Author's notes: Sorry for this *really* short part, but my ideas are running out. By the way, I've started college so I may not upload the next part until the next weekend. A question: should I continue/complete this story at all?

  I've run out of ideas for the next part. Can anyone help? Thanks.

The Fellowship Of The…Baby?

Nine: The Great River Anduin

   The Elves of Lothlórien decided that they were unable to take care of Gaelin, for they were placing more guards at the borders in the rumors of the coming of more Orcs.

   The Company was given three Elven boats in which to travel in, and the waybread of the Elves they called lembas.

   They had been given gifts of honor by Galadriel and Celeborn; and some which were of value. Skipping past the rest, Gaelin received a small Elven toy in which to keep him occupied.

   It had been two days ere they left the Golden Wood, and Gaelin was restless, despite the toy, for he could not move nor do much in a boat. He sat at first with Legolas and Gimli, but disturbed the Dwarf so much that Legolas had to row carefully next to Aragorn's boat and hand the baby over to Sam.

   Aragorn could not hide a grimace as Gaelin came onto his boat, and Boromir chuckled at the Ranger's discomfort, noting how his king-to-be was ill at east at handling children; he could sympathize with him.

   Legolas did not join in their friendly banter across the waters. Indeed, he seemed not to have noticed their voices at all, his face turned ever to the east to the trees at the right bank.

   For he was tuned to the songs of trees, and their murmurs told him of strangers among them; strangers that were terrible and traveled with no need for rest, or food, or stealth.

   Ere he could more deeply perceive the troubles of the trees, Gaelin's happy shriek snapped him out of his concentration, and he glared at the baby, who was jumping on the boat, causing it to rock violently.

   "Help, Mr. Frodo!" Sam exclaimed, holding Gaelin under the baby's arms. "Stop this, Gaelin!"

   Aragorn struggled to keep his boat from flipping as Frodo turned to grab hold of Gaelin's ankles, forcing the babe to stop, his blue eyes twinkling. "Gaelin, stop that before I smack you."

   "Smack him, Frodo!" Legolas snapped in annoyance.

   Gaelin only grinned at Frodo and Legolas, and blew bubbles continuously at the Hobbit and Elf. "Bluuuuruu ahhh bruuurru."

   Frodo laughed in amusement but Aragorn could only shake his head in defeat.