Author's Notes: Thanks for reading this story. And err that's it.

Chased Northwards

Ringwraiths were the twisted and tormented beings that were once the nine kings of Men who were corrupted by Sauron by the use of the evil rings. Many thought them as a myth to put the children to bed at night but others knew it was true. For even those who tell their children to "get to bed or the Ringwraiths will get you" fear the name Ringwraith deep down within them. On hearing this many young children run to the beds and hide under their cover's in an unexplained and inexplicable jolt of fear. I myself do not wish to meet these twisted shadows of the Rings of Men yet I do wonder if what stories I have heard are true. Do these creatures really have no features and do they really fear fire? Those were just I few questions I wanted the answers for yet I questioned myself what I would do if I came across one.

We slowed the horses down once more. "They're in the Western sector of the forest" I whispered to Arwen, fearing that the Ringwraiths had good hearing. "I suppose your Phoenix told you that" She whispered back. I smirked then I reared Thilason to the left. "Of course he did and I think he would prefer it if you called him by his name and not by his breed."

"Then what is his name?"

"Horus." I said plainly. There was another shriek of a Ringwraith only this one seemed too close for my liking. I swore in Castedian knowing Arwen had no clue what vulgar, unladylike and harsh words I saying.

My eyes suddenly began to burn and sting like my own fire was burning out of control inside me. The world fell away out of focus and reality. I found myself looking down upon Trollshaw Forest. I was moving threw the skies gracefully yet I did not feel the wind or my own body. There were five dots moving fast at least 150 meters behind one blue dot and one green dot. Then I realised I was seeing was Horus was seeing. He had left the camp and come to look for us then somehow made me see what he was seeing from far up above. I grew dizzy and my mind filled with vertigo. The sight of Horus disappeared and my own came back into focus. "What is it?" Arwen asked with eyes of terror. She too feared the nearing shrieks yet somehow she could tell I had seen something that she had not. "Five Ringwraiths are behind us, moving fast. We need to split up, I can draw 'em off Aragorn's and Hobbit's encampment for so long. Youmust get the Ringbearer out." I answered quickly as I stumbled over my own words. "I shall lure them North. You take the One Ring, East and over the Ford. None who are not welcome dare to cross."

Before Arwen could protest against my plan I was off riding Thilason towards the swords of the Ringwraiths. 'For Valars sake, you stupid girl! Your gonna get killed!' My doutful mind shouted at me. As I rode closer I put my bow back onto my back, knowing I would need two hands to turn as quickly as I planned.

As I drew closer, my heart became colder like all happiness had been sucked from my body. My bravery was being shredded to pieces as Thilason galloped us closer. "Stay brave, Thilason. They are only sheep shrouded in a wolf's coat." I said aloud. But I was not trying to comfort Thilason, I was comforting myself trying to turn my fear into a funny lie. The five Ringwraiths ride black horses that looked like they were the rotting dead. There was only dark shadows inside the Ringwraiths' black cloaks. Their horses breath was hot steam. I counted down the meters. 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16.

Fifteen! I pulled back the reins. Thilason quickly reared up with his front legs a meter of the ground and let out a loud neighed. My knuckles turned white as I lead his head to the right with the reins. He turned and galloped at full throttle towards the Northern Sector of Trollshaw Forest. He weaved in and out of trees and jumped over fallen trees. I looked over to see the five Ringwraiths riding shoulder to shoulder. It behind them was a cloud of darkness and fear that followed them in unison. All of them bared out their swords pointing them towards me. "Take us to the Halfling now, Ranger!" One of them called with a cold hearted tone that sent a shiver down my spine. I smirked so they thought I was a Ranger did they? Well, at least that should keep my kingdom away from Sauron's wrath for now. My heart pounded in my chest as we had some near misses of smashing into trees. "Trick, this is a trick!" The same one who had called shrieked at his comrades. Two of the five Ringwraiths turned and ran off into the direction of Ford, leaving three behind. I spurred on Thilason into a even greater speed but I could tell Thilason was running out of energy.

I removed my feet from the stirrups and dropped the reins. 'This is gonna be painful.' I thought to myself. I moved myself up the saddle then places my hands at the top of the saddle. I pulled my right leg over Thilason so my knee was resting in his hind. Then jumped off, landing a crouch in the dry leaves. I took out my bow and nocked an arrow into the bowstring. Now in a kneeling position I pulled back the bowstring past my mouth. I let go allowing the arrow to fly into the chest of one of the black horses. The horse reared up on it's hind legs and threw off one of the Ringwraiths into a nearby tree. Before it could charge I shot another arrow into the horses eye. The horse fell to the ground and turned to ash leaving behind my two arrows on the ground. 'They will not leave you till you are dead' Horus warned me. I looked to the skies and saw him flying in the trees. His feathers reflected the moon and looked silver and light blue. 'They will if they are scared or injured or...burnt' I thought back to him. A mistchivous smile formed upon my lips. The two remaining horses were coming closer. I could almost feel the heat of their monstrous breath. I notched another arrow and watched as my hands set alight with blue flames. The flames licked at the bow and arrow then transferred on to them. I pulled back the bowstring and moved it so it was aiming at the ground in front of the oncoming Ringwraiths. With a twang of the bowstring I watched and hoped. The arrow struck the ground. At my bidding the flames jump from the arrow into the ground, making a ring of fire around me and Thilason. But this was only a small ring. The two Ringwraiths urged their horses forward but when they did draw closer thinking they could jump it the flames grew. By the time the horses were a meter away from the flames, the flames were already 10m high. The Ringwraiths let out horrible shrieks that were excruciating to listen to. I waited 2 minutes until I was sure they had rode away before I put out the flames.

