Authors Note: I have finished the entire fanfiction, all I need to do it upload it continuously and you shall get your story, I read through some things, and I know it seems this happened in one week, but I left gaps in the writing to symbolise time changes, because I didn't want to write too many filler chapters explaining them walking and sleeping, then walking again. I hope that's okay for some of you :)
They walked amongst the woods of Lothlorien, Aragorn and Legolas gazing up at the old trees around them. Gimli looked back at the Hobbits.
"Stay close, young Hobbits." He called to the four. "They say a great sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power." He continued to walk, his axe in hand. "All who look upon her fall under her spell. And are never seen again."
"Scarlett." A voice rang out in Scarlett's head, she looked around, yet she could not see anyone who could have made that sound. "You bring a great destiny with you. Your life is not as it seems girl of Earth." Scarlett turned her body, scanning the trees around her for the woman who spoke in her mind.
"Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily." Gimli commented as they continued their journey amongst the trees. "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox." He then stopped, having come face to face with arrows pointed straight at him. The company looked around, they too were surrounded.
"The Dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." Came a smooth voice from in front of Aragorn. Aragorn spoke to the elf that had walked forward, his voice quick as he spoke in Elvish.
"Aragorn, these woods are perilous. We should go back." Gimli called.
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back." The elf looked at them all, his eyes falling on Frodo. "Come. She is waiting."
The elf guided them to a city, built within the trees. They ascended stairs which spiralled around a great tree, for their city was not on the ground, but in the canopies. They were taken to small podium and told to wait. They stood for a moment, and then they saw two people approach, a man and a woman, both fair haired, both graceful and both powerful. The man looked at them.
"Nine there are here, yet ten there were set from Rivendell." He looked to Aragorn. "Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him."
The woman looked at Aragorn, as if reading his mind. "He has fallen into Shadow." She said quietly, Scarlett looked up; her voice was the same as the one from her head before. "The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." Her eyes scanned the company, falling on Boromir who shook as her gaze bore into him. She turned her gaze one more, and stopped as it fell upon Sam. "Yet hope remains while the Company is true." She looked up, collectively taking in the Fellowship. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace."
The company had been given a quiet place to sleep, at the base of a strong tree, with white coverings placed for them to sleep under. The group set up their areas of rest, the four hobbits taking refuge under one covering and, the two men, the dwarf and Scarlett were under another. The young woman laid out her mat, only for it to be moved to a different spot from the one she chose. She looked up, and came face to face with Aragorn.
"I will feel better if you were in the middle, so we can protect you from unknown terrors and the terrors of your sleep." He spoke quietly, his eyes driving into hers. Scarlett nodded, admitting defeat before she could even argue. Both looked up at the sound of a soft melody dancing in the air, its tone indicating great sadness.
"A lament to Gandalf." Said Legolas as he loomed to the canopies above them.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked from his sitting position.
"I have not the heart to tell you. For me, the grief is still too near." Legolas looked back, watching the Scarlett as took off her shoes. Aragorn had walked away, he had seen Boromir sitting alone, and went to him.
"Take some rest." Aragorn spoke to the man, whose pipe was lit and smoking. "These borders are well-protected."
"I will find no rest here." Boromir replied, his voice strained and anxious. Aragorn looked back at him. "I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor." Aragorn was concerned for his friend. "She said to me, 'Even now there is hope left.' But I cannot see it." He looked to Aragorn. "It is long since we had any hope." Aragorn walked toward his friend, and took a seat beside him. "My father is a noble man. But his rule is failing, and our people lose faith. He looks to me to make it right, and I would do it." He took a shaky breath. "I would see the glory of Gondor restored. Have you ever seen it Aragorn? The White Tower of Ecthelion. Glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver." Boromir looked off, his eyes thinking back to his city. "Its banners caught high in the breeze. Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?" he looked to Aragorn.
"I have seen the White City, long ago." Aragorn replied to Boromir.
"One day, our paths will lead us there." Boromir added.
Aragorn stood and walked back to the site of rest. He looked around, Scarlett was not in sight.
"She was invited by the Lady Lorien to bathe in clean waters, and rinse out her clothes." Legolas informed the worried Ranger. "She seemed happy at the chance to wash away the dirt of our travels." Legolas smiled, as did Aragorn, for Scarlett did not complain of many things, but the lack of bathing was one of the few.
