and Uncle, do be careful." She smiled, making Thranduil smile.
"And you do the same, little ranger…one day soon you will be able to hang up your cloak for good and be a princess again." He told her, a twinkle in his eyes. "I hope so." She smiled back.
The next day, Rainaiel changed into a gown made from white crushed velvet. It had long flowing sleeves and she searched for a belt to go with it and smiled when she saw the one from Glorfindel. It was gold and had sapphires and rubies on it. He had given it to her from his family's gems when he asked for her hand. She put a golden headband on and sighed.
When she finally joined her great grandparents, she saw how weary her father was. He saw her eyes as she stood behind them, waiting for them to take their leave before going to him. She silently listened to them speak to the fellowship before turning away. Celeborn nodded at her as she remained still before hugging Aragorn, regardless of how dirty he was.
"Ada!" She breathed, relieved as he held her close. "Iel-nin…I am well." He promised, looking at her. "I know what happened…I saw it." Rainaiel told him. "I know…she told me…we are well." He assured her. "She said I am to join you…someone needs to tell me what all has happened so I am prepared." Rainaiel told him.
He hugged her again as she led him to the tallan he and her mother used. He cleaned up as she looked for a clean tunic for him. Rainaiel knew him enough to know he was rattled.
The next morning, when they all were rested, Rainaiel joined them. Boromir saw her come down in leggings and a tunic with a leather corset on. She had her silver hair bound back in a braid and had several weapons on her. One of Galadriel's lady's maids brought her a second pack that made her sigh as she looked up at the tallan.
"My lady Galadriel said to take these with you…you will have need of them." She said, making her nod. "Thank you…I have a feeling she knows more than I." Rainaiel said, making her grin. "She always has, little fire." She chuckled, making her nod.
"Are you joining us, Lass?" Gimli, the dwarf asked. "I am…Lady Galadriel has said it is my job to." Rainaiel said, making Boromir eye her.
"Are you able to handle this journey?" He asked. "I am more than capable and fully healed. I remember when you were a child, Steward's son…While you are strong warrior, your brother, Faramir was the better politician…I wish your father listened to his council." Rainaiel said, making him eye her.
When they lined up to leave, Galadriel and Celeborn both hugged Rainaiel tightly. She sighed as he kissed her head, whispering a prayer to the valar to protect her. He cupped her cheek softly as looked at her.
"Be safe, my little fire…I will see you soon." He told her, making her nod. "Yes, grandpa." She smiled as he looked at her.
The males of the fellowship were given elven cloaks to shield them. She smirked, already having one and looked at the knife on Aragorn's hip. Celeborn had pulled him aside quietly earlier. She wondered what it was.
When they gave gifts out, Celeborn gave her something that even Aragorn was shocked to see he had. He knew that she old sword was broken and she hadn't found a new one.
"For you, my little one, I give you Ringil, the sword of Figlofin…Elrond sent it for you." He said as she unsheathed the weapon.
She felt how cold it was and looked at him with wonder. He smiled at her as she easily handled it. Her eyes smiled as he chuckled softly at his reaction.
"Ni 'lassui En." She smiled as he kissed her head. "You are very welcome." Celeborn smiled. "I will see you both soon." Rainaiel told him. "You are very welcome…this combined with your magic will create an unstoppable force. Be mindful of when to use it, dear child." He told her, cupping her cheek, "We will see you soon, my little one."
"Yes you will…and we'll bring your gown…and rings." Galadriel told her.
"Yes we will…" Galadriel said, making Rainaiel smile. "Thank you for helping me these past months…For everything." She smiled. "You are our joy, Rainaiel…you've sacrificed as much as any of us." Galadriel told her, making her smile.
They got into the boats and started to sail down the Anduin. Aragorn saw his daughter's eyes as she sat in the boat, her mind getting lost in a vision.
Three small children ran around a courtyard of all white in the winter. Two with golden hair and a young boy with dark hair, chasing each other around. Watching from the door was Arwen, who had a round stomach and herself, holding a newborn.
