(Disclaimer: I own or claim none of Tolkein's work or characters, the only character that I claim is Brenna.)

Saving the Past

Chapter 4

Brenna's life fell into an easy routine as the Fellowship prepared for their journey ahead. She trained with the others as often as possible and helped with whatever she was able in organizing their supplies. More often than not Brenna was left to her own devices as the twins had left on a scouting expedition and the Fellowship were often off doing some task.

The days and weeks passed relatively quickly for everyone. Brenna, though friendly and courteous towards people, had become more secluded from the others. It wasn't as though she didn't like them, but deep inside she couldn't help but feel that she wasn't supposed to be there. She feared that her very presence would change everything. When she first fell into Middle Earth she tried to warn them against having her accompany the Fellowship, but Elrond and Gandalf had insisted on her going.

Walking towards the courtyard where the rest of the Fellowship was waiting to depart, Brenna took a steadying breath as she adjusted her pack. She silently prayed that she would be strong enough to get through this.

"Well look who finally decided to grace us with their presence," Boromir scoffed sarcastically, yet jokingly, but quickly sobered upon seeing the flash of emotion on her face quickly blank.

Brenna didn't acknowledge the dig; she just walked over and stood near Gandalf awaiting departure. She tuned out the voices and movements around her, silently wishing that there was some way that she could get home.

Gandalf listened to Elrond giving his blessing and departure speech. He looked towards Brenna and was slightly worried for her. She had kept to herself in the weeks leading up to their journey. She looked as though she had lost weight and wasn't sleeping very well either.

Brenna was lost in her own thoughts and didn't realize that Elrond had finished his speech. The others were looking at her questioningly, but she just shook her head, shrugging off their concern before focusing on the reality of the situation that she found herself in. Taking a deep cleansing breath, Brenna closed her eyes and tried to relax. She didn't want to be there, she didn't want to be going with them. Deep down she knew that something would happen along the way, something that would change everything for the entire Fellowship.

The sense of foreboding that she felt as the left did not lessen as she had hoped. They began their indefinite journey towards the destruction of the ring, following the lead of the Ringbearer and Gandalf. Brenna found herself somewhere in the middle of the company, absently following the person in front of her.

Though her body was tired and her mind was running ramped, Brenna did not complain, in fact she kept silently to herself along the way. Shifting her pack occasionally, she followed the company of the Fellowship lost in her own thoughts.

The others having noticed the changes that had happened to their companion were concerned, but unsure how to approach the woman. As they stopped to break camp, they each went to do various tasks to set up.

Aragorn approached Brenna quietly. He sat next to her and looked towards her, not really knowing what to say to her. When she first arrived it had seemed like she was adjusting well to being in Middle Earth, but unfortunately, it appeared that she was very upset with the situation and was not dealing with it well. He could not image being taken away from everything that he had ever known, only to find out that everything he had known was not the truth. He shook himself from his train of thought and turned back towards his original task.

"Brenna, I know that you are not going to want to hear this, but I am concerned about you, about how you are dealing with this situation." He stated cautiously.

Brenna looked towards him, her pain and confusion clearly showing in her eyes. She searched his eyes and nodded to him, still not answering. Looking down at her hands, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes again, she looked up at Aragorn.

"I know," she rasped out, "I know that you're all worried and that I'm not handling this very well, but I'm terrified. I know that I'm not ready for this. I know that I'm not going to be able to help any of you that much. I know that when the time comes to fight, I mean really fight, I may be able to hold my own at first, but I am nowhere near as skilled as I need to be to survive this." She faltered and her voice trailed off.

The other had heard this and looked towards the silent woman. Brenna closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sky. She focused her mind on the Hall that she found herself in with the Valar and the peace and feeling of safety that she found there. Feeling her conscious self slip away, she opened her eyes and found herself in their presence once more.

"Little one," Elbereth said drawing her into a warm embrace, "You must not doubt yourself, nor must you doubt that we will be there to guide on this journey. You have our protection and our blessings. Just have faith; you have a crucial part to play in this journey."

"Brenna," Este began, "Find peace and let go of your grief."

"You must let go of your dark thoughts," Yavanna said. "For each of us has instilled our love and protection in you. You now bear our marks, but also have been given some gifts."

Brenna looked towards each of them in shock and confusion.

"Gifts?" she asked in bewilderment.

"Yes young one gifts," Manwe said kindly. "You do not have much time left here with us, but know that we would not have asked this of you if we had thought you unable to do this. We are with you always child, know that. Now go, they are calling you even now."

Everything around her faded and she came back to herself. Opening her eyes she found herself being held by Aragorn who had gone pale. She searched the rest of the Fellowship and found that they were in similar states of distress. Shifting to sit up Aragorn cried out in surprise. He pulled her close into a tight embrace.

"You just fell unconscious," he said in relieved voice.

"No mellon, she did not just fall unconscious, she truly left us for a time," said Legolas.

Gandalf quickly made his way to her side and took her hand in his own. "What happened child?"

"The Valar called me to them." She said. Her companions gasped and Aragorn pulled her tighter to him. "Elbereth, Este, Yavanna, and Manwe each had things to tell me."

