Chapter 9: Farewell Gifts

To say that the Elves were disappointed in their altar getting destroyed would be an understatement. Some feared Anakin's powers, some wanted to arrest him, and all of them hated him. Fortunately, Galadriel explained to them, without giving out too many details, what happened at the altar and that Anakin was extremely sorry for destroying it. The Elves were calmed down a bit, but they were overjoyed that he would be leaving the city with the Fellowship, hopefully to never return.

While the Fellowship prepared for their eventual departure, Celeborn took Aragorn aside and talked to him privately.

"Every league you travel south, the danger will increase. Mordor Orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin. Nor will you find safety on the western bank. Strange creatures bearing the White Hand have been seen on our borders. Seldom do Orcs journey in the open under the sun, yet these have done so."

Celeborn handed him a curved dagger before whispering, "Le aphadar aen." (You are being tracked.)

Aragorn unsheathed the dagger, gazing at its beauty before sheathing it again.

Celeborn continued. "By river you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros."

Aragorn nodded before returning to the Fellowship, who were almost finished packing.

"Shame that we have to leave," Ahsoka noted. "This place is so beautiful. I doubt that we would ever come across a place like this back home."

"Wait until you see the Shire, Lady Ahsoka," Sam added. "This is place is nice, I'll admit, but we have rolling, green hills, the finest crops ever known, the greatest parties ever thrown, and the friendliest people you will ever meet, save for Farmer Maggot."

"Perhaps we will be able to visit when we return from our journey, Samwise," Obi-Wan suggested.

Ahsoka was confused as to why a Hobbit named Maggot would be a farmer.

Before they left, though, each member of the Fellowship was given Elvish cloaks. The Jedi put away their own cloaks and wore the new ones out of respect.

"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people," Celeborn stated. "May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes."

Then, Galadriel approached the Fellowship with several Elf maidens, who were carrying various objects.

"I have a gift for each of you," she announced with a warm smile. "Some may be of use to you on your quest, but may all items remind you of the fair land of Lothlórien."

She first approached Legolas with a maiden carrying a very fine bow. The maiden handed to bow to the Elf, who examined it with wonder in his eyes.

"My, gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim," the Lady of Light said. "Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin."

"Thank you," the Elf replied, bowing his head in respect.

Boromir was next. He was handed a golden belt worthy of his position as the captain of Gondor.

"May the son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor, never think evil of Lothlórien again."

Boromir murmured his thanks, giving a polite bow.

Merry and Pippin were provided with beautiful daggers.

"These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They had already seen service in war."

They look brand new.
Ahsoka thought. Amazing.

To her surprise, a maiden approached the Togruta, carrying a necklace with a sapphire stone in the middle of it. The way she was carrying the necklace indicated that she was offering to put it on for her. The Jedi bowed her head so she could do that.

"May the daughter of the stars always remember to treasure the moments that make you smile," Galadriel said. "War is cruel and unforgiving, Ahsoka Tano, but do not harden yourself because of it."

"Thank you, Lady Galadriel," she replied softly.

Captain Rex, to his astonishment, was provided a majestic sword.

"I have heard the tales of your…mysterious weapons, Captain of your Republic. May this sword protect you if they fail."

"Thank you," he said in a soldier-like manner.

Obi-Wan was approached, given a small, brown case.

"As with Ahsoka Tano, may this gift remind you of Lothlórien, Master Kenobi."

"My friends and I thank you for your generous hospitality that you have showed us," he replied with a smile, opening the box.

Inside was a small, blue object. Most of it was as thin as a stick, but one end was long and had extremely small blades on the end. It was a razor.

Out of the things that could be given, why a razor?
He wondered. Does she not like my beard? I think it's…

He stopped his train of thought when he noticed Anakin trying to hold back a grin.

"You put her up to this, didn't you?" the Jedi Master interrogated.

