This story is kinda adapted from one I posted and deleted a couple of months ago which about 3 people read! (*sniff sniff*) But after some very ruthless editing it is completely different and makes a lot more sense. There are quite a ton of new characters in it though who dominate it a bit later on--- but hopefully it should all work out! I have my fingers firmly crossed.

--- in the foreseeable future chapters, the fellowship are the only original characters that put in an appearance and they are slightly out of middle earth. Sounds weird? Bear with my feverish ramblings you might just enjoy them!

Everything you don't recognize belongs to me! Mwha!



Chapter 1

"Be not forgetful to shelter strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Three days hard march through the forest had left the eight travelers wearied and disillusioned. Food was running out and every stream they came across ran with cold, brackish water that gave off a strange metallic smell. The whole forest seemed decayed and sickly. Standing in the shadows beneath the tall, unclimbable trees, Legolas felt as though he was walking in a tomb, and wearily wondered what had possessed him to leave Mirkwood.

"We cannot afford to spend another night in this blasted wood," Boromir muttered grimly, as he drew level with Legolas, "That pack of wolves last night nearly had the measure of us. And there are said to be far worse things here than those hellhounds. Do you suppose he is lost?" Boromir gestured to Aragorn, who was attempting to climb on of the smooth, branchless trees to get the lie of the land. He was about 6 feet up the tree and tried to dig his dagger into the grey trunk to give himself a handhold, but the knife could not penetrate the thick bark and sent him sprawling to the ground.

Aragorn got up with dignity and turned to face the others. He could see the thirst and fatigue, which hung in shadows on their faces, and knew it was his fault for bringing them into this forbidden place. Dusk was settling and he knew that tonight again they would have to fight for their lives against the nocturnal evil of the forest.

"Worry not, little ones," Legolas broke the silence in the most cheerful voice he could muster "We are not lost yet." Frodo nodded wearily to the elf and started to walk again. He felt there were eyes all around, watching him constantly, yet he was too tired to care. The party began to walk onward again, eager to find shelter before the trials of the night. They had been walking for about an hour when the singing started. Legolas heard it first of course, stopping so suddenly that Gimli barreled into him and knocked them both right over.

"Hell's blood and gallstones! So much for grace, you preposterous, clumsy excuse for an elf! Just stopping to admire the beauty of the forest were you, you…"

"Hold your tongue, Dwarf!" Legolas hissed. Gimli heaved himself up from the floor, muttering something coarse about pointed ears that made Frodo smile for the first time in days. Legolas was already on his feet, listening intently with his head on one side in birdlike alertness.

"What do you hear?" asked Merry, looking around nervously.

"A…voice…" Legolas replied hesitantly, "…singing."

"Let's towards it then" Boromir cried, starting off in the direction Legolas indicated.

"Wait" said Aragorn putting his hand on Boromir's arm "It could be a trap, there are

creatures in this wood that would lead us off our course!"

"We HAVE no course!" Boromir practically shouted back, shaking him off. The company stared at him in shock, Boromir lowered his voice "Shall we just follow it a little way and determine what it is? We could be within a mile of a settlement. It may be a fair wench singing as she churns butter for all we know!"

"Are you sure it is a voice, Legolas, for there is trickery in this forest and the very air through the trees sounds like a wail?" Aragorn asked turning to him.

"No doubt about it."

"Very well," Aragorn sighed. "But I have a bad feeling about this. Keep on your guard and stay close."

As the exhausted group made their way through the close knit trees, they began to make out the voice Legolas could hear. Faint snatches of song now and again when the wind blew in the right direction. It was getting very dark and Aragorn knew that all their commotion earlier would have drawn attention. He fervently hoped that he would be proved wrong, and this mysterious voice would lead them to safety.

Legolas, with his sharp ears, could hear the voice well now, although he couldn't make out the words. He had no idea who or what it could be, Elvish knowledge did not extend this far into the vast East of Middle Earth and even the rangers had not ventured this far in centuries.

:: :: ::

"When all the world is young lad, and all the trees are green… And every goose a swan lad, every lass a Queen…Then hey for road and horse, lad, and round the world away… Young blood must have its course, lad,… And every dog his day…"

The clear and happy voice cut through the dark wood like a cooling breeze. Each of the travelers felt in someway lifted by this defiance of the misery of the forest, and quickened their pace towards the source of the sound. Frodo suddenly broke into a run as the glorious sound of a waterfall became audible- no more stagnant black pools! Just cold clear water, as much as he could drink!

"Frodo! Slow down!"

