Chapter 1: Asteria

*Elvish will be underlined, plain English will not be through this book. It's hard to find a good translator sadly. Below is her outfit*

"One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, One ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them; In the Land of Mordor where the shadows lie."

It was a beautiful spring morning; birds could be heard through the trees as the sun illuminated the highest talons of the tallest tree in Lothlorien. The talon was occupied by a young elf; long, dark brown hair and eyes color of the purest earth with tints of blue as if the stars dripped down into her eyes as she was born. The room itself had a bed with beautiful light grey drapes over the canopy; along it was beautiful ivy that held beautiful sleeping moon-flowers that only bloomed at night. The young elf stood on the balcony as her hair gently billowed in the breeze. She wore long golden dress that moved softly in the wind as it sparkles like stars itself. She is a famed beauty just like her mother in Lothlorien. She stood on the balcony, deep in thought; almost in a trance as she closed her eyes to try and see if there was a future she could make out. She was relaxed as the only sounds that could be heard in her trance were birds and flowing waters. Visions flowed through her mind; much like her dreams.

Lately her dreams are haunted yet given hope; not just by signs of death but a pair of ocean blue eyes, full of love and hope that she yearns for. She never sees the face; but just the eyes. In some of her dreams, she sees innocent people running from orcs and other creatures; in terror for their lives as they are being slaughtered. She had hope to stop this from happening if it wasn't a dream. She sensed a journey would be near. Perhaps sooner than she thought. She sensed great evil coming from the southeast; an evil that should not be stirring.

She stood deep in thought as her eyes were closed; as if listening for something and in a quick motion her eyes shot open as she whispered a solitary word "Mordor..." She was broken out of her trance at the scenery by a little tapping at her door. As she turned, there stood her best friend; who was Captain of the guard, Haldir. He was a little older than her even though they grew up together. He quickly took a bow "My lady Asteria..." She nodded at him "What is it Haldir?" she said softly as he rose replying to her "Your mother, Lady Galadriel wishes to speak with you."  Asteria turned back to the scenery once again as she spoke softly "I'll be right there.."

As Asteria made her way down the stairs to Caras Galadhon foyer; where her parents waited, she noticed a presence she had not seen in some time that it warmed her heart "Gandalf!" she said with happiness as the presence turned with a smile of his own. There stood Gandalf or as she knows Mithrandir; a wizard of the Istari Order as well as a bearer of a Ring of Power. She knew Gandalf since she was an elfling and loved his fireworks. "Ah my dear Asteria" he said with open arms which she gladly jumped into as he gave her a grand hug "It's so good to see you my friend" She said smiling up at him. Gandalf loved Asteria as if she was a child of his own. He taught her healing magics as well as how to use elements. "Oh, my dear, it's always a joy to see you." He replied.

Galadriel watched the two with a smile as Celeborn bore a serious look; he knew what Gandalf would ask of him. He worried for his daughter as he spoke up "Asteria, it seems Mithrandir is in need of you; which I do not approve." She pulled out of the wizard's embrace as she turned to her father and mother then giving Gandalf a look "What need would that be Gandalf?" The wizard looked at the Lord and Lady of Lorien as he turned his attention to their daughter "I am in need of you healing skills my dear. In Rivendell, there's a young hobbit heading there; he was stabbed by a Morgul blade, Lord Elrond will need your help." He spoke bluntly.

Asteria walked towards a window looking out of it; towards where Mordor laid before she spoke "I saw something... Something stirs deep in Mordor... What is it Mithrandir?" She said softly still staring. She could hear Gandalf sigh "The one ring has been found my dear.. A fellowship must be formed... I desperately need your help.." he said defeated. She took a deep breath, knowing it was true; the enemy was on the move, she could sense it as it haunted her dreams. Asteria turned to her parents who was already staring at her; waiting on her decision "What will you ask of me my Lord and Lady?" she asked; as proper as she always was. Galadriel moved towards her daughter taking her face in her hands gently; giving her a kind smile "This journey you must take. Your destiny lies with the fellowship, as much as I wish to deny it, my daughter. You must follow what your heart tells you." Her voice filled with sorrow yet hope in her child.

Asteria took in the appearance of her mother deeply as she placed a hand on one of Galadriel's; her eyes glimmered of starlight just like her mother and nodded as she turned to look at Gandalf "I will go with you. When do we leave?" Gandalf felt a sense of relief giving the Lady of Starlight a smile "As soon as we can my dear one." She looked back at her mother again with a smile and looked at her father; Celeborn as he bore a sad look. She took her steps to him as she placed a hand on his face "Father, I know it pains you but this is something I must do. I will be safe. I promise you." Celeborn loved his daughter deeply; she was his moon and stars just like Galadriel. He looked at her and placed his own hands on her face as he spoke "We are living in dangerous times. I do not think I could bear losing you my child. Your road will be hard but there is hope for you on this journey. Do not take matters of the heart likely." Unsure what her father meant; she gave him an understanding nod as she pulled from his embrace. "I will get ready..." She turned to leave Caras Galadhon and called for her friend "Haldir"

Haldir appeared from the doorway giving his respectable bow to the Lord and Lady as well as Asteria "Yes my lady?" he asked in his usual serious tone as she smiled at him "Ready my horse; Ithildin, I must ride to Rivendell." She said walking past him with Gandalf behind her "My lady, is Ithilidin one of the Mearas?" She stopped and turned to him nodding "He is. I suggest you call for Shadowfax. If we are to save the hobbit, we will need to make haste."

