A/N: Thanks to all of those who reviewed last chapter. I would give out individual thanks but I've got like two test to study for. It's a shame. Anyway enjoy this nine page chapter!

On a Path of Flashbacks

Amara listened to the light crunching noises the Earth made beneath her feet.

Crunch. Crunch. Snap.

Oops, she had stepped on a small twig. She looked up to see if anyone had noticed the break of the crunching pattern. No one did. The fellowship she walked among was quiet. She, herself was not used to things being as quiet. Back on Earth, wild frat parties were all around her. Now she was just surrounded by wilderness and earthly sounds.

She imagined joining the fellowship would be exciting, with adventures around every corner, every riverbed, tree, grove, mountain. It was not. So far they had seen no strange creatures, no black riders not even one little goblin. Amara the empath, daughter of a great line of kings was bored beyond control. For the fifth time that day, she found herself falling behind them, just looking at the scenery.

There were trees all around them, more than she had every seen and they all held the golden colors of fall. Every now and then a leaf or two would fall from the trees and scatter in a whirlwind to the ground. It amazed her at how beautiful nature in Middle Earth was.

"Amara!" And for the fifth time that day, Aragorn had called for her. She quickly caught on that he meant for her to walk at his side and no one else's. She was not to walk behind nor in front but by his very side. Not only did she find it annoying, but embarrassing as well. If she was to prove herself to everyone that she was strong and could stand on her own, handle things as one might put it, how was she to do that with her brother calling her like a curious puppy?

Angered but keeping it at bay, she stormed past Boromir, who was glaring at her with distaste. She stopped and turned to look at him. Boromir stopped, just looking at the woman before him. Her dark hair was pulled into a pony tail and the traveling clothes the elves had given her to wear looked about a size too big. Even though she had an innocent look to her, he knew she was not right to follow them along on this journey. He harbored no faith in this woman.

The other members of the fellowship had long passed them and the two were still staring daggers at each other. Amara felt Boromir's feelings radiating off of him. His air stunk of distrust in her and he did not even attempt to hide it from her with kindness. He wasn't even going to give her a chance to prove herself. She didn't need him to. Amara didn't need Boromir to do a single thing.

"I do not trust in you Lady Amara."

Amara shook her head, her pony tail swinging as she did. "Don't need you to." She let her attitude towards Boromir rage.

"I believe the Lord Elrond was wrong in sending you on a journey such as this," Boromir said as he cast his brown eyes sternly on Amara.

"I know you do," Amara simply stated.

"Amara!" Aragorn was calling her once more but this time she ignored his voice. Unknowing to the two, the fellowship had stopped their walking to look back at them.

"Do you also know what lies ahead of you? That there are evils that would make you turn and run in fright? Goblins that would not hesitate in killing you? Orcs that would delight in tasting your flesh?" He whispered all of this menacingly, as if his intent was to make her turn around and run straight for Lord Elrond's palace.

Amara only stepped forward, many wise words echoing through her head.

"Be brave my child. Feel what is to come."

"I'll know what's ahead of me before you can even blink. At this point nothing can make me run and when I let you know that something wiggy is up ahead, you'll be thanking me for giving your ass a heads up."

Boromir looked as if he were about to advance on her. Amara felt herself be pulled backwards by her arm. She looked up to see Legolas.

"Amara!" Aragorn called her, this time in a more strict manner. She gave Boromir a glare, looked at Legolas briefly and walked to her brother.

Legolas glared at Boromir. He did not think that Amara should have joined the fellowship either but he had to put faith into her. She had been trusted to guide the fellowship away from evil; it was one of the most important jobs. He knew she would not fail.

"Leave her be."

Boromir brushed passed Legolas and joined the rest of the group who began trudging along once more. Legolas had to have faith in Amara for he had no other choice...