Legolas caught up with him in a few strides and they both stopped on the hill over looking the river. Putting a hand on Frodo's shoulder to keep him back, Legolas scanned the area for the singer. Now only a humming could be heard. Forgetting his apprehensions Legolas carefully skirted the bank of the fast flowing river towards a flickering light he could make out at the base of the waterfall. There he saw a woman standing up to her knees in the water, holding a large silver jug above her head to fill it under the waterfall. Waist length, twisting black hair hid her features from him, and in the faltering light of her nearby lantern, he could not determine what kind of creature she was. Suddenly the creature turned her head and looked right at him. For a few seconds Legolas scrutinised her doe- like, glittering, black eyes. Then she smiled to herself knowingly, turned from him, placing the jug on her head, and stepped sedately through the rushing water towards the large, flat rock on which her lantern sat. Legolas watched her impassively. The others had joined him by now, and Sam with an awed expression on his face, moved down to the riverbank.

"Are…are you an elf?"

The creature, who was by now standing upon the rock in the middle of the river like a siren, regarding the group with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, gave a wry grin. "Certainly not."

Gimli gave a chuckle and strode in front of Sam, who was looking a little sheepish.

"That's the spirit, little maid. Now, my friends and I found ourselves a little lost, and we were wondering if…"

The creature cared little for Gimli's wonderings, for while he spoke she had picked up her long diaphanous, white veil and wound it around her waist. Still with the jug on her head, she picked up her lantern and a small basket from the rock, turned on her heel and strode off through the river to the opposite side, singing again as she went. Gimli looked at a loss.

"Um…Madam…"

Aragorn did not intend to let this last chance of salvation get away and sprung into the river after her, with Legolas at his heels. He found the current stronger than he expected, and, fighting to stay on his feet, shouted for her to come back. She did not turn, only quickened her pace slightly. By now she had nearly reached the rocks of the river bank, stepping nimbly between the currents that delayed Aragorn. Mustering all his strength and poise, Legolas helped Aragorn through the torrent of water and got them both to the other side. The others looked on quizzically from the other bank as Aragorn caught up with the girl and tried to get her to stop. Every time he tried to block her, she stepped quickly by him and carried on, refusing to acknowledge him.

Finally Aragorn, dripping wet and thoroughly at the end of this tether, thrust his sword by her throat, meaning only to give her a fright. To his shock, the creature turned quickly and grabbed his sword by the blade and twisted it from his hands. Legolas, standing a few paces away, blinked with astonishment at her speed.

"Who are you to threaten a stranger?" She flared, holding the point of his own sword under his chin, her eyes wide with anger.

"We only seek your aid… we are starved and thirsty and have been marching for three days under attack by this infernal wood." The creature withdrew the sword.

"You trespass here. You were not summoned." She didn't look at Aragorn as she spoke but carelessly examined the blade of his sword "You were foolish to lead those who depend on you into this place. I cannot help you."

With that, she swung his sword so it flew through the air and embedded itself in a nearby tree, where it stuck, quivering. Turning around she made to proceed with her journey.

Aragorn glared after her and went to try to pull his sword from the tree.

"Who are you to refuse help to those who ask for it?" Legolas challenged the creature "There is no way we can leave this forest alive without your aid. What creature are you that is so hardhearted as to let four blameless hobbits starve? We mean you no harm. My friend drew his weapon from desperation and he apologises."

Aragorn was still hauling at his sword which was imbedded about a foot deep in the tree and made no comment.

The creature stopped mid-stride and gave Legolas a hard, measured look over her shoulder, which he returned unblinkingly. Legolas had the eerie feeling that she was looking into his soul and finding nothing there. Still he returned her gaze and tried to see into her too, the way elves were so famed for doing… She blinked forcefully, as though deliberately shutting him out.

"Very well," she said suddenly, in a cheerful tone.

"Er…what?" Legolas questioned, slightly dazed at the sudden change of manner.

"I shall help you weary travelers" she said walking past him in the direction she had just come from "And it would be best if I start by helping the rest of your party across the river, as there are beings on that side of the water not so charitable as I!" with a little laugh she disappeared between the trees, leaving her jug and basket at Legolas's feet. Legolas watched the flicker of her departing lantern for a moment, then, shaking his head wearily, he set to helping Aragorn retrieve his sword.



Hmmm... SO what do we think? Any suggestions? Any insightful comments? Anyone wanna toast my ass for what looks like a *gasp* Mary Sue!?

(Please for the love of God don't leave me with ONE review like last time! I can't take the rejection!)