Yay more reviews! I'm so happy! Makes up for not getting any for The frost festival. Guess Garth Nix isn't a popular as LOTR! Never mind, here the next chapter for all you patient people!

The pair rode on for many leagues, time was precious and they would not stop until their path became too dark to see. They stopped briefly at the village of Bree, a little after midday. The pair quickly gathered supplies and allowed rest and water for the horses. It was here they heard the stories of the sudden appearance of Black riders and screams in the night. These tales only added to the urgency Elanor felt in finding Aragorn. They left as soon as they could and kept on riding along the east- west road. When the sky darkened and their horses could ride no further, Talin pulled his horse to a stop, Elanor following suit. Talin sat with his head up, peering into the dark,

"Can you see anything?" he asked her. Elanor focused her keen eyes on the path ahead, it was dark but something stood out in the star light sky. The tall shadow of a once mighty tower loomed over them. Elanors eyes widened and she cried out,

"Amon sul! Elendils tower lies before us!"

Talin narrowed his eyes but could only make out a faint outline,

"We are nearer Rivendell than I had first thought. Come, as tired as I am, I would feel safer resting somewhere more defendable. Is the watchtower far?" Elanor shook her head, "No. We can make it within the hour."

With that, the pair urged their weary animal's forward, trotting onwards along the leaf littered path.

When they finally reached the summit of Weathertop, the two rangers dismounted and looked at the bare and desolate land. The once proud tower was nothing more than ruins, with its many pillars lay broken and scarred. Elanor scanned the dusty ground; below her were scattered footprints. Aragorn had shown her the track of many forest creatures but these were unlike any she had before. There were four sets of footprints, similar in shape to those of men but larger and broader. She followed the trail to where they collected in the middle, as if which ever thing made them were huddled together. She stared at them curiously when Talin called her over. He was knelt down beside a broken pillar. As she approached he lifted his gloved hand and Elanor saw the red shimmer of blood on his finger tips,

"There is more on the ground," he said grimly, "It is cold but fresh. Whatever wound this is from was made recently." Elanor grimaced and stood up, her eyes alert for any unknown attackers. As the star light shone down a glint of something metallic caught her eye. Not far off lay a grey, dirty handle of a bladeless weapon. She knelt down beside it and stretched out a hand to touch its cold steel,

"No!"

The cry made her hand recoil as if bitten. Talin rushed over to her and flung a heavy blanket over the blade, "It's a cursed blade," he warned, "I recognise those markings, it is a Morgul-knife, wielded by Black Riders" Elanor looked at him shocked. She thought of the blood they had found and her heart fell suddenly with the thought that the blade might have struck their chieftain and the wraiths could still be nearby. She voiced her concerns to Talin, who shook his head,

"Aragorn had sent word from Rivendell; if he was injured we would know about." His words eased some worry but her eyes still darted around nervously, as if expecting attack. Talin place an assuring hand on her shoulder,

"We should rest here tonight. The wraiths will not return," he said, seeing the worry in her face, "But I shall take first watch tonight just in case."

Elanor gave him a faint smile as he turned away from her and tightly wrapped the deadly knife and slid it in his saddle bag. Elanor stood and walked over to Aeglos and untied her saddle and reins. With a gentle hand she reached up and stroked the white neck of her horse, finding comfort in the soft warmth of her body.

"Are you hungry?" Talin called from behind her. Elanor turned to see him unpacking a couple of small metal pots from his bag. Elanor smiled and nodded enthusiastically, having not eaten since they left Bree. Talin chuckled lightly,

"Fetch some fire wood and I'll find us some dinner." Picking up his bow and arrows, Talin moved out of the tower and into the bushes.

