No time to waste today. I'm just gonna get to the point.

Disclaimer: Why not say it one more time? I DON'T OWN LORDS OF THE RINGS!

Chapter 13 Recap:

Okay, there were about 3 endings in the last chapter, so I can't really do a recap. If you've really forgotten, just go back and fast read.

Chapter 14:

Aragorn was in a little bit of a panic. He knew Frodo needed to get to Rivendell now, but he couldn't leave the other hobbits alone.

'First things, first. Let's find some athelas,' he thought.

He crouched low to the ground, trying to find the healing weed. He found a patch about 30 feet away from the campsite. He began to cut, but then he heard a snap of a twig. Fearing the worst, he quickly drew his sword at scanned the trees with his torch.

"Peace Aragorn. I'm the last person who wants to bring you harm," a male voice said in elvish.

Aragorn still didn't lower his sword. Now he even had to be wary about elves. "If you wish peace, show yourself now!"

A horse came out of the brush and a rider dismounted.

"Is that anyway to treat a friend?" he asked, removing the cloak.

"Haldir?" Aragorn said. "How did you…what?"

"There is no time to explain now," said Haldir. "Word is you have a Nazgûl wound that needs to go to Rivendell."

"Yes, of course. This way."

He led Haldir back to the camp. Sam being cautious drew his little sword.

"Who's he, Strider?" he demanded to Aragorn, or Strider in the hobbit's case.

Haldir raised an eyebrow. "Strider?"

"Like you said, no time to explain now." Aragorn turned back to Sam.

"He is here to help. He will take Frodo to Rivendell while I stay with you three."

"Are you crazy? Those black riders are still out there!" cried Merry.

"I am a swift rider, and the power of the elves will protect me," Haldir assured. "I would not stand to see your friend be more injured."

The hobbits said nothing; for they knew what the elves could do was great. But their eyes were still untrusting.

"Have faith, little halfings. I am sorry to come on such short notice, but we must leave now," Haldir said.

Aragorn went over to Frodo and picked him up. Frodo gave a moan.

"He's fading fast. This is worse than I expected," Haldir frowned.

"I do not know how much you know, but he must live," Aragorn stated urgently.

"I understand," the elf said. He put Frodo gently on his horse and then mounted himself. "Noro lim, Fenri, noro lim!"

With that Haldir was gone from Aragorn's sight within seconds.

"I hope you know what you're doing," muttered Pippin.

'So do I,' thought the ranger. 'So do I.'

Abigail's trip was un-eventful, to her relief. Later on, she did begin to talk to her companions, and found out a little bit about their family's, who they were and such. She stuck to her story, about how she was just meeting Haldir in Rivendell.

It was early morning when Darè said,

"Do you hear that? It's the river. We should be at Imladris within the day."

"That's good news," Abigail said. "Being the dainty lady I am, I could use a bath."

A few of them chuckled.

"Pardon me, my lady," he said sarcastically. "But when you were eating that stew the other night, you didn't look like any lady I've ever seen."

She laughed as well. "Can you blame me? Even a woman enjoys some nice rabbit after 3 days of lembas bread."

Darè's prediction was right, and they reached the entrance of Rivendell by mid-afternoon.

(A/N-Again, I'm not sure of the timing. Oh, and "Noro lim!" means ride fast.)

Abigail didn't hide her amazement of the city. A beautiful waterfall lay just to the east side, and surrounding the entire city was a lush forest. The city itself seemed to glitter in the sun.

"Rodwen was right. It's magnificent," she whispered.

A guard called out from the main gate.

"Please state your business."

"We have come for a personal visit. Tell me, do you know if Captain Haldir has arrived yet?" on of her men replied.

The elf thought for a moment.

"Ah yes, he came in a few days ago. Please, enter and enjoy the city."

"Thank you."

The five dismounted after they were inside a little ways, and had already earned a few interesting stares.

"I thank you all for accompanying me. Though especially now I think Haldir was a little over-protective," Abigail said, very aware of the judging looks from the elves.

"True, we are a strange entourage. But we enjoyed the trip and the company."

Abigail smiled. "I'm glad. Well, I'm off to find the captain."

She began to leave, but didn't make it to far.

"Lady Abigail?" someone asked.

"What?" she said, confused at someone knowing her name so soon.

"Forgive me for startling you. I assumed since you were the only mortal girl here you were the Abigail I was looking for."

"No, sorry, you just surprised me. What I meant to say is, yes I am Abigail."

"Oh, I see," the elf said. "My name is Erugell. I am supposed to take you to see Lord Elrond."

Abigail gulped. "Already? I only just arrived."

"If you please, miss. I think it's important."

"I bet it is," she muttered. "Lead the, Sir Erugell."

He nodded. Rivendell was very strange compared to Lorien. This was really a stone city, with cobbled streets and rock homes. She was used to the open freedom of the trees and the grass of the forest. Still, it was pretty.

Erugell stopped and pointed to two large, brown-oak doors. "My lord should be in there. Follow me, please."

He gave a knock on the massive door.

"Come in," A deep voice boomed.

"Lord Elrond, I present Lady Abigail from Lorien," Erugell introduced.

"It's an honor, my lord," Abigail curtsied.

"Thank you Erugell you may leave."

Abigail took a moment to study Elrond. He seemed to have that mysterious and handsome air like Lady Galadriel. But his face looked as powerful and serious as Lord Celeborn's. She couldn't decide if that was good or bad.

As soon as Erugell closed the door, the Lord said, "Take a seat."