They were given water and fresh food to feel their empty stomachs, which the Hobbits and Gimli took eagerly. Once they were fed, they took to their places of sleep, and curled up under the covers provided by the city, their heads on pillows once more.
As the morning broke, the company climbed into boats, and paddled out of the city. They continued to paddle down a small river, winding its way out of the woods, until they joined a far greater passage of water. The river was long, yet its small current helped those paddled. They paddled for most of the day, their surroundings changing every few minutes; they currently drifted amongst sharp rock faces. Aragorn leant forward and tapped Frodo's shoulder.
"The Argonath." He looked up, as did the rest of the Fellowship and they looked up, their eyes falling on statues taller than the cliffs. "Long have I desired to look upon the Kings of old. My kin." Aragorn took in the sight, a small faint smile on his lips.
They stopped the boats a short distance away from the edge of a roaring waterfall. They unloaded the boats and sat on the ground once more. Sam lit a fire, intending to cook some food for the group.
"We cross the lake at nightfall." Announced Aragorn. "Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the North."
"Oh yes?" spoke Gimli. "Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil an impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks. And after that, it gets even better. Festering, stinking marshland as far as the eye can see." Gimli described the path Aragorn spoke of.
"That is our road." Was the simple reply from the Ranger. "I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength Master Dwarf."
"Recover my…" Gimli trailed off.
Scarlett had taken her chance and was filling the canteens with water, ensuring their supply was fresh. She heard the grumbles of Gimli behind her, and she smiled at the proudness and stubbornness of the Dwarf. She had taken off her cloak, and laid it aside on the back on the river to air. Her blades still on her back, her gun tucked into the cargo pants she loved, the clothes she wore given by the elves of Rivendell were fresh after being washed in the elven city they had just left. It pleased her, knowing she had a fresh change of clothes ready. Yes she was a woman of war, but she was a woman none-the-less and she did not like being filthy. Once all the canteens were full, she stood handing one to each members of the company. She handed Aragorn his last, he looked at her, in a way she had not seen any other man look at her before.
"Thank you." He said quietly.
"No worries, I have to make sure my boys are well hydrated." She laughed slightly at the look of horror from Gimli and Legolas at being called "boys". Pippin and Merry looked happy; the idea of belonging to Scarlett was most appealing to them. Aragorn watched Scarlett walk away and sit with the two Hobbits, his hand went up to the jewel that hung from his neck. He had to force his mind back to Arwen, which was something he had not had to do before now, before he met Scarlett. Merry looked around.
"Where's Frodo?" he asked. Aragorn looked around for the small Hobbit, and his eyes fell on Boromir's site of rest, for he saw his shield and his mats, but he did not see the man. Scarlett looked around, and ran into the woods, her arm grazed by Aragorn as he tried to pull her back. But she was too fast.
"Frodo?" Scarlett called for the small Halfling. "Frodo where are you?" she continued to call. She turned back, finding Aragorn, "I can't see him, we have to find him, Aragorn." She looked at him desperately, for she had seen the look in Boromir's eyes as he watched Frodo, a menace was there, and she did not want to meets its full form. Aragorn nodded and started to listen out, his skills as a Ranger coming into full force.
"This way." He ran and Scarlett followed. They broke through some trees and saw Frodo fall from a ruin of stone. "Frodo?"
"It has taken Boromir." Frodo said simply, both of them understanding his meaning.
"Where is the Ring?" Aragorn asked.
Frodo leapt to his feet and ran from Aragorn. "Stay away!"
"Frodo." Aragorn held out his hands in surrender. "I swore to protect you."
"Can you protect me from yourself?" Frodo asked the Ranger. Aragorn walked slowly to Frodo, whose hand had opened, revealing the Ring. "Would you destroy it?" Aragorn's hand reached to the Ring, he fell to his knees, and closed Frodo's hand, and he looked at the scared Hobbit.
"I would have gone with you to the end. Into the very fires of Mordor." He pushed Frodo's hands into the Hobbits chest.
"I know." Frodo looked at both Aragorn and Scarlett, who had crouched beside Aragorn. "Look after the others. Especially Sam. He will not understand." Aragorn nodded slightly and looked down; he stood quickly, drawing his sword.
"Go Frodo." Scarlett followed his gaze and saw Frodo's sword glow blue. She too drew the blades from her back. Aragorn looked back at Frodo. "Run. Run!" Aragorn watched Frodo go; Scarlett was watching the oncoming Orc. She looked at Aragorn; they readied themselves for the fight.