I went through a bout of writers block so it took longer than expected, but here is Chapter 10.

The sisters decided to take some time alone, away from the fellowship, to discuss their current... situation. The name Melkor had immediately stuck in Elle's mind... he was the source of all darkness in Middle-Earth. Sauron and Saruman could never even begin to compare to his power. He had once been a Valar!

"Okay... So basically he's the devil of Middle Earth." Ann voiced matter-of-factly, her hands flailing in exasperation. They had drifted from the Lothlórien, from Galdariel's shield, perhaps they were a little more exposed... but they needed to discuss these things in private.

The long fields of green-land seemed endless with beautiful flowers that gleamed like a galaxy of colorful stars and trees that towered in the mountainous forest only yards away from them. They felt at peace there, despite the dire situation looming over their heads.

Elle raised a brow and looked at her little sister. "Basically, yes."

"So, he's the one after us." Mae had begun to pace around her sisters, who were both lounging on the lush green grass.

"Well," Elle commented. "Him, Sauron, Saruman, and an army of creepy, disgusting monsters."

"Not to mention Gollum and a ring with a mind of its own." Ann added. Maethien stopped pacing to fix her sisters with a narrow eyed dry look.

"So not helping." She muttered.

"We knew this wasn't going to be easy, Mae." Ella said quietly, lifting her legs so that her knees touched her chest. "We're going to go through utter hell. We'll be tempted and attacked by darkness, we'll face armies at war, life threatening situations, hard decisions... loss." Elle's voice had been steady and strong through every word... until she said loss.

Maethien and Anoreth shared a knowing glance, then both sisters dropped to Saeleth's sides. Ann set a comforting, warm hand around her sister's shoulders while Mae took her sister's fisted hands into hers and held them tightly, hoping to channel some sort of peace to her.

"Elle. Look at me." Mae waited until her sister's gleaming amber eyes met hers. "You had to do it."

"She's right, Elle. You know she is. Gandalf needed to fall. He needs to become Gandalf the White."

"I know that." Elle's voice was a whisper. "I know. But it was not supposed to happen that way. He wasn't supposed to fall first. The Balrog and the rocks... They fell after him. He could get hurt. He could die. And that would be my-"

"You need to stop blaming yourself Elle."

"I can't... I won't rest easy until I know Gandalf is okay. I know I had to do it. I know that. But I will not be able to relax until I know he's okay."

Both Maethien and Anoreth knew by the look in their sister's eyes that she was serious... and they couldn't blame her really. Even if they could, they would find a way to understand.

"Okay. Okay, I understand. Just... try to be okay, sweetie. I hate seeing you like this." Ann nodded her agreement, squeezing Elle into a one armed hug.

And that was when Elle broke. Her eyes filled with tears in a matter of seconds, then they fell from her eyes and spilled down her creamy cheeks, soft sounds of sobs coming from her throat. It was weird... Saeleth was an Elf. She was as perfect as she could possibly be, powerful, strong, a daughter of the Valar... and yet her emotions were ripping her apart. It was oddly comforting.

So, Elle cried and cried in the arms of her sisters. She loved knowing that her sisters were there for her, and would always be. There were no words among the three girls. Anoreth had settled Elle's head onto her lap and gently stroked her long golden hair while Maethien sat by Elle's stomach, holding both her hands tightly in hers. The three sisters simply sat together for as long as Elle needed to let out the emotions she had been holding in, letting each other know that they were there for one another.

Knowing that... Elle was able to heal her broken self, even if it was just a little.

"Okay," Elle sniffled and pulled herself off her sister's lap, wiping away at her tears with the sleeve of her gown. "I'm okay. I'm good." She promised with a sheepish smile. Once her face was dry and her breathing even, they all stood and Elle looked at her sisters worried faces for a long moment, searching their expressions. She let out a small, soft laugh.

"Thank you." Elle whispered, and wrapped them both into a tight hug. "I love you."

And for a long moment, that was all that there was. Love. Then suddenly, Elle pulled away from her sisters, an icy chill running down her spine. She suddenly felt... cold, just so cold.