Rainaiel shook off the vision and looked at her father. He looked curious as Frodo watched the two. She had a strange look in her eyes as her hand went to her stomach for a moment.
"Are you well, Lady Rainaiel?" Frodo asked. "Yes…just a vision." She told him, making Aragorn look at her.
"Good or bad?" He asked, making her smile. "Good…I think it was Gondor…Amme was pregnant and I was holding a newborn…but there was three children too…two with gold hair and one with dark…who looked like you…more than me." Rainaiel told him. "You and Glorfindel have children…I'm not shocked." Aragorn teased, making her blush.
"You have the gift of sight?" Frodo asked. "Aye…like my daeradar." She smiled. "Lord Elrond?" He asked, making her nod. "Yes…I've had it since a teenager…I'm nearly 60…Adar and Amme when he was around 27…But my elven blood makes me look younger than I am." Rainaiel replied, making him nod. "Why did you become a ranger?" Frodo asked. "To keep Sauron's eyes from finding me…He took me and tortured me when I was younger…I almost died then." Rainaiel told him.
"She knew that if she remained in Rivendell, that she would die along with me…he would have sacked the city to take her." Aragorn added, making him frown. "Do you think he knows she's with us?" Frodo asked. "Not yet." Aragorn replied.
The first night they stopped, Boromir and Aragorn argued about taking the ring to Gondor. Rainaiel and Legolas stood watch as she sent him a look. Gimli saw her face as she heard him tell her father that he is afraid of who he was.
"Peace lass, it's the ring talking." Gimli said, making her look at him. "I know…Daerada didn't tell him for years till I was born… He hoped that I would convince him to take his place but he was not ready." Rainaiel sighed. "He will be lass and you know it…he just needs his arse kicked into it." He said, making her nod. "I hope so." Rainaiel sighed.
The next day, they stopped again and this time a feeling of dread filled her. Aragorn saw her eyes as she sensed darkness around her. She looked to her father as he knelt her side. He wasn't ignorant to when things bothered her.
"What's wrong?" He asked. "Something is out there…I can feel it." Rainaiel told him, making him look at her. "What do you mean?" He frowned. "I heard Grandpa telling you that we were being tracked and its not just by Gollum…it's something else…Something stronger, darker…" She said, making him frown. "Have you seen something?" He asked. "No…just thinking of some reports Haldir mentioned….Saruman was tearing down Fangorn…I fear he may now be in the mix." She told him.
A few moments later, they realized Boromir and Frodo were missing. Aragorn told her to stay behind as he went to find them. Legolas sensed her anxiety and saw her reaching for the sword Celeborn gave her. She turned and picked up her armored corset, looking at him.
"Help me lace this on." She said, making Gimli look at her. "You sense it also?" He asked. "Aye…and I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen." She replied, making the dwarf frown.
"What do you mean lass?" Gimli frowned. "We're about to loose another member of the fellowship." She replied, making his eyes grow concerned by her words.
Ten minutes later, the sound of armor clanking made them look up. Rainaiel pulled her sword out, making Legolas shiver. However, for her, she was unphased by how cold it was. Her magic was helping her wield it as she stared down the Uruk hai. Saruman was not going to win this skirmish.
"Find the she elf." One of them ordered, making her smirk.
"Raina." Legolas called, making her smirk at him. "What?" She replied. "Don't." He warned, knowing that she was not going to go quietly with the monsters.
Her eyes returned to the Uruks who approached her. They charged with little signs of slowing. She stepped forwards, confident and unafraid of them. Her newly sharpened blade easily cut through them.
Legolas and Gimli joined her as they weaved through the woods with elegance and speeds. The dwarf took out the ones that they did not see. Rainaiel could hear her father not far ahead of them, taking out the leader of the Uruks. She just hoped he was not hurt.
