DISCLAIMER: MWAHAHAHA! I have done it! I have created the One Ring that will give me control and copyrights to all great literary works!!! MWAHA- *Aragorn cuts the Ring off of my hand* Aw man…

All right, until I get the Ring back, Tolkien still owns this, and I am merely stealing it. *pouts*

She had been in Rivendell for over a month, preparing for the journey. Tonight was her last night in peace before she was exposed to the dangers of Middle Earth.

AJ and Arwen were currently sitting on AJ's bed, organizing her pack for the journey. The bow and quiver that Aragorn had given her, along with a knife and a short sword, lay next to the pack. AJ was already wearing her old knives from home, grateful Elrond had returned them a few days ago.

Her clothing would have little difference from the men; a pair of loose comfortable breeches, a soft tunic, a jacket and a warm cloak. Boots much the same as Aragorn's would take care of her feet. An extra set of clothing, as well as basic essentials, would occupy the pack. Blankets… sleeping pad… undergarments… feminine products… AJ had no doubt that she would hit that 'time of the month' at least once on this journey. Arwen had made sure to find many supplies for that occasion, including some basic painkillers with strict instructions on how to use them. The Elf had mentioned that Aragorn, a trained healer, could give her advice if AJ needed it, but the teen had no intention of bringing up such an awkward subject with a guy she barely knew!

AJ flexed her muscles, impressed with the way they had developed over the last month. The archery and sword training Aragorn had mercilessly drilled her on had paid off to the point where she felt capable of taking on at least a few Orcs. Even Boromir had been impressed with how far she had advanced, although AJ feared she may have ticked him off when she bested him in a karate sparring match a couple of weeks into training. It had been simple, really; a dare to punch her in the face, a choice insult to provoke him to attack, and within a couple of moves he had been flat on his back, holding his bruised jaw, and she had been standing over him with a triumphant smirk. He had barely spoken to her since. Aragorn had scolded AJ after that incident, but the teen could tell he was highly amused by the story.

Currently, the pair had finished packing AJ's few possessions and were now talking about the journey ahead. AJ sighed as she hugged her knees to her chest. "I wish you were going, Arwen. I'll need a friend to talk to."

Arwen smiled, but it was a sad smile. "Personally, I would like to accompany you, but my father would never hear of it. He is already upset enough that I wish to marry Aragorn."

AJ frowned and looked at her friend. "Why would he be upset by that? Aragorn's a really nice guy!"

The Elf studied a design on the wall for a moment before saying, "He is mortal. I am not. For me to marry him would mean the loss of my immortality. It would mean I will never be able to cross the Sea into Valinor with my people. I will die here with him."

That got a surprised look from AJ, before the younger girl reached over and touched her friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry. That must be horrible."

Arwen smiled again. "It is, but I already know what my choice will be. My father is not happy with it, however, and I fear he will try to change my mind." She looked down, despair falling over her fine features. "I don't think he realizes it would kill me to leave him here." She abruptly looked up at AJ. "Enough about me! I know you have spoken about your brother and sister in your home world, but what of your other friends? What are they like?"

AJ froze. She had been more than willing to put the people she knew behind her, but they seemed to pop up like ghosts. "Umm… I don't really have many friends at home. I am what they call a loner, someone who has few, if any, close friends."

Arwen looked over at AJ, surprise replacing the depression. "No friends? What about a close male friend? There must be someone you are close to!"

AJ opened her mouth to respond… and found herself sinking back into the nightmare… the weight on top of her, the hands preventing her from screaming or fighting, the pain…

She started as Arwen grabbed her shoulder and gave her a firm shake. "Aerin!" The Elf looked highly alarmed. "Are you ill? You looked like you had seen a ghost…"

Drawing in a shaky breath, AJ forced herself to weakly smile. "No, I'm fine. That just brought up some unpleasant memories that I'd much rather forget entirely."

Arwen gazed at AJ's face, as if determining whether the teen spoke the truth, before reaching over and giving her a gentle hug. "I am sorry I made you think of those memories."

AJ shrugged off the lingering impact of the hellish memory. "It is all right, you didn't know." She hugged her knees to her chest again, shivering despite the warm fire. Her hair, now longer and fading from black to reddish brown, fell across her face, blocking her pain from Arwen. "It's a subject I don't like bringing up."

Arwen sighed before moving the pack and weapons off the bed. She then pushed AJ down until the teen was lying on the pillows. "It is late, we can do no more packing and you need your rest for tomorrow. Get some sleep."

AJ was about to argue but felt an intense weariness sink over her. "Sounds like a good idea…"

Arwen smiled, before touching AJ's forehead and softly singing in Elvish. The teen was asleep within moments, although her sleep was restless and haunted by the living nightmare.

***

She was standing at the gate to Rivendell, between Aragorn and Gandalf. Her pack had been conveniently stored on the back of Bill the pony, sparing her own shoulders for a while. Her knives were all in place, her sword hanging from her belt, with her bow securely fastened onto her quiver; within easy access should she need it. Her longer hair was tied back in a ponytail to keep it out of the way, although AJ doubted it would be so manageable within a few days.

Most of Rivendell had come out to watch the Fellowship leave. Arwen stood with some other Elves who lived in Elrond's house. Elrond himself stood in front of the company, all set for a speech. "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. Upon you who travel with him no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will."

His dark eyes travelled over the group. "Farewell, and may the blessings of Elves, and Men, and all Free Folk, go with you."

There was a moment's pause before Gandalf said, "The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer." AJ watched Frodo as he slowly turned away from the Elves and walked through the Fellowship to the gate of Rivendell.

The teen could hear him whisper, "Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?"

She stifled a grin as Gandalf hissed, "Left." When he said he didn't know the way…

AJ turned around at the last moment to receive an encouraging smile from Arwen, which the teen returned, before leaving Rivendell and venturing into the unknown dangers of Middle-Earth. She could hear Aragorn following her after a pause but didn't bother turning around. She knew if she did the temptation to stay among the Elves would be overwhelming.

She looked to her side as Gimli fell into step beside her, giving her a cordial nod. A soft noise to the other side warned her of Merry and Pippin, both of whom gave her sheepish, if not suspicious, looks. Somehow, the pair had figured out who had set the prank in their room. AJ blamed Legolas who, when interrogated, had plead innocence. However, there was now an uneasy truce between AJ and the Hobbits.

How am I going to survive God-knows how long in the wilderness with no modern comforts, no decent music and no privacy amongst a bunch of guys, two of whom at least wish revenge on me? This is going to suck!

Yeesh…

All right, I know this was a shorter chapter, hopefully the next one will be longer… Any ideas? Comments? General observations? Loud protests? Let me know! Later, peebs!

BTW: Much thanks to those who have been giving steady reviews since the early chapters! You guys ROCK! The rest of you cool and awesome readers… look right below this paragraph… Yes, that is a magical green button that gives you cyber cookies if you click on it and add a review! Flavour of the Day: Macadamia Nut! :P