"Something's here." Elle could feel the darkness pulling at her, an icy breeze caressing her face. Maethien lifted her hand to set it upon the hilt of her sword.

"What is it?" Her sister growled, turning to face the trees, her eyes searching for the source of Elle's alarm.

"Darkness." The way Elle whispered the word made both Mae and Ann shiver. Their blood ran cold and suddenly they were very much aware of the danger they were in.

"We have to get back inside." Ellle whispered as she tugged on her sisters arms.

Suddenly, a shrill screech pierced the icy air, and the girls whirled around... From within the forest emerged a shadowy figure cloaked in dark fog that swirled and curled in the air, an aura of darkness consuming it entirely. The cloak of shadows parted, and a taloned, leathery hand reached out from within the shadows and reached out toward the sisters, the skin on the shadow creature was disgustingly grey and thin, the talons black and sharp. The rest of the creature was cloaked... all but the mouth... The sisters recoiled. A gaping, disfigured mouth widened and screeched, rows of razor sharp fangs lined the gruesome mouth, a sickly black tongue swinging out to lick it's horrifying teeth.

"Run!" Maethien cried out as she drew out her bow and shot out an arrow. Shadow creatures flooded from the trees and Mae couldn't hit any of them, they were moving too fast for her to catch. They moved like black lightning across the meadow and after the sisters as they ran for their lives. Anoreth blew on her horn loudly, hoping that help came fast, her hand tightly in Elle's. The kingdom was visible just ahead... it was so close. So close!

"Watch out!" Ann screamed. Maethien looked back and just barely managed to whirl her bow around and slam the shadow creature into the ground. Pain erupted from her hands. The elleth screamed and dropped her bow, a fire lashing inside her hands painfully. Mae looked down at her hands and saw deep cuts all around her palms and fingers, blood dripping from the wounds, and wisps of shadow snaking around her fingers.

Elle and Ann gripped Maethien between them and hurried toward the glowing kingdom, the shimmering light of Galadriel's shield only paces away. Anoreth nearly cried in relief when she the horde of elves running toward them from within the shield, the fellowship... their friends, at the head of the small army running to their rescue.

Just a little more.

"You cannot escape me. Do not run from me, Saeleth." Elle grimaced when the dark voice intruding into her thoughts. Elle shoved the voice from her mind and focused on her friends, they were so close, they were going to help them. They would be safe.

Elle screamed.

"Elle!" Maethien and Anoreth called out in horror.

Something had caught onto Elle's ankle and dragged her back through the meadow and toward the trees, pulling her into the immense darkness. Shadow creatures shot forward to whirl around Saeleth, creating a prison of shadows to keep her within. Pain shot up her leg, paralyzing her with excruciating torment, her ankle was swollen and bleeding, threads of shadow curling around her leg.

"Maethien!" Mae looked away from where her sister lay, helpless on the ground, surrounded by shadow creatures and looked behind her to where the fellowship had reached the shield. Archers had reached the platforms and had started shooting volleys of arrows, but the creatures moved too swiftly for any of them. Aragorn had been the one to call her name... he was so close... But somehow he was still much too far...

"Maethien, no!"

"Don't do it!"

Maethien and Anoreth ignored the calls from behind them and rushed to the aid of their beloved sister. The shadow creatures flitted back and forth, the closer the sisters got to Saeleth the sharper the pain became, the creatures slashing at the girls with their dagger like talons.

Elle panted heavily and attempted to crawl, reaching out toward the prison whirling around her, she screamed and recoiled when the shadows wrapped around her hand and lashed at her skin, excruciating pain stabbing into Elle's body, the shadows sinking into her wounds like a dark poison. There was so much pain, so much pain! Elle felt as if her body was burning from the inside. She wasn't even aware that she had begun to scream in agony.

Somehow though... somehow she was able to maintain enough control, enough reasoning to look up to where her sisters were running toward her. Not away... What were they thinking?!

"No! Stop! Don't come any closer! PLEASE!" But they would not listen.

