Chapter 11

I awoke that evening to a dimly lit room, the canopy covered the bed, I rolled and looked at the ceiling. What the hell was I going to do now. So much has happened and here, yet again I was asked uproot myself and travel into the unknown, it was frightening. Well Samantha, you have until tonight to decide.

Sighing I got out of bed and glanced at the table to find dinner was brought. I changed into the clothes I came in here with. My black slacks were looser on my form from the weight I had lost. My top a yellow v-neck shirt and my jacket, I hardly recognized the person. The bangs I had were now tucked behind my ear and my brown hair was now hovering above my waist. I took the clothes off and opted for my traveling pants and a v neck top and looked once again in the mirror.

That is me. That is who I recognize now and realty hit that I was no longer Samantha Nook from another realm. I was…. I don't know what I am now. Samantha Nook of Middle Earth but where do I belong? I shook my head; I could not start contemplating this with all the other decisions I have to make. Sitting down and eating I spent this time going over the pros and cons of meeting what was left of the Fellowship at Helms Deep.

Late that evening I figured that it didn't matter what the pros and cons were, I wanted to be with the Fellowship wherever they went. I didn't want to go into battle but I reminded myself on how far I could go with them. After Helms Deep I would follow the group heading back to Edoras while the Fellowship went to deal with Saruman. I would follow the troops and when Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas took the path of the dead I would stay at camp and I assumed that when the battle was over in Gondor I could travel there and find them. It was a decent plan I thought and I began to pack up what I needed.

Sleep did not come to me that night and when the sun rose I grabbed my gear and Legolas' Mirkwood bow and headed to what used to be the Fellowships campsite. Holy Shit!

'Arwen?' I yell surprised

'Samantha! It is good to see your face again.' Arwen states with a smile and returns my hug. She stops and takes a look at me. 'You have changed my friend.'

'It's good to see you, and I hope that they are good changes' I exclaim smiling at her

'Yes good things. I wished to talk with you before you left.' Arwen states as we begin to walk

'What happened? I thought you planned to leave Middle Earth?' I state

'I was.' Arwen began telling me of her vision of having a son with Aragorn and came back to Rivendell. She would stay in Lorien until it was safe to travel.

'Well I am glad to hear this. Aragorn will be thrilled.' I state with a smile

'I also wanted to tell you that with me from Rivendell is Aegnor. He will be part of the group traveling to Helms Deep.' she states quietly glancing at me to see a reaction

'What! Really?!' I choke out, cold sweats forming

'Yes, I feel I must forewarn you since you stated in your last letter that he never replied or sent a letter to you.' Arwen states looking at my face to gauge my emotion.

'Oh, I guess it was only a matter of time before we would run into each other again.' I state worried on how this would go or how awkward it will feel.

'You do not seem so upset has something changed your feelings towards him?' Arwen replies, surprised by my reaction

'Don't get me wrong, I am nervous but after I got over my hurt feelings for getting no response back, I realized that we never meant to get serious. We were attracted to each other and loved the time we got to spend together but my decision to leave and come here changed everything.' I state my mind wandering

'I see. So there isn't another who has filled his place.' Arwen implied

'Uh...' I began only making her laugh

'So there is another!' Arwen teases making me roll my eyes 'Can I ask who's captured your attention?'

'You are cruel you know that.' I state with a laugh but my smile widening 'perhaps someone may have caught my eye but nothing has been pushed past friendship.' I reply not really wanting to admit I was starting to have feelings for a certain Mirkwood prince.

'I see you are keeping a secret; I will not push but I am always here if you need advice.' Arwen states with a smile

We continued to talk and catch up until we headed to the docks, where it seemed the first part of my journey was to be by boat. There was cluster of Elves dressed in Rivendell clothes and those of Lorien. At first I could not see Aegnor but I found him glancing my way as he talked to Haldir. I turned to say goodbye to Arwen.

'I guess this is goodbye again.' I state with a smile shifting Legolas bow so it wouldn't fall of my shoulder

It caused Arwen to inspect the bow making her smile, she hugged me whispering 'I see a certain Mirkwood Prince's belonging on you. I wish you luck.'

I laughed and blushed slightly seeing that I could keep no secrets from her, earning a smile from her again. We said goodbye and I was greeting by Haldir with Aegnor watching from the background. I swallowed and concentrated on Haldir.

'We meet once again Lady Samantha. You shall be joining my brothers in their boat, however the Lord and Lady of the Woods wishes for you to join them once more.' Haldir said politely

'Thank you Haldir.' I state following him past the Elves and to where Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel stood.

'Greetings Lady Samantha. Please take a cup as we bid farewell to you on your journey.' Lady Galadriel states handing me a cup

'May you travel in safety and speed. We have enjoyed your company here in Lorien and you are always welcome to return should you feel the need.' She continued after we had finished our drink 'I only wish you to remember our talks and to take heart! Do not worry, for your path shall open up at your feet.'

