Greetings everyone! here the next chapter and just incase you get confused, we've jumped forward a few years into the time frame of the books. read on...

Disclaimer: Everything except my characters and storyline belong to Tolkien. I've just kidnapped them for a while. I'll give them back… eventually…

Elanor raised her sword once more and lunged at her opponent. She swung low and wide, her attacks swift and precise. Many years of training showed as she charged once more. Almost six years had past since she first came into the care of the rangers and her skills as a swordswoman had grown considerably. Now she stood within the ring of men, circling her teacher. She wore simple clothes to allow more movement. Her long, dark hair was pulled back with a leather thong, away from her face. Aragorn stared back at his student, eyes fixed in concentration. Their swords met with the clash of metal, Aragorn easily parrying Elanors attacks. The men watching the fight chuckled as Elanor try in vain to hit their captain. Under the tuition of Aragorn, Elanor could best many of the rangers yet had never managed to defeat the dunedain chieftain,

"Come on lass, pick up your feet!" a man yelled from the crowd. Elanor looked to see Edain waving at her and nodded.

In the passing years, Edain had become the closest thing to a father Elanor had even known. The small band of rangers had become her family. She felt close to each of them, particularly Talin, with whom she had become good friends and respected like a brother, and Aragorn who had taught her the ways of the rangers. Except her feelings for their chieftain ran deeper than that of mere friends, exactly what her feelings were she hadn't decided. Elanor frowned in frustration as she brought her sword round for another attack. Then suddenly Elanor moved her body so her sword swung left towards Aragorns face. Just as she planned, Aragorn side stepped right and brought his blade up to meet hers. As he stepped Elanor stuck out her foot and caught the back of Aragorns heel. The man stumbled and fell onto his back. The crowd roared with laughter and applauded as Aragorn landed with a thud, his sword falling from his hand. Elanor smiled widely and stepped over him, pointing her sword at his throat,

"A ranger caught of his guard?" she teased, mockingly shaking her head. Aragorn smiled up at her,

"It appears I am at your mercy my lady"

They both laughed and Elanor reached down to take his hand, pulling him to his feet,

"It seems I have taught you too well," he said reaching up and pushing a strand of hair that had worked its way free from her face. Elanor felt a blush rise to her cheeks and was suddenly unable to meet his eye. The laugher was interrupted when Talin came running into the circle,

"A grey rider approaches! Mithrandir has come!" he shouted,

"Gandalf?" Elanor asked, "I have so looked forward to next visit!" she said, looking up at Aragorn. She paused when she saw the apprehension in his face. Aragorn reached down, sheathed his fallen sword and called for the men to head back to the camp. Talin and Elanor exchanged confused looks and followed the men back home.

Gandalf the grey rode swiftly towards the camp, for great was his need for haste. He had travelled long from the shire in the west and finally he had reached his destination. His horse snorted softly as he pulled her to a stop. Gandalf promptly dismounted and made his way to meet Aragorn when he heard someone calling his name,

"Gandalf!"

The old wizard turned, just in time to see a young dark hair woman hurl herself into his arms,

"Elanor, my girl. You have grown much since my last visit."

"How are you Gandalf? What brings you this far north? Are you staying long?" the older man laughed,

"So many questions all of which I shall answer in due time. First, tell me; where is Aragorn? It is most imperative that I speak with him."

"I am here my friend,"

As if by magic, Aragorn had appeared at their side, "Tell me, what brings you to my door?"

"I fear I must bring you bad tidings," the wizard said, "but it is not to be spoken of here"

Aragorn nodded and pointed towards his tent, "We can speak freely in here." Gandalf concurred and gave Elanor a quick smile before following Aragorn into his tent.

"What do you think that was about?"

