Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings, nor any of the affiliated characters. I only own Cerin (my OC). Any references to the books or movie are acknowledged. Any infringement on my part is purely accidental and unintended.

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Chapter 4:

An Anxious Departure

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The two months time before their departure was quickly coming to an end. It was now only a day before the company left on their quest. An anxious air cloaked the Last Homely House and increased the dread for the morrow.

Much had changed and grown since the Council of Elrond. Cerin had become quite close with the four hobbits under hers, Aragorn's, and Boromir's tutelage. It was almost inevitable for the bond of friendship to sprout between them after the spectacular flying tackle Merry and Pippin had performed and the following tickle fight they had together. Their relationship had really flourished once Merry had offered her an important insight into the priorities of hobbits. The woman could never stop a smile from forming when she thought of that day.

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Flashback

Cerin sat on a beautiful stone bench in her favorite garden while looking at the hobbit standing before her and prepared herself to humor him. Merry stood a small distance away with a serious expression and a self-important stance. After a moment of silence, Merry loudly cleared his throat and clasped his hands together at the small of his back.

"Yes, now after your grievous mistake that we will not mention here, I -," Merry began.

"We!" Pippin interjected.

"- We - have decided to educate you on the most important things to us hobbits," Merry finished with a glare directed at Pip who had seated himself next to Cerin on the bench.

"Listen closely now. The most important things in the life of a hobbit are food, ale, and pipe weed," Merry said very seriously.

There was a long moment of silence before Cerin spoke, "That's it?"

Merry and Pippin both turned to her with incredulous expressions and exclaimed together, "What do you mean 'that's it'?"

"They are very important things!" Pippin added indignantly from his place beside her.

Cerin saw the beginnings of a potential argument and realized she had inadvertently insulted them again.

"Ah," she coughed, "of course they are important. It's good to keep things simple and short. My mistake."

End Flashback

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Frodo and Sam didn't use a tactic quite so violent to begin their friendship with the woman, but had merely held a quiet conversation about the beauty of the Shire and their homes. The reverence and homesickness with which they spoke pulled at Cerin's heart and only strengthened her wish to distract them all from the coming darkness. She sought to distract them with quiet understanding and an occasional playful episode. Her efforts didn't erase their melancholy, but it was obvious they appreciated her and her willingness to help them.

When the four weren't talking to Cerin, tickling her, or eating, they were at the training grounds being taught how to handle a weapon by herself, Aragorn, or Boromir. The hobbits picked up on the lessons quickly and with enthusiasm. On some days, Legolas or Gimli would join them and sit on the sidelines to watch the spectacle. Legolas would work on his arrows' fletching or some other minor repairs, but Gimli loved to shout out helpful hints to the students. His advice usually proved to distract the hobbits rather than help them. Actually, Pippin had once turned to question the dwarf further, but Sam was unable to stop his downward slash completely and gave the other a nice cut on his calf.

The hobbits were not suddenly battle-hardened soldiers, but they could now hold and swing a weapon without injuring the person standing next to them. The most improved on this principle was Pippin. He had the attention span of a fish, that boy, and an appetite of a horse.

When not at the training grounds, Cerin spent her time either in the gardens or in Elrond's study. She wanted to absorb the calm of her home and cherish its amazing beauty. Cerin chose to hole herself away in the Lord's study to spend as much time as she could with the elf that had become a father to her. Other than her short stay before going to Isengard, she had not been back to visit him for three years. Wandering had brought her peace with her brother's death, but at the same time the absence of her only family and the loneliness of travel had whittled away at her heart. She cherished the time she spent with Elrond and in her favorite places before she left indefinitely.

There was another reason for her frequent visits to the gardens and the abundant amount of time with Elrond. Cerin had taken to avoiding Gandalf sometimes. He had given her some odd looks in passing. His face would remain the normal contemplative look he always held, but his eyes would hold a mixture of confusion and – fear? No, he couldn't be afraid of her, but he must have been perplexed by the puzzle she posed. His glances disturbed her, so she sought to hide away in her favorite places. She would have to do something about her anxiety of the wizard because on the morrow she would be traveling with the man.