"Whatever do you mean?" Anakin asked in mock-surprise. "I think it's a wonderful gift. It will make you look younger."

He closed the box, giving Anakin a withering glare.

The Jedi Knight held up his hands. "Just looking out for you well-being."

Obi-Wan scoffed. "If the past thirteen years have been any indication of you looking out for me, I'll take my chances without your help."

They stopped their conversation when they realized that the Lady of Light was watching this whole thing with a smile on her face. Not to mention the Fellowship and the Elves were chuckling at this scene.

"My apologies, Milady," the Jedi Master said. "Thank you for your generous gift."

"Long have we needed a laugh, Master Kenobi," she replied. "I thank you for that."

I aim to please
. He thought sarcastically, but then froze at the sound of chuckling in his head. Oh, Force.

Galadriel moved on to Anakin, handing him a silver ring.

"Should you ever lose hope, Anakin Skywalker, may this remind you of the one you love."

Anakin smiled sadly. "Thank you…for everything."

"Never forget what you have seen, but don't let what you have seen consume you."

Sam was next in line, given a long, bundled-up rope.

"And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope made of hithlain."

"Thank you, my lady," he said, slightly nervous. "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?"

She returned the smile, but as she moved, it was clear that Sam would have to find his own "nice, shiny dagger."

Gimli, who was looking down in shame and embarrassment, was approached.

"And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?" Galadriel asked.

"Nothing," he murmured, deciding to look at her, "except to look upon the lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is fairer than all the jewels beneath the earth."

Her smile ever grew wider at such a complement, making the Dwarf blush with embarrassment.

Is this the same Gimli who said he won't be ensnared?
Anakin wondered, grinning with amusement.

Gimli made up his mind, but he stuttered as he spoke. "Actually, uh, there was one thing." He turned away again, muttering, "No, no, no. It's quite impossible. Stupid to ask." Taking a deep breath, he said very clearly, "I ask for a single strand of your golden hair."

"What would you do with such a gift?" she asked.

"Treasure it, my lady; treasure it more than any jewel that I ever come upon." He meant every word.

Galadriel did not give him one strand; she gave him three.

Aragorn was next.

"I have nothing greater to give than the gift you already bear," Galadriel stated, indicating the necklace he wore. "Am meleth dîn.I ant eguil Arwen Undómiel pígatha." (For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar will diminish.)

"Aníron i e broniatha
, ad ae periatham athar i methid en-amar hen." ( I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people.) Aragorn replied. "Aníron i e círatha na Valannor." (I would have her take the ship to Valinor.)

"That is choice is yet before her," Galadriel noted. "You have your own choice to make, Aragorn. To rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin. Namárië.Nadath nâi moe cerich. Dan, ú-'eveditham, Elessar." (Farewell. There is much you have yet to do. We shall not meet again, Elessar.)

Aragorn nodded sadly as she moved on the Frodo, handing him a vile with a magical liquid inside.

"Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places when all other lights go out."

He bowed his head and, to his surprise, Galadriel kissed his head.

After this, the Fellowship departed the majestic city to continue their quest. Five boats were provided, loaded with supplies courtesy of the Elves. Legolas opened one of the bags and found a white substance that resembled bread.

"Lembas," he breathed, taking a bite. Seeing the weird looks on everyone else's faces, he explained, "One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man, or woman, in this case."

That peaked Rex's curiosity. "When we return from this journey, give me the recipe. My soldiers could use such a ration."

Pippin looked like he was going to vomit. It seemed that he had more than a fair share of this lembas bread earlier.

Ahsoka stared at the ration with worry. She didn't know whether she could digest it or not, giving her state as a carnivore. Deciding to test this theory, she took a nibble. The taste was soft as could be and as sweet as honey. She didn't feel hungry anymore, much to her surprise.

"It's good," she admitted.

Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam got in one boat, Boromir, Pippin, and Merry in the second, Legolas and Gimli in the third, Anakin and Obi-Wan in the fourth, and Ahsoka and Rex in the fifth. Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Anakin, and Rex used the oars to paddle down the stream in their respective boats. They saw Galadriel on the shore, holding up her hand as a sign of farewell.

For hours upon hours, the Fellowship travelled down the river in silence, passing through forests and canyons. However, they were getting stir-crazy being cramped up in the boats for so long. Not to mention that the Jedi was sensing that something was coming for them. Yet, they couldn't place the disturbance. At dusk, they stopped at a rocky shore, pulling their boats on it.

While the Fellowship made camp with no fire, Boromir was watching intently as a log with a familiar creature was paddling on the other side of the river, watching them.

"Looks like Gollum's back," Obi-Wan noted.

"How did he find us?" Ahsoka asked. "Better yet, how did he follow us the entire way?"

"Desperation," Aragorn answered. "He craves the Ring, giving him strength to follow us the entire way."

"If he alerts the enemy of our whereabouts, it will make the crossing even more dangerous."

"I'll take care of it," Anakin assured.

Gollum eyed the Fellowship very carefully, searching for his Precious. He had to be extremely careful, for not only did they spot him, but they could kill him at any given time. The thieves had to be found, they had to be killed, and then, only then, will he get his Precious back.

He turned around to slink into the forest, but then, a Man in a black cloak landed in front of him. Gollum tried to run, but an invisible force paralyzed him completely save for his head. This invisible force threw him against a tree, guided by the hand of the Man. He tried to scream, but his voice was gone, leaving him to the mercy of this person, whoever he was. It felt like an invisible hand was clenching his throat.

"We can't have you making a racket," the Man stated simply, his voice cold, quiet, and dangerous.

Gollum recognized him as the young sorcerer that had powers beyond his imagination. He also remembered that the wizard had instructed him not to harm him, but now that the wizard was gone, it seemed that Gollum's life was coming to an end tonight.

With every word, the sorcerer stepped closer. "I know that you seek the Ring, Gollum." He said his name with disgust. "I can see it in your eyes; the lust, the desperation, and the malice you hold against those who have your Precious. Were it up to me, I would cut off your head, or erase your memories so that you would stop hunting us. Believe me, those options sound very good right now."

If Gollum could move, he would hide in the darkest cave or hole just to get away from this Man's blue eyes, which stared at him in pure anger.

The sorcerer went on. "You are very fortunate that Gandalf believed that you serve a greater purpose, whether it be for good or ill. He's the one keeping you alive right now. You will serve that purpose, Gollum, but that purpose won't involve you endangering our lives. So…" The Man waved his head across Gollum's face. "…you will not tell the Orcs or any enemy that seeks to harm us where we are!"

Like a drone, Gollum repeated, "I will not tell the Orcses or any enemy that seeks to harm you where you are."

The Man nodded. "Good."

He released the grip on Gollum, who started gasping for air.

"Now, get out of here," the Man commanded.

Without a backwards glance, Gollum fled the scene, afraid that the demon would come for him.

When Anakin returned to the camp, the Fellowship stared at him, awestruck and horrified.

"What sorcery was that?" Boromir demanded.

"A Jedi Mind Trick," Anakin answered, lowering his black hood. "You can basically get the enemy to do what her or she wants." Seeing the horrified looks, he added,
"But it only works on the weak-minded."

The Fellowship relaxed, save for Pippin.

"Bending one's mind to your will is a terrible power," Legolas said softly.

Obi-Wan nodded. "I have to admit that your tactics were a little…extreme."

"It was the only way to be sure that he wouldn't try anything," Anakin replied. "We'll be safe."

Boromir wasn't convinced. "Minas Tirith is the safer road." He turned to Aragorn. "You know that."

Not this again.
Ahsoka thought, annoyed.

The captain went on. "From there we can regroup. Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength."

"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us," Aragorn replied.