Flashback

The entire palace was sent into an uproar as shocking news was heard in waves. Elrond had ordered the fellowship to get moving come first light. The light haired prince moved against the chaos to get to his friend. There were two envelopes in his hand. Each one of them carried importance. One was addressed to his father explaining why he would not be coming back with the other members of his party. It was not that he felt he had something to prove to his father; it was that he had a chance to be a part of something a whole lot grander than escorting maidens to various balls.

His soul called out for adventure and he was doing what was right, protecting the land that he loved. He was helping a small being do something that everyone would deem him incapable to do and that had to go before his father's approval.

In the second envelope held more delicate words. These words were addressed to Phona. It took he numerous attempts to write this particular letter and for whatever reason he did not know. He did know in fact that his heart did not lie with Phona. Thinking this over and over, it slowly made things a touch easier to produce his feelings into words.

He swept passed many until he finally caught sight of his friend exiting his quarters.

"Andir!"

Andir turned towards the familiar voice. He saw his prince and friends making his way through many to get to him. Andir had his doubts about Legolas joining the fellowship. Not that he had doubts that his friend could survive, he was more worried about what the king would think once gaining knowledge of his only son risking his life on such a task. He smiled briefly once Legolas had joined his side.

"As you have heard, Lord Elrond has ordered the fellowship to leave first light."

Andir nodded to his friend trying not to show his concern.

Legolas held forward two envelopes to Andir. "Please deliver these accordingly."

Andir nodded. The look in Legolas' watery eyes told him everything he needed to know. He took the letters from him. The elven prince turned and took to getting himself ready before the sun rose.

Hours later...

The sun had broken through the dark sky and the fellowship were already standing before Elrond and those who had come to see them off. Legolas looked at Andir who was smiling almost solemnly. He returned his smile with one of his own. Things would work out alright for him, whether his father approved of his decision or not. He turned his gaze from Andir and looked at the party of hobbits. Each one of them appeared frightened of what was to come, but they knew it had to be done.

They were some of the bravest hobbits he had ever encountered, although he had only encountered a few.

Gimili, the dwarf who had offered his axe to Frodo, was looking at the whole departure scene with impatience. Legolas saw that the dwarf was more than ready to be off. Dwarves were a group of people he would never learn to get along with. Their lack of respect for others was what disgusted him. Dwarves only cared for one thing, and that was mining for jewels.

Legolas turned his eyes from the dwarf and settled them onto a more pleasing sight.

Amara.

She was being engulfed in Arwen's arms. From what he had heard from others, they had become close friends in the small amount of time she had been in Rivendell. In a mad rush to get ready for a dangerous journey, Amara had been given breeches that were a size too big and a tunic that too was overly large. A belt around her waist kept the blue leggings from falling. On Amara's back was her traveling pack, sleep roll and her guitar all cased up.

"Keep well." He heard Arwen say as she released Amara.

"I will. Can't let a bunch of guys prove they're tougher than girls, can I now?"

Arwen smiled, her blue eyes watering. "Get going and take this." Arwen took the sword that one of the servants was holding for her. It was her sword, one of the many she had that was prized.

"You're giving me your sword," Amara gaped taking it in her hands.

"Yes. It will aid you more than it would aid myself. Now get going, you do not want to be left do you?"

Amara strapped the sword to her waist and face Arwen once more. "Thank you Arwen."

She gave her one last smile before crossing her arms, putting on her game face and turning to join the fellowship. She stood next to Aragorn and noted the feeling of loss coming from him. Aragorn was staring intently at Arwen and she at him. Even as Elrond gave the fellowship his blessing he did not let his gaze falter. The fellowship minus Aragorn turned and began their journey.

Amara let him be, knowing that he would join them soon enough. She cast a glance at Legolas who was looking at her. Briefly, she smiled. Remembering what had happened that night, she did not want to seem indifferent to him or cast Legolas away. The things going on inside her would be settled soon...she hoped.

Legolas was about to say something to Amara in hopes to ease her about what was to come, when Aragorn had caught up with the fellowship.

"Come Amara," He ordered to her in a whisper.

