The day had finally come for their departure and a strange feeling clung to the air of Rivendell; it was an elvish haunting that was unlike the curse of Mirkwood but familiar in a way Rekena did not understand.

Ever since her conversation with Legolas she had made sure to fill her days with practice, each day she wielded a different weapon making sure that she was still proficient with all she carried. Most of all she practiced with her bow, the words of the wood elf had irked her more than she realised – she never had any wish nor want to fit in with the world of elves but they among all others were revered for the talent of their archers so perhaps it was good to learn from the best. With Gloin and Bilbo long since departed, Gimli remained her only familiar face and so between practice more of her time had naturally been spent with Atyalassë.

It had come to a shock when she had learned that Atyalassë and Legolas were of the same father, the King of Mirkwood. She could not think of two elves who less alike in character but upon closer inspection there was something to be said for their looks. They were both tall elves of noble features and virgin snow hair, but it seemed there that the similarities ended – for one Rekena did not mind being in the company of Atyalassë unlike Legolas whose mere presence seemed to annoy Rekena of late. She, however, had learnt to quell her emotions and every time she felt like letting the arrow fly at his face instead of the tree or bale, she simple muttered under her breath for Frodo and fought on.

While Atyalassë had travelled to Rivendell with Legolas she had chosen not to leave with him, the ring was not her quest, she had told Rekena – whatever that meant, but she had spoken of her friendship with the children of Elrond. Two sons and a daughter made up his household, she had seen all three at various different gatherings and they certainly all were clearly Elrond's children for they carried his likeness in stunning clarity.

It was with those two sons that Atyalassë would travel with instead, as emissaries of Rivendell and of Elrond they would ride ahead of the company and scout the path, diverging to the gates of Lorien where they would tell the Lord and Lady of Light of the fellowship and their mission. Both Legolas and Atyalassë herself had told her that the twins of Elrond had been the constant companions of Atyalassë in the years since she had left Mirkwood and so it made sense that she would follow them and ride ahead of them.

They had departed two nights ago so they would have a head start, it had been sad to help her pack and see her go. To send her off into the night with strangers for she knew the names of Elladan and Elrohir and that their father was Elrond but not much else.

Few gathered at the gates to bid them farewell for few knew of their departure, some of Elrond's household and Elrond himself were there as were Legolas and to her surprise Aragorn joined them as well. With him was someone that Rekena had only seen glimpses of in the shadows of Rivendell. A crown of curly red hair burst from the hood of her cloak, it looked like copper in the dim light of the stars and somehow the moonlight made it even brighter. When she had first seen her in the halls of Elrond, she thought she was an elf, albeit a short one but she was far too tall for ay hobbit and far to lieth and hairless for any dwarf. It was perhaps the third time she caught sight of the copper coils that she realised that the mysterious woman was from the world of men.

Atyalassë later confirmed her suspicions, Darla was her name and she had come to them with the Hobbits and Aragorn. It seemed though she had decided to leave with Atyalassë and the sons of Elrond for she was dressed for riding and four horses had waited at the gates that night.

They were all so similar with their riding cloaks and packed saddle bags, if not for the height and hair she wouldn't have been able to tell them apart. Atyalassë, Elladan and Elrohir were all tall – Atyalassë a little shorter than Rekena but the twins closer to Legolas, tall none the less. Darla on the other hand decidedly not and it seemed strange that Aragorn should lead her to the largest of steeds. Rekena had stood nervously next to Atyalassë's still considerable large horse, she supposed it was grey in colour, but the moon seemed to be full of plenty of tricks to go with its bright light for it had appeared more silver, befitting in a way the silver haired Mirkwood princess.

She couldn't quite remember what words of parting she had offered her; Legolas had said something poetic and elf like, which was befitting of him. She had probably just stood smiled, distracted by thoughts of how she would survive Rivendell without her. It had not taken long though for goodbyes and well wishes for soon they were off, and the courts of Elrond feel silent into the night. Legolas and Rekena had been the last to leave, looking beyond into the woods far past the gate even long after their eyes could see no more. It seemed there was something comforting in the never-ending wood that held them there in that silence.

Now it was her turn to bid Rivendell farewell and back for her own departure. It was a solitary preparation; Gimli was locked it his own quarters deliberating over what few things he would bring with him and with Atyalassë gone there were few others she would even feel comfortable speaking with. Perhaps such a solitary moment of quiet reflection would be for the best, the journey she was about to undertake would ensure she would not get such a moment of peace or solitude for a long time to come.

There was little personal space on such a quest as this. The mixture of man, elf, dwarf and hobbit – even wizard – would make for interesting companions, not just that there would likely be culture clashes just as she had already experienced with Legolas. She had very little issue with Aragorn and

The mirror stood tall in front of her and she hardly recognised who stared back, gone were her braids and loose flowed her hair, she had donned the tunics and soft fabrics of their hosts and it was not until she came to ready for the trip that she truly realised how changed she was.

