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'One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.'

~William Feather

Chapter 2

After they spoke with the Lady Galadriel, Bragolan led them down to the glade of trees where they could rest for the night. "Make yourselves comfortable, maidens." He said as he gestured toward the trees.

The youngest maiden rushed toward the tree, smiling and looking absolutely delighted. "Herentari! Be careful!" The eldest, Eldalin, called as she followed after her.

Aradiel, the maiden that seemed to be leading them, stayed beside Bragolan. "Thank you for guiding us here, guard." She said with a nod.

"Call me Bragolan." He replied.

"Ah, well. Thank you." She said again.

"You're welcome, my lady. Now, if it will be alright, I must return to my post." He said as he took a step away.

"Oh, wait!" Aradiel said as she reached over to touch his arm. "I wanted to ask you a favor."

Bragolan glanced over his shoulder at her. "A favor?"

"Yes. Well, you see, we must get back to Imladris, but I'm worried about our journey over the Misty Mountains." She began.

"And you want to enlist my help to be sure you make it across?" Bragolan sighed. "My lady, I have much to do here, as it is. I cannot just leave."

"I asked Lady Galadriel about getting some help. She suggested you to us, Bragolan." Aradiel said softly.

Bragolan blinked and sighed. "Oh, I see."

Aradiel was a little confused. "But if you are truly upset at having to travel with us, then I suppose we could find someone else." She said.

Bragolan shook his head. "It's not that, lady. I just wasn't prepared to suddenly leave. However, I would be honored to give you my services as a guard." He said with a bow.

Aradiel smiled. "Thank you very much, sir. We will see you in the morning, then." She said.

Bragolan nodded and walked away, disappearing from view as he slipped between the trees. His silver garb helped him to blend in with the surroundings, since the trees were silvery as well.

As he walked he thought about this new arrangement. He hadn't left Lothlorien for years. In fact, the only time he had left was to help the Mirkwood Elves when they were being bombarded by spider and goblin attacks. He loved Lorien, so why would he leave it?

This was the last place he'd seen his family. This was the last place they'd been all together and happy. Bragolan sighed and then came to the tree where he was supposed to stay and guard for the remainder of the night. He climbed up quickly and saw Veryo was sitting there silently.

"I hear you are leaving." Veryo said.

"News travels fast in these trees." Bragolan commented as he sat down next to his friend.

Veryo smiled. "It does indeed. " He agreed. "So, where are you going?"

"Imladris, apparently." He replied.

"It will be good for to get some rest. Perhaps your mind will be at ease there." Veryo said.

Bragolan sighed. "Probably not, but it's a nice thought." He said with a small smile.

Veryo shook his head. "You need to relax, Bragolan. I'm serious about this. You are still a fairly young elf, and you have eternity before you. Are you going to live like this forever?" He asked.

Bragolan shrugged. "Perhaps not. But it still feels like a wound that continues to be ripped open each time this day rolls around. I just cannot forgive myself for what happened." He said sadly.

Veryo sighed. "Forgiveness is a difficult thing. Especially when it's yourself you have to forgive." He said as he looked directly at Bragolan. "But it's the only way you'll be able to move on."

Bragolan nodded slowly. "I know what you're saying is right. I do need to forgive myself. Perhaps I will someday." He said as he laid down.

Veryo sighed, but didn't speak anymore. Silence closed in around them and eventually Bragolan fell asleep while Veryo remained on guard.

Next Day

Bragolan met with the maidens later that day. Their horses were all set to go, and his horse joined the party as well.

"I hope you all slept well." Bragolan said as he mounted his horse.

Aradiel smiled and nodded. "Indeed we did, Bragolan." She said.

Soon they were all on their horses and riding out of Lorien at relaxed pace. Bragolan paused as they left the borders behind and looked over his shoulder. Herentari noticed this and slowed her horse. "Bragolan, are you alright?" She asked softly.

Bragolan was brought out of his thoughts and looked at Herentari. "I'm fine, thank you." He said. Then he kicked his horse to a trot to catch up with them. Soon they were on their way at a steady pace. They wanted to at least reach the base of the Misty Mountains before night fell.

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When the moon was highest in the night sky they stopped to rest. "We should be starting our journey through the Misty Mountains tomorrow morning." Aradiel said with a smile.

"Well, that's good." Eldalin said. She was tending to a fire and trying to cook them something simple to eat.

Bragolan sat down. He was pleased with their progress as well, but didn't feel like saying anything about it. He had never been through the Misty Mountains and he wasn't sure he was going to enjoy the trip. He'd heard a lot of bad things about it.

Herentari smiled and sat down next to Bragolan. "Thank you for accompanying us." She said politely.

Bragolan nodded. "It's alright."

"You must be a very good guard, hm?" She said. Then she smiled. "I'm Eldalin's apprentice. She's going to teach me all about healing."

"A very commendable job, Herentari." Bragolan said with a nod.

"I love helping people." She said with a giggle.

"Herentari! Go out and pick some herbs. We're low on them from our journey here." Eldalin called.

Herentari looked up. "Oh! Yes, Eldalin!" She said as she quickly got to her feet. She smiled back at Bragolan. "Sorry to leave so suddenly. I'll be back shortly." And with that she walked off.

Bragolan looked around. He was going to be on guard duty tonight, since that was what he'd been asked to accompany them for. Aradiel and Eldalin began speaking to themselves in the Elvish tongue. Bragolan caught a few words, but they spoke in hushed tones. Something about the danger lurking and how Orcs and even the wicked men were beginning to come closer to the once well protected lands.

Bragolan sighed. Mordor was always in some kind of motion, but it seemed like there had been more trouble than normal of late. Especially since the attacks on Lorien five years ago.

Suddenly a scream pierced the night sky. Bragolan was on his feet and seconds and his sword sparkled under the moon and stars as it was suddenly unsheathed.

He took off in the direction of the scream, knowing it had to be Herentari. Eldalin and Aradiel followed. Aradiel was armed with her own sword, and Eldalin was armed with her herbs only. But it was all she needed.

Then Bragolan suddenly came into a clearing a saw a dark cloaked figure standing before Herentari and something shone. A dagger had pierced Herentari.

Bragolan rushed toward this enemy, but he turned, dropping the dagger, and fled deeper into the forest. "Take care of Herentari!" He shouted. He didn't even stop, he continued to charge after this man.

He jumped over a fallen log and then saw the man was closer. He seemed to be slowing down. Bragolan rushed towards him and grabbed the man's wrist and turned him around swiftly to try and see who this was. His blade came to lay across the man's neck. "If you move, I will not even hesitate to remove your head from your shoulders." He said angrily.

The man cowered, but Bragolan saw dark eyes beneath the shadow of the hood. Then he fell to his knees and cried out. "Please! I had to kill her! I had to!"

Bragolan's eyes widened. That voice, though it was pained, he knew it. He knew that voice. He knelt down and pulled the hood back. A mass of black hair fell around the man's shoulders, but away from his ears. They were pointed.

Bragolan's heart began to pound and he grabbed the man's shoulder to turn him around. He felt the man's muscle tense, as if with pain, and he more gently turned him over. His eyes began to water with tears. This frightened young man was his lost brother. Lindar.