Horus sat on my shoulder and looked at the ring of scorched undergrowth and leaves. 'This scorched ring will last many winters.' He murmured to me. I left the ring and picked up my two arrows that laid in the pile of dark ash and placed them back into my quiver. 'I have a feeling all is not well in these parts late at night. I do not trust what I cannot see.' I walked to where Thilason stood kicking back and forth his left fore hoof like he was anticipating the journey back to the safety of Rivendale. "Soon Thilason, we need to find Aragorn and the Halflings before you are back safe and sound in Rivendale." I said to him as I stroked my hand down his long face. Thilason huffed like he knew he would have to do something running. 'You said we share our gifts. So tell me Horus, can you burn brightly? And lead us to the encampment of Aragorn and the Halflings.'

Horus flew off my shoulder and began to glow in blue and white. The flames looked delicate and beautiful, like candle light, the flames flickered. 'I cam' he answered. I mounted Thilason and put him into a lite trot that was heading towards the west. Like torch light Horus lead us to the edge of an opening in the forest.

I could hear the crackles of a fire and the puff of smoke coming from a pipe. I dismounted and stayed hidden within the darkness of night. Horus put out his flames and once again sat upon my shoulder. Three small Halflings say around a blazing fire warming their small hands. A man with dark hair sat under a oak smoking a pipe but keeping his hand resting upon a sword. His blue eyes looked into the darkness in front of him. It was Aragorn. "Somethings lurking in the forest" Aragorn spoke aloud to the Halflings who all reached to the their belts and unsheathed their small swords. Aragorn placed down his pipe and stood up with his hand wrapped out the hilt of the blade. "Stay close little ones." He treaded carefully and made his way across the clearing. The Halflings followed with trembling hands that made their swords rattle in their lose grip. "Yes, I would stay close, these woods are not a safe place for those who do not know friend from foe" I called out at I lead Thilason into the clearing by his reins.

Aragorn gave a stern but welcoming look towards me and sheathed his sword back into it's leather holder. "You haven't changed" Aragorn laughed as he patted one of the Halflings on the back. I smiled and looked at the three Halflings all of them seemed different in their own way yet all of them had the tan of the Shire on their skin. "I should hope I haven't changed." I laughed then turned serious at an inhuman manner. "Are you going to introduce yourselves, boys? Or do you wish to stand there gaping all night long and wait for the beasts of darkness to attack?" I asked the Halflings with a plain and to the point voice. There was a long silence neither the Aragorn or the Halflings spoke. "Take that as a yes then." I muttered to myself. "I'm Tara, this is Horus and Thilason" I introduced myself and my animal companions. Aragorn coughed after I said my name without adding the words Princess or Queen to young to rule on to it. "I think you forgot the title, my lady" Aragorn joked though the Halfings didn't quite understand his humour.

"¿Praren ue ather mî exclam outib ues?" (Would you rather me shout yours?) I asked in Elvish. Aragorn's smile faded away and became serious. The youngest looking Halfling whispered to the sandy haired Halfling next to him. The sandy haired Halfling answered his comrades question with a swift elbow into his comrades ribs. "Ouch, what was that for Merry?" His comrade called out. "I only asked a question and questions never have an answer that is a jab to the fourth rib!"

"And what was this question, Pippin?" Aragorn asked sternly. Pippin looked up at me and straightened his stature so he was standing tall. Well, as tall as he could manage anyway. "I...was wondering if you were of the race of Men or of Elves."

"Neither, thankfully." I answered without haste. All of the Halflings seemed taken aback by my answer. Slight fear lingered within their eyes. "I'm a Nymph." I carried on wondering if they knew anything of my Their blank faces showed that they did not. "Maybe it is something to speak of sat down by your fire rather than allow it smoulder and act like a beacon to any nearby foes. What's your name then? You haven't spoke a word and I am no mind reader" I looked down at the Halfling who had ginger hair that seemed lite brown in the light of the sparkling stars. "Sam Gamgee" He answered.

Now sat at the campfire I began to explain what Nymphs were and still are. "Like the elves we are immortal. We can only be killed by violence and losing the will to live on into the next day." I pauced and shook the thought of my parents out of my mind. "We live in the North East in our homeland named Castdeia and our capital is called Doehas. That is all I can tell at the present time. It is late and I can see you are tired so rest. I can keep watch until dawn"

"But what about a King or a Queen? You must surly have one of those don't you?" Sam asked inquisitively. He let out a long yawn. I rolled my eyes at the sniggering Aragorn then turned back to Sam. "That is all. Watch the flames they will bring you dreams that are plagued by the wrath of the dark"

I put the flames under my control and turned them into different colours then made the shape of a bird with the flames based on the appearance of Horus. It leapt up into the air and circled the air above our heads until it burst into tiny sparks of blue flames that landed on our faces bringing the Halflings warmth and comfort. They laid on their backs looking at the sky then gradually drifted into their sweet dreams.

I had offered to keep for two reasons. The first being that I could manage staying awake for two weeks without much difference in my physical performance and these Halflings could not. And the second reason being that I feared to sleep and dream after what horrid things I saw the last time. "Something's troubling you" Aragorn observed as I looked into the flames wanting it the burn away the need to sleep ever again. "Everything troubles me and you know it because most things these days troubles you too. Now leave your troubles be this night and rest. I will not let any dangers come crawling nigh."

Aragorn laid down against the tree and turned over wrapping his cloak round himself. I looked at Thilason who seemed to be conversing with Sam's poney Bill then at Horus who sat in the rafters of the tree on guard of the skies above. All seemed calm and quiet. A soft low whistle was coming from Merry's thin lips every time he let a breath out into the air. The grass blew softly in the calm wind. It was hard to believe that this land was not tamed by everyone other than it's self. It had no master and it would probably never have one so long as Suaron does not capture the One Ring in nearing future.