Title: What is and What May Yet Be 2/? - Empty Roads
Author: Riddick's Succubus
Fandom: Lord of the Rings
Rating: PG-13 for this one but will be NC-17 in later chapters


The light of the city faded fast as the riders rode, leaving behind their homes and loved ones, the urgency of their quests overcoming their desire to remain within the city. Lenala spared a glance at the three men riding with her, their horses keeping easy pace with Sharnil, their faces serious. None of them knew why they were being sent to gather the Elves, just that their Lady had commanded their service, and they had obeyed without question. Slowing the pace a little to avoid dangers unseen in the darkness, they headed north towards the open plains that lay beyond the borders of their land. Lenala knew many dangers lay ahead, the least of which may come during their journeys, and that speed was of the essence now.


They rode hard for a few hours, reaching the edge of the woods just as the sky began to pale and a new day was born. Emerging from the cover of their beloved land, they stopped to bid farewell to each other. Lenala moved Sharnil in beside Haldir's mount, reaching up and tenderly running her hand over the warrior's cheek.

"Take great care in Mirkwood. There are those who would have us fail, and will stop at nothing to ensure we do not complete out tasks." Spoken softly, her words conveyed the urgency of their journeys. "Return to me safely, my love!" she ordered, her words heard only in Haldir's mind, for she did not wish his brothers to know the fear she felt at her seperation from Lorien's finest warrior. With a last smile to her friends, they broke into three groups; Lenala riding to the Rivendell in the north, Haldir to Mirkwood in the east while Rumil and Orophin turned west towards Ashalnti. Raising her hand in farewell to her companions, Lenala spurred on Sharnil, galloping hard across the open plain towards the mountains. She disliked the idea of being out in the open for too long, preferring to remain hidden by woodland or rock, wanting to reach the cover of the foothills before the sun reached it’s zenith.


********


Slowing Sharnil’s pace as they reached the first rise of the foothills surrounding the Misty Mountains, the elf looked up at the sky, noting it was almost noon. Allowing her horse a gentle walk, she slipped from his back and led him deeper into the small valley they had entered, taking a few pieces of acorn bread from her travel rations from within one of her saddle bags and breaking off small chunks, popping them into her mouth one at a time and savouring the rich taste.

“Too long within the city,” she murmured with a wry smile, laying her hand against Sharnil’s proud neck. His black coat was damp with sweat, small white marks visible around the edges of the simple saddlecloth laid across his back. While she preferred to ride bare back, the cloth was needed when she had to carry the light saddle bags, to prevent the soft leather rubbing at the horse’s strong back.

“We’ve had it to easy, haven’t we my sweet?” she kept her voice low as she spoke, a gentle snort the affirmation she received from her beloved mount. She knew one day that he would grow old and die, as all mortal beings did, and the knowledge brought great pain and sorrow to her heart for she dearly loved this magnificent animal and did not wish to be parted from him. “Maybe we’ll die together in battle, many years from now,” the thought came unbidden and she quashed it swiftly, not wishing to think on such morbid things now.


Having walked for over an hour, Sharnil began to get impatient, stomping his hooves and snorting as he pranced beside his mistress. Lenala couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm and, taking his hint, leapt lightly onto his back once more, allowing him to set his own pace through the vale, knowing him to be sure footed and trusting him to avoid the worst of the rocks littering the uneven ground. The sun moved slowly overhead, the heat of the day increasing steadily with each passing mile, making her vaguely uncomfortable. Shucking off the worn travel cloak, she laid it over her legs and allowed herself to slip into a half doze, her body re-charging energy reserves while her senses remained alert in case of danger. Suddenly the delicate hairs on the back of her neck began to tingle, warning her that someone had spotted them and was watching their progress. She felt none of the oppressive evil from the previous night and remained in her slightly slouched position so as not to alert the watcher that she knew they were there. With deliberate slowness, she stretched her arms behind her, arching her spine backwards a little and rotating her neck as though it were stiff from travel, allowing her to cast a skilful eye over the surrounding area. Although she could see nothing out of the ordinary, certainly there was no sign of her observer, she knew they were close by. Knowing they would not reveal their hiding place she continued on her journey, encouraging Sharnil to increase his pace once they had passed the worst of the rocky ground and moved onto the smoother grass of the slope towards the crest of the hill. Once over the top, they descended into another valley, slender trees on either side of the rough pathway hiding them from prying eyes for the time being.


Turning from the foothills for the time being, horse and rider entered a large copse as darkness rolled over the land. Lenala decided to take rest there for a few hours, hoping the unseen watcher had grown tired of trailing her and was far from her location. The air was beginning to cool as the heat of the day seeped away and she pulled her cloak around her, hoping to ward off the worst of the chill and praying the night would remain dry. They moved deeper into the trees, looking for a more secluded and sheltered spot to rest for a short while, knowing they would get little rest once they moved past the foothills and deeper into the mountain range. A full moon cast its pale silver light in the clear night sky, though seldom did its pale rays penetrate the thick canopy of the surrounding copse. Gradually the trees began to thin and soon the air stepped into a circular clearing, no more than 15 feet wide, a small pool at one end enclosed by large, smooth shards of stone. With a grateful sigh, she lightly slipped to the ground, stripping both cloth and saddle bags from Sharnil, slapping his rump as he wandered a few feet away and began to eat. Shedding her own clothing, she crossed to the pool, gasping slightly at the cold water lapping around her calves as she waded deeper. Sliding beneath the surface, she allowed the cool water to clense her of the dirt gained during the day’s travel, wishing it to take the unclean feeling she had felt from the visions as well. Slowly rising to the surface, she relished the chance to bath, doubting she would have the opportunity to do so again before she reached Rivendell. A shiver ran down her spine and she turned, wanting to build a small fire, eat and try to get a few hours sleep before she continued on her quest. Suddenly feeling eyes on her once more she froze, her mouth dropping open in surprise as she saw a male elf crouched on one of the slabs of stone nearby, his blue eyes fixed on her naked form and filled with obvious interest...


Chapter 3 - Strange Companions


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