Disclaimer: I own no LOTR though I do own several copies of the book…

A/N: Yah, I'm dumb and took down all my chapters cause I didn't scroll down and notice the editing part. Oh man what a waste of half an hour. Well yes, I don't really like the last chapter but I'll bare with it. I just wanted to get on, but needed to write more, it was late *sigh* I've got loads on my mind.

Chapter Six

Laurel sat in the dining hall, while many of the others began to file out. She really had no desire to go and sit in an empty room while all of this was still surrounding her, she was too excited. She watched the people who remained in the large, white room. There were several of the short, hairy men left, nothing like the little ones who had chattered to her throughout her meal. They reminded her of children, well at least the first two. The one next to them seemed to be lost in a world of his own. It seemed as though he had a lot to think about and it made him seem somewhat depressed. She wondered what it was, though she would never be rude enough to go and ask him. She knew what that was like and detested people for doing it. There was a forth small one but he seemed interested in little else but how the sad one felt. It became like a common place thing to have the little guy always asking how he was, it was somewhat heart endearing. The elf Legolas who had sat across from her was also still in the room though he was speaking rapidly to another elf in some fluctuating language that reminded her of French. Elrond was off in a corner with the elderly man, that had arrived in to the chamber with Boromir earlier. Laurel felt like she was actually enjoying herself while looking over the clothing of the people around her, and the way each of them acted. It all seemed to have fallen out of a history book, or maybe a book of fairy tales. Either way it was a nice change from the fights over Parasuco vs. Versace clothing that she was always 'lucky' enough to over hear in the cafeteria. As she let her eyes look over all of the carving around her. All of the walls seemed to be covered in it, all of it flowing and twining together like some alabaster plant. She seemed to become lost in it, her eyes traveling from one vine to another when she was pulled out of her reverie by someone calling her name.

"Laurel, Lady Laurel I wish to speak with you." called Elrond. "Do come over here, it is a matter of importance." He beckoned her with only a slight movement in his hand.

She stood, trying to be as graceful as she could in the beautiful dress she wore, and strode over to him and the elderly man.

"Laurel, I would like to introduce to you Gandalf the Grey. He is one of the Istari, though I doubt that you would understand that in the least." He smiled down at her, when Gandalf spoke up.

"Perhaps we should warn her of this journey Elrond. I know you insist that she comes along, though it is against my better judgment, I will trust in what you say. Although I think it would be best if she was given a warning to some of the dangers she may have to endure throughout the quest. At least as far as she will have to travel." He spoke as though they were not to be overheard, and she wondered who they could be hiding this simple thing form people.

"I know your feelings on this Gandalf, but you must trust me. I have no fear about what we are letting this girl into. All shall be fine as long as she trusts to you, for you shall never lead her wrong. Although I do have a fear or two should she meet an Orc." he said, and Laurel couldn't help but notice the expression on his face as he mentioned the orcs. "Have you ever seen an Orc, Lady Laurel?" he asked her, just a polite enquiry but there seemed to be more of a reason for it.

"No, I don't even know what an orc is. If you could explain maybe I would understand a little better." Hoping that whatever an orc may be, it wasn't too bad.

"They are among the most foul creatures who roam upon this very Middle Earth." Spoke Gandalf, which put Laurels hopes that it wasn't to bad out the window. " They prey upon those weaker then themselves and will slay all that stand in their way just for spite. And, do not take offence, but even with the best of skills many do not survive an orc attack, as they travel in large numbers, so it is my hopes to avoid them as best we can." Gandalf concluded, Laurel supposed what may or may not have been a motivational speech. "The only hope I can give you if you see one is to run. If they do not hear you, make no sound and try to get to the other companions. Try never to get tow far away from the others, we will protect you our best if you are in trouble, but there is little we can do ourselves." he told her.

The conversation carried on like this for some time. They spoke of everything, from what to do when trapped by Orcs, to what she should do if she found herself lost and could not find any of the fellowship. By the end of the conversation she started to feel as though she was more of a burden, rather than setting out on some marvelous adventure.

~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~

After what had seemed like hours of discussion with Elrond and Boromir they relented, and gave her a moment to breathe and go over everything she had heard in her mind. The entire chamber seemed to have emptied and there were only two people left, and neither of them were familiar. She didn't really know what to feel at the moment, if in any other circumstance she would have been getting excited but after the talk about Orcs and Goblins, and all the other terrible situations she may get into, she just wanted to go back to her room and curl into a ball. It seemed much to frightening to even leave the surrounding area of Rivendell. From what the two older men had said, the group of people would be leaving the next day, early in the morning to get a good fresh start. It was as though encountering 'the most foul creatures' was common around this place. She had hoped to explore Rivendell, it seemed like it had a lot to offer. She wanted to see every inch of it because everything she had already seen looked beautiful. Laurel felt disappointed that she would probably never get a chance to see everything, or even a small amount of it. Letting out a long sigh she put her attention back upon the two men she was with.

"We must allow the others to know of Laurel, and I am certain that she would also like to know those who she will be traveling with." Gandalf stated, as though trying to help Laurel, with what she wasn't really sure.

"Well she can meet them now, I know they would not have gone far." Elrond said quietly, leaving the room, she guessed to go and find the other people she would be traveling with.

She looked up at Gandalf, who looked as though he pitied her for being dragged along on this 'quest'. She really did not know what to say and once again someone saved her the trouble.

