She felt happy and jittery the next day, and sore from the sparring practice with Boromir. He was waiting at the end of the hall for her, he offered her his arm, but she ignored it.

"Have you seen any of the hobbits? I only caught a glimpse of Frodo before the party last night. I've been worried about him," she heard a loud barking and Harley, rolly polly fat and happy Harley came bounding down the hall.

"Does that hairy beast belong to you?" Boromir asked, scratching the dog behind its ears.

"Yep, this is my boy Harley, I see you found a friend haven't you," she crouched down and kissed the dog on the nose.

"He's a find dog, I have never seen a dog like this, is he from this home of yours?"

"Yep, he was a present from my grandfather for my sixteenth birthday, one of his military buddies had puppies and I got one of them. A pure bred Doberman. I'm starving," she began walking again. As the rounded the corner to the dinning hall they ran into her parents, leaving.

"Ah Alexis, who is this friend of yours?" Her mother said, one of her arms wrapped around her fathers waist. She stared at them, they were being normal, they weren't yelling at each other, glaring, they were embracing.

"This is Boromir, he came with Charlie from Gondor," she gestured giving them an odd look.

Her father looked at Boromir then back at Alexis then back at Boromir, "Well it's a pleasure to meet you. After you finish eating, would you meet us in our room Alexis. Excuse us," they continued walking.

She stared after them, they were whispering to each other, "What the hell is going on, Charlie is nice, my parents are getting along and what the hell is going on?" confused and lost in her thoughts she continued walking into the hall, ignoring Boromir and Harley. The man and dog exchanged looks then continued after her.

After lunch Harley discovered the hobbits and Merry and Pippin discovered they were afraid of dogs.

Boromir and Alexis walked down to the training yards; apparently everyone was there killing time until the council after the midday meal. Alexis saw Strider, he had his back turned to her she hadn't spoken to him since that night.

"Hey, Boromir I'll be right back," she jogged over. She reached out and touched his shoulder, he glanced behind him and saw her.

"Hey, how are you doing?" she asked giving him a sheepish smile, "I wanted to thank you for all the help you gave us. I'm sorry though of how it ended."

He turned around, sitting down on the bench, his blade on his lap, "I am glad to see you are as well as I heard. There is a lot of talk about you and your adventure," he smiled. This girl was wild and new to this world, she had a lot to learn about staying alive and was learning quick. "The hobbits were worried about you," he continued polishing the sword.

"I know, I saw them. Frodo is doing better but that thing is beginning to take its toll on him, he shouldn't have to carry it," she glared darkly at the ground. Strider watched her thoughtfully then noticed Boromir watching them.

"Your friend is waiting," he nodded towards him.

She looked over at him, "That's Boromir, he came with Charlie from Gondor for the council too. He's teaching me how to use a sword. Maybe next time I go up against a nazgul I'll be better prepared." She smiled imagining the black figure bursting into dust.

"Alexis, that is not funny. I don't know what kind of creature you are but what you did was not smart. You are to never confront another one of those creature alone, I forbid it." He had stopped polishing; there was no mirth in his eyes.

Boromir sensed the tension and came over, setting his hand on her shoulder and staring pointedly at Strider, "Everything alright over here?"

Alexis glared at him, he was challenging Strider, "Everything is fine, come on Boromir. I still have a lot to learn." She smiled at them and walked off, leaving the two men to brood at each other.

Nerves about the impending council plagued Alexis's mind for the rest of the day, Boromir went to dine with his companions while Alexis chose to remain on the archery field. It had turned out that sword play was a lot like dancing and she was rather good at it. She had been allowed to keep a blade of her choosing from the armory. She chose a rather heavy one-and-half-hand sword that fit her grip well.

An elf runner came down to the field; Alexis paused half way through drawing the arrow, "Yes?"

"I was sent to inform you that they are awaiting you, only you, your two older brothers and your parents are to attend the council, from Lord Elrond. You are to wear the attire they have made for you and are not to make any alterations."

Alexis nodded, removed the arrows from the outside of the target and ran back to her room. Across the bed was a tunic, edged in silver with a black corset, hard leather giving a feminine touch but acting as light armor. Next to it sat a comb made of silver, it was the most beautiful item she had ever seen. The edge of the comb was made up of flowers of greens and turquoise with small purple butterflies and one bee.

She pulled the tunic on over her black cami, the sleeves were tight about the elbow and then flowed down like a cascade of water, the silver and blue moved with each step like rain on a full moon night. The breeches were dark and long, lacing loosely up the sides over blue fabric that matched the tunic. An elf, the same from before, came in to help her dress, lacing up the tunic and putting her hair up with the decorative comb. Alexis was curious as the woman took a decorative dagger and tucked it into the front of her corset, it was obviously a dagger and gave her appearance a look of danger.

