** Chapter 13 **


"Again!"

The wind whirled about, furiously in the small, sunny glade. The wind ignited, and spun mercilessly in the glade, but a few moments later, the fury of the wind and fire ceased, and peace returned to the glade.

"Concentrate, Azura!" Gandalf barked, and raised his staff, "Use your emotions, your inner strength, your will to bend and shape the forces of nature to your will!"

About him, a furious wind howled, spinning faster and faster about him, causing fallen leaves to swirl about him. Moments later, Gandalf was lifted from the ground, by the fury of the wind, his cloak and robe whipped around him.

Azura clenched her fists at her side, and glared at the ground. She had been practicing with Gandalf, for days on end, while Frodo recovered from his wound. It had been roughly a month since they had arrived.

"Try again! Show me your fury!" Gandalf ordered, as the wind died down, and he set down gently onto the ground.

"It's too hard, something….I feel a block, there's something stopping me." Azura said, defeated. "I can't do it…"

"The only thing stopping you from using magic is yourself. Your uncertainty, anxiety, and fear. You are holding yourself back. You have to ask yourself.." Gandalf said, walking slowly around Azura, staring down at her, "….what is it you fear?"

Azura stared up at Gandalf, then slowly down at the ground, and closed her eyes.

Unbeknownst to Gandalf and Azura, from a distance, hidden behind trees, were Pippin, Frodo, Merry, and Sam, watching curiously.

"This…is…enthralling…" Sam said, feeling tension grow from the glade. Something was going to happen, he could feel it in the air.

"Can you feel that?" Pippin whispered to them, his eyes going wide.

Merry nodded, "I can feel the hair on my arms standing on end…"

"Something…is going to happen…I can feel it…." Frodo said, in awe. He was resting against a tree.

"Build it up, all your emotion, your strength, and all of your concentration. Concentrate, Azura. Now….show me your strength!" Gandalf's voice rose, as he commanded her.

Azura opened her eyes, which had begun to glow white. The wind began to stir again, and furiously whipped around Azura.

"Good…keep going!" Gandalf shouted, encouraging her.

The wind ignited again, and the flames leapt and whirled around the glade, brushing inches by Gandalf.

The flames grew, and whirled with the force of the howling winds, lifting Azura off her feet, and whirling around her like a powerful tornado.

Pride sparked in Gandalf's eyes as he watched her power grow, and he smiled lightly.

Azura closed her eyes and forced herself to push the power, she could feel newness, the power just beyond her fingertips. It was like having wings all your life, and suddenly feeling the power to fly. Azura pushed harder, but felt something slip inside of her. She fell back to the earth, in a heap on her knees. The wind stilled, and the fire dispersed.

Gandalf stared down at the girl, and shook his head. "We will try again tomorrow, you are too tired to keep going."

Azura shook her head, and stood quickly, "Let's keep going! I can get this…I can…"

Gandalf shook his head no, "You are exhausted. Rest tonight, we will try again tomorrow."

Azura frowned, and sat back on the ground, and stared at the ground, listening to Gandalf leave.

Gandalf walked past a few trees, and spotted the four hobbits, sitting at watching him take leave. When he drew close, he stood over them and said, "You sneaky hobbits! I suggest you go and comfort Azura. She is stressed over her magic abilities, and it's holding her back."

The hobbits stood, and Frodo nodded.

"Do not move around too much, Frodo. You should be back in bed." Gandalf said, somewhat disapprovingly.

"I…felt well enough to come and be about…" Frodo said, shifting in place.

"We will watch over him, do not worry, Gandalf." Sam said, smiling.

"You are good friends. Good friends indeed." Gandalf said, patting Sam's shoulder, then Pippin's, then Merry's shoulder, then continued off, toward Elrond's dwelling.

The four hobbits made their way to the glade, where Azura sat, staring up at the sky, heavily dismayed.

"Azura?" Pippin said softly, sitting next to her, and looking at her, worried. "Are you alright?"

Azura looked at him, then back at the sky, "Everyone has dreams. My mother used to tell me that a light of hope burns in us all, and would never die, even when our bodies did. She said there was a God up there, and in him, everyone found peace after life. I wonder sometimes, if she is at peace." Azura said, then laughed to herself, and looked down at him, "Sorry….I didn't mean to ramble or anything."

"I like it when you talk, Azura. It's poetical and beautiful. And sad sometimes, too." Sam said, sitting next to her, then hugged her lightly, "Are you alright?"

Azura nodded, then looked down from the sky, and looked at each of them in turn, and asked, "Can we make a promise?"

Sam frowned, and looked at her quizzically, "What about?"

Frodo stepped around Pippin and Merry, who sat on Azura's right, and sat down in front of Azura, looking to her with worry and wonder.