"Well, it is now absolutely final, you shall be with us. I did not want even have you know why we travel on such a terrible quest, but I don't want you to have to face this with no knowledge of what we are doing." Through the next while Gandalf spoke of what he called 'the one ring'. Every time he mentioned it there seemed to be an eerie hush in the world around her. The entire story scared her and sometimes she wasn't sure whether she should believe some of the farfetched things that had happened. He said he told her everything though Laurel felt as though some things had been left out, perhaps for her benefit, she didn't really know. She didn't understand how so much could come from one small piece of jewelry. It made her understand the small one's sad and thoughtful look, there was so much to do and it all seemed impossible.

While her thoughts trod along dark things, and pondered what could be done to make their lives easier, none of what she thought seemed to work. Nothing could be done, other than what Gandalf had told her, they would have to go straight into Mordor and fight evil straight on. Her train of thought was interrupted by many people walking through the doors of the dining hall. She saw Boromir, who smiled and walked over to her. She also saw the little men who had talked so happily through lunch. One of the short, ugly men walked in (presumably a dwarf). Legolas and some other man whom she had not seen before came in no later than ten seconds after the rest. She knew he was a man and not some other fell creature because he didn't have some odd height, nor did he have the pointy ears like Legolas. Although there was something different about him, the way he carried himself was much different than the others she had seen throughout the day.

"All of you have gathered now, and tomorrow you shall again for how long I do not know." Elrond stated as he almost glided into the room. Talking to them as though he were greeting strangers, far and distant.

"You will travel and see much hardship but for one last night let your hearts be light. We shall have a final feast and you will laugh and be joyous for I do not know how long it will be until you are happy again." As Elrond concluded his little speech, Laurel looked down to Pippin who rolled his eyes.

"This is Laurel, she will accompany you for some time. She has lost her way and it is my hopes that she will find her home along the journey. She knows little of fighting but I do hope that she may come to some aid throughout her part of the journey."

The group of men around her all seemed to be giving her different looks, but most of them were at least a little friendly. Laurel hoped that she wouldn't become to much of a burden, but she doubted that she had any skill which might help.

~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~

*At the Feast*

Laurel walked down to another part of Rivendell with Chey, who had been told to take her down to the feast in honor of those who would soon begin their perilous journey. As she entered the large room she was immediately assaulted by the two hobbits whom she had met at lunch. They both grabbed her arms and dragged her down to an open part of the room, which was being used as an area to dance. The hobbits deciding to have a little fun dragged her into this, not worrying about her reaction but hoping she would be a good sport.

The held on to her arms and spun her around, playfully trying to et her to dance rather then stand there looking confused. Their little faces lighting up with the start of flutes and harps around them. Laurel had almost every eye on her and all of them curious as to how she may handle this.

Catching a familiar beat of a drum Laurel started to dance and twirl, knowing the effect that would come with the dress she wore. It all spun out around her, her loose hair flying madly. She grabbed Merry's hands and she started to playfully dance with him. Almost like a Scottish dance, they spun in circles, in circles around until Pippin, joined in pushing his friend out of the way. Unaware that she was doing it she went to point, like in ballet and danced the way she was familiar with. She had done Irish and Ballet dancing until grade nine, and being in this place with the music playing brought it all back to her. She danced and spun and kept pulling Merry and Pippin back in, who were now afraid and slightly embarrassed with all the eyes watching. The song slowly died down, and Laurel stopped dancing, though there was still a bounce in her step.

As she left Pippin and Merry to their own devices, she wandered off to find Boromir or Legolas. At least a familiar face, when one showed, although she had not had a chance to speak with him.

"Lady Laurel, you dance well." Aragorn said, a slight smile on his face. "And you successfully made those two less boisterous, very few people could have done what you did." referring to her innate ability at saving herself from a terrible embarrassment.

"I couldn't just let them get away with that." She laughed, feeling naturally calm with him. She noticed a woman behind him, with extremely long brown hair and light blue eyes. She looked to be another elf, he long elegant arms wrapped around Aragorn, and she smiling she said. "Come let us dance Aragorn, we must show our young guest how dancing truly is, though it was quite the show she gave us." Still smiling the woman pulled Aragorn down towards the open floor.

Laurel went to sit down and watch the world and people go by, wishing she felt some emotion certainly, she was having fun but a feeling of foreboding in her mind. She was excited but frightened of what lay ahead and the things she knew she would have to face.

"Lady, what thoughts go through your mind, you look troubled." Boromir said, coming out of nowhere. He grinned down at her. "Perhaps a dance would clear your troubled mind, it may be less awkward as it was with the halflings." She smiled back at him and gave him her hand.

"I'd love to dance." She told him, and he led her out to where Aragorn and the elf were dancing.

She really didn't know what to do when she got out on the floor, when she had been with the hobbits it had been more of a game, to see who would run off in embarrassment first , now she was actually dancing but once she and Boromir began, the natural work of it began to go and she was having fun again. They went around in circles, and she threw her head back laughing, knowing that soon she would not be smiling with this kind of sadness. And she went throughout the night with a comforting warmth. The knowledge that she would be leaving at the next morning, only a small shadow of doubt in her mind.

A/N: So what dyu think? I like it, it's fun, fun before the scary fighting starts. Oh no!

~Jhesika