Arkala sat atop her horse, a stallion as dark as the night that surrounded them with deep, twinkling brown eyes that she swore held more warmth than the eyes of many men she had come across. She leaned down and gently stroked the neck of the tall horse, leaning her head against his and whispering something in her native tongue before sitting up straight. "Today we ride for Rivendell. It's time we returned," she spoke to no one in particular, or perhaps to the horse, one could not be sure.<br/><br/>She then spurred the horse forward with a click of her tongue as she leaned forward, riding faster than was strictly necessary. Morning would soon be upon them, though the darkness still lingered, and she wished to reach Rivendell by sunrise, so she rode with haste. This was how she preferred it, anyway, as she loved the freeing feeling of the wind in her hair.<br/><br/>They traveled through the dark hours of the early morning and into dawn. As the sun began to rise, the Elven city came into view. Arkala brought Aralome to a stop, taking a moment to take in the sight before her. The sun rose beyond Rivendell, making it almost seem as though it were glowing. Arkala smiled before clicking her tongue and urging the horse forward once more, this time keeping him at a more relaxed pace as they closed the remaining distance between themselves and the city.<br/><br/>When she arrived, she was met by a tall male Elf with dark hair. "Arkala, I see that you have deigned to grace us with your presence once again," the man greeted her. Arkala responded with a wry smile, "I see you haven't lost your sense of humor since last I saw you, Lindir," she replied with a smile, making it difficult to tell whether she was being serious or sarcastic.<br/><br/>"It's good to be back," she then added as she dismounted Aralome, pulling the grey hood of her cloak back as she led him towards the waiting Elf, freeing her long silver-blonde hair. She handed the reigns to another, who would take him to be fed and cared for. "It is good to have you back," Lindir spoke again, turning to walk with her as she walked past him.<br/><br/>"Lord Elrond anticipated my arrival, I presume?" she asked as they walked, to which he nodded. "It is as you say," he replied. "Well, I hope he will forgive me if I make a brief stop before greeting him. It has been a while since I've had a proper meal. I think I will visit the Hall of Fire." Lindir seemed to understand this, "I'm sure he will understand,"  he assured her.<br/><br/>"Until next time," she gave him a smile and a small nod of her head before she strode off down the hall, leaving him behind. She kept her pace as casual as she could bear to, as she was not in a hurry, nor did she wish to appear rushed. Still, even without trying, her long stride carried her quickly to her destination.<br/><br/>Upon reaching the hall, she took a quick look around, her eyes almost immediately falling on a man with curly raven locks and rather intense green eyes that would have been pretty had they not looked so grim. He was Dunedain, she thought. A Ranger. More than an ordinary Ranger, based on the emblem he wore. He appeared to be rather focused as he ate his breakfast, his green eyes scanning the hall as he did. He sat with Gallind, Celewen's husband. For the briefest of moments, she considered sitting elsewhere, not wanting to rudely interrupt their breakfast. Yet she felt drawn to him in some way she could not explain, as though their meeting was meant to happen, for some purpose she dared not guess.<br/><br/>She was curious, and her curiosity usually got the better of her. This was no exception, and before she knew it, her feet carried her across the room to where they sat. "Good morning," she greeted them with a gentle smile, gesturing to a nearby seat, "May I?" she asked, waiting a moment before taking a seat. "It has been a short while since last I saw you, Gallind. Seven years, as I recall," she greeted the Elf before turning her attention to the man sitting with him. "I don't believe we have had the pleasure of meeting. I am Arkala," she introduced herself with a friendly smile.<br/><br/>It was then that Celewen returned with a plate of cheeses, meats, and fruits for the younger Elf. "Celewen. Thank you. It's nice to see you again. I hope that all is well?" she inquired of the female Elf. It had indeed been nearly seven years since she had visited Rivendell and seen either of the two older Elves, or any of the others, for that matter. Seven years was indeed a short time in the eyes of an Elf, though less so for one so young as she. Much had happened in those seven years, short though they may have been. She had spent most of that time wandering Eriador, although not without purpose.<br/><br/>She had come to believe, in this time, that there was a darkness growing. She thought that it would be upon them sooner than they expected. She didn't wish to see this world fall to darkness, and while she did not know what she alone could do to prevent it, she wasn't keen on sitting back and allowing it to befall all others while she did nothing. She thought that this was, perhaps, not the common view of her kind, as many saw it as a problem that was not theirs, or something they did not wish to get involved in, a great number of them were preparing to leave this land. She, however, was not inclined to this path, nor would she choose it, even if all others did. She did hope that  there was something she could do. Indeed, she felt that it was quite likely that she would have a role to play, although what role, she could not presently say. Whatever her purpose would be, she would gladly accept it.<br/><br/>Her mind told her that this man before her would also play a role. Perhaps even greater than her own, although she could not say this with any degree of certainty. For now, however, she thought it best to get to know him before mentally deciding for him what his fate might be. "You're the steward of Arnor?" she observed, her grey-blue eyes falling to the emblem before her gaze met his once more. That, she thought, could not be a coincidence.