The next day we depart from Rivendell. The day is bright, with the sun shining brightly down on them as they make their way through the soft, green terrain.

I am grateful to the elves that have such comfortable clothing. They gave me a pair of leggings of some sort, with an auburn colored tunic that reaches down to my knees. I left my hair down, flowing down my back, shining gold in this light. I was also given a pair of boots that are similar to the riding boots I have back at home, but they are much more comfortable. A small sword that Aragorn lent me to hold on to hangs at my waste, in a sheath.

I am surprised to find that my feet do not hurt as much as I thought they would. I'm not used to walking this much, and I hope that I am able to handle the whole journey.

We walk in a bit of a line. Behind me in the back are the hobbits, and in front of my Boromir strides. Gimli is in the middle, carrying his ax upon his back with other gear. Legolas and Aragorn keep in the front with Gandalf. I sigh as I look around.

"What is it Lady Alana?" Merry comes up behind me and asks.

"Please, you need only call me Alana." I say with a grin.

Merry looks and smiles. "Aright then! What is wrong?"

I sigh as I reply. "I feel as though this isn't real. This seems almost as a dream…"

My voice trails off as I think about home.

"I also worry that I will never see my family again. They will be worried for me."

Merry looks as if he doesn't know what to say to comfort me.

"Well, you have us for friends, if you would like us to be."

I smile at him and say, "I would be very happy for that. Thank you"

He grins as he goes along and rejoins his companions.

We continue on. The sun is shining through the gray clouds, warming the grass that will soon no longer be green, with the approaching cold season. I can hear Aragorn discussing something quietly with Gandalf. It seems as though they are planning a route. Boromir trails behind them, looking upon Aragorn with down right annoyance. I listen to the hobbits beside me talk about the Shire, and how they wish to be eating the food from there right about now. Frodo seems to look ahead at nothing, is mind elsewhere. I notice Legolas walking near me, and we exchange a glance. I look away, hiding my blush. There is something about the elf prince that makes me feel something different. I push the thought away as he comes near and says something.

"How do you fair Lady Alana?"

I smile as I answer, "fairly well. Though I am very tired. And please, just call me Alana."

"If that is what you wish" he simply states, with a small smile tugging at his lips.

They sky has long grown dim, and a chilly breeze falls upon the Fellowship. I shiver, for even though my clothing is very warm, it still tickles the back of my neck and down my back. It is almost as if the dread has gotten to everyone, for no one speaks until we slow and stop in a small clearing of grass near a trickling stream.

"We will stop and rest for a short time. When we recover our strength we will continue on." Gandalf said as he stood, staring in the distance.

The hobbits drop their stuff, obviously relieved at the idea of a break. I set down the bag that I was given in Rivendell. The others are resting as well, all except Legolas, whom I have to remind myself of the resilience elves have, and do not tire easily. Instead he stands near a pile of stone, holding his bow in his hand, quiver at his back.

As I sit down, Aragorn approaches me.

"Do you have any experience with a sword Lady Alana?" he asks.

"Well, not really. Where I am from, you don't require such skills. Though I would like to learn, since I will most likely have the need to defend myself."

"I could teach you the basics for the sword. But I think you may benefit to learn archery as well, for you seem to have a better build for that. I could have Legolas help with that."

Inside, I feel excited at the idea of learning more of archery. I was fairly good at it, but I had much to learn, and with an excellent marksman like Legolas, I would learn a lot.

I answer, "I would like to learn more of archery. I know the basics of it, but I am not well enough to use it in battle I don't think."

He lends me a knowing look as he nods and says, "I will as Legolas if he would be willing to teach you in a few days."

"thank you very much" I reply.

To soon later, it was time to get moving again. We continue on our journey for a long while, camping a couple of times in between when we reach a rocky area on a slope of some sort. Gandalf instructs us to get rest, for the moon was high in the sky. I lay out a bedroll and sit down. I lay my head on my pack, and try to let sleep take me. But for some reason it never came. I tossed and turned for a long while until she gave up and sat up. The camp was quiet, save the snores of Gimli and the crackling of the fire.

I stare up in the sky, noticing that the stars are completely different here, making me feel a bit more homesick. I sigh as I look back down. A voice to my side speaks, making me jump.

"What is the matter?" Legolas asks as he sits beside me.

I hesitate as I answer, "I do not know… I miss my family, and I fear they are worried for me."

Legolas looks at me for a minute and then looks in the sky as he replies, "I understand you miss your home. Though I believe the best thing to do is to focus on now, and not worry of what you cannot change."

More of a whisper, I agree. "Yes, that is true." I look back down and attempt to suppress a shiver, with little effect.

"You are cold" Legolas stated. He took a blanket that was laying on the ground near the fire and placed it on my shoulders. I shiver again as I feel where the warmth of his hands were.

As he stand he says, "Aragorn has told me that you wish to learn archery"

I blush as I reply, "Well yes, I already know some, but I would like to learn more if I am to need to defend myself."

"I can teach you tomorrow" I look at him gratefully, noticing that my eyes have grown tired and I'm struggling to keep them open.

"You should rest" he told me as if he noticed how tired I was.

I nod in agreement as I lie down and pull the blanket over myself. He looks at me once more and says, "I hope you sleep well Alana."

As I drift into sleep, I can only think about those intense, stormy eyes.

"You need to lift your elbow higher. And try not to be so tense."

It was late in the morning, and Legolas is perfecting my stance as I hold a bow Aragorn lent me, aimed at a tree. I could hear Merry and Pippen sword fighting with Boromir and Aragorn slightly below us while we are on the top of the sloped land.

I felt his hand gently lift my right arm. I am having trouble holding the stance correctly because my injured shoulder still aches a bit. I am caught off guard as Legolas stands close at my side, and wraps his hand around mine which is holding the bow, and places his other on the arm pulling the string back. He adjusts my position until he is certain it is right, and pulls away. I feel slightly cold where the heat from his body was.

"Now." He states, his warm breath tickling the back of my neck. "Aim for the center of the tree. Let your breath out as you release."

I do what he says, exhaling as I let go of the string. Thud! The arrow hit right near the center of the tree. I can't help but feel proud of myself for the shot.

"Well done! That is very good for a first try." Legolas says with a slight look of awe on his face.

I smile at him playfully as I say, "I said I have done archery before. I just didn't know I was very good" I say with a grin.

Suddenly Legolas pulls away and stares into the distant sky. There is a strange noise I notice heading this way.

"What is that?" I hear on of the hobbits exclaim.

"They are Crebian! From Dunland! Hide! Shouts Gandalf. I rush to help Sam quickly douse the fire, and rush to find a bush of some kind to hide under. I let out a squeak of surprise as I feel myself pulled to the ground, with hands urgently wrapped around my waist, holding me down.

I look up to see Legolas staring out at the sky as the crows circle the area, making quite a bit of noise. I realize how close I am to him. I can feel his chest rising and falling against my back, with his even breath stirring the hair on the top of my head. I suddenly feel very self-conscious, and my breath quickens.

Almost as soon as they came, the black birds fly away. Everyone begins to emerge from their hiding places. Legolas release his hold on me, seeming almost slow. He stand to his feet, and offers me a hand.

I gratefully take it and stand up. When I do, I look up at him and we lock eyes. His intense ones in my brown ones. I suddenly feel as though I forgot how to breath as I realize how close we are standing, and his hand still clasped around mine. We break our gaze at the same time, taking me out of the trance as Gandalf's voice breaks our thoughts.

"Spies of Saruman! We must take the Path of Caradhas!"