From behind the shield, the fellowship was still fighting rigorously to reach the sisters. Aragorn shouted out to Maethien over and over... They couldn't get out. They were trapped inside the shield. Something would not let them out. Everyone shouted and roared, beating violently against the shimmering shield, trying fiercely to get out to their friends.

Elle struggled to see through the tears spilling from her eyes, her sisters were still running toward her. She tried once more to get up, but she could barely move her legs. Saeleth was caved by shadows, darkness forming into a sort of tornado around her, dark voices whispering in her mind as the creatures cut and bit into her flesh, shadows sinking into her wounds like a poison that pulsed painfully in her veins. There was no love now... only excruciating pain and hot flames that burned into her soul. The fire spread from Saeleth's hands to her arms and expanding into her chest... into her entire body. She had begun to scream again, her mind delirious and her body ravaged...

"Elle! Elle!"

"No!" Maethien and Anoreth could not get past the dark tornado trapping Saeleth... every time they reached out to her they were slashed by the shadows, pain shooting through their bodies. They were desperate... their hearts convulsing painfully at the sight of their loved sister. The pain had become unbearable but the sisters refused to give up, they would not leave their sister to suffer.

"Get away!" Elle screamed at them. Maethien and Anoreth didn't even need to look at each other to know that they were agreement, they weren't going anywhere but inside that funnel with Elle. The sister's hands linked, they steeled themselves for the pain they knew was coming, and then, together, they threw themselves into the funnel of darkness and torment.

Elle's fingers had dug into the ground beneath her, she screamed and pleaded for the pain to stop. At first, she didn't feel her sister's hands clamp over hers... but then she heard their screams, and felt their finger nails dig into her palms. Fools! What had they been thinking?!

"Say that you are my servant nd I will end your suffering." Elle whimpered when the voice returned. "I will call away these shadow beasts and never again will you feel pain." Melkor whispered sweetly in her mind. "I shall make you a queen over all. I shall spare all those you love. You shall have the stars as your crown and the shadows as your gown, everyone shall bow to your immense power. None will dare cross your dominion, all will crumble under your magnificence." Melkor promised her wonderful things... so many amazing things.

Be strong, Elle.

Don't let him win, Elle.

Her sister's voices spoke in her thoughts, they were distant... almost to weak for Saeleth to hear. But somehow she heard them... heard their benevolence and something grew from within the elleth. Strength. A peaceful, warm, and gentle strength that blossomed from Saeleth's heart.

"No." Elle's voice broke, but she clung onto the feeling, the warm feeling in her heart. She pulled at it, making it grow like a flower. "No." She said again, a little stronger. Her hands turned so that she could grip onto her sister's hands. Her mind filled with happy images of her past life with her sisters, with the warm father figure of Gandalf, the innocence of sweet Frodo and the hobbits, with the new life she had with her sisters and the adventures with her new friends... her friends.

Galadriel stood beside the frantic fellowship, staring wide eyed as she tried to force her way into Saeleth's mind. When she could not, she attempted to get into the minds of her sisters... with slight success.

Aragorn struck his fist against the shield in rage.

"Let me through to her!" He bellowed.

"I cannot. Something is stopping me. My powers are weak against it." They watched in despair as the creatures ate their beloved friends alive. Aragorn searched desperately through the shadows for a sign of life... for a sign of Maethien.

Without warning, a crack of light blazed through the funnel of darkness and everyone pushed forward to see. It was like the whirling tornado of shadows was made of solid wood... it splintered and expanded slowly a sound of ripping thundering in the air before, suddenly, the light burst free, raising a power so strong that the creatures were blown to dust. Frodo staggered from the sudden shift of strength, he had felt the Ring grow heavy with dark power... but now it seemed to recoil in fear from the light.

The dust settled in a glittering ring around the three sisters. The shield waived and the fellowship ran forward.

"Mae!" Aragorn collapsed to his knees and lifted the unconscious elleth into his arms. "Come on, Mae. Wake up, wake up." The elleth's eyes suddenly flew open and Aragorn's eyes widened... Her eyes were liquid gold. Like the Valar.