As Asteria made her way to the stable; wearing a white long tunic dress and pants with a white hooded cloak over her; her hair in a loose braid in the back, she was greeted by her horse Ithildin; a beautiful black stallion who was a brother to Shadowfax; lord of the horses of the Mearas. He was almost like Shadowfax's twin but in a different color. She greeted him with an apple in hand as he ate it from her hand; she stroked his head "Ithildin, my dear friend. We must go on a journey. We are need to help. We must go with great haste." She said softly as she moved to get on the horse as her foot was caught by Haldir who helped her up the rest of the way "I wish you would stay my Lady. I fear for your safety." He spoke in a whisper as she smiled down at him from the horse "My dear Haldir, do not fret. It will be alright. You are such a dear friend to me that I wouldn't dare cause sorrow to your heart. My healing skills are needed. I would not insult Lord Elrond by declining." She said softly at her friend. They grew close over the years as Haldir loved her like she was his own sister. He was protective of her in every way possible; he taught her to use a bow at a young age as well as her sword.

Haldir; never wanted her to feel as if she could not defend herself but she was important to the people of Lothlorien just like her mother. Galadriel was known as the "Lady of the Light" as Asteria was know as "Lady of Starlight" She was her mother in many ways but had her own spirit which he loved about her. As a child, she used to sneak to the training grounds to watch Haldir fight; mimicking his movements while holding a stick while she was in a dress. He caught her one day and decided to show her use a bow and sword as a lady of the court would.

"I do not doubt your heart my dear sister... I just can't protect you if I need to..." Haldir replied as he looked down a bit. Asteria shook her head slightly as she reached for his face which forced him to look up at her "And my dear brother; I will be safe. Gandalf will be with me. You know how swift the Mearas are. It will be just a couple days and we will be Imladris safely." Haldir did not wish to argue with her and simply nodded as steps could be heard closer to them. There; appeared Gandalf on Shadowfax, ready to go "Are you ready my lady?" he asked the Lady of Starlight as Haldir stepped away giving her space. Before she could answer, the Lord and Lady of Lorien appeared with a box and smiles. Asteria quickly hopped off Ithilidin and walked towards them with a smile of their own "Father... Mother..." she bowed deeply as Galadriel moved to open the box that Celeborn was holding "This my darling daughter, is our gift to you. Do not forget where you came from and where your heart lies." She said as she pulled out a beautiful tiara, adorned with pearls on a wood like setting and a beautiful crystal on the center piece and places it on Asteria's head. She looked up with a smile as the crown piece suited her well.

She stood up as Galadriel moved to pull out another gift for their child; a beautiful new bow, made up of leather, gold and wood; adorned with a beautiful sun and a quiver to match "May this new bow, make your aim true to your enemies." She said handing it to her. As Asteria took it in her hands, she admired the craftsmanship; it was something to be cherished as she quickly moved to hug her mother happily "I love you mother, father. I will not forget my home or you; wherever this journey takes me." She said in a soft whisper which sounded like an angel's choir to her parents for they would not see her for some time. Celeborn stepped forward a bit pulling a small cloth from his pocket "This my child, represents who you are as it is a gift from us as well." He unwrapped the cloth delicately as it revealed a beautiful necklace; two elven leaves with a beautiful star in the center of it. It was very close to what Arwen wore but in the style that suited a Lothlorien maiden. She looked up at her father and smiled as he moved to place it on her "Now you will carry a piece of us with you. Now go, the hour has grown late." Galadriel said as she and Celeborn placed kisses on her brow.

Asteria made her way to Ithildin; she looked back at her parents and Haldir as she gave them a reassuring smile; she quickly got back on her stallion as she faced them and nodded. Gandalf was first to gallop away with her not face behind as they reached the edge of Lorien; she stopped a moment looking at the words as if her parents could see her "Farewell..." she could hear her mother's voice as tears threatened to fall. She snapped out of her demeanor and rode hard behind Gandalf as they were to reach Rivendell in 2 days' time which should coincide with Frodo just getting there to be helped. She prayed to the Eldar she could help.

*This is her horse Ithildin*

2300 Words

*There will be filler chapters as well as the chapters that pertain to the story itself.*