~*~ A/N: This is by far my favorite chapter yet! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! *~*~


"This is no mine.. it's a tomb," said Boromir, looking about. De looked down. Even though she had seen this so many times in the movie... it wasn't the same now. She was here, and it was real. These were real skeletons, and there was really a large, tentacled monster outside the door...

"Oh Valar," murmured De, and she looked up just as the tentacle was creeping toward Frodo's leg.

"Frodo!" she shouted, and the tentacle leapt forward, grabbing his leg.

"Peachy," said Kris softly, the one out of the girls who was closest to the door. She pulled her sword from it's sheath.

"BONZAI!" she screamed, and leapt at the monster's face as it emerged from the water. With one tentacle, it grabbed her and threw her into the water, holding her beneath the surface, then directed it's full attention on the Ring-bearer.

"Kris, you big dumbass!" exclaimed Lily, and turned to Boromir. "Do something!" she shouted.

Kris started to kick her legs, splashing, as she was held under the water by a slimy, disgusting tentacle. As soon as Frodo was freed, Boromir and Aragorn leapt at the tentacle that held Kris under. Within moments, she was freed, and Aragorn grabbed her arm, pulling her from the water.

She coughed and sputtered, greatly resembling a drowned rat. Spitting water out, she followed the rest of them quickly into the mine. The wall behind them collapsed, and Kris groaned, shaking water out of her hair.

"I'm wet, I'm cold, and I'm starving. Not to mention, I have to piss. I don't like this journey any more."


Kris was still grumbling as they approached a split in the road, so to speak.

"I have no memory of this place," muttered Gandalf, and the rest of them sat down. Kris lay on her back, staring at the ceiling. Her clothes were wet and heavy, and, despite her usual jovial mood, she was feeling rather bitchy.

Aragorn, Legolas, and Boromir spoke in a corner. After a few moments, the three approached Kris.

"Here," said Aragorn, handing her a small collection of clothes - his own overshirt, an extra pair of Legolas' leggings, and a cloak of Boromir's. "Your clothes are rather wet, and we wouldn't want you to become ill."

Kris looked at them, and offered a small smile. "Thanks. If you would make sure all of the Fellowship faces the other way while I change, I would appreciate it greatly."

With a smile, Boromir nodded, and instructed the Hobbits to face the other direction. He sat beside Lily, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"You are rather quiet," he said softly.

"I'm thinking," she replied simply.

"Of what?" he asked, letting his hand rest on her.

"Of this journey. It's real here.. back home, it was all just a movie.. it wasn't real there. Here it's real. And I'm afraid of what's going to happen," she glanced up at him, her light green eyes catching his, in surprise. They locked for several moments, speaking in silence.


"You!" exclaimed Kris, glaring at Pippin. "You were watching me dress!"

The youngest Hobbit gulped, and shook his head. "N-n-no, I wa-wasn't!" he insisted, his voice shaking. Kris stalked over to him, crouching before him. The overshirt of Aragorn's was ridiculously large on her, but the leggings fit rather well. She glared Pippin in the eyes.

"I care not," she said gently, tilting her head. "I just wish to know why you would watch me dress."

"Pippin's curious, is all," said Merry softly. "After all, you're a girl, a human girl, and Pippin's never seen one so pretty as you."

Kris' mouth turned upward into a smile. "And how do you know that?" she asked, looking upon Pippin as he looked down, bright crimson sneaking to his cheeks.

"He just told me!" exclaimed Merry, with a smile. "I did not watch you dress, but I heard him speak of you as he did. He thinks you're right pretty, and you make him tingle in-" He was cut off as Pippin punched him in the arm.

"That's quite enough," muttered Pippin, standing up. "I'm sorry if I offended you, milady," he said, bowing his head to Kris, and walking over to where Sam sat.

Kris watched as he walked away, then turned to Merry. Lifting a brow, she said, "Tingle.. where, exactly?"


"You know what is to come," said Aragorn gently to De. She looked up, and then nodded.

"Yes," she responded softly.

"Would you tell us of it?" he asked, sitting beside her, close enough that his leg brushed against hers. She looked down, taking in a breath.

"I do not know if I should," she answered honestly. "For all of it would not be good tidings. I know of great tragedy that will come to this Fellowship before the ordeal is over."

"Tragedy?" asked Aragorn, and was surprised as a tear down De's cheek. She nodded a quiet response. Aragorn reached to her, letting his hand caress against her soft cheek, wiping away her tear.

"Ah!" exclaimed Gandalf, and Aragorn pulled away quickly. "It's that way!"


~*~* A/N: Damn that Gandalf! :-D *~*~