She blinked... and her eyes were hers again, but they were glazed over... haunted. There was a moment of confusion, but then Mae started, shooting up straight in Aragorn's arms. "Please don't hurt me!" The elleth cried, struggling weakly against his hold. She was delirious and confused but in that moment, Aragorn felt something blossom within him. That plea for mercy sparked something in him that he had never felt before.

"You're safe now, Mae. Nothing will hurt you. You're safe." Aragorn promised, his hands cupping the elleth's face gently, he looked into her eyes and refused to look away until he saw the eerie cloud in her green eyes fade. Aragorn then lifted her up into his arms, holding her close to his chest as he rose to his feet.

Legolas had lifted Anoreth into his arms as well, her eyes had also gleamed like pure gold for an instant before the she had woken, frantic and fearful. The elf prince had soothed the fear from her gently and he continued to whisper to her in his language as he lifted her into his arms. Only Saeleth had remained unconscious... she had not reacted to the voices of her friends, and she was limp in the arms of Haldir as he lifted her from the ground. Why wasn't she waking up? She was not dead.. but she was barely alive.

Haldir lead them to the healing rooms where Galadriel was waiting for them.

The elf set down the sleeping elleth upon one of the long plinths in the grand room, Galdriel gestured for the rest to do the same with the other sisters.

"We must leave." Haldir looked away from the elleth he had held in his arms, pushing everyone toward the exit of the room.

"Will they be ok?" Pippin demanded as he put his foot down defiantly, his worried eyes on the sleeping sisters.

"The daughters of the Valar have been touched by darkness, Lady Galadriel will do her best to ensure their sanity remains." Haldir replied solemnly, almost sincerely.

"But we have to stay!"

"They need us!"

"Come now, young hobbits. We must leave or the healing ritual will not work." Aragrn persuaded gently, even though all he wanted was to hold onto Maethien's hands and wait for her to open her eyes again.

Maethien and Anoreth were the first to awake.

On the second day of sleep, Ann jolted awake and had met the quiet eyes of Lady Galadriel. She flinched visibly when she was reminded of what had caused her to fall unconscious. Her eyes going to her own body to find any sort of evidence of her agony. She became very worried when she realized her sisters were still asleep, but upon further consideration Galadriel had concluded that, being the Healer, Ann had managed to heal herself from within. Anoreth had nodded her agreement then immediately decided she would attempt to heal her sisters as well. Together, Ann and Galadriel worked on healing Maethien further, it was not long after that that Maethien had awoken. Ann, still weak, couldn't continue healing for long though, she felt utterly helpless as she gazed down at Saeleth's sleeping face. Her body and mind weary from her loss of energy.

The sisters refused to leave Saeleth's side for a long while after that... The fellowship had to come in to persuade them to leave.

"Lady Galadriel will watch over Saeleth, Mae." Aragorn promised the elleth as he guided her out of the rooms. Legolas placed a hesitant hand on Anoreth's shoulder, she realized then that tears had begun to spill from her eyes.

Saeleth's healing continued. Until finally...

"You have been unconscious for four days, strong one." Galadriel murmured to Saeleth as she slowly came back to the light.

"What." Saeleth grimaced at the pain in her throat. "Happened." She croaked as she carefully sat up.

"I told you he was afraid. He fears what you will become. You are the only match for his immeasurable power against all good."

"I'm only-"

"Chosen by the Valar. Power forged by an entity not known in this universe, born of the Earth whos power out ranks all other life force known. You are special."

"My sisters are all of those things too."

"Yes. And they will face his wrath as well. He has targeted all of you, each in a different way and for a different reason. You and your sisters make a strong unit against Melkor, you match everything he can throw against us. And you, Saeleth, are the Mage. He fears your power." Saeleth had no response to that.

The ethereal woman stood and held out a gentle hand. "Come. Your friends are impatient to know how you fare." Saeleth took Galariel's outstretched hand and slowly got on her feet. She had been changed into a simple white nightgown, her hair swinging loose about her hips. She walked carefully toward the glade and Galadriel fell behind, allowing her to make the first appearance.

