When their various injuries had been treated, the Company was ready to set out on their "journey to wherever," as Sam put it.
A new king had been chosen and arrived the following day, just as the Company was leaving. It was another female, but she chose to use the title of queen. When she arrived, riding another shadow-creature, a pegasus, Belcray said, with a hint of pride in his voice, "The new queen, Asania, is my daughter. She will do well."
"Then we will have to take your word for it." Gandalf replied, smiling to his old friend.
Belcray's pride was well-placed. His daughter got off the shadow-pegasus and led it to the Company. She threw back the hood of the dark cloak she wore, revealing a face much like that of Shadara's, only those who saw her could tell that she had the strength and mental stability that Shadara lacked.
"The shadows will obey me. And they will stay out of trouble." Asania said calmly, her voice soft but filled with a quiet certainty.
Gandalf nodded. "I see that you have your father's determination, Queen Asania. I doubt that the shadows will trouble you."
"We must leave now, to travel again. But perhaps you will permit us to visit one day?" Aragorn said with a cordiality and regality equal to that of Asania's.
The new shadow-queen nodded. "We shall see. If time and timing allows it."
One by one, the Company passed the queen, bowing slightly. She acknowledged each of them with a slight nod and a ghost of a smile. When all of them had passed her, she held up a hand.
"The shadows are forever indebted to you. If you need healers, we will come and aid you." Asania told them.
"Goodbye, Mithrandir. No doubt we will see each other again." Belcray said.
The Company took their leave of the home of Queen Asania and Belcray, once again on the road.
"Legolas, what happened to you while we were searching?" Gimli asked his friend.
Pain flickered briefly in the Elf's eyes as he raised them to the skies. "Maybe someday I will tell you. But the memory is still fresh in my mind and it pains me to think of it." Legolas replied.
"When the memory has quieted and you are ready, you will find many willing listeners." Frodo said, his gaze following Legolas' to the sky.
"Where are we going now, Aragorn?" Sam asked.
"Where do you wish to go?" the Ranger replied.
When Aragorn got no reply, save for a shrug from Merry, he smiled. "Then we will go wherever we are taken."
Legolas spoke up then. "I wish to travel to Mirkwood for a short time. My mind will be quieter there."
"Then to Mirkwood we shall go." Gandalf said.
The rest of the Company gave a quiet agreement and began the journey across Middle-earth to the home of the Elf king Thranduil. In the sky, the new queen Asania watched them from her pegasus. Legolas turned and saw her, his Elvish eyes able to see much farther than the others. Asania smiled and raised a dark hand in farewell as Legolas turned away from her. She watched them begin their journey, setting out with light hearts and determination to reach Mirkwood despite what creatures tried stop them. There was Aragorn, the king Elessar, leading the way. Next to him was Gandalf, the old wizard that never seemed to age. Legolas the Elf followed, his bow held loosely in his hand. Then was Gimli, who trudged along, watching the earth. Frodo was talking to Sam, who had crying a little because he missed Tony. Merry and Pippin brought up the rear, two old friends who were almost inseperable.
Asania smiled again, watching them, her sharp blue eyes glancing along the line of travelers.
"Together, they will face great peril and hardships, but the bond between them is strong." a voice said to her. Her father, Belcray, had come up beside her on his griffin.
"Yes, but they will overcome whatever this world and any others send them." Asania replied. "Live well, Fellowship, live well, and only fight the battles worth fighting."
Together, Belcray the shadow-wizard, and Queen Asania, leader of the shadows, watched as the Fellowship moved on, finally disappearing in the distance.
The End
Author's Note: The sequel has now been started. It is called "Shifting Shapes." Basically, a shape-shifter comes to Middle-earth. When he receives a less-then-warm welcome, he starts to destroy the villages that taunt him.
Author's Note 2: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed this. I need another story idea, so if you think I should add something, make a sequel, a side story, whatever, please review and tell me!
