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And thank you for those who favorite, alert, and followed. I so enjoy watching my email box fill up with all that stuff and it makes me so damn happy! *does happy dance* As for your reward I have brought an early chapter, just in case I don't get to it before I leave for vacation where there is no internet. In the beginning it a little filler and some action but we will start getting into the plot near the end. Enjoy the read!

~oOo~

'Day 23: Gandalf said we would be on this direction for forty days, hoping that the Gap of Rohan will still be open by the time we reach there. It's been at least twenty and so far this journey hasn't been so bad. As I've said before I plan to write as much as I can in the journal but so far my entries for the days have been lacking. Everyone seems to be getting along…except Boromir. The human with the attitude towards me sets me on edge but just the other day he apologized when he snapped at me. Maybe he isn't so bad after all, just a little bit stubborn to see a woman/elf in the group. Maybe he'll see that women can fight as well as men. We'll see. Then there's the dwarf, Gimli. A bit smelly but he seems to be fine with me. He tells me stories of the mines and being a dwarf. I've never seen a dwarf actually and during the meeting in Rivendell was my first time actually seeing and meeting one. Elves and humans are another story. Aragorn and Boromir have been teaching Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin how to use their swords a little better than they're used to, one example is the journey to Rivendell. They certainly need practice and so do I. Then there is Legolas. I have no clue what to say about him… at all. I mean, he's handsome, very handsome and really nice and Imay have feelings for him… no. I have no clue how to act around him. I've never been courted or anything! I haven't exactly been around others like myself to know what to do! I'm so confused.'

"Aria it's your turn for watch tonight." Aragorn shouted from the other side of the camp. Aria looked up from her journal, nodded her head then put her journal back in her pack. After her talk with Aragorn he finally decided that Aria would take watch so long as she stayed awake and woke up the next person in charge for the next watch.

Aria walked over by the fire and sat next to Frodo, taking off the Ring from around her neck then placing it around his. Frodo didn't say anything except give Aria a small smile, his way of saying that he was alright. Aria smiled back and waited for Sam to hand her, her dinner which mostly consisted of cooked vegetables and maybe a few pieces of fruit. Everyone sat around the fire, talking lightly or telling stories about adventures they went on or maybe telling a few jokes to lighten the mood. Aria listened but also spoke whenever someone asked a question towards her but for the most part she sat, quiet, listening and learning about the people she's traveling with.

"Lady Aria, why don't you tell us about the Shire? Surely there are some times that are memorable." Aragorn asked Aria with a smile. Aria looked up from her cup of warm tea. Her cheeks were flushed from both the warm drink and her remembering a time worthy of sharing but…

"I do not think I should…I remember a time but I cannot say." Aria spoke with a smile as she lightly sipped her drink. After she said that a roar of voices came at her, demanding that she tell what she was hiding. "All right, all right, I will tell you." Aria sat up straight, took a breath then began her story. "About a few years ago a party was being held in the Shire for one of the hobbits had a birthday and was turning ninety-something years of age. Frodo wasn't feeling well and started to sleep walk."

"Oh no, Aria don't." Frodo began but Merry and Pippin hushed him.

"Sorry Frodo but this is the only one I can think of." Aria said then took a breath. "With Frodo sleep walking I decided to play revenge on something Frodo did on my birthday the resent year. When the day of the party arrived I waited for Frodo to fall asleep before I snuck into his room, dressed him up with a few other things, and then waited for Frodo to start to sleep walk."

"What did you dress him up in?" Pippin asked.

"Bilbo had given me this…dress for my 16th birthday. As much as I thanked him for the thought I couldn't stand to wear it again. Once was enough for it was pink, frilly, covered in bows and ribbons, and the most awful thing I've ever had to wear. So, I dressed him up in that along with some paints from Bilbo I made him look so beautiful. Once Frodo started to sleep walk I opened the door and simply 'directed' him to the party everyone was invited too. Let's just say everyone remembered Frodo as the hobbit with a…weird taste in clothing." Aria said as Frodo groaned in embarrassment. Everyone around the fire started to laugh. After that things just fell into place until night fall. From there, Aria took the first watch; however, tonight might change the feeling of being safe.