In fact, she had many emotions about the next day. She dreaded leaving her home again and the last of her family. She knew she was leaving the calm and magic of Rivendell to head straight into the growing Shadow. Cerin was well lectured on the dangers and hardships the company would confront, as well as the possible dangers for one of her heritage. Despite all of these negative feelings, she was still set on finishing their task. Her desire to thwart her ancestor and the Enemy of Middle Earth and support Frodo overrode any misgivings she had about the quest.

With her determination on the forefront of her mind, Cerin turned away from the picturesque scene visible from her rooms and set about double checking her travel packs to be ready for the next day.

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It was the day of their leaving and the fellowship stood gathered near the gates before a large procession of elves, all citizens of Imladris. Standing at the fore were Lord Elrond, Arwen Evenstar, and Bilbo Baggins.

The company was clad in little of the gear of war. Their hope had always been in secrecy and not in battle. Aragorn had his sword at his side but no other visible weapons. He wore naught but the rusty green and brown clothing of the Rangers. Cerin wore similar clothing of the same shades. She had her blade at her side, her bow and quiver upon her back, and several daggers. She was more heavily armed than the others, but she believed she would be the one travelling closest to Frodo. Boromir had his long sword, a shield, and his war-horn. Gimli openly wore his shirt of chainmail, cinched with a large leather belt bearing his broad axe. Legolas had his quiver, bow, and a long white blade at his side. Merry, Pippin, and Sam wore the blades Strider had given them at Weathertop. Frodo had only Sting, the blade given by his Uncle Bilbo, and the mail-coat which was hidden under his normal clothing. Gandalf had his staff and the elven sword, Glamdring, at his hip. All were well furnished by Elrond with warm clothes, thick jackets, and cloaks. Their spare food, clothes, and blankets were packed on the pony, Bill, who stood beside Sam.

Cerin stood behind the four hobbits, gazing up at her adoptive father. Her position near the little ones was decided for their comfort and also to keep them under her eye. Gandalf and Aragorn stood the next closest to the four. Both were at attention with grave faces. Boromir was next to Gandalf, one hand clutching his blade. Legolas and Gimli had positioned themselves on opposite sides of the company, still trying to avoid each other.

Everyone focused their gaze on the elven Lord when he quietly cleared his throat. Cerin observed the faces she would not see for a long while. Biblo, standing next to Arwen, was looking longingly towards Frodo, who was avoiding the gaze mightily. Arwen held such a look of sorrow as she took in Aragorn's battle-ready figure that it was painful to bear such a sight. Curiously, he was also avoiding her stare, but his eyes held a similar pain in them. Finally, she turned to take in the Lord. His face was foreboding and grim.

"Do you still hold to your word, Frodo, that you will be the Ring Bearer?" he said straight to the hobbit.

"I do," Frodo said, "I will go with Sam and the rest."

"Then, this is my last word," he said in a low voice, "The Ring Bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside to other paths. You are not held by any oath or bond to go further than you will. The strength of your hearts will determine the distance you travel and you, nor I, can foresee what you will meet on the road."

"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," Gimli muttered.

"Maybe, but let him not vow to conquer the darkness when he has not yet seen nightfall," Elrond replied.

"Yet sworn word may strengthen a faltering heart."

"Or break it. Look not too far ahead! But go now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessing of the Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!" Elrond bid to them at last.

"Don't be long, Frodo my lad," Bilbo said lightly.

With those words, the fellowship turned towards Rivendell's boundary. As they walked, those of Elrond's house that had gathered in the shadows quietly bid them farewell, then they faded silently into the falling dusk. No farewells were given from the Lord or his daughter as they had already been given privately the day before. As they disappeared around the bend from the courtyard, Arwen finally gave into her grief and let her tears fall while Elrond maintained his stony expression.

They crossed the bridge and wound slowly up the long, steep path that led out of the valley. Then, with one final glance at the Last Homely House twinkling below, they turned and strode far into the night.

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TBC

Most of the farewell speech and descriptions are quoted from The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.

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