Disclaimer: No one and nothing in Middle-earth belongs to me. Everything belongs to Tolkien and I am not making any money from this.

Author's notes: Thank you all for the reviews for "How to get rid of an Evil Ring of Power".

I honestly did not expect such a response and feel very flattered! :-)

A Long-expected Bath

It was the most joyous day for the members of the Fellowship since they had departed from Rivendell. They were resting in the Golden Wood, and for once not in constant fear of attacks by their enemies. Though they were still mourning the loss of Gandalf, they all knew that he had longed for this day to come as much as they had; and therefore would have wanted them to be happy. They had gathered in a small clearing near the river and were chattering excitedly.

For excited they were indeed.

The day they had waited for ever since the start of their journey had finally come.

"I can't believe, he's actually doing this for me…" Frodo sighed dreamily.

 "He will not do it for you! He will do it for all of us!" Merry pointed out and rolled his eyes over Frodo's expression.

"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I know they're not, I would say it is high time he does it! And I don't really care why, as long as he actually does it!" the dwarf grumbled and tugged at his shiny and perfectly braided beard.

"I wonder what takes him so long!" Pippin exclaimed impatiently, and peered through the bushes.

"You know very well that this is not easy for him, little one. Let him take his time," Legolas tried to soothe the hobbit with an amused smile on his handsome face.

"I really don't understand what this fuss is all about!" Boromir growled. "It is not like this is something extraordinary!"

"It is," Legolas objected fiercely.

"Usually he only does it for the Lady Arwen!"

"The ranger is merely taking a BATH!" Boromir now shouted exasperated, although he had to admit that it was indeed extraordinary, as it had never happened before on their long journey.

"He's coming!" Pippin suddenly exclaimed and jumped up and down in joy as he saw Aragorn step out of the shrubbery.

The conversation instantly ceased and all eyes turned to the naked ranger.

He stood at the bank of the river for a moment, his face distorted by pure horror, as he looked at the water.

"I guess he'd rather face an orc-army or a Balrog than do this!" Merry whispered.

The ranger turned around and smiled weakly at his companions.

"Come on! You can make it!" They cheered and held their breaths.

Then finally Aragorn took a deep breath and under the applause of the Fellowship stepped into the river. He took his first bath ever since their departure in Rivendell almost three months ago.