Chapter X: The Return

The fellowship began to drift into the nearby woods in efforts to disappear from the possible threat in the valley.

"Lothlorien." Raerlis sighed as she looked at Legolas. He smiled and walked along side her.

Raerlis never thought she would make it back to home. She called it home despite the differences between her and the others. She felt extremely happy. Legolas noticed her in deep thought and walked over to bump her.

"What are you thinking, Raer?" He said lightly as he nudged her.

"I am thinking about how sad it is, that I do not remember our memories here together." She frowned partially but did not let it keep her down. The other members were chatting among themselves. Gimli was giving kind advice to the hobbits about the witch of the woods. Raerlis was quite amused. As Gimli proceeded to convince the hobbits that he had the ears of a fox a strung bow appeared in each of their faces. Raerlis and Legolas strung their bows back almost instinctual. Raerlis glanced around to find all of the elves quite recognizable. Then there was one she could not forget. Haldir. He stood with the same stature as always, but Raerlis has never seen him so serious before.

"Haldir!" Raerlis yelled as she ran over to him. He hugged her back.

She knew Haldir was ashamed of her when he didn't say anything. She had still lied to him about the whole adventure idea. Raerlis went back over to stand by Legolas. Upon arriving he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Follow us please." Haldir spoke after talking with Aragorn for a few moments.

Raerlis was brought back to what she remembered almost instantly. They walked the forest floor for some time and then began to climb a set of stairs spiraling up a tall oak tree. Legolas began to tell her stories as they walked.

"When we were children, we would always get into trouble with the guards. We would play on these stairs for hours. .."

Raerlis began to laugh as he whispered all the memories to her. They were something she wished she remembered. They arrived at the top of the platform after a few moments. They were taken in front of Galadriel and Celeborn. Raerlis became really nervous to be displayed by them after being removed from their main society. The fellowship knew that the ring was the cause of this meeting. Galadriel began to speak to them all of their travels. Celeborn mentioned Gandalf missing from the party. Pippin let out a low squeal as he began to sob. Raerlis walked over and put her arm around his small shoulder.

"He fell into shadow." Galadriel spoke as she came out of thought.

The mention of Gandalf was still very painful to all of them. Galadriel spoke more of the ring being in her city and then offered food, shelter and hospitality to the group.

"You shall stay in the safety of our city for the night." After finishing her sentence her and Celeborn walked together back into the large house built on the platform.

After getting shown to their outdoor quarters, Raerlis was finally able to relax.

"Legolas." She called him over to talk. He had just finished getting a pitcher of water as he sat gently next to her.

"What is on your mind?" He spoke with concern as he seen her emotion.

"I'm surprised I was not taken away from the group and shunned. I lied to Haldir. I joined an important party without consent.." She began to ramble as he stopped her.

"You have importance now. Galadriel, or Haldir for that matter would have no place to remove you from this fellowhip. I do not think any of us would allow it anyways." He pulled her into a hug as she calmed herself.

"There is no reason to feel like an outcast any further." He continued.

Raerlis felt the weirdest feeling in the pit of her stomach as he hugged her. She felt there was something more to this friendship. She cared for him more than anything.

He released her from the hug and spoke gently to her.

"Now, get some rest. You need it, as well as the others." He brushed a stay hair from her face and smiled as he got up and went over to the fountain.

The night in Lorien provided everyone with the best nights rest since Rivendell. They all woke up refreshed and ready for their next adventure.

Galadriel sent them off with many supplies and food to keep them for longer travel. They were equipped with Lembas bread, cloaks, and an acquired gift. Raerlis was given a new elven bow by Galadriel herself. The fellowship left in three row boats. They paddled on in silence. Raerlis talked with Pippin in their boat with Gimli. Aragorn seemed quite quiet as they rowed silently in the dark waters. He had several ideas of what area to stop next.

"We will stop at Emyn Muil. It is a lost city of men." They all nodded as they began to cross through new lands.

The vast river began to become stronger with currents as they paddled along.

Upon arriving to Emyn Muil everyone was quite anxious. Legolas could feel a threat in the far distance. It was not yet close enough to cause alert. Raerlis was quiet as she took care of the hobbits and made sure they all had something to do. They began to set up their camp directly on the shoreline. Frodo wandered off to look at the strange fallen statues that lay the ground. He had secretly been longing to go his own path. Boromir had followed him into the wooded area. There was something strange beginning to happen with the group. Aragorn had went off to find Frodo as Boromir ran off into the woods. They were unaware of what had happened between Frodo and him but Aragorn assumed the worst. Raerlis stayed with Pippin and Merry . Legolas and Gimli wandered off as well. Danger progressed almost within seconds as a horn was blown through the thick air.

Hello everyone! Happy New Year. This chapter randomly got deleted several times from my PC, so I hope it turned out as well as the first two did! Please review and favorite. Tell me how you liked this chapter and which character you enjoy the most. Thanks so much to all of you. XOXO

~Sirena