A/N: Just returned from the cinema and here's the next chapter, as I had promised :D Oh my, as many times I'll watch this movie, it will have the same impression on me. Okay, the Fellowship continues the long journey, with Audrey among them. The name of Audrey's gift, "Ingole", means "magic".

Bellamort500- Thanks a lot, I'm really happy you like it so much.

makemecoffe- First of all, welcome to the forum :) :) I'm so glad you're enjoying my story and I hope you'll like the new chapter as well. Oh my, you are soooo lucky there, I guess you're fangirling every morning? ;)

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own "Harry Potter" or "Lord of the Rings"

The next day, the day of our departure, came and I felt sadness filling my heart. The peaceful days were over and now it was time for me to leave with the Fellowship. I would miss Lothlorien, the Lady Galadriel and Ivorel, but, on the other hand, I was happy to finally be on the move. Not only would I help Frodo, but action would also distract me.

Since we would leave very early, I woke up before sunrise again to get ready. For a safer and more comfortable travel, I wouldn't wear one of the usual, long dresses, but a knee-length tunic-like dress in a light green color, that would cover me in the trees, light brown leggings and brown boots. As I was placing my wand in its holster and sheathing my sword, I felt the same determination I was feeling before the battle of Hogwarts.

I met the others at the courtyard, where Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel and Lothlorien Elves were waiting to wish us farewell. We stood in a line, me between Gimli and Aragorn. The Elves fastened cloaks with brooches that were representing green leaves with silver veins. I touched the material and was surprised by how soft and warm it was.

'Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people' Lord Celeborn said with a serious voice. 'May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes'

'This is the magic of the Elves' Aragorn whispered to me, having seen my confusion about how cloaks could shield us.

I nodded, thanking him for filling me in, but I hadn't time to answer him, because Galadriel had approached us, all clothed in white. Elves were walking behind her, each with a present for us, while she was also saying a few words. Legolas received a bow of the Galadhrim with engravings on it; Merry and Pippin similar daggers; Sam Elven rope. These who got their gift, left to gather our supplies. Then, the Lady of Light stood in front of Gimli and I felt a bit uneasy, because Aragorn had told me about the strained relationships between Elves and Dwarves.

'And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?' she asked him politely.

'Nothing' Gimli muttered angrily, but then his expression softened and his voice had a hint of respect and admiration. 'Except to look upon the lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth'

Galadriel laughed gently, flattered by his words, and I couldn't suppress a small smile. Gimli was usually either very carefree or very grumpy, but right now he was like a true sweetheart, as he was lowering his head, ashamed by his words. He started to leave, but then he turned again.

'Actually, there was one thing' he said, but then he changed his mind, because he turned again, although I could clearly hear what he said. 'No, no, I couldn't. It's quite impossible. Stupid to ask'

I made a step backwards when Galadriel approached me, feeling that words weren't enough for me to express my gratitude towards her. She had welcomed me in Lothlorien as if she knew me for years, she had helped me to get used here and she had done everything she could to make me feel better. I promised to myself that I would fight until the end, only to pay back what she had done for me.

She smiled and nodded towards an Elf who was next to her and he came closer. He was holding a scarlet cushion with a tiny, silver ring on it. Galadriel took it and handed it to me and I gasped at its beauty. When I put it on my finger, I felt warmth coming from it, as if it was alive, but the most intriguing thing was the engraving on the tiny stone. It was a badger, the symbol of Hufflepuff.

'This is Ingole, my gift for you, Audrey' the she-elf whispered. 'It will remind you of your home in dark times and it will help you perform your magic in this world. May it guide you wherever your path leads you'

'Thank you very much, my lady' I stuttered. 'I will always treasure it'

I wanted to leave, but then I noticed a shine coming from Galadriel and, throwing a discrete look, I saw that she was also wearing a ring. It was all white, shining like the sun and, to others it would seem ordinary, but I could sense magic coming from it. What could it be? Could it be similar to the ring she had given to me, giving her powers?

Noticing that she was smiling wider, as if she had read my thoughts, I quickly gathered my thoughts together, curtsied and left to help with the preparations. As I was placing some small packages in one of the three boats the Elves had provided us with, I fell on Merry and Pippin, who wanted to sit in a boat.

