Disclaimer: Don't own anyone or anything, except Kellarin, Alhana, and any other thing related to their history.

Note: My first shot at a serious fic, and I didn't understand the LOTR book very well, so I'll probably make a ton of mistakes. Can someone PLEASE give me some writing tips and how the characters speak and such? Also, I haven't a freak what happened to Legolas or the hobbits in the end (Can't remember), so if I get a horrendous load of mistakes please correct me. Flamers, shove off for a while until I get the story right.

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To Melt a Heart of Ice

(Prologue)

(Timeline: A year after Sauron's defeat)

The Forbidden Gate. Where it had all started.

Back then I had no idea why it was called a gate. It looked more like a broken wooden fence. Still, the endless darkness beyond had it seemed rather foreboding.

I turned to Kellarin and grinned. He smiled back. That is how I will picture him forever.

We stood for a long time just staring at the 'gate'.

"I don't think we should do this," Kellarin finally said.

I raised my eyebrows. "Why not?"

"Well, the Elders say-"

"Since when did we listen to what they said?"

Kellarin finally was out of an argument. I smirked triumphantly and started towards the so-called gate. "Besides, we don't fear anything. Our magic is strong enough."

What an idiot I was. If only I had listened to him.

We walked stiffly down the tunnel. I felt adrenaline pumping through my body. This tunnel deep in the mountains had been forbidden to everyone. But it was part of our home. No part of our home should be forbidden.

After a long while, we started to get bored. It seemed like an endless tunnel. "Let's turn back," Kellarin sighed.

I wish I had agreed. But I didn't.

"Wait Arin! These something up ahead! It looks like an archway! Can you see it?"

He twitched in annoyance at being called 'Arin'. "Yes, I see an archway. So what? It's up against a dead end."

"No, there's writing on it! I think they're runes!" My heart thudded excitedly in my chest.

Arin apparently didn't feel the same way. "So what? It's just a moldy old archway with runes we probably can't even read," he scoffed.

I shook my head. "I can't read these, but maybe you can."

"Oh, fine," Arin shuffled up to the archway. "Let's see...hey! You're right! I can read these!" he began muttering some words under his breath. "No wait, I can't do this. I need another to help me. But I believe you can read those runes over there," he pointed to the right of the archway, "We have to say the words precisely at the same time, or nothing will happen."

I grinned and skipped to the right end, unfortunately kicking up a ton of dust on the way. After some coughing, we managed to get started, Arin reading the words on the left of the archway while I read the ones on the right.

I felt the ecstasy of the magic well up in me and I pronounced the words with perfection. I felt a strange power start to radiate from the 'dead end'.

Then it happened.

The wall opened up and a blinding red light burst out like a nova. I couldn't see, but I felt Arin thrown past me. I stood my ground, frozen in fear. Too late I had realized that this was the forbidden gate. Or more accurately, the Forbidden Gateway.

Then it spoke. The voice was nowhere and everywhere at once. It was in my head and all around me. I couldn't see, couldn't think...

So they were wrong? There ARE beings powerful enough to open the portal? But what is this...a child?

Despite the circumstances, I was annoyed at being called a child. "What are you?" I demanded.

That does not matter. What matters is that you have freed me, and now you must serve me.

"I serve no one," I spat.

Then you will die. But wait...you do not fear death, do you? Then how about this...you will help me, in exchange for the acceptance of your people.

I was stunned. How did the Voice know of our history? Until then I had always thought acceptance from others would be the thing I wanted most. But now it seemed petty, insignificant.

"We were once also a proud, arrogant people, afraid of those that are different and that we can't control. Now we see the world through different eyes. Why should we want to be accepted back by people behind us?" I scoffed,

Your people have changed more than you know. You are powerful enough to rule half of Middle-Earth...or you soon will be. Powerful enough to rule your old masters. Three years, perhaps, will be enough to prepare?

I hesitated. I had no idea what sort of mission the Voice was about to send me on. And...where was Kellarin?

Behind you.

I spun around. "No..." I whispered. Arin was dead. His last expression was one of realization.

Not enough, perhaps? If you do well, your precious Kellarin will return. Do we have a bargain?

Then it told me its plans.

"I accept," I whispered.

----------(End Prologue)

(Three years later)

"Alhana?"

Alhana snapped up from her dream-like stupor. She regarded her companion with annoyance. For a few moments, she had been able to dwell on her memories, to see Arin again...

"Alhana? Are you alright?"

Alhana sighed. "I'm fine. Just a little drowsy."

Her brother nodded. "Yes...this is only our second time in the sun, isn't it?"

Alhana nodded absentmindedly. She focused her mind and attempted to remember why she was travelling to Gondor.

Then she remembered. There had been strange happenings the West, near Mordor. There were reports of seeing Orcs and Uruk-hai in the mountains, yet no one was sure. No one had seen them since the War of the Ring.

The Exiles were the main suspect.

Alhana was an exile. Many centuries ago, her ancestors had been banned from Rivendell, and they had fled to the Iron Mountains. They had been caught practicing dark - and powerful – magic. Of course, the elves didn't consider them fit to remain in their homes.

"We're almost there," her brother said happily.

Alhana nodded. "I can continue my own way from here. Go back to the mountains."

"But-"

"Go!" she snarled.

Her brother meekly obeyed.

Alhana watched her brother until he was no more than a speck in the distance. Then she turned and rode onward, again dwelling on her memories.

I turned to Kellarin and grinned. He smiled back. That is how I will picture him forever...

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"I...I don't completely understand why I have been called here," Legolas admitted.

"You will see, you will see..." said Gandalf gravely.

Legolas turned away to hide his frustration. All he knew that was a woman had been suspected of being part of the strange happenings in the West. And he had been called to witness her interrogation for absolutely no reason.

The doors opened.

Aragon stood up and bowed to the cloaked figure that swept into the room. Gandalf only frowned.

But it was Arwen's expression that caught Legolas' attention. It was a mixed expression of sorrow and joy...he wondered what had caused this.

"I present Alhana."

Legolas' eyebrows raised at this announcement. That was it? Just Alhana? Alhana, Daughter of No One?

He finally faced her and watched as she slipped her hood off. He only stared at her strange appearance.

Her skin was very pale, almost pure white, like one who has hardly seen the sun in their life. Her hair was not just dark, but pitch-black, and fell to her waist. But her green eyes were like a mirror, reflecting everything they saw and giving away no emotions. Her expression was as empty as that of a marble statue.

Though her features were nearly flawless, Legolas could not say he thought her beautiful.

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(Looks worried) I hope it's not a Mary-Sue. Please tell me if it seems like one. I will make it even MORE un-Mary-Sueish! Interesting word.

By the way, the italic paragraphs were Alhana's memories.

Next up! : Why is Alhana a suspect? Why was Legolas called? Who the heck is Kellarin? What is Alhana's and Arwen's history? What IS Alhana up to?

Please review! Tips and criticism will be greatly appreciated! If it is plain lousy, I will rewrite!