*Hides behind my computer* First of all I am SOOOOOOO sorry for not posting for such a long time. God, I am such a slacker. Thank you so much for putting up with me though and sticking with my story. I love you all!

I was having a lot of issues with this chapter so I hope it's okay. PLEASE leave a review or PM me and tell me what you think. I want to hear your opinions! If you have anything to say (positive for negative) please say it!

I found our campsite quickly and walked silently to it. The hobbits were curled up in little balls beside each other, their blankets wrapped tightly around each of them. Gimli was snoring loudly, receiving punches from Aragorn every so often. Legolas was sitting high in the branches of a tree, resting against its trunk. His eyes were glazed over in sleep, staring vacantly at the starry skies above us. Boromir was sitting not far off, but secluded enough from the rest of the fellowship for silence. He stared at the clear water, lost in thought.

I took a deep breath and let myself feel the cool breeze and the nature around me. Trees whispered to me softly, assuring me that all would be well. The grass was soft on my bare feet and the soil damp. Oh, how I had missed nature so during our time in the darkness of Moria.

A soft rustle dragged me back into reality as Aragorn's gaze fell to me and he stood. "Nessa, you are awake. Are you well? You look distant, gwathel nin." My sister.

The peace I had just previously felt was gone and I was reminded of the task Galadriel had given to me. I sat down on a stone stair. "I have looked into Galadriel's mirror, Estel. She showed me memories of my childhood. Memories I will not soon forget."

Aragorn sat down beside me and put his arm around my shoulders. "What did she show you? Would you speak of it to me?"

"She showed me my brother's death. Or, as I have just heard, capture. Long ago, Legolas and I were playing in the forests of Mirkwood. We strayed too far and were attacked by orcs. They killed Legolas's brother and captured mine. Trelan was tortured and he is now a Uruk-hai. The very one that killed my parents. She told me I must kill him." I leaned against Estel's chest. "I must kill my own kin or he shall take the One Ring to Saruman."

Estel pulled me into his arms and held me closely to his chest. He whispered softly into my hair in Sindarian. "~All will be well, Nessa. Have hope.~"

I pulled myself out of his arms and looked at him. "~Estel, what would you do if you were given a command to kill your own blood? Would you carry out the task? He is my eldest brother. The one who watched over me in times of peril. I cannot kill my brother.~"

"Do not think of him as your brother. His spirit has long departed Middle-Earth. What is left is only a Uruk-hai. Your brother is in the Halls of Mandos. He is safe." Estel sighed. "What would you have your brother do were you a vicious Orc seeking to destroy Middle-Earth?"

"I would have him kill me."

"If your brother is anything like you, he will thank you. Though it is a terrible deed, it must be carried out."

I stood slowly. "Thank you, Estel. Though I surpass you in age and battle skills, you surpass me in wisdom."

He smiled. "I am sure I could defeat you in any fight, Nessa."

"I would like to see you try." I taunted. "Now I am going to change, I do not wish to wear this cursed dress any longer than is necessary."

I scooped up my clothes and left our campsite, singing softly in elvish.

FORPAINMAKESUSSTRONGER

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

We had lingered in Caras Galadhon for another uneventful twenty-four hours. Because of my injury, I had burdened the fellowship with a week's stay in Lothlorien. A week too long. My injury gave the enemy more time to catch up to us. But despite Legolas and Aragorn's protests, I couldn't help but feel guilty.

The elves of Lothlorien had given us cloaks of dark greens and greys pinned together with the emerald leaves of Lorien. Lady Galadriel stood behind her brother, watching us in silence.

We had been provided with elvish boats, food, and spare clothing for our journey. We loaded our boats quickly as we prepared for our departure. I wrapped each piece of Lembas bread carefully in thick green leaves and passed them to Legolas who loaded them into the boats.

Merry and Pippin sat in the front of one of the white boats, eating slice after slice of Lembas. Legolas placed the parcels in the boat. "Lembas." He said, taking out a slice and taking a small bite. "Elvish waybread. One bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man." Legolas placed the Lembas back in the parcel and stepped off the boat.