'So, my fair lady, your journey starts!' Merry exclaimed, smiling happily.

'So it seems' I smiled, although I was still uncertain about what I was about to do. 'Are you two always in such a good mood?'

'Always' laughed Legolas, who had approached us with more supplies. He took a small wafer-like bread out of a package and I looked at it with curiosity.

'Is that a cracker?' I risked sounding stupid with that question.

'A cracker?' Merry and Pippin raised their eyebrows towards me. Obviously, the term wasn't known to them and I blushed.

'In my world, we have a snack that looks very much like this thing here and they are called crackers' I explained and the expression of confusion vanished from the Hobbits' faces.

'This is Lembas. Elvish waybread' Legolas enlightened me and ate a little. 'One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man'

My eyes widened at his words and Merry and Pippin nodded, looking very impressed. As Legolas was leaving, I took another piece and examined it as if it was poison. "One small bite", no way. Carefully, I ate a little myself and was surprised to find out that I felt as if I had eaten a normal breakfast.

'He is right!' I exclaimed and Merry turned to Pippin.

'How many did you eat?' he asked him suspiciously.

'Four' Pippin answered and left an extremely unpleasant sound. I looked reproachfully towards him and the poor guy blushed with guilt. Probably I seemed stricter than I wanted to.

'Forgive me, Audrey' he whispered and I smiled at him.

'Don't worry, Pippin, it doesn't matter'

While we continue preparing for the journey, I saw Aragorn walking with Lord Celeborn. They were speaking in hushed tones and both of them were worried. My eyes narrowed as I was trying to guess what they could talk about. Were they discussing possible dangers or did Celeborn simply give advice about the safest route we should follow?

Calm down, Audrey, I thought. You haven't even started and you're already full of suspicion.

'It is time to go, my lady' Boromir startled me, as he had come near without me noticing him, emphasizing ironically the last two words. 'Unless, of course, you have changed your mind'

Ha! You'd be happy with that, dude, wouldn't you? For one moment I wanted to yell at him for underestimating me, but then I decided that he wasn't worth it. Boromir was one and the others, who had accepted me, were seven. Besides, if he didn't like me one time, I didn't like him ten times.

'Not at all, my lord' I replied with the same tune, also emphasizing ironically the last two words. 'It's my decision and nothing and nobody can prevent me'

'As you wish, then. I only hope you know what you are doing' he sighed, pretending to sound desperate, and turned to leave.

'Git' I uttered behind his back, although I would prefer to shout it at him. 'Just wait and you'll see. I will follow you, whether you like it or not'

I took a deep breath to relax and followed him to get into a boat. Gimli and Sam had chosen theirs already, Sam grabbing the side of the boat, as if he was afraid that he would fall into the water. I could understand him, because I didn't like water very much either, something Fred and George often used to play pranks against me.

I winced at the twins' thought and I didn't know how I could stay so calm from the outside, while I was crying from the inside. However, during the day, I had to forget Hogwarts, the battle and everything I had lost and focus. Everything else could wait for the night, where the thoughts could enter my mind freely.

'We have arranged how we will share the boats, Audrey' Gimli said. 'Merry and Pippin will sit with Boromir, Aragorn with Frodo and Sam and you will keep company to Master Elf and me. Do you agree with that?'

'I have no problem at all, Gimli' I smiled at him.

I climbed into the boat in front of the Dwarf, while Legolas sat down behind him and took the oars. As we left Lothlorien, I followed Sam's example and grabbed one side of the boat, although I had to hear Boromir's ironic chuckle when he saw me.

'You are not very fond of water, are you, lass?' Gimli asked me with sympathy.

'No, I am not. I prefer walking on dry land or fly in the air' I answered and everyone gasped at my last words.

'Fly in the air?' Sam repeated. 'You know how to fly, my lady?'

