A/N DUN DUNNNNN DUN. DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNN. It is time. We're here now. No more chilling in Rivendell. If y'all need me I'll be double fisting the extended editions and the book and trying not to forget anything.

Are ya ready kids?!

I never watched Spongebob growing up. I don't know why I said that.

Dawn came on December 25th and she was already awake to see it. She'd nearly asked Lord Elrond if he had anything that could help her sleep the night before, and regretted not doing it now. She supposed she'd have to get used to a lack of sleep from now on anyway so what was one more night?

In the early evening they were all gathered in the Hall of Fire to say their goodbyes. Josephine, outfitted with the sword she'd taken hunting and the bow that had been made for her, stood near the door with her thumbnail pressed into the crease of her opposite palm. There was no going back now, no changing her mind. This was the decision she'd made and the task she'd agreed to, it was high time she swallowed her fear and took the step willingly.

Gloin, who had been talking with Gimli, stepped away and came up to her. He clapped her on the shoulders so forcefully her knees nearly buckled.

"May yer journey be quiet and yer blade sharp, lass."

Recovering she managed a chuckle. "Thank you for teaching me as much as you did. I hope I can do it justice."

"Aye, you will. I have no doubt o' that. Now let me see her…" He reached a hand into a pouch along his belt and took out a silver bead, cut in a characteristically geometric, Dwarven design. "I'd like t' have somethin' bigger t' gift ya, but this will do just fine."

He laid it in her hand and she looked at it, not quite sure how to express how much she loved it. She'd gotten so used to seeing him every day for lessons, she hadn't fully realized she may never see him again after this.

"Now, we normally use those ones for our beards." He said, proudly brushing his hands down his own, knee length beard. "But, I think it'll be a pretty thing in your hair."

Words still failing her she threw her arms around Gloin's neck, eliciting a deep laugh from him and another firm pat to the back.

"If ye permit me, I'll put it in a braid?"

She had to kneel down so he could reach her head, but he worked fast. The braid she'd done in her room earlier got taken out and replaced in a tight weave that she doubted she'd have to worry about for days to come. On one of the smaller braids he done into it, was the bead. Once he was done she stood again and he gave her shoulders one last, much gentler pat.

"Now off ye go, and don't be doubting yerself. And make sure ye go say farewell to Bilbo, he'll be missin' ye too."

She watched him as he went back to Gimli and looked around for Bilbo. When he saw her looking he waved her over to an empty edge of the room and met her there. With a tug at her hand she knelt down to be eye to eye with him. He looked sad, more so than he'd seemed their entire stay. She knew he was feeling guilty about Frodo leaving for Mordor and she could tell he had a question caught behind his teeth.

"Surely my knowing wouldn't be a danger." He said finally. "Will I see him again?"

Josephine looked down at the floor, thinking over it. She shouldn't be telling anyone anything, but if anyone was safe to tell…Bilbo would not leave Rivendell until he left for the havens. Their doom would be decided one way or another well before then and make her knowledge null and void.

"If it all goes right," She said quietly. "You will."

Bilbo closed his eyes with a relieved smile and tears were shining in them when they opened again. "Thank you, my dear friend." He hugged her close and patted her cheek. "Now it's my turn to offer words of comfort."

"I'll take any I can get right now." She'd felt rather numb all day, but the goodbyes both for her and everyone around her were starting to get to her.

"You must trust me when I say this, Josephine. Follow your instincts, they won't lead you astray."

Smiling wryly, she shook her head. "You seem awfully sure about that."

"Now, don't argue with your elders, it's not polite." He joked, growing serious again after delivering it. "But I know I'm right about you, you'll do just fine. Stay sharp. Oh! And keep close to Aragorn's side."

"Uhm…" It wasn't like she hadn't figured they'd end up walking together a lot, they were friends after all and she'd feel a lot safer the closer he was. But she wasn't entirely sure that was what Bilbo was getting at and she had a sinking feeling he knew more about her…growing affinity for Aragorn than she wanted anyone to. "Any particular reason or just…safety?" Please say safety, please say safety.

"Oh yes," Bilbo sighed "he'll look after you out there." His words said protection but the glint in his eyes was too mischievous for it to be that simple. "You'll be quite alright if you're with him."

Josephine decided right there and then to not look any further into what he was saying and just agree. There was way too much going on and she didn't need anyone giving her any ideas about people and feelings,

"Okay, I promise. I'll stick close to Aragorn and follow my instincts."

"If that's settled then, I suppose it is time for our goodbyes. And when this is all over, if you're able, come visit again."

Whatever the end looked like, she could only guess, and the guessing was too far off to bother with anyway. But maybe, if she did survive and the story went as planned, she could come back to Rivendell. "Goodbye, Bilbo."

Eyes wet once more, Bilbo hugged her again. "Goodbye, Josephine."

As he walked away she looked around the hall, coming to her feet with a brush of her hand beneath her eyes. She might never come back to Rivendell, or see Bilbo or Gloin again. Just like she might never go home.

But there was no time to ponder it as Elrond announced it was time and they made the walk to the courtyard they'd depart from. If she was going to do this, she was going to do it right. No more looking behind, or wishing for a different hand.

They gathered, separating from those that were staying behind. Bilbo was probably pleased to see she was beside Aragorn when they settled and faced Lord Elrond.

"This is my last word." He said in a low voice. "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid: neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Council, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. No oath or bond is laid to go further than you will. For you do not know the strength of your hearts, and all but one of you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road." He continued with a brief and pointed glance at her.

"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens." Said Gimli.

"Maybe." Said Elrond. "But let him not vow to walk in the dark who has not seen the nightfall. Look not too far ahead! But go now with good hearts and keep to your purpose! Farewell, may the blessings of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces!"

His speech was from the book and while she couldn't say if it was fully accurate, she did feel like something in the universe was using it as a way to punctuate that things weren't quite right anymore.

"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer." Gandalf said.

With uneasy steps, Frodo turned and began to lead them through the arch. They fell in as well as she could remember, with Gandalf in lead. She watched and waited as they passed. Then, steeling herself she took one last look at the courtyard before turning her back to it. She needed to have her mind on what was ahead.

Aragorn was the last to leave, despite having no reason to linger for one last silent goodbye. He fell into step behind her and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze once they passed the archway. At least if this is what she had to do, she wouldn't be alone.