A/N: Hey guys! Sadly, I don't own LOTR, just Alatáriël. Here is the fourth chapter! I am so excited! This one is thankfully longer than the others! Thank you to my new followers and thank you to everyone who has stayed with this story so far! I treasure you all!

A special shoutout to LalaithElerrina for her lovely review! I was so delighted to hear that you liked the story!

If anyone as anything to say, please shot me a message! Happy reading!

Cheers,

Vader

Chapter 4:

"Dwarf, if you do not stop this incessant nagging, I swear on my life I will cut out your tongue while you sleep!" Alatáriël spun around, jabbing a gloved hand at Gimli. With a scowl she turned to the hobbits. "That goes for you, too! All this second breakfast nonsense! With all of these stops we've made, Legolas will have grown old by the time we reach Mordor!"

Gimli looked a bit taken aback, and opened his mouth as if to say something, but thought better of it and kept quiet. Legolas, who found the entire event rather humorous cracked a small smile, the edges of his mouth turned up in a smile. The elf did, however, proceed to make a comment. "We shall hope I do not become grey with age. I can assure you, it wold not be a pleasant sight!" He winked slightly at Alatáriël, who 'humphed' and stomped forward, pulling ahead of the company.

As she passed, Alatáriël poked her tongue out at Legolas, who chuckled and shook his head.

When the company had made camp for the night, they began to discuss plans about their next move. Alatáriël listened from her perch in a nearby tree.

"We could proceed through the Pass of Caradhras," Aragorn suggested.

Gimli leapt to his feet. "Let us not tarry by taking the mountain pass! We could go through the Mines of Moria! My cousin Balin would welcome us warmly!"

Gandalf sighed. "I will not go into Moria unless the need is dire, Master Gimli." And, with that, accompanied by a few choice words and grumbles, the fellowship settled in for the night.

As the fellowship passed through the mountains, a cold storm blew through, and the company was pelted by driving winds and freezing snow. Aragorn and Boromir each carried a hobbit, and Legolas and Alatáriël stuck to the edge of the path, where they could tread upon the undisturbed snow.

A loud voice boomed through the mountain, summoning the storm. Saruman. The entire fellowship seemed to recoil in disgust.

Just as Alatáriël was pondering whether or not she would freeze to death accompanied by such strange company as a dwarf, four hobbits, an elf, two men, and a wizard, there was a shout from behind her.

Spinning on her heel, Alatáriël was met with the sight of Boromir clutching the chain that used to hang around Frodo's neck. The ring swayed at the end, moving with the wind. Boromir reached out a hand, as if he was going to stroke the ring's surface.

"Boromir! Give the ring back to Frodo! It is his burden to bear!" Aragorn stepped forward, standing between a pained looking Frodo, whose face was pale as the snow around them.

Casting a glance towards Legolas, Alatáriël saw him tense up as Boromir smiled. "Of course." The man stepped towards Frodo, offering he chain.

The small hobbit lunged and snatched the chain, replacing it to its position of hanging around his neck, and stroked its surface with one finger.

Everyone grew quiet, until the roar of the wind was the only noise. As Boromir moved towards the head of the company, Legolas stepped between the sketchy man and Alatáriël, glaring at the representative of Gondor.

Casting a glance over his shoulder, Legolas offered Alatáriël a shaky smile, and a small wink.

The path narrowed and the company walked in a single file line, with Gandalf at the head, followed by Aragorn, Boromir, the hobbits, Gimli, Alatáriël, and Legolas bringing up the rear.

As the path grew narrow and straight, Alatáriël was extremely aware of the long drop to the stone valley below. She peered over the edge, and lost her footing for just a second, her right foot slipping off of the icy path. As she stumbled, Alatáriël felt Legolas's arm snake around her waist, pulling her backwards. As she stood, her back pressed against his chest, Alatáriël felt Legolas lean in a bit closer, his breath tickling her ear. "You should be careful, my lady. It would be a pity if you were to fall."

Alatáriël became aware that the entire fellowship had turned to watch them and Aragorn raised an eyebrow, Gandalf chuckling ahead of him.

Legolas released his grip on her waist as Alatáriël felt her cheeks grow red from a force other than the nagging cold.

A/N: That's the end for now! What did you think of the end? A bit of Legolas/Alatáriël for you all! Don't forget to read and review and please tell me what you think! I'm sure you can all guess what's next...

The Mines of Moria!

Cheers,

Vader