The two Elves and Man followed a path into another clearing where a tiny stream trickled from a small waterfall surrounded by flowers and other such shrubs. Next to the stream sat a few small boulders that were set in way so that two almost seemed to face the third one, perfect for story telling. Unfortunately, the story being told this day was not a happy one, but certainly memorable.

They moved to sit upon the rocks and shifted until they were as comfortable as their suddenly tense bodies would allow. Kail sat on the rock that faced the two Fellowship members and leaned forward so her elbows rested on her knees eagerly awaiting what she was about to hear.

With a sad sigh Aragorn began. "First, we will have to tell you of the forging of the great rings Sauron created," he said staring straight at her. "The Elves were given three rings for they were fairer and wiser than all other races. The Dwarves received seven for they were masters of the caverns they mined. Men were given nine rings for their hearts desired power over all things they possessed."

He and Legolas then lapsed into the whole story of how Sauron, the great follower of Morgoth, deceived them and forged another for himself that made anyone fall under its power. At the Last Alliance of Elves and Men at Mount Doom in Mordor Isildúr cut the ring from the Lord's finger then instead of tossing it in the fires of the volcano he kept it for himself for his greed overruled his judgment. Over time the ring went through the hands of a creature named Gollum and Frodo's uncle Bilbo. Kail was quite surprised at that last bit of information, but was stopped from saying anything with a stern look from Aragorn.

Over the time Bilbo had the ring he did not age for the ring slowed even that as long as the piece of jewelry was in their possession. That is why Gollum had survived five hundred years. On his 111th birthday Bilbo used the ring to escape from his birthday party and left that night leaving the ring to Frodo at Gandalf's encouragement. It wasn't long after that Gandalf discovered the ring's true nature and he sent Frodo and Sam to Bree. Along the way they were joined by Merry and Pippin then were chased to the river by the Ringwraiths, who were also called Nazgul and also were the nine Men that Sauron gave rings to. They went to Bree where they ran into Aragorn, who all called Strider, and he led them to Rivendell.

On the way Frodo was stabbed by one of the Nazgul and he was carried off to Rivendell by Arwen, the daughter of the Lord of Imladris, who found them a not too far away from Rivendell. Frodo was then healed there and a council was held to decide the fate of the ring. After many arguments Frodo volunteered to take the ring into Mordor with the help of the other eight members of the Fellowship. It wasn't long after their departure from Rivendell that they ran into Kail and a whole knew adventure was added on.

The story now ended all fell silent and the two males stared at Kail as she pondered this news. Her eyes were trained on the grass before the rock she sat upon and her chin now rested on her palm. Then her eyes flickered back up to them and she blinked not knowing what she should say.

"Wow," she breathed her eyes shining with wonder. She couldn't fathom what horrors this world had gone through. Sure, her world had its fair share of wars and battles, but none including evil deformed creatures, sorcery or deities. All her world's wars were based on the greed and misunderstanding of Men and their lust for power that even now still seemed unquenchable.

"It is much to digest, but that is why we are here on this journey. The only way the One Ring can be destroyed is if it is cast back into the fires of Mount Doom where it was first forged. Only then can we triumph over the evil of Sauron," Legolas said softly giving her a meaningful look. Kail nodded numbly then ran a hand down her face and furrowing her brows.

"What I don't understand is why Frodo has to do it. I know he volunteered, and no offense to him, but wouldn't someone like you guys be better for the job? From what I understand he has almost no fighting skills," she said shaking her head in confusion.

"Frodo has a stout heart. His courage and bravery is above that of his people and most of the people of other races. His choice to take on this quest shows as much and I have no doubt that he will overcome the power of the ring. His strength is not in body, but in mind, I pray that he will do what others in the past could not." Aragorn's voice was low and soft that left no room for any argument, not that Kail would for she agreed wholeheartedly, and she nodded to him. Aragorn nodded back then excused himself and went back to camp, the two Elves followed shortly after.

Before they got too close to the camp Kail decided to speak again. "Thanks, guys. I know it's hard for you to talk about it, you know with Gandalf gone…" she trailed off at the end her voice breaking slightly as a lump of sorrow built in her throat. She swallowed it and then offered the males and watery smile. They returned it with shaky smiles of their own then they entered the camp and settled in their own seats upon the grass at the base of the great Malyrn tree.

