A horn sounded throughout the kingdom of Rivendell; Lord Elrond looked up from his paperwork wondering why the city had been alerted. He rose to his feet and walked over to the window looking out on to the city below and watched in confusion as the city guards amassed around its gates.

Suddenly Lindir pushed his way into Elrond's chambers.

"My Lord! There are reports that a Dark Rider is approaching the gates." Lindir spluttered trying to recover his breath.

"What do you mean a Dark Rider? One of their kind has not been seen for centuries. What in Middle-earth makes you think it's a Dark Rider, Lindir?" Elrond asked, looking over at his friend.

"I only know what I have read my lord, but the creature that is approaching is followed by a dark mist and the city guard are afraid; I have never seen them afraid before but of this creature they are." Lindir replied, causing Elrond to silently chuckle, seeming to him that it wasn't just the city guard that were scared, as he looked at the worried face of Lindir.

Elrond looked out of the window finally seeing the approaching rider. He had met a Dark Rider but that was a millennia ago, he knew that the riders were dark angels sent by the gods to watch over Middle-earth, but as their kind had perished in battles protecting the worthy of their world, the power of Sauron had grown; now he thought, if one of these creatures was at his city's gates after hundreds of years of absence there must be a good reason.

"I think we should go and welcome our visitor don't you Lindir?" Elrond said signalling for the confused Lindir to follow him.

"But my lord, we have no idea what we are dealing with, this could be dangerous. We have no idea what this creatures' intentions are." Lindir said as he caught up with his lord.

"How much do you know about Dark Riders, Lindir?" Elrond asked, as they made their way through the halls.

"Not as much as I probably should my lord especially given the current circumstances." The dark haired ellon replied.

"Well Lindir, Dark Riders are ethereal beings; beings of pure light, don't let their black guise fool you. Dark Riders cover themselves because they fear what their appearance can do to others; whether male or female, riders are beautiful, a distracting, perfect beautiful, they see this beauty as a curse and view scars that spoil that beauty as a gift." Elrond explained, as Lindir looked at him in confusion.

"Dark Riders are trained from the time they can walk to be warriors, the protectors of Middle-earth. Only the strongest of their kind make it through the training; if this one has survived this long by itself in this world then it must be truly one of a kind. Each rider is given a certain gift at birth; I am intrigued to find out what gifts our visitor possesses." Elrond said, as he continued to make his way to the city gates with a still very anxious Lindir in tow.

"So, there is no threat my lord?" Lindir questioned.

The Lord of Rivendell shook his head. "Only evil, or those that do wrong should fear a Dark Rider my dear Lindir."

As the lord neared the gates, he ordered the guard to open them, reluctantly they complied, and as he made his way through, he heard a voice.

"I wish to speak to the Lord of Rivendell!" The voice of the Dark Rider called out echoing through the valley; pain evident in its tone.

"Lord Elrond has no wish to speak to you creature, state your business before we put an arrow through you." A Captain of the guard yelled at the rider.

"I wish to speak with the Lord of Rivendell!" The rider said again.

Before the captain could speak again Elrond placed a hand on his shoulder. "I think I can speak for myself thank you captain."

Cautiously Elrond stepped closer to the rider. "I am Lord Elrond; how can I be of assistance to a rider?"

Elrond carefully watched the slumped over figure that shifted uncomfortably in its saddle; it was evident to even those that could not see that the rider was in immense pain.

"My lord, my name is (Y/n); I am the last of the royal line of the Dark Riders. I come to beseech you for your assistance, I am in need of a healer and I know that you and yours are some of the most gifted in Middle-earth." The now quiet, pained voice said, as the rider slumped further forward. 

Elrond moved next to the rider, taking the reins of the ebony stallion from the bloody hands of the being, and steadying the creature in its saddle.

"I have heard tales of your line your majesty, it is a true honour to have you here; our healers are at your disposal." Elrond said, moving quickly as the rider suddenly dropped from the saddle into his arms.

"Quickly, fetch the healers." Elrond shouted out as he carried the seemingly lifeless body into the city, Lindir rushing to his side and pulling down the hood of the rider in the hopes of giving the creature more air, the two ellon stopping dead in their tracks when they looked down upon what had been revealed; It was a female, but one of such perfect beauty that it took their breath away.