Adapting sakhasana she sat before the mirror and set about her hair, with each strand she took the time to reflect but to also look forward. A dwarf wore their hair to represent many things, the beads that adorned their beards and braids carried meaning and heritage, she almost felt shameful she had taken hers out. With each twist and bead she relaxed until she recognised who she saw in the mirror.

The company had vowed to travel light for their hope was in secrecy not in battle but even so Rekena would go nowhere ill equipped. Her light travelling gear worn on the journey from Erebor and over the mountains would serve her well, it was light yet when worn with the cloak gifted to all the fellowship by Elrond it would be suited to the growing winter chill.

All her clothes were made so she could dress herself for it was most indignant for any of the dwarven ladies to have to lend a hand to one so tall as Rekena; and so, her undershirt was simple and the leather corset that lay atop it tied in the front. Her breeches were a plain black which melted against the tan leather of her corset, but all was hidden beneath the cloak and so too hid her weapons of choice. Her quiver held her sword and bow and at her belt hung her dirk and throwing axe and various other sharp knives and daggers where hidden everywhere else.

Unlike the long swords of men, she carried a shorter variant. It was more agile thus in her hands far more deadly. She had held many a different sword but her short sword was her most versatile but also the smallest and lightest so easier to travel with.

It was a cold and grey day, the east wind streaming though the bare branches of the trees and seething in the dark pines on the hills. Ragged clouds were hurrying overhead, dark and low. As cheerless shadows of the early evening crept closer, the Company made ready to set out. They were to start at dusk, for Elrond counselled them to journey under cover of night as often as they could, until they were far from Rivendell.

"You should fear the many eyes of the servants of Sauron," he said. "I do not doubt that news of the failure of the riders has already reached him, and he will be filled with wrath. Soon now his spies upon foot and wing will be roaming the north lands. Even of the sky above you must be weary as you go on your way."

He may have sounded overtly superstitious, but his fears ran true with the threat that many of them knew to be real for they had already faced the threat or been pursued by such evil already.

The final farewells had been said in the great hall by the fire and they now only waited on the wizard who had not yet come out of the house. A gleam of firelight came from the open doors and soft light near hummed in many windows. There was a radiance that perhaps Rekena had missed when she had first surveyed Rivendell and found it to be lacking, now she found something but what she was not sure.

"I think I may miss this place you know," Rekena bent down and whispered in Gimli's ear.

"Men gorach, you have gone soft Rekena." He hissed back.

"No need for insult Gimli, I think you shall miss it too, the further we get and the longer we spend on the road you shall yearn for a soft bed and warm hearth."

"The only hearth I yearn for it the blazing forge of Erebor, as it should be."

"Of course." Rekena whispered biting her tongue, perhaps she had forgotten who she was – the Rivendell water was intoxicatingly sweet, maybe it had gotten to her.

At that moment Elrond came out with Gandalf, and he had called the Company to him. "This is my last word," he said in a low voice. "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid: neither to cast away the Ring, nor deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Council, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy it will be to withdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts and cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road."

"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkness," said Gimli.

"Maybe," said Elrond, "but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not yet seen nightfall."

"Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart," said Gimli.

"Or break it," said Elrond. "Look not too far ahead! But go now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessing of Elves and Men and all free folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!"

Many others of Elrond's house stood in the shadows and watched them go, bidding them farewell with soft voices. There was no laughter, no song nor music. At last, they turned away and faded silently into dusk.

It seemed the elvish city had grown on her and so as it dwindled into an indistinguishable blur on the horizon some part of her missed it, a strange feeling to long for the halls of elves but Rivendell held a charm and beauty she did not notice until their departure. Legolas watched as the young elf kept turning back, her eyes fixed on what was behind instead of ahead and he smiled for she was beginning to feel like her truest self.

A.N

And so, the quest begins! I cannot wait for this adventure and to see what misadventures Rekena can get up to. You may have noticed during the time at Rivendell there was mention of two characters not of the mind of Tolkien – Atyalassë and then briefly Darla. This is because Darla and Atyalassë are, much like Rekena, creatures of my own making and they are not without their own adventure stories. Due to basing this re-write in a fantastical world somewhere between the written wonder of Tolkien and the visual masterpiece of Jackson there is room for some extra wondering Darla and Atyalassë slip nicely into what already existed, not just for Tolkien and Jackson but for what I myself had planned for Rekena. At first Atyalassë was an unnamed elf of Elrond's household needed only for snippets of dialogue in the bathhouse but over the course of about a week she evolved into someone who now has her own book in the works. The biggest surprise though was Darla, I truly had no idea, but she snuck up on me and now we have this mysterious red head riding off with three elves on horseback. Darla will also be getting her own book to tell her ow story, it will have a little overlap with Rekena, as will Atyalassë's tale but I think Darla's will come first. I will update you with dates and publishing schedules for the both of them when I figure that sort of stuff out. Thank you for ready, Emma xox