Author's Note: Next chapter :)! I enjoyed writing this chapter more than the others, and the next one too :D! Read and Review, I don't bite. Much ;).

Thanks to;

aandm20
LittleMissDreamer7
aliben
littlemssstrawberry

I do not own Lord of the Rings.

Ten: Leaving Lothlórien

Rae had barely gotten any sleep, her dreams plagued with what would happen should she not join the Fellowship for the rest of the journey. If she chose to stay, she'd face the worry that something might happen to her sister or any other member of the Fellowship. And what if Amelia was somehow able to find more answers about her past? Rae wanted to be there to hear everything.

But then, there was also the up side on if she didn't continue on; she wouldn't hinder them. She'd no longer be a burden. She believed what Legolas had told her with all her heart and she knew for a fact now that she could be of no help to the Fellowship. She sighed and sat up in her bed. She knew not what time it was, only that it was early morning.

Rae slid into her travelling boots and slid a cloak on her shoulders. She had, after all, promised Amelia they would talk before the Fellowship left. It had been Amelia's idea that Rae give her decision more time and, feeling that she owed her sister that much, Rae had agreed. This soon turned out to be a bad idea however, as she got barely any sleep.

She snuck down the stairs and out into the morning air, closing the door softly behind her. Quietly, she made her way to the stairs leading out of Caras Galadhon where, at the top, Amelia was already waiting for her. Amelia smiled at the sight of her sister and straightened. They embraced quickly before getting down to business.

"Have you made your decision?" Amelia asked, voice soft, gentle. Rae gazed up at her sister, determined to tell her the truth but she choked on her words. The look in her sisters eyes was enough to do that to even the strongest of elves.

"Yes… No…" Rae turned away, head in her hands. "I don't know!"

Amelia scratched her head (which, Rae noticed, was cleaner than it had been the night before. Her hair had been braided again - a single braid running down her back - and her travelling clothes had been cleaned up) and placed a hand on Rae's shoulder. Rae looked up at her, a sad expression on her face.

"Rae," Amelia started, voice never raising an octave, "you know I will be behind you one hundred percent, whatever choice you make."

"Yes," Rae replied, voice barely a whisper. "I'm just so confused!"

Amelia sighed, a smile still on her lips. She turned Rae around to face her and they locked eyes.

"Rae, Legolas… I don't know how to say this," Amelia said, her voice unusually calm. "He knows what he did was wrong but… Well, he's ashamed of his actions. He knows what he did was wrong, Rae, and he'd prepared to do whatever it takes to make his actions right."

"That doesn't justify what he said," Rae argued, looking down. "I'm not being stubborn. I'm considering all the possibilities." She paused then shifted her gaze to the lights above her. "Think about it, Amelia. Legolas is right, even if he doesn't say it all the time, I am useless. I'm an elf and I can't aim!"

"Rae, we can help you," Amelia said. "We all agreed last night. Aragorn and Boromir can both use a bow, albeit not as great as Legolas, but they can help you where possible."

Rae was silent. She knew that Amelia was only trying to help her so why did she feel worse? Now, everyone wanted to help her. She sighed angrily. Why was everything so difficult? She wanted to stay with her mother, father and brother, live a happy life and not have to worry. But the other half of her, the half that had started out on the journey, wanted her to continue on. It wanted her to move forward, prove herself worthy and show that she deserved to be there.

Rae shook her head slightly, her thoughts buzzing. Amelia had already made it clear that she would support Rae in whatever decision she made but would she support herself? What if she decided to stay then realised too late that she should've gone? What if she went with the Fellowship then realised she should've never left Caras Galadhon?

Rae, confused and angry, looked up to Amelia, a sombre expression on her face. Amelia didn't need to ask to know that Rae needed more time to decide.

Fog covered the surface of the water, beams of light shining through the trees. Amelia was watching the exit of Caras Galadhon, waiting for Rae to come down the stairs. They'd been preparing to leave for over an hour and Rae still hadn't' appeared. It hurt Amelia to think it but perhaps Rae had decided not to come after all. Amelia turned and wandered over to Aragorn, meeting Legolas' eyes. He was watching the stairs too, probably waiting for Rae to arrive just so he didn't feel as guilty.

Aragorn was helping the hobbits get ready to leave but, as soon as he saw Amelia coming over to him (and the expression on her face), he stopped and got up to meet her.

"I don't think she's coming," Amelia told him, eyes darting behind her to Legolas who seemed to tense at her words. Aragorn nodded.

