A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed this story! I love it! I know that this chapter is significantly shorter than those previous, but don't worry I make up for it the next few chapters. I just thought that this once was kind of cute...I mean...it involves Pippin...it's bound to be adorable...

Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings...maybe next year?

Chapter 3

The fellowship's progress seemed to be nonexistent. The weather was cold and windy as they trekked west of the Misty Mountains. Gandalf led the way, Aragorn not far behind. Legolas and Anariel were the rearguard because of their Elven senses. Since elves were not really affected by the cold, they were not as uncomfortable as their companions, although the wind got on Anariel's nerves. It kept blowing her hair in her face, which provided a much needed laugh.

One night, they declared it was safe to build a fire and the group huddled around the flames eagerly, relishing the warmth. "We must hold to this course west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open. From there, our road will turn east to Mordor," Gandalf said after a question from Pippin, who didn't look pleased at the idea of walking for forty days.

Anariel sat with Legolas. During their journey, they had become good friends, or at least Anariel was determined to keep it that way. Her priority was simple. Protect Frodo. Destroy the ring, and in that order. Nevertheless, she and Legolas often carried on quiet conversations in Elvish. He had been sorry to learn of her past and the death of her parents, but Anariel had assured him that she was happy to belong in Elrond's household, even if having the title of a Lady was bothersome. He had laughed at that, for he agreed that at times titles were annoying. He knew all about it as he was a prince. She had learned about his past as well; how he'd been trained since he could walk to be a warrior and a prince, but apparently Legolas had been quite the rebel as an elfling, including stealing his father's horse.

"Anariel," Pippin said skipping over to where the two elves sat. "Will you teach me to handle a sword?" he asked.

Anariel's eyes widened, but she smiled. "Are you sure you would not rather Boromir or Aragorn teach you?" she asked.

Pippin lowered his voice, "I'm not too keen to fight them," he explained. "Aragorn is always kind of grim and broody. And Boromir is always quiet."

"So you want me to teach you?" Anariel asked. "Are you sure? Aragorn would be a better teacher," she said persuasively, but Pippin wasn't having any of it.

"Anariel taught me some lessons in swordplay," Aragorn said and Anariel glared at him. "She is as good a teacher as I."

"Come on," Pippin urged, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. "I'll go easy on you."

At this Anariel raised her eyebrows, "Really?" she said and she unsheathed the sword on her belt and took a defensive stance. "Well let's see you do your worst."

Pippin gripped his sword firmly before charging at her. She parried his blows effortlessly, but allowed him to get close enough to make a move. Pippin was obviously having fun, not seeming to care that he was making no progress in defeating her. She could hear the laughter of the rest of the company, and she found herself smiling. After awhile, Anariel got a little bored and switched from being on the defensive to being on the offensive. She met his sword with her own, made a sweeping motion and Pippin's sword flew up in the air and Anariel caught it in her free hand. "Do you yield, my friend?" she asked.

Pippin's brow furrowed for a moment before he charged at her and knocked her down. He pinned her to the ground and Anariel pretended to struggle against his weight. "Ha!" Pippin exclaimed. "Do you yield, my pointy eared friend?" he asked and Anariel laughed.

"I surrender," she said still laughing. "Now help a lady up," she giggled.

Legolas watched as Pippin gave Anariel a hand. He and the others had laughed at the sight of the hobbit attacking the elf. She seemed to be a light to the darkness that always threatened to engulf them, seeing as how their task was a treacherous one. The only two who still seemed to be against her presence were Gimli and Boromir. Gimli because she was an elf, it was that simple. Legolas assumed that Boromir's reason was because she was a woman. He knew that often human women did not fight in wars or battles, so it must be difficult for him to get past. Although Elves did not often like the idea of women fighting, they would not forbid them from doing so. Perhaps when Boromir saw her in battle, he would feel differently.

They continued to trek on. Eventually the windy weather had passed and now the sun shone. Aragorn had led them through Hollin and now they were in the Eregion hills, pausing midday for a brief rest. Legolas stood on a rock, looking back over the land that they had crossed. Anariel was seated beside Aragorn who was smoking his pipe. Both were watching Pippin who was practicing his swordplay with Boromir. To Anariel's surprise, he was very good with the hobbits.

"Get away from the blade Pippin, on your toes…good, very good…I want you to react, not think," Boromir instructed the hobbit.

Faintly she heard Sam mutter, "That shouldn't be too hard," and Anariel smiled. Sam might be the quietest of the bunch, but whenever he spoke it was usually funny.

"Move your feet," Aragorn chimed in, smiling at the hobbit's progress.

"Quite good Pippin," Merry applauded.

Anariel smiled and continued to watch the pair until she heard the grumblings of Gimli. She turned and saw that the dwarf seemed to have cornered Gandalf. Furrowing her brow, she got up and went over closer to the pair.

"If anyone would ask my opinion, which I note that they have not, I would say that we are taking the long way around. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome," Gimli said persuasively.

Anariel shuddered at the idea of going through the mines. She had heard of the evil that the dwarves had awakened, and she had heard the stories from Glorfindel himself. No elf would willingly pass through the mines anyway. No sun. No trees. No grass. No nature, just cold, dark tunnels. She looked for Gandalf's reaction and was relieved to see that he was obviously against the idea.

"No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice," the old wizard replied.

Anariel saw Legolas still standing on an outcrop of rock and hopped up to stand beside him. In the background she still heard Boromir and Pippin, but she assumed that from the noise that Pippin had tackled him to the ground. Laughter filled the air and Anariel smiled. Laughter was a treasure on this quest. She noticed Legolas tense beside her and looked at him curiously.