Anoreth practically screamed.

The youngest sister bolted forth and launched herself at Elle. She was closely followed by the hobbits and soon it was a tumbled mess of bodies, all laughing and crying at the same time. Gimli roared with laughter as he approached the jumble of bodies, he pulled off the hobbits one by one until Saeleth was the only one lying on the ground. The rugged dwarf clasped her hands in his, kissing her knuckles clumsily with merry eyes. Boromir drifted to the elleth and pulled her to her feet, hugging her carefully with a smile brighter then she had ever seen before on the man. Legolas placed his hands on either side of her face and pressed his brow to hers, an elvish way of greeting.

Saeleth smothered a sniffle and smiled when Aragorn repeated Legolas' gesture. He pulled away and Elle laughed when she found herself in the tight embrace of her sisters, Ann's cheeks wet with tears and Maethien's entire body trembling with relief. Elle listened as the hobbits began to sing and dance joyously, making a circle around the embracing sisters.

Galadriel watched the exchange with a soft smile... They were going to be alright. The ethereal elleth smiled and left them to their love and laughter, they would need this memory to get through the storm that was soon to come.

"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May they shield you from unfriendly eyes." Lord Celeborn spoke to them, his voice regal and solemn as the elves fastened cloaks around the shoulders of each member of the fellowship. Saeleth had since fully recovered and, now, they had all decided that it was time to leave the safety of the beautiful kingdom.

Legolas shifted provisions from the shore into the boats, only stopping once to pull out some lembas.

"Lembas!" Smiling proudly, the prince showed the hobbits the elvish food. "One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man." The elf took a small bite himself, then continued to place the packages into the boat before climbing out again. Anoreth smiled and leaned toward Merry and Pippin.

"How many did you eat?"

"Four." Pippin replied, Ann giggled as the evidence of his feast passed, causing an alarmed Merry to smack his arm. Meanwhile, Saeleth helped Sam get onto the boat without tipping it over, giggling softly as he outstretched his arms in an attempt to keep an even balance.

Maethien walked with Lady Galadriel through the trees, watching as the blossoms fell from the branches above like a light rain. Mae looked up and smiled when a soft flower tickled her cheeks as if flew down to the ground.

"You have many challenges coming for you Maethien, but I am confident you will excel." Galadriel's voice broke the silence. Mae looked to the beautiful elleth and smiled nervously, her fingers squeezing the fabric of her new cloak.

"I... I am afraid."

"As is natural, brave one. I am afraid as well, though I do not let anyone see this." Galadriel spoke softly as she reached out and tucked a lock of Maethien's hair behind her ear. Her gleaming eyes searched through the young elleth's... A moment later the ethereal woman smiled kindly and nodded her head in understanding. "You are also afraid to love him."

Maethien's eyes widened in alarm, how had she known that? Her eyes went to where Aragorn spoke with Lord Celeborn then she hastily looked down at her boots, her heart hammering in her chest. She did not speak, she only nodded her head and cleared her throat nervously.

"You should not fear love, Maethien. Love is what saved you and your sisters when shadow consumed you. It is a fatal poison to beings such as Melkor and Sauron."

"But... Won't I go back? Back to my world when this is all over." Galadriel regarded the young elleth for a long while.

"Only if you wish to." Galadriel looked down to her palm, prompting Maethien to follow her gaze. In her palm, Galadriel held a long silver chain with what looked like a quartz stone pendant swinging from the end. "When you and your sisters are separated, this stone will keep you three connected. You will feel what your sisters feel and communicate with them when you hold the stone." Maethien looked at the stone with wide wondrous eyes. "You will know how they fare."

Galadriel lifted the the necklace and placed it around Maethien's neck.

"Your sisters have theirs as well." Maethien felt her eyes water with joy, a bright smile on her face as she lifted her gaze to Galadriel.

"Thank you, my lady." Mae whispered, she lifted a hand to touch the crystal, finding it to be oddly warm and smooth against her skin.