"You can do nothing more," he told her. "It's her choice. As Lord Elrond said, we can only go as far as we must."

"I know," Amelia sighed, "I just wish she decided to come with us. It doesn't feel right leaving her here."

"Maybe you won't have to," Boromir stated, coming up behind Aragorn. He nodded behind Amelia, a smile on his face.

Amelia turned just in time to see Rae descend the last of the stairs. Her hair was in it's usual travelling state, half of it back in an intricate Elvish braid, the other half cascading down her back to her hips, naturally wavy. Her quiver was on her back, her bow safely hidden amongst the arrows. Her travelling clothes had been cleaned, just like the rest of them, but she seemed to hesitate on the last step. Rae turned to look up the stairs, taking a deep breath before she made her way over.

Amelia embraced her again and stepped away. Rae seemed uneasy with Boromir and Aragorn's eyes on her so they each smiled in turn, before returning to their duties. Amelia and Rae faced each other.

"I'm glad you decided to come," Amelia said, smiling. "I know it's going be hard but I think we can do it."

Rae nodded, "To be honest, I didn't know if I was going to really come."

"What changed your mind?"

Rae was fully aware of the rest of the Fellowship listening in now but she left the question unanswered. It wasn't something she was prepared to spill just yet. In truth, she wasn't going to join them at all and it was only when her family and a certain blonde haired elf spoke to her that her decision was made. She stepped away, joining the hobbits.

The Fellowship had lined up, the elves of Lothlórien - including Celeborn - giving the members a cloak of their people and a broach of Lothlórien. It was small and in the shape of a leaf, with the veins being a beautiful silver.

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

Lady Galadriel appeared next, travelling down the line and giving each of the Fellowship a gift. She stopped at Legolas first and an elf from behind her handed him a new bow. It was a light colour and was thin but the wood was strong.

"My gift for you, Legolas," she said, "is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Legolas pulled the string back slightly, testing it's strength. He smiled to Lady Galadriel before turning to help pack the boats.

Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn had kindly provided them with boats to help them travel down the river bank. Lady Galadriel moved on to Merry and Pippin next and another elf behind her handed them a dagger each.

"These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war," Lady Galadriel told them. She turned to Pippin and said, "Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage." Pippin seemed relieved at her words and gave her a small smile before he turned away with Merry.

Amelia was on edge as Lady Galadriel came to her next, but this quickly dispersed as the elf behind the Lady handed her a sword. The sheathe was a beautiful caramel colour, the hilt of the sword was black with a white jewel on the end. Amelia grasped it tightly and unsheathed it, revealing the long, shining blade. The light reflected off it in rays of white and silver. Upon closer inspection, Amelia noticed there was an inscription on it, on the blade just under the hilt:

Lote en' Arvandor

It was surrounded by flowers and ivy leaves engraved all the way down the blade. The sword was light, but strong.

"What does it mean?" Amelia asked, sheathing the sword again.

"'Flower of Heaven'," Lady Galadriel told her. "The sword has never seen war, Amelia. I had it made especially for you." Amelia nodded.

"Thank you," she said. She turned to leave, strapping the sword on his hip.

Rae, after watching Amelia receive her new sword, was nervous and excited. Of course, there was still Sam, Gimli and Frodo to go before herself yet she couldn't help but smile as she waited, despite everything that was happening around her.

"And for you, Samwise Gamgee," Lady Galadriel said, handing Sam a length of rope, "Elven rope, made of hithlain."

"Thank you, my lady," Sam said politely. Then, he turned to look one last time at Merry and Pippin's daggers. "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?"

Lady Galadriel smiled and moved on to Gimli. Gimli looked downwards, refusing to meet her eyes.

"And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the elves?" Lady Galadriel asked, smiling.

"Nothing," Gimli grunted. He made to walk away but then he turned back. He continued, looking at Lady Galadriel, "Except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth." Lady Galadriel laughed and Gimli turned away embarrassed. He began to walk away before he turned back.

"Actually," he said. "There was one thing…"

Rae smiled as Gimli walked away, holding his gift in his hands as though it were a jewel that would break with the slightest wrong movement. Lady Galadriel turned to Frodo next and handed him a crystal shaped like a teardrop, a liquid of some sort in the middle.

"Farewell, Frodo Baggins," she said softly. "I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star." Frodo took the crystal and smiled his thanks up at her.