Amara watched Aragorn walk ahead to Gandalf. She smiled sheepishly at Legolas, shrugged her shoulders and walked ahead. Once by her brother's side she looked back, taking in her last vision of Rivendell.

Legolas still kept his sight on Amara. He had to believe in her abilities. He had no other choice.

And so the fellowship was off.

This was the beginning of a mark set in history.


"What happened with Boromir?" Aragorn looked at Amara once she was by his side.

"Nothing." Amara crossed her arms.

"Do you lie?"

She shrugged.

The old wizard who was a few paces ahead of him chuckled. "He does not believe in you does he?"

Amara kicked a rock in her path. "I don't care if he does or he doesn't. Boromir is a CHAUVINIST PIG!" Amara yelled just so Boromir could hear her. Again Gandalf laughed. Aragorn shook his head. One laugh did though catch her attention. It was small and musical. She turned her head to see Pippin smiling. She smiled to him in turn.

"That was a good one Lady Amara," he complimented.

"Why thank you Pippin. I have others if you wish to hear them."

As Pippin nodded fiercely, Gandalf stopped walking. They all had walked for hours on end without rest. A break was in order.

"We will stop here for the time being."

Amara noticed that they had stopped in a small clearing. Trees surrounded them still, but they were growing farther apart from each other. It told her that they were almost out of the forest they had been traveling through. She broke away from Aragorn and found a nice tree to sit under. She took off her traveling junk and guitar and placed them on the ground. Amara looked up to see Pippin standing before her.

"Don't you wanna hang with Frodo and the others?"

Pippin shook his head. "I don't understand what you said." He along with the others found some of her phrases unusual.

Amara sat down. She was distracted at seeing Legolas walk ahead of the rest of them who were all sitting down. Sooner or later she would have to tell him what she thought.

"Lady Amara?"

Pippin knocked her from her own thoughts.

"Oh, um, I meant wouldn't you rather spend your free time with Frodo or Merry?"

Pippin secretly had to be her favorite hobbit so far. He carried innocence like no other. She knew instantly when times were to get bleak and darkness fell upon them, Pippin would be the light that everyone needed. He was like a breath of fresh air. He sat next to Amara and shook his head.

"No, I already am accompany to them. I wish to know you seeing as you seem friendly enough."

"Thanks Pippin."

It seems that the other hobbits were curious about her too. Frodo, Merry and Sam were trying to not make their stares at her obvious. Amara though felt their curiosity. She turned to Pippin, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Do your friends want to join us?"

Pippin turned towards Merry, Sam and Frodo. He waved a hand towards them, bidding them to come over. Frodo looked between Merry and Sam before he started towards Pippin and Amara. Sam and Merry quickly followed in Frodo's steps. They were curious to know about Amara and who she really was.

They knew slim to nothing about her. Only that she was sister to Aragorn, friend to Arwen and the elven archer and that Lord Elrond had sent her with them so she could warn them of any and all evils. Frodo sat opposite of her, never taking his brilliant blue eyes from her. Merry sat on her other side and Sam sat next to Frodo. All of them were silent for a minute, the only thing making noise was the sounds of nature and the mumbles coming from the dwarf about his axe.

"What do you want to know?"

Frodo looked at his companions before he asked the burning question that nagged at him. "How did you know that we had to leave Rivendell? How did you know that the Black Riders were coming?"

It seemed that all wanted to know because as she looked around every set of eyes were upon her. Boromir was staring at her half with distaste half with interest. Gimili had stopped fussing over his axe to look at her and Aragorn had stopped speaking with Gandalf to pay her attention. Amara sighed and closed her eyes, knowing this would come, knowing that she would have to explain what she experienced.

With her eyes still closed she said, "The creator...the creator of my powers told me to open up..."


Flashback

The night was deadly silent as if nothing of the living dared to walk during such a time. The air in her room stood still as if fearing something, but the young women took no notice as she slept. At the end of her bed were various books that had taken up her time most of the night. They were stacked somewhat neatly and shifted as she turned over. Amara was in a dreamless sleep.