Maethien was still gazing at the crystal in awe as she walked toward the boats, the stone glistening in the sunlight, the warmth bringing a sense of peace to her. She was so occupied looking at the shimmering stone that she did not see a certain Ranger standing just ahead with an amused smile on his face. His hands snatched out to grip her shoulders, steadying her when she bounced off his solid frame.

"Oh! Aragorn, I'm so sorry." Maethien gasped, a subtle blush rising to her cheeks. The ranger chuckled.

"Don't worry. I am undamaged." He smiled softly at her, slowly taking his hands off of her shoulders. Maethien opened her mouth to say something... but nothing came. She bit her lip nervously and then awkwardly walked around the handsome ranger, hoping desperately that her cheeks weren't as red as she imagined they were. Galdriel's words were still very fresh in her mind.

Saeleth climbed into her boat, taking the hand that Boromir offered in assistance, and settled herself just behind Merry. She gazed at the new marking she had found wrapped around her right wrist, her sisters also shared the same mark... it was a mark she did not recognize. The girls had also discovered another mark nestled against their necks, each one different because each sister held the mark of their title, the Warrior, the Mage, and the Healer. Saeleth had a feeling there would be more to come... he sighed and looked up, finding an eerily quiet Pippin. The young hobbit was sitting in the boat with her sisters, his eyes on the dagger Galadriel had gifted him. Saeleth recognized the look in his eyes.

"Are you afraid Pippin?" Saeleth asked quietly. Pippin lifted his head to look at her and nodded slowly. "Then you are braver then you think, my friend." Elle smiled kindly when the hobbit turned to her, confusion in his eyes.

"It takes true courage to admit that you are afraid." She explained.

"Are you afraid?" Pippin asked her quietly.

"Yes." Saeleth nodded. "But I try not to let it show."

It felt like hours had passed since they had taken off and Pippin was getting quite antsy.

"I'm so bored!" The hobbit groaned loudly, shifting in his seat.

"Chuck some water at Merry." Anoreth suggested with a giggle.

"Alright! Get us closer!" Pippin suddenly leaned forward, reaching for the water, the boat tipping over slightly.

"Pippin..." Maethien warned him, but the hobbit took no heed of her warning. He splashed Merry directly in the face and all hell broke loose. Merry retaliated instantly, causing Elle to laugh and move out of range, and prompting Boromir to laugh loudly. Anoreth's laughter was cut off when she was suddenly drenched in water, and that did not help with settling the water war.

"No! Guys! Stop! You're tipping the boat! AGHH!" Maethien shouted as the excited hobbit threw his weight against the boats edge, leaning so far over that the boat flipped. Maethien barely had time to tense up before the boat turned over, dunking them all beneath water. Anoreth resurfaced and laughed happily, Pippin popped up beside her and both laughed heartily. Maethien surfaced just in front of them, only to gasp a breath and duck right back under when they sent a wave of water toward Merry. They managed to catch Elle and Boromir in the process.

"Dammit. Will you two behave yourselves?!" A slightly disgruntled Maethieen gasped the moment she resurfaced, her hair draped over her face.

"Looking good, Mae." Saeleth laughed, her bright amused eyes on her sister. She only laughed more when Maethien lifted her hands to part her hair, a narrow eyed glare directed right at her. Her smile faded moments later when she saw both her sisters swimming right toward her.

"Oh, no. No! Don't you-" Her options for escape were basically nonexistent considering she was sitting in a boat in the middle of a stream. They gripped both her wrists and pulled her right off the boat and into the water.

They laughed with blissful abandon, completely forgetting about the overturned boat for a few glorious minutes.

"When you all are finished with your war, we'll be settling by the bank for the night." Aragorn might as well have been talking to the water.

The Ranger sighed and smiled at the joyous scene before him, Maethien looked positively radiant in the stream, laughing and playing with her sisters and their friends her honey hair slicked down by the water. After a moment longer, Aragorn turned to Legolas and Boromir, gesturing for them to follow him to the bank by the side of the stream.

