Chapter 11

I awoke to a knock at the door. Stumbling I opened the door to see a maid waiting.

'Can I help you?' I stated trying to wake myself up

'I am here to bring you breakfast.' the maid replied with a smile

'Oh, okay.' I state opening the door to allow her to come in, 'Sorry, I'm still half asleep.'

She murmured a reply as she put the plate of food on the table and nodded before leaving me alone. Groaning I decided that perhaps while I wanted to sleep I needed to get up. My pondering last night made me fall asleep and I still had a lot to think over.

Opening the patio door, I allow the morning breeze and sun to help wake me up. Breakfast was consistent of bread, an oatmeal with tea. I stared out into the sunlight; thoughts wandering around aimlessly as I ate. I thought about how the trek to Mount Doom was going, how brave and depressed they all had to be. Their willingness to sacrifice themselves in the hopes of making a better World. There are not many in any World willing to do that knowing that there was no benefit for themselves.

After washing I put on light, cream dress that had the flowing sleeves but not as elegant as the dresses I had back in Lorien or Rivendell. I now had a collection of dresses in many locations. I was already missing Legolas and I was torn with us becoming separated just after all that has occurred between us. No matter, I had a Hobbit and a Maiden to amuse.

The next few days went by surprisingly fast. I spent most of my time in the Healing house; whether it was entertaining Merry and Eowyn or helping for those still wounded. However, Merry was released to a room he would share, should Pippin come back. Eowyn also was released to her own chambers but in the last day or so she was preoccupied now that she caught the attentions of Faramir. I liked him a lot and it pained me when I saw him because it reminded me of Boromir; it felt as if his passing had just occurred.

'Milady?' Neleth calls out pulling me out of my thoughts

'Yes sorry. I was lost in my thoughts.' I reply with a sheepish grin

'If you would follow me.' she stated resuming our walk

I was getting restless again…. Like I had a knack of doing. So now I was to put myself to work. I was helping in the reconstruction phase, whether it was helping sew up materials, clean out a room or the ruble. What I liked about Gondor was how resilient the people were and how fierce the people were of protecting their city. It made losing Boromir even harder because I knew that he also felt like them and to see how much he meant to them also hurt.

'Here is the materials that are needed to be mended. You may stay here to work on them if you'd like, or you may take them back to your room and return here when they are finished.' Neleth states handing me a basket of fabric, 'Oh, here is the string and needle and a blade to cut the string.'

'Thank you; I think I'll take them back to my room to work on.' I reply as she drops the rest of the supplies on the wicker basket.

'No thank you, your help is greatly appreciated. As you know we are understaffed.' Neleth states with a grim face, 'I'll show you the way back to your room one more. Should you get lost just tell them you are trying to get to the Steward's wash house.'

I nod in agreement and heaved the basket to rest on my hips as we leave the 'wash house' and head for my chambers. I was nervous and eager to start a new project and this would help pass the time; keeping my thoughts from wandering. People were very wary of strangers at first so meeting others has been a challenge besides the fact that people were preoccupied with a war. Turning the corner where my room was located I found someone waiting at my door.

'Hello Merry. Have you been waiting long?' I call out gaining his attention

'Hello, not too long. I was wondering where you had gone off too. Oh, hello! I'm Merry!' Merry states as he introduces himself with a handsome grin.

'Hello, I'm Neleth. Are you a friend of Lady Samantha?' Neleth replies glancing at the two of us.

'Yes I am!' Merry replies before noticing the basket in my hand 'What do you have there?'

'A project, I'm helping Neleth and the other ladies with mending clothing or fabric.' I state with a smile leading the three of us into my room.

'You must be going crazy not having your routine like you did in Rivendell." Merry teases grabbing fruit of the tray on the table.

'You lived in Rivendell milady- with the Elves? I never heard of a human living with the Elves.' Neleth comments looked at me shocked.

'Yes, I used to live in Rivendell before I joined the Fellowship. It is true that humans do not usually live with Elves but they are very kind and hospitable.' I reply putting the basket down and looking at the two of them.

'Do you have an ale Samantha?' Merry asked

'Are you hungry? Shall I fetch food and drink?' Neleth replies glancing at the two of us.

'Oh I am quite famished!' Merry retorts nodding his head enthusiastically at the prospect of a meal.

'I'll be right back then.' Neleth states with a nod before walking out the door

'Aren't you always hungry?' I ask grabbing a few of the grapes that were left

'I am…I miss the food in the Shire. No one eats as much as Hobbits and I still have a hard time getting used to it!' Merry admits

'Yes, I still cannot understand how you guys stay that small. If I ate like Pippin and you I would overweight!' I tease with a smile

'I couldn't see you gaining weight! If anything, you'll put on just enough… enough to bring out your figure. I dare say Legolas wouldn't object' Merry replies wiggling his eyebrows at the last comment.

'You are bad.' I state chuckling

Neleth came with a large tray of food and a pitcher of ale and while we asked her to join us she declined. Merry and I hung out as we ate and I began to work on mending the clothing. Merry took it upon himself to be the teacher and correct me if a stich was crooked but soon he got bored and fell asleep on the bed while I was out on the patio.

After a while I had stopped working on my projects and just stared out into the world. Much has happened over the course of time that I have been here. I again felt something take over me, I felt time slow…. perhaps I fell asleep. It was a familiar sensation that I felt at camp before the battle of Minis Tirith. I felt outside my body and a choice was laid before me. As the voice of Lady Galadriel spoke in my head…. I understood it was a disguise.

The music of Ilvutar has created your existence here. Just as his music weaved the creation of Middle Earth, he has created you. You share now the heart and bond with one of Middle Earth. The time has come child to decide…. Shall you continue as a you are or…is it time to become of Middle Earth.

I felt myself hanging somewhere outside myself…fully aware of my body but my mind was pulled off to where the voice came from. Yes. Fate…Legolas' eyes once again flashed in front of me and the memory of the campfire became again. The pine smoke filled my nose and I was lost in the sensation.

Child a choice must be made. Even now the events of this World are unfolding….at sunrise your fate will be tied to that of the Ring.

I barley even registered the voice speaking in my mind…. lost I was in memory and time. My fate…I choose -