Hours later, the two rangers were huddled together by a small fire. One sat awake and alert, the other lay sleep beside the other. A full stomach and the warmth of the fire had been too much for Elanor had she had fallen into sleep some time ago. Talin had remained watchful, sometimes doubting his belief that the wraiths would not return. He sat upon a broken column, his hands resting on the hilt on his sword which lay across his lap. A noise broke his concentration, a soft whimper. Beside him Elanor stirred. Her brow was furrowed into a frown and her face contorted. Her breathing grew heavy and her sleep became fitful. Talin knelt down beside her as she let out another low moan, when suddenly her eyes flew open and she let out a cry. Elanor sat up abruptly and looked around her, confused. Talin stared at her, his face full of concern. He urged her to take deep breaths to calm herself. Talin placed a comforting hand on hers,

"What was it?" he asked, "What did you see?" Elanor looked at him, as if aware of his presence for the first time,

"I heard voices. Upon a tower was a great eye, wreathed in flame. It was calling to someone." She felt afraid, tears forming in her eyes "Talin, I have never seen such a thing. It held such force… I… I couldn't look away." Talin moved his arm around her and drew her gently to him,

"Who was it calling for?" Talin asked softly. Elanor hung her head, her breath still shaky,

"I do not know. It is of no tongue I have heard before, nor do I wish to hear it again. It was a foul language." Her face screwed up in disgust, before looking back up at Talin, "I fear for Aragorns safety. We must leave for Rivendell quickly." Talin shook his head,

"We must wait for first light or risk losing our way"

"I will not sleep tonight for fear the eye will return. You should rest. I will wake you at dawn."

"I will sit with you awhile longer. Till you have settled" Elanor smiled gratefully and moved closer to the fire and its welcoming warmth. Talin sat for several moments watching the fire cast moving shadows over the ground and listening to the wind rushing through the trees. He glanced up to see Elanor looking back at him,

"Is something wrong?" he asked, "Are you worried about meeting the elves?" Elanor shrugged, "It's just something Edain spoke of before we left. He told me that whatever I discovered that I would always have a home with him, but I do not understand what he meant."

"Perhaps he was talking about your father." Talin offered, but noting the look which passed Elanors face he knew he had said the wrong thing,

"He doesn't know who my father is anymore than I do," she said crossly, "And even if he were the lord of Rivendell itself, it would not change my opinion of him."

Talin rolled his eyes and smirked,

"But if he was a king…"

"What do you mean by that?" she asked, folding her arms cross her chest.

"Do not think I have not noticed the way you fawn over our chieftain,"

"I do not fawn!" She said, her voice rising defensibly,

"You know his heart belongs to another, an elven maid I have heard." Elanor glared at him,

"Do you think I don't know that?" she said angrily, "Do you know how hard it is to love someone that you cannot have?" Talins face dropped as he saw tears form in her eyes,

"Elanor, forgive me. It was not my intent to upset you."

Elanor shook the tears from her eyes, stood and stalked away from the fire. Talin felt the guilt rise within him,

"You think I do not know what it is like to love the unattainable, but I understand all too well" he said to no one, as he watched her walk away from him, into the dark.

By the time Elanor had returned Talin was already asleep. The first rays of the morning sun crept over the lands, tainting the sky in red and gold streaks. She shook Talin gently, rousing him from sleep. The pair quickly gathered their things, mounted the horses and continued their journey eastward. The sun rose high as the path they followed opened out to a river bed,

"We have reached the borders of Arnor and Eriador. Beyond this river lies the realm of the elves…"

"But you will go no further."

Talin and Elanor did not hear the elves approach, nor did they see the arrows pointed at their hearts until their bearers emerged from the trees ahead. Five there were in all, weapons aimed from various angles. The elf which had spoken stood on the other side of the river walked forward. His long, golden hair was tied back with small braids away from his face and he and his companions wore clothes of silver. Talin and Elanor looked to each other before Talin spoke,

"Hold, we are rangers from the north, friends of elven folk."

"What brings you to our lands?"

"We bring a message for Aragorn. We had word he is with your lord."

The elf regarded the rangers with an expressionless face, before slowly nodding,

"We will take you to Estel. But first you must relinquish your weapons"

Upon his word two elves, one dark, the other fair, came to the sides of the animals and waited patiently. Hesitantly Talin removed his sword, quiver and bow and handed them to the fair haired elf. Elanor followed suit but paused when she drew her sword,

"Take utmost care with this blade," she told the elf, "no one shall wield it but me." The raven haired elf took the sword from her and ran his eyes over the inscription. He looked up suddenly and bowed his head. The elf walked quickly through the shallow water and spoke something in elvish to their captain who glanced over to Elanor. He called out and the two elves that had stood behind them lowered their weapons and stepped up beside the animals. They reached up and took the reins of the horses and began leading the rangers through the waters and along the stone covered path.