"...I want to see your Shire, and...promise that all of us will be there, together." Azura said, taking Pippin's hand in hers' and leaning into Sam's hug, feeling quite secure in their company. She laughed lightly, "I guess I am childish...."

"Gandalf said you already have been to the Shire." Merry said, then asked, "Haven't you?"

Azura nodded, then grinned at him, "Yes, but I haven't been there with you all."

Frodo grinned, along with Merry, Pippin, and Sam. Frodo stood, and held his hand down to Azura, to help her up. "Come on. Let's head back together." He said, smiling at her.

Azura grinned, and took his hand, and let him help her up. "Okay." She said, smiling.


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"What did you do when you were on your own?"

Azura sat on the carpet, with her knees drawn to her chest, only wearing a simple white sundress, and white socks pulled up to her knees. Her arms were folded over her knees, and Arwen sat behind her, brushing her hair with an ivory brush. Faile sat, next to Azura, leaning against her thigh, and sleeping quietly. "Well, first I went wandering. I was young, and didn't understand why I wasn't wanted there. I was found by a woman, Katyan. She just went by Katyan, or Kat. She was a rogue, and taught me how to fight. I stayed with her for a long time."

"What happened to her?" Arwen asked, gently pulling Azura's hair into small braids.

Azura stared forward, watching the fire dance and sway in the fireplace. "I don't know. I woke up one morning, when I was fourteen, and she had gone. She always told me one day she would leave me, because our lives pulled us in different directions, and she said one day she'd see me again, when our lives crossed paths again. She always said that our lives are laid out for us, it's our place to find our roles and carry them out. She also told me, no matter what, fate can be fought against, but I don't think that. Some people were born to live long, and do something wonderful…and some people are born to die."

Arwen frowned, and finished a braid, and wrapped an elastic band around the end, "That's a bit melancholy. Why do you think that?"

Azura remained quiet, passively staring at the fire, and mumbled, "Because that's my destiny. I've seen it."

Arwen stopped braiding Azura's hair, and leaned over and stared down at her questioningly, "So it's true….what a wonderful and troubling a gift, seeing the future. Have you seen your own death?" Arwen asked, frowning lightly.

Azura nodded, not looking up at her, but still, staring passively at the fire, "I see myself lying on a rock face….I have many wounds….and I am alone…and I die…"

Arwen closed her eyes, then laid a hand on Azura's shoulder comfortingly, "I believe one can fight the future. Maybe, know since you know how you die, you can prevent it."

"No…no I can't. I don't know how I come to be like that, and also, I wonder why bother fighting it. I am meant for it." Azura said, her voice heavy, but she continued to stare passively at the fire.

"When I spoke with Frodo, and the other Hobbits, they spoke of you being a happy person. Carefree, but I saw this side of you when I first saw you. Why is it you hide it from them?" Arwen asked.

"I want them to remember me in a good way, and not be sad. In fact, I figured being rude to them would make it easier, but I can't bring myself to be rude to them. They are so nice to me, and I worry so much for them. I feel really close to them, and I have only known them a month, but it feels like I have known them forever. I just don't want them to cry when I am gone, I'm not worth that." Azura said, then smiled bitterly, "And yet my worst fear is dying and nobody missing me when I am gone…..such a contradiction…"

"Let us talk of another thing, I feel a great sadness inside you, and I cannot heal it. Only time can heal such a sadness inside a person, and also, going across the sea, to the West, but you are much too young to go there. You are only 27 summers old! How nice it must be to be so young. What is it like to ravel with the direction of the wind?" Arwen asked, a smiling creeping across her lips.

A smile crept along Azura's mouth, "It's wonderful, almost like being free. Sometimes I feel I am, but I know I really am not. Traveling is fun though, seeing everything."

Arwen stared at the fireplace, then smiled, "I would like to go traveling sometime."

Azura smiled, "It's better than just sitting around…it's nice."

"I am glad we have been able to talk freely. You are a blessing to have in Rivendell, my father says. The last true blooded Leonian to come to Rivendell was well over ten thousand years ago…." Arwen said, smiling softly.

"I am feeling tired…do you mind if I sleep now?" Azura asked, stifling a yawn.

Arwen stood, and lifted Azura, as if she were a nine year old, and carried her to the bed.

"I am not a child…." Azura said, annoyed.

"I am sorry, but being around you, sometimes you seem to be such a child, one can';t help but baby you. " Arwen said, grinning as she set Azura down. "I will take leave now, I hope to see you more, before you have to leave."

Azura nodded, "Yes, that would be nice."

Arwen let Azura fall asleep, and quietly left her room, to leave the young woman to sleep.


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The next month passed mostly uneventful, and as December began to pass, the scouts, who had been sent out earlier, had begun to return. There were no signs of Riders, or any other servants of Sauron.