"How many did you eat?" Merry asked Pippin quietly.

"Four." Pippin said, grinning.

Legolas walked back to my table, smiling.

I smiled. "You are happy this morn, Mellon nin." My friend.

He laughed. "It is a new day, we are setting off again, you are healed and well. I believe things might be looking up for the fellowship."

I raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Aye, though I do believe there are many obstacles still ahead."

Legolas sighed. "There always will be, though hope remains."

We finished loading the boats and Legolas and I were pulled aside by the Lady Galadriel.

She looked into our eyes, and after a moment, smiled slightly. "Nessima and Legolas of the Woodland Realm, your paths are intertwined. Though your futures are veiled to my eyes, I see a death. One of you may not survive this quest. The elves of Mirkwood are stubborn and proud beings. Though they will willingly give their lives for those they care for."

I looked at Legolas whose golden head was bowed, he stared at the ground and said nothing.

I bowed and went back to the boats, stepping in behind Aragorn. Legolas sat behind Gimli, and Boromir behind Merry and Pippin. I grabbed an oar and pushed us off from the shore. Aragorn and I worked together to keep the boat on course, though our thoughts wandered.

My thoughts drifted back to the gifts bestowed upon us before we left Lothlorien.

Lady Galadriel had begun with Legolas, smiling softly at him. "My gift to you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin."

Legolas was in awe over the beautifully crafted weapon. He ran his hand over the smooth wood and pulled the string back to his cheek.

The Lady of the wood stopped in front of me and placed two daggers in my hands. "I did not believe you would wish to part with your father's bow. These daggers were crafted during the Last Alliance of Elves and Men many centuries ago, before you were born. They have seen many battles and are worthy of the skill I know you posses."

I sheathed the daggers and smiled. "Thank you, my Lady."

"These are the daggers of Anodurin. They have already seen service in war." Pippin bowed his head as he ran his hand over the blade. Galadriel smiled. "Do not fear, Peregrin Took. You will find your courage."

"And for you, Samwise Gamgee, elven rope, made of hithline"

"Thank you my lady," Sam licked his lips and looked at the blades Pippin and Merry held. "Have you run out of those nice shiny daggers?" Galadriel smiled and took a step to stand before Gimli.

"And what gift would a dwarf ask the elves?"

"Nothing… except to look upon the Lady Galadriel one last time. For she is more fair than all of the jewels beneath the Earth." He grunted and turned away muttering. "Actually, there was one thing…"

"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."

Frodo looked up at the Lady. Fear shone in his large blue eyes. He took the small glass bottle in his small hands and pocketed it. Galadriel said nothing, though she placed a hand on the hobbit's shoulder and smiled.

It was silent as we made our way down the Anduin. The blue waters were clear and calm, though deep. As most of us were clad in heavy clothes and weapons, a fall from the boat could be fatal. Sam turned around to look at me.

"Nessa, do you know how to swim?"

"I do, young hobbit. Though I would not wish the need to arise. I dwell in the trees, not in water."

Sam nodded and turned back around, staring at the water with fearful eyes.

The trip down the river was long and we pulled off the river onto the beaches after nearly ten hours. The hobbits wandered the forest to collect firewood while the rest of us set up our camp. The night was quiet, and though I could see or hear nothing, I felt an evil presence quickly approaching.

I did not voice my concerns. For whatever evil was present, it was far off from our camp. Boromir took the first watch and I climbed a tall oak. I leaned my back against the tree's thick trunk and ran my hand over my white bow. I used my small pocket knife to cut more designs into the smooth wood. The night was cold, though being an elf I did not feel it. I shifted to a more comfortable position and leaned my head back against the trunk, falling asleep in just minutes.

Thank you so much for reading! Please review and tell me what you think! Constructive criticism is appreciated, or just go ahead and flame me, I don't care. I just want to hear what you think! Thank you!