AN: Thanks to- LeyNFar, jshaw0624, idsandctr, Vanna, guest, Van for your reviews. I apologize in advance for all the mistakes in this chapter. I haven't had the time to re- read it. Looking forward to your reviews. Thank you!

Chapter 28: Fellowship Divided

The fellowship has began their journey once again. The boats passed through a canyon. Boromir glanced at Frodo with a sharp gaze. The darkness in his heart has darkened more. Not to mention the argument with Aragorn last night has left Boromir in a bitter mood. Speaking of Frodo, the little hobbit was no way in a cheerful mood. The ring was getting heavier to carry. Everyday Frodo feared defeat. He was afraid of letting everyone down. Frodo was losing hope. It was quite visible in his demeanor. Sam noticed everything and he was very worried about his friend. Sam wanted to help but he simply didn't know what to do other than being with Frodo.

Everyone was rather quiet and Quinn was no different. She was glad that her and Legolas were back to being friends again but she didn't know how long things are gonna stay well between them. When the word love is uttered between two very different persons, things are bound to get complicated. Specially when one is not willing to return the feelings of the other. Quinn wanted Legolas to move on from her but the elf was stubborn as hell. Truth to be told, Quinn had no idea how to deal with her situation. At least Legolas didn't look depressed anymore. It was definitely a good thing.

Unknowingly Quinn sighed out heavily but Legolas noticed that right away. "What is bothering your mind?" Legolas asked. It snapped Quinn out of her thoughts. She glanced at Legolas once before looking down at her hands on her lap.

"Things." Quinn gave a very unclear answer.

"I would be glad to hear all about it. Perhaps I can help with some- things" said Legolas enthusiastically. Gimli pretended to give the two privacy. It was not like he could go anywhere. Quinn on the other hand decided to speak to Legolas about some of the issues she was thinking about.

"Legolas what do you suppose your father will say about me?" Quinn asked which confused Legolas.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, don't you think your father will disapprove of me as soon as he'll learn that I'm not the daughter of Elrendor?" Truth to be told, Legolas hasn't thought about his father's opinion about the girl he loved since the girl herself hasn't given in him yet.

"But you are still the daughter of Alasse" said Legolas.

"Yes but your father wanted you to marry the daughter of his good friend. Not the daughter of Alasse. I'm quite certain he will not approve of me" said Quinn. Realizing the truthfulness of that statement, Legolas' face darkened right away.

"It does not matter what my father says. I have always followed my heart. And it belongs to you now" said Legolas quite firmly. Quinn sighed out heavily.

"I thought so" said Quinn to herself. Then she looked back at Legolas and stared deeply into his eyes.

"Don't you think I will feel terrible about ruining the relation between a father and his one and only son." Quinn sounded pretty upset while saying that. She wanted Legolas to realize that they shouldn't be together. That he should stop trying to pursue her. Legolas sighed out quietly. He understood what Quinn was trying to do. But Legolas wasn't going to give up so easily.

"Then we tell my father nothing. He doesn't need to know that you are not Elrendor's daughter" said Legolas. Quinn suddenly dipped her hand into the water. When she pulled out her hand there was a large ball of water resting in the cup of her palm. Quinn's magic was keeping the water from falling apart. Legolas stared at it in awe for a moment. Then Quinn said something that made Legolas worried.

"This is not something you can hide from anyone let alone your father Legolas." Quinn let the water ball drop into the river again. Back in the other world Quinn has never felt any magic in her before. She believed it was the necklace that unlocked the magic in her. Even Gandalf thought the same.

"Sorry for interrupting but keeping king Thranduil in the dark about Quinn will be next to impossible" chipped in Gimli.

"Then what do you suggest I do? Should I just force myself to stop loving her?" Legolas asked Gimli with an angry undertone.

'That's a good idea.' Quinn thought to herself but didn't voice it.

"I am not saying that. All I'm saying is that lying to king Thranduil would not work. But you can try to convince him to approve of Quinn. Show him how much you love her" suggested Gimli as a good supportive friend.

"Besides don't you elves value love above all else" said Gimli.

"Of course we do. And I am certain my father will not try to separate me from my love and cause me pain and suffering. From where I see it, the only person that stands between me and my love is the girl herself whom I love" said Legolas to Gimli but he wanted Quinn to hear that too.

"Hey I am sitting right here." Quinn immediately complained.

"I am aware of that" said Legolas with nonchalant tone of voice. Quinn shook her head while rolling her eyes to herself. Back to square one. She thought to herself. A few minutes later, Aragorn suddenly lifted up his head. A smile appeared on his lips.

"The Argonath!" Aragorn breathed out in awe. "Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."

By then others have looked up as well. The towering splendor of the Argonath put everyone in awe. The scenario vanquished the discomfort between Quinn and Legolas. Not to mention it lightened the mood of Frodo and Boromir as well. The fellowship kept going but soon they came across a great roaring waterfall. Gandalf and Aragorn decided to stop their journey for a while. The fellowship disembarked on a gravel beach. They decided to camp for a while to eat lunch and rest. Boromir on the other hand looked troubled. He was fighting a conflict within himself. When Frodo glanced at him, he couldn't help but be afraid.

