Chapter Seven: Preparing for the Quest:

They waited about a month before leaving, giving them all time to prepare and stock for the journey to come. During the days Percia forced George and Fred into weapons lessons, refusing to let them continue on this journey with no real training. Thankfully despite their mischievous natures they took this seriously and put their all into learning. It might have helped that she made Bilbo join them more than once.

Gimli often joined them as well, trying to give the boys pointers. Sadly neither were quite skilled with an axe so more often than not Gimli just told them stories about his own battles.

Strider and Boromir joined them occasionally, though the latter seemed leery of Percia, still unconvinced she should be allowed to join. It was when she finally goaded him into a spar and kicked his ass that he finally relented. She had warned him that thinking of ones opponent based on their gender would get him killed. Women could fight just as well as men if they wanted, and often times were far sneakier about it. The young man didn't look happy at the advice, but he took it all the same. It rose her opinion of him at the very least.

Legolas, of course, had to continue being his annoying self. Often he would criticize her teaching technique or just make snappy comments while she trained to goad her into a fight. Many were the times that Bilbo had to drag his cousins away as Percia and Legolas engaged in battles of wit.

"Are they… ya know," Fred asked his cousin quietly after the latest bought.

"Are they what," Bilbo queried.

"Ya know… together," George emphasized.

"Well, I mean they are clearly standing next to one another," Bilbo trailed off at the exasperated looks the two sent him.

"No, we mean do they like each other," Fred explained.

"Like, LIKE like each other," George added.

Bilbo stared at them blankly for a moment before his eyes grew wide as realization set in. "Goodness me, I don't think so. I mean, they fight more often than not, so certainly… I can't imagine… Well that is…"

"Aye, they fight, but so didn't Prim and Drogo," Fred pointed out.

"And that was just a bit of hair pulling, since neither were brave enough to be saying what they really wanted," George continued on, as if it was obvious.

"Course it took ol' Madame Wollowby to point it out to them," Fred mused wryly.

"Both of 'em looked like they'd been struck over the head they did," George chuckled merrily. "But once they stopped denying their feelings, they got together right quick."

Bilbo just gapped at the two before his eyes went back to where Percia and Legolas were still arguing. In fact, now that he looked at it with a new perspective…

"Good gracious!"

"See?"

"Right?"

"Yes, uh well," Bilbo fumbled over his words trying to think of what to say. Finally he pulled himself together. "Look, whatever is or isn't going on between the two, do not meddle." He gave his two cousins a stern eye. "They need to figure it out on their own."

The twins shared a glance before shrugging.

"No skin off our nose," Fred murmured.

"Besides, it's right entertaining," George agreed.

Bilbo rolled his eyes and pushed the two to continue on their way. As he followed he let his gaze drift back to the two in question. Perhaps it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibilities, but after the first time she'd given her heart to a male of this world, Bilbo doubted she would be eager to do so again.

Thankfully the twins didn't bring the subject up again. Unfortunately it was because they had met Lord Elrond's twins, and the four decided getting into mischief was far more important. Poor Erestor was practically a wreck by the end of the first week the four miscreants had met. Glorfindel was no help as he found it hilarious. It was a good thing they would not be staying much longer. It said a lot for Lord Elrond that he had not tossed the lot of them out on their rear.

The rest of the Fellowship had been far more productive in their preparations, gathering the needed supplies and insuring all of their gear was well. They also went over the maps and the routes that they would take. Sadly they would have to avoid the main roads, as Saruman would be watching those with his spies. Percia really hated having to go off the beaten path, but it was what it was.

The night before they were to leave she had slipped away to the gardens, hoping for some peace and quiet. Legolas was distracted by Gimli, which made it easier to avoid the annoying elf. Really, for someone over a thousand years old he was so childish! Okay, considering some of her relatives she really couldn't hold that against him. Still! He was so irritating, with his perfect hair, and mischievous blue eyes, and…

Wait? Hold the phone? Why was she thinking about his hair and eyes?

"Lady Percia?" Boromir's voice broke her from her thoughts much to her relief. Best to forget that particular nugget.

"Yes Lord Boromir," she responded politely, well as much as she could. The poor boy clung to his male chauvinist upbringing a little too much for her to fully like him.

He seemed reluctant at first, but gathered himself all the same. Great, he was going for a noble lecture. Her favorite…

"My lady, I feel I must advise you against this venture," he started earnestly. "I know you can fight well, and you claim experience, but surely this is not a task for a lady as young as you are…"

"Young," Percia scoffed. "Boromir, I have been fighting for my life since I was twelve, age is relative. But if we are speaking actual years, then there is nothing for you to worry about for I have far more than you have seen. I have at least a decade on you."

He sputtered in disbelief. "Surely not! You cannot be older then twenty, if that."

"I am thirty four to be exact," Percia informed him wryly. "I just happen to age well. A side effect from my father's side of the family I believe."

"Father… are you one of the Dunedine," he asked, honestly curious. "I hear tell they age far slower than normal men, some living to two hundred or more."

"No," she assured him. "Though I am friends with the Dunedine, I come from a completely different world." To make her point she called water from the nearby fountain to her, allowing it to lazily dance around her hand much to his amazement. "I have a few extra perks to help defend us on this journey. So while I appreciate the sentiment behind your asking me to stay, it is in vain. But worry not, I shall be quite fine on this venture."

"Truly…" He stared at the water in her hand mesmerized before a thought seemed to strike him. "You are the Water Goddess, that fought in the Battle of the Five Armies!"

"Goddess I definitely am not," she chuckled at the absurd idea. "Though I did fight in the battle. Bilbo was there as well. And Legolas," she added grudgingly.

Boromir frowned in thought. "If you fought together at the battle, why do you two constantly bicker? Surely as allies you would be on friendlier terms?"

"Because he is an immature, annoying so and so," she growled petulantly. "Always going on about how perfect elves are, and how great his skill is! Bah! How does he use those skills? He sneaks mud in my boots and honey in my hair! That's how! Then Mr. I'm so great because I'm an elf gets prissy when I retaliate. As if I would let such actions slide!"

As the rant continued Boromir backed up slightly, suddenly aware that he'd kicked the metaphysical bee hive. Luckily in seemed Percia had not realized his retreat. He got the distinct feeling that there was more to their relationship than either party would admit, or mayhap even realized. However, if there was one thing he had agreed upon with his little brother, it was to stay out of matters involving the hearts of others. Such interaction never ended well.

Though it would definitely make for an interesting journey…