"Aria, something doesn't feel right." Ryu said next to Aria as they started their watch. No one was awake except the two sitting a little ways away from the camp. There was a different feeling in the air almost like a stale taste in the wind but Ryu couldn't place the bad feeling.

"What do you mean?" Aria asked and looked towards her left just as an arrow flew past her, nicking her cheek before lodging it into the trunk of the tree she was leaning against. Aria touched her cheek then looked at the arrow. A single clean cut had drawn blood on her cheek, staining her fingers. Aria snapped her head to where the arrow had come from to see a dark figure standing a little ways away from the camp, its face covered but Aria could clearly see the pair of red eyes looking at her. Aria got to her feet and readied her bow…but the red eyed stranger was gone. That is not good…

"Ryu come on, we have to warn the others." Aria said and went back towards camp. As soon as she arrived the red eyed stranger appeared, leaning over Frodo trying to get the Ring from around his neck. Aria readied her bow, her aim steady. "Hey red eyes!" Aria called making the red eyed stranger look up at her. Aria released the arrow, sending it flying through the air, straight between the red eyed strangers' eyes. The stranger dropped to the ground, dead and still. Frodo decided to wake up and see a dead body next to him, giving a yell in shock before turning his eyes towards Aria.

"Aria look out behind you!" Frodo yelled but it was too late. Another red eyed stranger came up behind her, wrapping a leather strap around her neck trying to cut off her oxygen. "Everyone wake up!" Frodo yelled. "We're being attacked!" Frodo kept yelling, trying to wake the others. Aria took this moment to snap her head back, smashing her back into her attackers' nose before flipping him over her shoulder.

At this time everyone was wake or in the process of waking up. Aria was busy with her own attacker while Aragorn jumped in front of the hobbits with Boromir and Gimli. Ryu jumped on Aria's attacker and started to tear and rip his neck out now that he is a giant wolf. Gandalf, who is also busy with his own attacker, yelled to the fellowship that they need to take care of these attackers quickly. Aria and Ryu finished their attacker when another came up behind her and took a stab at her side, cutting a deep gash into her left side. Aria hissed in pain, a panic deadly thought popped into her mind but kept fighting. She had to remain strong. She must! Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir, and Gimli took down the remaining attackers while Gandalf rushed towards Aria side, taking note of her injury.

"We must leave. Pack quickly for we might not have much time in case more arrive." Gandalf said, placing a hand over Aria's wound then concentrated on healing it. Gandalf healed as much as he could but the lack of sleep didn't help much causing the wound to not heal all the way. "I need to quickly bandage that until we make camp somewhere else. Samwise!" Gandalf called of Sam as Aria leaned against a tree while the others quickly packed the camp. Sam came quickly with bandages in his hands. Gandalf took them from him and pulled Aria's shirt up just enough so he could see the wound. He quickly wrapped it and helped Aria to her feet. "Ryu, take her." Ryu quickly came over and knelt down so Aria could get on his back. Once Aria was safely rest on his back the Fellowship took off, quickly leaving their attackers bodies behind, running for another safe place to take cover.

A few hours later the Fellowship stumbled across an empty cave, large enough and deep enough to take cover in without being found. Gandalf helped Aria get down from Ryu's back then ordering the wolf to cover up our tracks leading them to the cave. The wolf nodded then took off out of the cave. While the others started to set up camp again Gandalf finished healing Aria's wound.

"That should feel better now that I've closed the wound. Congratulations on your first battle scar Aria." Gandalf half joked before making Aria lay down on her bed roll. The cave's hard stone floor was cold and unwanted for Aria. She felt so tired and she is in a lot of pain from the wound she received from the red eyed attackers or whatever they were.

"Aria are you all right?" Legolas's voice spoke from her side. Aria cracked an eye open to look at the blonde elf who was kneeling beside her. Aria gave him a smirk and slowly laughed.