Soon, the monsters were slaughter or had run off. She rushed to Aragorn's side, her eyes searching him over for injury. He did the same to her as she felt him cup her face. He smiled softly before watching her eyes turn to the figure on the ground.
"Oh no." She breathed as he turned.
Boromir struggled for breath slightly as she came to kneel at his side. Her grey colored eyes looked at him as he grasped her hand. He looked e pained and upset.
"They took the little ones." He cried. "Hush…save your strength. " She said. "I have failed you all." Boromir said as Aragorn joined them.
"Nay, you have not…you fought bravely. You kept your honor." He told him. "My city will fall to ruin…this will be all for nothing." Boromir said, tears forming.
"No…We will not let our people fall to the will of Sauron, Boromir…I promise." Rainaiel told him, making him look at her. "Our people?" He repeated, his breath getting shallow. "Nor will we allow the white city to fall." Aragorn told him. "My princess…I would have followed you, my brother, my captain…my king." Boromir told them, placing a soft kiss on Rainaiel's hand as he grasped Aragorn's shoulder. "Be at peace, son of Gondor." Aragorn told him.
They both watched as the life left the steward's son. Rainaiel felt tears falling from her eyes as his eyes lost focus. She felt his breathing stop as Aragorn closed his eyes. She prayed to the valar to let his soul go to the halls of his forefathers and be a peace softly.
"Ada…we have to rescue Merry and Pippin. We cannot allow them to be tortured." She said, her eyes haunted by the memory of her capture. "We will. Will not let that happen." He said, helping her stand.
"The fellowship is broken." Gimli frowned as she looked at him. "Not if we hold true to each other." Aragorn counted, making the three looks at him, "We will not leave Merry and Pippin to torment and death." "And what of Frodo and Sam?" Legolas replied.
"Their course is a different route…the ring bearer must continue without us. He will achieve his task." Rainaiel said, making Aragorn smile. "How do you know that, lass?" Gimli frowned. "Like my grandfather, I have the gift of sight…I have seen things that tell me we will defeat Sauron." She assured him. "Are ya certain?" He replied, making her nod. "Aye…I am." She replied, making him nod, trusting her words.
Rainaiel watched as Aragorn and Legolas placed Boromir's body into the boat with is weapons. She smiled when she saw her father wearing his vambraces with the tree of Gondor stamped into the leather. He was beginning to accept the mantel of King. Her heart knew that her parents would be together soon. She also knew that they would find the two youthful hobbits alive and well. Legolas saw her eyes as she nodded at him, telling him she was alright.
Aragorn turned to them as he sheathed his dagger. He saw the readiness to continue in Rainaiel's eyes as she put her sword across her back. She had just her bag from Lothlorien and her weapons. She had on her armor as he smiled softly at her. She looked at the others as they smirked.
"We travel lightly…let's hunt some orc." Aragorn said, a gleam in his eye blue grey eyes. "Yes!" Gimli grinned, before glaring at Legolas a moment.
"Alright you two, save the rivalry for the battle field." Rainaiel smiled, dashing into the woods after Aragorn, "Do try to keep up, selen-nin."
The elven prince heard her taunt and chased after her. Rainaiel was grateful for the years of being in the woods with Aragorn. The two had a rhythm and were both used to running all night if needed. Her pace easily caught up with his as Legolas tailed them and Gimli bringing up the rear. He saw her eyes staring ahead at the dust stirred up by the Uruk hai. She turned to him with determination as he smiled at her.
"We will get them back." Aragorn told her. "I know, ada…And we will avenge Boromir. He would have wanted us to rescue them." She replied. "I know iel-nin…I am grateful that you were not with us in the first leg of the journey. I know you would have been angered by him and his attempts to take the ring." He sighed. "I wouldn't have done well seeing the Balrog in person either…And I am very glad Glorfindel wasn't with you." She shivered, making him nod. "I know…your great grandmother had told me you screamed so loud you were heard form the tops of the trees." He replied. "I couldn't help it…it was as if I was watching from Frodo's eyes." She told him, "That is one part of the gift of sight I hate…Sometimes its from my eyes, sometimes its from someone else's."