Rex cringed. To say that to a captain of said city was far more wounding than a slap in the face.

"You were quick enough to trust the Elves," Boromir retaliated. "Have you so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men. But you will not see that."

"He's right, Aragorn," Anakin added. "You are a Man as well. You have the same weaknesses and strengths as any other."

Obi-Wan gave him a "Stay out of it" look, and Aragorn gave him a glare.

Aragorn tried to leave this conversation, but Boromir grabbed his arm and pulled him back, angry.

"You are afraid!" he spat. "All your life, you have hidden in the shadows scared of who are; what you are!"

Aragorn, having enough, yanked his arm off of him. "I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city."

Aragorn walked away, but Anakin followed him, much to everyone's annoyance. The Jedi was stubborn in everything, it seemed.

Rex decided to speak to Boromir. "Captain Boromir, think about it. You remember how the temptation of the Ring was so much that you nearly claimed it as your own a few times?"

Reluctantly, he nodded.

"Imagine that same temptation in a city filled with desperate people who have been ravaged by this war. It is not a good idea."

Boromir sighed, sitting down. "I only wish that Aragorn believed that there was hope for Men. Anakin was right; he has forgotten that he himself is a Man."

"He hasn't forgotten," Obi-Wan corrected, looking towards where his former Padawan and Aragorn went. "He just didn't want to be reminded."

"Aragorn, wait!" Anakin called. "I'm coming as a friend, not as your enemy."

He sighed and turned to face him. "You have a good heart, Anakin, but this is something you cannot fix."

"I know what you fear," he stated. "You fear that the Ring will grow such a hold on you that when the time comes, you will take the Ring and claim it as your own. To make matters worse, your ancestor, Isildur, took the Ring and since his blood runs in your veins, you fear that you will fail." He put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I know what it's like to succumb to evil. When my mother was killed, I became so enraged, so horrible, that I slaughtered every single man, woman, and child in the camp she was held prisoner in." When he said these things, a tear fell from his face.

Aragorn staggered back in shock. He never fully realized how dangerous these Jedi could be if they turned evil.

Anakin, sensing his apprehension, continued. "Not a day goes by that I don't fight to not be claimed by that same evil. We all have to fight ourselves to not let evil win, and sometimes, we succumb to it out of fear and desperation. But I have faith that when the time comes, when the evil is staring directly at you, you will conquer it. I have faith in you, even if you don't."

Aragorn stood in silence, pondering these words. "I need to be alone, Anakin. Will you grant me that?"

Anakin nodded, returning to camp.

Aragorn held the necklace Arwen gave him, remembering the words she spoke while he was in Rivendell.

"You are Isildur's heir," she had assured. "Not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate."

"The same blood flows through my veins," he had responded sadly. "The same weakness."

"Your time will come. You will face the same evil, and you will defeat it."

Anakin had said almost the same exact thing. The Fellowship, save for Boromir, trusts him, the Elves trust him, Arwen trusts him.

But what if I fall?
He asked himself. What if I take the Ring?

He shook his head, removing such thoughts. Aragorn realized that he could not live his life on what-ifs. He did that for far too long. If Gandalf were here, then that's exactly what he would say. He wondered if the Sky Warriors not only came to help win the war, but to also save him from this constant evil.

He sighed. Tomorrow was a new day. He could ponder these thoughts tomorrow. For now, he would rest.


Annnnnnnnnd…another chapter has been completed. I know you guys are craving action like I am, but the next chapter will have some. Hope this chapter wasn't corny or boring. If you guys think it is, please, by all means, let me know how to improve it.

I've gotten a review or two that stated that nothing was really changing. The only thing was that the Star Wars characters have come and that was it. I hope this chapter may change your minds.

I've been giving a lot of screen time to Anakin, but fear not. Everyone will have their own roles to play soon.

Review, VOTE, criticize without flames and tune in for the Uruk-hai! (cue scary music)