"Just laying down and relaxing from the stab wound I received. Give me a few hours and I'll be right as rain." Aria said but Legolas's frown deepened. He didn't look too amused. Aria groaned then took one of his hands. "I'm a little sore but thanks to Gandalf I'll be fine if I get some rest and allow the rest of the wound to heal. You should get some sleep." Aria said. Legolas shook his head then went to grab his bed roll, placing it besides Aria.

"Gandalf asked me to watch over you while he talks with Aragorn and Boromir. Gimli is helping the hobbits set up camp while Ryu will be taking watch for the rest of the night, allowing us to get some sleep. He volunteered." Legolas said and rested his back against the cave wall.

"That's nice of him." Aria smiled as her sleepy eyes started to close; Legolas's chuckles filled her ears.

"Sleep Aria, you need your rest." Legolas said in a low voice that sounded so close to her ear and as of right now it sounded so good to hear.

"Can you tell me about Mirkwood?" Aria asked in a sleepy voice.

"As you wish." Legolas said and started to tell Aria about Mirkwood. Legolas told her how Mirkwood is dense and heavy woodland which included mountains and a small river that were in the northern part of the forest. The climate was mild and Legolas told her of his younger years exploring the forest. Aria fell asleep to Legolas lightly stroking her hair, not that she minded when she asked him to, and telling her about the time he played a prank on his servants in his younger years. Legolas looked down at the Halfling and smiled, thinking about this weird feeling in his chest. This swelling feeling whenever she was around him along with the panic feeling when he found out she got injured when he wasn't there to help her. He felt angry at himself for not staying up with her, ignoring the wrong feeling in his gut, just brushing it off.

"You're sweet on the lass aren't you?" Legolas looked up to see the dwarf looking at them with a smirk on his face. Legolas dropped his hand from her hair to glare at the dwarf.

"None of your concern dwarf." Legolas said. Gimli brushed off what the elf said and came closer to the two.

"I may have only met the lass for a few days to know that if anything happens to her, if she is unprotected, I will hold someone responsible." Gimli said and meant what he said. Aria has been nothing but nice to the Fellowship ever since the felt Rivendell. Her smile always made everyone else smile and her laugh was contagious. She's always looking out for others and yet running off to see what is in front of them.

"She seems to have that effect on people and yet she doesn't even see it." Legolas said, looking at Aria. "I understand what you are saying dwarf and I expect you to do the same?" Gimli nodded his head then went back to do whatever he needed to do, leaving the elf to look over the female companion. Tonight was rough but the road will only get rougher.

~oOo~

"Yay! A break!" Aria cried as Gandalf announced that they would be settling camp early. The group chuckled as they watch the Halfling fall to the ground with her eyes closed. Aria stayed like that for a while before she got up to help set up camp. Once the fire was going and everyone seemed to relax Boromir, Pippin, and Merry decided to get some practice in while the others sat around watching.

Aria walked up behind Legolas, softly, before lightly blowing into his ear causing him to jump, slipping on the rock and falling to the ground. Aria stood above him, laughing at the fallen elf who had landed face first in the dirt. Legolas looked up at the Halfling, enjoying the sight of her fire colored hair blowing in the breeze past her. Legolas got to his feet and began chasing after the laughing woman who had him wrapped around her finger. When he caught her he spun her around before tossing her over his shoulder and bringing her to where Aragorn was sitting.

"Look after her, she's getting into trouble." Legolas said then went back to where he was standing.

"Meany head!" Aria cried and crossed her arms over her chest and pouted as Ryu came and crawled up her arm to sit on her shoulder.

"Only with you my lady." Legolas gave her a smirk that sent her cheeks a blaze with embarrassment. Aria looked away, focusing her attention now on Merry and Pippin who are practicing with Boromir.

"Two, one, five. Good! Very good." Boromir complemented when Merry did something right, blocking Boromir's attack.

"Move your feet." Aragorn said, smoking his pipe. Pippin counted again, getting better.

"You look good, Pippin." Merry complemented.

"Thank." Pippin responded then they switched so Merry

"Faster!" Boromir said and begun his attack. The hobbits seem to be getting the hang of sword fighting but they're going to need a lot more experience and practice.