Finally, Lady Galadriel reached Rae. Rae took a deep breath, smiling softly. Lady Galadriel turned to the elf behind her and faced Rae holding two blades; one a dark colour, like wet soil, the other a light colour, like dry soil. Rae took them gingerly, studying the hilts of the blades. The dark coloured had the inscription Mori and the light coloured one had the inscription Kalina.

"Dark and Light," Rae whispered softly, smiling up at Lady Galadriel.

"These blades have seen war only once before," Lady Galadriel told her. "Many years ago."

"Thank you," Rae said, grinning.

"Do not fear what is to come, Rae of Lothlórien," Lady Galadriel continued. "When times grow too rough, you are always welcome to return home." Rae nodded and turned to help the Fellowship as they prepared to cast off, leaving Aragorn and Lady Galadriel to talk.

The boats set out onto the river, the forest of Lothlórien surrounding them. Rae was sharing a boat with Legolas and Gimli but her eyes never left the forests of her new home. She felt as though she was leaving behind her heart and it was tearing her apart from the inside out. As Rae glanced at the trees on the banks, she listened to the conversation between Gimli and Legolas.

"I have taken my worst wound at this parting," Gimli was saying, "having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Haugh, henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me."

"What was it?" Legolas asked.

"I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three."

Rae smiled to herself; it did seem like something Lady Galadriel would do. Her eyes found Amelia, who was sharing a boat with Frodo, Sam and Aragorn and she smiled.

As night fell, Aragorn led the three boats over to a small island where they were to stay and rest for the night. Rae was doing all she could to avoid Legolas and it was working. Boromir, looking troubled, had headed over to a rock and was looking out over the river. Aragorn approached him slowly and they talked. Rae stayed near Amelia, close to Boromir and Aragorn but far enough away so they were not intruding on their privacy.

"How are you doing?" Amelia asked, a soft smile on her lips. Rae looked back at her before her eyes travelled to Frodo and Sam. Frodo looked worried, as if he could hear what Boromir and Aragorn could say.

"Better than Frodo, I'd imagine," Rae replied quietly.

Amelia and Rae moved closer to Frodo and Sam, concerned about their conversation. From the sounds of things, Frodo wasn't eating or sleeping. Sam was holding a piece of lembas to Frodo.

"Have some food, Mr Frodo," he said. Amelia and Rae exchanged worried glances.

"No, Sam," Frodo said quietly.

"You haven't eaten anything all day!" Sam said. "You're not sleeping either. Don't think I haven't noticed, Mr Frodo."

"I'm alright," Frodo argued.

"But you're not! I'm here to help you. I promised Gandalf I would."

There was a moment of silence between the two of them and Amelia and Rae took that as a signal to leave. They both stepped away again and Amelia unsheathed her new sword, studying it. Rae gazed down at the two blades strapped on her hips, pondering on when she would get to use them in battle.

The Fellowship was silent but only Rae, Amelia and Frodo heard the argument between Aragorn and Boromir.

"Minas Tirith is the safer road, you know it. From there we can regroup," Boromir was saying. "Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength."

"There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us," Aragorn said, sighing.

"You were quick enough to trust the Elves," Boromir cried. "Have you so little faith in your own people? Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty but there is courage also, and honour to be found in Men. But you will not see that." There was a pause, none of them speaking, then Boromir continued, "You are afraid! All your life you have hidden in the shadows!" Amelia looked at Frodo, seeing a look of concern flash across his face. She sheathed her sword and reached across, gently placing her hand on his.

"Do not fear, Frodo," she whispered as Boromir said, "Scared of who you are. Of what you are!"

"I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city!" Aragorn hissed.

With that, Aragorn appeared from behind the rock. He stalked past Amelia and through some nearby trees. Amelia stood, Rae followed. Amelia placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"I'm going to check on him," she said quietly. "It is a rare sight that Aragorn ever gets angry." Rae nodded. As she watched her sister disappear through the trees Aragorn had headed through, Rae gazed back to the rock Boromir was currently behind. Taking a deep breath, she walked round to meet him.

Boromir was sitting on the rock, his head in his hands. Rae silently strolled up to him, her feet barely making any noise on the ground. Boromir only realised she was there when she released a small breath. He looked at her then turned back to the water.

"Aragorn's only doing what he thinks is right for the Fellowship," Rae said quietly. Boromir shook his head.

"No matter what Aragorn does," he told her, "if we do not go to Gondor, Sauron will again have the Ring."