Talin had appeared from behind Elanor. She looked at him and shrugged,

"I do not know. But I have never seen Gandalf so troubled before"

Elanor looked back at the tent and felt troubled. From the first time she had met the wizard she had been enthralled by his magic and stories. He had always been cheerful and patient in teaching her the arts of healing. Gandalf, like the rangers, knew of her past and had often commented on her appearance. Now that it was to mind, Gandalf had been visiting more frequently of late and had taken to asking her of her family, particularly her father, but she had little information to give. The only knowledge of him that she had was that he was of elven folk. She did not know his name or which family of elves he came from. Aragorn had said to her that she had the markings of the river elves. Elanor could not understand why two men would be so interested in her past when she cared not. She looked back at Talin, who remained staring at the tent,

"Come Talin. Gandalf will be hungry from his travels, help me prepare some food for him."

The young man nodded and followed Elanor to the open fire and sat down on the wooden stools beside it. He picked up some vegetables and began to scrape away the outer layer with a small knife from his pocket. After a few moments he looked up to see Elanor once again staring at Aragorns tent,

"Starin' won't do you any good you know" he said idly. Elanor scowled at him and began grinding up herbs to use for dinner.

Supper was ready long before Aragorn and Gandalf emerged from the tent but when they finally did their faces were full of worry. They moved to a place around the fire, sitting between the youngest rangers. Elanor looked at them, her eyes full of concern. Gandalf gave her a warm smile and placed his hat on the ground, dispelling her unease. Opposite her Talin was pouring soup into wooden bowls and after passing a bowl to Gandalf, Aragorn and Elanor, he started distributing it amongst the men. The wizard took the food gratefully and they ate in silence, despite all the questions waiting to be answered.

After the meal the men disbanded. Aragorn gave his thanks for the food and left to talk with Edain, leaving Talin and Elanor alone with the wizard. While Talin cleared away the bowls, Gandalf reached into a bag at his side and pulled out a long, thin wooden pipe and a small brown pouch. He placed the pipe into his mouth and pulled a small amount of green leaves from the pouch and placed it into his pipe. Reaching forward Gandalf pulled a piece of kindling from the fire and ignited the leaves. Small trails of smoke rose from the pipe, floating into the sky. Elanor watched as the old man drew in a breath and smoke rose from between his lips as he breathed out. The smoke formed rings in the air, intertwining with each other, hanging in the air. Elanor smiled and watched as they danced in the air. On his next breath Gandalf moulded the smoke to form a silvery dragon that flew into the heavens. Elanor laughed and clapped as more smokey creatures glided about her head. Gandalf smiled. Her laughter lifted his heart. Under the care of the dunedain, he had watched her grow from a high spirited young girl into the strong woman before him,

"Will you not ask me then?" he said Elanor. She looked at him strangely,

"Gandalf?"

"I'm sure you have many questions as to my arrival and talks with Aragorn."

"Indeed I have, wizard. Although I doubt you would give me the answers"

Gandalf smiled again and gave a small laugh. He turned his eyes to the heavens and muttered something in a language Elanor did not recognise,

"It has grown late. It is time for rest, for I am weary from travel and have yet more leagues to journey before I reach my destination"

"And where might that be?" Gandalf gave her a knowing smile, "Of course," Elanor smiled, "It is a secret"

Gandalf rose and placed a hand on the woman's head, "I shall say my farewells now, as I will be gone before daybreak"

"You are leaving so soon? Oh Gandalf, will you not stay longer?"

"I am sorry child, but I have pressing business"

Elanor stood and gave the tall wizard a hug,

"Farewell, Gandalf and I hope you find what you seek"

"Indeed Elanor, as do I."

The young ranger and the wizard parted ways and Elanor watched as Gandalf left the warmth of the fire and headed into his tent.

A/N: An extra long chapter for all those who reviewed. Thank you so much! Your input is always welcome! A special thanks to WordNerd, who was my first reviewer and continues to give her support. Like I said before it's going to be a long story ( I'm up to 21 pages) and I hope you all stick with me!

Scarlett