The next few days were spent with everyone preparing for their journey, and getting to know each other. Boromir and Gimli thought the idea of these men coming from "another world" to be ludicrous, and eventually accepted only that these men came from far, far away.

On the day they were to set out everyone was at the gate, and the Witch Hunter and Sigmarite priest kept to their own company, until Lord Elrond approached them…

"Lord Elrond" said Urban, inclining his head ever so slightly.

Bessimar turned toward Elrond and inclined his head as well, grunting.

"I wish to speak with you both before I address the fellowship in its entirety." said Elrond

"Then speak" said Urban, a bit more at ease with Elves than Bessimar ever was, even before that incident in Marienburg…

"I wish to give you the blessing of Elf-friend, and a word to the wise. Gandalf has lived for over three-hundred lives of men, it would do the company well to heed his words." Said Elrond

Bessimar raised a finger to say something but Urban, the only other person here who truly had his respect, cut him off saying "Very well, we shall heed the words of the wizard."

Bessimar waited a moment before nodding slowly.

A small smile spread across Elrond's face and he turned to address the company as a whole.

"The ring-bearer is setting out on the quest for Mount Doom, on those who travel with him no oath or bond is laid to travel further than you will." said Elrond, then continued "Farewell, hold to your purpose, and let the blessings of Elves, Men, and all the Free Folk go with you."

As one the fellowship turned to face the road ahead, "The fellowship awaits the ring-bearer" says Gandalf.

Frodo looked to step forward then whispered "Mordor, Gandalf is it right or left?"

Bessimar barely held the urge to sigh in exasperation in check.

"Left" whispered Gandalf

And so they were off, our pair from the Old World made little conversation with the others till they stopped on the fifteenth day of their journey. Samwise and Frodo were cooking breakfast; Gandalf, Aragorn, and Gimli were talking; Boromir was failing to show Merry and Pippin how to use their swords, and Legolas was looking afar from his perch.

Urban had the ever so small smile as he watched Merry and Pippin tackle Boromir to the ground, it was truly funny, though he enjoyed humor less than most.

Bessimar was sitting on a rock not far from Gandalf, as old habits die hard, and he wanted to watch the wizard, and was oiling his flintlocks.

"If anyone were to ask for my opinion" Gimli says, "Which I note they're not, I would say that we're taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria, my cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome."

Gandalf puffed on his pipe and said "No, Gimli, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice."

Finally, Bessimar decided to speak "Why is that?", without even looking up from his work.

Gandalf, who knew plainly of Bessimar's distaste for him, said "There is a darkness in those mines, my friend, one that I am not sure even you and your companion could face."

Bessimar opened his mouth to argue but found himself strangely conceding to Gandalf's point, and closed his mouth again.

Legolas, meanwhile seemed to be focusing on a specific cloud in the distance ,Sam did the honors of voicing his thoughts, and said "What's that?"

Gimli dismissed it with a wave, saying "Nothing, just a wisp of cloud."

Then Boromir stood up saying "Its moving fast, against the wind."

"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas cries

"Hide!" shouts Aragorn

They all run for the scrub as Sam puts out the cooking fire, within moments of reaching cover a mass of black birds fly over their position, "This is just like those bat's in Sylvania all over again!" mutters Bessimar and Urban can't help but agree.

The birds quickly fly off, and Urban can't shake the feeling that they found what they were looking for.

"Spies of Saruman! The pass to the south is being watched, we must take the path of Caradharas!"
shouts Gandalf