I dedicate this short story to my friends Mirkwood Princess and Elvish Star

By morning they had already crossed into Rohan. They came upon Edoras, and there they were greeted by an amazing site. There, in the field, was three thousand riders assembled, ready to fight. Eomer rode toward them and greeted Aragorn.

“My friend, how did you know?” Aragorn was astonished. Eomer made a gesture somewhere in the army. A sleek black horse stepped forward, bearing a tall and slender rider. The rider wore silver armour outlined in gold. The rider dismounted and took off its helmet. Long black hair cascaded down the rider’s back. It was an Elf-maiden, her eyes as black as night. Her shoulders were broad, like that of a great warrior. Set upon her forehead was a circlet of mithril.

She spoke little, but she did speak. “Elen Quendi is my name. I, and twenty others, have come to help you.”

Anar noticed then a group of riders in the same silver and gold armour, upon gleaming white horses. Their grey cloaks were long and draped over their mounts’ backs, ending only a foot from the ground.

Tears welled in Anar’s eyes, remembering her own horse. Anna, oh Anna, why did you have to leave me? She turned her head away.

Aragorn stepped forward and bowed to the Elf. Legolas did the same and Anar follwed.

“Kings do not bow to generals.” the Elf said.

Still kneeling, Aragorn replied. “But kings do bow to friends.”

He rose and greeted her. “Mae Govannen, mellon nin.”

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At camp that night Anar spoke to Legolas as she tended the horse that she had borrowed form Minus Tirith.

“Who is she, this Elen Quendi? Why is she so special?”

“Have you not heard the stories?” he answered. He looked to the stars in the night sky.

“Elen Quendi: Elvish Star of Lorien. When she was a young child, her mother was killed in one of the many attacks on Lothlorien. She stayed close to her father, known as one of the greatest soldiers of that time. She went on hunts with him, and learned to fight, both arrow and sword. Then, her father was called upon to go to war. She was left behind… or so he thought. She took a horse from the stables, took out her sword that he had given her, and rode into battle. He didn’t know it, but she rode right alongside him in the war. Her father was killed, and died in her arms. She struck out savagely, taking on any foe who dared to come near.

After the battle was won, she did not return to Lorien. She was angry with Galadriel and Celeborn for sending her father to war. She lived in the wilderness, traveling by foot and camping any where she could find. Many times she fought off bands of warg riders. She became strong, and started to enjoy the fights. She became confident too.”

He paused and looked toward Anar, a slight hint of a grin in his lips.

“That horse… he is not of Lorien… or Mirkwood, Dol Amroth, Rohan, or Gondor… He is from Mordor.”

Anar’s eyes were wide with disbelief.

“He belonged to one of Sauron’s most loyal servants… The Witchking of Angmar…”

He turned to the mountains in the far distance, toward Mordor.

“She traveled to Minus Morgul, the tower of the Witchking. She, before Gandalf or Eowyn, stood up to the Witchking. She had no intention of killing him, just messing with him. She taunted him and he sent an army upon her to get rid of her. But she destroyed them all, telling him that he was weak and could only have others do the fighting for him.

He rode out upon the great horse and cofronted her. She knocked him off and mounted the horse herself. She forced him into the tower and then sped off with the great stallion. She finally returned to Lorien. That is is just one of the great stories about her. Now she is the general of Lothlorien. We are lucky to have her.”

Anar was fascinated with this new woman. She stayed deep in thought.

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Elen Quendi stood watch next to Aragorn. “We must get to Mirkwood. The men may sleep another hour, then we must leave.” Aragorn nodded slowly.

“You must sleep while you can, too, my lord. The men can’t have a weary leader.”

Aragorn lay down next to Arwen, her eyes wide open in her sleep. He was out as soon as he closed his eyes.