"Have faith, Boromir. We must trust Aragorn; Gandalf put him in charge before he fell," she explained. "We can only support him."

"Why can he not support others?" Boromir said, voice rising. "Why must you stand up for him?"

"Aragorn is my friend," Rae replied, voice level and calm. "You are my friend. Perhaps if you followed the path Aragorn wishes to take, he may yet change is mind."

"I highly doubt that. I suppose you heard what he said; 'he will not take the Ring within a hundred leagues of my city'."

"You must trust him, Boromir," she told him gently.

Boromir said nothing, standing up and brushing past her back to the camp. Rae sighed, looking out at the river. She had to admit, the scenery was nice. Perhaps she would come back to this spot after everything was over; camp out with her family. She sighed and sat on the rock Boromir had been not moments earlier.

Amelia had found Aragorn sitting at the base of a huge oak tree, sharpening his sword. He looked up when she stopped in front of him, looking at him with an eyebrow raised. He glanced at her, then back to his sword.

"You're in the right," she told him, breaking the silence. "You know that, don't you?" Aragorn was silent. Amelia sighed as she sat cross legged in front of him. "The Ring does things to him," she said after a moment. Aragorn looked up at her, shocked. Amelia shrugged. "I'm very perceptive and don't lie! You've seen it too."

"The road I plan to take is dangerous," Aragorn said sadly. "Part of me believes Boromir may be right."

"I trust you, Aragorn. You know that I will go wherever you will, dangerous or not."

"I know," Aragorn nodded, a smile on his face.

"Whatever you choose, I'm sure we will follow without question," Amelia told him, looking optimistic. "Except Gimli… but let's face it, he questions everything that doesn't involve alcohol."

Aragorn laughed and Amelia grinned. Aragorn stretched and stood, sheathing his sword. Amelia followed his example.

"How is Rae doing?" Aragorn asked, starting the conversation. Amelia frowned slightly.

"Better, I guess," she said at last. "She's avoiding Legolas, which was to be expected."

"Yes," Aragorn agreed. "I haven't seen Legolas attempt conversation yet but I think he may quite soon."

Amelia didn't say anymore on the matter, signalling to Aragorn to drop the subject. Before they headed back to camp, Amelia decided on another idea, just to keep the peace for a while.

"Fancy a practice?" She asked, unsheathing Lote en' Arvandor. Aragorn grinned again, unsheathing his own sword. The sounds of swords clashing filled the night, followed by Amelia and Aragorn's laughs.

The next morning, they set off down the river again. The trees had long since disappeared, much to Rae's despair, replaced with the rocks of a massive canyon. At the end of the canyon were two statues, carved completely out of the rock, facing them. They were truly magnificent.

They sailed through them and Rae couldn't help but look up to them as they passed. They were just so big! A bright smile fell on her lips as they passed by them completely, the sound of a waterfall filling the air. She turned her attention forward again as Aragorn lead them to the side of the river, where they disembarked.

The hobbits began making camp but Rae's eyes never left Boromir. He looked troubled, as if he were fighting a conflict within himself. Frodo seemed uneasy as well. She sat down next to Merry and Pippin as Aragorn told them the plan.

"We cross the lake at nightfall," he said. "Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north."

"Oh, yes?" Gimli questioned, looking at Aragorn. Rae inwardly groaned. "It's 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!" Gimli paused and Pippin looked at Rae, alarmed. "Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!"

"Gimli," Amelia snapped. "Stop complaining. You're making things seem much worse than they are."

"That is our road," Aragorn said, looking at Gimli. "I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf."

Gimli began muttering to himself, grumbling about Aragorn, as Legolas approached the ranger. They spoke in hushed tones but Rae, being an elf, managed to catch most of it.

"We should leave now," Legolas was saying.

"No," Aragorn replied. "Orcs patrol the eastern shore, we must wait for the cover of darkness."

"It is not the eastern shore that worries me," Legolas whispered back. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near, I can feel it!"

Aragorn looked away as Legolas' eyes fell on a figure on the other end of the river. Rae turned back to the conversation with Gimli and Pippin.

"No Dwarf need recover strength!" Gimli was grumbling. "Pay no heed to that, young hobbit." Pippin glanced back to Rae, who rolled her eyes. Pippin laughed before looking to something just beyond Rae's shoulder. She followed his gaze, curious. Merry was coming back from retrieving some firewood, but he was gazing around him, a worried expression on his face.

"Where's Frodo?" He asked after a moment.