The night came soon after they all came ashore, dripping wet but smiling wide. Maethien sat on a large rock slightly upstream from the others, it was a quiet night, her eyes admired the moon silver glow reflecting in the dark water. Mae's hair was draped over her right shoulder and she was fiddling with the crystal hanging around her neck. The quartz shimmered with colors in her palm... it was almost as if the crystal encased the aurora borealis inside it. The colors seemed to grow brighter when touched by Maethien's hand.

Mae squeezed the stone, closed her eyes, and focused on Anoreth. Almost immediately she felt a wave of peace and giddiness. Curious, Mae opened her eyes and looked down the shore to where the fellowship had set up camp, there she saw Ann speaking with Legolas. Tuning in a little deeper to the stone, Maethien found that Legolas was having a conversation with Ann in their language, oddly proud of her determination to master her language. Maethien laughed softly and released the stone.

"What are you doing over here all by yourself, Mae?" Maethien nearly jumped when Aragorn spoke from behind her, she really should have been annoyed that she hadn't heard him. The elleth raised a brow and stood from the ground to face him.

"What are you doing sneaking up behind unsuspecting elves, Aragorn?" Mae teased, prompting a chuckle from the ranger. He drifted closer... So close that if Mae took a step toward him, their chests would be touching. Being so close... Maethien felt a light heat rush to her cheeks.

"Aragorn... Do you blame us? Do you... blame me?" Maethien asked suddenly. "For what happened to Gandalf?" Aragorn blinked in shock and Mae looked at the ground... Ever since Mae had spoken to Saeleth, since she'd seen how much her sister blamed herself... ever since she'd left those mines feeling as if a part of her had fallen into that abyss with Gandalf... Mae had wondered if maybe the fellowship blamed them too. Wondered if Aragorn blamed her.

"How can you think that? Maethien," Mae looked up to the ranger, she had since noticed that Aragorn used her full name when he really wanted her to pay an especially large amount of attention to him. "I have never admired someone as much as I admire you. You fell into our world after having an audience with the Valar." His tone grew with wonder with ever word he spoke.

"You saved a strangers life whilst evading the Ringwraiths and then you volunteered to go on the most dangerous quest known to this world, knowing full well what would be coming. You fought against armies of foul creatures and you went up against an orc five feet taller then you while fighting with all your might to protect me from him." Maethien looked up in surprise, the ranger chuckled.

"Don't think I didn't know, Maethien." Aragorn gripped her shoulders and held her firmly in front of him, his head dipped down slightly so that their eyes were on the same level. "You charged head on into a funnel of darkness and fought against shadows with nothing but your own inner strength... No. No, Maethien, I do not blame you."

Maethien was at a loss. She did not know how to respond... she did not know what to feel. An immense warmth filled her entire body, she felt the need to smile like a fool. Mae gazed up into the eyes of the ranger... then suddenly turned her head when she heard the distant splash of water in the river. Low murmurs drifting in the wind.

"Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria." Aragorn explained, removing his hands from her shoulders. "I hoped we would lose him on the river, but he is too skilled a water-man."

"He used to be a hobbit, you know." Aragorn sighed wearily.

"The Ring corrupts us all."

"Not all. Frodo is different." Maethien looked back as Aragorn began to walk away. She bit her lip and hesitated... then slapped herself mentally. What was she so afraid of?

"Aragorn," Mae took a hesitant step toward Aragorn, he looked back at her, his eyes gleaming silver in the moonlight. "I admire you too."

Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'm sorry it took so long but gosh, when writers block hits me it's so hard to get rid of it. Friendly reminder that I am I huge lover of constructive criticism and feedback.

Thank you for reading!

Silentmayhem

Lol yes she does, I guess we'll just have to see how things go huh? Thanks for reading! Hope to hear from you soon!

Guest

Thanks so much!

Maariie

Lol I don't think your crazy Maariie! Thanks for reading again! This chapter had plenty of Aragorn and Maethien scenes! I hope you enjoyed it! Hope to hear from you soon!