"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the North" said Aragorn. Gandalf agreed with him but Gimli complained.

"Oh, yes?! 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!" Pippin looked up. He seemed alarmed. Even Quinn wasn't liking what she was hearing.

"Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!" Quinn inwardly groaned hearing that.

"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf" said Aragorn with serious tone of voice but there was a taunting undertone in it. Gimli immediately got riled up.

"Recover my…?! Phrrr…" Gimli was muttering things under his breath. Quinn couldn't pay attention to that as she glanced at Legolas and immediately knew something was wrong. Legolas approached Aragorn and said as a warning-

"We should leave now."

"No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness." Aragorn reasoned with Legolas.

"It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near… I can feel it." Gandalf looked worriedly towards the forest. Legolas as well gazed over the dark pine woods.

"Legolas is right" said Gandalf. He too sensed the darkness approaching.

"Let's eat and start moving." This time Aragorn didn't argue.

"No dwarf needs recover strength! Pay no heed to that, young Hobbit." Gimli kept defending himself but stopped when Merry returned with some wood for the campfire and asked-

"Where's Frodo?"

"Perhaps he has gone to collect some woods too" said Pippin. But it still got everyone worried. Sam who was half dozing roused up with a start. Aragorn looked around. His gaze stopped on Boromir's shield, lying with his baggage. He was nowhere to be seen as well. Quinn noticed him gone too. She and Aragorn shared a knowing look.

"We should spread and look for Frodo" suggested Quinn. Aragorn nodded his head. Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf were ready to go and search for Frodo. Quinn stood up as well. She wanted to help. However Aragorn stopped her.

"Quinn stay here. Look after the hobbits." Quinn agreed without any argument. She would most probably get lost in the woods herself rather than find Frodo. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf went towards different direction while Quinn stayed back with Merry, Pippin and Sam. They were very worried about Frodo. Quinn put a comforting hand on Sam's shoulder.

"Hey stay strong. Frodo will come back to us safely." Quinn was not only assuring Sam but herself as well. The hobbits and Quinn kept waiting for others to return. Suddenly they heard the horn of Gondor. It told them that trouble has found them.

"Frodo!" Sam gasped out worried. He looked at Quinn.

"I can't wait around anymore. I'm going" announced Sam and he started walking.

"Sam wait!" Quinn stopped him.

"We'll all go. And we must stick together." Quinn and the hobbits ran inside the woods. It didn't take them long to spot Frodo. He was hiding behind a tree. But before they could approach him, they saw vicious looking creatures running towards them. Quinn's eyes widened and the hobbits turned pale. They were surrounded by danger so suddenly that the four of them stood frozen on the spot. Quinn even forgot to use her magic let alone her weapons. Thankfully before those vile creatures could attack them, Gandalf appeared there and started to fight them off. By the time Quinn also over came her frozen state and joined Gandalf.

"Quinn take the hobbits and get off the island right now. These Uruk-hai are going to take you and the hobbits to Saruman." Gandalf said to Quinn out loud.

"But-" Quinn started saying something but Gandalf didn't let her.

"Go now. NOW!" Quinn had no other choice but to obey Gandalf. She rushed towards the spot Frodo was hiding. Sam was hiding along with him but there was no sign of Merry and Pippin.

"Where is Merry and Pippin?" Quinn asked with anxiousness and worry in her voice.

"Some Uruks were about to spot Frodo. Merry and Pippin distracted them. They have gone that way" pointed Sam. Quinn couldn't go look for them right away. She needed to get Frodo to safety first. After all the fate of middle earth was depending on him.

"Frodo, Sam come with me." The two hobbits started to run along with Quinn. Thankfully they only encountered a couple of Uruks. Quinn was able to fight them off. Once they returned to the shore, Quinn with help of Sam and Frodo pushed a boat into the river. She looked at the hobbits. Particularly at Frodo.

"Frodo you must continue your journey towards Mordor. I don't know if we'll ever see each other again. But my prayers will always be with you" said Quinn and she kissed Frodo on his forehead.

"Take Sam with you. He's in danger here" said Quinn. Frodo nodded his head.

"What about you? You are in dangerous too. Come with us" said Sam feeling worried about Quinn.

"I can't. I must find Merry and Pippin." Quinn gave Sam a tight hug before letting him go.

"Hurry up. Get in the boat. Go! GO!" Sam and Frodo got in the boat and started rowing. Quinn watched them leaving the shore. Once she was sure that no Uruk could attack them, Quinn ran back inside the woods. She must find Merry and Pippin. Quinn was looking for them when she came across a mortally wounded Gandalf. He was lying on the ground. Many dead Uruks were lying on the ground as well. The rest seemed to have left. Legolas, Gimli and Boromir were surrounding Gandalf. Aragorn was holding his hand. Quinn rushed to the wizard's side. Just as Gandalf saw her, he got anxious.

