"Aragorn! Aragorn! Awaken! Please!"
He slowly turned toward the nuisance that was shaking him awake roughly.
"Aallieah, leave me alone and go back to sleep. We are safe in these woods." With that he rolled over again.
"Aragorn, I am not worried about the woods! It's the elves!"
He turned over, stood up, and grabbed the collar of her tunic, "Explain yourself!"
She looked at him levelly, "First put me down."
He realized that he had pulled her up to eye level and her feet were about a foot off of the ground.
He dropped her, "I apologize."
"Now listen to me. I was in the tree above and I saw Galadriel and Frodo below discussing something heavily…"
"What were they discussing?"
"…The Ring."
"Then why is that so wrong?"
She looked at him amazed, "Why are you not worried?"
He looked at her, "It is rude to answer a question with another."
"I do not care! Why do you not care that Galadriel and Frodo were discussing the well fair of the One Ring?"
"You really are ignorant. Galadriel has one of the three rings that were presented to the Elven race. The One Ring is safe here. You need not worry about anything. Now go back to bed, you need your sleep, we are going to be leaving in three days."
"You fool! Galadriel tried to take the Ring! Galadriel, besides Elrond and her husband, is one of the wisest Elves, and she still tried to take it! We are not safe here!" She glared at him, daring him to contradict her.
Aragorn stared at her, "What you speak is the truth?"
"Would I lie?"
"Did she take it? Did Frodo give it to her?"
"Why then would I be here arguing with you?"
"Answer me not with questions!" Aragorn roared.
"No, she regained her mind at the last moment. She was almost victorious though. We must leave, we cannot chance it any longer."
"You are right. We can not chance the Fellowship any longer. Come, we should awaken the others and tell them of your find." Aragorn turned to look where the rest of the Fellowship was sleeping.
They were all sitting up and staring at the two of them.
Aallieah hid a small smile and shook her head, "How long have you been awake?"
"Long enough," answered Boromir. "Long enough to see Aragorn roaring and spluttering. But, I do agree, we should leave as soon as possible."
"Do the rest of you agree?" asked Aragorn.
Everyone nodded.
"But where is Frodo?" asked Legolas.
Aallieah sighed, "He is still in the glade where he spoke to Galadriel. I believe it is best to just let him alone for now. He needs time to think. Do you all agree?"
Once again everyone nodded.
"Then it is settled. Legolas," ordered Aragorn. "Find the Lord and Lady and enlighten them to our decision. We should leave at first light. There is nothing more for us here."
Legolas nodded, turned and headed out of the clearing.
*~*~*
"Do you all insist on leaving right away?"
Aragorn bowed, "Yes, milady. We wish to impress upon your hospitality no longer."
The Lady's eyes glittered with mirth, "I can assure you that our lands are always open to you and your friends and you will never impress upon my hospitality. But, yes you should leave. I advise it immediately."
Aallieah looked upon the Lady with awe. Suddenly a voice filled her head.
Of course I know, Aallieah. Why would I not?
Aallieah sucked in her breathe in a gasp. The rest of the Fellowship looked on with unveiled interest. She looked into the Lady's eyes and answered her the best that she could.
Some people should not know things, even if they are meant to.
The Lady raised her eyebrows.
Really dear child? Why do you say that?
I say that because I know, and I will always live to regret it.
The Lady looked back at the small woman in front of her.
"If that is your wish I will grant you it unheeded. Forgive me." With that Galadriel bowed her head to the faerie.
"Thank you." Aallieah slowly backed into the group and stood beside the hobbits. Frodo looked at her, wanting answers. But, Aallieah gave him a look that plainly said Latter.
Celeborn was then speaking to the Fellowship.
"Since it is your wish to leave at first light, we will not be able to bestow upon you these gifts any other time. Please accept these gifts, for we believe there will be a time when you shall need them."
A group of elves came out from behind their Lord and Lady and gave each member of the Fellowship a cloak.
"These cloaks are woven by the Lady of the Wood and her hand maidens. Use them well." Celeborn, obviously done speaking, stepped back and let his wife continue.
"I also feel that you should receive another gift. Boromir, from the White City, take this belt."
Boromir stepped forward and kneeled in front of the Lady while she gave him a splendid belt of gold. Then came Pippin and Merry, who got belts also, but these were in silver. Galadriel bestowed upon Legolas a new bow and quiver of arrows. Sam received a box of dirt, for he loved gardening. Frodo received The Light of Earendil, the elves brightest star. Aragorn was given a new sheath for his sword (forgive me if I am wrong!). Finally it was only Gimli and Aallieah who had yet to receive gifts.
Galadriel held up a teardrop shaped jewel on a simple silver string.
"Aallieah, this should protect you in times of need. Although it will not protect you from harm, it will warn you when danger is near. The jewel will glow a blood red when there is one that wishes you harm near."
Aallieah slipped the necklace over her head. "Thank you, milady."
She nodded and said, "Protect the Blood Necklace well. I have the feeling you shall need it."
When Galadriel said the name of the necklace, Legolas's eyes went wide.
"Now, there is only our friend the dwarf to yet receive a gift. What would you like, Master Dwarf?"
Gimli, for once in his life was speechless. "Milady, to gaze up—upon your beauty is f—far more gift then I should ever receive."
Galadriel chuckled, "Come now, is there nothing you do not desire?"
Gimli gazed up into her face and suddenly an idea dawned on him. "Yes, milady, I do desire something. Would you bestow upon me a few strands of your hair?"
The Lady looked surprised for a moment and then smiled warmly at the dwarf, "Of course."
She unraveled one of her braids and took a dagger that was offered by a servant and cut three strands of her golden hair from her head. She then gently handed them to Gimli.
Gimli gladly received these and with tears in his eyes said, "These shall become an heirloom of my family. No longer will a dwarf say anything other than praise for the Lady and her Wood."
The Lady nodded and then added, "The boats shall be ready in one half and hour. Let us feast until then. Our blessings will always go with you."
*~*~*
As the Fellowship was eating a servant went up to Celeborn and whispered in his ear. Celeborn nodded at him and stood.
"The boats are ready friends. We shall see you off."
The Fellowship and a good amount of the elves went down to the docks.
The boats were Elven canoes and they were supplied with food, rope and oars along with all of the supplies the Fellowship had come with.
"These are perfect, thank you once again." Aragorn bowed to the Lord and Lady.
Finally they were able to get the seating arrangement worked out. Merry, Pippin and Boromir were in one canoe. Frodo, faithful Sam and Aragorn were in the second; and Legolas, Gimli and a lot of the supplies were in the third. That only left Aallieah.
I do not believe there is enough room for another person in any of the canoes," Boromir stated. "What will Aallieah do?"
Aallieah grinned from ear to ear. "What makes you think I need to ride?" She was floating about three feet off of the ground.
"Do not think I have forgotten you can fly, but is it not a very long way to fly. Our trip is not going to be a short one."
"Boromir! I am offended! Faeries can fly for hours and hours. Some are even able to brag about being able to out distance horses. I think I shall manage. Besides, if I get tired I can rest in Legolas's and Gimli's canoe."
The Fellowship pushed off from shore and headed out into the main current of the river.
Behind them the Elves waved and stood until they were no longer able to see the nine companions.