'Do not imagine that I have hidden wings and I use them' I explained. 'In my world, the world of magic, wizards and witches fly on enchanted broomsticks to travel or to entertain themselves'

'And you did that?' Aragorn turned towards me. 'I can interpret from your smile that this was an activity you liked'

'I did not like it, Aragorn, I loved it' I told him and thought about Quidditch. I was a Chaser for the Hufflepuff team and it was, basically, my favorite activity. 'But, seeing that we are leaving this beautiful place, I prefer to tell you this story another time'

Low singing accompanied us as we were leaving Caras Galadhon. Lady Galadriel was in a boat that had the shape of a swan at the front, looking at us, wishing us good luck with her eyes. I could see her raising her hand to say goodbye and I inclined my head in respect, looking at the ring she had given me afterwards.

'I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest' Gimli sighed loudly. 'Henceforth, I will call nothing fair, unless it be her gift to me'

'What was it?' Legolas wanted to know and I shared his curiosity, because I had seen the Dwarf when the Lady of Light handed us our presents.

'I asked her for one hair from her golden head' Gimli stated with a dreamy voice. 'She gave me three'

'That is so sweet, Gimli' I said honestly and I could sense the two men behind me smiling, each for his own reasons. According to what I had seen the last month, Legolas and Gimli shared a friendship, against the usual grudge between their races, and I had guessed that it was because they had been companions for such a long time already.

'And you, Audrey?' Legolas asked me. 'What did you receive?'

'A ring' I answered simply and turned carefully around to show it to them. 'Lady Galadriel explained that it will help me when performing my magic here'

'It is such a marvelous gift!' Gimli exclaimed. 'And look at the stone! I do have knowledge of stones, yet this is one of the most skilled carved I have ever laid eyes on'

'I do like the engraving on it. It is a badger, is it not?' Legolas asked and smiled when I nodded. 'Then I can not imagine a more suitable gift for you, my lady, for it will remind you of your home. Did you not tell us that the badger is the emblem of the House you belonged?'

I nodded and turned around again, touched that they remembered and were interested about Hogwarts and the wizarding world. At least I wasn't a complete imposter, as I was afraid I would be, and, although it was still hurting, the fact that most of them accepted me for what I was, was something positive.

'Farewell, Audrey Tuarwen' Galadriel spoke in my head. 'The Elves of Lothlorien wish you well. Keep your courage and your faith and all stars will shine upon your path'

We floated along the river, which was called Anduin, as I was informed. Merry and Pippin kept joking around, narrating stories of the Shire, their home, reminding me of the Weasley twins. If they were here, the four of them would surely become great friends. After being pressured, I told them more about my world and, specifically, about the ways of transport. They were very impressed by the Apparition process and I thought that it would be the safest and quickest way to go to Mount Doom. But now, after all these adventures, such a suggestion would disrespect them.

The same night we settled down to rest. Aragorn and Boromir were talking to each other, as were Frodo and Sam. All this time, Frodo and I hadn't exchanged many words, but I didn't blame him for that. Carrying this ring and having the duty to destroy it was anything but easy and it was natural for him to feel uncomfortable towards a stranger. I sat down and locked my gaze in the flames, as the first thoughts started their crazy dance in my mind. Now that I was on the move, a suspicion couldn't leave me alone. I had died once already and was resurrected, but what would happen if…

'Shut up, Audrey' Cedric spoke in my head again. 'Everything will be alright. Don't make such thoughts, please'

'May I cast some protective spells around the camp?' I asked with uncertainty, worried, as I was, for our safety. 'They will shield us and we can rest without being afraid of an attack'

'Are you sure that these spells will work?' Boromir was still ironic, but I wouldn't do him the favor.

My silence is your answer.

'Of course, Audrey' Aragorn replied. 'You should not ask. After all, you are a member of the Fellowship now and you should not feel nervous around our presence'

One girl with eight men who didn't know her well and not being nervous? Brilliant joke, Aragorn. I stood up, walked a few feet away from the circle we had made around the fire and pointed my wand at the sky.

'Protego Totalum. Muffliato. Protego Horribilis' I mumbled the incantations, making the others look at me. 'Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri. Repello Inimicum'

Blue-white light was emerging from my wand with every spell and I could feel the charms forming a shield around us. When I was at Hogwarts, with Snape and the Carrows torturing us, I had practiced very hard on the protective spells and was happy that now I could use them. After finishing, I sat down again.

