Dal felt triumph stir in his breast as the shadowen told of the rift forming in the Fellowship and Meia's weakened state. Soon, very soon, that brat of girl would be his, which meant her powers would be his to command.

"Shh, don't talk, Lady Meia, just drink," A bitter tasting concoction was forced down my throat and I coughed and sputtered. The repulsive tang lingered in my mouth ad the voice chuckled somewhere near my ear. "Yes, Sweetrag, isn't sweet when brewed into a tea but it'll clear your senses if it gets to take its course." I found out what course meant as a while later, while didn't have much vision, I felt my body break out into a sweat and quickly rolled over and emptied my stomach of whatever I had been given last to eat. A while after that my senses did clear and I found it was just me and Samwise.

"Where-"

"Is everyone?" He finished stirring some embers around a small black kettle, I nodded. "Foraging mostly, our food, especially our meat, was ruined in that blasted avalanche," I stared at him wide eyed. " Oh, but you wouldn't remember that would you?" I shook my head and the small hobbit quickly related everything that happened. I had been unconscious for nearly two and half weeks. They tried to use the mountain pass (I was strapped to poor old Bill) but they said some wizard named Saruman must of conjured up a snowstorm and nearly brought the mountain down on them. Boromir had wanted to take the path to Minas Tirith and Brom was set dead with him but Gandalf refused. He said the path would bring them to close to Isengaurd, which from what I gathered was Saruman's hideout. So, they decided to take a path through the mines or Moria.

"Well, with two dwarves, I guess it can't be that dangerous," I sighed. Samwise said nothing but stirred the embers nervously.

"Samwise, is something wrong?" I asked. He looked up me as if I startled him out of thoughts. We stared at each for a moment and then he laid the twig down and scratched his head.

"Lady Meia, would you mind terribly about answering a question?"

"No, no, not at all,"

"Well," Sam wringed his tiny hands and starred at his furry feet, "You see, after you fell unconscious, Mr. Allanon told us all about your world, and mostly about you and your shadowing,"

"Oh," I said, shakily.

"Well, you see, I was curious, what's it like, you know, having someone in your head?" I couldn't help but smile at such an innocent question.

"Well, its like having that little voice in the back of your head only it won't shut up,"

Samwise smiled back as a crackle was heard. We both turned and saw Aragorn and the other three hobbits coming up from a trail.

"Oh, Lady Meia's awake!" Pippin cried and scurried forward, his arms full of herbs. Merry's hands were full of about five to seven bulging water skins, and Frodo carried two pheasants over his back. Aragorn carried most of the weapons and large bucket of water, obviously for the pony.

Pippin slid to a stop and nearly losing his balance almost fell into the smoking embers. He probably would have if Sam hadn't jumped up and yanked viciously on the young hobbit's cloak so that instead of falling into the fire, Pippin fell ontop of poor old Sam. We all had a good laugh Merry and Frodo helped sort everything out, but Sam scolded the young hobbit something awful.

"Just look at these roots. Filthy! We can't eat these now that's you've spilt them all over the ground! You'll have to wash them again!"

"Lady Meia," I was just about to doze off when Aragorn's voice roused me. He kneeled next to me, Anduil unsheathed. I gave a silent gasp and tried to get my tired limbs to work, but Aragorn grabbed my arm firmly. "No, no Lady, please," His dark eyes were insistent and imploring. I stopped struggling. "Lady, please I ask you to forgive me, I thought you were the enemy. I was wrong. After Allanon told me what you've gone through I immediately regretted what I had done to you. Please lady, after my business with the ring is done, I wish to help you and your company get home, until then I'll I can do is swear my sword second to your cause. The ring and ring bearer must come first,"

I stared at him, mute with his great air. How could I not see this lordly aura about him when we first met? I was humbled by him.

"I thank you, Strider," I murmured as more feet were heard. It was Allanon, Risca, Tay, and Gandalf. Missing were Gimli, Brom, Boromir, and Legolas.