'Thank you; it has truly been an honor being able to live here and allowing me to continue to learn.' I reply with a smile. I bow and take my leave and after a speech was made to the rest I sat between Haldir brothers and we took off on the water. I looked forward and squared my shoulders firmly set on the next step of my journey.

When we stopped the boats for the night I did my best to avoid Aegnor. I did not want getting overheard in our conversations I signed and unrolled my sleeping bag.

'Lady Samantha.' a voice called

I stood up and turned finding Haldir standing in front of me. 'Haldir, what can I do for you?'

'I wished to give this to you.' Haldir states handing over a letter, 'It came by a runner while you talking with Lord and Lady of the Woods.'

He nodded his head and moved on. Curious I sat by our fire and opened the sealed letter and finding the now familiar penmanship of Legolas Greenleaf.

Samantha, we are leaving Edoras and I am in hope that my previous letter to you and the one Aragorn wrote to Lord and Lady of the Woods you received already. I do not know what lies ahead and I worry for Frodo and Sam's safety. With a heavy heart thinking of you safe in Lorien brings comfort to me. Since leaving I have often contemplated how better my life has seemed since meeting you back in Rivendell. Having you on the journey to Lothlorien and getting time to spend with you is something I think upon often. Until the next time, Legolas.

I got a little teary eyed reading his letter, he was beyond a doubt the nicest person I ever met. I was glad that I was able to meet him and get to know him. Sighing I folded the letter up and retreated to my bag and put this one with the others inside. I fell asleep thinking about the road ahead, the words from Lady Galadriel and of course…. Legolas who now seemed to haunt my dreams.

I was awoken before the sun had risen and we broke down camp after a cold meal. We needed to move fast if we were to get there in two days, and even that was a miracle. No talking was allowed in order to keep our presence unnoticed and when we could no longer go by boat. We set a fast pace across the wild plains that was Edoras. I could just visualize the haste that Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas had taken this same path to free Merry and Pippin. We stopped mid-day for a small meal and a bathroom break but it was very quick. Soon we quickened our pace and took off, from what I could tell they were hopeful that as long as we met no delays we would get a lot farther by nightfall.

I had forgotten again that running was not my best skill. We were in Edoras I assumed and when night fell Haldir called for a break.

'We have made good progress. Tonight we will take a break and pick up at sunrise.' Haldir spoke

We broke up and began to set up camp for the night. I made my bedding near Haldir and his brothers and began to help set up food for everyone tonight. We had something similar to soup, bread and butter was available but water from our own containers was all the drink we would get. After eating I went off to my sleeping area and just enjoyed the break, as well as the view.

'Samantha.' A familiar voice called

Glancing to the side I sit up when I see Aegnor standing next to my sleeping roll. 'Hello Aegnor.' I state. I was nervous about how seeing him would go.

'May I sit?' Aegnor asksed and when I nod approval he sits down in the grass next to me. 'You look good.' He replies with a smile

'Thank you. You look as good as you always did.' I state with a smile.

He only chuckles in response, 'I believe I owe you an apology.' He glances my way before turning towards the fire before continuing 'I am sorry I never sent a letter back to you. In honesty I was upset that you left Rivendell.'

'Oh?' I reply not really sure what to say or if I should forgive him for ignoring me

'I know that my behavior is inexcusable. When I finally realized that we were never really meant to continue our relationship, any time I tried to sit down and write to you. Words would not form.' Aegnor exclaims, frustration coming through. 'I soon just gave up trying and felt maybe it was better if I left you alone.'

'I'm sorry I left.' I begin feeling that I too was at fault 'I …I had to leave with the Fellowship, even if I didn't want to leave at first. When I got to Lothlorien and I still never received a letter from you. I admit, I was upset." I state sighing and we looked at each other

'However, just like you said, I thought maybe it was for the best that we did not try to string each other along. When it was clear our paths went different ways.' I finished, playing with the grass to calm my nerves.

'Samantha.' Aegnor exclaims taking my hands into his 'You should not be the one apologizing.'

'Shall we call it a mutual forgiveness and try to start over again as friends?' I state with a sad smile. It hurt having him hold my hands and all the while knowing that our time as something more than friends was really through.

'I would like that.' Aegnor states with a smile before continuing 'I'm Aegnor, it's nice to meet you.'

I chuckle at this childish reintroduction but, my heart was glad for it, 'Nice to meet you, I'm Samantha from Earth.' I reply earning a laugh

We talked a bit longer, catching up on each other's lives. Both of us were glad to begin our friendship over again with the understanding that while our attraction for each other was still there, our paths would never align again. I fell asleep with a lighter heart, knowing that Aegnor and I finally repaired our friendship with one another.