They ran for nearly three days, stopping barely long enough to eat. Rainaiel and Legolas were look outs, for their eyes were much better at seeing far out than Aragorn's. He studied the tracks as they stopped, seeing the broach of the cloaks that Celeborn gifted the fellowship. She knelt down and picked it up, looking to Aragorn and Legolas. They shared a look, knowing one of the hobbits was leaving bread crumbs for them.
"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall." Aragorn commented, making her nod. "This is a sign that we're on the right trail." She replied, before seeing a piece of the cloak the torn when the broach was pulled. "No more than a day ahead." He told them as Gimli stumbled over.
However, as they approached the large stones that lay before them, Rainaiel realized where they were. Rohan, home of the horse lords. She had often gotten into arguments with the lords of the king's council when they were there when she was younger. They didn't like that she had a strong opinion on some matters and they believed her a witch because she was an elf.
"Rohan." She sighed, making Aragorn nod. "Indeed…things are not as they were, Rainaiel. Something strange gives these creatures speed here." Aragorn told her. "Aye…That I believe." She replied as Gimli saw her eyes glare.
"What's the matter lass?" He asked. "Last time I was here, I was accused of being a witch and my great grandfather had to come with several of the Gladhrim to rescue me and Ada." She replied, making him chuckle. "What did ya do?" He smirked, having known her enough to know she enjoyed pulling pranks with her magic.. "I turned the hair of a lord green after he called me a whore and bastard." Rainaiel replied, making him grunt at the words that left her mouth. "Ye are far from that, lass, that I can assure you." He told her with a smile. "Thank you, mellon." She replied, making him nod.
As they traveled through the open grasslands, Rainaiel heard the sound of many horses approaching. Aragorn climbed upon a rock as she sighed, pulling up her hood to hide her face. Her cloak was made of a much softer and feminine material as Legolas nodded at her. She knew they would be suspicious of her still if they saw her anyway.
"Riders of Rohan, what news from the mark!" Aragorn yelled as they suddenly turned towards them. "Brilliant Ada." She muttered as he climbed down.
The horses began to circle around them as she eyed him with annoyance. They formed a tight circle around them and pointed spears at them. Rainaiel remained calm as Legolas put a hand on Gimli's shoulder, trying to keep him calm as well. Aragorn put his hands up as a sign of peace as the leader came through the circle as the spears were lifted and the horses backed up.
"What business does two men, an elf and dwarf have in the ridder mark…speak quickly." The leader growled, making Rainaiel bite back a comment. "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, this is Gimli son of Gloin and Legolas of the woodland realm." Aragorn said as the leader looked at Rainaiel. "And who is this cloaked figure?" He snapped, putting the tip of the sword to her throat.
Aragorn tensed as she calmly reached up, removing the hood from her head. The leaders' blue eyes widened as she revealed her pointed ears and silver curls that had escaped the braids. She stared him down evenly as she spoke.
"My name is Rainaiel daughter of Aragorn and Arwen Umdomiel, the daughter to the Lord of Rivendell." She said, making many of the soldiers gasp and whisper. "A princess…and a ranger." He said, lowering his blade, "My apologies, your highness." "It is nothing, Prince?" She asked, making him smirk. "Eomer, son of Eomund, milady." He said, making her nod. "I remember your father well…he was a small child last I saw him." Rainaiel replied, making him nod. "What brings you and your company to our land, princess?" He asked, being much more civil as she smiled. "We're tracking two of our friends, two halflings, who were taken captive by the uruks…we've been on their trail for three days and nights." She told him.
"They would only be small children to your eyes." Aragorn said, making him sigh as he looked at them. "We slaughter the Uruks in the night…they were sent by Saruman, who has claimed lordship over this land. The king no longer recognizes friend from foe…Not even his own kin." Eomer told them sadly, making Rainaiel frown. "Slaughtered…they're dead?" She frowned. "Yes, I am sorry, your highness." He replied, making her nod as she refused to cry.