"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not…I'd say we were taking the long way 'round." Gimli said. "Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome."

"Maybe we should go to the mines Gandalf? If it is a shorter way, that is." Aria said but Aragorn slapped a hand over her mouth, giving her a look that said 'do-not-start.'

"No Gimli, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." Gandalf said. There was a pause before Pippin cried out, making Aria turn her head to see what was happening. Boromir nicked Pippin, making him drop his sword.

"Sorry!" Boromir cried but Pippin wouldn't have it when he kicked Boromir in the shin, Merry jumping in to tackle Boromir to the ground.

"Get him!"

"For the Shire!"

"Hold him. Hold him down, Merry!" The hobbits cried, making Aria, Ryu and Aragorn laugh as they watched. "You've got my arm! You've got my arm!"

"What is that?" Sam asked. Aria stopped laughing to see some form of black moving cloud.

"Nothing, it's just a wisp of cloud." Gimli said. As soon as he said that a screeching sound yelling in Aria's ears, making her cry out, and cover her ears.

They're coming!

You must hide!

That is no cloud!

Run!

"I get the idea!" Aria yelled. The trees around her stopped their warning, hoping that the one that can hear them will take their advice. Aria turned her head to look at Gandalf. "Gandalf, more of our friends are coming!" Aria called out.

"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas called out.

"Hide!" Aragorn called out.

"Hurry!" Boromir called.

"Take cover!" Everyone began rushing around, trying to cover up their camp and put of their fire. Aria grabbed her things but was dragged down to the ground by Legolas. Both of them were hidden under a bush, Aria clinging to Legolas's front as she hid her face in his shirt. Everything seemed quiet before the sounds of birds, angry horde of black birds, circled around them. Ryu had taken refuge in her pack, moving ever so slightly to peak out to see outside. Legolas's arms tighten around Aria waist as her grip tightened on his shirt, her warm breath on his neck causing a strange…no, not strange. Almost a welcome, good feeling that he didn't want to stop that moved through his body. When everything had quieted down Gandalf was the first one to come out from cover.

"Spies of Saruman. The passage south is being watched." Gandalf said and soon everyone was from cover, looking at him for an answer. "We must take the Pass of Carahras." He said and pointed to the snow covered mountains. "Quickly, we must leave." Everyone began packing what they managed to cover or throw under a bush.

"Um… thank you… by the way." Aria said to Legolas as they packed their things next to each other. "For dragging me down into cover I mean, not for plopping me down next to Aragorn and say to him to keep an eye on me." Aria said causing Legolas to laugh. Legolas placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair causing Aria to growl and swat his hands away.

"Come you lovebirds, we need to leave!" Aragorn called to Legolas and Aria. Both the elf and the Halfling flushed a bright red color causing everyone to laugh. Aria bowed her head and briskly walked a head of the group with Ryu still hiding in her pack.

"So you're sweet on the elf aren't you?" Ryu whispered to Aria so no one can hear them.

"I don't know Ryu. He's handsome and all and he make me laugh but nows not the time for those feelings." Aria said.

"When is ever the time Aria? With Middle Earth on the brink when will there ever be a time for those feelings? If there is a chance for you to be happy Aria, take it and never let it go." Ryu said and went back into her pack. Aria looked up towards the mountains and thought of what Ryu said. With the Ring on the brink of destroying Middle Earth, who knows if we'll survive or die? Maybe…in another time or another place maybe Aria could act on what she felt but…she couldn't. Not now, not with the lives of many resting on her shoulders, the balance of Middle Earth in their hands.

"I wish I could Ryu." Aria whispered, tears springing in her eyes. "But I can't, not while the Ring is still in existence." Aria said. She looked back at Legolas who caught her eye, giving her a smile. Aria didn't smile back, quickly turning back to face forward, locking away the feelings she's grown to have for the handsome elf.

'In another life….another time I might have said I might be falling for you.'

~oOo~

There you have it! Another chapter done! In case I don't update before I leave this will be in its place. I hope you all enjoyed it so please click on the review button and tell me what you think! Thanks for reading, until next time!