Legolas drew a sharp breath at hearing this as did the others. They all crowded around her to see for themselves that she was really there and alright.

"They reminded me of my choice and that they have given me their blessing and protection, as well as some gifts." Brenna told them.

She pulled out of Aragorn's embrace and stood up. She looked around their resting spot and sighed. Taking a step back and turning towards the Fellowship she smiled softly.

"I know that all of you have been worried. You were rightly so, I felt myself slipping further into my own grief as each day passed, but I will be better now. I lost much in leaving my home, but I realize that I also gained much more in coming here."

Gandalf let out a relieved breath at hearing this from his granddaughter. She had him worried that she would fade away. Over their time together he had told her of the history of the elves and the Istari. He taught her about some of the powers that she seemed to have gained or inherited, such as the elements that she could manipulate and control; the air and water.

Legolas looked at the young girl who had changed all of them. In such a short time this elleth had lost so much and still held onto innocence. He was humbled by her admiration towards life and nature. During their time together at Rivendell he had instructed her in archery, but also told her of his people and his home. They had spent a good deal of time together and with the others when she had first arrived.

Aragorn looked over to the girl whom he was beginning to see a young sister. He taught her swordsmanship and scouting techniques. He told her of his journeys and the history of men. They could often be seen walking along the paths together and often times with the children of Elrond. He was glad that she was returning to herself.

Boromir watched from where he had seated himself. He couldn't help but wonder how such a young one could experience and survive everything that she had told them about in her life. He was often away exploring Rivendell or talking with the other delegates of Men, but the times that he had spent with Brenna, he had found her to be an intelligent, hardworking, young woman. She had a few lessons with him in swordsmanship and she was a good student. He felt relief in knowing that she would be alright.

As for the Hobbits they were each concerned about her. She had become a dear friend to them. When they had spent time together in Rivendell they had often been roaming the paths and gardens. They mostly talked of their homes and families and told her of things concerning hobbits. They were thankful that she was gaining her vigor for life.

Gimli stood leaning on his ax glancing at Brenna, perplexed by the girl. They had spoken only a few times during the time they spent together in Rivendell. She had always been kind to him and the other dwarves there. Brenna had always shown them respect and courtesy. He had seen that the girl was suffering, but had not known what to say or do to help her. She became almost reclusive leading up to their departure from Rivendell. He felt relief that she was well again, in his opinion she was alright for an elf.

Brenna oblivious to what was happening in the minds of the others, took a deep cleansing breath and walked over to where her pack and weapons rested. She knelt next to her things and ran her hands over the intricate elvish designs of her sword and daggers. They had been gifts of Elrond and his sons. Next she gently touched her bow and quiver, which had been her gift from Arwen. She glanced down at her clothing, a brown tunic and leggings that were given to her by Caladwen. In her pack there was a spare set of clothing as well as a dress, for which she was clearly confused about. She also had the essentials as well as other necessities needed such as rope, a knife, a spare set of shoes, and hygiene products.

Securing her things back where they belonged, she sat down and ate her ration of the food that Sam had brought to her. She glanced around the small clearing and smiled towards Frodo.

"We'll rest here for a while longer and continue on until just before dark." Gandalf stated.

The others nodded and continued eating until it was time to head out again. They packed there things and followed Gandalf's lead again. They traveled as quickly as they could, making the most of the day. Bedding down for the night, they set up camp. They divided jobs of setting up, getting firewood, and picking watches for they night. Boromir took the first watch followed by Aragorn and then Legolas. The others went about setting up their sleeping areas and setting up the fire.

Brenna sat on her "bed" on the inside of the circle next to Frodo. It was deemed by the others that this would be the safest place for both she and Frodo. She curled herself on her side with her pack as a pillow and her weapons close at hand. Pulling her cloak tightly around her she left herself drift off to sleep.

As time passed for the Fellowship they fell into a similar routine each day only stopping short periods to rest and take food; only breaking camp at nightfall. The days passed by quickly and they covered considerable ground with each passing day.

One morning as they were getting ready to set out Gandalf called Brenna to him. "I know that you have the knowledge of how things were supposed to be happening," he began quietly, "I want you to promise me to keep that knowledge to yourself, and come to myself or Aragorn only if something happens that will drastically change the outcome of the story."

Brenna looked up at her grandfather and nodded. She knew how important it was for things to happen as they did in the story, but she wasn't sure of how much her presence had changed that. She idly rubbed her forehead as she was lost in her thoughts.

The Fellowship gathered their belongings and supplies as they set out for another day of travel. Their pace was steady over the course of their travels. They reached the base of the Misty Mountains. After encountering a large flock of menacing looking birds, the Fellowship is hesitant as to which path to take in getting around the mountains. After Gandalf and Aragorn discuss the best course of action, he leads the Fellowship to the Pass of Caradhras. They chose to avoid the mines, thinking this way might be safer but he warns them to be on their guard all the same.

Snow begins falling, slowing their progress. The hobbits had to be helped more often than not to get through the ever piling snow drifts. As they trudged on the snow began falling more heavily around them, rocks and snow began raining down the mountains blocking the way, forcing them to labor back through the way that they came.