Her heart told her the opposite as Aragorn saw her eyes. Gimli and Legolas looked defeated as he nodded. Eomer whistled, calling over two horses for the group. Rainaiel looked at him as he spoke.
"May these horses bear you better fortune then their former masters." He said as he took Rainaiel's hand and kissed it, "And next time we see each other, princess, I should like to hear how a betrothed princess is a ranger." "That may cost you a few ales, your highness." She mused. "I'll be happy to obliged, milady." He replied, making her smile, "We ride north."
Rainaiel watched as Eomer and his company spurred forward and left them behind. She climbed behind Aragorn on the back of the horse as they took off. She knew in her heart that the hobbits still lived. As they rode to where Eomer and his company killed the uruks, she got a chill down her spine. The approaching forest was one that she only knew of from stories that Erestor and Glorfindel told her as a child.
When they stopped, the smell of the monsters burning made her sick. Gimli searched the burn pile only to find one of their belts. She felt her heart break as Aragorn kicked a helmet, screaming out in frustration as he hit his knees. She looked down as Legolas prayed to the valar for the small hobbits. Her eyes looked pained as her father stared at the ground, suddenly catching something.
He began to track the movements of the hobbits, finding tiny clues of the hobbit's escape. She watched both in relief and shock to see that the hobbits had ran into Fangorn forest. She stared at the entrance with apprehension as the others stared at the woods as well. Legolas looked shocked as they took a small step in. Aragorn and Rainaiel looked up as the trees creaked and groaned around them. Gimli was nervous, his eyes full of distrust as they traveled through the woods.
"This forest is old." Rainaiel said, making her cousin nod. "Very old, much older than I am." He told her, making her nod. "I remember the stories of Ents that Erestor would tell me as a child." She told him, making him nod. "I know…you would look at him with a mix of awe and fear." Legolas mused. "Not much has changed, selen…this forest makes me nervous for some reason." She told him.
Aragorn smirked at her words as he looked at her. Suddenly, Legolas jumped head, speaking in elvish as she frowned. She didn't dare draw a weapon as she felt pricks of magic on her skin. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as the group turned towards a bright figure. She shielded her eyes as the voice spoke, making her think of Saruman.
"You're tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits, are you not. The past through her the day before." He said, making her listen closely. "Show yourself!" Aragorn yelled back.
The brilliant light faded as Rainaiel gasped, recognizing the face. Legolas knelt before them as she smiled, realizing who it was. He looked over at her with a twinkle in his blue eyes as he smiled. Aragorn smiled as well, relieved that they had found a friend.
"Mithrandir!" Rainaiel smiled, making him smile as she hugged the old wizard. "Yes, I have returned to you now, at the turn of the tide." He said, eyeing Aragorn in particular, "And I am pleased you see you healed, dear girl."
As they found the exit of the forest, he gave them an explanation for why the hobbits were not with him. Rainaiel was relieved that they were safe with someone Gandalf trusted. She gasped as he led them out and whistled, seeing two horses coming forwards. One was Shadow fax, the lord of all horses and her horse, Starfoot. She was his off spring and her trusted steed.
"Hello girl…how I've missed you." Rainaiel smiled, feeling her nuzzle her face as she snorted, "I know, I'm sorry…I don't have any sugar cubes for you." "Like you, she followed her sire." Gandalf told her, making her smile. "And I am glad she did…come on good girl." She smiled, easily hoping onto her back. "We ride for Edoras…and this time my dear, try not to pick a fight with the nobles…Celeborn cannot rescue you." He told her, making her smirk ruefully. "I have no intention of it, Mithrandir." She replied, making him nod.
AN: I know its been a long time since I've updated this. I just found it on my computer as I was writing another story and decided to finish it. I will complete the trilogy but it will take some time. Only character I own is Rainaiel.