"Frodo? Where is Frodo?" Gandalf could barely talk. It hurt him to speak. Two arrows have pierced his body. Aragorn has taken out the arrows but it didn't help. Gandalf would die any moment. Quinn quickly held Gandalf's other hand and tried to lessen his pain with her magic.

"He is off the island. I've sent him towards Mordor." Gandalf sighed out in relief hearing that. Quinn looked around but didn't find the hobbits. Which meant no one has found them yet.

"Merry and Pippin I haven't found them yet" informed Quinn.

"Those creatures have taken them" said Boromir with guilt in his voice. He was regretting his actions very much. What he did to Frodo, it was unforgivable. And he failed to save Merry and Pippin as well. If Gandalf hadn't come in between him and the Uruks, he would've died today. And perhaps it'd have been better than him still breathing. Boromir felt like he didn't deserve to live. Now that the ring was far away from him, the Gondorian could see things clearly. How wrong he was to think that he was worthy of possessing the ring and use it.

"It's all my fault." Boromir broke down on his knees. There was loathing in his voice for himself.

"Rescue Merry and Pippin." Gandalf whispered to Aragorn and inhaled a deep breath.

"Saruman... will torture... and kill them. Save them..." Gandalf pleaded the ranger before falling unconscious. Quinn looked at Aragorn.

"Go. We cannot let Merry and Pippin die" said Quinn with strong tone of voice.

"I'll stay back with Gandalf" announced Quinn with firm tone of voice. Gandalf was still breathing. Quinn's magic was sustaining his life. Therefore it was out of question to abandon him. No one could tell how long he will last.

"We will not leave you behind" stated Legolas right away.

"There is no time to waste" said Quinn at once. That time Quinn sounded more authoritative than Legolas.

"While you are standing here, those creatures are taking Merry and Pippin to their death. You. Must. GO!" It was not up for debate. Thankfully Aragorn agreed with her. But he had to make sure Quinn will be alright.

"You cannot stay here all alone. How will you find your way back to us?" Aragorn asked.

"I... I shall stay with her" spoke up Boromir. His voice was shaking. After what he did, the least he could do was keep Quinn safe.

"I will take her back to Lothlorien if necessary" said Boromir with assured tone of voice. Quinn immediately wondered, is that what lady Galadriel meant that they are going to meet again? Has she foreseen Gandalf's death? Why didn't she warn them? It was obvious that those questions were gonna remained unanswered. Legolas on the other hand didn't want to leave Quinn behind at all. But he also knew that taking her anywhere near Isengard would be terribly risky. Saruman wanted her as well along with the halflings. Legolas wanted to stay behind instead of Boromir but he couldn't abandon Aragorn and Gimli and most importantly Merry and Pippin. Putting a heavy stone on his heart, Legolas agreed to the plan.

Aragorn stood up while saying- "Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let us hunt some Orc!"

Legolas and Gimli looked determined. Aragorn looked back at Quinn. He couched down beside her. "I will see you again. And when I do, you must be unharmed and well" said Aragorn with stern tone of voice that poured out deep concern. Quinn gave a small smile and nod to Aragorn. He stood up and glanced at Boromir.

"Keep her safe" said Aragorn.

"With my life" promised Boromir. Aragorn started running towards the way the Uruks have gone.

"Take care lassie" said Gimli before he started running after Aragorn. Legolas didn't leave right away. He came over to Quinn and kneel down beside her. He cupped her face with one hand and leaned closer to her face. It did quickened Quinn's heartbeat.

"I will find you again Quinn" said Legolas while looking intensely into her eyes.

"Until we meet again, take care of yourself Legolas." Quinn said to him with depth in her voice.

"I shall and you must do the same for me" said Legolas. He leaned forward and kissed Quinn's forehead affectionately. Quinn closed her eyes and sighed out deeply as she relished in the love Legolas was showering on her. Legolas forced himself to pull away from Quinn. Once he did, Quinn opened up her eyes again. Legolas gazed deeply into them.

"I love you Quinn Turner." Legolas said that so intensely that it increased Quinn's heartbeat. Too bad she couldn't say that back to him. Quinn inhaled a deep breath before speaking up again.

"Go, your friends need you."

It broke Legolas' heart a little that Quinn yet again didn't return his feelings. He got up and started to walk away. However Quinn called him back.

"Legolas!" The elf stopped but didn't turn around.

"Don't keep me waiting for too long. I don't know how to live in middle earth without you." This time Legolas looked over his shoulder. A smile playing on his lips.

"I won't. That is a promise." Saying that Legolas left. He ran towards the way Aragorn and Gimli went. Quinn on the other hand looked back at Gandalf. He was still alive. Even though a little bit.

"You can't leave me so easily Gandalf."