p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Cawing loudly, a black cloud of Dunland Crebain soared over Eliza's head. She pulled the hood of her cloak tighter around her face as she hid in a crevice below a large boulder./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Eliza had grown weary from her journeying to and fro from place to place in search of her brother. Doubt flickered in her mind as she toyed with the idea that she might never stumble upon his whereabouts. It had been many months that she'd been searching now and there had been little sign of him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Thankfully, her prayers that no harm had come to him were answered when she finally reached Rivendell. There she had learned the purpose of the Elrond's secret meeting. The One Ring, the mightiest weapon of the enemy, had remerged… in what some might think was the unlikeliest of places - a hobbit hole, in the quaint meadows of the Shire./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Considering this development a united fellowship of man, elf, dwarf, hobbit and Maia alike, that included Eliza's brother, set out to destroy the One Ring in secret. If it were to fall into the wrong hands and make its way back to Sauron's grasp... Middle Earth would fall to unspeakable evil, darkness and ruin. And the ring emwanted/em to return to its master; its will was strong./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Eliza pondered on her brother's joining the quest. She, somehow instinctively, knew his aversion to the destruction of such a powerful thing. It was far more likely that he would want to save it, to wield its power for his people - their people. Suddenly, Eliza heard a voice cry out just a short distance away. She shuddered and pushed aside her thoughts to concentrate on the voice – was it friend or foe?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Spies of Saruman!" the voice cried. "The passage South is being watched. We emmust/em take the Pass of Caradhras."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"A thin smile crept its way across Eliza's face as she recognised the sound. She knew it to be the voice of Gandalf the Grey, a visitor to the halls of Minas Tirith and friend of her brother Faramir – but most importantly, in this particular moment, a member of the fellowship. Finally, she dared to hope she had found them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Indeed, the South is under constant surveillance," Eliza remarked as she emerged cautiously from behind the boulder./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Instantly, Aragorn spun to face her. He gripped the hilt of his sword and protectively clasped Frodo's shoulder./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Sister?!" Boromir called out, utterly bewildered to see her. "What a sight! W-why have you come?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Denethor has no daughter," Gimli muttered, confused. "Who emis/em this lass?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""This is Eliza of Gondor," Gandalf proclaimed confidently as he began to bridge the distance between them. "She was adopted by the Steward nearly nineteen years ago, when she was but an orphaned child." Turning to Aragorn as he walked he whispered far more carefully, "Denethor does not act without purpose. And this emparticular/em deed of… emcharity/em I am yet come to come to a sound decision upon."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"More loudly again, Gandalf continued with a smile, "I would hardly recognise you, my dear, were it not for emthat/em voice."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Laughing cheerfully, Boromir approached slipping an arm around his sister's shoulder, "Come now, Gandalf – it emmust/em have been the hair!" He was still shocked to see her before him now./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Eliza's porcelain skin flushed as the fellowship chuckled. The hobbits could not help but marvel. Her hair was indeed emvery/em red; almost fiery. Eliza attempted to join in on the light-heartedness but was quickly distracted by dark whispers in her mind. Her face slowly turned towards the tiny hobbit Frodo. Eliza's deep green eyes stared intensely at the Ring-bearer. As not to arouse suspicion, she clawed her gaze away for it only to be caught by the elf. He stood tall and quiet at the edge of the group; with a calculating expression upon his features. A cold shiver ran down Eliza's spine as she spoke again, "I am here to offer my own help to the fellowship."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Be that as it may," Aragorn replied cautiously, "you are seemingly unarmed, My Lady. This quest is likely fraught with danger."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"A wry slight smile crept across Eliza's face but she coolly replied, "Do not make the mistake of thinking I cannot pull my own weight." She glanced then at Boromir, almost questioning him with her eyes. Boromir shook his head ever so slightly and Eliza seemingly obeyed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Legolas's naturally heightened senses meant he was the only other who noticed this subtle yet curious signal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I am sure emyou/em understand," Eliza went on, with a small bow of her head, "one can be far more than one appears." She recognised the man must have been Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir to the throne of Gondor as Elrond had mentioned his joining the group. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"The ranger, Aragorn, nodded slowly in reply, briefly bowing his own head despite his doubts./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"This time, Gimli spoke, "What I em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"think/em Aragorn is trying to say is… we do not know if this mission truly befits a wom-" but he was cut off as Eliza swiftly wrapped her ankle around his, catching the dwarf off guard, sending him toppling onto his back. Gimli sulked; embarrassed that everyone had witnessed his fall - especially the elf! He thought he would surely never hear the end of it… but wisely decided to find the amusing side./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Well," Gandalf laughed, "it seems the fellowship has grown." Any original tension was seemingly forgotten. With a quick nod of his head toward Aragorn and then to Eliza, he continued, "Frodo will have yet another protector. Your assistance is most welcome Lady Eliza."