Sam was before the group already with a fire started and preparing their midday meal. The other three Hobbits were still in their own deep conversation and Gimli was rousing from his morning nap already lighting his pipe for a smoke. Boromir was still brooding off to the side of the group deep in thought about something Kail had no idea about. She hadn't spent much time with the Man since the beginning of her adventure with the Fellowship. He almost seemed to dislike her as much as Gimli did, but he stayed away from her more often. Whereas Gimli was more outspoken about his complaints, Boromir hid them under a calm mask of silence.

Sighing Kail leaned back against the trunk of the tree waiting for the meal to be ready and when it was, the group ate in silence.

~.~

"I'm going with you."

Aragorn looked up from sharpening his dagger and met Kail's shining emerald eyes. It had been a few days since their conversation about their quest and it was generally quiet since then. Kail stood before the Ranger now back in the clothes she felt comfortable in with her hands on her hips and her brow raised in confidence. Aragorn knitted his own brows in confusion.

"Go with me where, Kail? I am not going anywhere as of yet," he replied lowly pausing in his sharpening. Kail huffed and her arms moved to cross over her chest.

"You know very well what I mean. I'm going with you guys when you leave Lothlórien and continue your quest," she told him not missing a beat. Aragorn sighed and dropped his wet stone and replaced his dagger back in its proper sheath. Standing he shook his head at her.

"That is not going to happen. We brought you here to be safe for that was our decision when we found you. I will not take you with us and put you back in peril," he said sternly and briskly walked past her, but she fallowed diligently.

"Shouldn't it be my choice whether I want to put myself in danger or not? Besides, I want to help you. You helped me, I want to return the favor," she pressed. Suddenly Aragorn stopped and spun around to face her causing her to jump slightly and stop before she ran into him.

"Getting yourself killed is not what I consider a favor returned," he growled attempting to frighten her to back down with a dark stare, but she didn't.

"If it helps you in the process of winning, then I do!" she exclaimed defiantly. When he said nothing she continued, "Aragorn, you know I can fight. I managed in Moria, didn't I?"

"With our help," he replied trying to convince her otherwise though he knew she was right.

"Look, I know I'm a burden sometimes, but I need to be someplace where I can be of some sort of help. And now with Gandalf gone, I want to help even more. Please, Aragorn, you know you guys need all the help you can get and trust is hard to find nowadays," she pleaded her eyes softening along with her voice. Aragorn sighed again and relaxed his slightly hunched shoulders.

"Kail…" he said slowly, "I cannot promise anything. As much as I don't like it, you are right, but I must think on this." With that he turned and left on a path to think and Kail didn't stop him. She knew she was laying a heavy decision on his shoulders, but it had to be done. They were practically her family now and she couldn't just let them leave without her. She knew no one else in this place and she very well couldn't bother Galadriel – who had accompanied her on many walks in the passed few days – and stay with her nor would she endure the torture of staying with Haldir. She couldn't bare staying here and being subject to a walk with the Elf without someone out of the Fellowship with her.

Haldir had come back to ask her for another walk the day after their last and she had somehow managed to take Gimli with them. Needless to say it was a short walk considering the two did not get along after their first encounter. He again tried to convince Kail to say and send the Dwarf on his way, but she declined saying that she was one of the few who could calm Gimli without a battle scar to show afterwards. Gimli readily agreed not wanting his friend to be near such a 'rude pointy eared' Elf. Haldir had not attempted to walk her the next two days after. Kail hoped he finally got the hint that she didn't want to be around him. As far as she knew, he was now out on the borders again so she wouldn't have to see him for a little while.

She would have danced around as she usually did when she was happy, but figured she wouldn't be on the Elves of Lothlórien's good side.

She often fallowed Legolas to archery practice and he even taught her how to use the bow properly. She knew how to shoot from gym class back on Earth, but she was never any good. Needless to say Legolas' skills were far more superior to hers and laughed every time she missed her target. Her response to this had always been a playful glare and an indignant whine.

