Disclaimer: I don't own anything Tolkien.

Here's the next chapter. Some events may have changed slightly compared to the movie. Just going with the general events for the story, modifying when need be. Sorry if this chapter seems up and down or not so good. I wanted a few different things to happen during this chapter to set up for other stuff in the future. Please leave some feedback. :)

Life Unknown

Chapter 10

The wait was beginning to be unbearable as they sat there waiting for Gandalf to come up with the password for the door to get into the mines. Merry and Pippin were getting restless and were throwing pebbles into the water. They were anxious and couldn't get comfortable. She understood though. She was getting anxious herself.

She tuned a lot of things out. Her mind drifted from one thing to another as they sat there. She thought about her father and possibly returning to Rivendell to see him again once this was over, if she made it. She was also thinking about Legolas and how her feelings for him were getting stronger and stronger each day. She'd never felt so strongly for someone before like she did him and in such a quick amount of time. Could she be with him though? Would she have to wear gloves the rest of her life if they were together? What would happen if they took things further and she didn't wear them?

She couldn't explain anything about her feelings for him especially the intensity of them. After that kiss she was attached and she was falling hard for him. Was she falling for him because she'd never fallen for someone before? Was she falling for him for other reasons? She couldn't explain it and she just hoped that he was feeling the same for her. She hoped he was and from the kiss and the way he looked out for her she was guessing he did feel the same way.

She was scared about what could happen or what might not happen because of her gift. She had questions she needed to ask Gandalf but did he have the answers? Did he know what would become of her after this is over and once she was free to do what she wanted? Would Legolas want to continue a life with her if they both made it out of there? Would he be scared to take things further with her? She had so many questions, but no answers. Was now a good time to ask these questions or should she wait?

She turned and looked up at Legolas. He was watching the other side of the mines for anything that would come off as something dangerous. She turned when she heard Aragorn tell Merry and Pippin not to disturb the water. Just then the doors of the mine opened. She stood and moved towards the door as everyone else did. Legolas stepped up to her side and she looked at him, "I don't want to go in there," she told him as she looked at the doors with fear on her face.

He looked at her and put a gentle reassuring hand on her shoulder, "I don't either, but we'll make it out. We'll make sure to get out of there no matter what," he paused and looked at her a little longer, "I'll make sure you get out."

She gave him a small smile, "Thank you," she told. She turned back to the wall just before her feet were suddenly pulled from underneath her and she was dragged back towards the water. She let out a scream as she tried to reach for Legolas. Her body was lifted into the air as she tried desperately to find something to hang onto or to grab. She wasn't the only one that was picked up either. She saw Frodo dangling next to her.

Everyone turned at the sound of the scream to see the giant monster pulling more of its body from the water as Frodo and Ithilwen were hanging upside down. The monster had a tentacle wrapped around both of them hanging them over the water.

"Cut the arms!" Gandalf yelled as Aragorn and Boromir ran up to start cutting the multiple flinging arms of the monster that crept out of the water.

Her body was being tossed around violently and she was trying to stay conscious. The sudden jolts back and for were causing her to become sore and to make her head hurt. Being hung upside down didn't help either as all the blood rushed to her head. She couldn't focus on one thing as much as she was thrashed around. Things were a huge blur right now.

The limbs were being cut and it didn't seem to be phasing the creature at all. It roared and made strange loud noises. She reached down to try and untangle the creatures arm from around her legs, but its grasp was tight. "Help! Please," she screamed trying to get free, but nothing was working.

Finally the arm was cut that held her and she felt herself falling, but she was caught. She looked up to see Legolas holding her in his arms. "Into the mines!" Gandalf yelled as they headed inside the mines.

They ran into the entrance as the monster grabbed the sides of the door and pulled. Just as they got in the walls and door collapsed trapping them in the mine. She saw that it was closed off and she felt the panic rise into her chest. Her breathing started to come in quick pants as she felt the anxiety getting to her. They were trapped. How were they going to get out of here? They were trapped inside this mountain with no way out right now.

"We have to get out. We can't stay in here," she said in a panic as her grip on Legolas tightened as he still held her. Gandalf lit his staff to give everyone some light and what they saw was horrible. Corpses, skeletons, bodies everywhere. Arrows sticking out of the bodies. "We need to get out of here. Its not safe," she started to panic even more.