Elrond had been gathering many things for Frodo's departure, getting food stocked up, and many other necessities. All of the occupants of Elrond's manner gathered to see off the Fellowship, who would be leaving in a few short hours.

Azura thought over who all were accompanying Frodo to Mordor. She was leaned up against a tree, watching people load the horses with food and equipment, and spotted Boromir, tying down a pack to a horse's saddle. He was tall, lean and muscular, and most definitely a expert warrior, and most the time, he seemed fairly decent. But, he always looked at Frodo, and herself, as if he wanted something from Frodo, or herself. It made her skin crawl, but she decided she would just keep her distance from him.

She turned her gaze to the tall elf, Legolas, whom was already seated upon a horse. He was tall, lean, and fair haired, and very much the joyful, musical elf as many elves were said to be. He was pleasant to have around, but knew duty well. He promised Azura he would sit and tell her of her heritage long past, before Sauron meddled with them. He said her ancestors died out long before Sauron came about, but they were linked to an ancient dragon, the Mana Dragon. Sauron had taken Mana essence from the Dragon, and recreated her species, also binding in new blood, and his own. Legolas promised to tell her the customs, legends, and ways of her own people. She looked forward to it, for she didn't know much of her true heritage, which was half of her being. She was made up of one part hobbit, one part man, and half Leonian Elf.

She turned her eyes to Gandalf, who sat regally upon his beautiful steed, Shadowfax. The horse stamped it's hooves, and neighed proudly, and shook it's head. Gandalf reached forward and patted the horse's neck, and smiled.

Near him, stood the Hobbits. Merry and Pippin were busy loading their packs onto Bill, and Sam, as ever, stood by Frodo's side. Frodo was speaking with Bilbo, whom was smiling grandly at him.

Gimli, whom was also sitting on a horse, and staring off at the horizon. He seemed almost longing for something, which seemed to weigh on him. She idly wondered what he longed for, but shook it off. It was his business, and she didn't need to nose into it.

"Lady Azura?"

Azura turned to see Lady Arwen standing before her, and holding something in her hands. "Yes?" Azura asked, standing up straight, and bowing her head, and looking back up at her.

"Before you take leave, I wanted to give you this. Maybe you can stop Lorien from truly disappearing." Arwen said, a sadness hung over her features, and she handed an odd looking seed to Azura.

It seemed to be made from a blue crystal, and around it, was wiry, brown roots wrapped tightly about it, and inside the crystal seed, and faint fire burned. Azura looked closely at it, at the fire. Small, glowing specks swirled slowly, and twinkled like a cluster of stars in a blue night sky. Azura could find no words to come as she stared at it, and looked up at Arwen with an inquisitive look.

"It is the seed of Lorien. Only two were ever found, and could only grow with the help of great magic. The first one began to grow from the power of the Rings possessed by the Elves, but when the One Ring is destroyed, so shall the power of the other Rings be, and thus, Lorien will be no more. Maybe you can plant a new future for Lorien." Arwen said, her voice heavy with an unfounded sadness. "They are sometimes called starseeds, or seeds of Lorien, and the Men call them seeds of life, but the two are just the same, no matter the name."

Azura stared back down at the seed, and felt a odd feeling inside her. So many people placed hopes upon her, but she was unsure if she had the courage to face her life and complete such tasks. "I don't…"

Arwen clasped her hands around Azura's small hands, closing Azura's hands tighter around the seed, "I believe in you, Azura a'Leoni. One day, as many have told you, you will find the strength to find your place."

With that, Arwen turned, and headed off into the woods, leaving Azura to stand there, clutching the small crystal seed to her chest. Azura could feel a strange warmth eminating from the small seed, sending warm chills up her arms. Azura bent and picked up her pack, and shoved the seed deep inside, making sure it was safe.

From her hanging pouch on her belt, Faile chirped at her, obviously hungry. She had grown a bit, but was still too small to fly.

"Azura!"

Azura looked up, and stood, taking her pack with her. Sam was waving her over to him. She walked over slowly, shutting her pack as she did.

"We are ready to leave now." Sam said, taking Azura's pack and tying it to Bill's saddle.

Azura watched him tie the pack, and suddenly felt a longing to return back to the mornings she had spent with Frodo, Merry, Sam, and Pippin, just sitting, talking, and laughing, and not having to go to Mordor. Each step brought her closer to her fate.

"Azura?"

Azura shook, and looked up to Sam, noticing she had been looking down, and idly wondered how long she had been staring at the ground. "Yes?" She asked, smiling at Sam, trying not to appear so wistful and depressed.

"Are you ready to leave?" He asked, and held out a hand, "Come on, we should go to Frodo, Pippin, and Merry."

"Yes, I am ready to go." Azura said, smiling, and taking Sam's hand, and walking with him off to join the rest of the Fellowship. Soon they were off, and into the sunset they walked, in a line, each lost in thought.



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