"Lord Elrond suggested that you and your family stand out," she answered the quizzical look on Alexis's face, "he wants you to give off a sense of power and strength, though I don't believe anyone could think you weak after all of the rumors floating around about your family." She smiled and took a step back.

"Perfect, you look beautiful and deadly, lady Alexis. It is time," Alexis left her room to join her family in Elronds office. Adam was dressed in red and gold, her mother wore an identical outfit to hers but it was pearls and whites, her father wore greens and browns. They were dressed to represent their elements. Alexis was water, Adam fire, their mother was air and father was earth, same as Charlie who came in later dressed the same as Robert.

"The five of you are to enter first and to stand as guards of formality, you just need to look united." He glared at Alexis as she picked at her sleeve, she stopped and leaned against the wall, "Alexis is to stand with the hobbits, Adam with the elves of Mirkwood, Robert with the dwarves, Charlie with the men of Gondor and you are to be with my household," Elrond nodded at their mother.

They did as they were bid, entering first they took there positions standing behind. The council was long and mostly boring. The politics became violent and everyone became a little over passionate. Until Frodo made the decision that hurt him more than anyone could imagine.

He volunteered to take the ring and with him would go Aragorn formerly known as Strider, Gimli, a dwarf, Legolas, a elf, Gandalf and Boromir. When Boromir volunteered Alexis felt the knot in her chest grow tighter, she didn't want him to go.

Elrond stood up and was about to speak when the bushes behind Alexis shook and out popped Sam, she knew he was there but didn't see any harm in it. Two seconds after he proclaimed his never-ending loyalty to Frodo Merry and Pippin popped out of nowhere and joined. Alexis zoned out, angry that Boromir was leaving and angry because she didn't know why she was angry about it. When Elrond said her name she came back to reality.

"What? Sorry I wasn't listening," she looked around in confusion.

"As Gandalf recommended I asked that Adam of the fire, the sun and the lion and his sister Alexis of the water, the moon and the panther join this fellowship; for they posses abilities that have not been seen in Middle Earth since before the dark days. They are from a family descended the elves that lived on a island in the far north that has long since died out when Sauron began his battle for Middle Earth. Most fled these shores and some this world and here before us stand the descendents of these creatures, powerful and rare. One has already proven resistance against this great evil." Alexis rolled her eyes. Adam stepped forward and kneeled in front of Frodo, "Will you accept our services?" she knew that if he said yes they would be bound to go.

That was part of the magic of being an Elemental, if your name was mentioned in the binding of a contract then those who were named would be compelled to fulfill the contract even if it meant their death. They would protect and guard Frodo until they were released.

Alexis stood behind Adam and watched as Frodo nodded, closing her eyes in exasperation. She knew now that no one could protest their involvement now, they were magically bound to the fellowship.

The fellowship departed, they were to leave in a week, and were left in a sitting room to get to know each other.

Alexis walked over to a chair and threw her legs over one of the arms and reclined.

"Well am I the only one who thinks this is a strange fucking day, jeezus, Adam what the hell?" Alexis put her hands over her face and sat up. "We already blundered, I nearly got Frodo killed just trying to get here then nearly got myself killed because of some stupid feeling of duty to make sure Frodo would reach Rivendell even though I knew he was in the more than capable hands of Arwen. Now, we're tied up in this fucked up world in this fucked up mess trying to destroy a piece of fucking tin. Why the hell did your pansy-lily faced ass wipe of a bullshitting son of a bitch self agree to join this quest." She was now standing and shouting at her brother, "We aren't even from middle earth, we don't know how long we are going to be here for all we know this fucktard from hell planned this whole thing."

Adam stood and began shouting back, "We didn't mess up, we did what we were told. You are the one, as usual, disobeyed and did the first thing that came into your mind. I agreed because it was what was meant to be. We are supposed to go with them, Chris had a dream and he told Elrond. Lex get your head out of your ass, we aren't' going back. If you haven't been listening," he shouted wildly gesturing at the door behind them, "our family, our grandmother Mayfields mother is from this place. Remember all the old stories of how she never aged and then just up and disappeared after her husband died. We came from here and we returned. This is our home now Lex."

"I don't fucking care if this is your home, this is not my home. I had a job, I had school, I worked my ass off for that scholarship and thousands of dollars on dance lessons. I was a good dancer, a really good dancer. I taught three times a week at the Y and do you even have any ideas how many other job offers I got for dance companies. I turned them all down for school and now that is all gone. Everything I have worked for is gone; everything I was good at is useless here."

Adam stared at her, "Is this where this is all coming from. Your angry because you feel useless here. Guess what Lex, open your pretty blue eyes and look around. Everyone here is trying to make a difference in this world, this is history come alive. We are lucky to be part of this, they volunteered because they are willing to risk their lives for something other than money. Lex, we are new to this place. This world is strange and dangerous and different in every way. From just ordinary morals and manners all the way to lives and structures. But we are Elementals, our ancestors fled this world and this threat for a life they wouldn't have to be afraid to live in. In our old home we couldn't act out in public, we couldn't be ourselves anymore because of the restraining governments and the stupid churches of every religion called us evil. Here we have a chance to use what is natural to us to save lives and help protect and fight against the same threat that chase us out in the first place. So for once stop thinking of yourself and think about what is right," Adam stared into her eyes, they were inches apart.

