Hello everyone!

Okay, so for the next few chapters, this will focus on Hope and Aragorn's adventures.

I also wanted to know what you (yes, you, the reader) thought about having pairings within the Elenmîr (example: Chase/Fern). Tell me! If you want, you can even suggest pairings you would like. NOTE: I will not accept slash pairings.

Anyways, on with the chapter! I still do not own any of this except for my OC's, no matter how much I really want to.

Chapter 11: Only the Beginning of Adventure

Hope was bleeding.

The orc attack had surprised them, and neither she nor Aragorn had escaped without injury. A large gash ran along Hope's arm, and Aragorn's forearm was bloody. Thankfully, neither wound was poisoned.

With a sigh, Hope finished bandaging her arm and moved closer to the small campfire Aragorn had kindled. She lay down on her back, one hand upon her sword hilt, the other fiddling with the pin of the grey cloak she wore. It was quite unusual; unlike most of the Dúnedain's silver star brooches, hers was shaped like a hawk. It somehow felt familiar to her, but she couldn't place it.

Aragorn gazed pensively at the young girl apparently asleep on the forest floor. She, like him, carried the burden of destiny, a weight neither wanted to carry. Beside him, Roheryn and Alagos, the bay steed of Hope, stood in the trees, munching on the forest grass and whinnying in content.

Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats resonated through the forest. Hope leapt to her feet, loosing her sword in her sheath. Aragorn's hand flew to the hilt of his sword.

A figure on horseback rode into the small clearing. He was clad in gray robes, a faded blue hat upon his head and a gnarled wooden staff in his hand. "Gandalf," Aragorn greeted, relaxing his grip on his sword.

"Aragorn, Hope," the wizard replied, dismounting. "I have urgent matters to speak of."

"What is it?" Hope asked, her brow creasing with worry.

"I suspect that the ring my friend the hobbit Bilbo Baggins found on his adventure so long ago is indeed the One Ring of Power," Gandalf explained.

"Isildur's Bane?" Aragorn gasped. "How can you be certain?"

"There is one creature who may add to our knowledge," Gandalf continued. "The creature known as Gollum held the ring before Bilbo. He may give us some of the answers we seek." The wizard swiftly mounted his horse again. "Aragorn, Hope, you must find Gollum as swiftly as possible. Bring him to Mirkwood when you have caught him. I, meanwhile, ride to Gondor with all speed. Hopefully the old records will hold some of the answers I seek." With that, Gandalf galloped away into the trees.

The two Rangers were silent for a moment. Eventually, Aragorn spoke. "Where shall we begin our quest?" he asked quietly.

"I don't know," Hope answered honestly. "Gollum is a speedy creature. He can easily and quickly move from one place to the next." She paused for a moment, deep in thought. "You know, Fern might know where we may be able to find Gollum. I think that out of all the Elenmîr, she knows the most."

"Fern has returned to Mirkwood, correct?" Aragorn asked.

"Yep."

"Then we begin our journey to Mirkwood at dawn," Aragorn continued. "We must hasten. Gandalf is urgent."

Hope nodded, leaning back against a tree trunk with her eyes closed. Why didn't you tell Gandalf about the Ring? a voice asked inside her head.

I couldn't tell him, Hope replied. It might change the future.

But you might have saved him a lot of time, the voice reasoned.

Finding Gollum is an important event of the story, Hope retorted. I can't just let it not happen. It would affect the future.

But it would change the future for the better, the voice continued. Gandalf wouldn't be running around searching for answers. Frodo could leave before the wraiths arrive in the Shire.

Look, Hope snapped, I can't just go and change the future.

But you're already changing it, the voice stated flatly.

Hope let out a frustrated sigh. Well, it's too late now. And with that final thought, she drifted off into sleep.

~o*o*o*o~

For several days the two Rangers rode across the plains of Eriador. Soon, a huge range of mountains capped with snow towered over them.

"The Misty Mountains?" Hope asked.

Aragorn nodded. "Indeed."

"And we're going to have to cross them, right?" Hope continued unenthusiastically.

The elder Ranger gave her a quick nod and then spurred Roheryn forward.

Hope slumped in her saddle. "Oh, this is going to be great."

~o*o*o*o~

The Misty Mountains were unforgiving. Roheryn and Alagos trudged through thick snowdrifts, visibly struggling. Aragorn and Hope had to stop several times to give the horses some time to rest.

The weather had not been too kind, either. It was unbearably cold, and sometimes snowstorms would flurry around the mountains. An especially fierce blizzard raged outside as Aragorn and Hope rested in a cave, unable to travel in such conditions. They could not kindle a fire, and so the two Rangers just lay there, watching the snowflakes rush past the hollow in the mountainside.

Aragorn stared about the cave, gazing at the jagged gray rocks. Quietly, the Ranger began to sing.

"Tinúviel elvanui

Elleth alfirin edhelhael

O hon ring finnil fuinui

A renc gelebrin thiliol."

The melody was soft and slow, as was the way with all Elvish songs. Hope smiled as she listened. "Is that the Lay of Lúthien?" she asked.

"Indeed," Aragorn replied.

"It's a beautiful song," Hope commented. "Can you teach it to me?"

Aragorn nodded. "I believe Elladan and Elrohir taught you the Elvish language during your stay at Rivendell, correct?"

"I only know some of it," Hope responded. "I'm still learn-"

Hope was cut off by the sound of rumbling above them. The very ground began to shake, and piles of snow began falling down near the cave's mouth. "What in the…"

"It's an avalanche!" Aragorn cried, springing onto Roheryn. "We must move!"

Hope nodded and leapt onto Alagos, spurring him into a gallop. The bay stallion cantered after Roheryn, tearing through snowdrifts as the thundering of the torrent of snow drew nearer.

Suddenly, the avalanche was upon them. Huge waves of ice swallowed them, pulling both horse and rider down. Roheryn burst out of the snow, neighing frantically. Aragorn clung on to the reins as the chestnut stallion fought the rush of snow.

With all speed, Aragorn galloped down the slope. He could hardly see through the flurry of snow and ice. "Hope!" he cried, unable to locate the young Ranger in the snow. "Hope!"

~o*o*o*o~

Alagos whinnied in terror as the wave of snow engulfed them. Hope felt her body collide with something hard, and then…nothingness.

I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry it was a bit short.

Please Review! Tell me about the whole pairing idea (see top).