Hello everyone, just wanted to inform you that this is my first fanfiction EVER. I am always open to criticism and please don't hesitate to tell me I made a mistake. This story will be based off of the LOTR movies. I do change some things, but I hope you will like it nonetheless. I have most of this fanfic already finished, so updates should be rather fast. Enjoy :)

Chapter 1

I sat in the river the entire night. By the time the sun started to rise, I had decided I would stay in the river and die in the river. I moved to the shallows and pulled my legs toward my naked body and set my head on top of my knees. My long dark brown hair covered my back and some strands fells forward over my knees. I never expected my life to end as a result of betrayal, yet here I was, sitting completely naked in a river leagues from my home and my family. They had probably already been fed some story of my death.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of men running and shouting. I did not dare look up. I prayed for them not to see me and continue on their way. That prayer went unanswered.

"Aragorn, there is something in the river! It appears to be a woman!"

"It is indeed a woman Legolas. Can you see if she still lives?"

"I can see her breathing, but she refuses to look up. Shall I go to her?"

I heard the sound of water splashing as someone began to wade into the river. I quickly raised my head. I was surprised at the sight before my eyes. A dark-haired man, a golden-haired elf, and a panting dwarf lying on the ground. An elf. I had never seen one before besides myself. My parents had decided long ago they would raise me as their child instead of bringing me to an elf sanctuary.

The elf spoke when he saw me move. He had stopped proceeding towards me when I had moved. "My lady, who are you and why are you in the river? We will gladly offer you assistance."

I made no attempt to answer, only continued to glare as he began to move closer to me again.

"We mean you no harm, my lady. We can help you."

I no longer had the ability to trust, after what had happened last night. My consistent glaring was having no desired effect. I began to back away, willing the river to engulf me in its flow. I was beginning to float away when the human spoke.

"Legolas, she is not going to let you come to her while she is in this manner. Let us lay some clothes for her at the side of the river then we shall leave and fill our water skins further up the river."

The elf, apparently named Legolas, made his way out of the river and walked away with the man and the dwarf, who now seemed to be muttering in what I guessed to be dwarfish.

The clothes were lying on the bank. I was tempted to take them. I hated being naked, especially since the three people that had found me were all male.

I made the decision to put the clothes on. The shirt was rather big on me, but the pants fit better. I pulled some of my long dark brown hair over my shoulders and made sure my ears were covered. I usually had my hair in a braid that fell to the bottom of my back, but I had decided to attempt to hide myself from these people.

I looked around to see if I could see my village in the distance, but I had no idea which way to look. While I had floated awake in the river last night, I had promised myself never to return to my village if I survived the night.

"What is your name, my lady?" said a musical voice from behind me.

I turned and saw the three men had returned. I made no effort to reply, I just stared at them with my arms crossed.

This time the man spoke, "I can see in her eyes she will not speak to us. I am sure she has a good reason not to."

The dwarf spoke for the first time, only sounding slightly breathless, "Well then what do we do with her Aragorn?"

The man, Aragorn, seemed to think this over for a few minutes.

"My lady, you are welcome to accompany us. We are tracking some creatures that carry our friends. If you do not wish to, we will leave you here now." He turned and made a motion for Legolas and the dwarf to follow. They all began to run.

They were going to force me to decide. There was really only one thing I could do. I began to run after them.