Legolas set her down on her feet and pulled her in front of him. He cupped her cheeks in his hand and had her look at him, "Its going to be OK," he told her softly.

"We have to get out. We can't stay in here. There's death everywhere," she said frantically as she gripped his shirt on his sides. She was afraid they'd die in here without making it where they needed to go.

Legolas rubbed this thumbs along her cheeks to try and sooth her, "You have to calm down. We will get out of here. Gandalf will lead us through the mines to the other side and we'll get out. We have to be quiet and alert. We don't know what's in here, so we have to be on our guard. Everything is going to be fine. Just relax and we'll get out of here."

She looked at him as she took a couple deep breaths, "We can't die in here," she said as her eyes welled up slightly from the fear of being enclosed in here.

"We won't. Just calm down. We're all here. We're all going to work together and make it out of here," he said soothingly.

She looked into his eyes a moment before taking a deep breath, "OK. OK. I'm sorry. I just don't like closed in spaces. I'm sorry," she said as she looked at the others and then looked away. She needed to get herself together. She needed to be stronger than this.

"It's OK," he told her as he made sure she was OK to continue.

"No its not OK," Boromir spoke up. "How are we going to continue when she's a walking mess? She'll alert every possible thing in this mine where we are," he said angrily as he glared at her.

She looked over at him before looking at Gandalf and Legolas, not sure what to say. She didn't have the energy to be angry at him. "Boromir," Aragorn started but was cut off.

"It's true. She will be the death of us. You say she's needed here and I don't believe it. I don't believe this woman, this supposed half elf half human is going to help us. All she's going to do is get us killed. She has no use here."

"You better watch what you say," Legolas warned him angrily.

Boromir stepped up to him in a challenging manner, "What are you going to do?" he asked him. "You're defending her now that she warms your side. I'm sure that's not all she warms."

Legolas glared at Boromir before grabbing his collar, "You will NOT talk about her that way. You will find yourself in a worse position if you continue to talk about her in that manner."

Boromir chuckled, "The only place she should be is at home doing what all women do, taking care of a man in and out of a bed," he said getting in Legolas' face.

Legolas pushed him back and slammed him into the wall, "Enough!" Gandalf growled as the two of them looked at him, "You want to get out of here alive? You will stop this instance. You will not say another negative thing about Lady Ithilwen or I will make sure you don't continue on this journey," Gandalf warned Boromir. "and you need to control your temper before others get hurt," he told Legolas.

Legolas let Boromir go with another shove against the wall before he stepped away. He went over to Ithilwen who looked at him with a look of shock and embarrassment on her face, "My apologizes," he told her.

She shook her head, "Its OK. Let's just get moving so we can get out of here," she said softly before looking down.

Legolas turned and looked at Gandalf who nodded back at him. "Let's continue our journey, but remember there are fouler things than orcs in here."

They all started following Gandalf further into the mines. Ithilwen followed close to Legolas as they ventured further into the mines. Everyone was a little on edge as they walked around, through the tunnels and stairways of the mines, trying to go unnoticed. Not only was there worry of what could be watching them or following them, but there was also tension from the confrontation between Boromir and Legolas.

They continued walking for what seemed like forever, they just kept walking and walking. They finally found a place to stop. They only stopped there because Gandalf couldn't remember which route they needed to take. So, they all found a place to sit and tried to relax. Legolas went and surveyed the area around them to make sure they were safe. She got her pack and leaned against it. Her legs and ankles were sore from earlier, but didn't let anyone know it. She didn't want them to see her at a weaker point than she was before. She didn't want them to worry themselves with her. After what Boromir said she didn't want to see useless or a burden.

While Legolas was out surveying the area she heard someone sit next to her. She turned and looked and immediately tensed when she saw Boromir sitting next to her, "I'd rather you go find another place to sit if you don't mind."

"Oh but I do mind," he said firmly. "You seem to be cozy with the elf lately," he snickered with a cruel smirk.

"That is none of your business," she told him as she turned and glared at him. "That is between Legolas and I, not you."

"Oh but it is. I'm a part of this quest as well as everyone else and I'd like to know if the rest of the fellowship is ready for battle at any time. If they're not distracted," he told her. "You're a distraction. hence why you shouldn't be here. You want the deaths of any of these men on your conscious That's what will happen. It'll all be because of you."

