Just a reminder that I don't own Shannra or LotR. Enjoy!

"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.

"Meia, your awake," Risca smiled. I grinned back at the dwarf.

"I see your coat is handy after all," I said. All of the waterflasks and the black pot Sam was using came from it I was guessing.

"Yes, it does, thank you again," He smiled and I looked over at Allanon, who I thought would be glad to see me awake, or give me some gesture of happiness.

Instead he gave me a stomach curdling glare and then turned his back on me.

"How do you feel, Lady Meia?" Gandalf had come up beside me and he now laid a cool hand across my brow.

"I feel tired and weak still, but I'm glad to be awake," Gandalf nodded.

"We'll see how you feel after eating. If you do not feel any better then Bill'll have to carry you again,"

"Old Bill don't mind any," Sam smiled as he hunched over the black pot adding the freshly cleaned herbs to the soup he was cooking.

"I'm sure he doesn't, such a good-natured pony, but we won't be needing him much sooner. We should reach the gate of Moria tomorrow evening. We'll leave as soon as we all eat.

I fell asleep again and when Pippin woke me, everyone was back. Dinner was the best in weeks, and the first meal I could remember since the shadowen attack.

After congratulating Samwise on his culinary efforts, we packed up and made ready to leave. I tried to stand but Gandalf said I was still too weak. Despite my insistent 'whining' I had to ride the pony.

Anger and jealousy consumed the druid as he watched her. He had warned Meia, they both knew the risk, they were never to love each other again. Of course, he couldn't be mad at just at her. He had to allowed her to get so close.

He remembered that tender moment before the shadowen attack so well. He had taken most of his will power to keep from holding her, let alone refusing their love to her face.

Now, he had no choice. There would not be another chance for mistakes. He would not let Rimmer Dal use them as a tool and if that meant making her fear and depise him, Allanon would do it.

"So, what do you think of our fair land?" Legolas asked as he and Tay and the two dwarves walk side by side.

"It is a beautiful land, but its is alien to me," Tay looked up at the elf who towered over him by a good two heads. "I used to be able to communicate with the earth, but her language is different here,"

"Well, perhaps if we get a chance, I'll teach you her song," Legolas smiled when Gimli gave a snort.

"What do you know of the lady and her songs. You elves lives on her skin and her limbs but we dwarves live inside her womb,"

Behind them, riding on Bill, Meia made a face. "Gimli, that's gross," She laughed. Risca tutted at the young girl and waggled his finger at her.

"What my cousin says is true, Meia. We dwarves live right in the places where all life begins, under the ground. Even the eldest tree must begin from the ground,"

"And do elves and man sprout from the earth like seedlings?" Boromir asked the dwarves with a chuckle, Brom at his side.

"No, good Boromir, but even in the end your bones'll make a bed where seedlings and grasses may grow,"

After this everyone went back to their groups and talked but Boromir stayed close to the pony talking quietly with Brom. It made me feel uneasy whenever the borderman's eyes would often flit over to the blue-eyed Frodo or even on me.