Rae, coming to the realisation that Frodo was indeed not with them, immediately turned to where Boromir should've been sitting, only to find him gone, his shield laying against a nearby tree.

"Boromir's gone too," Rae informed, standing.

"Spread out and search for them," Aragorn ordered, heading into the forest.

"Merry, Pippin," Rae said. "Go with Amelia, she'll protect you." The two hobbits nodded.

"What about you?" Pippin asked. Rae shrugged, a smile on her lips.

"I'll be fine. Go."

She watched the hobbits disappear into the trees behind Amelia before she began to walk off in a different direction. She needed the air and peace.

"You going alone, lass?" She heard Gimli ask. Rae sighed.

"Yes, Gimli," she replied quietly.

"I don't think that is safe," she heard Legolas say. "Something is filling my mind with unease."

"I'm sure I'll be fine," Rae told the two of them, beginning to walk into the trees again.

Apparently, this wasn't such a great idea for the other two as it wasn't long before they caught up to her. Rae stopped and faced the two, her hands on her hips.

"We'll look together, lass," Gimli grumbled. Rae sighed but didn't argue; she knew of the stubbornness of dwarves. She nodded and turned again, beginning the search.

"Where could they have gone?" She asked aloud. There was no reply from her companions, leading her to believe that either they didn't want to talk, or they didn't know the answer.

They continued on in silence.

Amelia, Merry and Pippin had not had much success in finding Frodo or Boromir, mostly because they weren't even looking. Pippin had grown bored of seeing the same scenery for more than half an hour and Merry was trying to convince him that they needed to focus on finding Frodo. Amelia, however, was worried about leaving Rae alone. She hadn't seen if she was searching with Legolas and Gimli or if she was by herself. God forbid something happened with Legolas again, or she was going to keep that promise she made to him back in Rivendell.

"What was that?"

The simple sentence snapped her away from her thoughts as she looked at Merry. Both were silent now, listening intently.

"What was what?" Amelia asked. Then she heard it; a horn. It was a deep sound and soon, it was followed by footsteps. Hundreds of them.

"Hide!" She yelled urgently.

Rae and Legolas had been the first to realise what was coming. Orcs. Legolas had led them to where the fighting was taking place and Rae could hear Aragorn's sword clashing. It wasn't long before the three of them sped out from behind some ruins and straight into the battlefield. Rae had her bow drawn and an arrow knocked and was the first to shoot down an orc out of the three of them.

She could not dwell on her near perfect aim, however, as more kept coming. She knocked another arrow, a feeling of dread welling in her stomach.

Amelia had shoved Merry and Pippin under some fallen tree trunks before following. The orcs did not know where they were and they preferred keeping it that way. As they listened for the orcs passing by them, a familiar hobbit slammed against a tree trunk just across from them. He was panting and seemed to be in a battle with himself.

"Frodo!" Amelia hissed. He looked over to them, shocked.

"Come here!" Merry whispered.

"Quick!" Pippin added. Frodo hesitated before shaking his head.

"What's he doing?" Pippin asked, looking at Merry in confusion.

"He's leaving," Amelia realised, eyes widening.

"No!" Pippin cried, running out from their hiding spot.

"Pippin!" Merry yelled, following.

The two hobbits stood in the middle of the path as Amelia crawled out, brushing the dirt of her skirt. Several of the orcs had realised they were there, and were coming towards them. As they got closer, Amelia realised that they weren't orcs; they were Uruk-Hai. They were stronger than orcs and wore armour, but they were just as disgusting.

"Run, Frodo!" Amelia heard Merry say. "Go!"

"Hey!" Amelia yelled to the Uruks, "Over here! Come on, ya great, ugly brutes!"

Amelia drew her sword and followed the hobbits as they made a break for it. Frodo ran in the opposite direction.

"It's working!" Pippin cried.

"I know it's working," Merry replied. "Run!" They ran to an old stone bridge but were left with no escape. Uruks were closing in on them, leaving them no choice but to fight. As one came close to Merry and Pippin, Amelia raised Lote en' Arvandor and swiftly brought it down on his neck. As another came at them, raising it's weapon, another sword knocked it back before killing it.

"Boromir!" Amelia cried, relieved.

"There's too many!" Boromir yelled, reaching for the horn at his side. It was pearl white and in the shape of an ox's horn. Boromir turned to them, "Quickly, run!"

Then, he blew the horn.

Elvish Translations

Lote en' Arvandor - Flower of Heaven

Kalina - Light

Mori - Dark