"We're fine. Not distracted at all. Now leave me alone," she told him as she pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her legs around them. She wanted him to leave her alone. She feared something might happen with him around. He scared her.

"You don't think I know what you're doing. You're trying to weasel your way in and take the ring for your own. You want to wield it and take it to Sauron. You're full of evil and witchcraft. You'll bring us all down. I know what you're going to do. You're going to destroy us," he told her angrily. "You're wasting our time with training. You can't even harness your witchcraft so how could you use it for good? You can't even use a weapon. What kind of person are you to travel with us when we have to babysit you?"

She looked at him after the accusation he threw at her. "You don't know me and you don't know what you're talking about." She moved to get up, but he caught her arm, "How about you use that little gift on me," he said with a smirk. "Take a look into my mind."

"I wouldn't want to know what's in that mind of yours. I don't want to see the vile, grotesque things you have seen," she glared back at him. "Let me go."

"Oh come on. Everyone else is busy and over there. They won't have to know. Just one little look. You'll enjoy what you see," he said with a smirk on his face.

"Let me go or I'll scream and then we'll have an idea what is out there that could come after us," she said firmly.

"Let me know when you're ready to move on to another member of the fellowship," he said snidely before moving away and going to his own spot. She kept her back to him as she curled up a little more. Her resolve was crumbling and her will to continue was almost gone. She shouldn't be here. She knew better than to come and be a part of this quest. There was not reason for her to be here. She laid her head down on her knees and closed her eyes trying to forget about Boromir.

A moment later Legolas came over and joined her. "Was he bothering you?" he asked her with concern.

"It was harmless," she told him. "He's bound and determined to prove that I'm working for Sauron and that I'll take the ring."

"Next time he comes near you let me know. I don't trust him, especially around you. I want you to be safe," he said as he reached over and took a hold of her gloved hand. She looked down at their hands before looking away. She knew she would never get to hold his hand without her gloves on and a piece of her heart broke knowing nothing could be normal with them.

She turned and gave him a smile, "Thank you for being there and for caring for my safety. I should probably toughen up so you don't have to worry about me. You're going to be distracted and might get hurt if you are trying to take care of me."

He looked a little confused at her, "Why would I not worry about you? I...I have feelings...I mean I've never experienced these types of feelings before, but I want to protect you and make sure you make it safely through this journey. Ithilwen you're learning every day how to be stronger and how to take care of yourself. it takes time. Even though you didn't get as much time before our departure to learn, you're learning and that's important. You're learning to defend yourself. You're not weak. You're a strong woman."

"This is new to me too. I've never had these types of feelings before. I know I'm learning and that my burdens might take a toll, but I'm trying. I really am. I also hope that this isn't a short lived thing between you and I and that your feelings won't change. There's so much going on, but I like what's happening between us," she said as she gave his hand a squeeze.

"I like it too and I know its going to be difficult with the challenges we are facing, but I want to learn more about you and want to fight along side of you," he told her with a smile. "You're going to be a great warrior some day once your training is done."

She smiled, "Thank you. You've made me feel better about myself after what's transpired today. I appreciate that."

"I'll do anything to see you smile," he told her honestly. He wasn't sure where all this was coming from. He wasn't use to this, but it just seemed to flow when he was around her.

She moved and leaned against him some before asking, "Tell me about where you're from," she said as she laid her head on his shoulder.

He thought about his home and how he was going to describe it to her, "You may have been through it at one point and time while you traveled from Gondor. Possibly. Mirkwood is a vast forest area. There are lots of trees and beautiful scenery that you can see for miles. I love being in the forest and listening to the trees. Our forest is very dense, but home to some of the best elves you'll find on Middle Earth. My father Thranduil is the King of Mirkwood," he explained.

"King? So, you're a prince then?" she asked as she turned and looked up at him from his shoulder. She was shocked. She didn't think he was a prince. Why would someone with such a high title risk their life for this quest and for these people.

"Yes. That would make me a prince, but its a title I've never really wanted. I feel to restricted when I have that title. I'd rather just be Legolas of the Woodland Realm. I'd be of better use out roaming Middle Earth than contained in Mirkwood reining over people. Its not something I've ever wanted. I'm more free when I'm just me."

"To be honest with you, I don't see you as a prince," she laughed slightly. "You don't come off as the prince type."

"Oh and what kind of person do I come off as my lady?" he asked with a smile.