'That was very impressive, Audrey' Merry commented. 'These words you were mumbling, were they spells?'

'Yes' I nodded. 'There is a great variety of protective spells and charms and they will repel any possible enemies, although we should also keep watch'

'Of course we will' Gimli said. 'And Merry is right, that was something I did not see before'

I blushed and stayed silent, until it was time to sleep. Aragorn was the first who would keep watch and, although I offered to do it instead, everybody disagreed, saying that it wasn't proper. They couldn't understand, of course, that I wanted to avoid sleeping, afraid that, now that I had started my journey, the nightmares would haunt me even more.


Rey! Seems that we meet again, little one'

My eyes widened when I saw Fred Weasley approaching me, as if we were still in Hogwarts and he wanted us to go for a walk. He didn't remind me of how he was during the battle, determined and focused, but as I remembered him when everything was normal, the usual, mocking and kind smile and the voice that was making you feel better, whether you wanted it or not. I teared up because of nostalgia and pain for the both of us, for our deaths and for the fact that I was given a second chance, while he didn't have that luck.

'Don't cry, Audrey, don't cry' he comforted me and wrapped his strong arms around me and I recalled the time when I was giving everything for his hug, for his presence. 'Nothing is your fault, trust me'

'I miss you' I mumbled. 'I miss all of you, Fred. Do you know that I can't stop wondering why everything happened?'

'I know, Rey' he placed his head on mine and rubbed my back, trying to give me courage. 'I know. And I wish I could help you, but I'm afraid no one can answer this question'

'Help me, Fred' I couldn't control my sobs anymore. 'Help me move on, help me find a way to forget…'

'You will move on, Audrey. Believe it or not, you're strong. I don't know when, but I bet that you will move on and, in the end, you will smile when you remember Hogwarts and not mourn'

'I doubt I can do that. I doubt I can leave my memories behind'

Suddenly, his face faded away and was replaced by another, a horrible face, pale like a corpse, with red, snake-like eyes-Lord Voldemort. He started laughing ironically and this sound pierced my eyes, making me start yelling for help, wanting to be released from this torment.

I opened my eyes abruptly, shaking because of what I had dreamed about. It was even more intent than the dream I had in Lothlorien, about the victims of the battle, and I wondered if it was because of the fact that I was travelling now. Fred had passed clearly in front of me, another person I felt closed to, and then disappeared to give his place to my greatest enemy. It was over, the wizarding war was over, but the aftermath still existed, both inside me and for those I had left behind. They had to deal with everything Voldemort and his supporters had caused the past two years, the destructions, the battles, the deaths, as had I.

'What is wrong, Audrey?' Legolas asked me quietly, his voice marked with concern.

He was sitting next to the fire, his hands around his knees, guarding us from enemies. I appreciated his friendliness and how he wanted to help everyone, but I didn't need him to pity me because of what I had lived. I had confronted death, I could perfectly deal with some nightmares…couldn't I? And, anyway, the last thing I wanted was to whine like a baby and in the middle of a dangerous quest. I would hide everything for them, as much as possible.

'Nothing is wrong' I told him calmly and curled in a fetal position, because it was cold. 'Just a dream'

'Yes, the night often plays with our minds' he agreed and smiled. 'Go back to sleep, Audrey, and you will see that everything will be better tomorrow'

Oh my God, how many times I had heard that. And how exactly do you know that it will be better tomorrow? Are you a Seer or something? I wanted to make a sarcastic comment, but then I regretted it. After all, it wasn't his fault that my past was still haunting me and I shouldn't burst my grief out on him or anyone else. So, I closed my eyes again and tried to relax, at the point this was possible. I shivered a little, not knowing if it was due to the weather or to the dream, and hugged myself. At that moment, I felt something falling on my shoulders and I realized that it was another cloak that warmed me at once.

'Thank you' I whispered and smiled with gratitude.

'There is no need to thank me' Legolas whispered back and caressed my shoulder. 'Just sleep'

Α/N: Okay, everyone, that was it for now. Hope you enjoyed it and you'll have the next chapter as soon as possible xx