She was taller than even an elf but was stronger built; her skin was as pale as starlight; her hair was midnight blue and seemed to shimmer in the light of the torches, both of which were covered in dry blood, but neither ellon could see a wound.

"WHERE ARE THE HEALERS!' Elrond shouted out as he entered the palace, quickly making his way to his chambers. Kicking open the doors Elrond placed the rider on his bed, and sitting next to her he pulled off her oversized black coat, the garment falling from her shoulders to reveal a mighty pair of raven black wings which unfolded from her back, instinctively draping themselves around their body protecting the rider.

Elrond stroked her matted hair. "You have nothing to fear my lady you are safe here, you have my word." His words came out barely above a whisper, but the rider must have heard, and her wings moved gently away.

Elrond's personal healer, as well as two elleths rushed into the chamber, and once the elleth eyes saw the female form they ushered out the lord.

"My lord let us take care of her now. We will let you know once there is any news." One of the elleth said as she gently pushed Elrond and Lindir out of the chamber and into the hall closing the door behind her.

Elrond and Lindir paced the hall for what seemed like hours, their frustrations only interrupted by the healers scurrying back and forth from the chamber bringing back various herbs and potions to heal their visitor.

                                                              >>----------------------------------<<

"My Lord!" A voice said softly as Elrond felt a hand on his shoulder.

"My Lord, you and Lindir fell asleep. I have just come to tell you that the lady is resting comfortably. It took longer than we thought as she was badly injured. She still needs time to recover but if you wish to see her you can. She is not awake, but she may still hear you if you wish to speak to her." The healer said, before bowing and hurrying away.

Elrond shook Lindir. "She's comfortable, I'm going to see her." Lindir nodding as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

Elrond walked quietly into his chamber and over to the bed, looking down at the beautiful creature before him. Her hair had been cleaned and was spread out like a midnight blue halo surrounding her head, and he couldn't help but stare; she truly was an angel, a being too perfect for this world, or even the next.

The skin around her neck and shoulders was bare and he could clearly see the scars that littered her body; knowing what he did of Dark Riders, this female must have seen every last one as a badge of honour, a souvenir of her numerous battles. His hand gently traced a scar that lay just above her eye and another on her cheek bone. "My lady, you have nothing to fear here; take all the time you need to recover, and when you do, I hope that you and I can get to know one another better."

As he continued to caress her cheek as a large black wing folded itself around him, causing Elrond to chuckle.

"You're welcome my lady, now rest." For a moment the wing did not move, seemingly reluctant to let the lord go; but then softly fell away to the rider's side.

                                                          >>--------------------------------<<

Days had passed and the rider had not roused from her sleep. The healers were becoming concerned, but Elrond knew that she would return when the time was right.

He had taken to calling on her several times a day, sitting by her side he would tell her about Rivendell, about himself, and about everything he had done that day, and as he did a large black wing would always place itself around him.

This morning was no different; Elrond spoke to the healers about any changes there may have been during the night, and then he made his way into the chamber and sat in his usual spot on the bed.

"Good morning my lady. You should really wake up; it is a beautiful day. I would very much like to take you for a stroll in the gardens when you are well enough." The lord said softly, as he took her hand and brought it to his lips kissing it gently, and as he looked back up he was met by the most beautiful pair of green eyes he had ever seen. Nothing he had witnesssed in his life were as beautiful as these eyes that seemed to captivate his soul.

"Good morning my lord, I trust that you had a good night?" Her voice was lighter than it had been when they first met, but it was no less alluring.

Elrond smiled. "Well my lady it is good to see you are finally awake. How do you feel?"

"Better thank you my lord. If it wasn't for your kindness I would probably have died."

A small smile graced her lips. "You neglected me last night my lord." Elrond looked at the rider obviously confused by her words.

"You forgot to tell me last night how your day was." She said, as a large smile spread over his lips.

"You heard me?" Elrond asked as he helped the rider sit up.

"Of course, every word. And I'd so like to stroll with you in the gardens."

Elrond took her hand. "As soon as the healers say you are well enough my lady, I would be delighted to show you."

"I assure you I am quite well now Lord Elrond." Said the rider trying to push herself up from the bed only to fall back on to the pillows clutching her side in pain. Elrond moved further up the bed pulling back the silken sheets to one side to examine the female.