Kail pulled herself out of her thoughts with a sigh then began to head back to camp where she found the Hobbits and Gimli gone and Boromir brooding off to the side. Legolas was busy humming a song to himself and inspecting his bow. Without a second thought she went over and sat herself next to the Elf and relaxed against the trunk behind her. He looked up and gave her a smile still humming before turning his eyes back to his bow.

Curiously she cocked her head to the side. "What are you singing?" she asked softly when he paused in the melodic tune. He looked at her and opened his mouth to tell her, but instead began to sing the song.

"Uich gwennen na 'wanath ah na dhín. An uich gwennen na ringyrn ambar hen. Boe naid bain gwannathar, Boe cuil ban firitha. Boe naer gwannathach," he sang lowly and at the end his smile fell and he sighed lowering his bow to rest it on his lap. Noticing his troubled look Kail rested a hand comfortingly on his shoulder.

"It sounds beautiful," she whispered quietly. "What does it mean?"

Legolas paused for a moment then began to recite a poem. "You are not bound to loss and silence. For you are not bound to the circles of this world. All things must pass away,
All life is doomed to fade... Sorrowing you must go, and yet you are not without hope." After the poem was done there was silence and Legolas again looked at her then flickered them over her shoulder. She blinked and looked behind her to see Boromir sitting stiff as a statue with his elbow resting on his knee and his chin on his fist. Turning back to the Elf beside her she rose an eyebrow for an explanation.

"I thought the words fitting for his mood," he said and she nodded.

"Perhaps someone should go talk to him," she offered and poked at the grass with a stray stick she found.

"Yes, someone should," he agreed then discreetly threw her a glance. Noticing, Kail rolled her eyes with a sigh.

"And you want me to do it?" she exclaimed quietly.

Legolas shrugged. "Well, you do have a certain calming effect."

"Yeah. On Hobbits. Anything else doesn't count."

Legolas couldn't stop the thought of disagreeing with her from coming to his mind. The Hobbits weren't the only ones that enjoyed and took comfort in her presence; he too believed that her being around was a true blessing. Not letting his thoughts show he smirked and gave her a pointed look.

"Alright, alright. Fine. I'll go talk to him. Don't be surprised if I come back in a few minutes though," she groaned and stood dusting off her pants and made her way over to the Man at the other end of camp throwing a glare over her shoulder at Legolas. The Elf only chuckled and went back to humming a different tune.

Kail slowly approached Boromir and wasn't noticed until she had rested a hand on his shoulder due to her silent steps causing him to jump. His startled eyes met her soft smile and he sighed.

"Can I help you with something, Lady Kail?" he asked somewhat coldly. No matter how much he disliked her he always tried to stay proper and polite. Turning his eyes away from her he went back to staring at the trees and Kail rolled her eyes in annoyance, but she kept her voice sweet and caring.

"No, but I was wondering if you'd like to talk. You seem troubled," she said and sat down beside him. He only grunted in response and she looked back at Legolas exasperatedly. The Elf's retaliation was an encouraging grin and a thumbs up – something she taught him – so she turned back around and attempted again. "Look, I can tell you're not in a good mood. You haven't been in a good mood the whole time we've been here. Talking about it will make you fell better, you know."

"There is nothing I wish to discuss with a woman such as yourself," he sneered still not looking at her. Kail's mouth flew open in shock at the insult.

"Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?" she cried.

"It means you are not a woman, Elf," he exclaimed back swirling around to glare at her meeting her equally cold stare. "You are not of this world and you are no Human. You are the same race as that witch. You and your words can be taken elsewhere; I will hear none of it."

Kail's shock turned to anger. "I may be an Elf, but I was once Human, if you remember correctly. And my race – whether I be Elf or Human – does not reflect who I am. Now, I'm sorry for my intrusion, My Lord. I was merely concerned for your wellbeing," she snapped and stood quickly with a huff glaring at him as if it were to kill. He didn't respond, only turned back to glare at the trees. She stomped back over to Legolas seething and he gave her a crooked smile. She knew he heard the whole conversation – or lack there of -, but neither said anything as she sat back down. After a moment or two she spoke.

"That is why I didn't want to go talk to him," she growled then added in a mumble, "calming presence, my ass."

Legolas only smiled slightly and they lapsed into silence once more. Legolas examining his bow and Kail grumbling to herself.