His Queen

Chapter 10 - Alana

ALANA's POV

A month had passed since their arrival in Rivendell, the peaceful elven city nestled in the lush green valley. Alana, who hadn't stepped foot in the city in what felt like a lifetime, relished the opportunity to explore once again before they would have to leave. She knew deep down that this might be her last visit to Rivendell. Memories flooded back as she walked through the orchards, inhaling the sweet scent of blooming fruit trees. Childhood days flashed before her eyes - running and laughing with her cousin, Kitra, amongst the vibrant flowers and dancing sunlight.

And then there was that one particular memory that stood out above all others - the time when Aragorn, now known as the King of Gondor, joined them after a fierce training session and they were finally able to catch him. The feeling of triumph still swelled within her at the thought.

But those memories were few and far between, a bittersweet reminder of missed opportunities. Her mother's strict disapproval of Kitra had kept them apart during their childhood years. It wasn't until Alana's mother passed away that she finally got the chance to truly get to know her cousin. Despite loving her mother and brother dearly, Alana couldn't help but feel resentment towards their animosity towards Kitra - blamed unfairly for the death of her own father. From what she had been told her father had been a great man and he had made the decision to go in after his sister - Kitra's mother. It had been his own choice to run into the burning building, and by no fault of Kitra's he had perished.

Alana sighed, pushing away the melancholy thoughts as she strolled through the familiar orchards. The past was the past, and dwelling on it would do her no good now. She had to focus on the present and the challenges that lay ahead. She knew that there was a council meeting to be held, and that they were just waiting for the other members of each race to show up. There was also something going on with Kitra. Her cousin had grown rather distant, spending hours in Elrond's study with Gandalf and Aragorn. She had no idea what was going on but she was beginning to worry.

As the sun began to set, Alana realized it was time to turn back and make her way back to the city. She followed the winding path through the forest, taking in the sights and sounds of nature around her - the rustle of leaves underfoot, the chirping of birds overhead, and the gentle rush of a nearby stream.

As she entered the main courtyard of Rivendell, her senses were suddenly overwhelmed by a bustling crowd of various races - dwarves with their sturdy frames, elves with their ethereal beauty, and men with their steadfast determination. Her mind immediately jumped to thoughts of the Ring and why these visitors had come.

Two men on horseback charged into the courtyard with fierce determination, their horses galloping at full speed. The horses' muscles rippled under their glistening coats as their hooves pounded against the ground, sending up clouds of dust and debris. Alana, dressed in her simple robes, stepped aside to avoid being trampled, her heart racing as she watched them approach.

"You really should watch where you're riding. You nearly knocked me on my backside," she yelled over at them, annoyance evident in her voice. As they dismounted, she couldn't help but feel taken aback by their striking appearances. It was clear that they were brothers, their features mirroring each other's in a way that only siblings could.

The elder one had a strong jawline and stood tall with an air of authority about him. His piercing green eyes seemed to hold a hint of danger, while his dark hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail. The younger one was equally handsome, with delicate features and piercing blue eyes that seemed to pierce right through her. His shoulder-length light brown hair glimmered in the sunlight, giving him an almost ethereal appearance. Alana couldn't deny the attraction she felt towards both of them, even though their arrival had caused quite the commotion.