Nothing occupied her mind, that was until she felt a great jerk.

Her mind that was once blank, was painted with fields of green. The field was open and flowers of every color and type mingled with the grass. She herself was standing in this field. The night gown she had worn to bed was replaced with a light yellow one. Amara found herself standing underneath a tree and looking out at the field.

Everything was so real.

It was as vivid and real as the dream she had had before when she was on Earth, just not as stressful.

'Do you feel what is to come child?'

Wildly, Amara looked around but saw no one. The voice echoed through the air carried by a light wind.

'Do you feel what is to come?'

There again was that voice. It was strong yet billowy but did not frighten her, it only made her question where and who the voice was coming from.

"Show yourself!" The empath yelled at the top of her lungs.

There was silence, there was nothing. Then as if obeying the empath's demand, a great being materialized in front of her. A light that seemed to revile the sun, shown from the being, making Amara shield her eyes with a hand.

"Do you feel what is to come child?"

The light generally faded from the being and Amara took her hand from her eyes. The being that had invaded her dreamless sleep was a male. He towered over her, and a great power radiated from him. He stood before her, powerful yet gentle, a caring look in his hazel eyes. His hair seemed to be the color of the sun but held lighter hues.

She felt that she should bow to this unknown male, but instead she questioned him. "Feel what?"

"Do you feel what is coming?"

Slowly Amara shook her head.

"Do not lie to me, my child."

In all honesty, Amara didn't believe that she could lie right now. She didn't think she could lie to anyone as tall and as powerful as the person in front of her.

The man sat down in the grass, his long robes were as green as his surroundings.

"Perhaps I have started off on the wrong foot as you humans say. Please sit." He motioned for her to sit in front of him. Amara did not hesitate in doing so.

"I am Aulё, master of all crafts, one of the Valar."

Amara covered her mouth. "Oh holy shamoly, you're one of the Valar! Should I be like bowing and serving you stuff?"

Aulё laughed. His laughter was rich and strong. "No my child, you are fine as you are. I have brought you here so that we may speak."

"So I'm not dreaming?"

"You are simply on another plane."

Understanding she nodded and Aulё continued.

"I am the one who created the power that you hold within you. I kept it locked up for many ages, but once everyone sensed something evil was about to befall on all races of Middle Earth, I felt it was time to release it."

Like listening to instructions for an experiment in advanced chemistry, Amara listened and listened intently. Any information she could get on her powers she was thankful for. No one could give her better information than the person who created them.

"The power I created, the power to sense emotions, could only be put into the purest of souls. A soul that had not been tainted by the world. The Valar saw your mother and instantly chose her. She being in need of safety, not just for her bur her children, instantly agreed to what we the Valar proposed to her. With the Lord Elrond present along with the rest of the Valar, I placed my hand upon her stomach and bestowed the power you now have to you."

"And to protect that, you and the rest of the Valar sent me to Earth," Amara said.

Aulё nodded, "That is correct."

"How come they didn't work when I was on Earth?"

Aulё at first did not answer her question. He took to picking flowers from the Earth. Each one he picked another one grew in its place. He stopped and waved his large hand at Amara. Sharpness went through her, but lasted only a split second. When she recovered from the alien feeling, orbs of different colors floated in front of her.

Aulё seemed a little disinterested and continued picking flowers. The orbs amazed Amara. How they sparkled with different hues and floated lightly before her.

"That is your power," said Aulё looking at a particular flower. "It stays with you always. When you were in Earth, it lay dormant, but once you returned to where you rightfully belonged they became active." Aulё stopped picking flowers and gave the bouquet to Amara, disregarding the orbs in front of them.

"I am speaking to you because you hold one of my greatest creations. You need to forget those who do not believe in you, those who do not trust you. Many are afraid of what they do not understand, such is their ignorance. You need to be strong and believe in your abilities."

