Hey all! I apologize profusely. I have never taken so long to update. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to tar and feather me!!! But I'm armed with my new Spirit soundtrack and a PBJ casadia. The end will come soon. Ok enough long winded speeches, on to the fic!

The Golden Woods

The company padded softly through the grass near the borders on Lothlorien. The trees were tall and old. You almost felt like going up to them and asking the story of their lives. Aragorn had hoped to come upon the Guardians sooner but to no avail. Creeping along each was grieving in there own way. Maxxy, who didn't understand, kept looking back hoping Gandalf would catch up to them shortly. Suddenly she stopped and started whining. Frodo looked back at his pet and bade everyone to stop. Maxxy took off into the forest returning a few moments later tugging a blond haired Elf behind her. "Let go of me you confounded creature. Don't make me hurt you!" He yelled at her. Boromir stepped closer, smirking. "What have you got there, girl? Dinner?" The Elf's eye widened and he began pulling harder against Maxxy's grip. Legolas stepped up next to Boromir, "Don't be cruel." He turned, "Maxxy let him go. Don't worry he was only joking. I am Legolas of Mirkwood. My companions and I are the Fellowship. Who are you?" "I am Haldir of Lothlorien. We have been waiting for you. The Lord and Lady wish to speak with you. Please, follow me," Haldir said looking warily at the little brown dog. She just looked back at him and yawned.

After a few hours Haldir stopped at the base of a large tree. Its leaves were golden and they shook lightly in the wind. The bark was white with black stripes every so often. "We will sleep here tonight." Sam and Frodo looked at each other. "Where?" asked Sam. Haldir just started climbing. He disappeared into the trees and a few moments later a rope ladder descended. "Come on up. There is a safe place to sleep here." Aragorn picked up Maxxy and began climbing. The rest followed.

That night Maxxy slept uneasily. She was sure all her friends were safe so why was she uneasy? Suddenly a foul sent entered her nostrils. Something was there. She raised her head and looked around. A dark, creeping thing was beside Frodo! She barked and attacked the creature, grabbing it by the wrist. It hissed and smacked her on the nose. She let go and it slinked away down the tree. Pippin was at her side, petting her softly. "What was that thing, Max?" She looked at him then at Frodo. "It must have been Gollum," the hobbit said. "What's a Gollum?" Haldir asked. "Gollum had the ring before Bilbo. He's trying to get it back."

The next morning the company, plus Haldir, finally entered the great city of Lothlorien. They were called immediately to the Lord and Lady. They made their way up a long passageway that was made out of what appeared to be glass vines. The glass didn't seem to have a distinct color but seem to have different tints with the different angles of the light. Maxxy stayed close to Frodo hoping no one would make him leave her behind. Finally they reached the throne room. The Lord and Lady entered with all the grace bestowed upon them from the Elvin race. Galadriel looked at each of then in turn Her eyes missing the small brown dog beside Frodo. Celeborn began to say something but was abruptly cut off. *ACHOO* The Elvin lord looked startled. "Is there a dog here?" Frodo looked behind him then looked back up at the Lady. Galadriel smirked. "Why don't you go back to our chamber? I will deal will our visitors," she said. "Perhaps you are right," he turned and left. Pippin started snickering before Merry elbowed him in the ribs. The lady smiled. "You are well protected here. You will stay until you are rested enough to begin your journey again." With that she dismissed them.

"We will take the river to the falls then continue on foot to our destination," Aragorn was saying. "What about Maxxy? How will we bring her with us in the boats?" asked Merry. "I fear we will have to leave her behind." Frodo and the dog in question walked into the clearing where the Fellowship had set up camp. "Leave who behind?" he asked. Aragorn sighed; this was not going to be easy, "Maxxy." "Why?" "It will be to hard to keep her calm in the boats. We can't risk losing supplies by her capsizing one. The choice is hard but I fear this is the choice we must make." Frodo sighed, defeated. He looked at his beloved pet and sat beside her. She immediately lay down next to him. He knew this was going to be hard, not only because he knew she wouldn't understand but also because he was losing another good friend. "Maxxy.I'm afraid you can't come with us anymore." She looked at him. "It will be to hard to have you along with us from now on. But it's ok you can stay here, maybe Haldir would like a hunting companion, and we'll meet back up again. And don't forget me because I'll never forget you."

Two weeks later it was finally time for the Fellowship to leave the Golden Wood. Maxxy sat quietly beside Haldir. Over the last two weeks the two had become very close. Frodo waved to his pet one last time before climbing into a boat with Aragorn and Sam. Maxxy whined and started to howl pitifully. "I miss you already my pet but don't worry we will see each other again. I don't doubt it," Frodo thought to himself, a mist forming in his eyes. "We will meet again."

Alright! Only one more chapter left ;;cries;; It's ok I'll write more, I think. Shout outs: Holy][ce, She-cat, Liana Wanderwillow, and Birdie!!! Thank you all so much!!