Her form was covered in a simple shift that draped itself loosely around her curves. The garment was almost see through and his eyes fell on to her ample breasts and then her full hips as he tried to ensure that no blood was seeping from her wounds; as he did so, his mind raced with thoughts he had not had since his beloved wife had sailed to the west. He was brought back from his thoughts as he felt a cool hand take his.

"My lord, could you please take me to the gardens, I so want to see them with you." The rider said softly, her voice almost pleading.

"My lady you are still in pain, would it not be better if we left it a little longer?" Elrond said, trying to persuade the injured woman.

She shook her head. "Please my lord, my body aches from lying in this bed and I wish to feel the breeze through my wings; and it has been so long since I have seen anything as beautiful as Rivendell."

Elrond looked upon her face; he knew he could not refuse her; he knew that she had bewitched him. Even if she asked for his life, he knew he would give it her willingly.

Rising from the bed he gently placed his arms under her picking her up and carrying her to the gardens; as they walked, she rested her head in the crook of his neck, her black wings folding themselves protectively around the pair. Elrond couldn't help but find himself amused at the confused looks of others as he carried the rider into the gardens, setting her down on a small bench.

Sitting beside her, he could do nothing but stare in wonder as her large black wings shook themselves happily, letting the warm breeze kiss each and every feather.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question my lady?" Elrond asked the rider, looking at her intently as she played with a rose which seemed to bloom more perfectly under her touch.

"Of course not my lord, how could I refuse my saviour anything?" She replied, as they looked into each other's eyes a playful smirk forming on her lips.

"How long have you been alive?" Elrond asked, as the rider looked at him for a moment and then chuckled slightly before shrugging her shoulders.

"I cannot really remember; it has been that long. As quickly as time passes for elves it passes even quicker for me, it is hard to keep track as decades turn into centuries in what seems to be the blink of an eye. But I dare say that I am older than you my lord."

He was shocked at her words, she looked similar in age to his daughters, yet here she was claiming to be older than himself yet given of what he knew of the Dark Riders he was not completely dumbfounded.

Elrond mussed over his next question, he feared to ask it, but he had to know. "So, you have no one? No husband?"

She shook her head. "No, I am the last of my kind, the last of my line. I had someone once, but he was taken from me in battle many centuries ago. I have wander this world alone ever since." The rider told him. as Elrond watched her eyes fall, and the rose that she was holding withered in her fingers.

"My apologises my lady, I should not have asked such a question." Elrond said as he placed his hand under her chin and gently lifted her head so that their eyes met.

"I would like to get to know you better my lady if you will allow it. Perhaps you could stay here in Rivendell after you have recovered?" Elrond asked hopefully.

"My name is (Y/n) my lord, if we are to get to know one another perhaps you should call me it." She said, as her fingers delicately traced across his cheek.

Elrond felt a wave of euphoria pulsate through his body as her deft touches wound their way from his cheeks, up through his hair and around his ears. He could feel the intimacy, her gaze and touch arousing things within him that he thought were long dead; things that he no longer wanted to be dead.

Instinctively he moved forward, closing the gap that was between them. The stories of the Dark Riders were correct, her beauty was intoxicating, perfect, and his body and soul were already devoted to the vision before him.

His lips brushed softly over hers, as his hands found her body, pulling her gently towards him so that he could feel her warm supple flesh through his robes, the shift she wore falling away exposing her neck and shoulders, and Elrond found his lips instinctively draw to kiss her skin, her soft moans encouraging him as his hands explored her flesh.

"Stay with me my lady, stay in Rivendell, don't leave." Elrond said, his finger combing their way through her hair, his lips barely leaving her skin.

"I can think of nothing more that I'd rather do than stay with you my lord. I have never had a real home, but if you would allow me, I would like to make Rivendell just that. I could see myself growing old here, growing old with someone here." She said, as their eyes met.

"Rivendell would be honoured to have you call it home, and I would be honoured if I was the one you would grow old with." Elrond said smiling as he saw her face light up.

"I would very much like that my lord. Now I believe that we should return to the bed chamber, I still have some healing to do." She said, as Elrond took her in his arms and made his way back inside.

No matter what was to come for Middle-earth, for Elrond, the future promised endless possibilities, and a new love.