She obeyed.

"I'm sorry to take you away so abruptly, before you even see Lord Haldir, but it is very important we get a few things straight."

"I assumed as much, my lord."

He took a breath. "While I am in no position to deny your entrance into the council, I won't lie and say I'm pleased with it. Never before has a young, mortal woman been allowed to such a sacred event."

'That's me, the triple threat,' she thought sarcastically.

(A/N: Okay, I'm not sure of that fact. But it seems logical that no woman would ever be allowed into a council. They aren't even allowed to fight, for goodness sakes.)

"But, I also trust Lady Galadriel, and know she has never been wrong with her visions or her intuition."

"That's what everyones excuse is," said Abigail.

Elrond gave a very small smile. "I hope you understand, it's nothing personal."

"Of course, my lord."

"A word of warning then," he continued. "Keep telling everyone you are only here for a visit. And when the day comes, try to hold your tongue and be respectful. While you may have a valued thought or a good point, there are men who would rather die than take the advice of a woman."

"I'll remember that."

"The council still won't be for a few days. For now, please enjoy the city. It is yours to explore."

"Thank you, Lord Elrond." She got up and curtsied again.

"I believe Lord Haldir is down by the stables, that's where he likes to go. He can show you to your room, for I believe you may want to wash up."

Abigail blushed deeply. She hadn't realized that she had been wearing a dirty, gray riding dress and muddy boots while talking to the ruler of Rivendell.

"Yes, sir."

She asked an elf where the stables were and he pointed her in a southwest direction. She found him polishing his saddle.

"Making your horse look pretty just for me?" she joked.

He stood up quickly. "Abigail!" He gave her a big hug. "Was the trip safe? Your not hurt or anything?"

"I'm perfectly fine Haldir. While the escort was a bit over-done, they were very kind."

"Good," he said. "And I was only being cautious."

"How did the mission go? Did you find Lord Aragorn?"

"Yes, and the hobbit is doing just fine."

"Hobbit?" she asked.

"Don't you remember me telling you about them? They're the little people from the shire, over in Eriador."

She nodded her head. "Vaguely I guess. What was wrong with him?"

He sighed. "Nazgûl cut.'

She paused. "Nazgûl? All the way out here?" She paled slightly.

"You are safe in the city, do not worry." Haldir said.

"It's not that, it's just…I guess this is a bigger deal than I thought." Realization hit.

"By the Valar, the council! I should of known, it's about the ring, isn't it?"

He shook his head yes.

"Is it…is it here?"

"It was the hobbit who had it."

She sat down on a stool. "Haldir, I can't be in this council. I am hardly up to date on this subject and in no position to make suggestions. I'll just make a fool of myself and the people of Loren!"

"Listen to me," he said. "You have a purpose for being here. You are a key element to that team, no matter what the reasons. You should be proud of yourself. You get to help decide on how to save the world."

"But no pressure, right?"

He laughed lightly. "Well, in all honesty. You could just go and not say anything at all if you are that nervous. Just listen to what they have to say, and then you can report in back to the Lord and Lady."

"Can't I just skip it? Can you come with me?" Abigail pleaded.

"No and no. Your presence is thus demanded, and I am not invited. I raised you to be strong. You're willing to fight and orc, but not have a friendly discussion?"

"I'm not sure how friendly it will be once I show up."

"Try not to worry so much. You still have a few days. For now, let's clean you up. Come with me," he urged her off the stool. "You smell like a horse."

"You do too! How long have you been in these stables?"

Later That Evening

Abigail was lost in the city maze. Haldir told her to meet her at some small dining room for dinner. He understood she probably didn't want to eat with strangers.

As she rounded into a corner, she bumped into someone.

"Forgive me, I was looking," she apologized quickly.

"It's alright," the elf women helped her up. "Your accent, your not from around here?"

"It's my first visit," she said, switching to English.

"Oh, a mortal. You must be the girl from Lorien."

Abigail couldn't tell if she was disappointed or interested

"My names Abigail, please to meet you."

"My name is Arwen," she said.

Abigail went into a quick curtsey. "Sorry, my lady, I didn't recognize you."

"Oh please, don't bow or anything. You're a guest. Where are you headed?" she asked politely.

"Um, dining wing C, I think."
"I'm going the same direction. I'll show you the way."

It only took a few minutes to get there. Abigail had walked right past it.

"Thank you very much, my lady. It would have taken me all night to find it with my senses."

"Please, just Arwen," she laughed. "How about I show you around the city tomorrow. I think I would like your company and you sound in sore need of some directions"

"That would be nice and helpful. Thanks."

"Don't worry, I'll find you," she said as she walked away. "Goodnight!"

"Goodnight, Arwen." As she opened the door, she thought, 'No wonder elves love her. Looks and personality.'

"There you are! The food was getting cold!" Haldir said.

"Sorry, just got little lost," she said. "Let's eat."

With Arwen

"There you are! I thought you had forgotten about me," Aragorn said.

"Sorry, just helping a new friend," she said. "And I could never forget about you."

They came together for a small kiss. In the back of Aragorn's mind, though, he was itching to ask,

"What new friend?"

Yes, I'm glad I could put two chapters in this weekend. And we're finally too Rivendell! Council won't be until chapter 16, I think. But it could be next time, I'm not sure. Send me your thoughts, please!

Thanks to ArwenEvenstar83 for the really nice review. You sound a lot like me! (It's not too bad of a thing, I swear.)

Until next chapter,

-MN9