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Gandalf was certain a more plausible reason for her arrival would make itself apparent as they journeyed onward. It was doubtful her absence at Minas Tirith had gone unnoticed, so it must have been that she was emsent/em. Gandalf frowned outwardly at these musings. It was most improper and unusual for a woman so close to the Steward to be sent; and alone too. There must have been a very important, and likely secret, motive behind it all. Gandalf shelved these considerations for the moment with a final thought … emthere must be a very good reason for her to be sent… instead of Faramir/em./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Thank you Gandalf," Eliza replied. "And, Frodo – I will do everything in my… power… to see this thing destroyed." Shooting a sideways glance at Boromir, she concluded, "For that is what emmust /emhappen." This seemed to startle Boromir who was notably left scowling at his sister's last remark./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Eliza had grown weary from her journeying to and fro from place to place in search of her brother. Doubt flickered in her mind as she toyed with the idea that she might never stumble upon his whereabouts. It had been many months that she'd been searching now and there had been little sign of him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Thankfully, her prayers that no harm had come to him were answered when she finally reached Rivendell. There she had learned the purpose of the Elrond's secret meeting. The One Ring, the mightiest weapon of the enemy, had remerged… in what some might think was the unlikeliest of places - a hobbit hole, in the quaint meadows of the Shire./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Considering this development a united fellowship of man, elf, dwarf, hobbit and Maia alike, that included Eliza's brother, set out to destroy the One Ring in secret. If it were to fall into the wrong hands and make its way back to Sauron's grasp... Middle Earth would fall to unspeakable evil, darkness and ruin. And the ring emwanted/em to return to its master; its will was strong./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Eliza pondered on her brother's joining the quest. She, somehow instinctively, knew his aversion to the destruction of such a powerful thing. It was far more likely that he would want to save it, to wield its power for his people - their people. Suddenly, Eliza heard a voice cry out just a short distance away. She shuddered and pushed aside her thoughts to concentrate on the voice – was it friend or foe?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Spies of Saruman!" the voice cried. "The passage South is being watched. We emmust/em take the Pass of Caradhras."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"A thin smile crept its way across Eliza's face as she recognised the sound. She knew it to be the voice of Gandalf the Grey, a visitor to the halls of Minas Tirith and friend of her brother Faramir – but most importantly, in this particular moment, a member of the fellowship. Finally, she dared to hope she had found them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Indeed, the South is under constant surveillance," Eliza remarked as she emerged cautiously from behind the boulder./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Instantly, Aragorn spun to face her. He gripped the hilt of his sword and protectively clasped Frodo's shoulder./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Sister?!" Boromir called out, utterly bewildered to see her. "What a sight! W-why have you come?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Denethor has no daughter," Gimli muttered, confused. "Who emis/em this lass?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""This is Eliza of Gondor," Gandalf proclaimed confidently as he began to bridge the distance between them. "She was adopted by the Steward nearly nineteen years ago, when she was but an orphaned child." Turning to Aragorn as he walked he whispered far more carefully, "Denethor does not act without purpose. And this emparticular/em deed of… emcharity/em I am yet come to come to a sound decision upon."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"More loudly again, Gandalf continued with a smile, "I would hardly recognise you, my dear, were it not for emthat/em voice."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Laughing cheerfully, Boromir approached slipping an arm around his sister's shoulder, "Come now, Gandalf – it emmust/em have been the hair!" He was still shocked to see her before him now./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Eliza's porcelain skin flushed as the fellowship chuckled. The hobbits could not help but marvel. Her hair was indeed emvery/em red; almost fiery. Eliza attempted to join in on the light-heartedness but was quickly distracted by dark whispers in her mind. Her face slowly turned towards the tiny hobbit Frodo. Eliza's deep green eyes stared intensely at the Ring-bearer. As not to arouse suspicion, she clawed her gaze away for it only to be caught by the elf. He stood tall and quiet at the edge of the group; with a calculating expression upon his features. A cold shiver ran down Eliza's spine as she spoke again, "I am here to offer my own help to the fellowship."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Be that as it may," Aragorn replied cautiously, "you are seemingly unarmed, My Lady. This quest is likely fraught with danger."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"A wry slight smile crept across Eliza's face but she coolly replied, "Do not make the mistake of thinking I cannot pull my own weight." She glanced then at Boromir, almost questioning him with her eyes. Boromir shook his head ever so slightly and Eliza seemingly obeyed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Legolas's naturally heightened senses meant he was the only other who noticed this subtle yet curious signal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""I am sure emyou/em understand," Eliza went on, with a small bow of her head, "one can be far more than one appears." She recognised the man must have been Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir to the throne of Gondor as Elrond had mentioned his joining the group. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"The ranger, Aragorn, nodded slowly in reply, briefly bowing his own head despite his doubts./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"This time, Gimli spoke, "What I em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"think/em Aragorn is trying to say is… we do not know if this mission truly befits a wom-" but he was cut off as Eliza swiftly wrapped her ankle around his, catching the dwarf off guard, sending him toppling onto his back. Gimli sulked; embarrassed that everyone had witnessed his fall - especially the elf! He thought he would surely never hear the end of it… but wisely decided to find the amusing side./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Well," Gandalf laughed, "it seems the fellowship has grown." Any original tension was seemingly forgotten. With a quick nod of his head toward Aragorn and then to Eliza, he continued, "Frodo will have yet another protector. Your assistance is most welcome Lady Eliza."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"Gandalf was certain a more plausible reason for her arrival would make itself apparent as they journeyed onward. It was doubtful her absence at Minas Tirith had gone unnoticed, so it must have been that she was emsent/em. Gandalf frowned outwardly at these musings. It was most improper and unusual for a woman so close to the Steward to be sent; and alone too. There must have been a very important, and likely secret, motive behind it all. Gandalf shelved these considerations for the moment with a final thought … emthere must be a very good reason for her to be sent… instead of Faramir/em./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal; background: white;"span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;""Thank you Gandalf," Eliza replied. "And, Frodo – I will do everything in my… power… to see this thing destroyed." Shooting a sideways glance at Boromir, she concluded, "For that is what emmust /emhappen." This seemed to startle Boromir who was notably left scowling at his sister's last remark./span/p