"Fuck you Adam," her voice low and deadly, she shoved past the other fellowship members and left the room.

She tore through the halls back to her room, grabbing her bow and sword she armed herself and ran. She ran as fast as she could, not caring where she was or where she was going she just needed to run. She ran until her chest burned and the moon was high in the sky. The cold air burned her lungs and her skin as she fell onto her hands and knees, her legs wet from the river she was standing in. She looked up and realized she was at the border of Rivendell, if she wanted to she could risk refusing the contract and leave this all behind. If she wanted to she could find this Saruman and force him to return her to Oklahoma. She still had the knife that had brought them to Middle Earth. But she couldn't do it, she stared off into the woods beyond the border.

Adam was right, he was always right. On her way back, wet and cold and just past dawn she heard a horse galloping up the road toward where she was walking. The horse rounded a thicket and came up the hill, it was Boromir, he stopped and dismounted.

"Elrond said he felt you pass the border, he wasn't sure if you were going to come back," he looked sheepishly at his feet.

"Why did you come after me?" she stared at him, she had expected Charlie to follow her and chew her out.

He smiled and began walking next to her, "Because you're hurt and angry and feel betrayed because no one told you about this idea before the council. Your family does not appear to be very close, besides you and your brother. I thought you might want someone who you wouldn't try to shoot you on sight to talk too." Alexis smiled, laughing lightly.

"Thank you, Boromir, for coming after me," not knowing why but she reached out and took his hand, they both knew he cared about her and she did not return the feelings. The next couple weeks flew by quickly. Alexis and Adam managed to resolve the problem, but were still angry at each other. Alexis said goodbye to her parents, they told them they were going to get remarried. Meredith was practically living in the house of healing, learning a new skill and Chris spent much of his time with Elrond, discussing who knows what an old elf and a sixteen year old boy who could see the future would discuss.

Boromir greeted her that morning they were to set out. Meeting her at the end of the hall as was usual.

"Everyone is eating, storing up for the journey. Alexis," Boromir stopped, his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him, "Is there any way, anything to convince you to stay here."

"I know you don't want me to go and we already had this argument. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean my chances are survival are any less, you yourself said I was adequate with a blade. Plus, whether I want to go or don't I have to because Adam made the contract and Frodo accepted it. I am bound by more than my brothers word, I must go," she refused to meet his eyes and instead stared at the spot on the wall behind his head.

He nodded, "Very well. Hopefully we will take the road to Gondor and then you will be able so see my great city of men. My father rules it but his rule is weakening with this evil, the great white city of Gondor can be seen for miles. It is a beautiful sight, when we get there I will introduce you to my brother, Faramir, the two of you will get along splendidly." He laughed and continued to recount stories of Gondor all the way to the dinning hall.

It was maybe two hours after dawn when the fellowship was summoned to the gate. Alexis and Boromir walked side by side, she parted from him to say goodbye to her family. Chris stood several inches taller than her, she tried to push the tears back as she kissed him on the cheek and gasped as he lifted her up in a bear hug.

"Lex," he stared into her eyes, his baby blue ones swirled with light hints of purple for a moment, "I want you to promise me that you will never fall into despair. Things will happen, worse than ever before. This will be the greatest trial of your lifetime but you will find happiness, I promise, when this is all over you will find the peace and happiness you desire. Both internal and external, hang strong," she smiled and moved on to Meredith as Adam said his goodbyes to Chris.

Meredith handed her a package, "You will know when to use this, don't loose it. We all know how good you are at misplacing things, I'm proud to be your sister. I know we never get along and I know we are always fighting with each other, but I wanted you to know that don't do anything stupid, I love you." Lex started crying, this was the first time she had ever told her that she loved her to her face.

"You have no idea how much that means to me, Mer," she smiled and pinched her hard on the arm. Meredith shouted and jumped back, "Why did you do that?"

"Cause when I'm gone who else is going to?" Alexis smirked as Chris reached over and poked Meredith in her ticklish spot. She yelped and jumped sideways.

Alexis turned around as their parents came over, "Adam, Alexis we're not going back to the U.S. We're staying here, your father and I have decided to get remarried, Elrond was kind enough to grant us a wedding present. After the war is over, our family will leave Rivendell and move to Gondor," her mom leaned forward and kissed Alexis in the forehead.

"Lex I know we have made many mistakes, ones that have scared and hurt you. I hope that we may fix things here, later. I want you to come live with us," Alexis nodded and left them to join the fellowship next to Boromir.

Boromir reached over and took her hand, a light tingle settled in her chest; Chris said everything would be all right.