I am not alone....

The forest was further away than it appeared, and I did not reach it until the sun was touching the horizon.

I was relieved when I finally reached the eaves of the woods, and I quickly dismounted Tela. As I began to lead her into the trees, a feeling of being watched stole over me, but I shrugged it off.

I had made it only perhaps 60 paces in when suddenly I heard someone call out "Daro". Halt. I stopped. The voice was so low, I wasn't sure If I imagined it. I heard nothing more, so I began to continue on.

Suddenly, I was surrounded, arrows pointed at me from all directions. The change was so sudden I jumped.

"In ier le?" Who are you? An elf with blonde hair stepped forward. His face was stern, and beneath the beauty of immortality, I could see his age.

"I am Neenuvar" I told him, not bothering to speak in a language I hardly know.

"And what business have you in the Golden Wood?" he asked, now in the Common tongue.

"I have traveled from Imladris, and here I only seek shelter from the night. In the morning I head out again in search of a company that Elrond has sent me after." At the mention of Imladris and Elrond, the elf's expression changed.

"Ah. I see," he said, apparently dubious, "And what do you have to prove this claim? You are not known in these parts." At first I was astounded, and then confused, and finally panicked. When I realized what he was asking me, I had no idea what to give him. The only things I had brought from Imladris was my map, which there were many of in the world, probably all the same, and food. My clothes had been gotten in a small town of men on my way from Celondim to Rivendell.

And then I realized. Tela. I wasn't sure if a horse would count as a 'token', but I had to try. "My horse," I said, "My horse, she comes from the house of Elrond. Her name is Tela." I added, dumbly.

The elf's attention moved to the horse. He began to circle her, noting the elven designs on her saddle, hidden under my saddle bags, and to her sleek, shiny coat. A coat unlike any other horse's that I've seen.

"I see. Indeed, you tell the truth. You are elvellyn, elf-friend." He smiled. "Please, forgive me for my initial - coldness. We face dark times, and we must be cautious with strangers." He signaled the other elves, and they lowered their bows.

I smiled back. "Of course." I said, but as to what he meant by dark times, I had no idea.

"My name is Haldir. Come, tonight you will stay in the realm of the Lady of the Wood. Who knows, perhaps you will learn something of those whom you seek." He turned around, and began to walk deeper into the woods. Relieved, I followed.

The walk was long, and it was well after dark when we arrived. To describe the place, it is almost impossible. It was a city of trees. Surrounding it was a wall, in the darkness it was hard to tell what it was made of. We circled around until we cam to a closed gate, which opened at a word from Haldir. Tall trees, with silver trunks and golden leaves. In the branches were platforms, in which the melodious voices of many elves floated down. Paths wandered between the trees, but these were empty. Ahead, there was an extremely large tree, that went so high. Haldir led me to this, as another elf led Tela away.

When we reached the base, Haldir called up, and a rope ladder fell down through a hole in the lower-most platform. He turned to me. "Wait here until I return." he said, then he swiftly ran up the ladder.

So now I stand here, writing and waiting awkwardly. Of the elves that had first surrounded me, only two have come, besides Haldir. I suppose the others were left to guard the edge of the forest, wait for more visitors. The two that have come with us just stand there, as if they are sentinels. They are talking, but I can only understand a few words, not enough to piece together their conversation.

Finally Haldir has returned. He smiled at me, but I am unsure of what to make of it this time. "Let us go up," he says, "The Lady wishes to speak with you."

To be continued....