WHOO! Finally got the next chapter up! Honestly some people have issues managing their time… *cough cough* (me) xXWolfBlazeXx! Thank you to all the elven phrase sites out there and thank you Tolkien for leaving behind a grammar document and all of your other articles explaining all of the languages, cases, sentence roles, and thank you for the articles explaining the cultures. That and just a very good series in general! (Rest in Peace) After reading them, I hope I will be able to write this properly and have everything the right way. If not please message me guys! I depend on you guys to tell me if something's out of line.

No flames though please? They kill people. Constructive criticism is fine though!

Anyways!

—ON WITH THE STORY NOW!—

We had been traveling for a while now, more than half the day had gone by. Normally we would have been much farther, but unlike dear Haldir, Alassëa and I loved to take out time and enjoy the scenery as we traveled. Not that Haldir was a strict and to the point type of person. He had his moments as well where he would want to go out riding. Normally we would race to see who was much quicker.

We as in, Haldir and his two brothers plus Alassëa and me. If only speed was what we were competing in. If that was the case, then I would definitely win, but Rumil always put in a catch, where we would have to snipe out certain things and then our targets would be judged to see who had done better. Orophin would come in first, Haldir and Alassëa would always tie in second, and Rumil in third and lastly me.

They had been training much longer than me, but at least my magic was better than theirs. Ever since I had met Gandalf the Grey, I was fascinated by his magic and wanted to learn. During his stay with us, he had taught me the basics, but the rest was for me to learn by myself.

I let out a sigh thinking about the Istar. I wonder what he was doing right now. Gandalf was always busy with a different quest, especially since the Dark riders had showed up again. It would be good to see him again.

"It's good to know we are almost there." Alassëa's voice came from above me. I opened my eyes and nodded leaning up from against the tree.

"We are almost there. Just a little more." I said to myself, excited. It had been years since I had seen Arwen and the others. Every time I went, there was always something exciting that happened and because of that I would never want to go. But of course Haldir being whom he was, would always bring something up that would make me have to go.

I smirked thinking of him. "At least I won't have to worry about Haldir nagging at me about proper manners or something."

Alassëa just shook her head, "Don't say that Ariel. You know he says things for your own benefit."

I looked up at her laughing. Alassëa looked at me confused, "Man te? (What is it?)" She asked me slightly irritated.

I just continued to laugh shaking my head. I found it amusing how she would always take his side. No matter what the situation. The reason why I was laughing was because I was remembering a time when Haldir and I had been arguing over the subject of whether magic or archery was better.

Based on our argument, I was winning, but the way Haldir had been so desperate to win the argument was the funny part. In the end Orophin was the one that broke it up saying that both were equal and it was not the skill it self that was to judge but the person using the skills.

Alassëa looked at me confused, "What is the matter with you?" she asked with a hand on her hip.

I just sighed as I stopped laughing. I wiped my face with part of my cloak.

Alassëa just looked at me, "Agoredh i dass? (Are you done yet?)"

One thing that should be known about Alassëa is that when serious, she speaks in the elvish tongue a lot.

Normally I communicated in the common tongue as well, however, Orophin and Rumil did not know it as well. I always sat there trying to teach it to them. They had gotten well, but still they would prefer to speak in the elvish tongue. Haldir on the other hand knew the language very well and normally we would both speak it among each other. It would always be Haldir and I speaking in the common tongue and then Rumil and Orophin would get suspicious of us and demand to know what we were saying. But that was when we were younger. Now we didn't do that as much any more.

I sighed getting up and brushing my dress. "Yes I am done. Now shall we get going?" I asked her.

Alassëa shook her head, "Honestly, I question how we are related." I heard her muttered as she headed towards her horse, Gilroch, getting him ready. I smiled at that.

"Mother and father were pretty opposite you know." I reminded her. We had traits from both of our parents. Personality wise, I took after my father, who was an adventurous type where as Alassëa took after our mother. She was more of the serene calm elf, but our mother was exceptional in magic. That is where I took after her, and our father was an exceptional archer. Alassëa took after him there.

