We had been given a week to prepare and rest for the long journey, which lay before us. And although I did get rest, as I spent a great deal of time, either: playing with the Hobbits in the gardens, or sitting by the fountain or on the grass and talking to Boromir. Getting to know him more, even though I already knew a bit about him from when I watched the "Fellowship of the Ring." But being able to talk to him one on revealed a completely different side to him, one that both Tolkein and Peter Jackson had never shown. This side of him, showed what a caring and loving man he really was, when he was not being haunted by his inner demons or the ring for that matter.

Other times I would sit and talk with Arwen, and during my stay a Rivendell we became close friends.

The only part of my week that was a bit more tedious, or maybe not so, was that Legolas, Aragorn and Boromir, insisted that I could not go off into the wilderness and eventually into the depth of Mordor without being able to wield a sword or a bow.

So Legolas took it upon himself to teach me to wield the bow, while Aragorn and Boromir taught me to wield a sword. Sometimes having to fight them both at the same time, as they assured me that it was a scenario that would often take place in a real battle.

And so the week passed without all too many obstacles, and soon it was time for us to depart on our quest to destroy the ring.

That morning we were told to meet by the gates of Rivendell. Once again I was woken early, except this time it was not the gentle and sweet caress of Boromir that woke me up, rather it was Caladwen, who woke me up, and ushered me into a bath that had been prepared before hand. When I was done with my bath, she stood before me and presented me with an outfit that was a present from Lord Elrond. It was a suit consisting of black pants, a forest green top, and black boots that were made out of a animal skin. The outfit was light, which would make the journey all the more easier. The outfit was also complete with a cloak, but unlike the cloaks which the elves wore, this one was warmer, yet not heavier.

Just as I was done dressing, there was a knock at the door. "Caladwen, could you please get that? while I try and finish buckling all these buckles." Caladwen answered with a smile and a nod, and went to answer the door.

As she did I could distinctly hear Boromir's voice, "Is Lady Sam here?" he asked Caladwen, and although I could not complain in the least that he would come and get me, I could complain that he was addressing me as 'lady'.

"For crying out loud! Drop the Lady crap." I yelled across the room and was answered with Boromir's chuckle much closer then I though he would have been.



I spun around to find him standing there leaning against the door frame which separated the room with the bathroom. "It is too easy to tease you."

It would seem that he noticed the struggle that I was having with buckling the various buckles, "You seem to be having some difficulties, should I fetch the maid?" he asked as he made to go and get Caledwen.

"No! no that is alright, she would not know how to buckle them either," I told him and then thought of a brilliant idea, "Could you help me?" I asked him as I took a step closer to him.

"I?" He asked in shock, and I merely nodded in response. "Sam, I do not think that it is appropriate.

"Please, if not I will be here all day." I used my best puppy dog eyes, and it seemed that it worked, because after a bit of though he agreed, and stepped up to me, when he began to tighten the buckles, I took the opportunity to step closer to him then necessary, just to have an excuse to be near him.

He was so gentle with pulling the buckles, and once he was done he looked up and our eyes met, the electricity between us was so strong that I felt like a magnet was pulling me closer and closer, until finally our lips met, and the feel of his lips upon mine was so exquisite and gentle that I felt myself melt against him. But as quick as it started in ended again, as he quickly pulled away and began to apologize and tell me that he did not know what had possessed him.

I gently place my hand to his lips in. "Boromir, enough, you do not need to feel guilty as I enjoyed it." I told him with a smile, he returned my smile with one of his own.

After that we made our way to the gates of Rivendell; there we were met by Lord Elrond, Arwen and his two sons, along with other elves of the court.

"The Ring bearer is setting out on a quest to Mount Doom," Lord Elrond said as he began the farewell speech, "And you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further then you will." As he said this he looked at each one of us.

"Farewell, hold to your purpose, may the blessings on Elves, Men and all free folk go with you." He said as he finished his speech.

"The fellowship awaits the Ring bearer." Gandalf said, announcing that we were leaving, and as he said this we all looked to Frodo, and stepped aside to allow him to pass.

It took Frodo a while taking in the last of the beauty of the Elven city, before he turned and walked through the gate. As he did he stopped to look at each and every one of us.



As the rest of us followed us, I heard Gandalf say left, and I felt a smile pull at my lips as I realized that it must have been Frodo asking which way he was supposed to go.