Freddie

Aragorn sighed, 'I hope we get there,' He thought, 'And I hope that when we get there we are strong enough to destroy the ring. Yet it is less than four nights and we are already crumbling.' He sighed again, but this time someone else heard him.

"What is it my old friend?" Gandalf asked. Aragorn turned sharply.

"I fear the ring is already trying to work its power" He replied. Gandalf looked at Aragorn. His eyes had that world-weary look, as though he had been to hell and back. This, Gandalf reflected, was probably true. Even Gandalf, good friend of Aragorn as he was, knew very little about his early childhood, before he came to Rivendell, but he suspected that Arathorn was not the most caring of fathers. It did not surprise him that Frodo and his friends had not known that Aragorn was a king. He did not shout it out and his appearance was more that of forest dweller than a king. Suddenly Gandalf realised that Aragorn was looking at him expectantly.

"Why do you think that?" He asked.

"When I awoke Boromir and Frodo were talking, and Boromir said, 'I would only want to… borrow the ring to help the people of Gondor. I am not evil, Frodo, but I need the ring'" Gandalf sighed wearily.

"He is right in one respect, he is not evil" Gandalf began to watch the flames, dancing in the fire, "He is just weak. I realised that he would be the first to go, yet I fear he will not be the last." And on that cheerful note, he went back to sleep.

          Next day they set off again. They travelled for over half a day when they arrived at a place where the road split in two. They were just deciding which way to go when a voice from behind them said, "Not lost are you Aragorn?" Aragorn and Legolas turned sharply, recognising the voice.

"Talania" They exclaimed with a feeling of dread.  (A\N That's got to be a record for a new character in our joint stories, second part) Talania had dark hair, almost black, and pale skin. Merry and Pippin were smitten with her.

"What brings you so far from Rivendell?" Legolas asked, frostily.

"Just collecting a few herbs," Talania said, innocently.

"It's a long way to come for a few herbs," Legolas said. He and Aragorn, who both knew what she was like, knew that she would probably have given anything to be in the fellowship.

"Some of the herbs are rare," Talania said, "Besides, I enjoy the walk" Aragorn exchanged glances with Legolas.

"You must return home, our path is long and the road is dark," Aragorn told her.

"I do not fear the darkness" She replied.

"Go home" Legolas said. She gave him an 'evil look', turned and walked off.

"Who was that?" Pippin asked.

"That was Talania, second daughter of Elrond and sister of Arwen." Aragorn said.

"Otherwise known as Mornstar" Legolas said.

"Or more aptly, Trouble" Aragorn said.

"That's a bit harsh Strider. She seemed nice" Merry defended her.

"Do not be fooled by Miss 'Butter wouldn't melt in my mouth'. Trouble follows her like a shadow" Aragorn replied.

"Um, Mr Frodo sir" Sam said, tapping Frodo on the shoulder.

"Yes Sam?" Frodo replied.

"Is it just me, or is your sword glowing blue."