Samwise Gamgee sat down by the banks of the Nimrodel, and stuck his aching feet into the water. Sighing in relief as the water soothed his tired muscles, he fell back against the bright green grass and closed his eyes against the bright, hot light of the sun. The Fellowship had just arrived at the edge of the Golden Wood, otherwise known as Lothlórien. The center of Elvendom, Aragorn had said. They arrived here without Gandalf, for he had fallen into shadow fending off the fiery Balrog. Tears formed in Sam's eyes and he furiously swiped at them, knowing full well that tears would not bring Gandalf back.
Taking his feet out of the water, he stood up and began walking back to the camp. He noticed something out of the corner of his eye, and he turned to see something lying at the edge of the wood. Sam cautiously drew his barrow blade, given to him by Aragorn, and moved slowly towards it. When he drew near enough, he could see that it was a person. A girl, at that. She was clothed in rags, and she looked dead.
Sam knelt down and brushed her short, golden brown hair out of her face. Her skin felt cold as ice. She was a pretty thing, even with the bruises and cuts covering her face. She had freckles across her nose and cheeks, and her skin, though not pale, was not tanned either. Her hands were scarred, and in one hand, she held a silver battle axe. Sam lightly ran his finger along the blade, and yelped in surprise when it sliced his finger. Putting his finger in his mouth, he heard a noise come from the girl. He listened again quietly, and after a few moments, she moaned.
"Are you alright? Do you need help?" Sam asked her, leaning in close to her mouth so that he could hear her speak.
"Food..." She whispered. "I need...food...:
Then she promptly passed out.
Sam needed to get her back to the camp, but with her being bigger than him (or at least, he guessed she was), he couldn't carry her. She was skin and bones, but she was still too heavy. He couldn't leave her either, so he made a quick decision. He drew in a breath, and screamed,
"ARAGORN! EVERYONE! COME QUICKLY!"
A few moments later, Aragorn and the rest of the Fellowship came crashing through the brush, weapons drawn and eyes wild.
"Sam, what is it?! Have you seen Orcs!?" Gimli shouted.
"No, no, it's fine!" Sam replied quickly. "I need your help, this girl needs food and medicine, I think she's dying! I can't carry her by myself."
Legolas sheathed his dagger and came over to examine the girl, kneeling beside her head. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion and his face reddened slightly.
"I've seen her before..." he murmured. "I do not know where, but her face...it is familiar to me."
Aragon swiftly bent down and picked her up, cradling her against his chest. He carried her back to camp, and when they reached it, Legolas took off his cloaks and laid one on the ground.
"Lay her down right there," he said.
When He laid her on it, he swept his other cloak over her. Then he sat down and cradled her head in his lap. Legolas placed his hand on her forehead, and a look of concern passed over his face.
"I need Athelas. There is some in my satchel, Frodo, go get it. I also need water. Merry, give me your canteen, quickly!" Legolas said.
Frodo threw the Athelas at him, and Merry handed him the canteen. Legolas ground up the plant, and mixed it with water. He then opened the girl's mouth and poured it down her throat. Laying her down gently, he placed his hand on her forehead again.
"She will rest for a while, but I think she will be alright." he said, smiling.
Sam looked at her pretty face, wondering who she was and how she came to be at the Golden Wood, and hoped that she would awaken soon.