"Legolas?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow, but when he didn't answer she steered her gaze to where his had remained. In the distance she saw a black cloud, seeming to glide across the sky like smoke.

"What is that?" Sam asked.

"It's just a wisp of cloud," Gimli said inconsequently.

"It's moving fast," Boromir said worry creeping into his voice. "Against the wind…"

"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas cried suddenly.

"Hide!" Aragorn urged.

"Merry, Pippin, Sam, take cover!" Boromir ordered the hobbits.

Legolas grabbed Anariel's hand and they both dove under the bushes. Both waited as the black crows flew overhead. There was one solitary croak, and everyone waited until the elves came out, seeing as how they would know first when it was safe.

Anariel moved to get up when she realized that Legolas was on top of her. Apparently, Legolas had just made that observation himself, but he had made no attempt to move.

"Um, Legolas?" Anariel asked slowly. "Can I get up?"

If Anariel didn't know better, she'd almost think that Legolas looked sheepish, but the blonde elf quickly moved off of her, taking her hand and pulling her up with him. Seeing the elves emerge, everyone else followed suit. Gandalf staggered to his feet, and Anariel saw his eyes drift to her hand that was still in Legolas'. Subtly, she withdrew her hand and went to stand by Aragorn who was by Gandalf. She ignored the almost amused look Gandalf gave her.

"Spies of Saruman," the wizard said worriedly. "The South passage is being watched." Gandalf looked at Aragorn who subtly nodded and Gandalf gestured to a high mountain pass. "We must take the pass of Caradhras!"

They clambered up the steep mountain pass in a single file line. The snow was up to the hobbits ankles, so they weren't having too much trouble yet, though Anariel worried about how they would fair when the snow became too deep. She and Legolas were for once at the front of the company, as Aragorn was bringing up the rear. Anariel heard the shuffling of rock and scurrying of feet and turned around to see Frodo getting to his feet. She watched as the young hobbit seemed to panic. He was searching for something. Had he lost in the ring in the snow? She searched the ground and saw Boromir reach down and pick up the chain that held the ring. He held it so the ring dangled in front of his eyes. Anariel tensed as she watched him seem to become entranced with it. She started forward, but Legolas grabbed her arm, and looked pointedly at Aragorn.

Anariel's gaze flitted to Aragorn who approached Boromir warily, "Boromir?"

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing…such a little thing," he said quietly, his eyes never leaving the ring.

Aragorn's hand went to his sword hilt, "Boromir, give the ring to Frodo," he ordered quietly.

Boromir gazed at the ring for a few moments more before he seemed to snap out of it, giving the ring back to Frodo. "As you wish," he said lightly. "I care not." Boromir reached forward and ruffled the hobbit's hair.

I fear for Boromir. Anariel said quietly to Legolas.

We will watch him. If it seems to be too much for him, we will tell Aragorn or Gandalf. Legolas answered, his eyes still watching Boromir.

As they continued to climb, the weather escalated to a full on blizzard. The snow was flying so thick that even Legolas and Anariel were having trouble seeing, but they were not hindered by the rising snow. Being as light as they were, they were able to walk atop the snow, barely leaving a footprint. The others were not fairing as well. Both Aragorn and Boromir carried a hobbit in each arm, as the snow had become too high for them to walk through. Gimli was also starting to have trouble. This was most definitely a time when Anariel was glad she was an elf. She could walk atop the snow, and she wasn't cold.

Legolas and Anariel both tensed as they heard a voice, "There is a fell voice in the air!" Legolas called to Gandalf urgently.

"It's Saruman!" Gandalf yelled back.

Rock and snow start to fall down on them as Aragorn yelled, "He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf! We must turn back!" the Ranger urged.

"No!" Gandalf argued and raised his staff and chanted a spell that Anariel translated as, "Sleep Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold your wrath!"

However it had no effect. The voice on the air became as loud as thunder, causing the mountain to tremble above them. A lightening crack sounded from above them and Anariel looked up to see a huge snow avalanche charging towards them. She felt Legolas grab her arm and yank her back against the wall of the mountain, putting himself in front of her so he shielded her from the snow. She ignored the fact that they were so close that their bodies were pressed together. She also ignored the fact that she felt a fluttering in her stomach. That wasn't normal.

Once the snow was finished falling, Legolas quickly dug them out and they immediately went to dig out everyone else. Legolas went to where Gandalf was and Anariel quickly dug out Aragorn and Boromir, who in turn dug for the hobbits. They passed them up to Anariel and she frowned when she saw that they were shaking with both cold and fear.

"We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the West road to my city!" Boromir urged.

"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard," Aragorn argued.

"We cannot pass over the mountain. Let us pass through it," Gimli urged, and Anariel felt her stomach drop. Surely Gandalf would not lead them there? "Let us go through the Mines of Moria!" Gimli said, more to Gandalf than anyone else.

Gandalf sighed, a concerned expression on his face. "Let the ring bearer decide."

Anariel's gaze immediately went to where Frodo stood, still shaking from the cold. She closed her eyes in defeat. She knew what we would choose. "We shall go through the mines," Frodo said evenly and Anariel heard Legolas sigh beside her.

"So be it," Gandalf said quietly.

Woo! Moria be next! Yay! I like Moria. (Can you tell?) Anway, this chapter was fun to write...as they all are really. Anway, I'll update Saturday.

Please review,

ArthursCamelot