"I see you as a warrior. A strong warrior. Granted that is something worth being as a prince, but I can't picture you as a prince."

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, "I like the title you have given me Lady Ithilwen. I feel that it fits me more than the proper one given to me at birth."

She smiled as they sat there together, but the whole time she felt a pair of eyes on them. She knew who those eyes belonged too. She didn't turn in his direction and just ignored it.

A little while later Gandalf spoke up, "Ithilwen, come see me a moment."

She sat up and turned to where he was sitting. She looked at Legolas and gave him a small smile before standing and walking towards him. He sat on a large rock and looked at the three possible paths they could take while smoking his pipe. "Gandalf."

He looked over at her and gave her a smile, "It's time for another lesson," he told her.

She looked at him in shock and confusion, "What? Now? You want to give me a lesson now?"

"Yes, what better time to do it. Why not? We're stuck here until my old brain can kick in and tell us where to go. So, we might as well not waste our time."

"ummmm...Ok...what's the lesson today?" she asked as she began to take her gloves off to prepare herself.

"One that won't require you to take your gloves off," he mentioned as she stopped and slipped them back on. "I want to teach you to project a memory or image to someone else. It will require a lot of strength on your part, but it could be useful."

She looked up at him, "You mean I can do that? I can project a memory to anyone that I want?"

"Yes, but like I said its going to require a lot of your energy to do. It may weaken you during this lesson, but you'll need to practice and build your strength. Try all of your lessons as often as you can. The more practice the stronger you'll be. You're going to need the strength the further this journey goes."

She listened to him and it sounded as if he knew something was going to happen and that he needed to tell her everything now before it did. She got an uneasy feeling at the moment.

"Alright, what am I supposed to do?" she asked as she stood there waiting for his instructions.

"I want you to think of one of the happiest memories you have. I want you to share it with me. I want you to close your eyes, and put your memory in your mind. I then want you to think about pushing that memory to me," he explained.

She took a deep breath before thinking of one of her happiest memories. This memory took her back to one with her "mother" and "father".

Her mother and her stood outside their home waiting and waiting. She was about 6 years old. Her father had been gone for about six months working for the steward of Gondor. He was sent out to protect the capital city. She felt like it had been ages since she'd seen her father. She couldn't wait to see him again. Her mother stood behind her looking as calm as she could, but Ithilwen knew her mother was anxious too.

"Do you see him yet mama?" she asked as she looked up the hill to try and see anything. She was ready to see her papa. She couldn't contain herself much longer.

"Not yet my little one. Not yet. Soon. He will be here soon," she told her calmly.

Ithilwen tried to stand in different areas to try and see if her papa was coming to them. A few moments later she saw a figure on a horse in the horizon and she started smiling.

"Is that him mama? Is that him?"

Her mother had a smile on her face as she looked in the same direction, "Yes little one. That is him."

Ithilwen didn't wait. She took off in a run and ran to the hill where her father was riding down. She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. She saw him come into focus now and saw the smile on his face. He stopped his horse and jumped off, opening his arms for his daughter.

"PAPA!" she yelled as she ran to him and jumped into his arms wrapping her arms around him. "You're home!"

He laughed as he held her and hugged her close, "I am my daughter. I am."

Ithilwen shared that memory with Gandalf as she felt a few tears slip from her eyes. That was a precious memory for her. One she will always cherish. Even if they weren't her real parents she loved them and was still grieving their deaths. After attempting to send the memory she opened her eyes and looked at Gandalf.

Gandalf turned to her after letting out smoke form his mouth, "You were always there to welcome him home from his service. He was loyal to the Steward or anyone in the position. You were about 6 in that memory," he shared with her.

She nodded her head, "Yes," she said as she moved but grew incredibly weak. She caught herself on the rock. "Remember that type of memory share will take a lot of energy and strength from you. Be careful."

"Yes Gandalf," she responded. "Is that all?"

"Yes. Get some rest," he said before she walked slowly back to where Legolas was next to her things. He didn't even need to ask her what was going on. He saw her pale face and weak form. He stood and helped her sit down before getting a little food for her. She needed to replenish her strength before they moved on.

Ithilwen sat there quietly and thought of that memory a moment, wiping her eyes before more tears were shed. She was learning more and she just hoped these lessons were going to be useful to them in the future.