Amara nodded while looking at the flowers in her hand.

"What I say is nothing you probably have not heard from the prince of Mirkwood."

Amara looked up at Aulё, turning an instant red.

"Yes I know of the two of you. The moment we the Valar sent the prince of Mirkwood to Earth to save you, we knew what would become of it."

"Wait a minute, you guys sent Legolas to Earth to save me?"

Aulё smiled, "Yes. You were heading in an awful direction and we knew he would be the one to set you on the right path."

Amara looked back to the flowers. Aulё knew what she thought of and held his smile. "The matters of the heart I am no expert in. All I offer you is this, time is not something to waste, it is something to cherish. I suggest you let how you feel be known."

Turning more red and wanting desperately to get off the subject, her brain realized something. Her eyes went wide and wandered from the flowers to Aulё's powerful eyes. "When- when I was dying you were the one who told me that it wasn't my time. And- and when I came to Middle Earth it was your voice that was calling to me."

"Yes it was I. I could not let my creation scatter to the winds. I could not let you fall in a world you did not belong in, nor could I let a prince suffer from grief nor Middle Earth fall in the hands of evil. It was simply not your time." Aulё stood and offered a hand to Amara. The orbs still floating between them.

"Now you must go."

Amara took his hand and he pulled her up. With a wave of his hand, the orbs went back into the young woman. A warm feeling went through her.

"They are apart of you, always remember."

The scenery and Aulё himself began to fade before her eyes.

"We shall see each other soon and do not reveal what knowledge you have of what is to come." Aulё grasped Amara's shoulders and kissed either side of her face. "Be brave my child. Feel what is to come."

With that Aulё and the beautiful field disappeared and Amara sat up in bed with a start. The bouquet of flowers still in her hand served as a token of how real Aulё and their meeting was.

It was then that she felt it, felt the great power coming towards Rivendell. She dropped the bouquet and bolted out if bed, her destination being for Elrond.


She had revealed her meeting with one of the Valar to everyone. Even Legolas had came back to hear enough of her story. Boromir, she saw, was staring at her now in disbelief over distaste. Gimili had cleared his throat loudly. Pippin held his mouth slightly open. She closed it for him with a smile.

"I think that we have had enough of a rest," said Gandalf.

Everyone gathered their things together silently. The hobbits, all but one, had moved to grab their things. As Amara shouldered her guitar case, she noticed Frodo was standing before her.

"At first I was not sure of you coming along," Frodo said, all seriousness in his voice was evident. Amara just looked at him, listening to what he had to say. "But now that I have heard your story I believe in you. I trust that you will not lead us astray." Frodo lent a small smile to her before going off and helping Sam gather his things.

Amara smiled, internally happy to note that someone in the fellowship did want her presence there.

"Amara!"

Once again Aragorn's voice hit her ears and she hurried by his side.

"You know you have got to stop doing that."

Aragorn looked at her questioningly. "Doing what?"

"Calling my name and making me stay by you. I'm not a little kid you know." Amara quirked an eyebrow at her brother.

"I am seeing to you safety as I have promised."

"I know you are, but you're not the only one who would see to my 'safety'." She made quotations with her fingers. "I'm sure Gandalf would and Pippin's got my back, I do have Arwen's sword and I'm sure Legolas would dust any orc's ass if it came near me. Wouldn't you Legolas?" She turned her head to Legolas who was a few paces behind herself and Aragorn.

"I would not hesitate."

She smiled to him and him to her.

Aragorn looked between the two and saw something. He quickly brushed it away when Pippin hurried beside Amara and began to drag her away. He was desperate to try a few jokes on her.

"Now if you will excuse me dear brother I am a big girl and can take care of myself. So now I'm off to talk with my dear hobbit friends."

Aragorn shook his head.

"She has a fiery spirit," Gandalf said to Aragorn. "I am afraid you will not be able to tame her."

Aragorn sighed. This was going to be a long journey.