The Fellowship of the Ring is now finished. Next chapter will start The Two Towers!

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Chapter 21

She never left her spot at the shore, even as Frodo and Sam made it to the other side. She could have went to help the rest of the fellowship but something was stopping her. Melda now had no true reason to do anything. She was no longer required or forced to play a role in this adventure. She could do as she wished but she did not know what she wished for. She knew she wanted to live, but she wanted to fight. She wanted to go home, but home would not want her back. Hearing noises behind her she looked over her shoulder to see Aragorn, dirty and covered in dried blood, carrying Boromir. "What happened?" She asked.

Gimli came up next to her as they watched Aragorn place Boromir in one of the boats. "He died trying to protect Merry and Pippin, las. We were too late to save the young hobbits."

Melda felt her chest seize as she heard the news. She did not know the Gondorian well, but he was part of the fellowship and to know that he had died protecting the hobbits hurt even more. Clutching the fabric over her chest in pain, she hung her head and started a small prayer for the man. Gimli remained quiet next to her allowing her prayer to stand for the both of them. Once she had finished she lifted her head to see Aragorn push the boat into the water. "That was beautiful." Legolas whispered coming to stand on the other side of her.

"Thank you but if I was there I wou-" Melda started but Legolas interrupted her. "Don't."

Shocked, Melda turned to look at the elf. His blue eyes clashed with hers as he gave her a serious look. "Don't do it to yourself. Don't blame his death on something you could have done." Nodding her head, Legolas left her side to prepare the last of the three boats. She watched as the boat that held their friend teetered over the falls of Rauros.

Boromir was now gone.

Looking towards Aragorn, she watched as he put on Boromir's vambraces. A small smile graced her face as she thought about the sentiment. While she had noticed through the journey that each man held his own opinion and never agreed with the other it did not seem to hinder the brother like relationship that had formed between the two men; and for that Melda understood the object of remembrance. Boromir had started with them and Aragorn was going to make sure he finished with as well.

"Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern shore." Turning to the bank Legolas had the last of the boats in the water. Aragorn remained silent nor bothered to move from his spot. "You mean not to follow them?"

"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands." The man said turning towards the elf. Melda let her eyes scan the forest of the eastern shore. She struggled to see the hobbits between the foliage of the forest as they moved, but this would be perhaps the last time she saw any part of them. She was going to cherish it.

"Then it has all been in vain! The Fellowship has failed." Gimli said with grief. His head hung down in shame.

Aragorn strides over and grasped the shoulders of Gimli and Legolas, who had come back over to stand by Melda's side. "Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left." Taking a step back he grabbed his bag. "Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let us hunt some Orc!"

Melda practically felt the energy coming off the dwarf beside her. He was excited. The three of them looked at one another, and Melda couldn't but let out a small laugh at their grinning faces. "Yes! Haha!" Gimli shouted rushing off to grab his things. Leaning her head back, Melda could feel the heat of the sun coming out between the trees. Perhaps things were looking up.

"Aragorn" She called. The northern man turned shocked that she had in fact called him by his name. "Would it be alright if I join you?"

The three men stared at her with a mix of expressions. Confused, clueless and amusement. Aragorn made his way over with a smile on his face. "It seems Frodo has released you of your duties."

"You knew?"

"Gandalf told me in Moria. He had a feeling that there would be a point when you were no longer held by a leash. A time when you would be able to make your own decision with your life." Aragorn explained.

"Wait!" Gimli hollered. "You mean to tell me that lassie over here came on this mission against her own will. T-that's preposterous! I mean…I-I would-"

"Gimli" Aragorn held his hand up silently commanding him to calm himself. Huffing to himself Gimli turned around on his heel so no one could look at him. Turning back to the woman in front of him Aragorn rested a hand on her shoulder. "Ultimately it is your decision, however if I may speak for the three of us we would be happy to have you by our side."

Melda felt her chest warm at his words. It had been a long time since anyone had told her something as nice as that. "If I may say something as well." A light voice came behind her. One that could only belong to the woodland elf of the group. Turning around she came mere inches away from touching him. "You have been a part of this group since we set out of Rivendell, and you shall always be a part of this group whether you are held here by duty or choice." He took a step back and held up her bag that was packed and ready to go. "All of us are in this together."

The bag was light in her hands as she took it from Legolas. It seems that her decision was made. "I guess we have some Orcs to find."

Hearing a cheer from Gimli, Melda shoulders her bag and thanks the elf in front of her.

Legolas shakes his head and smiles. "Don't thank me. Besides I'm sure Merry and Pippin would be delighted to know that their favorite elf came to rescue them."

"Are you trying to guilt trip me, Legolas?"

She watched as his smile grows knowing that she caught him before he rus off after Aragorn. "Let's go Gimli!"