Alassëa and I were very close siblings and because our parents were good friends, we ended up meeting Haldir and his two brothers. After that, the five of us became good friends. Though along the way Alassëa ended up falling for Haldir, which I found amusing. When I found out, she turned very frightening and threatened me saying if I was to tell then I would regret it dearly.

I smiled to my self as I headed over to where Mistiel stood waiting. Haldir most likely knew about her feelings. I remember talking to him and it came up, but I wasn't exactly sure whether he had feelings for her as well or not. Many times I tried to ask, but I never got a reply. It was very irritating.

Just then I heard Mist snort, which brought me out of my thoughts.

"Ariel!" Alassëa hissed. I looked up at her to see her standing there, looking around thoughtfully. I started walking towards her with Mist following right behind me. I could tell she sensed something wrong as well.

"Alassëa what is i-" She cut me off raising a finger.

"Do you hear that?" she asked softly. I stopped in my tracks to listen. It was the sound of a horse.

"Who could that be?" I thought out loud.

Alassëa shrugged, "We should continue moving. Haldir did say that there would be danger."

I rolled my eyes, "He always says there's danger." I muttered as I got onto Mistiel. She shifted a little beneath me as I settled. I knew she was right. Haldir had told me himself. My hands traveled to his bow that was slung over my shoulder.

That's when we both heard a screeching noise. Both Alassëa and I froze looking at one another. It was them: The Dark riders.

But what were they doing here?

Slowly Alassëa got off of her horse and indicated for me to do the same. I nodded my head following her.

I led Mistiel over to where Alassëa was. "What should we do?"

"We must get off the road. Follow me quickly and quietly." She hissed. I nodded my head and placed a hand on Mistiel's neck indicating her to follow me. We both hurried off of the road into the trees. Behind me, I could hear the thundering hooves of the Riders getting closer.

We quickly snuck into the depths of the forest. At one point, Alassëa told us to leave the horses.

I tried protesting with her, but she said it would be easier for us to hide. She was right about the hiding. After some reluctance, I left Mistiel where she was. The mare let out a neigh of protest following but I shushed her. "I will be right back Mist." I whispered to the mare and hurried into the trees.

That's when I noticed I had lost Alassëa. "Alassëa?" I hissed, looking around.

"Here." I heard her voice. Looking up, I saw her in a tree already with her bow out. She climbed down lower on a branch offering me a hand. I took it and with a grunt she pulled me up.

"Thanks." I whispered. Alassëa nodded her head.

"Lady Galadriel was right." She whispered. I glanced over at her confused. "What do you mean?"

"She warned me before we headed out, saying that we will most likely run into the riders. This is what she must have meant." She explained. I nodded my head listening to the sound of the Riders. They were very close now. I prayed that they would not harm Mistiel and Gilroch.

I heard a snort and the sound of a horse coming. I froze as I saw the dark cape. It had suddenly gotten dark and I suddenly felt cold. These creatures were evil indeed. But why were they here? From the look on Alassëa's face, I could tell she was thinking the same thing as me. This was the first time any of us had gotten this close to a Rider. I couldn't tell how they looked. They were just surrounded by a dark cloak.

The Rider was now standing underneath the tree we were standing under. I tried shifting a bit, because my leg was falling asleep, but suddenly I hit a twig and it snapped. Instantly, the Rider's head turned towards us.

I bit my tongue from making any more of a reaction at the same time Alassëa clasped her hand down on my mouth. We both sat there frozen waiting to see what the Rider's reaction would be.

My eyes were tight shut, praying he would leave.

Soon we heard him grunt. I opened my eyes and saw him leaving and let out a sigh of relief.

"That was too close…" Alassëa remarked. I nodded my head in agreement. "Now, we must hurry. I fear there may be more out there." She remarked as she started sliding down the tree. I followed right behind her.

Alassëa looked around to see if the coast was clear. She then lifted her head and started to whistle a beautiful tune. Soon we heard two sets of hooves coming towards us. I looked to see Mistiel and Gilroch galloping towards us.

Mistiel came to a stop in front of me, nuzzling my hair. "Good to see you alright." I whispered stroking her mane.

"Ariel, we must hurry. The Riders are still out there." I looked and saw Alassëa already on her horse. I nodded in agreement, jumping on and then we were off towards Rivendell.